Sea Salt Spray by Lee Stafford

Sea salt spray... you say.... hmmm... I'll give anything a go once!

When I had medium length hair (those were the days... I kind of wish I still had long hair) I purchased the above - Lee Stafford Sea Salt Spray, to give my hair that 'just went to the beach' look. Not really a good idea since I have thick hair... my bad.

I purchased it from Priceline for AU$12.29 - 150ml.

The directions are - spray approx. 50 times (yes that's right... a mere 50 times... ) in towel dried hair, then blow dry or you can leave it in to dry naturally. You can also apply it to dry hair. It has 26 minerals with promineral complex of dead sea salts.... and a bunch of other items to protect and repair your hair from free radicals.

So, my hair is thick and naturally wavy and when I applied this product it went a little crazy looking and gluggy feeling. I think if you had thin hair and wanted some extra volume then this would work for you and is a great alternative to using other expensive products and then heat as you can just let it dry naturally. It smells nice but can be a little crusty in your hair, giving you that authentic sea feeling.

Sadly... I won't be using this very often.

Laters,
Ivy

Fibrewig Mascara by Imju

Mascara! Where to start?!

I have short lashes that point straight out. No long lovely curly lashes for me! This makes mascara very important. I'm looking for length but it's also important that I use more of a wax (or drier) based mascara so it will hold the curl from my lash curler.

I tried using Fibrewig a while ago now and I must say it's really going to give you the length you're looking for.

Breakdown - It claims to give length as it has little black fibres that stick to your natural lashes. It also claims that it won't smudge, and that it will easily come off with warm water.

Sounds too good to be true hu? Well, it actually works and does all of these things! When you apply it, you use the tip vertically and push up along your lashes so the fibers stick to your natural lashes. Then you wiggle the brush from side to side horizontally from root to tip. It's a nice black colour as well. It doesn't smudge which is great because I really can't stand the whole black rings on the bottom on my eyes half way through the afternoon. When it comes to removing it you just need to wet your eyes and then you can gently rub the mascara off between your fingers. I use a cotton pad with eye makeup remover which removes the mascara.

Where do you buy it? I bought mine at a store in Chinatown Sydney (I have no idea what it's called, but it's the really pink one near the Asian music and DVD store....I know that doesn't really give you an idea) but I know they sell it at AKA Cosmetics. I think I paid around AU$35-40, but it's worth it.

How long does it last? I had mine for 3 months and then I threw it out (being the good mascara wearer... I never keep any mascara longer than 3 months in fear of pink eye and other eye infections). I probably used 2 coats per day.

Did I buy it again? No. The only reason being is that I love checking out new products. Even if the current one was great (which this one is great) I can't help but trying a new product just to see what it's like. I know..... I'm really a lost cause like this!

Highly recommend Aqua Beauty Dream Land - has great reviews on products and a fantastic review on Fibrewig Mascara. Check it out!
http://aquabeautydream.blogspot.com.au/2010/09/tubing-mascara-review-1-original.html

Happy mascara-ing,
Ivy

Nars Blush - Torrid

Hello hello Nars blush!

I bought this blush in Sephora while I was in Hawaii. I was really lucky with the AU$ and Nars is cheaper compared to buying it here in Sydney. In Sephora it's a low US$28 and here in Sydney at  Mecca it's AU$49 (aaahhhhh!).

So at first I thought this would be far too bright on my skin (I'm an NC35 in MAC foundation). The sales assistant applied it to my face and it was very subtle. It was love at first sight. I know that a lot of people love Nars blush and in particular Orgasm. I am now one of these Nars blush junkies as I'm very into Torrid!!! You only need a small amount as it's quite pigmented. I usually use my MAC large angled contour brush to apply it to the apples of my cheeks.

You get your $ worth with this product, so I can strongly recommend this if you're looking for a good quality blush.

Check our Nars blushes at both Sephora & Mecca by clicking on the links below.
Sephora - http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P2855&categoryId=B70
Mecca - http://www.meccacosmetica.com.au/shop/Nars/Blush/

Laters,
Ivy

MISSHA M Perfect BB Deep Cleansing Oil & SUPER AQUA Cleansing Foam

Instead of completing two reviews on cleansers from Missha, I thought I'd just combine them!

Last week I completed a review on BB Creams, and today I'll blog about the Missha M Perfect BB Deep Cleansing Oil and Missha's Super Aqua Cleansing Foam.

Okay, firstly the Cleansing Oil. AU$29.90 for 200ml
http://www.missha.com.au/products/goods_info.php?f_sid=10&f_pid=5&goods_no=1297&price=0

This oil is going to remove your BB cream as it's been specially formulated for the Missha BB creams.

I use this not only when I'm wearing BB cream but other makeup. Before I put water on my face, I use two pumps of this and then I rub it all over my face (avoid your eyes, I use a separate eye makeup remover) then you rinse it off after you've finished your massage and cleanse as usual.

I find that it does work to breakdown your makeup (oils usually do, virgin olive oil is a great home makeup remover), however your cleanser will probably do the same thing. I also find that it doesn't remove all my foundation as I also use a Clarisonic afterwards and I can see the makeup on the brush. I kind of regret buying this, because personally, it's something that I don't need. I'm just going to continue to use it since I've already bought it and it's not harming my face.

So next up is the Missha Super Aqua Cleansing Foam. AU$17.90 for 200ml
http://www.missha.com.au/products/goods_info.php?f_sid=10&f_pid=5&goods_no=1066&price=1

I love this cleanser. Love love love it!
I have re-purchased this product and it lasts me a year! I used it in 2010, had a break from it in 2011 and used a bunch of other cleansers cause I like to try new products, and have now gone back to it in 2012. I use it twice a day - morning and night. Having said that, I will probably try out other cleansers next year when I've finished this one. I think I have a Tony Moly "Berry" cleanser in storage... which I should use.

In the morning I usually use a pea size amount in my hands, lather it up and then apply to a wet face. A small amount goes a long way! Then rinse it off. At night after using my cleansing oil I use a small amount of cleanser on my Clarisonic face brush and apply to a wet face. You can see all the makeup on the brush after you've finished (yep... the oil doesn't remove it all). Then rinse your face.

If you like a cleanser that leaves your face feeling squeaky clean... then this will be a great cleanser for you. I have a very oily t-zone with a bunch of zits on my chin (yuk) so I really like the clean feeling. Recently I was finishing up a gel aloe cleanser which wasn't that great... I think that's why I may have broken out on my chin (totally not all the chocolate I love to eat... no way...pft). I know that this cleanser (combined with my face care products) will help clear this acne up.

My fav Missha shop is the one located in the QVB!
Check it Missha - http://www.missha.com.au/index.php