Chit Chat: Upcoming Hauls

Hello beautiful people,

I know it's been a super long time since I've posted on my blog... and my instagram posts have dwindled a little. To be honest, I'm completely stretched for time these days juggling between work, post-grad studies, personal life and hot yoga (love it).

While the year is coming to a close, over the next 3 weeks everything should quiten down. I have plenty of exciting posts coming up including hauls and reviews from/of Trefiel, Colourpop, House of Lashes, Rimmel and Huda Beauty.

Can't wait to show you all and also, what happened to the sun??? C'mon Melbourne! Time for the warm weather! Who's with me? Lol.

Chat soon!

Love Cindy aka Skindzmakeup

Review: Hair and Me Intense Repair Mask

Soft and shiny hair awaits you.

Over the past few weeks I have subjected my hair to a lot of heat treatment. When I say a lot... I mean A LOT. Because of this, my hair started to become dry at the ends and I could see a few split ends forming (noo!). Just to firstly give you an idea of my hair type - its long, quite coarse and somewhat thick. Growing up, I always had nice and shiny hair. But now in my 20's I'm finding that my hair is changing and the ends really need that additional boost of moisture to bring back that extra soft and luscious feel.

Over the past few weeks I have been looking for hair masks to try. In the past I've used the Macadmia Treatment Mask, It's a ten and even Pantene. While these were all good at the time, I don't feel that they would be enough to fix my heat damaged hair. I was lucky enough to be able to try the new Intense Repair Pre-Shampoo Mask by Hair and Me... and just in the nick of time too.

Hair and Me claims:

Its just you and me babe, this 100% natural pre-shampoo, intense repair hair mask is designed to offer your hair UV & heat protection, soothe dry & irritated scalps as well as stimulate blood flow to encourage natural hair growth, prevent hair loss plus moisturise & strengthen while offering a soothing & calming peppermint scent.
RRP: $18 AUD for 3-5+ uses
Purchase online at: http://au.hairandme.com.au 

When I read more about the product on the fact card, it was like one of those perfect match moments. It was everything that I needed in one hair mask. Having read this, it was time to open the pack and test it out.

My Thoughts:

Packaging:
The first thing you notice is the packaging. I mean look at that colour. It's beautiful and very eye-catching - this is a clear demonstration of simplicity at its best =). Also, because of the pouch it comes in, it's really easy to get every bit of the product out and there is less likelihood of contamination with water or other products (unlike masks that come in tubs). If I had to be super pedantic, the only thing hard to work with was the screw top. When you have the product in your hand and try to re-screw it, it can get a tiny bit messy but this is not a big deal at all as I just wipe down the sachet afterward (I'm trying to be very nit picky and consider all angles for this review). Perhaps a simple flip cap may be easier to use?

Scent:
Next was that peppermint scent. If you love that fresh mint smell, you'll love this. It's the perfect pick me up if you're starting the day or the perfect wind down when you're welcoming a relaxing night. I find the scent really soothing, especially during the winter. Personally, my preference is night as there's something about peppermint that is really calming. Please take note that those who are very sensitive to smell may find this strong.

Product:
When I opened the package the consistency of the product caught my attention. The masks I tend to use are white, smooth and cream-like. Surprisingly, this one looks textured (i.e. lots of little lumps) and it's a white with a tinge of light green. When you put it in your hand for the first time, you'll immediately notice that it feels both grainy and oily. While initially it may seem a bit odd, once warmed up slightly it becomes more toward oil-like. Looking at the ingredients in the product, it contains coconut oil - so if you've ever dealt with coconut oil, just picture the texture and consistency to be the same. I found that I really needed to work it into the hands before applying to the hair (bare in mind that this got messy).

Other:

I love the fact that the ingredients are 100% natural. It means there are no hidden nasties in the product and you can feel confident that your hair is actually being treated (rather than any damage just being concealed). Further to this, the product is not tested on animals. Highlighting this as I know it's an important factor for many beauty lovers out there.

Another thing to bear in mind, particularly if you are time conscious, is that this is a pre-shampoo mask. You'll need to set aside time to put it in your hair for 10-20 minutes before the shower for the full effect. Hair and me also recommend shampooing twice so make sure your schedule it in.

Results:

The end result is very soft and moistured hair. As I haven't used it repeatedly for a set time, I don't expect my split ends to magically disappear. Hopefully after more uses and including this in my weekly routine, my damaged hair will make a full recovery. On another note, I'm thoroughly enjoying the scent of this product. That beautiful peppermint smell is the perfect way to wind down at the end of the week, especially in the middle of winter.

Love Cindy aka Skindzmakeup

Review: Rimmel The Only One

A No-Compromise Lipstick.

Hello again beauties! I'm slowly getting through my reviews one at a time. Today's thoughts will be on the Rimmel The Only One range that was released earlier this year. 

Now let's start of by saying that I've tried a fair share of lipsticks. In my collection I have different types of finishes, different brands (high end and drugstore) and products from different countries (Europe, USA, UK, Asia and NZ etc.). Hence, reviewing a new lipstick is sometimes challenging because I have so many lippies to compare it to. I should also highlight that I've been using Rimmel lipsticks for years. Over time, I've seen the brand release new products that just get better each time.

Having said this, when I first saw the Only One range, I thought - how is this going to beat the existing lippies Rimmel already has on the market? Little did I know that these gems would shoot straight to first place in my Rimmel lippie ranking. So let's get to the review.

Rimmel claims:
A no compromise ALL IN ONE lipstick  Long-lasting colour, comfort, moisture and wear• A no compromise all-in-one lipstick that is challenging the lipstick history.• The perfect balance of high impact colour, moisture, all day comfort and staying power• Slanted lipstick bullet for an effortless application

 

Packaging:
Now to start off - that packaging! By far the most sleek bullet I've seen released from the brand. The shiny black case with the coloured detail is absolutely stunning and looks great in my makeup bag. The slant on the lipstick makes application much easier and more controlled as well.

Texture and pigmentation:
The thing that I love the most about these lipsticks is the pigmentation and moisture. My lips have been quite dry lately so I'm very conscious of formulas that emphasise flakes. The first thing I noticed was how moisturising the product felt. The lipstick made my lips look plump and supple and no flakes were evident. It felt very comfortable on the lips, almost like I had nothing on.

Further - that pigmentation. Woah! One layer and the colour is already so bold on my lips. Another layer and bang. Perfect. To top this off, the colours in the range are so beautiful and there are 12 shades to choose from. So to my fair and darker skintoned friends, there is bound to be a perfect colour for you!

Longevity:
While not ridiculously long lasting, these lippies do hold up for about three to four hours before reapplication is required. Keep in mind that for my typical day, I'm drinking coffee, eating food and constantly talking. While it does a good job on my lips, for those looking for a stay put lippie, this product does transfer.

Scent:
This lipstick doesn't have your typical vanilla smell. Instead, this smells very sweet so if you're sensitive to scent please keep this in mind. To me, the smell is quite nice and not offensive whatsoever.

These lippies are definitely my fav that Rimmel has released. I highly recommend heading to your local Chemist Warehouse, Priceline, Big W, Coles, Safeway or anywhere that sells Rimmel to pick at least one up. For those on a budget - keep in mind when Chemist Warehouse has their 50% off or Priceline has their 40% off sale - they are super affordable.

Thanks for dropping by my blog.

Love Cindy aka Skindzmakeup.

Review: Rimmel #Insta Flawless

Radiant Skin in a bottle.

Who doesn't want perfectly glowing skin am I right? Well with Rimmel's latest product, you'll be able to have subtly bronzed and radiant skin in no time.

Welcome to my life #InstaFlawless.
 

Rimmel claims:

• A Perfecting, Radiant Skin Tint that provides a natural looking radiant glow 
• Helps to erase signs of fatigue. 
• Ultra lightweight formula leaves skin hydrated for up to 24hrs 
• Helps to perfect & brighten skin tone. 
• Can be worn alone for a radiant glow or under makeup to extend the wear.

My Thoughts:

Scent:
The product has a light fresh scent that is not offensive whatsoever. It reminds me of a rich face cream or something that is super clean with a tad of floral mixed in.

Packaging/ Price:
The product comes in a creamy light brown tube that is 30ml and has two shades - light/medium or medium/dark. With pink and gold detailing on the packaging, this skin tint really appeals to the modern/ younger market. 

I like the fact that is comes in a tube as its more hygienic and I can control the amount of product that I'd like to use. I chose the colour light-medium for my NC15/NW20 skin and it blends in nicely.

Oh just thought I should also mention that the RRP of this skin tint is $13.95 AUD but as us beauty lovers know, there is always a sale ;). 

Product:
The cream dispensed from the tube is quite a thin consistency and for the light-medium colour, it appears very similar to a tinted moisturiser. On application, it is very easy to blend and leaves no tacky feeling. The first thing I noticed about the skin tint was the beautiful glow that it provides. In sunlight it made my face appear more radiant, yet still natural. Not sure if 'brightened' is the right word, but for me it subtly warmed up my face whilst providing a 'lit from within' look. The weight of the product is very light, in fact whilst wearing it, it felt like I had nothing on. I wouldn't say that it is a moisturising product as Rimmel claims, but it didn't cling to any dry patches either.

I have used this product under and without makeup. For those of you like me with hyper-pigmentation issues, this tint doesn't provide coverage (but never claims to!), so I prefer to use this under my makeup for that beautiful glow rather than on its own.

The product photographs beautifully I'll definitely repurchase.

What do you think of this new release?

Love Cindy aka Skindzmakeup

Review: Real-u Skincare

New skin, new me.

Those following me for the past few years may know that I've tried a huge range of skincare ranging from high end products all the way to drugstore. I've tried local goodies, homemade remedies and even reached out to the korean market. But because of my sensitive, acne prone and hyperpigmented skin, whenever I find a new range that works... my skin eventually becomes used to the products within a few months and we're back to square one. Don't get me wrong, there have been a few exceptions (e.g. Go to Skincare and Garnier lemon range that worked really well), but I've never been able to get rid of the small bumps under my skin on my forehead. Also, given the build up in my skincare draw I'm yet to make another purchase.

Over the past few months, a new line started to fill up my instagram news feed and my curiousity was building. I saw plenty of before and after shots but it looked too good to be true. As fate had it, in that month, one of my Bellaboxes came and tadaaa inside was a sample of the Control+ Gel. Shortly after using this sample, I began to use the entire skincare range. I'll admit that I was sceptical as nothing has ever worked on the teeny tiny bumps on my forehead. This leads me to today and this review :).

There are five products I've tried over the past few months. These include:

- CLEANSE - Gentle Foaming Wash

- CONTROL/ CONTROL+ -Control Gel +/ Control Gel

- HYDRATE - Lite Moisturiser

- REMOVE - Spot Treatment

Before I get into my review, let's talk a bit about the brand and also what it claims:

Ebony:

The face behind Real-U is a beautiful woman called Ebony (Director of Skincare and Product Development). Ebony has been in the industry for over 20 years and has a broad range of experience from intimate exclusive salon environments all the way to Paris runways. She's got a wealth of knowledge about skincare, but more importantly she loves what she does and hearing about the success stories these products have brought to the many teenagers and adults around the world.

Real-U Products:

• Our unique patented hypo-allergenic formula allows your skin to calm down.
• No irritating nasties like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
• Giving you the confidence of comfortable, calm and controlled skin.
• In simply 3 easy steps!

Now let's get into the review:

1. Cleanse - Gentle Foaming Wash $15

What Real-U says: real-u CLEANSE Gentle Foaming Wash is the perfect way to effectively clean problem skin without removing all the skin’s natural oils or over-drying your skin. real-u CLEANSE Gentle Foaming Wash with soothing aloe vera leaves your skin feeling clean, nourished and revitalised, and it’s pH BALANCED.

My thoughts:

I can't even begin to describe my love for this face wash. Typically, when I'm using products designed for cleansing acne-prone skin, they tend to strip my skin of it's moisture. Often my face will feel tight and uncomfortable. This cleanser does exactly the opposite. It is a clear gel that foams into a gentle lather, and it leaves my skin feeling super soft and supple. I'm usually lazy at night and dread the process of removing my makeup - but I honesty don't mind it anymore. I've been using this product for the past few months and have noticed that it removes oil build up, dirt and any light makeup (use a makeup remover for heavier makeup). I also love the fact that it is pH balanced as this means that my sensitive skin isn't irritated. I will note there is a "face wash" scent to this product (fresh but nothing too offensive).

2. Control Gel Serum $40 (100ml) and Control + Gel $50 (100ml)

What Real-U says:

real-u CONTROL+ Face Gel is specially formulated for oily skin and acne-prone problem skin conditions. real-u CONTROL+ Face Gel contains no harmful chemicals and is hypo-allergenic. NO Benzoyl Peroxide. NO Salicylic Acid.

My Thoughts:

The Control + Gel was the first product that I used as I got it as a sample in my Bellabox. The Control+ Gel is for those who need more help controlling their acne, whereas the Control Gel is for all others. I started off using the Control+ Gel and now that my skin has improved, I'm on the gentle version. Firstly, the fact that it contains no Benzoyl Peroxide or Salicylic Acid had me skeptical. Aren't these the two chemicals best to fight acne?? On the flip note, I was very keen to start using this gel as my skin reacts badly to Benzoyl Peroxide and Salicylic Acid has no impact on me. After a few weeks... all I can says is GET. ON. IT. I absolutely love this gel. I use it after the Gentle Foaming Wash as my acne treatment. It's a milky liquid texture that absorbs right into the skin. It doesn't leave any greasy feel or residue on the face and a little goes a long way so use it sparingly. I will note that it has a chemically smell, but again nothing that lingers.

3. Lite Moisturiser $20

What Real-U Say:

real-u HYDRATE Lite Moisturiser is the perfect way to keep problem skin properly hydrated without clogging your pores. real-u HYDRATE Lite Moisturiser is a non-greasy lotion that’s easily absorbed into your skin. With anti-oxidants for problem skin, it REBALANCES your skin. REPLENISHES essential skin nutrients.

My Thoughts:

LOVE. I know I keep saying I love each product, but I honestly am obsessed with this moisturiser. It again is a milky gel to liquid consistency (similar to the Control Gel), that absorbs right into the skin. Once applied, it leaves my face feeling really soft and supple. It doesn't cause any greasy feeling (I have combo skin, oily on the T-zone) and it doesn't irritate at all. I honestly don't know the magical ingredient in this, but it really is improving the texture of my skin and bringing back its vibrancy. When I apply it at night, I wake up to baby soft skin. The dry and flaky patches on my cheeks have also cleared up. 

4. Remove Spot Treatment $28

What Real-U Say:

real-u REMOVE Spot Treatment is a better way to deal with those annoying spots
*  NO Benzoyl Peroxide
*  NO Salicylic Acid

My Thoughts:

To be honest, I haven't had to use this product too much. Perhaps because of the effectiveness of the other three? I have had to use it once on one giant pimple and it took about 3 days for that bugger to disappear. Not bad. Similar to the other products in the range, this is a liquid texture that takes a tiny bit more time to absorb into the skin. I use it for targeted treatment, so this little miracle worker will definitely be around for a while. I've even got my sister hooked :).

Overall:
I definitely recommend the Real-U range. The little tiny bumps kind of there but the number of them have definitely decreased... I'd say about 30% remain. I also find that the frequency and number of pimples I tend to get has dropped as well. Because I have such sensitive, acne-prone and hyper pigmented skin, it's rare that I don't break out and react - this hasn't happened with the Real-U range. Woo!

I'm going to point out that so my skin doesn't get used to this range (as I'm loving the results so far) every second night I use my Lancome Visionnaire Serum in place of the Control Gel and Moisturiser. By doing so, I've continued to used these products for months with the same results. I have found that my skin now-a-day (particular on my dry cheeks) is a lot softer  and tends to be a bit more oily (nothing bad). Having dealt with very oily and very dry skin, I much prefer this.

Get. On. It. ;).

Love Cindy

aka Skindzmakeup

Review: Thin Lizzy

Cover up those blemishes and emphasise those eyes.

If you watch late night tv, you might every now and then catch a glimpse of one of those infamous infomercials. This was exactly how I first came across a brand called Thin Lizzy. I recall the sales lady talking about their highly pigmented concealers and demonstrations on TV showing how amazing the coverage actually was. Quite a while later, as I was walking through the aisles in Priceline, I was surprised to see a whole section for Thin Lizzy - this really caught my interest.

Over the past while, I've been trying Thin Lizzy. I've also been pleasantly surprised to find out that the brand is much more than just concealer. In fact it offers a range of items such as mascara, powder and even eyeliner.

This review will be on the following products:
1. Concealer Creme in China Doll
2. Precision Liquid Eyeliner

3. All Day Flexi Mascara

So who is Thin Lizzy?
Created in 2005, Thin Lizzy is a company based out of New Zealand. The business prides itself in creating high quality products that are accessible by any one, any age and any income. In the last two years the brand has expanded its product range which is now available across Australasia.

The products:

1. Concealer Creme $29.95

Thin Lizzy says:
The special formulation allows for light, simple application with brilliant water and smudge resistant coverage. Plus the ginger extract helps keep pores clear and reduce irritation, making it great for anyone with sensitive or acne prone skin.

My Thoughts:
Firstly, I picked the colour China Doll which is a tad darker than my NC15/NW20 skintone. I have sensitive and acne prone skin and this product didn't cause any irritation or break outs on my face.

The Concealer is liquidy and similar to the consistency of the Makeupforevers Full Cover Concealer or Bourjois Healthy Mix (perhaps a tad thicker). It's claims for heavy coverage are definitely true, but it really depends on how heavy you apply it and how many layers you put on. For example, I tend to use a very thin layer of concealer to cover minor hyper-pigmentation on my skin. This application evens out my skintone but still allows my natural skin to peak through. However, I can easily build this coverage by adding on another layer or by not spreading the product out so thinly. I think it would be good for those of you with acne or acne scarring. I don't have any heavy tattoos to conceal but check out the Thin Lizzy website for the video that demonstrates tattoo cover.

The finish of the Concealer leaves a slightly tacky feel - which tends to assist with the smudge resistant coverage claim. I usually dust a small layer of translucent powder on top to set it for the day. The product lasts for a good 6-7 hours, bearing in mind I tend to touch my face a lot throughout the day.

The product also claims to keep pores clear and reduce irritation - all I can say is that I didn't break out from using it. My pores remain the same as well.

Overall, quite a good product in my opinion.

2. Precision Liquid Eyeliner $19.95

Thin Lizzy says:

The Perfect Easy to use Eyeliner guaranteed to make an impact.

My thoughts:

Instant love. This eyeliner is possibly one of the easiest liquid liners to use. The applicator allows you to grip on to make a seamless and easy winged look in a matter of seconds. Depending on the pressure you apply, it allows you to make a thin or thicker line. For me, this eyeliner stays on all day (I usually put it on at 7:00am and take it off around 6:30pm) and it does not give me intense racoon eyes (woo!) - it's honestly very fuss free. I will say though every now and then it may smudge a tiny bit after 5-6 hours but I just wipe under my eyes. The liquid is thin in consistency, however it doesn't emphasise fine lines or run when you apply. If the formula was a little more black, it would almost hit HG status alongside my Dollywink.

Love it.

3. All-day Flexi Mascara $29.99

Thin Lizzy says:

An advanced formulation mascara designed with flexible micro-tubing polymers that wrap around individual lashes, creating flawless eyes in an instant with staying power from morning to evening.

My Thoughts:

Firstly, such sleek packaging! I love the black tube with silver detailing and I admire brands that think smart when it comes to this sort of thing. This mascara has a normal bristle wand that enables product to be distributed evenly across each lash. The product is quite black, which I love and provides the lashes with a bit of oomph. Because the brush is packed with plenty of individual bristles, the mascara is able to give a tad more length and volume. As my lashes naturally curve up, the mascara also emphasised the lift throughout the day. It didn't flake on or transfer to the under eyes so thumbs up. Its a bit harder to apply the mascara on the lower lashes without getting it everywhere, but this is mainly because due to bottom lashes being almost non-existent so trying to manoeuvre a large brush alongside each was a disaster waiting to happen lol!

Overall, I think all these products are worth a shot. My personal favourite out of the range is the Precision Liquid Liner. These products can be found in Priceline and Nova Pharmacies or online.

Hope this review helped!

Love Cindy aka Skindzmakeup

Favourites: Translucent Powders

Let's set our look.

Over the years, I've tried many, many powders. It has taken about 5 years but I think I've finally settled on my top three setting powders (note how I say setting powders and not powered foundation - this will be a separate post). When I look for a setting powder, I typically need one that sets my face to a natural/matte finish, controls my oily tzone and one that requires minimal touch ups throughout the day.

Here it goes:

1. La Mer Translucent Powder

Luxury in a tub. This powder comes in a large glass container with a white plastic lid. Not only does the outside of the product look amazing, but inside it also comes with a powder puff that is gentle and soft on the skin (I do have to be honest though and let you know that powder puff is not my selected method of application). Application of this powder is simple - any soft flat top brush (natural hairs work better) or a fluffy powder brush. It sets any foundation by leaving a beautiful natural finish that is not too matte. It makes the skin looks ridiculously luminous after apply the powder and no touch ups are required throughout the day. What'a also great about the powder is that it is super, super finally milled. There is no creasing when you use it and no caking under the eyes. It also looks beautiful in photos. While this product is super expensive, the tub is HUGE (25 grams) and it will last a long time.

2. Essence Fix and Matte Powder

The opposite side of the price scale to number one but just as effective in my opinion. While only picking this up for $2 at a makeup sale, this nifty little product has become one of my most reached for. I've completely used up two tubs and plan on purchasing many more (when I can find it - its always sold out at my local Priceline). When you first feel this powder, it is super cooling and very fine. I use a large fluffy brush to apply it on my face, specifically focusing on the tzone. I've noticed that it does not crease or cause any caking. This powder takes away any shine and sets my foundation to a nice matte to natural base. I do have to mention that if you apply too much, your face will appear white. When this happens, I just use a setting spray over the face and problem solved.

3. Illamasqua Translucent Powder

This works the same as La Mer and Essence - in fact everything that I've mentioned above about the quality of the products is the same for powder. The texture is super fine, it does not crease or cake and finally it lasts throughout any day without any touch ups required. It doesn't leave any white residue and there is no flash back when it comes to photos. I also have oily skin and find that this powder is able to keep the oils at bay for at least 7 hours. One of the best things about this powder that makes it stand out is the beautiful sweet scent. There's not much I can really knock about this product. I say go to your nearest David Jones counter and try it out.

Special mentions:

Ben Nye Neutral Set Powder

I find this powder quite similar to the three powders above. It is nicely milled, super soft and quite silky. I got mine from Hub Makeup for $12-$15 (smaller jar) and it's lasted for over a year. Keep in mind to really blend this powder in to avoid any white patches on the face.

What are your favourite powders?

Next on my list to try is the RCMA.

Love Cindy aka Skindzmakeup