Lip Prep

 LIP PREP

Initially, I was very hesitant to invest in cosmetics for lip preparation. I've always been able to wear lip stick/lip gloss and have it last up till I wanted to wipe it off.
However, after using these three products, I wouldn't go back!!

The products I use are not only awesome, they are also cruelty free! This is a trend that you are likely to see in my future posts (I'm sure I will expand on this is future entries).

My lip prep process uses three products, they are: LUSH Cosmetics Lip Scrub (specifically "The Kiss"), LUSH Cosmetics Lip Service Lip Balm & e.l.f. Lip Primer and Plumper.

Firstly, the lip scrub. LUSH has a few of these little beauties that are for sale all year round (Bubblegum, Popcorn and Mint Julips), however 'The Kiss' was a limited edition Valentines day item. Full of salt and sugar, you apply a small amount of the scrub to your lips and then get down to work. You can use your fingers, rub your lips together or a mixture of the two. This scrub is sweet and salty, and tastes like a mixture of the bubblegum and popcorn versions. Oh yea, that's right. It's completely edible! So when you're finished, you can simply lick it off. This scrub is a little different to the others as it comes with a dash of sprinkles and tiny candy hearts! This stuff leaves your lips feeling seriously smooth. However, don't use this if you lips are sore, sunburn or severely chapped, trust me. Scrubbing your lips when they're in one of the previously mentioned state isn't a great idea. Give your lips a chance to recover.



Secondly, I apply the LUSH Lip Service Lip Balm. Available all year round, this lip balm is on par with the EOS lip balms (http://beautyonabudgetnz.blogspot.co.nz/2015/07/eos-lip-balm-x4-review.html Review here!). It can feel a little greasy/oily, but that is a side effect of it being so nourishing. Full of beeswax, olive oil and tangerine oil, it's a smooth and delightful balm that really compliments the scrubbing and smoothing effects of "the kiss".


Finally, the e.l.f. Lip Primer and Plumper. This double duty duo make for an awesome addition to my make up bag. Originally bought this for it's prospective pluming abilities, however, I have found that the primer really makes my lipstick stand out and last longer. I always apply the primer last, however, I apply the plumper before the lip balm, as I feel that the balm can stop some of the plumping effects from occurring. The first thing I noticed when I took it out of it's packaging was the smell of cinnamon! The active ingredient in the plumper is cinnamon, so much so that it smells exactly like Big Red gum. The first time I used it, it did feel a little tingly, however, I am definitely used to it now. I have read other reviews of this product and a few people have had negative reactions to the cinnamon, but also noted that they had quite sensitive skin - so please keep that in mind.
The primer isn't overly easy to apply as it isn't creamy like a lipstick. I suggest applying it to the middle of your lips and using a small lip brush or your fingers, spreading it out to cover your lips. It may look your lips look a little dry, but after you apply your lipstick/lip gloss, it is no longer noticeable. 

Considering the amount of time I have had these products, their advantages/disadvantages and how much I have left, I feel like each of their prices (NZD) is reasonable. I believe the srub was around $12, lip balm - $11 (however, I got on sale) and plumper/primer - $10. If you wear lipstick a lot or for long periods of time, I would consider investing in these or similar products.

I will link to the sites where I got my items from (although the exact lip scrub I talked about wont be available) and where the images were from.

LUSH Cosmetics Lip Scrubs and Lip Balms - https://www.lushnz.com/shop/product/category/path/1021_165/lip-balms-and-scrubs
e.l.f. products for the NZ store I bought from - http://beautybliss.co.nz/shop/e-l-f-lip-primer-plumper/


Images retrieved from:
http://www.beautyscene.nl/lichaamhaarreviews/158234/lush-valentijnscollectie-met-eenhoorn-bubble-bar
http://luxelist.me/tag/lush-lip-service/
http://www.target.com/p/e-l-f-lip-primer-plumper-clear-natural/-/A-13958839

Essie Nail Polish - Mint Candy Apple

 Essie Nail Polish - Mint Candy Apple

Summer 2014
I was flicking through a magazine and came across the following ad and immediately fell in love.

I had already tried Essie nail polish and they were easily my favourite brand due to their quality and range of colours, so when I saw this nail polish for sale on a website a few days after I had seen this ad, I bought it straight away, and for only $5! Bargain, or so I thought... My long awaited polish arrived a few days before Christmas, however, my excitement quickly turned to disappointment. The nail polish appeared to be Essie and was labeled as Mint Candy Apple, but it just couldn't be. The colour alone was completely off and then when I tried to use it on my nails in took four coats (yes, FOUR!) to get a solid colour. This is when I knew it couldn't be Essie and was most likely a fake. A little 'researching' and I discovered that selling fake Essie nail polish was quite a popular thing. Luckily for me I only paid $5 for this 'dupe'. However, my mother knew I really liked this colour, and without knowing about my above mentioned fail, had bought a legit Mint Candy Apple for my Christmas present <3

This photo is a comparison of the two, dupe on the left, legit on the right.Some people may not see the difference, but it really is quite different!

Please ignore my poor application skills and focus on the amazing colour! This is two coats with no base or top coat (it was late when I was doing this). The brush is a little big for my smaller nails, but it does have great coverage. Goes on smooth and stays on forever. I wore this for the first few weeks after Christmas, only having to touch up the edges every few days.

I was truly amazed with how well it stayed on! Until I discovered Essie, I believed that nail polish was useless, because every time I wore it, it would come of within a day. This is probably due to my lifestyle however.....(sports, always outdoors).

My nail polish was still amazing after working in the sheep yards for three days, that must be a record! Every evening when we had finished, I would walk into the bathroom to clean my hands and expect to see my nail polish barely holding on...not the case. The mud was the only thing to wash away,leaving behind my nail polish looking fab.

10/10!!
Unbelievable quality and the most beautiful colour.

Find everything you need to know about Essie here: http://www.essie.com/