Product Review: Tangle Teezer

Before I hear you ask 'isn't it just a hairbrush?', let me answer you. No. This is not just a hair brush. This is the best thing since sliced bread. Or something. What it is is the end of knotty hair, the end of dragging a massive paddle brush through my poor hair, the end of tugging and pulling and generally just being nasty to my hair.

Topshop Beauty Review!

Perhaps I'm a bit late to the party on this one, but wow, I love Topshop make up. Living in Australia, I've only recently been able to purchase Topshop make up (I didn't really fancy buying it online without being able to see colours etc). I bought three items back in March, and I really like them. The standout product for me is most definitely the Lip Glaze in 'Laid Back'. Its just a really pretty pinky peachy colour that it so versatile. I love the formula (some say that its quite sticky but I think its quite nice), and the colour is so perfect for a brown smokey eye.

Product Review: Nature's Extracts Hand and Nail Creams

I quite like these. I received an email a couple of weeks ago informing me that Marks and Spencer were doing free shipping again to Australia from the UK. I often place an order when they have this offer on, because normally they charge fifteen pounds for shipping to Australia which is just obscene. This time, I decided to peruse the beauty section, and stumbled upon a brand called Nature's Extracts. Everything was between one and three pounds, so I thought I would pick up a couple of things to share with you here.

Perfume Review: L'Occitane Fleurs Merveilleuses

I've got quite a few perfumes, but I'm very picky when it comes to choosing them. I don't like anything sweet and sickly, I don't like anything overly floral, and I don't like anything too weird and wonderful. Amazingly enough I've managed to find several fragrances that I adore, and L'Occitane are responsible for two of them, the one in question being the limited edition Fleurs Merveilleuses.

Mini Nail Polish Haul

I call this a haul but that might be lying a little bit. I bought two new nail polishes while I was browsing in the shops this morning. While many would argue that I have far too many nail polishes (and they might be right), whenever I buy a new one, I always try to go for a shade that I don't already own. I just don't see the point in buying several nail polishes in the same shade of red, unless you're not happy with the ones you already own and you're on the hunt for something better.

Favourite M.A.C Eyeshadows

Settle in ladies and gentlemen, this is another long post!

I have a fair few M.A.C eyeshadows, but there's a few that I constantly come back to time and time again. In my opinion, M.A.C do the best eyeshadows, closely followed by Urban Decay (a full review of the Naked palette is on its way). M.A.C eyeshadows have the best colour range imaginable, and the quality of them is fantastic. They aren't chunky like some eyeshadows, and they blend really nicely. I feel like I can make this assertion because I've tried many cheaper eyeshadows in the past and I often wondered why my make up looked terrible - I wasn't using the right eyeshadow! Before I start to sound like a walking billboard for M.A.C eyeshadow, I challenge you to find me a person who can do a successful smokey eye with chunky eyeshadow that falls down all over your face. Just you try!

Pomegranate Comparison: APIVITA Pomegranate Lipcare vs. Korres Pomegranate Lip Butter

I had heard so much about the Korres Lip Butters that I just had to see what all the fuss was about. And, well, I was a bit disappointed if I'm honest. I used it for just over a week, and didn't see any discernible benefits - if anything I think it actually made my lips a bit irritated. I do love the smell and the texture of it though. It sat nicely on the lips but I think it was very much like the Nivea Lip Butter that I reviewd earlier this week. It was ok to wear, but didn't really hydrate my lips.

Product I Love: LUSH Lip Scrub in Vanilla & Chocolate

Confession: I mostly like this because it tastes so good. I'm not even lying. It works pretty well as a lip scrub too, but the smell and taste of this are both delicious! Which makes me incredibly sad to inform you that it has since been discontinued. I bought mine late last year and am about half way through, and after that I will be forced to choose a different 'flavour'. 

Want It, Need It, Must Have It: Clinique Chubby Stick in 'Heftiest Hibiscus'

I'll confess something to you right now. I've been checking the Clinique website every single day to see if this is on sale yet in Australia. As I write this post, the Chubby Stick Intense range is not yet on sale in Australia, but I imagine they would be released soon, and when they are, I'll be first in line to get my little mitts on the shade 'Heftiest Hibiscus'.

A Little Research...

I'd love to know if there's any particular reviews that you'd like to read or would you like more make up, skin care or nail polish? Would you like to see more photos too? I'd also love to know some of your favourite beauty items too.

Leave me a comment below and let me know!

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New Stuff!

I may have purchased one or two little items this morning. I think I showed extreme restraint, because I was in the mood to spend a lot more money than I did!

Apocalips in Australia!

Glory be, the Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers have arrived in Australia!

First of all, they took their sweet time getting here! I'm sure it must be knocking on a year since they were released in the UK, or maybe not quite as long, but they've been a long time coming here!

Product Review: Models Prefer Moisture Lust Glossy Lip Tint

While I was browsing in Priceline the other day, I came across a brand called Models Prefer. As far as I can tell, they are a bit of a cheaper brand, but some of the products looked quite good. I refrained from picking up too many things, because most of the things I found were quite similar to items that I already own, but I did see what I think is a new product of theirs - the 'Moisture Lust Glossy Lip Tint'.

Product I Love: Rimmel Scandaleyes Mascara

This poor little mascara gets a lot of criticism across the beauty board. I can't for the life of me work out why. I absolutely love this mascara, and I think its one of the best ones I've ever used.

Product Review: Nivea Vanilla & Macadamia Lip Butter

I first heard about these a few months back, and to be honest, the reviews weren't all that great. While I was browsing in my local Priceline the other day however, I noticed that they were on special for $2.99, so thought I would give it a go. 

My Favourite M.A.C Lipsticks!

When it comes to lipsticks, I tend to gravitate towards the same shades. Whenever I buy M.A.C lipsticks, I try to go for something a bit different. My four favourite shades are Impassioned, Chatterbox, Rebel and Angel. While they're all shades of pink, at least they're a bit different. 

Want It, Need It, Must Have It: Illamasqua Cream Pigment in 'Hollow'

I've never really been on the 'contouring' bandwagon. Having very pale skin means it can be difficult to find a contour shade that doesn't look too orange or muddy. As it is, I never wear bronzer, because it just sticks out like a sore thumb, but I have been interested in using a bronzing product as a contour shade. But alas, I've bought a few, and swatched several more in the shop, and they're all just the wrong colour for me, and I end up with the dreaded stripe down the side of my face.

Product Review: Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

I must warn you in advance...I'm going to rave about this product.

This concealer has been big on the beauty circuit for some time now, and I've been using it for around six months, give or take. Prior to this, I was a disciple of the M.A.C Studio Finish Concealer. In my opinion, things just didn't get any better than that product. And then I met this one. Studio Finish was swiftly cast aside, to make way for my shiny new friend.

Products I've Used Up!

All right ladies and gentlemen, brace yourselves for the world's longest blog post...

Over the last couple of months I've used up quite a few of the products that I use on a regular basis. Some of them I have already repurchased, and some of them I haven't but here's a quick look at what I've been using recently. It isn't an overly exciting list of products, but for the most part, they're really really good!

Coming Soon...

Just a quick post to let you know that photos will be coming soon to Confessions of a Cosmetics Queen!

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Product I've Rediscovered: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Smitten

When this was first released, I trotted off to the shops and bought four colours immediately. They were released in Australia a little after the UK and the US, and I had heard many good things about them.

They didn't fail to live up to the expectation either. I purchased the shades 'Smitten', 'Romantic', 'Honey' and 'Lovesick', and I quickly fell in love with 'Smitten' and 'Romantic', while the other two were cast to the back of my make up drawer.

Product I Love: The Body Shop Shea Whip Body Lotion

I love this stuff. I love it, I love it, I love it.

Now that we've determined that I love it, shall we talk about why?

Product Not Worth The Hype: Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze

I've said it before and I will say it again. When I say that I hate a product, I am aways mindful that someone else could absolutely love it. Just because I say I don't like it doesn't mean its a terrible product. It just means that for me it didn't work out so well. 

Product Review: Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation

When it comes to foundation, I'm at a bit of a disadvantage, as I need to use fragrance free products (skin care and foundation). Its not too often that I come across a cheaper/drugstore foundation that is suitable for me to use, so I was delighted when I discovered that the Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation was indeed fragrance free.

Clinique Foundation Comparison

I have tried and tested a fair few Clinique foundations in the past few years.

My favourite by far is the Superbalanced Foundation ($50), which I reviewed in a little more detail in my May Favourites post. I find that it is a great foundation - its long-wearing, and makes my skin look great. Check out my May Favourites for a more in-depth review of this one.

May Favourites!

The end of the month of May means only one thing - my May favourites!

This month I haven't discovered too many new products, but I have been using a few things that I had almost forgotten about.