Cosmetic Cupcake

The Dior Addict lipsticks are one of my favourites. The colours in the collection are gorgeous and they feel just AMAZING. Not to mention the pretty packaging! I LOVE them to pieces and it was all thanks to Tammie that I wanted them and now have them xp I have some quick swatches of Model 564 today which I showed you in my latest Sephora haul on Sunday. You can check out my full review of the Dior Addict lipsticks here.


Model is a Sephora exclusive shade and is described as a "sheer warm pink". I ADORE shades like this! I do have some bold lippies but the majority of the time I reach for pinks and nudes.


As with the other Dior Addicts I own, it applied beautifully and feels wonderful on. It lasts quite a decent time on me before I need to reapply. I have quite pigmented lips so the colour is very subtle on my lips but I like that as it means I can use it everyday.


Swatches:




Details: Dior Addict in Model is only available from Sephora for $28US. Other shades can be purchased from the Dior online store.

Dior Addict lipsticks are available from Myer and David Jones stores for $49Aus.

Have you tried Dior Addict lipsticks? If you haven't, I really suggest you splurge and try one!!

Thanks for looking as always =)

Hi ladies! I hope you've all had a lovely weekend =) Today I have a quick haul post for you courtesy of the awesome Tammie. Sephora unfortunately doesn't ship to us Aussie ladies (BOO!!) so lovely Tammie is my US enabler! I haven't been doing many haul posts lately.. lots of people are really struggling at the moment so I don't really feel comfortable doing my monthly haul posts (I haven't hauled TOO much recently) but the occasional haul post is OK I think as I know you guys enjoy them.


So many goodies!!!! xD It was great to open up the package hehe. Tammie also helped some of my friends get some items too which was so nice.


NARS Sea of Love set containing full size Illuminator in Laguna, lip gloss in Turkish Delight, The Multiple in Orgasm and blush in Super Orgasm.


Look how cute the mini NARS blush is! Here it is next to my full size Orgasm blush hehe.


Some Urban Decay goodies!! 24/7 Shadow Pencil Stash, 24/7 liner in Yeyo and Grind House pencil sharpener. I mainly got the pencils to try the teal colour because I want to add some colour to my makeup ;)


I've been loving cream eyeshadows lately because they're so simple and quick to use! I've been itching to try the Benefit Creaseless Creams ever since I saw them over on Emily's Anthology. She raves about Strut and she did a great tutorial on how to take your makeup from day to night using it so I thought I'd get a few to try out. I got Birthday Suit, RSVP and Strut.


And last but not least my HG eye makeup remover Lancôme Bi-Facil and another Sephora exclusive Dior Addict lipstick in Model.

Tammie also helped me get something for my sis which isn't pictured because it's part of her Xmas present and hidden at the moment from her prying eyes ;) Thank you once again for helping me get my hands on Sephora items Tammie!! I seriously would have a lot less make up (and lemmings you huge enabler!) if it weren't for your generosity in helping me custom purchase ♥

What have you hauled lately? Thanks for looking as always!

November 25th is declared as International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the White Ribbon has become the symbol of it. All violence is unacceptable and the White Ribbon campaign aims to prevent the most common form of male violence which is against women. Through it's yearly campaign and prevention initiatives, it hopes to change the attitudes and behaviours of men towards women and prevent violence. Far too many women are affected by violence - statistics show that 1 in 3 women in Australia over the age of 15 have reported experiencing physical or sexual violence at some time in their lives. With the patient group I work with, I witness the result of violence 1 time too many. It needs to end.

I have for you today my White Ribbon Day manicure in support of the White Ribbon campaign.


I used 2 coats of Face of Australia Titanium* on all fingers as a base and then used Kiss nail art striper in white to freehand the ribbon.



Show your support today by wearing a White Ribbon, buying White Ribbon merchandise or making a donation. For the men in your lives, they can show their support by swearing the White Ribbon Oath. The campaign is now the largest global male-led movement to stop men's violence against women. White Ribbon encourages Aussie men and boys to take the oath and to help make a positive change. It's a symbol of commitment to change and challenge attitudes that contribute to violence against women.

Stop violence against women.

* Product(s) sent to me for consideration but this in no way influenced my review in any way. As always, my reviews are my 100% honest opinion. My Disclosure Policy can be viewed here.

Hi ladies! Today I have the winners of my Vaseline Aloe Fresh Lotion giveaway for you. The 5 lucky winners will each receive a 375ml bottle of Vaseline Aloe Fresh Lotion with SPF 15 to try out!


I loved reading your sun care tips - I really wish I'd been told so many of those things when I was a teenager!! That way I wouldn't be trying to repair the damage now but oh well =(

Without further ado the winners are:

Tinny
Lauren
Prettymom
Ritat
Beautysnippets
Congratulations ladies! I've just sent you all emails requesting your details and please respond in the next 48 hours or I'll have to redraw the winners..

If you didn't win this time don't worry!! I still have one more little giveaway planned before the year ends ;)

Thanks for looking as always!

Hi ladies! I have another lovely Arbonne product for you today - this time it's their Lip Polish in Coral. Before I discovered the joys of lipstick I only really wore lip glosses exclusively so I'm always very excited to try out a new gloss!


What they say:

"Arbonne’s Lip Polish is a fun and sexy lip product for women who are after superior shine, without the unwanted stickiness. Each shade of Lip Polish glides on with ease, and leave lips feeling silky and smooth. With 7 available shades, there is an ideal colour for every occasion.

Suitable for all skin tips, the Lip Polish can be worn day or night for the perfect lip shine."


Coral is a dark coral shade with a hint of shimmer. As it's Spring right now in Aus I am getting right into my coral shades! Coral is a very pigmented and is very glossy. The Lip Polishes are packaged with the same sleek dark brown Arbonne packaging which I really like it as it looks so stylish! I prefer using glosses with sponge applicators and the lip polishes have a clear wand with a sponge applicator.


Swatches:




Overall: Arbonne Lip Polish in Coral is a gorgeous gloss. It feels fantastic on the lips without a trace of stickiness (I HATE sticky glosses!) and feels smooth and moisturising on the lips. The coral colour is perfect for the warmer months and I think a very flattering colour for most ladies. It's very glossy and pigmented which is great! The sleek packaging is a major plus too. Wear time is quite reasonable I found - about 2-3 hours on me before I have to reapply.

The only negative I have is the price. $36 for a lip gloss is a little pricey in my book but I haven't really seen many coral lip glosses around so it'd definitely be a gloss to check out.

Details: Arbonne Lip Polishes are available in 7 shades from the Aus Arbonne International online store for $36.

I'm very interested in trying the other shades now! Have you tried the Arbonne Lip Polishes before?

Thanks for looking as always ladies!

For international ladies, they can be purchased from the US Arbonne International online store for $22US and the UK Arbonne International online store for £17.00.

The product featured in this post was provided to me for consideration at an event but this in no way influenced my review in any way. As always, my reviews are my 100% honest opinion. My Disclosure Policy can be viewed here.

Hi ladies! I've wanted to do a bumbleebee mani for ages now and I finally got a chance to last night! Unfortunately it kinda sucks *hangs head* But woohoo for the awesomeness of DSLR cameras so it doesn't look as crap as it does in real life haha. I need to get better at freehand! Here's my crappy attempt for you.


I used 2 coats of Barry M Blueberry ice-cream as a base. For the trails, I used a small nail art brush* from Born Pretty Store and Kiss nail art striper in black to draw short lines. For the bee, I used a small nail art brush* to draw an oval using China Glaze Happy Go Lucky for the body and added lines and outline using Kiss nail art striper in black. For the wings I used a large dotting tool* also from Born Pretty Store and Kiss nail art striper in white.

For my thumb I wanted clouds! I stamped full cloud design from Konad plate m79 using Konad Special polish in white. Topped it all with a coat of Konad Special topcoat and then a coat of my HG Color Club Vivid Color Intensifying topcoat.


You can't really see from my pics but my Konad topcoat makes my mani bubble!! GAH. But unfortunately when I do nail art using black I almost always tend to be too heavy handed when applying topcoat and end up smearing a finger or two so I need to use the Konad topcoat..


What do you think? Thanks for looking as always! =)

* Product(s) sent to me for consideration but this in no way influenced my review in any way. As always, my reviews are my 100% honest opinion. My Disclosure Policy can be viewed here.

A super quick swatch post for you tonight! I have for you the gorgeous Cult Nails Devious Nature. My swatches aren't the best unfortunately as I did my nails very quickly the other night xp


Devious Nature is a straight up gorgeous hot pink creme. You guys know I love pinks and this is definitely no exception! It is slightly darker that what is pictured in my pics as it has some berry tones in it. I think Teacup described it nicely on twitter the other night as a "grown up barbie pink". It applied like a dream and dried very quickly. 2 coats is pictured.

Close up:



Details: Cult Nails polishes can be purchased from the Cult Nails online store for $10US.

Thanks for looking ladies! Aussie ladies don't forget to enter my Vaseline Aloe Fresh Lotion with SPF 15 giveaway here!

Today I have another guest review from P! I was very fortunate to attend an event a while ago where I was introduced to Arbonne cosmetics. One of the products I got to try out was the Arbonne Perfecting Liquid foundation SPF 15 and I was so super impressed with it just from one swatch. Coverage was absolutely fantastic from a small pump and it covered all manner of redness. The PR company very kindly sent me over a bottle to try out but alas the shade I chose was totally the wrong shade for me which I was very disappointed about. Luckily the shade suited P perfectly so I was able to pass it on to her!


What they say:

"Arbonne's Perfecting Liquid Foundation SPF 15 is the ultimate in liquid foundation technology with polypeptides, gliding seamlessly onto the skin creating an even smooth tone.

The Perfecting Liquid Foundation SPF 15 with light reflecting properties is delivered effortlessly through the airless pump, resulting in a flawless finish, whilst maintaining moisture levels for a smooth and healthy skin tone.

The exclusive Optilight Technology helps ensure that the product is non-comodogenic, enhancing breathability and reducing the chance of pore clogging and skin issues."


The review:

Hello again ladies! I'm slowly making my way through cosmetics that don't suit 'chelle's beautiful porcelain face. These are all the dark shades which seem to be in plenty supply which is lucky for me.

Here's the next tried and tested face improvement product - Arbonne Perfecting Liquid Foundation SPF 15 in Rosy Beige:


Before trying this foundation I hadn't even heard of Arbonne. Sounded like a famous french philosopher. Or a soccer player. Now I know better, after googling this brand. ('chelle: I'd never heard of Arbonne either don't worry!)

I thought the Clinique moisturiser had great coverage, until I tried this one out. The tiniest pump covered one cheek! I was impressed. My skin tones were even, and blemishes gone - all with quick flicks of the fingers. Very light and non greasy. This foundation passed the 1 minute application and removal tests. Although slightly more cleanser was required to remove it all.




I prefer this foundation for going out at night, when I need a slightly heavier base. This foundation smells great too. Always a plus for me, as I'm sure that if a product stinks, others will smell the stink too. The only thing is the dispenser is a bit too long for my liking and doesn't fit in my bag (basketball shoes and lunch get first priority) so I have to leave this one at home.

I would also recommend this to anyone looking for a reliable, long lasting, easy to apply and smooth foundation.

I've got to head now - basketball, sweaty nose and sweat moustache all call.

Thanks for sticking with me!

Details: Arbonne Perfecting Liquid Foundation SPF 15 is available in 15 shades from Arbonne International online store for $55.

For international ladies, it can be purchased from the US Arbonne International online store for $40US and the UK Arbonne International online store for £30.00GBP

The product featured in this post was provided to me for consideration and I then passed it on to P. As always, reviews on Cosmetic Cupcake are 100% honest opinion. My Disclosure Policy can be viewed here.

Hi ladies! Just a super quick swatch for you of Butter London All Hail the Queen today. I picked this up a little while ago when Ozsale had a Butter London sale and the polishes were VERY reasonably priced so I picked up a few lemmings! I also got No More Waity Katie and Victoriana but unfortunately the bottle of No More Waity Katie came a bit smashed.


All Hail the Queen (or All Hail McQueen as it was previously known as) is a very subtle beige holographic polish. It is such a work appropriate colour to the point it's not bright enough for me LOL. It applied wonderfully and dried quickly to a glossy finish. The brush was easy to use but I prefer to use a slightly firmer brush, nil clean up needed. 2 coats pictured.

Close up:


As you can see it's a very subtle holographic. I do wish it were more noticeable! I'm glad I finally fulfilled my lemming though =)


Unfortunately I haven't had much time for nail art this week so check out my nail art gallery for my previous manis! Thanks for looking as always ladies!

Aussie ladies don't forget to enter my Vaseline Aloe Fresh Lotion with SPF 15 giveaway here!

Breathtaking. Stunning. Beautiful. Collectors item. These are the words you will use to describe the blusher I have the pleasure of showing you today. It holds pride of place in my blusher collection and I open it up and just stare at it I kid you not! It took me forever to even swatch it because I didn't want to touch it but alas I must for blogging purposes. I have for you today the Lancôme 29, Saint Honoré Maison Lancôme blush.


A while back I had the pleasure of attending the Lancôme launch event for the Lancôme 29, Saint Honoré collection at an exclusive Sydney mansion. This beautiful collection is created by Lancôme's leading makeup artist Aaron De Mey and is inspired by the late 1940s fatale chic trend. It celebrates the ultimate feminine woman and her willingness to express her femininity through makeup.


What they say:

"The very essence of Paris has been infused into this season’s blush to represent the historical Lancôme institute at 29, Faubourg, Saint Honoré.

Created as a true work of art, this blush has all the allure of a pretty vintage postcard, telling the beautiful tale of Paris at the end of the 1940s. Its case is engraved with a golden plaque, reminiscent of the Capital’s most distinguished addresses. Discover the universal harmony of tender rose, decorated with a delicate sprinkling of gold."


Isn't it absolutely beautiful? The blush consists of a dark pink, a light pink and a beigy peach with some gold overspray on the Eiffel Tower and lampost. To apply, Aaron De Mey recommends "blending the three shades with a brush, then use generous movements to sweep them up towards the temples, sculpting cheekbones and brightening the complexion." It gives a nice soft matte pink colour to my cheeks, like a subtle glow. It is VERY sheer but is somewhat buildable to a certain degree.


It's a very pale colour so it swatches quite light on me:


When applied quite heavily (sorry for the bare minimum makeup look):

You can really see my pigmentation here =(




Overall: Maison Lancôme blush is a simply stunning blush. No doubt about it. It is definitely a collectors item that is a must for blusher fiends like yours truly! However it's not a product that is a must for the everyday makeup collection. I do wish it was more pigmented - even though I apply with a very heavy hand it still only just shows on my cheeks. I guess this is a positive in that you can apply in the dark without a mirror and still achieve the perfect natural flush!

Details: Lancôme 29, Saint Honoré Maison Lancôme blush is available now for a limited time only from Adore Beauty and David Jones and Myer stores nationally for $75.

US ladies can purchase it online from Lancome USA and Sephora for $40US.

Now that I've swatched it for you it's going back in my dresser not to be touched again x) Thanks for looking as always! Aussie ladies don't forget to enter my Vaseline Aloe Fresh Lotion with SPF 15 giveaway here!

The product featured in this post was provided to me for consideration but this in no way influenced my review in any way. As always, my reviews are my 100% honest opinion. My Disclosure Policy can be viewed here.

Did you know that as much as a short walk from the train to work can cause incidental sun exposure? And that in Summer UVB rays can cause a fair skinned person to burn in as little as 15 minutes! Scary. Also considering I'm one of those fair skinned girls who burns very easily! In my teens I didn't pay much attention to sun protection but now I really try to apply suncreens and the like. UV rays can harm your skin no matter the season and it's SO super important to protect your skin all year round. Over a long period, incidental exposure to the sun can have devastating effects on the skin such as skin cancers, sunburn, premature aging and wrinkling of the skin.

Vaseline's Aloe Fresh Lotion with SPF15 can help you prevent incidental sun exposure! Read on for my review of the product as well as an exciting event and giveaway =)


What they say:

"Vaseline Aloe Fresh Lotion with SPF 15 is a light, quick absorbing moisturising body lotion enriched with moisturising Aloe Vera, blocking more than 93% of UVA & UVB and leaving skin silky smooth and hydrated. Apply regularly in all seasons for best results."


I've been using Vaseline products for years and years so I was very excited to hear about this inclusion to their body lotion line. The SPF factor alone had me interested! The lotion is white with a medium consistency and applies wonderfully. It sinks in to the skin pretty much immediately leaving no sticky residue and it feels hydrating. One of the things I absolutely detest in a body lotion is if it's sticky! I had no issues with Aloe Fresh Lotion with SPF 15 which is what I find with other Vaseline body lotions I've tried before (why I love using them!). The lotion doesn't smell like sunscreen like at all and has a light aloe vera scent.

Overall: Aloe Fresh Lotion SPF 15 is a definite winner in my book. It's hydrating, non-sticky and I love the fact that it contains SPF 15 so you don't have to moisturise and ALSO apply sunscreen! I would love a higher SPF though as the Aussie sun can be very harsh. It would also be great if it came in a travel size for touch ups on the go ;)

Details: Vaseline Aloe Fresh Lotion with SPF 15 can be purchased now from supermarkets and pharmacies nationwide starting from a low price of $7.68 for a 200ml bottle. The 375ml bottle I've featured retails for $11.59. For stockist info, please call 1800 061 027.


On to the event! This week, Vaseline Skin Saver squads will be out in force in city locations in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to help protect us Aussie ladies this Summer! The very buff (AND SHIRTLESS!!!) male squad will be out in force with umbrellas and full size bottles of Vaseline Aloe Fresh Lotion with SPF 15 to help protect Aussie skin. The first 200 Sydney ladies who head down to Wynyard Park on the day will score a free coffee from the delicious Bertoni Café on Kent Street! If you're in the area on the day make sure you pop by. I wish I could go but unfortunately I'm working doh!

The lovely Ms Kate Ritchie with the Vaseline Skin Saver squad!
Event details:

What: Vaseline “skin saver” squads
When: Wednesday 16th of November in Brisbane; Thursday 17th of November in Sydney and Friday 18th of November in Melbourne.
Time: 11.00am – 2.00pm
Location:: Brisbane at King George Square; Sydney at Wynyard Park and Melbourne at Southern Cross Station.
Cost: Free!

Edit 18/11/11: Please note that the Melbourne Skin Savers event has had to be postponed today due to unforeseen circumstances.

Now for ladies who can't make it down on the day, no need to worry! Vaseline have very kindly offered 5 375ml bottles of Aloe Fresh lotion in SPF 15 (pictured below) to give away to 5 of my lucky Aussie readers!! How awesome is that!


How to enter: Simply be a public follower of Cosmetic Cupcake via GFC and leave me a comment below with your email address, what state or territory you reside in, and your no.1 sun protection tip. It can be anything! You can earn an extra entry by tweeting about my giveaway with link to this post. Don't forget to @cosmeticcupcake!

Please note this giveaway is open to Australian residents only. Giveaway will end in just under a week on Sunday 20th November 2011 at 10pm EST.

Good luck! Thanks for looking as always =)

The product featured in this post was sent to me for consideration but this in no way influenced my review in any way. As always, my reviews are my 100% honest opinion. My Disclosure Policy can be viewed here.

Before I get onto announcing the lucky winner of my Pink for October 2011 giveaway, I'd like to say a few words. I like to keep things nice and lighthearted on my blog but seeing as it's my blog I can darn well say what I like! I really enjoy holding giveaways for you guys to show my thanks for all of the AMAZING support and love you show for me and my blog. I am truly humbled by it. I never expected people to read it and you guys make it extra special for me. I love blogging and sharing my passion for all things beauty with you. Giveaways allow me to say a huge thank you and it feels awesome to be able to send something special out to one of you from time to time!

So I DO NOT appreciate being hassled numerous times about who the winner of my giveaway is via emails, Facebook messages or comments on posts that have NOTHING to do with the giveaway.

I mean seriously???? Some people even did it via TWO different mediums! With this giveaway in particular it's been quite unrelenting and I just couldn't let it pass. I am lucky to be given the opportunity to hold giveaways with products kindly donated by companies however the majority of the time I = me = 'chelle buy all the products myself with my hard earned nursing $$ to give back to you guys. I put a lot of time and thought into choosing the products for my giveaways and I also pay for postage mind you. So again, I REALLY do not appreciate being hassled. Obviously if there is no blog post announcing the giveaway winner then I haven't drawn it yet!! I am hassled enough by my patients and others at work that I do not want it in my creative outlet and escape from work. Clearly these people do not read my blog normally and are only looking for that post that says "giveaway winner".

I'm not sure that some of you are aware just how much work goes into blogging and also holding giveaways. My blog isn't all that I do even though I spend in excess of 32hours per week working on it AFTER I COME HOME FROM WORK. There is swatching, taking photos, editing photos, writing etc. BUT it is a labour of love that I absolutely adore and wouldn't give up for the world.

I work full time and have a life outside of blogging too. I would love to spend more time working on my blog but this isn't possible. I often have a fantastic response to my giveaways and this time I had 558 entries to go through. It does take quite some time to go through entries and I do try and go through them as people enter but real life comes first so it isn't always possible. Therefore of course there is always some delay in drawing the winner for my giveaways. If you don't like to wait, then do not enter my giveaways.

I hate to do this but I am considering null and voiding entries for people who do this for future giveaways. My giveaways therefore my rules. Bear in mind this is only a handful of people. The rest of you lovely readers are FREAKING AWESOME.

So with my little soapbox over, the lucky winner of my giveaway is:


Akuma Kanji!!
Congratulations!! I've just sent you an email requesting your details and please respond within 48hours! If I don't receive a response in that time period I will need to redraw the winner..

I enjoyed reading all your lovely comments ladies and hope you all support Breast Cancer awareness and other great causes throughout the rest of the year. Thank you to everyone who entered!

Thanks for looking and for your support =)