Max Factor Elixir Lipstick Review

I hope you all had the chance to enjoy a lovely break over the festive season. For me it was back to work last week. No more late nights and no more sleeping in. Harsh! 

I thought I should share with you a lipstick that I've been surprisingly liking. This is not a brand I normally purchase, but a few months ago I was looking for a bright lipstick and didn't want to spend too much money in case I didn't like it (the light pinks and neutrals tend to draw me in though they sometimes was me out). That's when I ventured into Priceline and found this MaxFactor gem. It was on sale for around $10, so I thought "why not?"

Description from the website says:

"For instant fabulous colour and smoother, softer lips overtime look no further than Max Factor's new Colour Elixir Lipstick.

The Elixir formula contains a 60% blend of skin emollients, conditioners and antioxidants including vitamin E, for a visible transformation in the look and feel of your lips in just 7-days.

As you apply the Colour Elixir Lipstick, it actively moisturises and smoothes lips. Enjoy rich and gorgeous looking colour on smooth beautiful lips ."

I chose the colour Eternal Flame, which is a bright fuchsia-pink with coral undertones. This lipstick goes on quite silky and glides on the lips. You wouldn't need a lip balm whatsoever. As for staying power, since it isn't a sticky lipstick, I've found it to be somewhat long lasting. Not as much as a matte, but it stays on for a few hours without needing to reapply. The pigmentation of the colour doesn't go on as the MAC amplified lipsticks would, but nonetheless I'm very happy with the results and my purchase. It gives you a pop of colour without being overly bright and in your face. Something you can easily wear in the office. I might get a few more colours next time I venture to the chemist! 

I will warn though that these lipsticks do bear a slight fragrance (nothing sickly like L'Oreal) but a faint fragrance which you can somewhat taste every time you open your mouth. I personally don't mind it, but you might want to try them on before buying if you're a person who is not inclined to fragrances in cosmetics. 

Well that's it for me - do any of you use any MaxFactor products? 

Xx N

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Estee Lauder Private Collection: Tuberose Gardenia Review

Those who know me would agree that I can hardly resist a new bottle of perfume. I do believe that a perfume bottle should always reflect what it encapsulates. Simply said, a beautiful perfume requires a beautiful bottle. I sometimes think I love a perfume display just as much as the fragrances themselves. That said, I also like the selection and being able to choose a different fragrance depending on what I feel like that day. 

I really love Carnal Flower from Les Editions de Parfums par Frederic Malle available at Mecca Cosmetica in Australia ranging from $260 for 50ml or $370 for 100ml. It's also available from Barneys New York in the US and from Frederic Malle's website in Europe. As it's a very expensive perfume, I have not yet purchased it, but believe I have found a lovely and elegant alternative: Tuberose Gardenia from Estee Lauder's Private Collection. Both of these contain Tuberose. I'm generally not a fan of the overly sweet Tuberose perfumes such as Fracas. It's much too sickly sweet for me. That's why I fell for Carnal Flower, it was much greener and felt like you were in a real garden. Estee Lauder's is much less green, but more of a soft floral. It doesn't smell synthetic and the gardenia notes really add to the mix. Estee Lauder's version is much more dainty and Carnal Flower is more seductive I would say. Both have amazing staying power. When I spray Carnal Flower the fragrance lingers on my jacket for days and the same can be said for the Private Collection.

The website says its notes are as follows for Tuberose Gardenia:

- Top Notes: Neroli, Lilac, Rosewood 
- Middle Notes: Tuberose Nature Intact, Gardenia, Orange flower Nature Intact, Jasmine, White Lily 
- Base Notes: Carnation, Vanilla Bourbon

Next time you're in a department store, stop by the Estee Lauder counter and have a smell. While I tend to buy from local department stores as I like to support local and I'm very untrusting of online stores (selling old and fake products), I did find it on Strawberry Net for much less. I have purchased from Strawberry Net and have been very happy with my orders. In Australia, a 75ml bottle of Tuberose Gardenia goes for around $250, while on Strawberry Net it was $160...a decent difference. If I can find something at David Jones, Myer or Mecca Cosmetica, I always purchase from these places, but when there is a huge difference as above, I look for alternatives.

Here is how I display my favourite bottles of perfume. There are many other bottles that are not displayed as they do not fit. Given my slight addiction to perfumes I have a rule that I must finish a bottle before buying another! Now what shall I finish so I can justify buying Carnal Flower....

Best wishes,
N Xx

Fragrance I'm Loving - Neom Sensuous Home Candle

Hi everyone, it's been a really long time (years actually) since I have posted on this blog, but given the Christmas holidays I have had some spare time on my hands and have decided to start posting again. 

Although I love beauty products, I also enjoy all things beautiful and will be posting on lifestyle, travel, home and beauty. I'm getting older and my taste is changing accordingly!

I do hope that each and everyone of you has had the chance the celebrate some amazing holidays with friends and loved ones. It's my favourite time of the year, though it does feel strange living in Australia and celebrating the holidays in warm weather. I'm rather used to the cold and cozy Canadian holidays. It feels strange eating turkey in 30 degree heat!

This year, we decided to host Christmas at our place and I have a new found appreciation for all of the work that goes into preparations for Christmas time. The cooking, the shopping, tidying up - the list goes on! It was great to host it for our first time, but let's just say I'm not in a rush to put my hand up again to host it next year. Here is a photo of the table set up on the day. 

This year, I was fortunate enough to receive a Neom Sensuous Candle as a KK Christmas present, which I am in love with! While these haven't fully grown in popularity in Australia (probably because of the steep price), they are simply delightful. At AUD$89 per candle, I was slightly reluctant to take the plunge, but was very glad to receive it a present! I am eyeing the 'Happiness' and 'Real Luxury' candle, and will most likely purchase one of these in the coming months. 

I understand that they are really popular in the UK given it's where they are made, but for those of you who haven't experienced these before, they are very clean and pure fragrances made from high quality/high percentage of essential oils. I recommend popping into a shop before buying one to smell them for yourself.  The smell is very strong - not overpowering - but strong enough to cover the entire ground floor of my home. It's the kind of candle you want to burn on a Sunday afternoon whilst drinking a glass of wine and reading a magazine or book. Smells amazing!

Sensuous contains Ylang Ylang, Patchouli and Frankincense and after lighting this candle, I feel like I've been at a spa. It's relaxing and invigorating. 

At $89 per candle, it's not exactly cheap, however if you only burn these on special occasions the candles will last you a long time. You can also leave it beside your bed and even though it isn't lit, you will still enjoy the smell.

Has anyone tried the harmonious smell? My local shop doesn't carry it and I'm curious to see what it's like.

Well that's it from me for now, but I wish you all a fabulous New Year!!

Speak soon Xx
-N

FOTD - first time

Well I think I'm due for a face of the day. I have yet to do one on my blog, but thought I should give it a go! Photo quality isn't great as I need to go buy some batteries for my camera (photos from iPhone)

All items used on my face are from P10P in previous post.

Face:

Armani Foundation

MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer NC20

Pur Minerals Powder

Dior Sunset Fiesta Blush

Lips

TODACOSA Gloss in 1 (from Korea)

Eyes

Maybelline Quad Chai Latte (darkest colour to line eyes and in corner v)

L'oreal Gilded Bronze single eyeshadow on lid

Rimmel Mascara, MAX volume lash (bright pink tube)

Now as for upcoming posts, please let me know if there is anything you would like me to write about. Upcoming posts include: Eve Lom review, what's in my bag, holiday photos, July favorites, top 10 beauty products.

Project 10 Pan - Getting there!!

Oh P10P - when will I finish these products! Most bloggers seem to fly through products so quickly; I take forever! I use these everyday...and want to finish these quickly so I can justify buying new stuff.

My current project 10 pan includes items from my previous that I have just been sluggish at finishing up, mixed with a few new items.

They include:

• Dior Bronze Sunset Fiesta (this is a lovely blusher/bronzer, it's a gorgeous coral/bronze shade)


• Armani Lasting Silk UV Foundation in 4 (good foundation, but looking forward to using NARS Sheer Glow I just purchased)


• Pur Minerals 4in1 pressed powder in Blush Medium (I just use lightly after foundation to set it)


• Maybelline Mineral Power (wrong shade, so I'm just finishing it up!)


• MAC Studio Sculp in NC20 (good concealer but tends to crease, almost done!)


• MAC Paint Pot in Perky (l.e. but it's a nice, light pink shade)


• LOreal Gilded Bronze Eyeshadow (it looks nice paired with a darker shade in crease)


• MAC Satin Taupe (I use this for crease and lightly on eyebrows, love this shade!)


• Maybelline Chai Latte Quad (I recommend these, good shadows for a drugstore)


• MAC Loose Bronzer (I use this as eyeshadow and on cheeks when I'm lazy, it's a nice shade and is very versatile)

How long does it take you to finish your project 10 pan? Am I the only who takes forever to complete???