Wishlist #3

Wishlist by faunalou

Do you know how difficult it is to not spend money when you really love to spend money? Incredibly! Especially when the train station for uni is right next to a massive shopping centre that houses stores such as Mecca Maxima. However, despite my slip ups here and there (cough cough, new boots), I've actually managed to keep it quite under control. I do carry around a wishlist on my phone for things I want to get when I can finally afford them. But doesn't everyone? ;)

CANDLES: I need candles! I love the gentle flickering light, the atmosphere, the scent, everything about candles. I really can't afford little luxuries like these at the moment, unfortunately. So these are high up on the wishlist. I would really love a Diptyque candle, even if they're ridiculously expensive.

EYESHADOW: I did a bit of shopping when I first got here and was amazed at all the different brands they stock in proper cities (glaring at you, Hobart). I was tossing up between the Too Faced Matte palette or the Natural Eyes palette, and turns out only the latter was stocked, so I bought that. I really want to get my hand on the matte palette though! It's so beautiful, and I absolutely love matte shades.

SHOES: I love me some shoes, and these sandals are super cute. Chunky heels are so versatile, they pair with pretty things as well as not so girly outfits, and they're much more supportive than regular heels. I do have a couple of other sandals in my wardrobe, but can one ever have too many shoes? I mean let's be realistic here.

BAG: My tote bags are falling apart, and the other bag I use for uni has a bit too much of a beachy vibe for my liking. Yes, I know I'm being picky, but in reality I need an excuse to buy a new bag, and this is the closest I'm getting. Really, the situation is: "I just really love bags and I want more!" Plus I love this colour and style and material and everything about it.

CLEANSER: I am so frustrated at my skin. I cleanse it day and night and make sure to always get rid of my makeup, and yet I'm always breaking out. Clinique has a really nice 3-step system and people like Niomi Smart use it, so I'm hoping something like this will help me and my skin out.

MAKE UP REMOVER: I'm actually pretty happy with the make up remover I use, which is Sukin's Micellar Water, but I have some really stubborn waterproof mascara that I love using, but hate getting off. Apparently the Clarin's make up remover is really really good at just melting it off, so hopefully I'll have some luck with it. Fingers crossed!

Of course there are some other things I'd really love to buy, things you can find in my phone's wishlist such as:

• NARS Luminous Weightless Foundation
• Urban Decay Naked Concealer
• MAC Paint Pot in 'Soft Ochre'
• Smashbox Red Correcting Primer
• Every single vampy red shade of lipstick I can find

Noticing a trend? I call it the 'I-visit-Mecca-Maxima-way-too-much' trend.

What are you guys lusting after lately? I would love to know!

xx Silje

Clarins waterproof makeup remover
40 AUD - harveynichols.com

Clinique gift sets kit
42 AUD - harrods.com

Boho handbag
88 AUD - modcloth.com

Too Faced Cosmetics matte eye shadow
61 AUD - sephora.com

Diptyque white home decor
135 AUD - net-a-porter.com

Drillz
windsorsmith.com.au

essano rosehip night cream

To sum this product up in one word: daaaayum.

This night cream is awesome. I went into my local Priceline with a mission: night cream and eye cream, and came out with two little goodies, one of which was the Essano Rosehip Moisture Restorative Night Creme (bit of a mouthful, hey?). I had heard that rosehip oil was really good for your skin as it soothed and moisturised naturally, without irritating your skin. I kept an eye on the Essano line for a while but I kept trying to convince myself "you don't need another skin product", "you've got thousands of moisturisers at home" and so on and so forth. However, I am so glad I picked this up as it is such a wonderful product.

This night cream claims to deeply moisturise and nourish, as well as promote elasticity. I can assure you it certainly does what it says. When applying, it feels really nice and thick, but soaks into your skin nice and quickly. It's like your skin is having a good, well deserved drink. Almost instantly you can tell the texture of your skin has changed.

It's a really thick, buttery texture that rubs into your skin well and doesn't leave a sticky film like most heavy moisturisers do. When I got up the next day my face was as soft as a baby's bottom! It felt so silky and supple, and although I'm still young, I could feel there was more elasticity in my skin. The actual scent of the product is quite pleasant, too. It's hard to describe - a bit musky, a bit floral, but very gentle. It contains lots of goodies for your skin, such as rosehip oil, jojoba oil, and shea butter. Even better - they're all organic! I have a huge love for cosmetics that are kind to the environment, because they are therefore kind to my skin, which is a huge bonus (obviously). They are also cruelty free and vegan, yet another reason to go out and support Essano.

I would whole-heartedly recommend this product as it has become a staple in my night time skincare regime. There are so many eco-friendly benefits to it, and the results are so wonderful. My only warning to you is that if you have really sensitive skin this product does contain alcohol and fragrance, which I know can irritate some skin types. However, I have sensitive skin (not majorly, but my face and hands get easily irritated) and I had no reaction to this product.

I know I am singing praise here but I have not been endorsed by this product in any way, I just purchased it and thought I would share my opinions!

january bella box

If you've been reading my blog a little while (thank you, 50 followers!), you'll know that as a little Christmas present to myself I bought a subscription to Bella Box. Last month I did a review of what I received in my box so I thought I might do one for January as well! Again, the Bella Box came in it's cute little brown box, which I adore, and I couldn't wait to open it up...

This month I received...
Garnier Moisture Match Goodbye Dry Moisturiser (sample size) RRP $9.99
Wen by Chaz Dean Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner (sample size) RRP $34.99
Laqa & Co Lip Lube Bees Knees (full size) RRP $24.95
WotNot Facial Wipes for Oily/Sensitive Skin (sample size) RRP $8.40
SkinnyMint Ultimate Teatox (sample size) RRP $54.90
Exclusive Bella Box Makeup Pouch (full size) RRP $7.95
All in Australian dollars.

This is such a great moisturiser! It's exactly what I need in summer - something for my skin to drink up but with a matte finish. I have combination skin, that gets especially dry during winter and shiny in the summer, so once I purchase this it'll definitely be my go-to moisturiser. This makes me so happy, as I've been looking for a face moisturiser for ages! The best part is that Garnier have a range of this product for different skin types so in the winter I might just have to reach for their dry skin one.Very impressed! :)

I'm yet to try this product but one thing is for sure - my hair needs it. Honestly, I treat it terribly (sorry hair!) so my ends are split, my mid-lengths are dry and frazzled, and it never feels properly clean, so this'll definitely come in handy. My sister used her's pretty much right away and her hair was silky soft.

This is an interesting product! It's called a 'lip lube' which I guess I'd describe as a matte finish tinted lipbalm? It's tricky to describe! The colour is sheer, which is quite the relief as this is not a colour I'd usually wear, but when applied it looks more peach than orange. It's enriched with peppermint and shea butter, and you can really feel the peppermint working - my lips tingle after application, but it feels quite conditioning! However, it doesn't feel too moisturising, and if you have dry lips you might want to use a scrub beforehand.

I was so excited to try this. These are natural wipes and also organic, which makes my conscience a little lighter. The list of ingredients make me happy (rosehip oil is amazing), and it removes my make up nicely. I'm not sure what I can say for results as I've only used it once, but I do have to say it's pretty much like any other make up wipe. Get's rid of any dirt, build up, and make up. The organic part of this does make me feel like purchasing these over another brand, though.

I'm definitely not a tea person. Bring me a coffee or hot chocolate any day, but tea is only for when I'm sick. I've also heard that detox teas always taste awful, so I'm a bit cautious about these, but they've got a whole list of health benefits, so I might as well give them a go. Follow me on twitter and I might give you an update on how they are! Click on the twitter icon in the sidebar to go to my page.

An item exclusive to Bella Box is their make up pouch. It's super cute, with the same pattern as the box, and made of a translucent jelly material. It kind of reminds me of pencil cases used in primary school, haha! To be honest, it's a bit small for what I like to pack for daily make up, but it's a cute storage space anyway.

Do you sign up for any beauty boxes? How were yours this month? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. I'm usually quick to reply!

xx Silje

pink hair don't care

You may have read my blog post that I wrote late last year talking about how I have waaay too much hair. I still do, so I thought that I might as well do a little something with it. A few months ago I came across a hair product that stated the colour only lasted one or two washes, so I thought, why not? It was super easy to use, as it came in mousse form and all you had to do was paint it onto your hair, and then wait for it to dry. Don't even have to rinse or use gloves! Just make sure to wash your hands afterwards. ;)

Introducing you to my very temporary pink hair!

Isn't it pretty? I already have light hair (unnaturally, as you will see from further photos), so the colour showed up quite well. The product was advertised as being pastel pink which was a bit disappointing as I find it a bit more light red than pastel pink. Ah, well. I also put in purple at the very tips if you can manage to make that out, which I really like.

Way too much hair, and way too much regrowth.

I used Brite Organix's One Day Colour Conditioning Mousse in pastel pink and pastel purple for all you wondering. Those of you in Australia can find these at your local Woolworths, but for any of you international folk, I'm not sure where you can find them, sorry!

December Bella Box

If you follow my Twitter, you'll know that last December I decided to gift my sister with a three month Bella Box subscription for Christmas, and couldn't resist purchasing a subscription for myself as well. I mean, at $15 per month you can understand why, right?!

Bella Box is a beauty box, which means each month I receive 4-6 beauty items, some full size and some samples. Bella Box is an Australian company which means I receive Australian products, which is great because as well as introducing me to great new products and brands, I'm being part of the Australian community. It also means I have easy access to purchasing/repurchasing items, as I don't have to look online or pay ridiculous shipping fees.

Let's start the opening process!

As you can see, Bella Box comes packaged in vintage style brown paper, and the actual box is a cute but bold polka dot print. So exciting to open!

It's Christmas... time to eat, play, & love.

The first thing I found inside was an adorable Christmas card that could be used to regift or simply as a nice decoration for your pinboard/fridge etc. Under that was a little pamphlet describing each product. And the products were...

Kora Organics by Miranda Kerr Clay Purifying Mask (full size) RRP $49.95
Elizabeth Mott It's So Big Mascara (sample size) RRP $25.00
Coastal Scents Revealed Palette (sample size) RRP $35.00
Allegra Rhodes Hand and Nail Cream in Sweet Apple & Grapefruit (sample size) RRP $32.95
Waxaway Sensitive Wax Pack (sample size) RRP $10.45
Maybelline Superstay Better Skin Foundation (sample size) RRP $23.95

All in Australian dollars.

You guys have no idea how excited I was to try this! This product came full size, so I managed to snab $50 worth for $10! That's the beauty of beauty boxes (see what I did there?). I've used this a few times now, and I'm aiming to use it twice a week to get some good results. My skin always feels soft and supple, and it feels like a treat for my face.

Apparently this is a cult product in the US, but honestly, I don't see the fuss. My eyelashes were certainly longer, however it's main claim is volume and I found that rather lacking, and ended up having to put a coat of different mascara over the top. It is great for casual wear though, as it doesn't clump as much as other mascaras do.

I absolutely love eyeshadow palettes. Like, love-love-love them. I have a growing collection stashed in my makeup draw and yes, they are all nude shades. Can't get enough! Now I haven't yet tried this palette, but this one looks so pretty, and the selection from the full size is great.

This hand and nail cream is infused with eau da parfum, which makes it the best smelling hand cream I've ever used. It's a really thin consistency, so it feels amazingly moisturising and sinks right in. I'd love to buy the full size, but I hoard so many creams and lotions that I feel a bit guilty splurging!

I can't really say much for this product, as I'll only know once I use it how good it is, and I haven't yet. I'm too impatient to let me hair grow! I really hope this works well, though, as my previous attempts at waxing have been miserable failures.

Maybelline have been one of my go-to drugstore brands (baby lips, anyone?!) but I find their foundations way too dark for my pale skin. Luckily for my sister, this shade fits her, so that'll be a little pressie for her. ;)

Have you signed up for any beauty boxes? I'd love to hear what you think of yours!

chi chi nudes

I admit that while I love make up, I don't have a lot of money to spend on it. I'm trying to save up for a trip to Europe, university, and moving out of home, so that doesn't leave much left over. This is why, when it comes to makeup, dupes are such a great idea. Sometimes I'll splurge, such as a Napoleon Perdis lipstick I bought for my formal, or if I'm receiving a gift I'll hint at a specific brand/style/palette *cough, Naked 2, cough*, but if I've heard of a dupe, then I'm heading for it!

I heard via the blogosphere (I'm sorry, but I can't remember where!) that the brand Chi Chi had a dupe for Urban Decay's Naked palette, and as I have Naked 2 and don't feel like I need to buy two very expensive palettes, I decided to go with Chi Chi's Nudes palette.

Shades from L-R, first one virtually invisible

Shades 1-6

Shades 7-12

My top 3: 2 (pink shimmer), 10 (purple-brown shimmer), and 5 (brown matte)

Overall, I would say this is quite good as a drugstore brand. It has nice, sleek packaging, and has a good selection of colours, however the quality and pigment is not fantastic. I wouldn't recommend it for long-lasting wear, but it's fun to play around with, especially for make up newbies. At an RRP of AUD$22.95 it's less than half the price of the Naked palette, so I say go for it!

Some other dupes I love:

Maybelline FitMe Concealer = NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

NYX Eyeshadow Base = Urban Decay Primer Potion

What are some dupes you love?

To Cut or Not To Cut

I have not had a good history with haircuts. It was all fairly regular until I decided I wanted "boy short" hair in year five. My question now is, why didn't my parents stop me?! From then on, I've just never managed a good haircut. I'm talking wonky fringes and unstylish choppy layering. So for the past five years I've just been growing it out with only the occasional trim.

Let me introduce you to my hair...

This photo doesn't quite fit the length of my hair in (which kind of says something, don't you think?), but I'm telling you - it's long. And believe me, it's nice having long hair. Messy waves, or long straight locks, aaall the braids and plaits, and super flexible with fancy hairstyles. Plus, my top-knots are huge. However, I don't do much with my hair except dye it, so I really need something a lot more low-maintenance. It takes half a shampoo bottle to wash it and then three hours plus to dry, gets extremely knotty if I don't brush it twice a day, and I moult everywhere. Everywhere. Besides, I think it's time for a change!

So this is where you come in - and Pinterest of course! These are the hairstyles I've been lusting after lately, but I just need to decide to cut or not to cut?!

1/2/3/4

Number 2 is my favourite, but my hair is rather thick so I'm going to guess it'll go more like 4. No problem though, I don't mind looking like Kiera Knightley. ;)

What do you guys think? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

Formal!

So I've graduated. Finished all my classes, finished all my exams - and you know what that means? Formal time!

The year 12 formal is the Australian version of prom, where everyone gets dressed up nicely and goes out for dinner at a function centre and has a lovely time. In the other states of Australia, this is quite a big event as the classmates have spent up to six years together, but where I live students only know each other for two years, unless they attended high school and primary school together. Most of my friends I have only become friends with since last year, but that doesn't stop us being close!

Unfortunately, my boyfriend was off holidaying in the sun just a few days after school finished (lucky duck), so I ended up going with my friends. It was a great time either way, and we spent the night chatting and reminiscing about the year, as well as talking about the future. I got ready with one of my friends in the morning, which was pretty much a five-hour pamper. We went all out - facials, nails, relaxing soaks in the bathtub, binge-watching Grey's Anatomy (you do it, too, don't lie) - and it made for a nice day before stressing out about being late.

Here are some photos of the night!

My best friend of six years, C. She's absolutely adorable and my first best friend since moving here in 2009. Love her so much!

Our formal table - those lips are just a sticker to cover up my friend's identity!

An awkwardly cropped photo of me. I wasn't sure if my friend would be comfortable starring here, so I've left her out to be safe.

How was your formal/prom/leaver's dinner? Mine ended quite early as most of the students were 18 and could go out clubbing afterwards, as many of my friends did. I, however, am a year behind, so little underage me went home and to bed. ;)