Giveaway time: Win a bagful of notions!

This morning I felt compelled to clean my workspace and guess what, I stumbled across a few unopened goodies! I've amassed quite the makeup collection, it's getting to the point where I need to purge a bit. If there was ever a time to have a giveaway, it'd be now.

Enter for a chance win your very own bagful of notions!

Essence Cherry Blossom Girl

Two L'Oreal lippies and an Infallible eyeshadow in Flashback Silver

Maybelline's Baby Lips in Pink Glow

The Body Shop's The Sparkler x 2

The Balm's Balmbini palette

So what are you waiting for? Enter now!

P.S. be sure to check out the rules below.

Good luck :)

**Update**

The giveaway is officially closed. Congratulations to Diana, hope you love the Essence makeup!

Thanks to those who entered! I’ll be sure to have another giveaway in the near future.

The Rules:

• Enter to win (1) gift bag filled with beauty items from Essence, The Body Shop, L'Oreal, The Balm & Maybelline. These items were either purchased by me or given to me. Estimated prize valued around $150.00+ AUS.
• How to enter – there are two ways to enter! For two entries, leave a comment below and follow me via Twitter @bagfulofnotions -- be sure to send me a tweet and say hello after you follow me! Not interested in Twitter? Leave a comment below for one entry.
• This giveaway is open to adults aged 18 years and older.  Also, this item is up for grabs internationally.
• I will happily accept entries through Sunday, 28 April 2013 by no later than 11:59 PM local time.
• The winner will be chosen randomly via http://www.random.org/. I will then notify the winner via e-mail; you will have 24 hours to claim this giveaway.  Should you fail to contact me within the time frame specified, I will choose someone else again at random.

Blow Dry Bar Melbourne Central -- celebrate with bubbles and blowouts in 30 minutes

Happy Birthday, Blow Dry Bar @ Melbourne Central

Got an event, don't want to bother with your hair for a couple of days or feel like getting pampered? Get thee to your nearest Blow Dry Bar, tout de suite. Recently, I was extended an invitation to check out the Melbourne Central location -- they have a lot to celebrate, because it's their first birthday!

Blow Dry Bar first opened their doors in Sydney five years ago and since then they've added 22 more locations; now they are setting their sights on the States -- look out, Gwenyth Paltrow!

Upon arrival I was warmly greeted by the salon's assistant, asked to take a seat and offered a glass of bubbles (yes please!) while I waited for my stylist to come out. A few beats later, I was sitting at the sink getting my hair washed and head massaged; it was glorious and relaxing all at once.

My daily fruit intake

For my visit I was asked to try out one of the three favourite looks as chosen by BDBs' stylists from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, which just wrapped up last week in Sydney.

Bronx and Banco: A simple look, yet exudes style in a modern, chic way

Alex Perry: A minimalist look with hair tied back into a loose chignon, yet still looks beautiful and elegant

We Are Handsome: "A 70s inspired look that is playful, refreshing and glamorous."

Together we, my stylist Jen and I, opted to go with Bronx and Banco's sleek look, sans bangs. Very rarely will you catch me without waves or a bit of frizz, we figured it was good to switch things up :)

Jen worked quickly and I was amazed by her ability to grab ahold of my hair without yanking at my head. Before I was through, Jen ran a flat iron over my locks without flattening the volume near the crown and set my look with a bit of hairspray.

Post blow out

Happy snaps with Jen

Can you believe she's been in the hair industry for 11 years? I can't! Jen started at the very young age of 13-years-old in Suffolk, England -- an attentive helper who earned her keep by washing hair and sweeping floors. About five years ago Jen came down to Australia for a visit with 10 close friends; I think she likes it here, because there are no signs of her departing this lovely continent any time soon. So far, Jen's worked with Kevin Murphy, Joey Scandizzo and has even put her talented hands to work at L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival, Melbourne Spring Fashion Week and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Sydney. Not too shabby!

//Edit: I'm absolutely shattered, because Jen no longer works at Blow Dry Bar! 

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for a Blow Dry Bar Experience:

• Prices vary, but I think my style hovered around $60.00 AUS, which included a moisturising hair treatment.

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 10 out of 10 bags – bubbles, great conversation and you're out the door in 30 minutes!

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• I've already booked in for my next blow out, I'm hooked. They also cut and colour hair too, I just might have to make the move to a new salon!

*Special thanks to Frank PR for the invitation and Blow Dry Bar Melbourne Central for the hospitality.

A glimpse at the lips: Burberry’s Lip Velvet in Rose Pink No. 307

Slowly, slowly. Currently, I'm working my way through Burberry's Lip Velvet range. Eventually, I'll acquire all twelve shades -- only nine to go ;)

I won't bore you with the reasons why I love these lippies so much, but here's a recap to get you up to speed.

Pink Amber No. 306

Fuchsia Pink No. 309

Now, let's drool at the beautiful Rose Pink No. 307 together.

Rose Pink is a matte, balanced shade that would suit a myriad of skin tones. It lasts for hours and is low-maintenance -- swipe and go.

Final comparison from left to right: Pink Amber, Rose Pink and Pink Fuchsia

Which colour is your favourite?

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Burberry’s Lip Velvet in Rose Pink No. 307:

• $30.00 USD / $50.00 AUS

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 10 out of 10 bags – My favourite lippie ATM.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• Oh yeah, you betcha!

Day One @ Salon Melbourne

I got up bright and early today in preparation for Salon Melbourne -- it's "Victoria’s ultimate hair and beauty event. Bursting with products, shows, education and entertainment, Salon Melbourne is a one-stop-shop for sourcing, learning and inspiration."

• Products
• Inspiration
• Entertainment

What more could you want?

Salon Melbourne is a two day event which is currently being held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. If you're a beauty professional, lover of hair and beauty or just plain interested, then head on over if you have a few hours free today or tomorrow.

Can't make it? Lucky for you, I took lots of pictures :)

I stayed for a couple of hours as I got overwhelmed by the crowds and also wanted to keep my spending in check. There are so many great things available for purchase, unfortunately it's irrational to buy one of everything. Right?

The Hits...

• You can watch tons of professionals execute what they do best - hair, nails, makeup and loads more
• Purchase products at wholesale prices
• Rub elbows with your fellow beauticians
• Experience brands that aren't available for testing in-store
• Attend a class or two, keep your eyes glued on the catwalk or gawk at the beautiful models
• Head to the centre of the exhibit for cheese and bubbles

The Misses...

• The crowds - be prepared to wait a while at the insanely popular stalls. OPI, Makeup Forever, Napoleon Perdis and several brush stalls were hopping
• Bring cash as some exhibitors don't have EFT POS machines
• Don't bother wearing a jacket, you'll be too hot

In the end, I had a lot of fun. Tho, it would've been nice to share this experience with P-cakes or a good friend. There's always next year :)

*Special thanks to Maxted Thomas PR for the invitation.