Beauty Radar: August 2013

I can't wait to get my paws on a lot of things, but here are a few items I really can't wait to check out in person.

• Marc Jacobs Style Eye-Con No.7 - Plush Shadow in The Starlet. His inspiration makes this launch even more appealing (IMHO).
• NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Mysterious Red. Matte Crimson Red lips to tempt a second glance.
• Butter London's Cheeky Cream Blush in Pistol Pink. Wicked cute and delightfully sweet.
• Hourglass Femme Nude Lip Stylo in Nude No.5. Stay within the lines with this inviting crayon.

What's on your radar?

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Today's swatch: By Terry's Ombre Blackstar Color-Fix Cream Eyeshadow in Misty Rock and Frozen Quartz

Misty Rock (left) and Frozen Quartz (right)

Quiet. Unassuming. Impenetrable.

By Terry's Ombre Blackstar Color-Fix Cream Eyeshadow puts other eyeshadow sticks to shame.

Review will be out soon!

Kiss split ends goodbye with Garnier Fructis' Goodbye Damage and enter to win!

Summoned, sentenced and forced to confess my hair crimes. Could I turn back the hands of time and reverse the undue damage caused from heat styling my hair on an almost daily basis?

My mugshot

On the evening of my sentencing I was released for time served under one condition, to show my hair a bit of love.

For the past two weeks I've put Garnier's Goodbye Damage through its paces. Truth be told, being out on parole has been a cake walk. Each morning I wash and condition my hair with Goodbye Damage -- the scent is intoxicating, a fruity cocktail to help heighten your senses at holy heck, it's early o'clock!

Coat your locks, seal in the goodness with Keraphyll and Amla Fruit oil and style your hair without worry.

Fortifying shampoo, conditioner and split ends serum

Garnier promises to reverse a years worth of damage in just one week.  All you have to do is put these three products in your haircare rotation and promise to use them at least three times a week. Easy as 1, 2, 3!

Caught in the act

After

Are you ready to admit your sins? Do you have dull, lifeless hair in need of rejuvenation?

You're in luck!

Two lucky winners are in for a treat, because I have two haircare packages up for grabs!

All you have to do is leave a comment below!

Plead your case as to why you need a bit of Garnier in your life :) The two best entries will win!

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Garnier's Goodbye Damage haircare range:

• $5.95 AUS for the Fortifying Shampoo and Conditioner
• $11.95 AUS for the Split Ends Serum

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 9 out of 10 bags — Affordable, effortless and addictive

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• Between Scott and I, we're lapping up the shampoo pretty quickly.

*PR sample provided –  Thoughts and ramblings written here are completely my own.

A special thank you to Louisa and Heather of Brand Meets Blog for a fun night out and for the happy snaps too :)

The Rules:

• Enter to win (1) Garnier Fructis Goodbye Damage set. Estimated prize value is $23.85 AUS per winner.
• How to enter – leave a comment below.
• This giveaway is open to adults aged 18 years and older and limited to Australian Residents only.
• I will happily accept entries through Sunday, 11 August 2013 by no later than 11:59 PM local time.
• Serial giveaway entrants need not apply.

A glimpse at the lips: Laura Mercier's Rouge Nouveau Weightless Lip Colour in Sexy

Laura Mercier's Rouge Nouveau Weightless Lip Colour

My only criteria for picking this particular Laura Mercier product was anything goes. I've never personally tried anything by Laura Mercier, nor do I have a good reason as to why this very brand has eluded me for so long.

Rouge Nouveau Weightless Colour is a new lipstick range featuring three finishes, Matte, Creme and Sheer -- to take the guess work out, the finish corresponds to the first letter of the colour you've chosen. For instance, Sexy has a (s)heer finish. Simple, right?

And what makes the colour weightless? There's absolutely no wax, Laura wanted the formula "to become one with your lips." In reality, I had a difficult time with Sexy melding into my lips. In order to coax the colour out I have to make certain I've applied a fresh coat of lip salve. If I don't, I run the risk of having the colour apply unevenly.

Laura Mercier's Rouge Nouveau Weightless Lip Colour

Does it look familiar?

Sexy has a similar stain-like finish to Benefit's Benetint and the colour is almost a spot-on dupe for Covergirl's Ruby Twist.

As I've gotten older I find I enjoy wearing a prominent/statement colour on my lips -- I didn't get that sort of satisfaction from wearing Sexy. Sexy is a no fuss colour perfect for those who would never dare wear a shade like this.

Wearing Sexy

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Laura Mercier's Rouge Nouveau Weightless Lip Colour in Sexy:

• $24.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 6 out of 10 bags — It's a pretty shade, but there's certainly room for improvement.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• I'd love to give the Longwear Creme Eye Pencils a whirl.