Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask Review

So if you've seen my recent post on a haul from Mecca Cosmetica you would've seen that I had purchased the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight mask. I've been lusting for a hydrating mask and have been reading various reviews on various products. I had 2 on my final list which were this mask and the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Hydrating Overnight mask. After trying a sample of both mask I went ahead with the Origins because it is a really great mask and the Kiehl's one stung my skin around my nose a bit when I applied it.

I've got normal/dry skin but in winter it does tend to get drier because of inside heating in the office and home so I usually like to get extra hydration. My skin also tends to get dry and flaky around my nose. That is why I wanted to add Origins Drink Up Intensive mask to my routine.

The mask comes in a 100ml tube at a cost of AU$34. It does seems quite expensive but I think it's worth the cost as you only need just a bit more than pea size amount to apply all over the face. The packaging is quite simple, a bright green tube. I don't mind it being in a tube as it's more hygienic than having it in a jar (which is what the Kiehl's Hydrating Overnight masque is stored in).

The texture/formula of the mask is quite similar to that of a thick moisturiser. However it's not too thick so it is still easily spreadable all over the face. Applying the mask is very easy. You just need to squeeze a dollop of the mask and apply a thin layer all over the face. As you can see above, after around 5-10 minutes the mask absorbs into the skin and it looks like you are not wearing the mask at all. The instructions say that you can tissue off the excess if needed but I found that I didn't really need to do this. The mask absorbs quite quickly into my skin so I was not worried about it leaving any greasy residues on my pillow or my sheets.
As you apply the mask on the face it has quite a strong fruity scent, but I didn't mind this at all. Some may be put off by the smell so if you are interested in trying this, it may be best to try a sample.

So was the results good? I am definitely happy with the results this mask gave me. It really does hydrate  the skin. When I wake up in the morning, my skin feels so hydrated and plump. I also found that my skin has stopped flaking and drying around my nose. I now have used this for around 2 weeks and I can see an improvement in my skin and complexion. I have incorporated this into my night time routine twice a week and apply this mask after cleansing. If I need extra boost of hydration, I still apply my facial oils prior to applying the mask.

Overall I am very happy with this mask as it has given me great results. It may seem pricey but you do get quite a lot (100ml) and it does give a great hydrated skin so it's definitely worth the price.

Have you tried this mask before?

Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Eyeliner and Barry M Eyeshadow Pencil Review and Swatches

So for the last few months I've been looking to buy the nude Rimmel Scandaleyes waterproof eyeliner. Unfortunately my local priceline did not stock this at all so I ended up purchasing this from ASOS. During the time of purchase they had 20% off so I also decided to buy a couple of extra items and I chose the Barry M eyeshadow pencil. I have never heard of the Barry M brand before until I saw them on ASOS... which is why I decided to give it a go.

So up for review today are:

• 2 x Rimmel Scadaleyes Waterproof Eyeliner in Bronze and Nude
• 2 x Barry M Eyeshadow Pencil in Gold Cream and Bronze

Top: Barry M Eyeshadow Pencil
Bottom: Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Eyeliner

Top Left: Rimmel Eyeliner Nude      Top Right: Barry M Gold Cream
Bottom Left: Rimmel Eyeliner Bronze    Bottom Right: Barry M Bronze

So here are my thoughts on the Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeliner. These pencils are really great. They have a creamy finish and the colours are very pigmented. Because they are creamy they apply really smoothly on the eyelids without tugging. They last really long too. On my upper lash line it lasts all day and on the bottom lash line and waterline it lasts around 4-5 hours before it starts fading slightly. It's really great to wear on its own as an eyeliner, but because it has a creamy finish you can apply it all over the lid as an eyeshadow base. I love using this eyeliner on the waterline because it is waterproof. The nude eyeliner is great to brighten the eyes by applying it along the waterline.

The Barry M eyeshadow pencils on the other hand didn't really work for me. I purchased it after reading great reviews on it on the web. Like Rimmel eyeliner, the colour is really nice and pigmented. The formula texture is also soft and creamy and applies really easily on the eyelid. However I found that this eyeshadow pencil creased after a couple of hours. Even after applying a powder eyeshadow over it still creases a bit. It may be because I've got really hooded eyelids which is annoying. So I am a bit disappointed but since it was only $6 each I think I will try to make it work. I may have to try it again by applying a couple of layers of powder eyeshadow over it.

So that's my thoughts on the Barry M eyeshadow pencils and Rimmel Scandaleyes eyeliner. Have you tried these products? Did you like them?

Catchup Hauls - Mecca Cosmetica and ASOS

So here is another couple of hauls that I had done in the past month.

The first haul is from Mecca Cosmetica. Around mid to end June Mecca Cosmetica online had free shipping because it was Vogue Shopping Night. Usually free shipping doesn't really attract me since there were no other specials or discounts other than the free shipping but I have been eyeing the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask. I have read tons of reviews about this mask and have tried a sample of it which I got when I visited Wellington, New Zealand. After trying the sample out (which gave me 2 uses) I really loved this mask. Plus after reading reviews and blogs on this mask for the last 2 months I really wanted to buy it. However there is no Origins stockist in Canberra. Even though there is a Mecca in Canberra, they do not stock any Origins products. So when the free shipping offer from Mecca Cosmetica online store came up I took the opportunity to purchase this mask...  and of course I ended up purchasing other things as well.

The other products that I purchased along with the Origins overnight mask were Soap and Glory body scrubs: the Breakfast Scrub and the Flake Away body scrub/polish, and I also got the Heel Genius. I got two scrubs because I couldn't decide which one I wanted so I ended up purchasing both of them. I will post a review and comparison of these 2 scrubs once I have used them a few times.

I purchased Heel Genius because I read some good reviews on it too and since Canberra winter is so dry I have really dry cracked heels and the Heel Genius definitely works and helps with my dry cracked feet.

My second haul was from ASOS. This was also products that I have been eyeing. Since ASOS had 20% off on Queen's birthday long weekend last month, I decided to make a small purchase. I have been eyeing the Rimmel Scandaleyes waterproof eyeliner for a while...especially the nude one. I know Priceline stocks these but unfortunately my local Priceline do not stock the nude eyeliner. And because I was running out of my brown eyeliner, I also purchased the bronze Rimmel scandaleyes eyeliner.

Along with the eyeliners I also purchase Barry M Eyeshadow Pencils. I was actually tossing up between the Rimmel Eyeshadow pencils and the Barry M one but I ended up going with the Barry M... I can't remember why... and I am actually quite disappointed since they creased and didn't last long.. but I will post a review and swatches on all these pencils later on.

So these are my 2 hauls from the last month. I am happy with most of the products I purchased so far except for the Barry M eyeshadow pencils. Anyway I will post reviews on all the products in a separate post. Until then...... hope you have a great weekend!!

The Body Shop Haul & Review - Dreams Unlimited Body Butter and Eau de Parfum

So around a month ago during the Queens Birthday Long Weekend I went for a long weekend trip to Wellington, New Zealand. this was my second trip to Wellington. I just love this city! My main reason for visiting though was to visit my lil sister.

Anyway, during my trip I passed the Body Shop on Cuba Street and I saw that they had 60% off sale on some items. There were not much left but there were still a few range of products from lipgloss, a few makeup products, Cherry blossom perfume and the Dreams Unlimited body butter, body lotion and  perfume. At the end I purchased the Dreams Unlimited body butter and eau de parfum.

So on to the review!

The Dreams Unlimited Eau de Parfum features notes of citrus, green chilli, white flowers and cedarwood. I love the smell of this perfume as it is not strong or overpowering. I find the smell very sweet and also has a light floral smell. The fragrance lingers around for quite a long time which is great so you definitely don't need to apply this too often during the day.  It definitely complements the body butter and the two combined together makes the fragrance linger around for longer. The body butter comes in a tub like all the other body butters that the body shop sells. It's very moisturising and I only need to use a tiny amount. It also absorbs into the skin quite quickly. The fragrance of the body butter is the same as the perfume and again it's not strong or overpowering.

Overall I love the Dreams Unlimited range. The smell is really beautiful and sweet. It's definitely a great buy and at 60% off it was a bargain. The body butter only cost me NZ$15 and the perfume was around NZ$27.

I'm back!!

So I've been on a bit of a blogging hiatus since I was sick, and then I went away and then life got busy with working 2 jobs and all..

Anyway, I have missed posting on my blog so now I am back!

I will start again by posting hauls that I purchased last month so keep watching - the next post will be up very soon!