7 Things about Melbourne from a Sydney-sider

Hello. Yes, I've been MIA for the past fewer days if you had not realised (boo on you!). I've packed and headed to Melbourne along with 3 of my highschool girlfriends. It's a trip we've been postponing for a few years now. So.... FINALLY!

It was my FIRST time being interstate (yay!), and guess what Melbourne-rs?!

I REALLY REALLY LOVE YOUR CITY.

No joke.


Let me tell you about my experience in Melbourne doe.


1. Going to Melbourne and your name is Tram. 
Unlike Sydney, tram lines are everywhere in Melbourne! Oh god, on my first day there... you have NO idea how many times I've turned around to my friends saying "tram's here", and on the second day, you have NO idea how many times I did NOT turn when they're calling me. #confused

Here's some tram-on-tram action for y'all...

SNIPPET STORY: In highschool, whenever I answered a question correctly, my English teacher would always say, "Tram's on the right track today!". Hahahhaa #punny!

Anyways, your tram-lines are freaking awesome! If you think it's shit, then don't ever come to Sydney. Late and slow buses everywhere. Only a few trams around too.


2. Streets are freaking big.
Yeah, driving streets. Probably, because tram-lines are everywhere, but still! Even the pathway in the CBD are a lot bigger than here in Sydney. Actually, stores, shops, everything! Everything is so big!


3. Transports are bloody cheap.
YES. Your Myki system is so hard to follow with my memory of a goldfish... I always forget to tap off, but yeah, I know. Most people don't even tap on. Still so cheap though. You have a daily cap price! If I lived there, I would probably ponder everywhere.. hahaha.


4. BIKE LANES! 
OMG. I LOVED the sight of seeing people bike around in Melbourne! People in business suits too. I love that Melbourne had their own bike lanes on most (?) roads. I'd LOVE to bike around!


5. Hook turns... wtf. 
As much as I love Melbourne, the street layouts are so confusing. Hook turns... Will never drive around in Melbourne... Srsly >_<


6. Crispy chicken rice
Crispy chicken rice with no nuoc mam......... wtf. On my first day, I've dropped by a Vietnamese cuisine to feed. In Sydney, these dishes are served with nuoc mam. It'd look something like this..

Credits > 

But my rice was served with sweet-chilli sauce. Is that normal?! I don't think any soup was served with my dish either. Let me know if this was right Melbourne-folks.

7. McDonald's being named Maccas. 

As I stepped out of the train station, I spotted McDonalds. Umm... They were also called "Macca's"... No biggie, but it was definitely strange! I've never seen this in Sydney, I don't think...

That's it. Odd number, but I could only think of 7 things... hehe. 

Overall, I really like Melbourne! Fingers crossed I'll be back there soon to meet with some other friends. 

ヾ(@^▽^@)ノ

Lip Love: essence Lipliner in Wish Me A Rose

CALL ME LATE TO THE GAME, BUT WHATEVER!

After so much hype about essence's lip-liner in In The Nude, I've decided to look into it during Priceline's 40% sale which happened last Tuesday/Wednesday.

Sadly, the shade was already gone before I even hit up Priceline.. meep. So I picked up Wish Me A Rose instead, and OH MY GOD! Seriously one of the best buys. I'm SO in love with this lip colour right now.

It looks like an average dusty rose on the outside, but the shade pops against my skin so much. I love it!

I can't exactly describe the colour, but see for yourself!

The formula is extremely creamy, and gets even creamier with this Sydney heat. My advice is to store this in the fridge until a few minutes before usage or sharpening. It'll be way too creamy in this 30+ degrees heat, y'know?

The lasting power isn't bad for its price ($2.00/6 shades). It lasts quite a while before I've to retouch, about 5 hours. The product is still there, but because the shade is so light [and doesn't stain], a slight retouch is needed after a few hours + after food/snacks.


OVERALL, lovely shade, beautiful price (c'mon, it's $2 y'all!), just plain.. awesome! I'm seriously looking forward to try out the other shades... if my Priceline decides to ever restock these.. (¬д¬。)

Have you tried ANY essence lip liners?

Do you own the highly-raved In The Nude from this range?

Disclaimer: Product was purchased by moi. 

Mani-Monday: No Room for the Blues!

God. I love names of OPI nail lacquers -- almost always punny!

I've purchased this from the markets (haul is yet to be posted, but will come soon... hopefully) for $5! It was labelled NEW, but I could careless whether it's new or used. I just want it!



I don't have any blue nail polishes by OPI in my collection, so No Room for the Blues ($20.00) is the very first. Welcome to my stash you bright, babe'n blue!

This is probably my second brightest blue after Illamasqua's Serenity, but it's still quite bright on the nails. Reminds me a lot of Sally Hansen's Blue Me Away at first swatch. Will have to dig that one out to whip up a comparison some time!

Smooth, creamy formula as most OPI's are.

Are there room for the blues in YOUR nail stash?

I always welcome blues into my collection, but I don't usually wear blues this bright. Still worth having in the collection, but I'll stick to dark to deep, royal blues!

Mani-Monday: Date in the Moonlight

If you follow me on Insta, you would've known that I've spring-cleaned my nail stash. A total count of 286 nail polishes (yes, I am a freak).

So I've picked out three full (and big) jars of lacquers and placed them by the side of my bed, swearing to wear one every week so I can blog about them, then pass them onto friends.


Date In The Moonlight by essence ($3.25) was my third pick out of the jar.

Doesn't look too interesting in the bottle, eh? Looks dull and boring.

Very beautiful dark navy blue though, with slight blue shimmers. A bit hard to see the shimmers if you're not close up, but I still really like it! Will keep this one back in my collection. I can definitely see myself wearing it again sometime in the colder months (trying to be all season-trendy n' shiz = me).

Formula was smooth and pigmented. I've always loved essence's big, fat, rounded-tip brushes too. Offers a really quick and precise application for my big nails, the rounded corner hugs my cuticles P-E-R-F-E-C-T-L-Y! Peeps with smaller nails will hate these brushes though..

What lacquer are you rockin' today?

Disclaimer: Product was purchased by me.

Perfect Gift Packs for Stocking Stuffer Ideas!

Have you decided what you'll be gifting out to friends and family for the upcoming holiday season?!

I know we still have more than a month to go, but I'll be [most likely] leaving for China before Christmas, so I've been pondering around for Christmas stocking stuffer ideas!

If you're on the same page as me, then here's some ideas so we can get our gifts together before then!

Models Prefer Read My Lips Moisture Lust Lip Balm Collection ($20.00 @ Priceline)
My face when I saw this at Priceline: ✿♥‿♥✿
So cheap! You get 5 GLOSSY balms and 5 MATTE balms. Could gift this in a pack OR purchase this as a set and divide them up into stockings. I want it for myself though. Hahaha.

• Savvy Eye On You Eyeliner Kit ($10.00 @ Priceline) -- This is a bit hard to split up if your friends don't like the bolder, brighter eyeliners. And the white one too. It's a nice basic kit for one though!
• Savvy Gloss It Girl ($10.00 @ Priceline)

• Savvy Cast A Shadow ($10.00 @ Priceline) -- Cream eyeshadow kit! 
• Models Prefer Special Effects ($20.00 @ Priceline) -- For all the nail freaks!

Revlon Whimsical Gift Set ($29.95 @ Priceline)

Not a fan of Models Prefer, or Savvy? Here's one for you! A pretty good deal. Five balms for $30, is $6 a balm!

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Naturally Beautiful Pack ($13.99 @ Chemist Warehouse)

Good gift for one! Or good pamper pack for myself, haha. 

Palmer's Luscious Lips Gift Pack ($4.69 @ Chemist Warehouse)

I'm not sure about the quality of these but the Dark Chocolate & Peppermint (sounds yum!) received a 4/5 stars on Beauty Heaven. 

Revlon Sorbet Kisses Gift Pack ($24.99 @ Chemist Warehouse)

Another good deal on Revlon's lip products! Their lip butters though! I have three friends and this would be perfect for them. 

Those are just some quick updates! You may have seen some of these mentioned in my previous SOS post, hehe. 

Let me know if you've spotted any other great deals around town!

I'll share with you my Christmas gifting ideas soon though! 

Handbag Declutter: October 2014

WOO. Another handbag declutter post. Last post was posted a few months ago. I only remembered about these posts, because I realised my schoolbag was getting heavier and heavier! (｡•́︿•̀｡) 

Needed to be cleared!


1 & 2. INTER-COLOR Lip Liners
Yeah, I use lip liners on the go. These two were from Vietnam, but can be found on eBay for less than $1. Doesn't last that long, but works as a base or solo. Cute Pink is really perfect for Spring, Dark Pink is okay. I thought it was a berry-coloured, but nop!

3. Face Of Australia Glossy Lip Crayon in Pecan Pie*
This looks like an ugly brown, but it's a really good MLBB colour for one of those days where you just want to tone down from all the pinks and corals.

Pecan Pie, Fandango, Cute Pink, Dark Pink

4. Australis Colour Inject Lip Gloss in Fandango
I love this product! Somewhat sheer, but the formula is thin and close to non-sticky! This shade was not made with opacity though! Gives me nice, juicy-lookin' tinted red lips. Love!

5. Face Of Australia Lasting Looks Lipstick in Coral On*
I usually use this as a dab. Just a really lovely coral colour.

Coral On, Tangerine Queen

6. Face Of Australia Lip Paint in Tangerine Queen*
Posted about these in depth here. On days that I want glossy, orange lips (basically, the whole of last week), this is what I run to!

7. essence Lipstick in Colour Crush
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. I hate the formula of these, I don't know why it's in my bag. They remind me a lot of NYX Round Lipsticks -- pigmented and smooth, but not creamy and glides everywhere. I really need to get down to swatching these though. Urgh.

Colour Crush, Miss Behave

8. Models Prefer Infinite Colour Lipstick in Miss Behave
I don't know why no one has really looked into these. These are AMAZING. They last long (a tad drying after a few hours), pigmented, creamy and cheap. Why guys, why?!


And of course, the two lip balms -- Burt's Bees* and Blistex Lip Conditioner. Nothing too fancy, just some regular lip balms. One for the handbag, one for the schoolbag.

Have you tried any of these lipsticks?!

Ah, now that I've cleared em... My bags will be much lighter! Yay!
But that also means.. made room for the new clutter..


Disclaimer: Products marked with * were provided to me for review consideration only.

Some Outstanding Sales (8 Nov 2014): Chemist Warehouse, Priceline, Woolworths

QUICK QUICK!

Time is running, these sales will be ending in approx. 5 days. Grab em' whilst you can!

The smaller items makes great stocking stuffers for Xmas too!

1. CHEMIST WAREHOUSE: $2.99 for Maybelline ELECTRO POP Baby Lips. Ends 16 Nov.

2. CHEMIST WAREHOUSE: $2.99 for Rimmel Keep Calm Lip Balms. Ends 16 Nov.

3. CHEMIST WAREHOUSE: Original Source Shower Gels, $1.99. Ends 16 Nov.

4. CHEMIST WAREHOUSE: Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Balms, $4.69. Ends 16 Nov.

5. CHEMIST WAREHOUSE: NEW Revlon PhotoReady AIRBRUSH Effect, $29.99 (RRP $36.95) --- did not know they released a reformulated range. Ends 16 Nov.

6. CHEMIST WAREHOUSE: Rimmel Provocalips, swatches here, $12.99 each. Ends 16 Nov.

7. PRICELINE: Maybelline Baby Lips, 3 for $10. Ends 17 Nov.

8. PRICELINE: NEW Max Factor Masterpiece Transform Mascara, $15 (RRP $23.95). Ends 17 Nov.

9. PRICELINE: Purchase Maybelline Big Eye Mascara + Liner for $20! Ends 17 Nov.

10. PRICELINE: OPI nail lacquers (limited shade range), $10. Ends 17 Nov.

11. PRICELINE: Rimmel Provocalips, $13.46 each. Ends 17 Nov.

12. PRICELINE: ENTIRE Nivea Cleansing range, $5.99 each. Ends 17 Nov.

13. WOOLWORTHS: 1/2 PRICE on Nivea Cleansing Wipes. Not sure of ending time.

DEAL VS. DEAL

• CHEMIST WAREHOUSE: $2.99 for Maybelline ELECTRO POP Baby Lips.
• PRICELINE: Maybelline Baby Lips, 3 for $10. 

• CHEMIST WAREHOUSE: $2.99 for Rimmel Keep Calm Lip Balms.
• PRICELINE: With 25% OFF Rimmel, Keep Calm Lip Balms are approx. $2.60.

• CHEMIST WAREHOUSE: Rimmel Provocalips, swatches here, $12.99 each. 
• PRICELINE: Rimmel Provocalips, $13.46 each

GIFT PACKS (just wanted to share a few that I thought was interesting!)

CHEMIST WAREHOUSE (Ends Nov 16)

PRICELINE (Ends Nov 17)

Rimmel Gift Set, $20

Revlon Whimsical Gift Set, $29.95

I've also spotted other fab gift sets at Priceline, but I'll share about them in another post! They're not on sale, and will be there until next month, I believe!



Have a lovely day, where ever you are situated in the world!



Disclosure: Not sponsored/affiliated with the stores mentioned. Just sharing cas I wanna punch a big hole in your pockets! 

DIY: Cookie Jar (~$10)

HI! Quick update.

I usually don't include videos in my blog posts, but there's really no point of me taking snaps of this DIY project when a short video to watch would be much better!


Yes! It's my very own video. I do have a YouTube channel if you did not know.

I'm still much more of a blogger than vlogger, but if you prefer beauty vlogs, then here is my channel. I do monthly launch videos too, and some rambles and vlogs.

Anyhows, the cookie jar costed me less than $10 to make and is fairly quick to do.

• Jar, $3 (The Reject Shop)
• Cookies, $3~4 (Woolworths)
• Ribbon, $2 (The Reject Shop)
• Gift Tag, FREE!

Something different, but I hope you like it!


X

Worth The Hype: The Balm's Mary-Lou Manizer

Let me show you a highlighter I've been glued to -- The Balm's Mary-Lou Manizer.

Limited edition product embossing by yours truly, and the bedroom floor

I'm not one to know shit about undertones, but I have no problem with the undertones of this one. I've never tried one with peachy undertones though. Don't think I'd like it too much.

All I care for is, the finish.

Light sheen? Nop.

If you're one for the natural, light highlighting effect, then this is not for you. Why? Because it's fucking metallic.

Ok. That was over-eggxageration on my part, but yeah. This stuff is soooooooooooo luminous that it's, ridiculous. Suits me. I'm a nut too. Sometimes.

One light swipe of this will give your cheekbones that healthy glow, the Korean lookin' glows. A heavy sweep will, um, probably make you look like a disco ball. There are people who likes the disco-effect on their cheeks though. For example, me (and Kat of Kitsch Snitch)!

I love the finish of this. It's what I've always wanted. I've had only limited experience with highlighters, but this one does it all. A tad pricey, not very "me", but I had to pick it up as Amanda informed us that there was a sale on The Balm US' site!

(rollover to see where I highlighted)

I use this everyday. I love, love, love the pearly finish on my cheeks. It doesn't bring forward my dry-flakes to the world, so that's good.

The camera doesn't seem to pick up on how reflective this stuff is, so here's a low-cam quality photo to share.

Oh, the irony..

Look at dem cheekbones though!

Anyhows, besides that, a little goes a long way. Meaning that I probably won't need to repurchase another unless I break this one.... again.

Shoot me all your highlighter suggestions!

Powders only, no creams please!

Powders, because they're so quick and easy to apply. I live life on the edge, always waking up 15 minutes before class or outings, so will never have time for blending in creams!