BATH AND BODY WORKS BODY SPRAYS

Bath & Body Works Body Fragrances in Cashmere Glow, White Citrus and Warm Vanilla Sugar

Pros:

Low cost

Travel sized

Cons:

Non-sturdy container

Hard to get in Australia

Would Repurchase:

Yes

Recommended for:

Travelling

Those on a budget

While in America, one shop high on my list was Bath and Body Works. I spent a good deal or time and money inside the shop near Grand Central in New York City. It definitely lived up to my expectations. The travel sized sprays (3 fl oz / 88mL) were US$6 (AUD$6.40) each. Unfortunately, Bath and Body Works products aren't readily available in Australia, but there's an eBay seller here who stocks heaps of American products including lots of Bath and Body Works items. One problem I did have with these sprays is that I originally bought a fourth one, but the top of the container cracked not long after I bought it. However, I brought it back to the store, and they refunded my money immediately, no questions asked, which I was impressed by.

Cashmere Glow

The scent of Cashmere Glow is quite a hard smell to describe. It's quite sweet, but not too powerful, it's mildly fruity, and also smells faintly woody, with undertones of wild flowers. There's a lot going on, and it's probably not for everyone, but it's not too strong, and I think it's delicious.

White Citrus

White Citrus has a very fresh scent, it's perfect for Spring and Summer. You can distinctly smell lime, but it's more a lime tree than the actual fruit. There are also undertones of lemon. It's quite a strong scent when initially sprayed, but it does disperse quite quickly.

Warm Vanilla Sugar

Warm Vanilla Sugar was the the first scent I smelled when I got inside, and I immediately fell in love with it. It's a yummy, sweet smell, it doesn't smell too strongly of vanilla, which can sometimes be overpowering. It has a sugary undertone that reminds me of cake icing. It's all around delicious.

SEPHORA POWDER BRUSH

Sephora PRO Round Powder Brush #60

Pros:

Large size

Nice finish

Cons:

Hard bristles

Expensive

Would Repurchase:

No

Recommended for:

Those with non-sensitive skin

 I bought this brush for US$48 (equivalent to AU$51.56 today) from Sephora when I was in New York, to replace my powder brush which was getting a bit old. I didn't use or unwrap it until I got home, to avoid it getting damaged or dirty. The tester in the shop felt soft on my hand when I tried it out, but I was disappointed to find, when I used it, it was quite harsh on my face. It does pick up enough product, and it does a good job at blending, leaving a nice finish, however, for the price I paid, I was expecting higher quality.

As you can see, the tips of the bristles are already slightly frayed. A shame, as I've been using it for less than a month, three to four times a week. I would definitely not recommend this brush for those with even slightly sensitive skin. I've kept soldering on with it, because of the price, but I have been going back to using my old brush if my skin is having a bad day. I'd recommend saving your money, and forking out for a more quality powder brush.

BANANA BOAT FACES SUNSCREEN

Banana Boat Oil-Free SPF 50+ for Faces

Pros:

Gentle formulation

Fast drying

High protection

Cons:

None so far

Would Repurchase:

Yes

Recommended for:

Sensitive skin

Summer time

Wearing under makeup

This is kind of boring, but oh so essential for the Summer that is fast approaching. 33 degree weather in Spring? What? I heard all the hype about SPF 50+ sunscreen, so I thought I'd better go out and get myself some. More often than not, I have reactions to sunscreen, particularly on my face, I'll break out in tiny bumps all over my face and neck. Unpleasant. I normally just stick to the SPF 15+ in my daily moisturiser, but the scary ads have done their job. Do I want wrinkles? Hyperpigmenation? Melanomas? No thank you. I tried a couple before buying this one, and the main reason I chose it was because it was on special at the supermarket. 

The gentle formulation is perfect for sensitive skin, it comes out of the tube creamy, and it soaks in to the skin instantly, with no greasy residue. It's perfect to wear on it's own, or under makeup. I have been putting it on over my moisturiser when I'm on my way to the pool or beach, and it still dries straight away. It's a winner, and is also quite cheap. Just make sure you keep an eye on the expiry date, and throw it out! Out of date sunscreen spells disaster for your skin.

BEAUTY BLENDER

This picture isn't mine, as my blender is a bit discoloured

I recently went to the US, and had a blast (a very expensive blast) in Sephora. I'd heard heaps about the Beauty Blender, so I bought it without a second thought. This thing is incredible! I don't know what I did without it. It's perfect for foundation and concealer, it blends perfectly, and it's so quick to use. I also bought the Sephora dupe, and I can happily say it's just as good. One thing I will say, though, is that it's a little tricky to get clean. I've shampooed it a few times, but the colour doesn't completely come out. I'm quite sure it is clean, it just doesn't look it. I would recommend this product to anyone and everyone.

CLINIQUE EXFOLIATING SCRUB

I got sent this product about ten days ago. I haven't used many Clinique products, mostly due to the cost, and I think this is the first full sized product I've owned. I've been using it every three to four days, straight after using a cleanser. I love this product, and I've noticed my skin is much smoother after using it. I'd definitely repurchase this scrub. It's not too granulated, it's fairly gentle on my face, and is suitable for sensitive skin.

NIVEA IN-SHOWER MOISTURISER

Normal to dry skin

I'm sure we've all seen the TV advertising for this product. I was intrigued, but dubious. I picked some up at the supermarket last week, and have been using it almost every day since.
I will firstly say, do not apply it to skin that's not prone to dryness. The first time I used it, I applied it all over my body, and felt sticky for half an hour afterwards. The next day, I tried it just on my legs, which have been dry from swimming in a chlorine pool daily, and it was so hydrating, and easy to use. It's really as simple as the package says. Simply wash with your usual shower gel, rinse, then use the moisturiser the in the same way. This product is also incredibly affordable, at $4.00 to $5.00, depending on your local supermarket or pharmacy.

RIMMELL LASTING FINISH LIPSTICK

Shade: 14

I recently got my hair cut short, very rocker-esque, so I've been wearing dark colours on my eyes. This lipstick is the perfect lip shade to counterbalance the dark liner and shadow, to keep the look clean and not too overdone. I hate going out w with nothing on my lips, so this is the perfect solution! True to its name, this product is quite long-lasting, and stays on quite well while eating and drinking. I hadn't used any Rimmell lip products before this one, so it was a great first impression. Something great about this shade is that it can easily take you from day to night, and from casual to formal. It dries quickly, so gloss can easily be applied over the top without any smudging problems.