Ulta3 Nail Polish - Allure

Cheap as chips! Literally. This nail polish costs $2 AUD.

Allure is a metallic dark velvet purple. Looks gorgeous on short nails. Wear with a base (I use the Ulta3 brand) and top coat and it really lasts. I only notice chipping from day 5.

The formula doesn't streak and there is excellent colour payoff. Dries reasonably quick with a wet-look finish. 

In the bin of Ulta3 polishes at the chemist, not one showed signs of colour separation. The range is impressive with lots of funky colours to choose from. 

The only negative is that the brush is not as user friendly as OPI's. However the quality is definitely comparable.

Overall, superb results without the price of OPI. At such a cheap price, I'm going to start a collection! 

YSL Touche Eclat - Radiant Touch

Touche Eclat No 3 taken in natural light

Touche Eclat No 3 with flash

Hailed as a miracle product for those plagued with dark undereye circles, I finally decided to see what all the fuss was about. I've now come to the age where sleep no longer has an affect on my dark circles so it's time to "shed some light" on the matter!

I was in Debenhams in London when I first tried this product. There were two colours and they both looked too pale on my hand. I did'nt bother about trying it around my eyes. The sales assistant put it on my friend's and she looked like she was wearing chalk!

Almost gave up on it until I found out that there was a third darker colour. Found it cheap on Ebay from the UK. After shipping, a full sized tube was $35 AUD. It retails for $75 AUD in the department stores and they don't stock the third colour.

Firstly I'm impressed with the slick gold compact brush pen.

The product is easy to dispense. Just press the button on the end and apply with the brush. As an ex-makeup artist, I don't agree with this design in terms of hygiene because the brush carries bacteria and it's difficult to clean. However as a normal person, the packaging is a fantastic convenience!

Bear in mind, this is not a concealer. It has very light coverage and if anything it's a highlighter.

Almost thought I bought a dud. After 15 frantic clicks of the button, a glob popped from the brush. The product has the consistency of liquid foundation and was very easy to blend. You still need to use your fingers to perfect it though.

Proud to say that I'm now a follower. Touche Eclat is indeed a miracle product because it makes you look like you've slept 10 hours and to an extent, makes you look younger too. It's an apricot colour but it illuminates and banishes the dark areas. No 3 was the perfect tone for my tanned skin.

Only a tiny bit is needed to cover the inner corners of my eyes. I've read that you can apply it under your brow bone to make eyes stand out too.

It easily solves the tired look and dark circles so this is a Holy Grail. Will be keeping this handy at all times!

If you're concerned about shelling out alot for a little (as a full sized product is 2.5ml), definatley scout around Ebay. You should find it cheaper than half the retail price. For those with medium to tanned skins, I don't know why No 3 is not at most departments stores so you might be taking a gamble if you can't test it. Since the consistency is light, it will easily blend into your skintone. I think it's worth taking the chance!

NYX Pearl Mania Loose Pigment - Walnut

While traveling Europe, my eyeshadows crumbled in transit. Pressed powders turned to rainbow dust so when I needed new colours, I had to try NYX pigments. The stuff comes in cute little screw top jars so no worries about spillage or breakage.

What I like:

- Highly pigmented so you don't need alot to build colour.

- Easy to blend with a silky finish.

- Lasted all day and still going strong.

- Bottle was the right size for my bullet brush to fit through.

- So cheap! Beats paying for MAC any day.

- Versatile shading colour with a super pearly finish. Walnut is a deep bronzed brown with coppery shimmer. 

- Once on, the colour does'nt budge or crease (and I have oily lids too).

- Travel friendly packaging.

What I DON'T like:

- Nothing! This product is a winner!

Rating: 5/5 A Holy Grail! It lasts all day, blends in well and is finely milled. The colour is perfect for everyday to evening wear. Best of all, it was only $1.25USD! 

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque

Just pulled out a tube from six years ago and it's still good!

My skin is mega-oily and after reading rave reviews on Makeup Alley, I HAD to try it. 

I ordered from American Discount Beauty. Queen Helene products are cheap in the US and after the currency exchange, a large tube costs $12 AUD (not including shipping).

The tube was a hefty 8oz or 226.8g. Packaging was nothing fancy. Looks like a common household product but it promises extraordinary benefits such as:

*Relaxes tired muscles and eases tension lines on the face and neck.

*Suction action draws out waste matter from the pores.

* Dries up acne pimples, rinse away blackheads and even helps shrink enlarged pores.

The masque is ridiculously thick and mint scented. I even had difficulty squeezing the tube because it's consistency is of pottery clay. It dries quicker than other masks and yes, I did feel the "sucking" action!

It noticeably stiffens as it dries. I was deliciously repulsed by the visible oil extracted from my pores. 

I wash off after half an hour and its a b*tch to remove. A cloth is definitely required as per instructions. I have some deeply enlarged pores on my nose and it was annoying to see tiny green bits of the masque remaining. (Gross, I know.)

The end result? Tightened refined pores and my skin glows! Very impressed with this product. If I remember, I'll use it twice a week to keep the oiliness and pores under control. 

You can also use the masque as an overnight spot treatment.

Rating: 5/5 stars. This product delivers on it's promises. Good value for money and a Godsend for oily skin. I will keep coming back to this HG (Holy Grail) product!