My first FOTD featuring Face of Australia....

There aren't many reasons that will get me to put my face out there... in fact it took Face of Australia to release their illuminators to make me even want to try.  Oh god... am I really doing this... (scared!)

Five to Try: BYS

 

As an obsessed beauty blogger I have tried many products from many brands. I figured I might share my picks if you are looking to try a new brand because whether a brand is at the high or low end, they all have hits and misses in my experience. So my first Five to Try post is for BYS which is a cheaper makeup brand available here in Australia. My picks are in no particular order by the way.

1. Slimline Lipgloss (RRP $4.95) in Pinch of Peach - This is a great shiny lipgloss that has great colour pay off. It's not sticky and has no smell or taste. It comes in a few different colours but I of course loved the peach.

2. Nail Polish* in Love Boat (RRP $4.95)- NOTD pics here. It's just a great blue polish.

3. Brow Liner ( sorry I couldn't find the RRP on this one but it was not more than $4.95) in Blonde - This is a great brow pencil - it works well for colouring in my bows and the brush at the other end makes it easy to shape naturally. This is pretty much a HG brow product for me after Revlon stopped making my previous HG brow product and so much cheaper!

4. Blush in Peach Sundae (RRP $3.95)- it's a gorgeous shimmery true peach. A perfect summer colour. A HG peach shade for me - I am sick of those dark peach shades people. Check this pretty out close up -

5. Bronzing Powder in light shine (RRP $6.95) - if you like shimmer in your bronzer you have to try this. It has 3 shades so you can get the colour or colours you want. Love this product and the packaging is gorgeous -

Bonus Product: I could not end before mentioning the following product but as I am still yet to use it I can't say if it will work for me but on packaging alone I'd be stuffing them in as stocking fillers. Below are 2 of the Animal Instincts Eye shadows* (RRP $4.95) - can you even get over how gorgeous they look?  The only reason I haven't used them is because they are too pretty - a common problem I have (*cough Naked Palette cough*).

 Animal Instincts Eyeshadow in Naturals

  Animal Instincts Eyeshadow in Purples*

Anything else that is a must try from BYS to add to this list guys? You know I can think of another couple already but I wanted to keep these lists to 5 products per brand where possible lol.

Jac x

Disclaimer: Products with an * were provided by PR but my opinions are always my own.

Monthly Favourites: October 2011

I haven't done one of these posts since June as I have been trialling different products for review purposes. While I am still doing that I have been making more of an effort to just use what I like on some days too. So here we go:

Foundation: This month I actually have 2 and here's why. Firstly I was using up my Maybelline Smooth Mousse foundation which I love, it just doesn't hold up to a full day at work for me. I find that my skin wants to absorb anything including makeup in an effort to be less dry. Once that was done and dusted I started using Face of Australia's Lasting Looks Natural Foundation with SPF15 and loved this one too. This foundation retails for $11.95 and seriously is freaking awesome - lasts wonderfully for work but if you are super super pale it may be a little dark (think your more tanned summer face - or should I say less scry white summer face?).

Blush: I was sent some BYS products for review and decided to pick up some more to test out myself. One of those that I picked up was BYS' blush in Peach Sundae (I think Lilit recommended this one it to me) and I have to say this blush is a gorgeous light summery, shimmery peach - just the way I like 'em.  At 4.95 AUD (from memory) this one is a total bargain. LOVE!

Powder: I have been using Face of Australia's face powder for a number of months now and I am not making any headway. A word of warning though for those with dry skin - less is more otherwise you can look dry. In fact I haven't needed a face powder when using the FOA foundation mentioned above so I assume this will last me forever. This baby retails for $11.95 AUD as well.

Eyeshadow: Just when I thought this was going to be an Aussie favourites post (lol) in slams NARS with their cream eyeshadow in Mykonos. It's neutral, sparkly, easily blendable, stays all day, doesn't crease and I love it all over my lid for that "I look like I made an effort but I really didn't" days. I get my NARS from kissandmakeupny

Mascara: Recently I mentioned that I had done a bit of an Australis haul and one of my items was the Lash TLC Conditioning Mascara. It took me a couple of goes before I was sure I liked this mascara but I do and I recommend it specifically for those who are looking for something suitable for sensitive eyes. Not only does this mascara not irritate during the day but it is also really easy to get off when you are ready for bed time. Retails for $14.95 AUD.

Lipstick/product: Again this is a bit of a tie, first we have Australis' Mint Condition Lip Gloss SPF30 in Meow With Your Mind. My god I love this gloss - the colour, finish, SPF, name - just everything. It's also only $8.95AUD as well. Secondly we have Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Coral Reef. I've heard people rave about this colour and you know what IT'S ALL TRUE. Just get it - even at Australian prices (I think about $20 AUD) it is worth it (I'm sorry I missed it from the photo above but I'll do a swatch post separately).

Skincare: I have been totally in love with L'oreal's Youth Code Super-Concentrated Serum which I have been using every morning and some nights as well. I just love the way this makes my skin feel and it is absorbed so quickly too. I picked mine up a few months ago when Priceline had the whole Youth Code skincare line on sale for $22 AUD.

Nail: Orly's Night Owl made it twice in a row on my nails. It seriously looks like nothing in the bottle but I just love it one. A NOTD is coming. Preeeeettttty!

Perfume: Giorgio Armani's Acqua di Gioia is a gorgeous perfume that I love wearing as the weather gets warmer. I have received so many compliments from people when I wear this fragrance and can often be found smelling myself when I wear it as well lol.

Other: Now that the weather is heating up again SPF is becoming a real concern as I realise I have done bugger all to get something sorted out since last summer. However there is one product that I have been relying on for years to keep me white and sunburn free and that is Banana Boat's Ultra Sunscreen in SPF30. I freaking love this stuff.
I was also lucky enough to be sent one of the new sunscreens in the BB range -Mineral Protect- kids with SPF30. This is a naturally based sunscreen with clear zinc. I used it on the weekend in a ridiculously hot day (35) in Adelaide and again it was a winner. A more in depth review of the BB sunscreens I have used and loved is coming.

Whew and we are done!

Have a great week everyone and thanks so much for still reading and commenting despite my irregular posts at the moment - that work/life balance is certainly a challenge at the moment for me.

Jac x

Disclaimer: I received the Banana Boat sunscreen from PR as mentioned above - everything else I bought myself, either way my opinions are always my own.

A closer look at more BYS nail polish colours

Previously I showed a NOTD from BYS which was provided to me for review. After seeing how lovely the colour and finish was I decided to head to my local Kmart to pick up some more. Because of time limitations I have swatched all colours on a nail wheel. Please note all colours are 2 coats without any top coat.

The good:

• BYS is readily available.
• Polishes cost $4.
• Range of finishes including shimmer, matte and metallic.
• Pretty easy to apply and they dry reasonably quickly.

The Bad:

• I noticed some shades had a stronger 'polish' smell than others.
• Most polishes would need a third coat to be opaque.

And can I be honest and say both of the supposed "bad" things actually aren't that big an issue for me. I am more annoyed by polishes that NEVER become opaque. Anyway let's get to the exciting stuff  - looking at colours:

Matte Pink

 

Coconut Ice

Hocus Pocus

Love Boat 

Shimmer Blue Hawaii

From left to right: Matte Pink, Coconut Ice, Hocus Pocus, Love Boat, Shimmer Blue Hawaii

I've said it once and I'll say it again for $4 these polishes look good to me. Matte Pink is more hot pink than my camera is showing - think BRIGHT and definitely matte. The only sheer shade was Coconut Ice which would be a great French Manicure colour for those wanting to highlight their natural nails.

Any recommendations for other great shades? 

Disclaimer: Love Boat and Matte Pink were provided by PR for consideration. All other shades shown were purchased with my own money.

NOTD: BYS' Love Boat

BYS is a brand I have heard mixed things about ( I first heard about one of their face mosaic powders) but have never taken the time to investigate further. Little did I know that not only do they produce makeup they have a pretty sizable nail polish line as well (squee).

I was lucky enough to be sent this nail polish to try by PR and I just think this colour is lovely. If it is a greenish-blue or blueish-green I have no idea, all I do know is I like it and it is a perfect summer colour. As for the formula I found it slightly runny (which is fine once you get the hang of it) and the brush made it quite easy to apply and get an even coat. Drying time was reasonable and in the photos taken I am wearing 2 coats without any top coat.

Now I find myself in a bit of a dilemma as I am on record as HATING a VNL but for some reason even though you can just see it in this shade it didn't bother me. After spending some time thinking about this I think I know why - when I glanced at my nails I didn't notice the VNL, it was only when I held them up to look at them in front of my face I could see it. To be honest I think a third coat would have made it opaque but I didn't have the time when applying to go to third coat (and then I really didn't care about the VNL).

So what does it all mean - well BYS Nail Polishes are sold for $4 in a stack of locations and if you need a colour pronto and you don't want to or cant spend big dollars this hits the spot for me. Now if you are thinking "Jac you tried 1 polish how do we know about other colours in the range" well... fear not... I'm saving my exploration of a few other BYS polishes for my next post (which I will probably publish tomorrow).

Anyone else for the Love Boat? (I had to right?)

Jac x

Disclaimer: This polish was provided by PR for consideration.