With Christmas fast approaching, my “Across My Desk & New On My Beauty Counter” post, featuring all the hottest new releases in beauty, should be quite timely for those looking for a little gift-giving inspiration. Or maybe you’ll just add a few of these to your own Christmas wish list…
SMASHBOX – Photo Finish Blemish Control Primer
Ok so I don’t have acne, although if I did, this new Blemish Control primer has the ingredients to treat it. Nor have I ever had really bad problem skin, however I do indeed get the odd breakout now and then (why does this always happen right before a big event?) so I’m well aware of that sinking feeling of wanting a flawless makeup look, but knowing that any makeup I apply is probably going to make my skin look worse in the long run by further clogging up my pores in the bid to cover up blemishes and breakouts.
The fact that Smashbox has developed a primer that not only perfects skin instantly, it also treats the toughest of acne without stripping skin of its natural oils, is just plain brilliant! Combining the science of skincare with makeup, this velvety perfecting primer contains 2% salicylic acid to combat the toughest of acne. It even states “Clinical tests have even shown a visibly clearer complexion after just two weeks”. If that’s not enough to convince you this is the ‘primer of the year’, it still does all the things you need a primer to do – nourish, hydrate, minimise the appearance of skin imperfections, create a flawless base for your foundation and enhance the wear of your makeup, all without the worry of breakouts.
I’ve been using a Smashbox primer for years (I still do), and this new addition to their primer family makes me soooo happy! It looks, acts and feels exactly the same as my everyday ‘go to Smashbox primer’, with the addition of treating any breakouts! LOVE LOVE LOVE this Blemish Control primer.
RRP $76.00 Available from selected pharmacies, beauty spas and the Smashbox Concept Store in Ponsonby.
SMASHBOX – Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liners
Whilst on the topic of Smashbox, they’ve released another fabulous new collection with their Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liners. I swore I would never use the term “game-changer” (many years in a marketing team, repetitively hearing, and admittedly using this double-barrel descriptor will do this to a girl), however I really can’t come up with a better term to describe Smashbox’s new Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liners (especially the colour ‘Bare’)!!
With a handy sharpener built right into the lid, it works to tidy the tip of the liner every time you screw the lid shut. There are eight shades in the range: Raven (black), Sumatra (cool toned dark brown), Storm (a beautiful smokey grey), Penny Lane (light brown with a subtle shimmer), Cabana (aqua green), French Navy (the perfect navy blue hue), Violetta (a warm toned purple), and the liner I’ve been using – Bare (a totally wearable velvety nude). Now I want to touch on this ‘bare’ hue a little more. When I first saw it I thought “really, a skin coloured eye-pencil? Hmm, can really see this doing anything”. WRONG! Never in all my years of makeup artistry have I ever thought to use a skin-toned eye pencil. White, yes – this opens the eye up by extending the white of your eye, but a skin colour? never! This Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner in the hue ‘bare’ is my eye-makeup find of the year! It still does the same job a white liner does, but without the obvious hit of stark white. I cannot believe I’ve never used this tone before. It gives such a lovely fresh, ‘I’m not wearing makeup, but I am’ look. It cancels out any redness around the eye, making the eye area look flawless, and the creamy kohl texture glides on so effortlessly, it’s an amazing new addition to my makeup kit and I want to tell everyone to start using it!
RRP $46.00 Available from selected Life Pharmacies, beauty spas and the Smashbox Concept Store in Ponsonby, or online at www.smashboxcosmetics.co.nz
STEAM CREAM
So I say ‘new on my beauty counter’, and yes this is a new tin of Steam Cream that I’ve received, but no it isn’t the first time I’ve tried it. Many beauty bloggers will be talking about Steam Cream right now as it’s fairly new arrival here in NZ, however it’s been collecting many a beauty award over in the UK (including the 2010 UK Beauty Insiders Choice award) where it was formulated, and I’ve actually been using it for a couple of years. So what is this Steam Cream all about? Well, other than the fact it comes packaged in the most adorable tin (there are a number of different designs available and they make quite the collectable once you’ve used all the product) it’s the process for making Steam Cream that gives it a point of difference. Taking its name from the boutique French process in which it is made – raw ingredients are fused together using a shot of bubbling hot steam, thus ‘Steam Cream’ (rather than mixed artificially using chemicals). It happens at a speed which defies most traditional cream making methods and gives the finished product a unique texture. Steam Cream contains ingredients such as Orange Flower Water, Almond Oil, Cocoa Butter and much, much more, all of which gives Steam Cream an absolutely heavenly scent. Plus all ingredients are from sustainable sources and its 100% cruelty-free.
Although primarily designed for the face, Steam Cream is a multi-use moisturiser with a light creamy texture containing natural ingredients that penetrate quickly into the skin. As I touched on earlier, the packaging is absolutely adorable, using eco-friendly aluminium tins with constantly updated designs, they make for a fabulous storage container that look beautiful on your beauty counter. To date I have actually accumulated quite a few designs – Flying Hearts, Scattered Hearts, Buttons, the Lou Lou tin (featuring a gorgeous lil kitty cat) and the Union Jack.
RRP $29.90 Available at selected pharmacies & Farmers stores nationwide. For more information head to: www.facebook.com/steamcreamnz
TRILOGY – Botanical Body Wash
Well, safe to say Trilogy needs no introduction. Even with their new-look packaging design, Trilogy is instantly recognisable. I for one am more than familiar with their skin care line, of which is nothing short of magnificent. What I didn’t know until very recently is that they produce Botanical Body Wash.
Formulated from a delicate blend of aroma-therapeutic oils, non-drying cleansers and pure plant extracts (inc. kawa kawa from the leaves of the native New Zealand pepper tree), this unisex shower gel leaves your skin soft, smooth and well – impeccably clean. The scent is really lovely, and although I know Trilogy were trying to be helpful in creating a unisex body wash, I just don’t know how happy I am about my guy thinking this means, and I quote “Sweet, this one’s basically mine”. Hmmm skipped right past ‘unisex’ and straight on to claiming it as his own. Neato.
The Trilogy Botanical Body Wash combines anti-oxidant-rich amla fruit to tone and rejuvenate, rose geranium to help soothe the senses and French lavender oil, cucumber and chamomile to soothe the skin.
RRP$ 29.90 (500 ml). Available from selected pharmacies, department and health stores nationwide.
MOR – Limited Edition, Destination Cosmetic Bag Collection
Ahhh the ever-fabulous MOR. As if their exquisite spa, beauty and personal care range wasn’t enough, they then dazzled us with their 2013 Holiday Gifting Collection, and now they’ve released a limited edition ‘tantalizing tangerine Pantone 178’ Destination Summer Collection!
There are three styles to choose from – Barcelona Train Case, New York Pencil Case, and the set I have – Melbourne Cosmetic Purse Trio.
The Melbourne Cosmetic Purse Trio features three cosmetic purse sizes in a variation of materials. Perfect for daily use, and definitely great for travel, it’s a really well thought out trio, fabulous for makeup, brushes, pencils and so much more. I’ve used the smaller of the three for jewellery, the medium size for my brushes and the largest for makeup (obviously I needed the largest purse for my makeup!!)
This beautiful tangerine hue just screams summer, and the gold hardware sets the scene for the luxurious look and feel synonymous with MOR Cosmetics.
Now I want to state that I thought about separating the trio of purses, as they’d make for beautiful Xmas stocking fillers for friends and family, however clearly I am not that selfless, as I couldn’t part with them and have now filled all three. But hey – I still think it’s a great idea!
RRP $44.99 Available from department stores, Redcurrant, gift boutiques, select retailers, and www.morcosmetics.com
WELEDA – Natural Hair Care Range
Weleda has released a 100% NATRUE certified (yes natrue, not nature) natural hair care line, and each product in this range is free of SLS, parabens, preservatives and artificial ingredients. I have been treating my hair to the new OAT shampoo and conditioner for dry and damaged hair and it’s pretty darn good. The scent is lovely and the result – super lightweight, shiny hair. It took a little getting use to the shampoo not lathering up (as most do) but this is probably due to Weleda’s holistic approach, where no artificial ingredients are used, and it’s the artificial ingredients that generally cause the foaming. A fabulous range – definitely worth trying!
RRP $19.90 Available from health food stores and pharmacies nationwide. For more information visit www.weleda.co.nz
ELIZABETH ARDEN – Beautiful Color Precision Glide Lip Liner
In need of a luxuriously creamy, long wearing, hydrating lip liner that won’t flake, feather or fade? Look no further – these Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Precision Glide Lip Liners are absolute perfection. They glide on effortlessly, define and contour lips, and the icing on the cake – they contain a unique waterproof, non-drying formula infused with ingredients that make lips feel moisturised and conditioned, with the added benefit of a liner that has staying power like no other. They even feature an automatic component with an ergonomic grip (which actually really helps to trace lips with accuracy) and it’s complimented with an innovative, flexible lip paddle and sharpener duo, ideal for precision application and evenly blending colour onto lips.
I opted for the shades Fuchsia, Red Door Red and Plum Wine, however Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Precision Glide Lip Liners are available in nine other highly pigmented fashion-forward shades (12 in total) ranging from nudes and subtle pinks to warm browns and vivid berries. Lip liner perfection!!
RRP $ 39.00 Available at Elizabeth Arden counters nationwide.
MODELCO – BB+ Cream
The world of alphabet creams welcomes a new player – ModelCo’s BB Plus. This all-in-one daily skin perfector has a beautiful consistency and gives a healthy, glowing, flawless finish. With the combination of serum, moisturiser, primer, foundation and sunscreen, BB Plus covers blemishes and imperfections, maintains hydration, assists regenerative processes, corrects signs of dullness or fatigue, all whilst protecting the skin from UV rays. BB Plus is available in two shades, light to medium and medium to dark, suitable for all skin complexions and types.
A few standout features: BB Plus contains antioxidant and anti-aging benefits thanks to the inclusion of Wheatgerm Oil, Vitamin C and Green Tea. It’s paraben, fragrance and cruelty free. Has been dermalogically tested and found to be suitable for those with sensitive skin. It does everything a good beauty balm should do, with the additional benefit of with real staying power!
RRP $25.95 Available at selected pharmacies, department stores and Farmers nationwide.
MAYBELLINE NEW YORK – Express Nail Varnish Remover
Oh how I do love to paint my nails, but oh how I detest removing nail polish! Maybelline has has the answer with their soon-to-be-released acetone-free ‘Express Remover’ which erases nail polish in just one dip. Maybelline’s Express Remover comes in the form of a cute black & pink pottle which contains a foam centre that you dip your finger into, turn once or twice, and viola – nail polish gone! I know there are other similar products out there that claim to do the same, but quite honestly this is the best one I’ve tried to date! If you love playing with nail colour (especially the gritty, glittery ones that are a pain in the butt to remove) then you are gonna love Maybelline Express Remover. There’s not really much more to say on this little gem – it just works!!
RRP $9.99 (available from late Jan to early Feb)
SHISEIDO – Global Suncare Foundation
With rising concerns for damage caused by harmful UV rays it was only a matter of time before a cosmetics brand saw that UV protection needed to become a focal point when creating foundations. Shiseido has done exactly that with their reformulated Suncare Foundation range. Not only does it help provide strong UV protection preventing skin damage, it also offers optimum foundation coverage for a natural flawless look. Water and sebum resistant, it provides a freshly applied look that lasts for hours, making it ideal for any summer occasion. The packaging, a beautiful combination of bright blue and yellow, screams summery and sporty and is available in three different forms:
Shiseido Suncare Compact Foundation UV Protection – SPF 30 RRP $56 (compact case RRP $15.50)
A powdery compact foundation, available in six shades, it smoothes on wet or dry for a lightweight feeling and a natural matte look.
Shiseido Suncare Liquid Foundation UV Protection – SPF30 RRP $65
A liquid foundation, available in 7 shades, it provides a flawless makeup finish whilst resisting perspiration, water and oil to maintain a soft matte look.
Shiseido Suncare Stick Foundation UV Protection – SPF30 RRP $47
A treatment-enriched stick, available in 4 shades, it provides a sheer natural finish, glides on effortlessly, giving your skin a smooth radiant look.
Putting these to the test, Shiseido does indeed stand the test of time. They are still producing damn good foundation in every form, and I predict their new Suncare range will be a huge hit this summer!
Available on counter 13 January 2014.
Christmas wishes & Beauty Kisses xx
Ange
Gurlinterrupted
A Girl Interrupted By Fashion, Beauty & Anything Pretty That Catches My Eye
