Target Australia selling MAC products? Too good to be true!

When I heard that Target were selling MAC cosmetics for heavily discounted prices, I couldn't wait to head in a check it out. The first thing I noticed when I got there was there were only three products left. Naturally, I bought all three and left the stands bare. The second thing I noticed was Target's over-use of the words "genuine" and "authentic". To be honest, I wouldn't have questioned it if it wasn't bought to my attention by Target themselves. Also, if they were actually selling "genuine" and "authentic" products.

L-R: All That Glitters; Ricepaper; Nylon.

I bought three eyeshadows: Nylon, Ricepaper and All That Glitters. Three shades I have never owned before (making this post a little boring) and all shades that I've been drawn to in the past. I was hoping to pick up some of my favourite products to do a comparison, but beggars can't be choosers.

Labelling on all shades is pretty precise - all the same information is on these as is on my authentic MAC shadows that I have purchased from David Jones. The packaging is identical, all of the aesthetic jazz is pretty well in line.

The shadows themselves are of a really decent quality - of a MAC quality. I can't speak for the shades, as I have never owned them previously. However the finishes are spot-on (frost, veluxe pearl), the texture and application are near identical... If these are fakes, they're damn good.

My best guess is that Target is selling factory seconds, or expired stock. I do think that these products originally came from a MAC factory, but perhaps weren't fit for sale at a MAC counter. MAC has come out saying that Target is not a supplier of their cosmetics, and they are unsure as to how they are in possession of stock. While I did buy these products and will continue to use them, I doubt I'll be shopping at Target any more.

***This video explains the entire situation a lot better than I ever could, with many product comparisons. I highly recommend it!

Lush Bath Cocktail: A Currant Affair

So I saw a load of people making Lush Bath Cocktails using different mixes of ballistics, melts and bubble bars to get a custom scent, colour or texture in their bath (My fave so far has been Mermaid Water - Big Blue and Sunnyside!). While I don't think mine is a great example since I only put one product in the actual water itself, I thought it would be a fun way to start using up some of the things I may otherwise neglect, especially since my Lush collection is so extensive.

First, I ran my bath and added half a Blackberry bath ballistic, which is described as smelling of bergamot and frankincense and turns the water a stunning lilac colour. Once it completely fizzes away, you're left with a small piece of paper floating around with "Boom!" written on it, as well. The novelty is a nice touch that Lush is really known for with their bath products.

Then, I exfoliated all over with large shards of You Snap The Whip body butter, which performs better in the shower but is just as great in the bath. To make this product last a whole lot longer, rub it all over before you get in the water (on dry skin) and then wash it off when you hop in. That way, it doesn't melt and wash away as quickly.

Finally, I pulled off a small piece of Sweetie Pie shower jelly, wedged it in a puff and lathered all over. This is one of my all-time favourite Lush products, because it's so long-lasting and comes in at such an amazing price considering it's popularity! Also great for keeping small pieces in the fridge or freezer during the summer months, for a wonderful chilled shower on those excruciatingly hot days.

That's it! An hour later and I still smell like black curranty goodness. I hope this has inspired you to try a Lush cocktail of your own, or suggest any favourites you may have tried already?

Lust Have It - August Box Review

This was the first beauty box I've ever received, and I was so excited when I came home and it was on the table! To be honest, it's a bit hit-and-miss (more miss than hit) but I think that's how these things work. There's got to be someone who saw this and thought, "These are all my favourite things!" unfortunately, not I.

-tanGo Tan Removal Cloth, RRP $29.95. Honestly? It's a piece of microfiber cloth that you could buy at a supermarket for $2, except it has a brand. I am the palest person in the world by far so would have no use for it, at least as a tan remover. The small description does say that by adding water it can be used as a makeup remover (read: flannel) however I'm far fonder of muslin cloth so I'm not sure where this might end up...

-Tigi Rockaholic Rock Out Shine Blaster, RRP $27.95/100mL. This is quite interesting. I do like a good hair product, and while I've only run a small bit through my ends to test, it smells divine and does temporarily mask split-ends, as promised. This claims to be somewhat of an all-rounder product, in that it seals the hair cuticles to help dry quicker, softens hair, adds shine, masks spilt-ends, works as a "mixer" with your other products... Like I said, quite interesting! So far so good.

-ModelCo Eyeliner - Black, RRP $26.00. I've never understood why ModelCo's products are so expensive, since I don't particularly like any of them. I don't wear pencil liners very often, and when I do I reach for soft kohls (namely Rimmel). This feels quite hard and not very pigmented. It's one draw card is that it has a sharpener in the lid, but I still don't think that warrants paying close to $30 for a so-so black liner, when there are such great ones for under $10.

-Marc Jacobs DOT Fragrance vial, RRP $160/100mL. This disappointed me. Not the perfume - the perfume is everything that I love and more, and makes me feel all giddy and blushy (Marc Jacobs fragrances in general have this effect on me). The fact that Lust Have It specifically promotes their business as a supplier of luxury premium-sized samples, I would expect that maybe I am paying for something I couldn't just pick up at a Myer counter. However I digress - this perfume is spectacular. Red berry top notes, a heart of jasmine and orange blossom resting on a base of vanilla and musk? No wonder I'm complaining about the size!

-Appelles Skin Detox Shower Gel (RRP $12.95/100mL), Body Booster Skin Lotion (RRP $12.95/100mL), and Body Bar Vegetable Soap (RRP $4.95/40g). I can't review these products properly and honestly because like the tan removal cloth (scoff), I highly doubt I'll ever use them. To me, these products smell like cheap supermarket-brand shampoo. The packaging of the soap is reminiscent of what you might find in a hotel room, and I'm really not someone who uses soap bars anyway (with the exception of a few Lush soaps). When I tested a small amount of the skin lotion on my arm, it hasn't made my skin softer at all over the course of the day so nothing is really drawing me in.

Well, that's it! I think the only things I'll get any use out of is the Tigi hair treatment, and one or two applications of the Marc Jacobs fragrance haha. Maybe I'll save it for date nights, that'll get me a super honest opinion! Do you subscribe to Lust Have It, or any other beauty boxes? What did you think of this months picks?

NARS Windstar Eyeshadow Duo

I've only ever owned NARS face products before - foundation, concealer, primer etc. But for some reason never any eyeshadows or blush, some of their more famous areas of expertise. I decided to finally take the leap seeing as I've never been disappointed before, and oh Lordy... I don't ever want to use another shadow, ever again. I know there is amazing quality products on the market for incredibly low prices, however you can just tell them difference once you use a high-end product. I have a smaller collection of high-end shadows that I keep aside for when I go out or am having a bad day, and the ease in application honestly is just superb.

Both shades in this duo have very fine glitter particles in them, but they're definitely glittery rather than frosty or satiny. They both contain green and orange glitter, which looks absolutely stunning. Quality aside, the colour contrast between the glitter and the actual shadow shades is really what sets these apart from drugstore products.

The actual colours in this duo are right up my alley. On my pale skin, if I don't use a base they tend to just neutralise my eyelids a bit and give that 'halo' effect, which I love anyway. But if I use a base that's a little darker than my natural skin tone (Bare Study or Groundwork by MAC, or Lush's new Sophisticated cream shadow) this does show up fairly true to pan. Paired with either black or brown liner, this duo creates an amazing foundation for an everyday fifties-inspired winged liner look, keeping it very soft and pale on the lid with a strong line for definition.

After purchasing Windstar, I can't wait to try more NARS eyeshadows - I can't get enough!

-Kate.

Date night lips - a match made in HEAVEN!

My boyfriend and I don't live together, but even though we're so busy we make the time to go out once a week just the two of us. It's such an amazing break from reality, and to have found someone who makes you so happy is really just so liberating.

All Revlon Everything: Super Lustrous lipgloss in Lilac Pastelle (L) over Just Bitten Kissable Lip Stain in Passion (R)

I always want to look nice for him, and I love when that effort pays off. I rarely wear lip gloss, but the other night I put a really thin, sheer coat of Revlon's infamous Lilac Pastelle lip gloss over one of their Just Bitten Kissable Lip Stains in the colour Passion, which was a beautiful and brightly contrasting doll-pink. I'll review this stain later as I did have a bit of fun trying out the range.

The overall effect was a dulled-down pinky-purple, and I made sure to apply the gloss well before my man arrived - no guy likes to kiss glossy lips! This was more about the beautiful colour it gave rather than the glossy finish. If you're enjoying this blog and would be interested in more day-to-day makeup looks, let me know by commenting below :)

If you've made it this far, 1) congratulations; and 2) I'm sorry for the lack of posts, however I'm working full time at the moment as well as going to uni full time as well. Finding the time to even sleep properly is difficult, so blogging took a back seat. I'm going to try to update this at least every second day from now on and hopefully someone will get some use out of whatever I post!