Lust Have It Review - November 2014

I was really looking forward to receiving this month's Lust Have It as the product we got to choose was really exciting! This arrived in my postbox on Friday 28th, so yes still later in the month but at least it still is in November!

Visit www.lusthaveit.com for more information and to sign up to this great monthly beauty subsciption box!

 Let's have a look shall we?

Operation Use My Makeup: Kit #1

Each time I sit down to do my makeup I more often than not reach for the same few items and end up ignoring some of my stash. I am also a little guilty of 'saving' some of my more expensive/pretty products, in favour of trying to use up other cheaper (or not so good) products. With this all in mind I am starting an "Operation Use My Makeup". I no longer want to be pushing items to the back of my drawers, or forgetting about them only to find they are no longer at their best. Basically I want to make the most out of my stash and evenly use everything!

Each fortnight I will be choosing a makeup kit and sticking with it. This doesn't mean these are the only makeup items I'll be using this fortnight, it's just my base, mostly everyday, products. I'll reach into my stash for any other items I may need each day (depending on what makeup I'm wearing each day!)

Even just in this first kit I've re-discovered a few items which I'd either forgotten I had, or hadn't used in a long while.

So what is in my first kit?

• NP Set Pre-Foundation Bronzing Primer
• Clinique Even Better Makeup in 03 Ivory
• Loreal Glam Bronze Eau De Soleil
• Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer in 02 Light Medium
• By Terry Hyaluronic Eye Primer Brightener
• Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter
• Bodyography Loose Complexion Powder in Wheat
• Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette
• Mirenesse Sexy Secret Weapon Mascara
• Benefit Smokin Eyes Kit
• Teez Paradise Perfect Lipgloss in Sheer Gold
• Sarah Jessica Parker Lovely fragrance

What do you think? Do you ever neglect some of your makeup items?

The I Quit Sugar Program - Week 8 Update and Program Wrap-up

So there we have it, 8 weeks of no sugar! Yep that's right, the I Quit Sugar 8 Week Program has finished today. Whoa. It's been almost 60 days of repeatedly saying no to sugar (well apart from my fall offs). I'm so beyond proud of myself for sticking with this - my life has changed so much in the last 8 weeks and it's amazing.

Week 8 consisted of:

• Meal plans/shopping list/sunday cook up - I was a bit disappointed to see that this weeks meals where repeats from recipes in previous weeks. I would have much preferred some new ones!
• Weekend read - going over exactly how far we've come in 7 weeks (and it's amazing!)
• Movement plan - this was an 80's inspired workout (LOL) but as I've said previously I've been doing the Kayla Itsines bikini body workout
• Try this - loads of tips to keep going sugar-free after this week ends
• Tuesday eats - loads of sustainable hacks (such as how to regrow shallots)
• Expert tips - how to keep going sugar free as the program closes and you're forced into the 'real world'

Overall this has been a fantastic program and for me, 100% worth the $150 investment. I've learnt so much and I'm in a headspace now with food that I never thought I'd ever be. I am more me than I've ever been - no more stupid emotional rollercoaster, rewarding myself and punishing myself with food. Food is no longer my enemy and that is absolutely priceless. Don't get me wrong this program was HARD especially at the beginning - detox is a bitch - but it's great to sit here now, full of energy, knowing that every shitty day has resulted in this :)

So now what?

I'm going to keep going. I'm going to keep sugar out of my pantry and off my plate. I feel healthier than I ever have. My skin is clearer than it's ever been. My depression and anxiety, although still something I struggle with, are more under control than they've ever been. I am less bloated. I have less PMS at that time of the month. I am less tired. I sleep better. It's easier to get out of bed in the morning. I lost weight. I'm no longer hungry. I no longer think about food constantly. I only eat till i'm full. With all these positives how could I ever go back to before?

I'm not going to be super crazy about the whole thing and get obsessive, I'm just going to carry on eating like I have done for the past 8 weeks. Basically I'm just going to eat real food. The main fact is I don't crave sugar anymore - so if I realise I've just eaten something that's been sweetened with honey it's not going to kill me and it's not going to send me on a sugar binge. I have control over sugar now, it doesn't control me and that's the best thing!

I'm excited for my new sugar free life!

If you have any questions about the 8 week program, please comment below or email me at pinklipgloss85@gmail.com as I am more than happy to share my tips or recipes or anything!

Bellabox Review - November 2014

So look what turned up, my last ever Bellabox - November. I was quite suprised to see it sitting there! It's nice to see this turn up when it is meant to. That is one thing on Bellabox's side actually, that they are more often than not on time with their box. The products they send out are usually a bit of a miss though.

A little disclaimer before you read on: I'm not a fan of Bellabox and haven't been for a while so this is likely to be a negative post. Please skip if you're not into that!!

This month's was missing the standard blue box and there was a card explaining why - the samples wer to big to fit. I don't mind as I have had a million boxes and they all get chucked. Besides, packaging is not what we pay for!

What's In My Bag - Wedding Edition

The title really should be "What Was In My Bag" as my wedding was the 1st November, however I thought it would still be interesting to share what I decided to tote with me on my day.

I tried not to pack to much makeup (I always seem to carry around far to much 'just in case') and just stuck with the essentials, along with some hair items and other random bits and bobs. The only thing I wish I packed but didn't was super glue - my shoe broke early on at the reception and had to hobble around for the rest of the evening - not cool!

So what was in my bag?

The Essentials

Cedel Coconut Bay Hairspray, Compact mirror, Tissues for obvious reasons, Hollywood tape, A comb which I actually broke the handle off so it's easier to tuck into my bag, cotton buds for touching up my eye makeup, bobby pins, The Body Shop Coconut Hand Cream to avoid ugly dry hands in photos and especially as people want to look at my ring all day, I kept applying this. Smells amazing and hydrates well, e.l.f Shine Eraser Oil Blotting Sheets as it rained on my wedding day (isn't that meant to be good luck?) I didn't have to use these too much as shine mostly stayed away as it wasn't too hot.

Makeup

NARS Contour Blush in Olympia, NARS Lipstick in Cruising one my my all time favourite lipsticks, it hydrates well and gives a subtle pink/nude colour to my lips with a little shine and is super easy to apply, Philosophy Lipgloss in Vanilla Birthday Cake which I didn't use much of as my lipstick was shine enough, Lucas Paw Paw Ointment, Models Prefer Eyeliner in Black, NYX Doll Eye Waterproof Mascara I didn't have to use this, as the mascara my makeup artist used stayed beautifully all day (even through my bouts of happy tears!), MAC Mineralise Skin Finish Powder in Medium Perfect for touch ups and keeping my skin looking flawless all day, Real Techniques Kabuki Brush I chose this brush as it is small, good for powder and also opens up into a fan shape, which is good for use with the NARS contour blush, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Brush I ended up not using this, as it doesn't have a lid so it annoyed me a little on the day - I didn't want lipstick all through my bag.

My makeup was all tucked into my Dior makeup bag, and this along with the rest was packed into my Mimco bag. Easy to tote and small enough for me to hide in the corner at the reception :)

Even though I didn't use everything I packed, I am glad I had it all with me for those 'just in case' occurances! It was a beautiful day, and I'm very lucky to have married the love of my life in such a perfect way (mushy mushy!).



The I Quit Sugar Program - Week 7 Update

My no sugar adventure is drawing to a close, only 1 more week to go! It is a strange feeling, and to be honest a bit nerve wracking - once this ends there is no more meal plans, no more try this, no more expert tips, no more comfort zone! Scary feeling but I really do feel like I have learnt enough to continue it on myself (not to mention our house contains almost zero sugar so if that is kept up it will be almost impossible to fall off haha).

If you read my week 6 update (here) you would know that I fell off the bandwagon in an epic way last week! I'm happy to report though, this week I stuck to the meal plan perfectly with no straying and I'm really proud of myself! I am actually quite glad I fell off last week, as it gave me a little kick in the rear and really spurred me on this week.

Week 7 was all about encouraging food freedom - so cutting out snacks, basically listening to our body and realise that often we're not even hungry it's more about habit, or that everyone else is eating. I'm gonna say it now, I'm a big snacker so this sounded really hard, but I was intrigued.

The week looked like this:

• Shopping list/meal plan/sunday cook up
• Weekend read - exploring the concept of 'Big Food' and how it influences our most trusted Government bodies. Basically, this went over how big food manufacturers sneak sugar into almost everything because it keeps it cheap and it keeps us addicted. They want us to keep eating sugar. Some big food companies even sponsor national nutrition bodies. For example, the Dieticians Association of Australia National Conference held in May 2014 was sponsored by Nestle, Arnott's, Coca-Cola and Pepsi Co. Alarm bells start ringing. This read was definately one of the most eye opening!
• Movement plan - Upping momentum a little (although again, I'm not following this as I'm doing a different exercise program by Kayla Itsines)
• Try this - we are encouraged to limit our snacking this week. We got some tips on how to stay full for longer and keep us from being hungry in between meals
• Tuesday eats - ways to pump up the flavour in food! Yum!
• Expert tips - Some food swaps for limiting sugary food for children. This was a great addition to this week as I often babysit, and my husband and I are trying for kids, so I'd love to be able to continue this on with our children in the future.

The Only Bronzers I'll Need This Summer

I'm a pale lass and my skin is the type that just doesn't tan in the sun no matter what I do. I spent pretty much my whole teens wracked with insecurities about my lily white skin, trying to be in the sun as much as possible but all I would do is get burnt, then go straight back to white. Now days I embrace my skin - it's who I am and I've accepted that I'll always look  pretty much like a ghost!!

When the warmer weather hits though, I do enjoy getting out the fake tan and bronzer - I just don't let it bother me too much if I forget (my teen self would never have left the house without being slathered in fake tan note - orange was never a good look). To compliment my fake tan, or just to give myself an instant warm up when I've forgotten, I've found some cracking bronzers - pretty much the only ones I'll be reaching for this summer.

First up, the Loreal Glam Bronze Eau De Soleil RRP $19.95 from Priceline is actually the first liquid bronzer I've tried and boy am I glad I did. I have mostly been using this mixed with foundation (perfect to mix with my foundations that are a too light for when I'm tanned). It doesn't look orange and doesn't make me too shimmery. I always find that shimmery bronzers enlarge my pores so thankfully this one doesn't. It also blends like a dream - no weird 'dirty' patches for me! It is very light, so it's easy to wear without foundation as well. It's just so damn natural.

When I'm in a powder bronzing mood I reach for my newly acquired NYX Matte Bronzer  RRP $17.95  from Target in shade light. This is a purely matte bronzer and is perfect for touching up my fading fake tan, or just to give my face and body a bit of bronzey pep. It is very easy to blend (again no 'dirty' patches) and lasts the whole day. There is zero shimmer in this one (obviously) and gives me a perfectly natural bronzed goddess look.

So there you have it, my two favourite bronzers! Do you wear bronzer? What are your favourites?

What I Loved In October

Geez louise. Where is the year melting away to? October was a crazy busy month for me so perhaps that's why I feel like I blinked and missed the whole month! It's already nearly mid November (yes, i'm late at posting my favourites!) and I've already starting my Xmas shopping! Eeek! At least I'm getting on the Xmas bandwagon early so I'm not that stupid person trying to shop on Xmas Eve like last year (and the year before, and the year before that!)

Here are a few of my favourites from October:

Empties - October

Well it's that time again, time for my empties! I really like writing these posts as I get to go through everything I've used in more detail and decide if I want it again. Plus it makes me feel better about my frequent hauls ;)
So what did I use up in October?

 

I am fairly impressed (again, I say that every month!) with what I got through this month, even though a lot of it was shampoo and conditioner. There are a few full sized makeup items which I'm happy I stuck with and used up!

The I Quit Sugar Program - Week 6 Update

Well oh dear, things really took a turn for the worse this week... If you have read my previous posts you will know that I'm doing the I Quit Sugar 8 Week Program online (see their website here). Last week I fell a little off the bandwagon but luckily stepped right back on - mostly because I could control what sort of food was at my wedding so could ensure there were safe choices for me. I was going well until I hit my honeymoon....

First up, week 6 looked like this:

• Meal Plan/Shopping List/Sunday Cook up
• Weekend Read - all about different types of sweeteners in order to help us choose what is the best moving forward
• Movement Plan - strength exercises (however I'm doing Kayla Itsines 12 week bikini body plan)
• Try This - we introduce a little bit of sweetener this week! We also learnt which fruits are best to eat moving forward
• Tuesday Eats - low fructose fruits are back in our diet. We were given a little trick to lesson the impact of blood sugar levels (very handy after being off it for so long)
• Expert Tips - the IQS experts give their advice on how to be more mindful and how to listen to your body when adding sweetness back in to our diet (i.e how to not go crazy!)

Lust Have It Review - October 2014

First of all my apologies for the lack of good and timely posts recently. I got married on Saturday and we had our whirlwind honeymoon in Mollymook which we've just got back from last night! I was supposed to have some drafts together ready for posting but I didn't really realise what a mind-blowingly busy couple weeks I would have before my wedding. Crazy.

Anyway, I was pleasantly suprised to walk through the door yesterday and find 2 parcels - my October boxes for Lust Have It and Bellabox. Hooray! First up, I'll review the Lust Have It October package.

Bellabox Review - October 2014

This is Bellabox's 3rd birthday box so I was expecting big things. I had seen one sneak peek (they really spammed my email this month!) so I did know I was receiving the nail polish, but other than that I didn't really know what else to expect... All I knew was that they really bigged this box up. Like massively. Going and on and on about how good this box was. Was it worth it? Hmmm.

The I Quit Sugar Program - Week 5 Update

We are officially have way through the program! (queue round of applause). This is a great feeling - at the start I didn't think I'd make it this far to be honest! Anyway, this week was slightly different to others and not quite as smooth. I actually got married on the weekend, so trying to manage my diet along with all the stresses that come with the week before a wedding was very very difficult.. BUT this came at the perfect time as this week we learnt about situations that will test us, and we had an eating out challenge. Perfect! In saying that, I have had a few slip ups, some unintentional and some not so, but overall I think I did pretty well, and I think that shows how much I've learnt so far on the program.

Week 5 looked like this:

• Meal plan/shopping list/sunday cook up
• Weekend Read - how to deal with those people who are doubting what you are doing and some tips on eating out
• Movement Plan (again, I'm doing the Kayla Itsines 12 week bikini challenge, but there have been some great tips and plans as part of these movement plans)
• Try This - Techniques for getting around the emotional attachment to sugar
• Tuesday Eats - eating out challenge! We got a little pocket guide to eating out which can be easily taken with you - fantastic!
• Expert Tips - the IQS experts shared what they eat when in restaurants and cafes