August Wishlist

August Wishlist by pilar-kim featuring a knit sweater

Wildfox Couture knit sweater
shopthetrendboutique.com



Had my eyes on this one for aaagess but have never been able to justify the price-tag and I have a few similar black jumpers that I can wear to make the look of this one but I still like it!

Printed legging
blackmilkclothing.com



I wouldn't wear these leggings with the jumper, they just happen to be on my watch list. I love blackmilk leggings and these ones look pretty funky to me!

Jeffrey Campbell wedge sneaker
jildorshoes.com

Pastry flat shoes
$89 - welikefashion.com



I am really liking the look of these wedge sneakers and hi-top shoes that I have been seeing around on a lot of fashion blogs lately. Still having a look around for a pair that I want to buy for myself. 

Mac cosmetic
maccosmetics.com



On my list to buy in America because it is too expensive here in Australia. Florabundance seems like a great pinky nude shade to pair up with dramatic eye looks.

Lip gloss
bloomingdales.com



Another great lip-gloss shade that I have tried in the shops and am waiting to purchase cheaper when over-seas. Gosh, I am doing so well at saving up and not being so impulsive this month!

Body moisturizer
$235 - johnlewis.com



Have heard great things about the formula of the La Mer skin care range. For the body moisturiser you get a massive pot (and a massive price-tag to go along with it!). This one may have to wait until summer when I actually start showing off my freshly moisturised legs!

And yes, I want a puppy. That is why there is a lovely little Basset-Hound sitting in my wish-list. Puppies are probably going to make a regular appearance in my wish-lists as I never had the idea that polyvore would let me add things like that haha!

The Face Shop Power Perfection BB Cream

I was shopping in the city a while back and stumbled across this small Korean cosmetics store called 'The Face Shop' in Piccadilly Arcade (Perth). I was starting to get into the craze of BB creams and had a few samples from Mecca and Kit cosmetics waiting to be tested. In this shop I found a huge range of different BB creams with different qualities and levels of cover. I tried out the Miracle Cover and Power Perfection BB creams as they were the two creams with the highest level of cover. I was inclined to go for the Miracle Cover just because it was the absolute thickest but the girl informed me the Power Perfection one was the most popular and still had good coverage so I tried it as well. I was so impressed I nearly bought it right there and then but held my impulses and went home with the sample pack.

This BB cream comes in two shades, light beige and natural beige: natural beige being slightly darker. They only had samples in the darker shade and I was worried that it would be too dark for me as I am pretty much as pale as pale can be and always seem to match the very lightest shades of foundations in most ranges however the natural beige in this BB cream matched me perfectly! I think that if you are worried about it being too dark you can always use a slightly lighter powder over the top or vice versa. 

As long as I can get my hands on this stuff I AM NEVER USING FOUNDATION AGAIN!! I love how I can just whack this on my face and rub it in like a moisturiser instead of having to meticulously blend foundation. It is so convenient for someone lazy like me. It leaves a slightly dewey effect on my skin but I just dab on some powder to complete my full cover, matte face look. 

It is a little bit on the pricey side at around $50 a pop, but you get a very decent amount in this 40g bottle and you only need a very small amount to cover your entire face perfectly. It comes with a pump to make sure you don't use too much. I use one pump each time and it is more than enough. I think a reason that this one is more popular than the Miracle Cover one is because this one has an SPF37 and supposed anti-wrinkle effects included as well as a high level of coverage.

I didn't want to do this post until I had a better camera and could take photos of my face before and after using this amazing BB cream but I know that is going to be a while away still and I couldn't wait any longer to share this great product! It lasts all day on me without smudging or fading. I have read that some people with particularly oily skin find that oil control is average and diminishes slightly after a few hours depending on the weather. I don't think you can go wrong with this in winter though. 

Have you tried any other products from The Face Shop? What is your favourite BB Cream?

Clinique Bonus Gift at Myer

Myer recently held a promotion where you get a great little gift pack of goodies after spending $60. My mum bought a moisturiser and gave the gift pack to me knowing how much I enjoy little samples and such. I have spent a bit of time trying these out, here is what I got...

Liquid Facial Soap Mild

"Step 1 in Clinique's 3-Step Skin Care System. Gentle, effective cleansing for dry combination skins. Leaves skin feeling fresh, clean, comfortable."

I have been collecting various samples of cleansers, toners and moisturisers for my trip at the end of the year so I don't have to carry full packets of anything and I can just throw away everything on my way back to save weight and space in my bags. This is a generous amount, and will most likely carry me through the whole way. This is the one I was using before I ran out and started using samples from my bellabox but I will buy it again if I ever run out of free samples to use because it is a great simple and effective facial cleanser!

All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage and Moisture Surge Intense Skin Fortifying Hydrator

"Instantly cooling serum refreshes and hydrates puffy, tired-looking eyes on contact. Gentle massaging action helps reduce undereye congestion. Lightweight, oil-free, non-irritating."

"A life-changer for dry skins-plumped, strong and supple. With our rich, oil-free cream-gel, skin stays comfortable plumped, even 24 hours after you put it on. Used faithfully, skin feels more supple, less susceptible to outside influences."

You definitely feel the immediate cooling of the eye massage, but I am pretty sure this is because of the metal ball roll-on applicator pressing on your skin. Nevertheless, this is really smooth and soft eye cream that you can conveniently roll-on instead of having to dab on with your fingers.

The moisture surge skin hydrator is a relatively new product from Clinique that I have yet to try. I don't think it will replace my age defence moisturiser but I think it would be a good thing to try if you have problematic dry skin, using after your 3-step.

Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturiser SPF15

"In one smooth, unfussy layer you get hydration- and lots of it- for a healthy protective barrier. Daily SPF. Plus just enough sheer, seamless coverage to make little imperfections disappear. Nothing more, nothing less. Just perfect."

I was a bit disappointed to find out recently that Clinique does not stock their BB cream range in Australia. This is the closest thing they offer to us so I was glad to get a sample in this pack to be able to try it out. The shade I got in the gift pack was 3-neutral, and I am certain it is a little too dark for me but still wearable, especially to try it out.

It is definitely very moisturising and leaves a dewey effect on the skin. I have quite a few blemishes and acne scars which this cream does not cover like a BB cream might. Then again, I am comparing this to what I would expect from a foundation which probably isn't fair. If you have nice skin and are looking for something with some sun protection and don't want to go all out with foundation and other make-up then this would be a great choice to try.

Deep Comfort Hand and Cuticle Cream

"Treat hands to 12-hour hydration, soothing comfort, rich, restorative cream strengthens skin's moisture barrier against environmental stressors. Even boosts skins ability to retain moisture- so hands look and feel smoother. Conditions nails and cuticles."

Surprisingly, I have never used hand creams before. This has gone straight into my locker at work. It is great to rub into my hands after a few hours of dealing cards and pushing stacks, when my hands feel a little worn out. It doesn't have a fancy smell, which I think would be nice, but it is non-irritant and gentle to smell and touch.

Blushing Blush Powder Blush

I laughed at the name of this blush. I got shade 14, Iced Lotus, a pretty, pale,  soft pink shade that is easy to apply. It is very slightly shimmery. I find it very girly and I think it would be great used with a natural look, brushed on the apples of your cheeks, paired with extra long, thick, black lashes.

High Impact Mascara and Dual-Ended High Impact Lip Colour/Long Last Glosswear

Shades...

Mascara: 11 Brightening Black

Lipgloss: 12 Kissyfit

Lipstick: 17 Rosette

I am not too much of a fan of Kissyfit yet, but I hope that with some experimentation it will grow on me because I do like its easy application and long-lasting qualities. I love the colour of the lipstick Rosette as it is slightly sheer with a golden shimmer, nice and red without being too loud. Very versatile! I am already ploughing through my little sample of this lip colour.

Last but not least I got these two cute cosmetic bags! These are always handy to have lying around to take on sleepovers or weekends away. I often use them when I am in a performance to separate and carry my stage make-up to and from the theatre so I don't forget anything!

What are your favourite Clinique products? Have you taken advantage of any deals similar to this at department stores recently?

My First NOTD - Casino Nails

Working as a dealer at a casino, my hands are constantly in full view and scrutiny so it is important for me to keep my nails looking clean, neat and up kept at the very least. Sometimes though, I decide to do a little extra and I go for this look.

Please excuse the dodgyness on my 'bad' hand haha!

I used two coats of Revlon nail enamel in 050 White on White. I chose it because it was the only matte white I could find in the shops at the time. I didn't want anything shimmery or pearly because I just wanted the white on my nails to look like the white of the cards. I have to be very careful when applying the two coats because if one is uneven it will very quickly look streaky and have clear patches. I'm sure that if you have any level of skill with nail polish (unlike me) you will be fine but I am tempted to try using a white-out pen for this next time because I'm thinking it might be easier!

For the suits I used these little nail art stickers that I found on eBay for around $5 for a pack of 20. Again, if you have some skill you would probably be able to paint on the suits using a red and a black polish along with a tooth pick, dotting on the details. I might try it one day, as the stickers don't last very long (a couple of days) and it looks a bit strange when they fall off.

I get a lot of compliments from the pit bosses and players when I do my nails like this for work. Everyone thinks that it is so cute and job-appropriate, I agree! :-)

I have bought a few new cheap yet amazing nail colours recently and I can't wait to share them with you all so expect to see more NOTD posts soon.

Kimmy's Sour Amaretto

I went out a couple of weeks ago and tried a new cocktail called the Amaretto Sour. It was delicious and seemed easy enough to make so I thought I would make and share my own version, 'Kimmy's Sour Amaretto' (it really isn't all that different from the basic). This contains alcohol so go for it as long as you are of legal drinking age!


Here is what you will need...

2 Lemons (or however many it takes for you to be able to squeeze 30ml/1oz, 1 egg white, 2 teaspoons of fine sugar, 60ml/2oz Galliano Amaretto.


Use the finest white sugar you can find, I had this caster sugar lying around and it works fine, (attack of the pun). I have tried normal sugar and it doesn't dissolve quick enough and I have felt little granules in my drink using normal sugar which we do not want. We just want a little bit of extra sweetness. If you can't be bothered finding and squeezing fresh lemons you can try something similar to this stuff:

I really think that fresh lemon juice tastes better and makes a difference (make sure you don't drop any seeds into the drink) but this will do if you cant squeeze lemons for whatever reason.


You are going to need to separate the egg yolk so if you are as hopeless as I am then you are going to need one of these babies...

What you do is balance it on a glass, cup or mug, crack an egg open over it and watch as the white falls through and the yolk sits on top ready to be used for other things or disposed of. It can still be a little bit tricky though and requires a little bit of patience but nowhere near as much as trying to crack an egg in half and tossing the yolk from one side to another (I CANT DO THIS AT ALL!!). Have a look.

So here is a step-by-step:


1. Put your drinking glass aside and put some ice in it to chill the glass.
2.Squeeze your lemon juice, measure 30ml and pour it into a shaker.
3. Measure and add 60ml of the Amaretto into the shaker.
4. Separate the egg white and add it to the shaker.
5. Add 2tsp sugar too.
6. Shake vigorously for 20 seconds or so, tip out the ice then pour into your pre-chilled drinking glass.
7. Decorate with a slice of lemon, a wedge of lime, a maraschino cherry or whatever you like!

As you can see mine has quite a bit of froth but thats because I like it! If you don't, then make sure you use a strainer when you slowly pour your drink out of the shaker.


Has anyone else tried a drink at a bar and then made it at home? Success stories or failures? xx

July Bellabox

I recently received my second Bellabox and have been vigorously testing out all my samples so I can give you all somewhat of a verdict. This month was all about 'essential beauty buys'. There were a few more samples than last time in this 'bumper' issue and I was especially pleased with the several full-sized products I received.

You, Me & Everybody Shady Lady Face Milk

75ml RRP $9.99 available at pharmacydirect.com.au

What they say:

Apply this skin-quenching moisturiser generously onto clean and dry skin for a light and soft touch. Including sun protection, it's perfect for wear under make-up.

What I say: 

In all honesty this probably isn't a product I would reach for. I already have foundation primers and bb creams with sun protection, as well as face moisturisers and serums in my daily skincare routine. This one didn't seem to have a place in my regime. I also fear the worst in that I worry it will cause my acne prone skin to break out (it hasn't though). For me it seems a bit like a watery sunscreen. It smells like sunscreen and feels like sunscreen except that it is a bit lighter like a moisturiser and definitely doesn't leave your face looking like a greasy ghost after putting it on. I can see why they would market this to women in Australia, sun protection being such an important issue here. I might save this one for the summer and use it as an all over sunscreen!  

Neutrogena Deep Clean Foaming Cleanser

175g RRP $13.99  available at Priceline

What they say:

Skin looks and feels soft and smooth after just one use of the foaming cleanser, which deeply cleans pores to awaken the skin and senses!

What I say:

I was a bit freaked out to receive this the very morning I had run out of my usual facial cleanser from clinique. It seemed like I was destined to shop around and keep trying cheaper alternatives before settling with one complete set regime. This comes in a tube with a pump where the product comes out as foam ready to splash straight onto a wetted face. It smells powerful but not irritating. It is great because it helps you wake up in the morning. I have been using it for a couple of weeks now and have had no problems whatsoever so I would say it would not be a bad choice for sensitive skin either. It did tingle a bit when I got it in my eyes though, I was trying to see what it looked like on my face as I was washing haha!

Carmex Moisturising Lip Balm

10g Squeeze Tube RRP $5.99 available at all good pharmacies nationally

What they say:

With its targeted, free flowing and easy application, feel the soothing ingredients of Carmex Lip Balm coat your lips for the softest pout in town! Apply with ease in just one simple squeeze.

What I say: 

I am a long-time user of Carmex for my chapped lips. My dermatologist gave it to me in a skincare pack when I was first prescribed my acne treatment Roaccutane (see my post on wearing make-up to school). I always remember using the classic tub version of this in school, then having nowhere to wipe my finger after applying it so I would always end up with shiny dark spots on my school skirt. Suffice to say I was thrilled when this tube version was first released and I could smear it straight onto my lips from the tube.This one is going straight into my backup supplies as I don't quite have an empty from my previous tub yet!

Bourjois Smoky Pencil 72 Dark Purple

RRP $20 available at Priceline

What they say:

The soft, easy to blend tip of this pop coloured liner glides along the lash line for an intense outline in one stroke. Plus, the ultra-soft brush perfectly smudges the formula.

What I say:

I am glad I got this one in a beauty sampler pack because I am quite sure I would have never thought of buying an eye liner in this colour. I tried doing a swatch but like many others it just didn't read well at all with my camera. I have used it in place of black liner and I have found it works for me when I don't want that extra harshness of black to finish off my eye look. I have used it to make the colours my smoky eye looks blend together more gradually. I don't think I will be using it very often but still a nice little addition to my collection.

Mode Glitter Nail Enamel

75ml RRP $2.45 available at bellabox.com.au

What they say:

After the basic clear topcoat, every girl needs a bright and fun polish for when she is feeling a little daring. bb loves Mode Glitter Nail Enamel for a solid glitter coverage. Best of all? At these prices you can collect every colour!

What I say:

It is nice a glittery and reads well with a good two coats. The red is not my favourite though and I usually prefer darker reds with metallic attributes. I think this range of nail polish is a bargain at $2.45 however so I might think of ordering a few off Bellabox soon and start racking up my reward points!

Almay Get up and Grow Mascara

RRP $19.95 available at Priceline

What they say:

The anti-breakage pro-vitamin formula defends against lash damage, helping yours to grow to their longest. The gentle formula also means it's safe on sensitive eyes.

What I say:

I tried this out during the first week of my theatrical performance of 'The Lesson' by Eugene Ionesco. It was quick and easy to apply. The brush is long and thin, with a consistent thickness so I didn't find it tricky to move around and ensure an even application on my lashes. I am not sure if this is really a good thing but another reason I love it is because it runs as soon as I start tearing up. This works for me because on stage I have to cry in extreme agony as my character and this works a charm as it gets in my eye at the first sign of moisture, spreads around, makes my eye a little bit sore (causing more tears) and making my character all the more convincing for those in the audience! Any actors out there, grab this one for a nifty little performance aide! I have never really been a fan of waterproof mascara either way, as I find any make-up removers are ineffective and it just stays on for days and smudges making my eyes look like they have dark bags underneath them.

The Body Shop Chocomania Body Butter

200ml RRP $29.95 available at The Body Shop stores

What they say:

This decadent body butter gives extra long-lasting hydration and contains 13 Community Fair Trade ingredients to leave skin sweetly scented, and feeling softer and smoother.

What I say:

I have tried several of The Body Shop body butters and have not been disappointed yet. They are always thick, smooth and leave your skin looking shiny and feeling amazing as well as smelling delicious! I like how the packaging on this one had a health warning about this product not being fit for consumption and to keep out of reach of children haha, it most certainly is enticing! 

Givenchy Pi Neo (For Men)

50ml RRP $80 available at Givenchy.com.au

They included a sample of this fragrance for men in my Bellabox this month. I gave it to my boyfriend and asked him for a verdict to supplement what I had to say. All I got from him was "Yeah, its nice" ......pfft! I actually don't know what more I was expecting...men! I find it quite strong for an eau de toilette and I think it is very sweet while still being masculine. 


Have you tried any of these products? What standouts did you get in your beauty sampler this month?