Crazy like a... clean freak?

So, who remembers a time before anti-bacterial hand gel?


I do!!

I actually remember being given a gift of a Bath & Body Works (henceforth BBW) 'Cucumber Melon' toiletries for X'mas in 2002 which contained a bottle of anti-bacterial hand gel.  It was the first time I'd ever seen or heard of the stuff.  I honestly thought the gifter was a little eccentric and the item a little 'niche' (for those crazy nannas out there)...Fast-forward 9 years later and the gel has become integral in my working + general life....


But somehow, I've never found anything better than the BBW version.


Australia is either too slow or too stupid or too restrictive/protectionist to allow in the BBW company.  Of course, there is also the possibility that the company exists in a bigger city and/or that BBW has simply never cared to come to here...  My point is, however, that there are only 4-5 companies which put antibacterial hand gel onto my local stores' shelves - Lifebuoy, Aqium, Purell are the main contenders ... although everyone's getting in on it and some chemists/drugstores who do their own.


I've tried all their hand gels.  And although they may add in 'moisturizing' aloe, they all pretty much smell the damn same - like serious alcohol.  Some even leave a slimy film on your hands to boot.  Why there are no more pleasantly scented versions available here remains a mystery to me.  


I've been spoilt by ol'BBW, and so actually buy their pocketbacs online.  I know for a fact that there are nice scents and non-slimey textures available! ;)  And the overall price difference is approx 50cents per mini bottle (usually less).  Yeah, seriously, 50cents.  For an item I would have to use (for work) a minimum of 20 times per day (and so generally use whatever is at work), and which I would choose to use for an additional, perhaps 5.   


I've since also noticed that BBW now also makes anti-bacterial hand lotion.  Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Why don't we get any of this stuff (or the equivalent) in Australia????  .....This stuff is GENIUS.  Hands dry and gross?  -- Anti-bac hand lotion to the rescue!  


..Ahem.... I'm digressing...


I found out the other day that BBW is discontinuing my beloved 'Cucumber Melon'.  The scent that started it all.  The original and still my favourite.  Evocative of both cleanliness and nostalgia.  ... So I reacted by buying 8 bottles.  I would have bought more had they been available. 


Anyway here's pictorial proof of both my sadness and obsession.


Finally, boooooo to you BBW, for stopping production on a classic scent.  Simple and unencumbered.  So much better than the overpowering " Twilight Woods" and the too-sweet "Twisted Peppermint".


Tis the end of an era.






PS: of the locally available varieties, 'Chemist's Own' offers the most olfactory pleasure.  And is non-slimey to boot.  It has a cute chubby bottle and is the only one I'd buy again.

Lip balm/ gloss collection (and some reviews)

This is approx 80% of my lip product collection.


Why on earth would I take a pic of this?  Becoz I'm obsessed with lip stuff and wanted to see how bad/good my collection is ;)


Oddly enough, I'm terrified of lipSTICK and don't own any.  But I more than make up for it with balms and glosses.  Why the fear?  It's a long story.  And not necessarily the most rational one either... but I digress...


My lip stuff obsession is long term and ongoing.  I have occasional allergies to lip stuff too.  I can't use Body Shop lip balms for example.


Anyway, some notables...


Helle honey lip balm:
Affectionately known as 'the bumble bee'.  I bought this balm for the very first time in the apple flavour actually.  When I was living in Prague in 2004/5.  It's a lovely lip balm I've never reacted to.  Always glides on and is moisturizing... and it always reminds me of my adventures in Europe.  ...So of course, I was thrilled to buy it again when I went back to Prague this year.


EOS Lemon Drop with SPF 15
There's a lot of hype abt 'the egg' lip balms.  I admit I was suckered into buying it thanks to that.


But that's ok becoz I love this lip balm.  It's not practical but certainly innovative and cute packaging.  I find the lemon scent/flavour believable and pleasant.  The balm goes on very smoothly and doesn't smell chemically/waxy as balms with SPF sometimes do.


I always use something with SPF during the day so it's nice that more companies are producing such products.


Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soothers (SPF 20) 
I actually have these in 3 colors.  They aren't sold in Australian shops and I've had to buy these online.  But, as is the way with most things bought online & from overseas when you live here, they're actually no more expensive than any glosses in the stores.


I love these.  I bought them becoz I wanted a hint of color + SPF.


They really only offer a hint of color.  Seriously.  Which means it kinda doesn't matter what color you choose.  But there's something slightly tingly in the gloss' formula itself which I love.. and it makes my lips go a little pink too... so the overall color effect is greater.




Smiths 'Minted Rose' lip balm
I don't like the taste or scent of roses but I really like this balm.  It tingles gently when it goes on, is moisturizing, adds a hint of very realistic/natural color.


I go thru phases when I avoid balms in tubs though.  Mainly in summer becoz it gets so hot here, it's possible the balm (any balm) has liquified within the tin/container.... EW.


TonyMoly "Berry Berry Magic Lip Tint" in Green Apple
Ok, daggy confession --- I love products which change color.  I never got a
hypercolor t-shirt as a kid so I never got the bug out of my system ;)


This is gel lip balm.  It's green in the tub.  Actually, I love the color it becomes - it's a bright pink.  It's reasonably moisturizing but nothing to get excited abt.


Downside?  -- You need a lip brush with this becoz if you use your finger, the warmth from it will change some of the balm in the tub.  Yep.


....Anyway, I haven't used all of the products pictured... but here are some highlights.  And if I really dislike the products, I throw them away.

Crackle Nail Polish: a comparison, review and some nail polish thoughts

As you know, I'm partial to a little bit of nail polish.

Truth be told, I never stopped loving it in black especially coz once a goth, always a goth.  So when I started seeing black crackle/ shatter nail polish around, I thought this was heaven sent.  A little less intimidating than plain black and a nice way to enjoy a bright color too...

But I'm one cheap-ass mo-fo so I looked around for cheaper/drugstore versions.  I ended  up with the BYS version.  I didn't buy the set pictured here (I just bought the black on its own)... but I've since I've binned mine, so this is a stock photo.

The BYS version was _crap_.  It barely cracked no matter what I did to it.  It didn't come with instructions so I looked up tips on how to use crackle/shatter nail polish online.  Some sites recommended painting the crackle layer on while the previous coat is still damp.  Some sites said the opposite.  All recommended thin coats.  ... I did all that, and still, nothing.  It did crack - not enough to reveal any of the color beneath but enough to be rough to the touch.

Also, despite top coat, the BYS version started to chip/ flake off within 24hours.  Literally.

BAH!

I've never bought a BYS nail polish before so I don't know what their 'normal' colors are like but their crackle/shatter version has nothing to recommended it.  Yeah, the bottle was $5 ... but what's the point if it doesn't do what it promises?

I wasn't taking this defeat lightly, however, as I'd seen so many great pics with black crackle + color pop beneath... so I took the plunge and bought the polish which I think started it all --- OPI's "Black Shatter".  It worked out to be $11 including shipping from eBay for a full sized bottle.

This one came with instructions and was idiot-proof.  1 coat... and instant perfection.  The khaki green color I'd chosen as the 'base' shone thru.... So, the OPI version was worth __every single cent___

Which brings me to a rather sad conclusion....

I tend to buy drugstore nail polishes.  I'm enticed by colors, not brands, so if something catches my eye, I tend to buy it.  I've had some great finds this way... but also noticed that there _is_ a difference in quality.  

My previous top coat came from Rimmel.  It was a quick dry version and I thought it was pretty good.  Nail polishes took ages to dry all the way thru but I thought that was just nail polish in general.  ...When it ran out though, I started using the OPI version (the standard version ie. not quick dry) which I had bought for cheap while overseas last year....  The difference was INSANE.

The OPI version dries incredibly quickly.  And when that happens, the whole nail is dry.  Dry enough to press with a finger and not mark.  It doesn't matter which brand of colored polish I use in conjunction.  The OPI version also seems slightly runnier in consistency, which is neither good nor bad, but it means it goes on much more smoothly.

*sigh*  I hate it when I can't find a way to save a buck... but there you have it.  A more expensive/ non-drugstore brand has shown itself to be superior and now I can't go back.  Not with the top coats or base coats anyway ;)

Last point:  a tip for using the shatter/ crackle polish.  Do a layer of top coat on over the 'color' (ie. before you do the shatter/crackle coat).  It DOES make a difference --- the base color really pops.

Addendum:  The Opi polish does dry very quickly (which I'm sure is actually how it works) so be sure to close the bottle tightly.  It does kinda gunk up on the stem of the brush too.  But I love it anyway!

Scyanide and DP do retro

Hullloo!

In an unprecedented move, within a blog that no one reads, I thought I'd post a couple of pics of one of my dearest friends and I all dressed up for a church opening.

Yep, oddly enough, 2 atheists/agnostics went to the opening of a church this weekend past.  It was to support a dear friend.  But to ease the awkwardness of the event for the uninitiated, we thought it would be fun to make it a themed event... known only to us beforehand of course ;)

The theme was the gorgeous '50s.  Partly in honour of the mostly elderly church core - probably a time they'd remember as their heyday ;)

DP did a crisp, fitted white shirt, grey slacks, suspenders and fabulous fedora.

I did the defined-arch eyebrow, winged eyeliner, red pout and pink cheeks and faux victory rolls.  Sadly, I didn't have a red flower for my hair (I don't know how, since I have most colors) but nevermind. 

The dress was from Forever21's current collection.  It's a delightful navy + white polka dotted number with embroidered red and white flowers down the front.  The shoes are red peep toe platform maryjanes.  (For the record, I also wear these shoes to work.  Yep).

Anyway, we had a wonderful time and thought I should put up a pic or two to commemorate a fun time and one of my first actual makeup looks!

Crazy makeup/ cosmetics haul (aka procastination 2011)

Gang;

This year, I decided that makeup would be the way I spent my procrastination time + money.


So although I still wear little more than eyeshadow on a daily basis, I decided that it was important to learn how to properly apply makeup.  I mean, c'mon ppl, there are (were - hehe) 12 year olds who are/were more familiar and more adept with makeup than me!!!!


Yeah, it definitely is a little weird to watch youtube videos abt how to apply 'high school makeup' and discover that that was more than you wear to WORK.  At your profession.  After 8 years of university.  Hmm.


So here, in no particular order are some of my purchases in the 4 months when I was really studying hard.  There's more stuff, let's face it, but I haven't bothered to photograph it all just yet.

'NYC Color' nail polishes


I have had 3 nail polish/nail painting phases in my life thus far - when I was in junior high in the US, when I was in uni here and right now.


I started this particular phase by accident.  It actually wasn't part of my procrastination plan, nor do I actually consider this 'makeup'.  I've never had nor wanted acrylic nails and I'm not into nail art.  ... I bought these becoz one day, my local ___petrol station (a BP)___ had a big bin of them and they were 3 for $6.  Which is phenomenal value for money for anything of reasonable cosmetic quality in Australia.  (Indeed, I've seen the same brand available from local online cosmetic companies for more money ...and that doesn't include the postage)


I remembered this brand from my time in the US and was charmed to see that it had made it all the way over here.  


The 3-for-6 deal really got to me, of course, becoz I now have so goddamn many!!!


The colors I have are:
Green sparkle (the sparkles do not apply quite as densely as one would expect. you need lots of layers), Green goblin (this is a really bright dark lime color.  I kinda wished it was a little darker but even with a black base, it's still bright.. but if that's what you're going for, it's great), Charcoal (I'm in love with this color.  matte grey - industrial chic.  sure you could use it with sparkles, nail art, etc but I like it just as it is), Berrylicious (matte deep purple.  love it... retro 60s psychedelia comes to mind), Silver sparkles (oddly enough, the sparkles in this apply with beautiful density), Tin roof (oh my, this color is perfect - gunmetal grey but shimmery - industrial chic take 2), Professor Plum, Broomstick (this is a gorgeous mix between bronze and dusty pink - it's not the sort of thing I would normally pick but it looks great on) , Petticoat and Red Slippers (very fine, bright ruby red glitter polish - lovely over something else).


...If I haven't made a little comment abt these, I haven't tried them yet.  They're good quality overall though.


I love these nail polishes and _always_ paint my toenails in summer.  


Yay!

 Australis Make-up Finishing Spritz


This smelt lovely, was $9.95 and comes in a big, big bottle.


Do I know it if really does anything for my makeup (eyeliner + translucent face powder)?  Nope.  


But I enjoy spraying it on after I've been out in the hot sun (read: anywhere during the day at the moment) when I want to freshen up but don't necessarily have the time to wash my face and start over.


Would I buy this again?  Good lord, ask me when I come closer to finishing it!

Sigma Deluxe Travel Brush Kit


Until now, my makeup brush collection was a mish-mash of hand-me-downs from my mother and the occasional freebie.


Does anyone remember when there was a free set of makeup brushes with a magazine like "Marie Claire" or "Madison"?  I don't read those mags normally, but thought that it would be good value to buy one for the brush kit.  Yep.  It wasn't that good an idea.  


I've had to slowly replace my brushes with a combo of stuff from EcoTools, Gloss, ELF and Sigma.


These brushes are lovely, the kit it all comes in is lovely.  I've used them all... once.  Each.  Becoz I'm not travelling anywhere and don't really want to go thru the hassle of washing then storing them repeatedly when just trying on makeup in my bathroom.


PS:  IMHO, not every brush in a kit will work out.  I've got an Ecotools kit - love the eyeliner brush, love the mini eyeshadow brush.  Not impressed by the blush/ face powder brush.


I think brushes are a very individual thing.  So don't go out there assuming that a ton of money or a posh brand will be the solution.  


...Ok... PHEW.  That's it for now.

Movie madness part 2 (aka house-sitting at Dan's)

A

• EASY A

I wanted to see this film.  It seemed like it would be it would be harmless fun.  


I was surprised though becoz this was excellent.  So excellent I want it on DVD.


It was intelligent, funny, charming.  The lead was bright and ballsy.  I loved all the characters especially the lead's parents who were so cool I actually thought abt how being a parent myself.  (if I could just be that awesome too... of course, I'd have to like/want/acquire kids... but I'm digressing)


I remember that this received positive reviews when it came out.. and I actually wanted to see it.  But I was lazy, cheap and frankly, working too frickin' much at the time.  


But I'm glad I got to it in the end.  

• BURN AFTER READING

Sometimes a film touted as having "an all star cast" lives up to the hype.  'Love Actually' is proof positive.


Sometimes, it just fizzles out and leaves you cold.  ...This was the latter.


I remember the trailer for this quite clearly.  It made the film look good.  I was looking forward to watching this... but it turns out that all the best bits were in the trailer and there was little else except annoying filler.


The characters were either bland or just unlikeable.  Francis McDormand's character was kooky but not especially endearing, as was Brad Pitt's.  Tilda Swinton's character was so snotty and cold, I was disappointed when she didn't actually get killed... and everyone else was insignificant.  That's right, fans, even George Clooney.  


The plot's premise was cool... in the trailers/previews.  The actual plot itself was just messy.


Ugh. 


Not so terrible I'd turn if off midway (a la 'Confessions of a Shopaholic') but certainly dry enough that I'd advise friends and family not to bother.


...  It's occurred to me that my reviews over the last 2 days may give the impression that I'm really quite the vacuous airhead... at least in terms of my film choices.  


I have my share of more intellectual pursuits and media.  I also like to unwind and not feel like I want to kill myself after watching deep/depressing/thought-provoking arthouse films.


There you go.  Take 'em for what they're worth.

Rantings of a lunatic

Alrighty;

I'm at my friend Dan's housesitting.

Dan has an entertainment system like no other and he's letting me use it.

Muahahah.

So I've done a mini movie marathon that continues as I type.

No one reads this (except you, DL, god only knows why) so I figured I'd just start writing whatever catches my fancy.

Movie thoughts:

• BLACK SWAN

Really disturbing.  I had not believed a film abt professional ballet could be so disturbing but it was.  I was nervous going to get takeaway after, it was that disturbing.  It made me think of all my craziness in high school and early uni... and how I was never that bad.  But then again, I wasn't competing for anything.

BTW Mila Kunis was freaking gorgeous.

And the main lesbian action happens at 1h8mins.  Just so you know.  Yep.

But still, this was a film I won't be watching again.

• CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC

This looked like it could be fun.  But it was so painful and tedious that I stopped after abt 25mins.

Something abt behaving like a bimbo and wearing incredibly gaudy clothing was incredibly irritating.  Not everyone can pull it off.  Certainly, no one in this film could.  And who would believe that a girl like that would get a job at a investment magazine?

• WHIP IT

Ok, this looked fun.

I wasn't incredibly keen on seeing it becoz there was recently a lot of hype abt Ellen Page and her role in 'Juno'.  Forgive me but i'm not a fan of pregnancy films so i've never seen it... but I'm digressing...

I loved 'Whip It'.  It was a lot of fun.  Ellen Page and Alia Shawkat were great.  The whole supporting cast was great.

It was kinda painful to see scenes of Austin, TX... recognize them... and realize that I only  saw them the 2nd and 3rd time I was there.... when I _no longer_ fricking lived there.  (Goddamn that year of being trapped indoors by my ex!)  A whole year doing godknowswhat.  Humph.

I am also smart enough to know that fun though the film looked, I was an average roller-skater in the past... I'm incredibly unlikely to have improved in the last 20 years.

• EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

For something with Jessica Simpson in it, this film isn't too bad at all.

The lead guy is very cute.

I'm thinking that I should hang out more at the equivalent of Costco.  Of course, the fact that I've actually been to our local 'Shop n Save' and saw few ppl breathing, let alone cute is really neither here nor there!

.........  Geez, I gotta get out more.

If it hasn't already happened.  I'm turning into a phenomenal shut-in.