Shopaholic strikes again!

I'm at it again. Buying things I don't need. Buuut... sale. So why not? Here are my latest purchases:

Kookai dress - $40

Kookai top - $50

Guess dress - $149.95 (I had 20% off)

Guess top - $79.95 (I had 20% off)

Flannel shorts - $150

Today I actually spent my time packing up some clothes and shoes and transporting it into my storage unit... only to refill the space I made with these new purchases. Go figure. Here's some pictures from Snapchat of my day (follow me! "luvrin"):

Shoe addiction, confirmed.

I never really thought of myself as someone addicted to shoes. Sure, I buy my fair share and have more than I really need. But lately I have been finding it hard to find places to put away the new shoes that I keep buying. In the past 5 days, I have obtained 5 new pairs of shoes (all heels, all high and all unnecessary). What's going on? Why do I keep buying shoes that are impractical and don't serve any purpose for me other than to take up space in my room?

These are the shoes that prompted my questioning, ordered online on sale for $80 from Kookai. In fact, I should have been concerned on Saturday, where I was out by myself in the city, window shopping to kill time before meeting up with a friend for her birthday dinner. The window shopping turned into an actual shopping expedition, and I spent $160 on a pair of heels from Tony Bianco. They weren't on sale or anything, I just decided that they looked nice with my outfit and I wanted to wear it for the dinner. 

I also tried on a pair of brown, suede soled wedges that didn't particularly look good or anything, but they were really comfortable to walk in while giving me height. They were on sale for $80 and I wanted to buy them as well but didn't want to be lugging around two shoe boxes at the dinner. So I asked the sales assistant to put it on hold for me, and I went and purchased it the following Monday.

If you follow me on Snapchat (luvrin) you would have seen all these photos before. I'm quite prolific on Snapchat! I'm always alone so it's not like I have anything better to do. And therein lies the problem... I'm alone. If I were with someone, I would not be shopping for myself. I would be engaged in conversation, or assisting whoever I'm with with their shopping or whatever. Also, me being single plays a huge part in this ridiculous addiction I have. There is no one for me to focus on, so I focus on myself. Well, I have the kids, yes, but I buy them things all the time anyway and it doesn't count because they always need new things. But me? No, I don't need to be buying ten pairs of heels per month, yet here I am... *sigh*

I even returned a pair of heels today that I had ordered full price from Tony Bianco. I had ordered them a week before and had just received them on Monday (yes, that very Monday that I bought the wedges on hold for me)! I really liked them but they were far too high for me and I found them quite uncomfortable. Not to mention, I had already bought the pair from Tony Bianco on Saturday that were the exact same colour and very similar in style. I would have kept it if I hadn't felt so guilty about already owning a pair that was just as nice, but far more comfortable.

Today when I got home from work and saw the package from Kookai for me, I knew I had a problem. Who needs that many pair of heels? I don't ever go out, so it's not like I will get much use from them right now. I really need to stop buying shoes... maybe I should start dating again, haha!

A video posted by Rin (@makeupdownunder) on Jan 7, 2016 at 3:46am PST

Current Beauty Obsessions - Chantecaille & Chanel

Sometimes, I come across a beauty product that I cannot wait to own.  I google countless reviews on it.  I ascertain what colour/s would match my skin or suit my skin tone.  I dream up looks that I can do with the product... not just makeup looks, but entire outfits to go with it.  I call up stores to see which one convenient for me to get to will have it in stock.  I start saving up.

Is this normal?  Surely I'm not the only girl to feel this way about certain makeup products?

I am currently obsessing over two brands: Chanel and Chantecaille.  It's kind of funny how they both start with "cha"... as in, cha-ching!  I'm not sure why I'm obsessing over Chanel... I'm guessing it's because of their pretty nail polish colours.  Plus I watched a review on a compact foundation and decided I needed to have it in my life.  As for Chantecaille, I know exactly what got me obsessed with it: a short while ago, Mecca Cosmetica sent out an email showing us how to achieve 6 different looks using just four products.  One of the products was the Chantecaille gel liner pencil.  I'm hopeless with gel liner, so a gel liner in pencil form sounded ideal to me.

The other reason why I think I'm obsessing over their products is because I'm a sucker for portability.  I love products that you can just throw in your bag and not need anything else in order to use it (such as a brush).  Chantecaille's gorgeous little powder products that come in a brush are so convenient! Expensive, yes, but freaking convenient!  I'm just going to get straight into the products I'm obsessing over right now, so maybe you can start obsessing over them too.  Hehe!

$85 / $38 refills AUD

Chantecaille Poudre de Perle - Mineral Blush.  These powder blushes are teeny tiny and housed in such a cute yet glamorous and convenient refillable brush.  While the shade range is not huge (as with much of the Chantecaille range), the Biwa shade promises to be universally flattering (much like the NARS Orgasm blush).  I want this because it's definitely something that you can just throw in your bag and touch up throughout the day, without the need to carry a blush brush with you.  I find that I need to reapply blush after a few hours but because I hate the thought of carrying a brush in my handbag, I just go without and tend to look washed out by the end of the day or night.  This would solve my blush dilemma!  Plus it's paraben and talc free.

$49 AUD

Chantecaille Gel Liner Pencil.  This product comes in two shades, black and grey.  It's a shame those are the only colours it has, but as long as black is in the picture, I'm happy.  As mentioned earlier, I'm hopeless with applying gel liner with a brush, so I stick with pencil liners simply because I can apply it better.  This gel liner pencil is exactly what it sounds like: a gel liner in pencil form.  It claims to be long wearing, too.  I imagine that applying this would be a breeze.  If you wanted to smudge it out, the angled brush at the end would come in handy.

$110 / $50 refills AUD

Chantecaille Protection Naturelle Powder. About a week ago, I would never have considered this.  Simply because the only shades they have are light and bronze.  I fell somewhere in between.  However, after my frolic in the sun during the long weekend, I have now become a few shades darker which means that bronze would suit me beautifully.  This is "sun protection on the go", but would work beautifully as a mineral powder foundation.  I have actually swatched both shades on my hands and my skin looked really luminous and perfect (besides the colour mis-match).  The refillable flow-through brush applicator is so dainty and elegant, even if the shade didn't match me I would buy it anyway and use it up, then just refill with my own mineral powder! Perfect travel companion.

$105 AUD

Chantecaille Future Skin oil free foundation. Ok, so I don't quite agree with foundation in a pot.  But the reviews are mostly rave and it sounds like my dream foundation: natural looking and not heavy on the skin, with reasonable coverage.  I dislike foundations that you can constantly feel (I'm looking at you, M.A.C.)!  In fact, I dislike foundation in general and often go without or wear it very sheer because I prefer the real skin look.  If this foundation is as wonderful as it sounds, my NARS Sheer Glow may soon become my ex :)

$42 AUD

Chantecaille Brilliant Gloss. I hate lip gloss and lipsticks.  I don't own many, because I just don't use them.  (Lip balms, however, are my BFF and will remain so for the rest of my life!)  Apparently, these glosses are very sheer (just the way I like them!) and feel really good on the lips.  I have my eyes on two shades, Glee and Patina.  The other shades look boring to me, and probably would not suit my skin tone.  I cannot wait to get my hot little hands on these and try them out for myself!  Even though I haven't tried it yet, I'm already in love with the colour and the packaging!

$39 AUD

Chanel Le Vernis nail colour in #519 Rose Exuberant.  I love pink nail polish.  This shade looks like the ideal pink for me: dark, shocking and shiny. Toes or fingers, it wouldn't really matter, I have seen swatches of this and I have drooled each time.

$39 AUD

Chanel Le Vernis nail colour in #489 Rose Insolent. Again, a lovely pink shade that I find myself drooling over.  I am a fan of Chanel polishes and I love pinks, so this needs to be in my beauty cabinet already!  It is similar to one of my favourite pink shades by O.P.I (Shorts Story).  However, it's Chanel so that makes it a little bit more fancy :)

$98 AUD

Chanel Teint Innocence naturally luminous compact makeup SPF 15. I don't wear foundation much during the day, but I probably would if I owned this product.  It sounds like a dream to apply and would give me the look that I prefer when it comes to foundation: natural and luminous.  This is something you could throw in your bag and touch up throughout the day without the need for a brush.  According to most reviews, it also feels like nothing on the skin so it sounds like a winner to me! 

These products are all currently on my wish list and I plan to own each of them by the end of my birthday month (March) this year.  All the photos are from the Mecca Cosmetica or Chanel website.  You can find these products in stores now (Chanel at Chanel counters and makeup stores, or Chantecaille at Mecca Cosmetica)... but not for long because I'm about to go hoard them all! *evil laugh*

Cute & Retro

During the Chadstone VIP night not long ago, I made two purchases: 2 pairs of Guess shorts.  I really did not need anymore pairs of denim shorts, but who can pass up 50% off?  I will get a lot of use out of the lighter pair, because while it's not the most stylish item on the planet, it is extremely comfortable and I live for comfort.  The darker pair are my first ever pair of high waisted shorts, initially I wasn't going to buy them because they're so not me, but I liked the way it looked when I tried it on and thought I could make it work.

Here is the styled high waisted shorts.  Nothing special, I paired it with a floaty, floral middift singlet top that I got on a whim (it's also by Guess lol) because it was so cute but I eventually realised that I would never wear it because I don't have a belly to be proud of.  But with the high waisted shorts, I can finally wear it out!  What do you think?  Personally, I think it looks retro and cute.  A perfect girly summer outfit.

PS.  I hate my skin.  I really, really do!  Argh :(

Myer Christmas Sale Haul

I was at the Myer Christmas sales event tonight, the one in Chadstone.  I went with the intention of buying a summer dress and some sandals, and I'm happy to say I took home with me just that (and a swimsuit).  While I actually wanted a dressier pair of sandals, even though there was 30% off footwear, I couldn't decide on which pair to get (so many cute ones!) so I just stuck with a cheap pair of thongs in a colour I don't already have.  I can always go back tomorrow, when the Chadstone VIP sales will be on!

Not quite dressy, but these are a nice colour and will do for now...
Ipanema thongs, $16.05 (before sale: $22.95)

Seafolly Goddess Bandeau - $99.95
Seafolly Goddes Twist Hipster - $64.95 (the bottoms look dusty! eww)
These weren't on sale but I wanted MyerOne points!

Guess dress - $69.95 (before sale: $99.95)

Trying on the dress in the changing room.  It's not really my style, but it's short and casual, ideal for summer.  And it has an interesting back!

Tomorrow I will be going back to Chadstone for the VIP sale.  I want to go during the day rather than evening/night because I want to avoid the crowd and get first pick of the sizes.  I don't plan to buy anything for myself, just gifts for family, but if I see something I really, really like I just might treat myself.  And, let's be real... there's going to be 50% off Guess and Ralph Lauren.  I cannot pass that up!  So, you might see a haul tomorrow too... :)

Zu Shoes... *Drools*

I have been obsessing over nude or tan heels for the past few months, yet I have not actually had the pleasure of buying any new shoes... *yet*.  I thought I would show you a few relatively inexpensive shoes that I'm lusting after from Zu.  You can buy these in store across Australia or you can visit their online store to place an order (free shipping, no minimum spend!).  There is a current sale on right now, 50% off selected spring styles.  Some of the shoes I want are on sale, so you better leave me a pair of those in my size!  (FYI, I wear an 8).  Got a tissue ready to wipe up your drool?!

IRIS in tan - (50% OFF SALE) $80 AUD
Gorgeous, interesting design.  Very comfortable and easy to walk in, looks good with a short skirt for day or night!

TIPPLE in cognac - (50% OFF SALE) $75 AUD
Solid, great looking shoe.  Good for corporate wear, but would also look good with a pair of jeans for casual or class.

TYRA in nude/patent - (50% OFF SALE) $65 AUD
Nude wedges...  Comfy enough for walking around during the day yet chic enough for night and classy enough for corporate.

RORIZ in taupe - (50% OFF SALE) $90 AUD
I love this design!  Perfect with jeans or a mini skirt, for day or night events.

SOUSAO in tan - $150 AUD
This shoe is a little on the large size, the leather stretches a lot so get one size down.  It looks great with jeans for a casual or dressy look, and looks super sexy with a mini!

MONET in tan - $100 AUD
Want to look cute, add height and be able to walk all day long (even on sand)?  This sandal heel will dress up your casual outfit, or take you from day to night.  Cute and practical!

ISABELLA in silver sparkle - $120 AUD
Perfect shoes to stand out in amongst the night life crowd!  Comfy, too.  Suprised?

*All photos are sourced from zushoe.com.au.

Discovering An Old Love Agian

Years back, I used to shop at Forever New.  It was my all time favourite store, because most of their clothing was feminine and pretty (totally my style)!  Their prices weren't too bad and the quality was reasonable.  Although, not all pieces are made equal.  Be weary of items made of cotton knit, it can lose its shape in the wash.  However, I've had tops from several years ago that I still have to this day, and wear regularly.  So always follow the washing instructions!

I don't know why I stopped going.  Perhaps I felt I was getting too old for it?  Or maybe I just moved on...  Well, today I was in Chadstone and was walking past the Forever New store and though, "eh, why not".  So I go in, and try on some tops...

$69.95 - Love the way the shirt drapes my body.  It's a bit longer at the back and a little sheer.  Gorgeous pattern!  One of my favourite items of clothing are shirts.

 

$29.95 - This is actually a lot more gold in person, and is mega sparkly!  The back has two straps that connect from the front and join in the middle... it looks interesting and makes an otherwise simple singlet quite remarkable!

$29.95 - I love the way this drapes over my body and hides my beer belly.  The flower pattern make the plain singlet more feminine and interesting.

Yes, I took photos in the changing rooms!  Very sneaky of me, but honestly, I took them so I could look back at them and see if I wanted to buy the item or not.  And right now, after having had a look at the snaps, I've decided that I do want to buy these tops!  The last two are really inexpensive and perfect for the hotter months.  This year I've really been into browns and neutrals, and all these tops satisfy that criteria.  I can totally see myself wearing the first top with a pair of denim shorts or a skirt and some tan platform heels or wedges.  The second top, although you can't really see it in the photo, is actually very sparkly, has an interesting back and is a great casual yet blingy style for nights out pub or club hopping.  And the last one is just cute for day time.  It's a racer back and would go well with anything.  Perfect for shopping!

So, I suppose this post is really just a preemptive haul.  I plan on getting those tops soon, maybe tomorrow!  What do you think?  My photos don't do them justice... in person they are a lot more cute and deeper in colour.  If you work at Forever New somewhere in Melbourne, hold these tops for me in a size 8 please!

My Chadstone VIP Shopping List

I'm a little behind, but I've only just  realised that tomorrow is Chadstone's VIP night. That means 10-40% off full price merchandise in most stores, fashion shows, free alcohol, exclusive events, blah blah blah, you get the idea... Basically, a whole lot of good stuff will be going on and you have the potential to save some money (unless you hadn't planned on buying anything but end up going just to buy something, in which case, you're not saving...)

Now, I'm not saying that I'm going to be attending, but in the off chance that I do get to go (98% certain that will be the case, lol) then these are the items at the top of my shopping list:

Photo source: www.primped.com.au

My eyes feel like they've been bathing in holy water. Just look at how gorgeous these Chanel nail shades are!  I have swatched Peridot and Quartz in a DJ store and thought they were both pretty, but not essential that I have them in my collection.  As soon as I got home, however, the shopaholic in me demanded to know why I hadn't purchased them and now I'm up all night, viewing other blogger's swatches of these gorgeous fall shades.  When something I want occupies much of my thinking time and even makes appearances in my dreams, that's when I know I have to give in and let the shopaholic win.

Photo source: http://au.burberry.com/store/

I'm not into bags that scream "look at me, I'm a designer!"  But I do like a well made handbag.  This Burberry bag is nothing special, but there is something that I really like about it, even though the label is obvious.  I think the only reason I'm obsessing over it is because I walked into a Burberry store one day and picked it up and thought "wow, this matches my outfit perfectly!"  So naturally I felt that I needed to have this in my handbag collection because it suits one outfit so well.  #trueshopaholic

Photo source: www.chanel.com

I'm sick of my manicure chipping two days after I've lovingly applied it. I have tried products that claim to resist chipping (OPI I'm looking at you!), all sorts of base coats, even the good old swipe with nail polish remover before applying a base but I still get chips. The Chanel Protective Base is one I haven't tried before, and I'm keen to get my fingers on it... or rather, it on my fingers!  It's supposed to treat your nails as well, so that's a bonus.  BTW, OPI Chip Skip does work, but it dried out my nails terribly and made them split :-(

Photo source: www.zushoe.com.au

Ok, so I'm watching Miss Universe 2011 as we speak and I just heard the commentator mention earlier that nude heels are very popular because they elongate your body. I'm all for it! This one here is the Issabella 2 in nude leather (from Zu). I have never been into peep toes until the start of this year. I think it's so sexy to flash your toes in a high heel, and I have tried these on in store and they are quite comfortable. Nude peep toes will go well with any outfit, so it's a great investment.  (Trying to convince myself that it's an essential in my wardrobe, so just go with it).

Photo source: www.aldoshoes.com

Another shoe I want.  It looks much cuter in person and on than it does in this picture.  I want this shoe because I wrote an outfit post awhile ago and this shoe was featured in it.  Also I saw it in store and fell in love.  It's the perfect spring shoe and a versatile colour.  And I promise you that you can run in these heels!  That's a huge thing for a mum like me with a three year old who cannot stand still.  I can't remember the name of this shoe, so I apologise.  It's from Aldo, one of my fav shoe stores.

I'm getting tired and even though there's a bunch of other things I want, I'm going to hit the hay because I've gotta be up early and fresh for my possible jaunt to Chadstone.  Oh, who am I kidding?  I won't be walking, I'll be running!  See you there (maybe)!

Flattering Tops for Spring

Spring is nearly here, and I have found the perfect tops to flaunt around in!  If you are anything like me, then you like to hide your baby beer belly from the world and pretend you have washboard abs. If you think I have a flat tummy, well, no.  I don't.  It's all a lie.  The tops I chose hide my flab very well.  I've had two kids, so I can promise you that I do not have a supermodel body (but oh, how I wish!)

All the tops are from Guess.  I purchased them last Monday, so most of the items should still be available, although the one pictured left was a sale item so there may be none left.  I picked them out after trying them on and seeing how they flattered my body.  On the rack, they don't look great.  In fact, they look like an ugly mass of material.  But once draped on the body, you can see the style and they are also great for the warmer seasons as they are light, airy and cute!  Can you guess what my favourite colour is?!

Approx $70 or $80 (I forgot!)

Approx $80

On sale for just $35 AUD

All these tops would would go well with denim shorts (as pictured), jeans (either light wash or dark wash, skinny legs, bootleg, whatever!) and even a cute denim skirt (the shorter, the better).  Wedges would pull the look together and truly make it a spring time outfit.  Guess have a lot of cute tops out right now, all perfect for spring/summer.  I wish I could rob a Guess store!  They are one of my all time favourite brands.

I also bought a plain black dress which was on sale.  It's nothing special, just a cute LBD.  I have so many LBDs already but none with a strap like this one (which can be worn either over the back or over the chest):

On sale for $120 AUD

So, yeah... Guess what I'll be wearing this spring?!

Addicted 2 Lip Balm Order

In a previous post, I wrote about discovering a new website that I was extremely excited about: addicted2lipbalm.com.au.  I am the kind of person that cannot leave the house without lip balm.  I have them scattered everywhere all over the house and about two or three in my handbag at any given time.  If I find myself in a situation where I don't have any on me, I will make it a priority to get to the nearest store to buy myself one.

Yes.  I need  lip balm!  I wouldn't say I'm obsessed with them, because to me they're just a normal part of my life, such as breathing.  It's just a given that I'll use it.  I've been using them since I was a child, when my mum took me to a doctor for my excessively dry lips (I think I actually had some kind of viral infection that required medicated lip balm, but I can't remember).  I used to just apply Vaseline on my lips to keep it moist, but it wasn't until I started high school that I began to use flavoured lip balm.  Remember Bonne Bell?!  I had a tin full of them, my collection was quite impressive!

My experience with the addicted2lipbalm website has been positive so far.  It's very easy to navigate and has a huge assortment of glosses, balms, scrubs and all lip things.  They offer free shipping in Australia for orders over $50 and they also have a loyalty reward program.  If it's your first purchase, you're also entitled to 10% off!  I love free shipping, I love loyalty programs, I love saving and most importantly, I love lip balms!  So the moment I first laid eyes on their website, I knew I was going to order a bunch of products.

The most exciting thing about addicted2lipbalm is that they stock brands that you wouldn't be able to find at your local chemist or Woolies.  I have seen good reviews on the EOS smooth sphere lip balms and always wanted to try them, but didn't really know where I could find them.  Problem solved... I've found them!  In true lip balm fanatic style, I ordered the 6 pack containing all the flavours.  I cannot wait to try them out!

Here's a screenshot of part of my order receipt:

I had a really hard time picking only a few to try out.  I'm into anything fruity or coconutty, and it has to be natural and organic.  I don't like to use petroleum on my lips (it's basically the excess of crude oil, eww).  I did order one product that wasn't listed under the organic range, and that was the limited edition lip scrub by Sara Happ.  Hello!  It's pink and it's limited edition.  Therefore I have to have it!  I don't mind that it's not organic as it gets washed off in an instant anyway.

I am really looking forward  to receiving my order.  As soon as it arrives, I will post my haul and review some of the products.  Watch out for it!