Essence Gel Nails at Home Review

I have exceeded my own expectations of laziness today, but it has resulted in me being able to review the new nail products I showed from last nights Priceline visit.
The products I was looking at were the gel top coat, the gel primer, the french tip stickers and a metallic polish for stamping.

Gel Top Coat
I think this cost around $4.60, but it isn't listed on the website.
On my tester nails I did one with the two coats of IBD gel white on the tip first, then used the Gelish Tafeta colour over it, followed by the Essence top coat. On the other nail I have 2 coats of Tafeta, then two coats of the IBD on the tip, follwed by the Gelish top coat.
The reason for the different processes was because I also wanted to see if it looked better with the colour on top or under the white, and how well the tip stickers worked over a coat of gel polish. Because these are just practice nails I didn't bother with base coat at all.  In the photos the nail with the bigger white tip has the Gelish top coat.

Overall I think the Essence gel is kind of a dud. It does work, but not nearly as well or as easily as the Gelish. You can see in the images that the Essence top coat give a cloudy effect to the nail and is a much more dull finished compared to the Gelish. It was also very thick and I found it was hard to spread over the nail without being a very thick layer. It is also has a slightly yellowish tint to it which I think is what made it seem a bit cloudy. If you want to try out gels, I don't think this is the way to do. I would really recommend bypassing the 'drug store' type ones and go straight for CND Shellac or Nail Harmony Gelish polishes and base/top coats. They are much easier to work with and will give you better results for your investment to start with. Then it is easy to experiment with other polishes in the middle as you get better at application. I have yet to find a cheaper brand that applies as much like regular polish as the Gelish or CND Shellac ones, and have not found other brand top coats to give as good of a shine.  

Gel Primer

This is the product that you use on your nails before applying the base coat. The aim is to dehydrate the nail and ensure there are no oils that might make your polish lift sooner. It cost $4.60, for comparison I think the mini Gelish ones like in the picture cost about $8 at Hairhouse.

Comparing the ingredients to the Gelish brand one, I found that the main ingredient was the same (a type of alcohol) but the rest seemed different, however they could have been different names for the same chemical for all I know about it. I'm not sure how much effect this will make on my nails, as I was only playing with practise nails today. 

On the back of my hand I found they felt the same and both evaporated quickly, with the Gelish seeming like it was a bit faster. The Essence one however smells really nice and the smell lingers on your skin for ages, which is nice because the Gelish one smells awful. I would really like it if the smell stayed on may hand after applying all the layers of polish, it would just make the process a bit nicer and fancier feeling! So far I would recommend this, I will update if suddenly my polishes stop working as well. 

French Tip Stickers

At $1.80 for 30 you can't go too far wrong with these. I tried them two ways. First stuck straight onto my practise nail and then stuck on over my base colour that had been cured and dry brushed to try and remove some of the sticky layer. 

Straight on, as it would be on a natural nail when using regular nail polish or over totally dry nail polish, this will work really well and give a great crisp even line for a french tip, or other effect depending on where you place it. 

One layer before cleaning up

Two layers, cleaned up

Over gel polish, like any tape produce, it doesn't work as well and slips around a bit. That said, I think it will make tipped looks much easier for me because using these I can mark the height better so it is even across my nails. Using this to apply the first coat, then cleaning up with a brush dipped in alcohol or non acetone remover before curing means I can get neat even tips, and the second coat of colour is easy to just carefully apply over the top. I am also able to apply thinner layers this way which should mean it lasts longer as thick application at the tips often leads to lifting. 

Metallic Polish

This polish I think was about $3, so it is a bargain either way!

For stamping I found it worked pretty well, not as well as my Ulta3 gold polish, but they aren't completely the same colour. It will still be very useful and great for a warmer toned but softer look when stamping gold. 

I stamped over my practise nail, but you couldn't see it well due to the colours so I ended up just stamping over some purple paper to compare the different polishes I have that are similar. I would say that this Essence polish is now my second best one, and still better than the expensive Konad Special Stamping polish that I got with my inital set. The stamp I used is from BundleMonster.

This was the best shot I could get of the Essence colour. It turned out really well. 

Compared to the others without flash, you can see the Ulta3 gold next to it is just a bit stronger and more opaque.

Compared to the others with flash. The Konad gold is very dissapointing. It does stamp well, as all the Konad colour will, but it isn't a rich metallic gold. It just kind of looks brown/ dirty yellow and has no shine or sparkle.

So there you go! 1 dud, 2 really good and one pretty useful. Not too bad and given the prices, I'm not annoyed that the top coat isn't great. It will be useful for smoothing out glitters I think, and for playing with pigments etc. when I don't want to contaminate my good top coat. 

I would love to do more nail posts and would really like ideas for nail art looks or products to try out, so feel free to comment and let me know what you think :)

(little) Priceline Haul

You know how it is, you go in for one specific thing and come out with lots of random stuff....

I originally went in for the Sanctuary cleansing oil, $19.99, (because Youtube told me cleansing oils are where it's at), but wandered past the Essence stand and saw they have a gel polish system, so I HAD to try tthe topcoat (I can't find this on their website, but I think it was $4.60).

They also had a nice looking metallic that I thought might be good for stamping, which is also not on the website, but I think it was around $3.

I wanted to give the french tip guides, $1.80, a go with my gels and pigments to see if I can get a nice look.

The last Essence product I got was the  gel primer, $4.60. I have used the Gelish primer since I got my first kit about 3 or 4 years ago, so clearly these things last a while. It's great to have found something so easily accessed as Priceline though! Hopefully I can do a review of these nail products, as gel systems can be very expensive and sometimes hard to get.

 The last thing I got was a Maybelline Baby Lips lip balm, $3.16 on special. I got the "Smoothing Cherry" flavour...but I really just picked it because I liked the colours.

iHerb Order

Last weekend I made an iHerb order for the first time. I ordered some clay powder for face masks and some Ecotools eye shadow brushes, having heard good things about both! Hopefully I will get to reviewing them as soon as I have had a chance to give them both a go.

Ecotools 6 piece essential eye set US$7.99

Now Solutions European Clay Powder $5.34

I had heard they have very fast shipping but was more than impressed!

I ordered on Sunday, DHL attempted delivery on Thursday and redelivered Friday. And that was for only $8 shipping!

I am excited to try out the products and I think I will definately look to iHerb first for these kinds of purchases as they have good prices as well as super fast cheap postage. If you are making your first order, you can use my referral code by clicking here and get up to $10 off, or you can enter the code BJH106 when ordering. 

Mirenesse Free* Trial Products

Went to go to the shops today and noticed my letter box was full, and inside I found a fairly over-sized black envelope waiting for me. It has my "free" products that I ordered from Mirenesse earlier in the week inside (VERY fast postage!).

With the offer you just pay postage or each individual item that you order, and you can order up to six products. My shipping was just under $25 and I got three products. Inside the package were my items, some instruction sheets and a bunch of coupons that I won't use...but if you really liked something and wanted to repurchase would be handy!

The items I got were:
-Skin Clone  Mineral Powder Foundation (mini size) in Vanilla rrp $19.95
It came in a little leatherish pouch and is in a nice sturdy plastic container with a separate sponge. It would be better if the sponge had a home in the container, but I guess that's why it has the pouch. I think this will be good to keep in my handbag for touch ups as I use a loose powder in the morning, that just isn't practical to carry around or apply on the go.
-Mirenesse Laboratories Fast Fix Solutions Foot Renew Cryotherapy rrp $29.95
I was hoping this would be like the Milky-Foot type things that make all your skin peel off, but its just a treatment. I am still really excited to try this and will save it for a day after school I think!
-Icon Sealer 24 Hour Concealer rrp $35
I did a quick swatch, in the picture you can see it comes out fairly yellow, but blends well. I assume this would be good for dark circles with the yellow tint, but it seems like it would be helpful on other blemishes as well because it is a good match for my skin when blended out.

Left- Unblended Right- Blended

The offer is still going and there are lots of products still on offer, including all three of the ones above. At about $8 per product and the shipping being SO fast I think it is a great way to try some good products for a cheaper price. 

You can get the offer here: http://www.mirenesse.com/85-free-trial

Did you order anything? What did you think of the products you got?

Back to School Clothes and Stationary HAUL

So, what's more fun than actually doing the preparation I need to for the new school year? Shopping for it of course!

After some light shopping yesterday afternoon, I initially went out to my favourite shop outside Kmart, but for pretty much the first time ever, couldn't find anything I wanted to spend my gift voucher on. So I wanted into Kmart to look for school supplies and ended up getting heaps of cheap tops and basics.
After that I went to Target, another random cheapo kind of shop and a Kaisercraft shop.
Finally this evening I went to Officeworks, and aside from heading back to Kaisercraft tomorrow to get cute papers to make these (below) pencil toppers, I have no excuses to not start addressing what actually needs doing.

Clothes:

Yellow, longish, hi-lowish, lace embellished tank- Kmart- $12

Peach/apricot, longish, hi-lowish, lace embellished tank- Kmart- $12

Owl print, flowy tank with buttons- Kmart- $12

Floral print, flowy tank with buttons-Kmart-$12

Leopard Print round neck jumper-Kmart-$20

Purple/green layered work out top- Kmart-$12

Black/purple layered work out top- Kmart- $12

Basic singlets with shelf mint and turquoise, no shelf black- Kmart- $3 each

Basic tank top dusty coral and dusty magenta (not as bright as they show up here) $2 each

Floral embellished strap tank-Temt- $19.95

Basic tank tops black, nude-Temt- 6.95 These feel like a much more expensive material, its a synthetic blend and is like a slightly suedey microfiber 

Basic Singlet, nude-Temt 4.95 Same fabric as the tanks.

Navy/Cream Damask harem (ish?) pant- Caroline Morgan- $20

Navy stretch skinny pant with zip detail-  Target- $15

Stationary (and random make up)

Five drawer storage tub, blue- Officeworks- 16.96

3 pack binder display books- Officeworks- $2.99

Pick'n'mix bulldog clips and magets- Officeworks- $4.99

Purple wire mesh tray and bin- Officeworks- $5 each

White 2D ring binder- Officeworks- $3.83

Tropical bird print binder- Kmart- $2

Geoprint pastel wrapping paper- Kaisercraft- $1

My Day Chart calendar- Kikkik- $5

Monthly planner (to use as weekly timetable) Kikkik- $10

Lexar USB drive 8GB- Big W- $4.95

Maybelline Dream Pure BB cream, medium- Big W- $15.75

Maybelline Age Rewind under eye concealer-Big W- $~16 Annoyed at myself for these two, I realised this morning that I should have gone to Priceline and got 3 for 2. They are both good products though, so I'm not too bothered. 

All in all I think I got really good buys for pretty much everything and should get good use/wear out of it all, pretty pleased, but not excited at the prospect of putting it away and clearing out some old stuff that is getting replaced. But that's a problem for future Emily. 

Things I've Used Up- Jan 2014

I now understand how weird other bloggers and youtubers feel collecting their rubbish in a little pile somewhere, to take photos of and write about later. It is very satisfying however to see all the things I have actually used up all the way and it motivating to keep working on things from my project pan collection. I also like watching and reading these kinds of posts so I thought I would do my own!

Shower Products

1. Grace and Cole Peach and Pear Body Scrub
I liked this enough to repurchase another scent from the same range, but I think when I use that up I want to look around for something even more scrubby, this is very gentle.
2. Lacura Purify Exfoliating Wash
This doesn't have the best smell ever, but it works well. I have since bought another Lacura face scrub, but a slightly different one which I like more as is smells better.
3. Eslor Replenishing Scrub
A really nice product that I liked using, it smells (...and tastes, oops) really nice. I won't buy a full size however as it is very expensive.
4. Garnier Olia After Colour Care Conditioner
I LOVE this, I wish they made it as a regular treatment to use all the time! I also really like the colour and will keep using them.

Wipes

1. Coles Thick Baby Wipes Fragrance Free
So handy to clean up hair dye, make-up, vanity etc. and so much cheaper than make up wipes. I will re-purchase however I will get one with a scent because although it is 'fragrance free' it still has a smell and I don't like it.
2. Models Prefer 3 in 1 Cleansing wipes
I found these to be ok but I didn't love them, although I don't know why. I do really like the packaging as it stays shut and stops things drying out.
3. Savy by Designer Brands Make Up Remover Wipes
Meh, these do the job, I like that they have enough product to work well and feel quite refreshing, but I won't be buying them again. I also don't like the packet as it loses stickiness and the top wipe keeps drying out.

Moisturizers

1. Dreams Unlimited Body Butter (Body Shop)

I have had this for SO LONG and finally finished it. I don't know how anyone ever gets through full size body butters! It was a lovely smell but I don't need to buy it again. I might get more body butters in the future but there are so many I would have to keep trying different smells. 

2. Bellazzia Palm Tree Vanilla Hand Cream

Part of a set from target this one is the scent I liked the most. I have been using this as an all over moisturizer to get it used up. It works nicely and they were quite cheap too, so would make a nice treat or gift...but I can't seem to find it on the website now.  

Things I didn't Actually Finish

1. Macro Natural Vitamin E Cream

I go this ages ago when I was having trouble with some really tough dry patches. It works but it's very thick and heavy and I didn't enjoy the smell very much at all. It is well past expiry now and has changed texture inside a bit, so it has to go. 

2. Almay Moisturizing Eye Make Up Remover Pads

DO NOT WANT. SO oily, stings my eyes, is scratchy and I can't even use it on the rest of my face because it made me break out. 

3. Sukin Purely Ageless Intensive Firming Serum

I really like this and will repurchase in the future. I got another serum that I started using in a sample box and it ended up lasting around 6 months or so. This one has since changed texture as well so I don't want to use it. I found this especially useful at minimizing my pores. 

Make up 

1. Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream

I got this in a Bellabox and was all annoyed that I got sent medium. However it turns out that it is a great colour for me. I find this gives just enough coverage. Alone it gives a nice natural look and pretty flawless skin if you have no major blemishes. When topped with a powder it can give a pretty polished look without all the effort. I will be repurchasing this and I will probably get the other version as well to try. 

2. Face of Australia Blush- Nutmeg

I love this and have already bought a new one. This lasted me just over a year using it every single day. I love the colour and texture and find that you can blend it with other colours, or use it on its own easily. 

Samples

1. McCell Toner+ McCell Emulsion

I got these as a sample with some Korean Products I ordered. They were alright but not so amazing that I would want to buy full size products. 

2. Sukin Facial Moisturizer

I really like this product and have the full size, although when I have used it up I don't think I will buy again as there are more products I would like to try. 

3. Palmer's Daily Calming Facial Lotion

I wrote about this before. I really liked the way it worked, but didn't like the smell. I think I might give this another try at some point, especially if I can get a deluxe sample or travel size.

4. Avene Clearance K

I don't really understand what this was for...I used it but it was a nothing product really. Wouldn't repurchase this, but I do like the brand. 

Bellabox Australia Jan- 2014

I just got my Bellabox delivered this morning, I was so excited I knocked my cup of water all over the floor on the way to the door.  Evidently I had good reason to be excited as it seems like a really good box with lots of products I will use and enjoy.  This is what I got on my doorstep:

 Opened to this:

Then this:

 And here are my goodies:

Using the card as a guide, I have worked out the values of what I got in my box:

ModelCo Fat Lash Mascara Full size- $20

Wotnot Facial wipes 5 pack- $1.59

Coconut Revolution Coconut body cream- $4.99

Palmolive Ayurituel shower gel- $0.85

Yes To Carrots lip gloss- 9.95

Avene Soothing Moisture Mask-$4.10

Avene Rich Hydrating Cream- $6.60

Total retail value: $48.08

So for me this month it is excellent value for $15. I'm not sure I will use the lip gloss, but I will give it a try and see, I usually don't like the feeling of lip gloss. I won't get to use the coconut body cream for a while as I have a lot to work through, but I look forward to it when I do!

It is a bit hit an miss with Bellbox at times, but it is always fun getting something in the mail, and for $15 it's a small risk. If you want to sign up, you can follow my referral link here!

Window Shopping

I have been wandering around Aliexpress this morning looking for cheap thrills. Initially I was looking for a new bag. I have a lovely mint green Mimco thing, but I used it for all of 2013 and I'm a bit sick of it really. I don't want to spend much on another bag right now, and I know Aliexpress always has bargain items where the risk of it being really bad is not to much because the price is so low. I found heaps of other items that I would like...as usual. I usually stay away from direct copies or fakes trying to pretend they are the actual item, but there are a couple I would like to try just to see if they are even half decent- like most of the things I've bought there previously.

I am putting off buying anything for a little while. I don't need any of it desperately and I know that shipping takes quite a while so I figure the longer I put it off, the longer I keep my money and the higher the chance I decide I can't be bothered or it's not worth it. 

What are your favourite place to shop for bargains online? Which colour do you like best for the bags ( I really can't choose and there are even more colours I like too!)?

No Spend/Project Pan

There is a new 2014 topic on the Vogue Forum for this so I thought I would make a post to keep track of my own.

I have two categories- Full size and samples. This is because I am subscribed to Bellabox, so I get samples every month but it will be good to keep track of them and ensure they don't just sit around being wasted.  My full size/larger size items are mostly moisturizers as I have accumulated quite a few. I need to learn to just buy the smallest size available of these things because I always get sick of them and want something new.
I might add a few more products as I find them or as I decide I want new ones and can't justify it.

Full Size/Larger Samples:
-Bellarize Hand Cream x 3
-Innoxa Hand Cream
-Lacura Aqua Complete facial moisturizer
-Innoxa Facial Moisturizer
-Sukin Facial Moisturizer
-Body Shop Body Butter (Used up today!)
-Aesop Body Balm
-Mirenesse Youth Switch Serum
-Daiso Royal Jelly Serum
-Rokk Ebony Heat Protectant
-Warren Ansell Salon Heat Protectant
-Amalay Make Up Remover Wipes
-Simple Gentle Eye Make Up Remover
-Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Oil Spot Treatment
-Aphelia Acne Spot Treatment

Sample Products:
-Sukin Facial Moisturizer
-Korean Brand Toner (Used up today!)
-Korean Brand Cleanser
-Palmer's Calming Lotion
-Eslor Soothing Cream
-Avene Facial Moisturizer
-Avene Exfoliating Cream

So those are the main culprits. There will be no buying of random products until these are used up. I have lots of other products to use that I will replace as they are finished that aren't on the list because I don't need to TRY to use them up, but I won't just buy new ones without finishing them. 

When I get through all of the full size products (which given the heat treatments will be a long way away.... ) I want to reward myself with some glitter pigments from Orglamix as I haven't tried any of them from the new line. 

New Year's Eve 2013

Welcome into 2014! I hope you all had a wonderful evening, however you spent it. I went to a party at a roof top bar in Richmond and it was fantastic. I had so much fun and and a wonderful view of the fireworks without the crowds and hassle of being right in the city. I was even luckier to be driven home by a friend who got an amazing park just meters from the venue which the cherry on top for me!

I went for a mostly black and silver look with pink glitter nails and gold smokey eyes.

Eyelashes from Priceline; necklace, bracelet and clutch from Colette; gold eye shadows from Orglamix Cosmetics.

I spent most of the afternoon cleaning and a little baking to get the house in shape so we could at least START the year nice and clean. Evidently my vacuum is somewhat more powerful than I thought.

That would be my phone cord that got sucked right out of the plug!

After cleaning, but pre-pre-drinking, I made myself a nice little cocktail to have with some deliciously gooey baked brie. It had apple schnapps, cranberry juice and just a little bit of ginger-ale, most excellent.

We got home around 2am after a long wait at our local Maccas for a hangover preventing cheeseburger (or two...). This morning I woke up feeling pretty good, no hangover, just sleepy and hungry! I solved the latter issue by making some microwave poached eggs (once you try it you will never bother with a pan again!) on two very nice slices of home-made packet mix sour-dough rye bread with Vegemite. 2014 Em gave silent thanks to 2013 Em for her forethought in both cleaning and cooking all that time ago.

Click here for the recipe!

The rest of the day has been spent pottering around inside thanks to the cozy weather, mostly playing with my newold laptop ( $150 second hand from gumtree- win).

I have lots of plans for lots of posts coming up, so I hope you come back soon :)