I’ve just read a humorous post over at Beautyholics Anonymous and I’m still laughing as most days I do so many of points that Tine mentioned.
Admittedly I’m not as hard core a beauty bloggers as some – I’m yet to do arm swatches, mainly because I’m actually more interested in what the product looks like on my face, nails or lips. But when it comes to trialling and editing down the products that I think my readers are interested in, it does take quite a bit of work.
Ok, you can stop guffawing. Now.
Maybe it’s not brain surgery or maths teaching type of work, but I do need to be organised about stuff to best let you know about the stuff you need to know.
When I’m sent product for review, I think … does this excite me? Is this something I can see myself not only using but buying in the future? Is it something that my readers will rush out and buy?
If it passes those tests, then it’s on its way to getting a decent trial run before I give my final verdict and let you know here on the blog whether it’s worth your hard-earned cash.
Over the past few weeks, I have been given the heads up on some fun new beauty products about to hit beauty counters and supermarkets near you. Thought you might like a heads up too.
1. Maybelline New York Volum’ Express mascara (January) $19.95: This mascara comes with one very clever brush. It’s shaped to mimic the contour of your eye and there are 300 bristles on it, making it almost impossible not to give your lashes a good coating – even with just one lick of the brush. You definitely get good control over your application. I’m loving the Brownish Black colour but you might go for Blackest.
2. Benefit sun beam (January 14) $45: I’m a sucker for a Benefit highlighter. Watt’s up is probably still my favourite but it seems a little unfair to compare it to my summer fling, the new sun beam. They’re very different products (check out this infographic on the Benefit site to understand how the Benefit highlighters can all behave quite happily with each other in your makeup kit) but I find myself reaching for sun beam when I’m keeping my look all sunkissed and fresh and Watt’s Up for a glowy, more made-up look. You can mix sun beam with your foundation or moisturiser too, which is just a perfect double up at this time of year. Benefit is sold online at Myer and Adore Beauty, otherwise check out your nearest Benefit counter from Saturday.
3. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Daily Calming Lotion (March) $7.40: This is one of two new releases in the Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula range (I featured the other here yesterday and it’s probably my fave). This one is brilliant if you suffer from itchy skin because it’s hypoallergenic, paraben and fragrance free, including a blend of soy, oat, chamomile and lavender extracts. Now, if your skin is SUPER sensitive or you have a medical condition it will pay to check all the ingredients as there are some that might affect you. For someone who likes to err on the sensitive side of body lotions but doesn’t want to bust the budget, this is ideal.
4. Le Couvent Des Minimes Smile lip balm collection (February 12) $9.95 each: I love a good lip balm and this definitely fits my criteria, melting on to the lips without a hint of stickiness. Includes shea butter as well as apricot and hibiscus extracts. Available in pear, orange or mint … my money is on the mint variety for its freshness. You can find Le Couvent Des Minimes online at the Lounge.
5. Benefit Hervana blush (February) $51: If you already have a Benefit blush or bronzer in your makeup kit (me I’m a huge Dallas and Sugar Bomb fan), then you need to know how good the new packaging is on this blush. The lid is actually attached (yep, you can do a one-handed hold … I KNOW) and the brush has been angled for the perfect swirl and sweep up across your cheekbones. It’s a glowy pinkish combo of shell, peach, rose and berry blush colours all swished into one … trust me you’re going to fall big time, especially if you have fair to medium skin tones. Yes, that would be me. See above for online stockists.
6. Burt’s Bees Sensitive Skin range (February) from $19.95: I err on the side of sensitive with my skincare, mostly because of a little redness on the face. Nothing too serious but my skin seems to thank me for it. I’ve been using products from this range (cleanser, day cream, night cream and eye cream) off and on since November and I’m mighty happy with it. The hero ingredient is cotton extract, with a lot of sideline help from rice extract, aloe and white genepi extract and eyebright (the latter two known for their anti-inflammatory properties). The cleanser has been a dream summer choice for me, keeping my skin super hydrated and I’ve loved the night cream for the plumpy skin feeling you get the next morning after it’s worked hard overnight.
But I know you want more …
I haven’t got my hot little hands on these releases as yet but I think you should have good reason to be excited by them:
Lanolips (March 4): The Lovely Lanolin collection includes Golden Ointment ($28.95), a super moisituriser that combines ultra pure medical grade lanolin with manuka honey and vitamin E; and Triple Buttermilk Body Balm ($23.95) which includes milk extracts and vitamin E with the lanolin.
Clinique (January 15): The New Black collection, inspired by the cult 1971-release Clinique colour, Black Honey, includes a lipstick/lipgloss duo, eye shadow, blusher, cream liner, mascara and lipstick. It looks like a great neutral collection to take you into autumn.
What gets you excited about a new beauty product? Is it just the word “new”? Is it anything from your favourite brand? Or is it something you know right away that it will just work for you?
PS. I’m blogging over at Justb today about being grateful for our bodies … and yes, I’m very grateful for my job as a beauty blogger!
Comments 26
I’m pumped for the new Benefit releases!
Author
Sun beam is on counter, so go and have a try! So good.
Yay! Clinique Black Honey is my favourite lippy product. So I’ll be interested to see the new line. Thanks for the heads up.
Author
I know – will be great to see!
Love me a Benefit highlighter and box powder. I’m also in the market for a new mascara too so thanks for the tip.
Author
No problems … I actually find it difficult to find a Benefit product that I don’t LOVE!
The Benefit blush looks gorgeous, I am definitely going to get my hands on one of these. Rachel xx
Author
It is stunning … leaves a lovely sweep across my cheeks.
just about to replenish my Benefit stock…I am always on the lookout for new alternatives, but really, I just always go back to them…can’t beat my Benefit faves…been a convert for years and years now since they first came to the UK…love 🙂
I might go the Maybelline mascara…my daughter loves their waterproof
x
Author
I know what you mean, Sarah … you’d love sun beam … very beach cottagey x
OOh, so many goodies here! Nice picks! I love your pictures too, everything looks so pretty 🙂
Author
Thanks Omega … I bought myself a new camera for Christmas – it’s not a DSLR (a Canon G12) – but I’ve been having fun with it.
I have a G12 too! Love it!
And yeah, the things we beauty bloggers do…Tine is spot on 🙂
Author
I’m loving it … seeing if it will suffice instead of going to a DSLR because I’m shocking at taking a bulking camera out with me. This one just lives in my handbag x
I am loving that mascara too. The brownish black is light enough that it looks very natural but still makes those lashes pop out.
Author
Exactly, Miss Pink … works way better on me for every day than black x
Looove It! Loove it! Love it! Keep up the good, hard work Nikki! There’s so so much product, do you also enlist the help of your hubby and kids, to use them all up too? I’d love to read about the life of a beauty blogger’s family I think it would be funny.
Author
Ahhh, yes I do! And thanks for the blog post suggestion … I think it’s a good one. My daughter uses a lot; my teenage son gets every pimple potion thrown at him, my husband loves trying product for his Manland posts and now my six year old has become obsessed by lip balms, specifically Maybelline’s Baby Love ones! I’ll write it!!
Ooooh you have the Hervana! I really should check that out and see if I like it. I have the Bella Bamba and it rocks 🙂
PS: Thanks for the plug, Nikki. Really appreciate it, and am glad I made you laugh!
Author
The timing was impeccable! I was reading your post with my desk covered in product!
Was just about to get a new mascara for myself, so I might try your recommendation. I have been a fan of Maybelline mascara for a long time, both for myself & my working kit (Great Lash is always in there, it’s so versatile).
New products get me excited and I’m a sucker for packaging.
x Marnie
Author
Ah, yes, I too am a sucker for packaging. I think you’d like this mascara, Marnie … would be great to get your professional opinion on it. It’ definitely a good one for my lashes.
I’ve been an avid follower of Maybelline products since I was 16 years old, I won’t tell you my age but I do know that Maybelline is a fantastic product for a great price. I get excited when I hear great reviews, they are a well known brand or company that I’ve used or maybe a friend has used therefore I will go and buy. As for Benefit when they first hit the Myer counters in Bondi Junction I was at there counter every other day (I worked there) the girls at the counter became my best friends and I fell in love with Bad gal lash, smokin eyes and sugar bomb…their packaging and names of their cosmetics is what I really fell in love with from the very beginning. I love a good lip balm and will check out the lounge for Le Couvent Des Minimes Smile lip balm collection it sounds sexy just trying to say that with a French accent, lol, thanks again for the beauty update, I will look out for these fantastic products.
Author
No problems, Nicole … and I so agree with you, it’s difficult NOT to fall in love with Benefit’s packaging and names … I love that the products live up to the beauty too.