When In Melbourne

I apologize for the lack of posts recently, I've actually been away these last few weeks. I went down to Victoria to visit my Nanna, and I was lucky enough to visit Melbourne for a day. One of the things I was most excited about were the amount of Asian cosmetic stores they have there. Brisbane, as far as I know, have nothing. So the first thing I did was make my way towards Bourke Street. Here's what I picked up in my travels:

Why You Cosmetics were the first store I went into, just down Russel Street. I picked up a Holika Holika's Pig Nose Clear sheet and the Etude House Wonder Pore Cleansing Brush. Next stop was Yuki House, where I bought the Iope CC cream for a very pricy $60. They did give me a free bottle of a Fancl collagen drink though, which I've heard is huge in Japan. And last but not least, a giant 300ml can of Avene's Thermal Spring Water which I picked up at a Chemist Warehouse for $17! Okay, so it wasn't exactly a cheap trip in the end. To be honest, I could have bought all these items much cheaper online. Oh well, I really wanted to bring something back home for myself. No regrets!

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water Review

New Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water, for all skin types

When my Bioderma cleansing water ran out I was pretty devastated. The large, 500ml bottle lasted me over a year, and although I constantly wondered why I spent so much on a cleansing water,  near the end it had become apparent how much I relied on it to remove my makeup.  I talked myself out of purchasing another at Priceline, and I'm glad I did, because then I wouldn't have noticed Garnier's new micellar water for a quarter of the price.

After testing it out for a few weeks now, I can't tell the difference between the two. It's unscented, non-irritating and can be used on your eyes and lips as well as your face. Even the bottles look somewhat identical. The only difference is the six month shelf life. I thought that was a bit short, and I may struggle to use it up in that time, but if you're one who uses a cleansing water everyday than it should be fine.

This cleansing water is great value for money, 400mls for only $8. Bioderma is currently retailing at around $30 on Australian shelves, and that's only for the 250ml bottle! If you're unwilling to spend the big bucks on some of the French cleansing waters, then I think this would be the perfect option. It's also great to see some new Garnier products coming in. I noticed they have a whole new range or cleansing milks and foam cleansers at my local Priceline. It's good to see we're finally catching up with the rest of the world!

Liebster Award & Nominations

Okay, so this post has been a long time coming. I've been a bit behind in my blogging for the last few weeks and when I was told I was nominated for a Liebster Award I was like 'Cool! What's that?'. To this day, its true meaning eludes me, but from what I've gathered, it's a 'chain' award that bloggers nominate to another fellow blogger who has under 200 followers.

Thank you so much to Jenn, Citygirl, Amy, and most recently, Melanie for nominating me. I've never done this before so I'm unsure on the exact rules, but thought I would just mesh all the questions from my nominators together instead of having to do all four in one post. I would rather not put everyone to sleep.

1. Where are you from, and where would you like to be?

I'm originally from Melbourne, but there's no where I would rather be than in my home in Brisbane right now. Until summer arrives, then I'll probably want to move to Antarctica.

2. Why did you start blogging?

I developed a huge obsession for skincare, and I thought it would be really good idea to start up a new hobby, a beauty blog (so original)! At first it was just for fun, and I only blogged when I had time, but now I'm really starting to get into it.

3. How do you keep up with your blogging schedule?

HA. I don't really. Blogging isn't exactly my top priority, but I do create a list of topics and products I would like to review every month.

4. What are your favourite online retailers?

Oh dear, I'll have to narrow this one down. Probably Asos, RoseRose (for all my Asian skincare), and Book Depository.

5. Your favourite make-up and skincare products?

I've been loving BRTC's Gold Caviar BB cream, and as for my favourite skincare product I think it will have to be Missha's Time Revolution first treatment essence.

6. What are some of your interests outside of your blogging life?

I love reading, writing and playing video games (really into Left for Dead 2 right now).

7. What was the last book you read?

The Passage by Justin Cronin

8. If you were stranded on an island name three things you would want to have with you.

Sunscreen, Jack Sparrow and some rum, of course.

9. If you could only use one beauty product for the rest of your life, what would it be?

This is a somewhat depressing question because I honestly can't imagine a life without my beauty products...haaa. I guess it would have to be sunscreen. 

10. Do you own any pets? If not, what pet would you own if you could?

We used to have a Cavalier King Charles, but unfortunately he passed away a year ago. I would love to have another one in the future, and if so I would also get a pug so he's not so alone!

Oh, the cuteness!

11. What advice would you give to your 10 year old self?

Put some sunscreen on girl, for heavens sake, and no, fake tan does not look good on you.

Some random facts about me:

• I love Italian food
• My favourite colour is blue
• I hate wearing pink lipstick
• I was a ballet dancer for 10 years
• I received a certificate of Honours from the Royal Academy of Dancing for my final exam (before I quit haha)
• I would love to learn how to ice skate
• I have a birth mark just above my butt (why am I telling you this...)
• I also have an obsession with stationery
• I'm a Skyrim nerd
• I love genre film and television
• I don't drink coffee
• I have a poster of Audrey Hepburn above my desk

Finally, I'm glad to nominate: 

• Breathe Beauty
• Cottonball crusade
• Fallen rose
• Life of Verity

So here are my questions for you guys:

1. Where are you from, and where would you like to be?

2. Why did you start blogging?

3. What kind of blogs do you love reading?

4. What's on your desk right now?

5. If you were given the chance to learn something what would it be? (eg. a language, specific skill or sport?)

6. What are your interests outside of the blogging sphere?

7. What is your dream job?

8. What's your favourite make up item?

9. What's your favourite skincare item?

10. If you were marooned on an island name three things you would want to have with you.

11. And lastly, name someone or something that inspires you.