Excitement

Anyone that knows me well will know that I have a massive obsession with beauty products. I have to stay away from the M.A.C store most of the time because when I go in there, I get too excited and end up leaving with a million things. And then I can't do anything for weeks because I'm so poor. I don't think a lot of people know that in New Zealand M.A.C products are AMAZINGLY EXPENSIVE. Like, take the US price of an item.. convert it to NZD and then add another $30 onto the end. It's ridiculous. 

Anyway, I found a few online makeup places that sell legitimate products for discounted prices and ship free. I'm super excited because I have heaps of things on their way to me. Here's what they are:

- Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream in San Paulo
- Urban Decay Naked Palette
- Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette
- M.A.C Eyeshadow in Romp
- M.A.C Eyeshadow in Flip
- M.A.C Sheertone Shimmer Blush in Ambering Rose

And I got all of this for around $200 NZD.

I AM SO EXCITED. I'm in the middle of uni exams at the moment and this is the only thing getting me through. Going to be the happiest girl in the world very soon.

And then in a couple of weeks I'm going to order:

- Laura Mercier Foundation Primer
- Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer
- Dior Matte Bronzer

and then pick up Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua from the local Chanel counter since I can't order that one online.

Makeup OVERLOAD. Will probably do some reviews soon :)

Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Moisturizing Lather Shampoo & Keratin Cream Rinse - First Impressions

Today, after becoming exasperated by my haircare products, I went into my local Shampoo & Things. My hair is dry, split and frizzy. It used to be curly but after I ombred my hair twice, the ends are so fried that it's more of a spastic zigzag style, super pretty... Anyway, I asked a lady there for a recommendation and she suggested the Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Moisturizing Lather Shampoo & Keratin Cream Rinse. 

Firstly, the price of these was a bit steep. They were about $35 NZD each, compared to the $20 or so that you can get for the supermarket brands. This wasn't a big problem for me though, hopefully it will be worth it.

The bottles look like this. They're in sleek black packaging, nothing too special.  For me they seem a bit backwards. At first glance I thought that the shampoo was in the conditioner bottle and vice versa. Oh well.. that's just me being picky.

When smelling the products in the bottle, they almost smell like cotton candy. It's definitely a sweet smell. 

The PM website promises that the Awapuhi range will repair and seal damaged hair. The key ingredient is of course awapuhi, which is a type of ginger plant. These products also contain KeraTriplex, PM's own Keratin brand, which is so important for healthy, strong and shiny hair. 

In my hair, it smells more gingery but still definitely sweet. Perhaps a bit like ginger beer. The shampoo is easy to lather, sulphate free and feels pretty nice on the hair. The conditioner is creamy and thick. On the bottle, it says to put the conditioner from roots to tips but some might feel as though it is too heavy for application on the roots of the hair. Since mine is so frizzy and dry, it seems to be alright. 

Now dry, my hair looks shiny and has curled properly for the first time in ages. It's reasonably soft, not overwhelmingly so, but pleasant enough. The ends are still a bit dry but that's expected. 

I'm pretty happy. I'd give it a 8/10 for first try. It has the promise of building repair the more I use it so will be looking forward to how that goes.

Hope this was helpful!

I just don't understand how some people can go their whole lives and not see the ocean. Where I live there are beautiful beaches within walking distance. I've grown up swimming in the ocean every summer, trying to catch waves and getting way too sunburnt. It's so relaxing to just walk along, looking out at the sunset and hearing the waves. The perfect thing to do when trying to clear your head.

My dog loves the ocean too. He's getting a bit old but still loves to swim, even when the water's freezing cold. It's only Spring so it's definitely got some heating up to do before I get in there. I just have to settle with throwing the ball in for my dog, and getting a bit wet when he comes out and shakes water all over me. 

Here are a few more photos from today.

Today I just feel like cuddling up in bed with my cat, a good book and some hot chocolate. Which is weird because those are all wintery things and I hate winter. I hate the rain, and the cold, and being lazy. But today it's all I want to do. I could play a slow song, something by The Fray, and forget about the stress university is giving me at the moment. I could take a bubble bath, fall asleep... 

But nooo. I have to go to the gym, write a philosophy essay, study for exams, make dinner, walk the dog, wash my hair and listen to some lectures online

Life is going to be so much easier in 2 months time.