b Collection's 'Waikiki' eyeshadow duo review

I've always fancied an army green eyeshadow with a subtle golden shimmer through it. Sadly, green of any shade is never recommended to me in those quizzy things where you enter in your complexion, hair colour, eye colour and it gives you your "perfect shades". So I was always hesitant to spend money on an eyeshadow I didn't expect to work.

So when I saw this Waikiki duo on sale, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to try out something new. If it didn't work, well at least it was only around $14AUD! Plus, the second colour, a light golden-tan shimmer, reminded me a lot of one of my favourite eyeshadows, MACs Naked Lunch, so at least I'd be able to use up that half if the green was a total disaster.

                                          b Collections Collecta Colour Eyeshadow duo-Waikiki

Like the Collecta Colour Blush I reviewed previously, the packaging is designed to be stacked with other products. Like the blush, it feels flimsy, as if the product will just swing right out. We all know how well powders and bathroom tiles go, so I'm quite a bit more cautious when using it. You get 2g of product, and there's 6 duos to choose from.

Quality wise, the eyeshadows are much better than I expected. They are well pigmented and apply evenly to the lid, blending in easily. Sadly, as you can see in my arm swatch, the green side doesn't apply as true to the pan colour. It definitely pulls more brown than green when on the eyelids. I road tested this duo two days in a row over Urban Decay Primer Potion, and both lasted until I was ready to wash them off. They managed to hold up over a very warm bakery shift, which is always the true test of makeup for me. Best of all, they didn't irritate my eyes like some cheaper Australian brand eye products have done in the past.

                                          Waikiki Duo swatched on bare arm (no primer)

Final summary:
Pros: Inexpensive, great quality, don't irritate sensitive eyes.
Cons: Awkward packaging & the green doesn't apply true, even with a primer base.

I would certainly recommend these eyeshadows. The other duos include some truly crazy colours (think jade greens, cobalt blues and violet), so it's a fun way to experiment without spending too much.  I've also learned that taking a risk and trying something new can be really successful. I think I'll have to buy another duo now...

b Collection by Bloom- Yarra Valley Cheek Tint

This new-ish line from Target has intrigued me for months, yet it was only on Tuesday that I decided to buy anything (admittedly, the 20% off helped a great deal!). I love the idea of cream blushes, and the radiant, dewy, angelic visage they claim to provide, so naturally the 'Col-lecta Colour Cheek Tints' sucked me right in.

At a RRP of apx. $19AUD for 5 grams, it's quite a good deal, especially when you consider that a MAC Blushcreme will set you back $42AUD and you only get 1 more gram! There's about 6 colours if I recall correctly, including a highlighter. Bloom claims that the blush "...has a creamy formulation that adds a hint of colour to the cheeks". The colours are on trend, and apparently they can be used as a lip-colour too. All of them are named after famous interntational wine-regions. While the watermelony 'Barrossa Valley' sparked feelings of state-pride, I went with 'Yarra Valley' instead, a pretty peachy-apricot colour. Perfect for a spring-time flushed colour without leaning too orange or pink, I thought.

L-R: b Collection Yarra Valley Collecta Colour Cheek Tint & Waikiki

The idea of the packaging is that you can stack the colours on top of one another to create your perfect stack. It's a cute idea, however, I find that the blush pot flies right out from under it's cover at the slightest provocation. I can imagine it flying right off one day, which would be a nuisance, especially for a cream blush. It regains these points with its ease of application, and blends in with the skin nicely without ruining your makeup underneath.

                                         Top: Yarra Valley swatched several times. Below: Product blended into skin.
I wore this product for two days, for over 8 hours a day. At first, it felt like I'd stumbled across an amazing secret, so cheap, yet so effective! It didn't fade, melt or go patchy, even though I work in a hot bakery. It looked so natural and seamlessly blended into the skin. Perfect! BUT...

My temperamental skin seemed to disagree with one of the ingredients. After I washed my face of makeup on the second night, clusters of little red pimples were across my cheeks. The only time I break out on my cheeks is when my skin disagrees with a new product. It could be the noticeable soapy-floral fragrance in the blush. I was a bit sad, but luckily I had bought it on sale. Sadly, I might just have to wear it once in a while rather than as a staple, since one day of wear had no effect. The perfume also makes it fairly un-bearable (for me) to wear as a lip colour. It just leaves a yucky taste in my mouth, like I sucked on a perfume bottle or something.

Final Summary:
Pros-Excellent quality for the price, accessible and regularly on sale. Wearable, on-trend colours.
Cons-Gimmicky, impractical packaging. Fragrance makes it potentially acne causing as well as making it un-appealing as a lip colour.

This is a lovely product, but not for me. Hopefully, it will suit some of you less sensitive-skinned cream blush lovers though!                                    

Hello, brave new blogging world...

After stalking various blogs for several years, and dreaming of my own, I've finally taken the plunge! This blog is born out of the frustration of being a beauty lover who lives in Australia. Finding reviews on Australian products, where the bargains are, or even what we have available here can sometimes be near impossible. I hope that my experiences might help out other Aussies, who find buying products without thorough research slightly unsettling.

Of course I'll be reviewing plenty of products available internationally too (but which are accessible here), and perhaps even throw in the odd book review, some pretty pictures and other bits and bobs I find interesting too, just for the fun of it.

My first review will be on two 'b Collection by Bloom' products, which can be found at Target Australia. They are currently undergoing  product testing now, results are expected within the next few hours. Well...I slapped it on my face and I'll let you know what happens.

Until then,

Rachel