home                     about & contact                     pr friendly                     advertise                     disclaimer                     product directory                     FAQ

November 29, 2013

Black Friday Internet Deals, 2013

November 29, 2013 | , , , , , , , 0 comment
If you're Australian it would be very easy to let today pass you buying, thinking it's just another day. If you do, however, you're letting one of the most amazing shopping days on the calendar pass you by and, well, no one wants that. Black Friday is the day that falls after Thanksgiving in the US and, basically, it's a huge every-man-for-themselves style shopping event. I liken it to the Boxing Day sales here in Australia but I think it's a lot more hardcore.

This year I don't know if I'll be taking advantage of any of the sales (too much shopping lately) but I definitely wanted to let you know about them. Temptalia has put together a list of stores and retailers that are having sale (all of which are carried over to online sales). To read about that, click here

Sigma is also having two sales, one on Black Friday and one on Cyber Monday. 

Will you be taking advantage of the Black Friday sales this year or do you need shopping rehab too? 

If you're looking at taking advantage of any of the times, remember to look at timezones. We are ahead of the US! Oh, and to any American readers - Happy Thanksgiving!

Click above to enter my Christmas Giveaway 

November 28, 2013

November Favourites, 2013

I've been having a love affair with a few beauty products this month and I finally decided it was time to make it public and tell you all about them. These products have served me well over the past few weeks and I've honestly reached for them everyday. There's only one that I didn't acquire during the month as well, so you're seeing a few new products being featured. 
I cannot get enough of the NYX Rouge Cream Blush in Boho Chic. This amazing cream blush looks so nice with any make up look and it somehow makes everything look so much more put together. I always find myself loving pale blue based pink cream blushes and this is no exception. For eyes I'm loving the MAC Pigment in Tan, a fairly new addition to my collection. This colour looks so nice swept over the lid and blended into the crease, meaning all I do is add a little inner corner highlight and I'm done. I haven't had this for the whole month, I'll be honest, but I've loved it every time I've used it. I go through phases with my eyeliner and this month I'm loving a thin line of liquid or gel, specifically the Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner. Jasmine gave this as part of our beauty swap and I'm so thankful. You chose well, Jasmine! Finally for make up, my I doubt there's a time that anyone at work saw me without the NYX Butter Gloss in Peaches and Cream on my lips. It's absolutely beautiful. 

It's not often that a make up brush really stands out in my collection as I have sooo many but this month there's been two that I've been favouring. The Furless PPB1 Perfectly Pink Blending Brush is absolutely amazing for crease work. It's a great size for creating definition but it also blends it out soo nice! I recently added the MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush to my collection and, wow, I know what all the fuss is about. This brush makes apply an all over lid colour a dream and it works really nicely with the MAC pigment I mentioned above.

What have you been loving this month?

Click above to enter my Christmas Giveaway 

November 26, 2013

Christmas 2013 GIVEAWAY

With less than one month until Christmas (oh, holy crap - I haven't started my Christmas shopping) I have decided to launch my Christmas giveaway! This year is a bit different to last in that I haven't created full on packages as such. This year I have based my Christmas giveaway around my four gift guides, including a few of the bits 'n' pieces I featured throughout the series.


To see what I'm giving away, keep reading!

November 22, 2013

HUGE Sephora 20% OFF VIB Sale Haul

November 22, 2013 | , , , , , 2 Comments
I make no secret of my hardcore and, at times, unhealthy shopping obsession. Sometimes it's worse than others and yup, it's bad at the moment. About two weeks ago I placed a fairly good Sephora order. It wasn't too big but it was big enough that ordering from the US was worth it, it was a good mix of new and repurchased products and I was just really excited to get it .... and then the Sephora 20% OFF VIB Sale happened. I woke up the morning after placing order #1 to see that there was going to be a sale and, well, round #2 happened. Yes, it just happened.

Anyway, my reasoning is boring - Let's see what I actually bought in both orders combined. I'm going to try and get through the products with minimal explanation so wish me luck!
The bag that came with my Sephora 20% OFF VIB Sale order. Cute, no?

November 21, 2013

Rimmel London Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation Review*

In the past I've made no secret of my dislike of products in the Rimmel Stay Matte range. The powder is good, yes, but there are so many powders that keep my combination/oily skin a lot more matte. The liquid foundation? Well that's just a nightmare. When the Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation* was released recently I was given the opportunity to try it and I jumped! I had to see how it compared. 
I've been pleasantly surprised by the Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation*. To find out why, keep reading!

November 20, 2013

Holiday Gift Guide 2013: Children

Children are so fun to buy for at Christmas. There's so many new and exciting bits 'n' pieces to buy and you just know there's something they'll love. In saying that, it's also very easy to have no idea what to get when you're buying for a child. I've compiled a list of eight items that I think kids would be stoked to receive this Christmas. 

In case you're wondering of have forgotten, my Holiday Gift Guide series will be going for four weeks . Every week I'll be uploading a different Gift Guide. The fifth week (next week) will mark exactly one month until Christmas so, of course, will mean I launch my Christmas giveaway, this time featuring a few of the gift ideas mentioned throughout this series.

November 18, 2013

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer Review

I recently jumped on the MAC Pro Longwear Concealer bandwagon and become the millionth beauty blogger to pick it up. I swear, every beauty blogger and their Mum has this. Over the past month and bit I've been experimenting with this product and now I'm here to tell you what I think!
To see what I think of the MAC Pro Longwear Concealer (and if I think it lives up to the hype), keep reading!

November 17, 2013

SAVE WITH BORN TO BALM THIS CHRISTMAS

Give the gift of soft lips this holiday season with all four Born to Balm lips balms; Wild Berry, Pink Lemonade, Watermelon and Vanilla. This Born to Balm Lip Quartet is 75% off the regular price and a bargain for beauty lovers everything! 

The Born to Balm Lip Quartet will come housed in a cute gift back and, of course, full of beauty samples! Every Born to Balm Lip Quartet order will also come with a 25% OFF coupon.

Whether you break the pack up or gift the whole set to one lucky person, the recipient's lip will be thanking you! These lip balms are made with the best of ingredients to restore moisture and heal the most chapped of lips. Use this product under lip products to prep’ them for product, or over the top for a natural sheen.

This holiday season I'm also offering 20% OFF ALL Born to Balm products using the coupon code CHRISTMAS2013.
This coupon code is valid from now until December 24, 2013, so get in while stocks last!

For a direct link to my site, head to http://dontstopbuying.bigcartel.com

While you're here, why not check out my Holiday Gift Guides? So far I've uploaded three -

Always look your best,
Sophie
x

Follow me on Twitter @ Born to Buy
Follow me on Facebook @ Born to Buy
Have you got a request for a post? Click here.
Got a question for me? Click here.
Like what you're reading? Follow me.

November 16, 2013

My All Day Full Coverage Face

I make no secret of the fact that I have combination to oily skin. It's annoying and it can make keeping foundation on the face quite difficult. I'm the sort of person that constantly has a powder in her bag to touch up so that A. I'm not left shiny and B. I can touch up areas where I've somehow lost half my face base. Now that I'm working full time I'm finding the longevity of my base make up to be an oh-so-important factor and I feel like I've finally come up with the winning product formula. 


To hear about my All Day Face secrets, keep reading.

November 15, 2013

Holiday Gift Guide 2013: Stocking Stuffers

Today I'm here with third gift guide in my series. This time I have eight different gift ideas to be used as stocking stuffers. I've tried to come up with ideas that can be personalised for the individual so I really hope there's something relevant for you!

In case you're wondering of have forgotten, my Holiday Gift Guide series will be going for four weeks . Every week I'll be uploading a different Gift Guide. The fifth Monday will mark exactly one month until Christmas so, of course, will mean I launch my Christmas giveaway, this time featuring a few of the gift ideas mentioned throughout this series.
For a little more info. on my ideas, keep reading!

November 13, 2013

Battle of the Perfume Body Sprays*

I feel like the good ol' body spray is making a bit of a revival. In my early teens my room was plentiful with Rexona body sprays (do the even still make them?) and I remember spritzing/drowning myself in it most recess and lunch breaks. I've had some delicious body sprays in my possession for quite some time now and, with the weather heating up, I thought it'd be the best time to share my thoughts on them. 
Australis has two body sprays in their collection Get Your Rocks Off* and Wild at Heart*. Get Your Rocks Off* says to be a 'delicious fruity combination of beautiful berry, crazy coconut mag mango and awesome apricot". Enough with the alliteration, guys. Though this scent says to be full of all those delicious things, all I can really smell is a floral gardenia/jasmine kind of scent that I find to be somewhat off putting. Wild at Heart* is the ghost of body sprays past and smells exactly like one I had at school. Memories! It's said to be 'packed with punchy fruits, violet and mint". This is my pick of the two Australis Perfume Body Sprays, though it's not the kind of scent I reach for. It's quite musky and, once again, I don't really smell the scents described. I definitely get the mint right at the end though!

The Australis Perfume Sprays* are available from Priceline for $4.49

The Australis Body Perfumes* are quite mature scents and, although they may appeal to a number of people, I don't think they're the 'ones' for me. If, like myself, you prefer sweeter and fruiter scents, I may have the thing for you!
Cue Hello Kitty. Hello Kitty has four Perfumed Body Mists* available and I have three in the collection. The first, Vanilla Ice Cream*, smells exactly like a dessert or lolly from my childhood. It's the most delicious scent that's a hybrid of vanilla milkshakes and cupcakes. Strawberry & Cream* is probably the 'freshest' scent out of the three and it's still very sweet. It smells like traditional strawberries and cream. Finally we have Bubblegum* and really only need to say one thing, Grape Hubba Bubba. If you're a 90s kid and you know what I'm talking about - how good is it?! If you're not, you need to try it next time you're out and about..

The Hello Kitty Perfume Body Mists* are available from Priceline for $4.99

My favourite Perfumed Body Sprays are definitely those from Hello Kitty. They're a lot more fun, fresh and carefree. All three scents are so reminiscent to me and remind my younger days and I just love when a scent can do that! 


I'll definitely be throwing a perfumed body spray in my handbag this summer to freshen up throughout the day. Would you do the same? Have you tried perfumed body sprays recently? 

*This product was sent to me, however all opinions are my own. I was not paid for this review

Always look your best,
Sophie
x

Follow me on Twitter @ Born to Buy
Follow me on Facebook @ Born to Buy
Have you got a request for a post? Click here.
Got a question for me? Click here.
Like what you're reading? Follow me.

November 12, 2013

Facebook and Instagram Giveaways

I recently hit two exciting milestones, I reached 1000 followers/likers on both Instagram and my Facebook page. I'm really excited and, to celebrate, I'm giving away two mini prize packs to help my amazing followers get ready for summer!
To enter my Instagram giveaway, you must have your Instagram profile set to public and be following me (@Borntobuy). Repost the image above (also found on my own Instagram page) and tag my account as well as #borntobuy. You can enter as many times as you like.

The prize is Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy EDP 30mL, Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Shocking Coral, Maybelline 24 Hr Color Tattoo Metal in Inked in Pink, Rimmel London ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in Nude, Australis 10Hr Waterproof Eye Pencil in Bombtastic Bronze and Maybelline Color Show Sequins Polish in Sea-Quins
To enter my Facebook giveaway you must be following Born to Buy. To enter, share this photo and comment on the uploaded photo for the competition. Comments on other photos will not be counted. 

The prize includes Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy EDP 30mL, Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Shocking Coral, Maybelline 24 Hr Color Tattoo Metal in Barely Branded, Rimmel London ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in Nude, Australis 10Hr Waterproof Eye Pencil in Aqua Attack and Maybelline Color Show Sequins Polish in Rose Bling

Both giveaways are Australia only and both end on November 19. Any other questions? Ask below!

Always look your best,
Sophie
x

Follow me on Twitter @ Born to Buy
Follow me on Facebook @ Born to Buy
Have you got a request for a post? Click here.
Got a question for me? Click here.
Like what you're reading? Follow me.

November 11, 2013

Thanks, Jasmine | IMATS and BeautyJoint Haul

Let me start this whole post by saying no, no I did not go to IMATS. I wish I did but I didn't. If you read this post though you'll know that my amazing friend Jasmine from Sweetaholic Beauty went and picked up some goodies on my behalf. I transferred and amount of money to her and told her to surprise me, letting her buy whatever she wanted. 

From what I've heard, Sydney IMATS in September of this was super hectic and a fairly unpleasant environment to be in. Regardless, Jasmine somehow managed to grab me some absolutely amazing goodies that I can't wait to play with. With the leftover money Jasmine added a few (okay, a lot) of products I've been wanting to try to her Beauty Joint cart and now here we have a massive haul! 

These goodies all arrived about two weeks ago so I've had a fair amount of time to play around with them. Where possible, I'll let you know what I think of a product. 
Firstly she grabbed me two products from Lime Crime, a lipstick in Babette and Eyeshadow Helper, their eyeshadow primer. This lipstick is so beautiful and has been a regular in my handbag ever since these goodies arrived. I haven't had a play with the primer yet as I have a few to get through first but I'm sure it won't disappoint. I also got three brushes from Bdellium;  975 Mixed Powder Brush, 780 Pencil Brush and 775 Duet Fiber Shader. These are my first Bdellium brushes and I'm so excited to finally use them. I haven't yet as I wanted to keep them nice for this post!

To see what I chose from Beautyjoint, keep reading.

November 09, 2013

bareMinerals Matte Spf15 Foundation Review

I purchased the bareMinerals Matte Spf15 Foundation after falling in love with the concept of the bareMinerals Original Spf15 Foundation but hating the way it left my skin looking. As someone with combination to oily skin, I need something that's going to mattify and provide decent oil control - cue bareMinerals Matte Spf15 Foundation! It's quickly become one of my favourite make up products, especially face products, and I don't know how I ever thought I'd get by without it this summer.

November 07, 2013

Essence Ticket to Paradise Trend Edition* Mini Review and Swatches

I make absolutely no secret of my love for all things Essence, especially their limited edition products. There's something about knowing an Essence product won't be available forever that makes it 100 x more appealing in, well, my eyes, as well as so many other beauty bloggers. When the Essence Ticket to Paradise Trend Edition surprised me in the mail one day last week I was more than thrilled and now I'm here to tell you all about the collection.
Ticket to Paradise Nail Polish
There are four absolutely lovely nail polish shades in this collection, #01 Dive With Me To The Island, #02 Tropical Heat, #03 Sun Said Red and #04 My Treasure Island. The nail polishes are a bit glossier than other nail polishes in my collection and I really like that, they're so shiny and summery. These nail polishes can be yours for a mere $2.95 each.

November 06, 2013

Kiss and Make Up NY Haul

Recently I placed a Kiss and Make Up NY Haul to pick up a staple make up product, NARS' Laguna Bronzer. I hit pan on my old one and had a complete panic that I'd be without it so I raced to my laptop and added it to my cart, along with three other things because, well, I'm only human.

November 05, 2013

Holiday Gift Guide 2013: Women

Today I'm here with another gift guide. This time I have eight different gift ideas for females though, not males. I actually found my male gift guide to be easier, though that may have been because I made a few guys gift me the ideas. Before I start, sorry this is a day late. Monday just wasn't my day.

In case you're wondering of have forgotten, my Holiday Gift Guide series will be going for four weeks as of last week. Every Monday (with the exception of this week) I'll be uploading a Different Gift Guide every Monday. The fifth Monday will mark exactly one month until Christmas so, of course, will mean I launch my Christmas giveaway, this time featuring a few of the gift ideas mentioned throughout this series. 

November 01, 2013

October Empties, 2013

This month I didn't give my make up a clean out or do an overhaul of my collection so my Empties post is no where near as hefty as normal. I'm not sure whether that's a good things or a bad thing, you be the judge, but it was a nice not to have to take a trillion photos! 

To see what I finished, let's keep reading!

Tiny Hand With Heart