product reviews

This is one product I've been dying to tell you about. We know BB and CC creams are no new thing now, but that doesn't mean they're all the same. As you might already know, I'm a big fan of both Smashbox's Camera Ready CC Cream and L'Oréal Paris' Anti-Redness CC Cream, but the Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream ($45) has really shaken things up in my beauty cupboard. They're like my children, you see — I try to share the love. A new addition to the brand's popular Moisture Surge range, it comes packed with SPF 30 and glides on like a dream. It's more foundation-like than other CC creams I've tried, but still feels very light. The hero ingredients in the Moisture Surge range are aloe barbadensis leaf water and hyaluronic acid, so you can see why this CC cream is so hydrating. Perfect for Winter. I am oily so I finish with a powder, but if you have dry skin, you're going to love this just on its own. The finish is luminous. Want the good news? It's available online right now, and hits counters on June 2.

The wrong blush shade and texture can take you into lady-of-the-night territory. The right blush, however, can give you a lit-from-within flush, brightening your complexion in about 10 seconds flat. Such is the case with Giorgio Armani's Sheer Blush ($76). As the name implies, this blush imparts the subtlest amount of colour to the skin. And because of its soft, lightweight texture, there's nary an obvious streak or too-shimmery finish to be found. In fact, likely nobody will know you're even wearing makeup. It's a high-end purchase, no doubt. But for its ability to give you a fresh-faced, natural-looking glow with minimal effort, it's hard to put a price on that.

Do your bed-creased nails a favour June 1, and buy these nail drying drops. I've never been sold on the idea of drying drops until I recently tried Sally Hansen Salon Manicure Dry & Go Drops ($14.95). I paint my nails up to three times a week but the problem? I usually do them late at night. In bed. You can imagine what my perfect manicure looks like in the a.m. — 10 mini bed sheets! I used these drying drops after applying my topcoat (PS — loving Dior Gel Coat) and I was pleasantly surprised with the results. Touch-dry in under a minute.

You simply wait 60 seconds after applying the topcoat, then apply one to two drops on each nail. The other plus is the formula is enriched with vitamin E and jojoba, so I felt like I was getting a cuticle treatment at the same time. I didn't lose any shine from the topcoat and two days in, still no chips. This product doesn't claim to aid chip resistance, but I feel like its played a part in my still perfect manicure. Available at Priceline on June 1.

If you’re new to the oversize lip pen trend, then you’ll want to get your hands on the Max Factor Colour Elixir Giant Pen Stick ($9.95). It isn’t a lipstick as such, rather a giant crayon, but the colour and texture is just as good, if not better! It seems they’ve combined the best qualities of a lipstick and lip balm into one fancy tool — super glossy, pigment-rich colour and really hydrating. Above all else, the best thing about using this jumbo pen stick over a lipstick is the control you have over the application. The sculpted tip makes it easy to define the lip creases without smudging or bleeding through.

There is currently six shades in the range — with a mix of bright and dark tones like dusty pink and intense plum. Put one to the test with a meal and a few drinks, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised with its long-lasting colour and shine. Itching to try one out? Well you won't have to wait much longer, they're hitting the shelves this month so keep your eyes peeled!

Stockists: 1800 181 040

While skin nourishing powder foundations and cooler weather go hand in hand, dehydrating formulas and cold temperatures do not a flawless complexion make. Becca Cosmetics' Mineral Powder Foundation ($50) evens-out the skin without a caked-on feel. It's due in part to its mineral base, which, instead of settling into nooks and crannies, provides a lightweight veil of coverage with a semi-matte finish. Aloe vera and honeysuckle flower help to moisturise, while antioxidant vitamins A, B, C and E help protect skin from environmental aggressors. Just add a pop of blush, a swipe of mascara, and a punchy gloss, and your daily beauty routine is in the bag.

Here at POPSUGAR Beauty, we're starting to see some of our favourite brands roll out CC creams to compete in the already BB-crazed market — and this one is a huge competitor. Smashbox's global lead artist, Lori Taylor, visited Australia from the States to tell beauty media all about their new all-in-one — Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($54.95) — and it was really interesting to see the product used by a professional.

We're all guilty of rubbing makeup between our hands and then onto our faces and while that's totally fine (if you have super clean hands), Lori worked her magic with this cream and a foundation brush. Lesson: BB cream and now its sister product CC cream, can be treated like a foundation and layered for a more full-coverage finish. Keep reading.

The colder months tend to wreak havoc on my hair – it starts to play funny tricks and I can only assume the reason it’s so dry and dull is because I’ve had a little too much fun in the sun. Since we’re only months away from the cold season, it’s time to give those tresses some extra TLC. You might know Shu Uemura from their skincare and beauty products, but they have recently launched a very exciting haircare line called, Art Of Hair. So, I’ve given my usual shampoo and conditioner the flick and decided to give their Full Shimmer Illuminating range a go, and I'm so glad I did. Keep reading to find out why.

That's right, duo. You know I love me a hard-working product, and the best part about the Lancôme Teint Visionnaire Skin Perfecting Makeup Duo ($65) is it has a concealer inside the lid, along with a mirror. Now this isn't just any concealer, it is easily one of the best I've used. The consistency of the concealer is almost like a stick foundation, very thick. It is wax-like and glides under my eyes like a bat out of hell. If you think it's a little weird I'm singing the praises of the add-on concealer part of this new foundation, then you'd be totally wrong because I also love the main act, very much. And that's a lot coming from a girl who doesn't usually wear full-coverage foundation. I always feel like people can see foundation on my face, but this one is different. I liked it on first swipe and I've been wearing it every day since. It has a semi-dewy finish and because I'm oily, I go on with a powder around my t-zone just to keep things less... wet looking.

But I suppose you might like the facts? Lancôme Teint Visionnaire Skin Perfecting Makeup Duo contains LR 2412, the active ingredient in all the Visionnaire skincare aka, the stuff that makes the line so popular the world over. So actually, I am getting four things from this foundation: a pigmentation-reducing skincare treatment, a knock-out concealer, a compact mirror and a foundation. All for $65? That's what I'm talking about!

PS — Don't tell them I said anything, but my other beauty editor friends are using it, too.

Stockists: 1800 811 611

Now that our skin is done being exposed to excess sun and heavy sunscreens, it's time to get that glow back. Chantecaille Bamboo and Hibiscus Exfoliating Cream ($86.95) is just what a Summer complexion needs to smooth out and brighten up the new season. Bamboo powder, in the form of tiny smooth spheres, gives this creamy formula physical scrubbing action to gently slough away dead skin. For even more smoothing and brightening power, plant enzymes help to dissolve flaky layers, while hibiscus flower acids improve cell turnover for a healthier complexion. And the natural floral scent is enough to keep you mentally in Summer!