ON MY DESK February 2016

ON MY DESK February 2016 with what’s new across my path in the worlds of fashion, beauty, skincare, makeup and food…

Above – the above donut Instagram is my most popular EVER because it got Liked by L’Oreal Paris international and got around 600 Likes. Sweet treats in pink! L-R: L’Oreal cream lipgloss 102 and 103; Maybelline matte lipstick 655; Essie Ladylike, Limo-scene, and Fiji; Maybelline Color Blur 50 and Lust For Blush matte lipstick 665.

I’m in love with my Loobie’s Story silk Nomad scarf – I adore the print and these dusky bohemian colours. You can view their beautiful new winter 2016 collection online now at their website, www.loobiesstory.co.nz The pretty nail file is also a special print Loobie’s Story has created. Nailpolish all by Essie.

Swisse Skincare is made in Australia and is carbon-neutral, cruelty-free, natural skincare that is free of sulphates, parabens, and petroleum. They’ve just released these 5 new products from $11.99 for the cleanser, toner, and moisturiser; $19.99 fit the mask; and $34.99 for facial oil. Available at pharmacies and health stores.

Ashley & Co hand-poured fig leaves, gardenia, and vetiver candle, and hand wash from this divine local brand based in Auckland creating gorgeous perfumed products that also have superb packaging.

Yum! Delicious and healthy smoothie ingredients from Ceres Organics. They started as a vege co-op in a garage and now employ 150 people. I’m a big fan!

Really impressed with the quality of Sally Hansen nailpolish it’s the first time I’ve tried it. This is just one coat. Excellent coverage and very nice thick gel like formula. Pleasantly surprised and now I want more colours of this.

Beauty bargain buy: essence cosmetics is made in Italy and Germany and covers off all the big trends in beauty but retails around the $5 to $8 region. Available at selected Farmers and Price Wise stores.

Brow experts Billion Dollar Brows have put together a lot of their most popular products; their Best Sellers Kit.

I love this Stoneleigh Wild Valley Chardonnay delivery on so many levels: its cool moss packaging that I’m going to nickname Kate Moss; that it uses minimal intervention by using naturally occurring yeast; and lastly, that it is WINE.

Some mint tea arrived with a pretty Moroccan glass so I had to try some! Also easy on the eyes is Manuka Doctor Age-Defying Eye Cream with bee-friendly harvest bee venom, and Manuka honey. ?☕️?

My review of L’Oreal’s new Infallible Matte FX lip: these are a new type of lip colour that fall between a lipstick and an eyeshadow in that they’re literally powder pigment in an applicator. The pigment isn’t stored in the tube as with lipsticks; it’s in the lid and is refreshed by putting the lid back on. It took me 8 ‘dips’ into the lid to get full coverage. You can easily do gradients of colour for a subtle wash of powder or an ombré lip. Leaving it bare on the inner lip can however look like you’ve eaten bread and lost your central lipstick! Pros: very comfortable on. Long-lasting (obviously, as they’re not oily). They’ve launched with 6 shades. I particularly like (Ruby Woo-esque) ‘007 Say My Name’ as it makes me want to say “Bond. James Bond” lol. Matte FX (short for ‘effects’) is available now for $23.99.

Elizabeth Arden’s Ceramide Youth Restoring Essence is a water-like treatment that instant absorbs and brings radiance and hydration with anti-ageing benefits. Use morning and night after cleansing, before moisturiser.

The Herb Farm has launched their first 100% natural perfume, Sia, with ylang ylang, geranium and jasmine, for $24.90. Also, for those with oily skin, they’ve created a specific skincare to balance oily skin while nourishing it. Jojoba Face Cream $28.90 at herbfarm.co.nz

Mmmmmmm most original icecream I’ve tasted- Duck Island white chocolate and miso. If you like the sweet and salty flavour of salted caramel, I think you’ll love this and it is a winner in the Cuisine artisan awards. I’m wearing Maybelline Superstay 24 foundation and concealer today. Also pictured: watch by Jord Wood Watches, necklace by Saben, ballet flats by Kathryn Wilson.

Wearing the new Maybelline Color Blur lipstick crayons that you wind up – they’re extremely soft and have a very saturated colour and because they’re matte they’re long-lasting too.

Megan Robinson
29th February 2016