L'Oreal Paris - Revitalift - Day Cream

Apparently anti-wrinkle and extra firming, my face didn't change much with regular use (but I didn't expect it to either).

Let's go from the outside in. 

Solid glass container with some serious weight to it... you could bludgeon someone with it!

NO WITNESSES!

The lid is plastic, but a nice metallic red. The printing on both lid and jar is sleek and simple.

The cream is a good thickness for daywear and smells like sunscreen... which makes sense because it has sunscreen in it.
Funnily enough, I can't find an SPF rating. So I'm going to say it is SPF 1 elephant.

You can't prove otherwise!

It feels moisturising immediately and I quite enjoyed using it.

It contains Pro-Retinol A, vitamin e, and Par-Elastyl (no idea what this last one is).

Close enough.

Price: 2/5 (RRP $32.95 for 50mL)
Scent: 2/5
Effectiveness: 3/5

Masquerade! - Tony Moly - Intense Care Syn-Ake Eye Mask

This was a fun little eye mask, but it did slide down a lot, which is not fun.

The black colour was cool and it came with a good amount of serum.

Germany, Baby!

Guys, I'm getting on a plane today and flying to Germany!

I'm travelling with my bff (Sham, who has the hots for RZK. It's okay, she doesn't read this blog... that will learn her!) and we are going to see RAMMSTEIN! 

I will loose my voice at this concert.

Also once I ditch her, I'm going to bother some of my friends and family.

Part of me worries that they will think Pumuckl has come to life.... but I'm way more adorable! ;P

The posts will continue as usual, although there may be a delay on posts related to travel because I will no doubt run into technical issues. Kind of computer illiterate.

Also, I don't want to be too specific about my movements, lest someone decides to kidnap me. (If you hear reports that someone has captured Pumuckl, send help)

Gorgeous Germans, I'm coming for you! (hur hur hur)

Masquerade! - Sephora - Pomegranate Mask

This actually had the tart smell of pomegranates, they got this one right!
I don't know if I felt energised after using it, but it was nice irrespective.

Just don't listen to 'My Dad Wrote A Porno' while using it ;)

Art break - Children's Day Sushi Fish

Got a bunch of soy sauce fish from sushi? 
W (brother unit) kept giving them to me so I thought I might give them back!
Let's represent our family!

1. Get a bunch of sushi fish, one for each unit in your family:

2. Empty them:

3. Paint them white:

4. Paint on details in a colour that is the favourite of each family unit:

5. Put on wire so they look like fish kites:

6. Done!

If you are so inclined, I want to see your (yes, you, reader) fish families! Let's reuse these little containers for something kind of sweet! 

Australis - Velourlips - Matte Lip Cream

A velour lip colour...

I will never stop referring to Zapp Brannigan's love of velour!

This is a really nice lip colour and I have a few shades on hand... 4, i have 4 shades...

I have a beautiful smile... props to past me for taking these photos for future me!

I love them all!

And I'm going to become a true beauty blogger... swatches!

New names (bottom to top): 'Pop'-sucker, comic book punch, i will cut you, and Ram-my-stein.

They are a little drying, as all matte colours are, but not to a big extent.

The colour intensity is great! What is in the tube is what you get!

There are more shades, so go check them out... they are great!

I'll be honest, in researching this I have seen more that I want...

Price: 4/5 (RRP $10.49 for 10mL)
Scent: 3/5 (faint chemical raspberry, but you don't notice it once it's on)
Effectiveness: 5/5

Lacura Essentials - Renew Cleansing Wipes

These are so cushion-y!!!!
Like wiping your face with a plush hotel towel that was dipped in heavenly face serum.

The scent is clean and fresh. It claims to contain co-enzyme Q-10 
(I can't be assed taking them into the lab and proving this - I can actually do said tests - so they get the benefit of the doubt) 
which is good, as it is an antioxidant.

The serum did leave a bit of a residue and the packaging was that STUPID 'RE-SEALABLE' STICKY PATCH THAT SUCKS!

Fuck you!

But overall I was fairly pleased with these. They were good at removing my makeup at the end of the day.

Price: 5/5 ($1.99 for 30 wipes)
Scent: 4/5
Effectiveness: 4/5

Masquerade! - Aritaum - Fresh Essential Mask - Pearl

Nice sturdy cloth, good size, pleasant marine and slightly-acidic scent.

Remove the word 'cloth' from above and it sounds kinda dirty XD hur hur hur

But getting back on track, I found it to be moisturising and non-irritating.

Lacura Beauty - Glamour Goddess - Eyelash Enhancing Serum

I wanted to improve my eyebrows, so thought I'd give this a go.
Now to know if it actually made a difference, technically I should only put it on one eyebrow... but if it worked, I didn't want to look like a crazed person (that would give the game away).

So in comes test subject A (Parental unit 2)!

Here is his beginning photo:

You can see the fear in his eyes!

And then one month later (of mostly regular daily treatment):

Now it is just quiet acceptance and private sorrow.

Let's put them side by side:

I've adjusted the warmth/contrast to make it match better.

Verdict: I don't see much of a difference. I'm going to say it didn't work on this dude.
I also used it for my self and didn't notice much of a change either (subjectively of course).

The formula is thicker than I was expecting, but is easy enough to work with.

It doesn't upset my skin, or the test subject's.

It's scent is faint, with green notes.

Overall verdict, just get brow powder, this probably won't work.

Price: 2/5 maybe (probably $28... really got to be more careful about recording the Aldi product prices)
Scent: 2/5
Effectiveness: 0/5

Masquerade! - Sephora - Honey Mask

I have been looking forward to trying these since Victoria Donelda showed them on Youtube. 
And while I still love Victoria, I don't really love this.

1) It is too big for my face and touches my hair.
2) It doesn't smell of honey.

It did have a good amount of serum though.

Spirit - Shampoo

This was a hotel shampoo that I tried. It was in the shower, I already paid for the room, it's mine.

It was pretty cruddy, the shampoo that it. I had to double wash my hair in order to get a clean feel.

It has no discernible smell and lathered up okay.

If you walk into a hotel bathroom and this is the shampoo in there, go buy some new shampoo to use.

Overall, not impressed free shampoo, not impressed.

Price: 5/5 (it was free)
Scent: 2/5
Effectiveness: 1/5

Podcast Review - The Worst Idea Of All Time

Misery loves company.

So in my state of neuropathy, I found two New Zealand (Not Australian, everyone who can't spend 5 seconds googling something to check the facts!) boys who are in almost as much pain as I am.
Guy Montgomery and Tim Batt... I feel like I know them.

And not just because Tim sassed me on Instagram.

The idea behind the podcast (at least season 1, which I have almost finished) is to watch 'Grown Ups 2' once a week, every week for a year, and review it weekly.

Initially this may seem daft, what can you learn from something you have already seen? 
However they surprisingly point out new things about the movie each week.
Be it a conspiracy about embezzlement or a new floundering extra in the back of a scene.

From this podcast, we now have the 'Paddy Schwartz Party Time' song  (which I find myself singing at work)

P P P P P P P P Patty Schwartz Party Time!

and the Steve Buscemi Mystery Tour (where the boys give new explanations as to how Steve Buscemi's character obtained is injuries).

Rollup!

I haven't seen the film (and won't) and know that he only has 40% feeling in his body with his hands up in the 'touchdown' position for the past two years.

Don't watch 'Grown Ups 2'. I cannot stress this enough. But listen to this podcast.

This should be part of the medical treatment of chronic pain. Surgery, drugs, support groups, and 'The Worst Idea Of All Time'.

Live every moment, love every day, because before you know it your precious time slips away.
* I initially thought they picked this song as a self-depreciating jab at the decision to do this, but at about episode 35 I realised it was from the film. This was a joke on behalf of the Universe.

The movie also apparently uses the song 'Werewolves of London'.
If you ever hear me singing this, there is a 100% chance I've been drinking.
Drunk me loves this song XD

Catagory: Comedy/ Movie Review/ Madness in action
Rating: 5/5

Song I'm loving at the moment - Brandy Clark - Girl Next Door

I typically am not a country and western girl! I AM NOT! 
This came on the radio whilst driving and it resonated with me, enough to remember it when I got home to look it up (don't use your phone while driving, eggs!).

Give it a listen! You waste more time watching a bad movie.

Songs mean different things to different people, part of the beauty of it. So what does this song mean to me?
- Don't try to change people and/or me.
- We aren't all the same.
- I am not vanilla and will never meet your vanilla ideals.

On the far right of the photo and not giving a damn!

Benefit - the Porefessional

This was a sample from a Bellabox and I was so excited to get it. A darling of beauty bloggers, it is well known and well loved.

It came in (what it thinks is, but really isn't) cute packaging, featuring a light blue Carmen Sandiego sans pants.

And Carmen Sandiego is cooler.

It was quite a moderate beige (really hope they have other shades), smells soapy, and also feels kind of soapy as well.

As far as coverage, it is surprisingly sheer, so don't bother to use this as a concealer.
As a pore filler (yeah, if you don't like your pores, just put stuff in them to create a new flat surface. Nothing will shrink your pores so don't bother buying products claiming they can.) it would need a foundation on top of it, because it is really obvious!

And I'm not about that foundation wearing life.

It is not lightweight, it will not last all day, you will not get velvety soft skin. It cannot stop my oil production (nothing can, so I am the true test of that claim).
I don't see how this is any better than any other primer and don't think it is worth the money.

Price: 0/5 (AUD$53.00 for 22mL on the Benefit website)
Scent: 2/5
Effectiveness: 1/5

Crabtree & Evelyn - Torocco Orange, Eucalyptus & Sage - Bath & Shower Gel

This smells so wonderful! Its orange rinds, mild eucalyptus, and a medium note of sage.
It works as a unisex scent and is so fresh and unique.

It lathers up so well and cleans nicely.

Put it on a shower puff (you don't need much) and you will have suds for days!

I only have two wishes for it: 
- It wasn't so expensive (not going to happen, its Crabtree & Evelyn)
- The scent would stay on the skin for longer.

Price: 1/5 (RRP &28.00 for 250mL)
Scent: 5/5
Effectiveness: 5/5

Lacura - Skin Science - Cuvée Royal - Serum Concentrate

This was a nice fun serum. It absorbed well, wasn't sticky, and had these cute gold beads that break up into fine gold sparkles only when they leave the container.

It contains grape extracts (hence the link to being like wine) and QT40 (which is said to be a 'skin activator'). It is meant to support collagen and elastin, prevent sagging, and improve contour.

It is aimed at the +35 demographic, but nobody tells me what to do!

It smells like white wine to me and it lasted about 2 months, each night I used about 3 pumps to cover my face (hur hur hur).

The Dionysus of face serums, wine and satire!

The container was a glass cylinder with silver-toned metal hardware. The rose gold toned, matte cap STAYED ON like a cap should!
As you used it, the internal base lifted up, so nary a drop was wasted.

Overall, I loved this!

Price: 3/5 ($24.99 for 50mL)
Scent: 4/5
Effectiveness: 5/5

Spirit bomb

I call upon you, all of you, even if you are reading this much after the publishing date. 
Give me your spare energy. 
If you have strength to spare, send it to me.
I need your support, just a blessing or a thought.

Send me a bit of strength.

I have a cold and a gamy arm. :(

Current goal, be as happy as Goku:

FUBAR but happy as a cat in your way

Art break - Fairy House

Brace yourself, this is a big one!

I had the idea a little while a go (while doped up on Endone for the nerve pain) that I should make a little house for the fairies to live it.
It should be waterproof, have a solar light, windows with 'glass', and a functional door.

Then as I was browsing an art shop (then on codeine)  I spied this:

It was a sign!

So I quickly decided on a colour scheme. Cream (antique white) for the outer walls and inner roof, wisteria for the inner walls, and violet for the outer roof/ window sills/ accessories.

The first step was to paint it, which required up to 3 coats on some pieces and could only be done one side at a time (for obvious reasons).

Recycling the magazines!

I asked Parental unit 2 to pick up a solar garden light for me and this is the dissected component.

To fit a solar light to the roof, I needed a hole. I cut this out using a scalpel because I'm a derp who has never done woodwork before. 

It worked well but broke the tip of my blade (good thing I have more). 

For the windows, I cut some plastic into squares.

Easy to see!

And added curtains!

To brighten the light a bit, I painted the surrounding plastic with white paint then gold glitter.

Almost looks happy :)

All of the wood was sprayed with clear varnish on both sides, to  protect it a bit more.

All the components were hot glued together, the glue sealing up any cracks. I also added a mirror on the back wall (inside obviously).

Light off.

Light on!!!

The roof was also given a plastic cover to protect it from rain.

Plastic yet to be trimmed.

With the door I got one from online and had to cut it down a bit to fit the house.

It didn't have any handles so I added some using these 'cover buttons'. I don't know what they are really for, but I also used some to make a few mushrooms!

Then I painted the door dark purple.

And then varnished it.

To attach it, I had these wee little hinges. I first glued them in place then hammered in some tiny nails. To hold the nails for hammering, I used blu-tac. 

To protect the inside of the house, I ended up blu-tac-ing the door closed so it wouldn't get bugs in it. I put a clear plastic veranda over the door to protect it even more.

Mmmm, blurry!

To keep it off the ground and keep it dry, I popped it onto these tubes with sand (weight) in them. 

Finally we pop a chair inside for any visiting fairies and a kitteh outside.

Verdict: Kinda goofed by putting the solar panel on the least sunny side possible. 
But, my parents love it! And I do too! <3