Take it off with Clarins Instant Eye Makeup Remover

Having oily eye lids, I am often wearing liquid eye liners and waterproof mascara to prevent smudging and the panda eye effect during the (sometimes very long) day.

These smudge-proof products do such a good job that it can be a pain in the back-side when it comes time to remove them. And really, when you want your makeup to come off, you just want it to be quick and easy.

I’ve always found dual phase removers to work best on removing waterproof makeup.
Note: A dual phase makeup remover is one with different layers of liquids (often an oil phase and a water phase) that you shake to mix and activate the liquid for use.

Today, I can add another dual phase product to my favourite list.

Clarins Instant Eye Make-up Remover 125ml 

Non-irritating and doesn't leave a sticky or oil residue on skin, this French gem from Clarins has been reformulated to contain  rose water, cornflower and camomile extract to soothe and calm skin, ensuring it doesn't irritate or after during use.

It even contains pro-vitamin B5 to gently condition lashes to help prevent them from being damage during mascara removal.

What you will notice from the first moment of use is the gentle floral rose scent which is instantly soothing to the sense and inviting on skin. It was non-irritating on my skin and even when I clumsily got some of the product into my eyes, I didn't experience any stinging sensation - woohoo!

I love the squirt nozzle to control and help with dispensing of the product. To use, I pour a bit of the shaken remover liquid onto a cotton pad and gently press it on my eyelids for 5 seconds before swiping across the lid. This usually sees 90% of my eye makeup lifted from my skin in 1 wipe and I would have some remaining mascara left on my lashes which I go over to wipe off in a couple more gentle strokes.

I also use this makeup remover to remove product from the rest of my face and it does the job with ease and in a cinch. I follow up my removal process with a good face wash using facial cleanser.

Another great thing about the product is its price – at $36 a bottle, it is much less than my favourite dual phase remover, Lancome Bi-facil (A$58). It may still be slightly more than other makeup removers but being so pleasant, gentle and effective to use, I'm willing to fork that bit extra and will be refilling with this Clarins makeup remover when I next run out.

What is your favourite makeup remover? I’d love to find out.

RRP A$36 at Clarins counters now at Myer, David Jones and selected pharmacies or online at AdoreBeauty.

This featured product was provided for consideration.

InStyle's 2011 Fragrance Awards

Fragrance lovers - think you've got a keen sense of smell and can whiff out a winner?

If you think yes, then check if you're right by comparing to what the experts have listed as their top 10 fragrances this year. 

In its 3rd year, the judging panel included think tanks and industry experts like InStyle think tanks Director Victoria Meppem and Editor Kerrie McCallum, founder Jan Logan, Fragrance designer John Lambeth, Ten news presenter Natasha Belling and EDIT Boutique Owner Sharyn Storrier Lyneham.

They've come up with the following winners this year: -

BEST CELEBRITY: Reb’l Fleur by Rihanna

BEST NEW CLASSIC: Chanel No. 19 Poudre

BEST DESIGN: Halston Woman Amber

BEST DAYTIME: Miss Dior Cherie Blooming Bouquet

BEST DESIGNER: Prada Infusion De Rose

BEST HOLIDAY: Tom Ford Neroli Portofino

BEST EVENING: Very Irresistible Givenchy L’Intense

BEST INNOVATIVE: Jo Malone Limited Edition Tea Fragrance blends

LIMITED EDITION: Marc Jacobs Splash Cocktail Collection

BEST MEN’S: Guerlain Arsene Lupin Dandy

Reading down the list, I've tried Neroli Portofino, and Miss Dior Cherie Blooming Blossom, and Prada Milano but I'm very much inclined to dash to the nearest fragrance counters to get a whiff of the other winning scents. 

If you want to find out more on the list of the 50 finalists, grab a copy of the October issue of Instyle magazine with Blake Lively on the cover now.

Are there any on the list that are your favourites? Which would you nominate as this year's best fragrance. 

2011 Australian Beauty Awards Winners

Each year, a panel consisting of ACP magazines' beauty editors from OK, Madison, Cleo, Bazaar, Grazia, Dolly, Cosmopolitan, Australian Women's Weekly and highly respected industry experts Zoe Forster (Primped), Myer Cosmetics GM Liz Webster, leading hair stylists George Giavis amongst a few others get together to squabble over which beauty products they're tried in the past year should be worthy of being elevated to the beauty stratosphere and be worshipped by us mere mortals.

After much debate and tough calls, the votes were cast, tallied, tripled checked for good measure before finally announcing the winners. This year the lists on some product category are lengthy but all are drool-worthy and deserving of the their win.

So without any further ado, here are the Judge's winners of the 2011 Australian Beauty Award's

Lips 

Gloss: Max Factor Vibrant Curve Effect
Lipcare: Lanolips Lemonaid Lip Aid (review here)
Lipstick: Tom Ford Private Blend Lip Color (review Morrocan Rouge, Nude Blush)

Face Makeup

Primer: SMASHBOX Photo Finish Luminizing Foundation Primer
Bronzer: SMASHBOX Halo Hydrating Perfecting Bronzer
Blush: Clarins Blush Prodige
Concealer: Hissyfit Skin Perfector in Honey Beige
Powder: Laura Mercier Pressed Setting Powder
Foundation: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua
Mineral makeup: ASAP Pure

 Eye Makeup

Eye shadow: Bourjois Round Pot Eyeshadow
Mascara: Lancôme Hypnose Precious Cells 01
Brows: Jane Iredale Bitty Brow Kit
Eyeliner: YSL Long Lasting Eye Pencil No.1
Eye innovation: CoverGirl LiquiLineBlast

Skincare

Prestige day: SK-II Skin Signature Melting Rich Cream

Mass day: L’Oréal Youth Code Rejuvenating SPF15 Daily Moisturiser

Eye cream: Elizabeth Arden Prevage Eye Ultra Protection Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 15+ 

Serum: SK-II Cellumination Essence

Night cream: L’Oréal Paris Youth Code Night Cream
Prestige night cream: Lancôme Genifique Repair Night Cream
Anti-aging treatment: Napoleon Auto Pilot Complex



Sunscreen: Neutrogena Ultimate Sport Face
Cult product: Dr. LeWinn’s Synergise Tinted Moisturiser SPF 30+

Facial mask: Chanel Ultra Correction Lift Mask

Prestige cleanser: Shu Uemera Skin Purifier Cleansing Beauty Oil A/O Advanced Formula
Cleanser: Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser

Acne treatment: Dermaquest Clarifying Pads

Hand products

Nail Lacquer: Chanel Le Vernis Black Pearl
Hand Cream: Bloom Organics Nourishing Hand Cream
Manicure: Kit Quick Fix Manicure Kit

Body products

Body wash: NP Set Body Wash in Tahitian Vanilla
Body product: Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter
Body scrub: NP Set Body Polish in Tahitian Vanilla
Body sunscreen: Nivea Sun Ultra Beach Protect Sunscreen SPF 30+ 

Body Cream: Clarins Extra-Firming Body Cream
Hair Removal: Gillette Venus Embrace Pink Razor
Faux Tanner: St Tropez Instant Glow Shimmer Stick

Fragrance

Women: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Apom Pour Femme
Men: Bleu De Chanel
Cult: Michael Kors

Hair

Tool: Parlux 3800 Eco Friendly Ionic & Ceramic Dryer
Prestige Shampoo & Conditioner: Wella System Professional Color Save Shampoo, Conditioner and Mask (review here)
Shampoo & Conditioner: L’Oréal Paris Hair Expertise Ever Pure Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner
Anti-dandruff: Head & Shoulders Itchy Scalp Care Shampoo (review here)
Hairspray: L’Oréal Professionel Infinium Lumiere
Styling product: Maximise Mousse ghd
Cult hair product: L’Oréal Professionel PlayBall Beach Fizz
Home Colour: Schwarzkopf Perfect Mousse Permanent Colour in Dark Blonde
Hair innovation: Clairol Nice ’N Easy Colour Blend Foam

Other winning categories (beauty tools, men's products, breakthrough products, natural wonder products, and hall of fame) and the runner ups can be found here.

It looks like I've barely touched the list of this years winners so expect to see me visiting the shops in the near future to pick up a few of the items on the list to try. I think I'll start with the Aveeno Ultra Calming cleanser and Bloom nourishing hand cream before dashing out for the Clarins blush. 

Which of these products have you tried? which are your favourites?


P.S If you have reviewed a product on the list and would like me to link to your blog review of it, please feel free to drop me a line and I'll update this post to include it :)

2011 Mother's Day Pickings

Wow where have the time gone? It's already the 3rd of May and Mother's Day is this Sunday 8th! Yikes!
I've been so caught up with work and socialising on the weekend lately that I haven't even begun to hunt for a gift for my mum yet...

My mum is notorious for being picky and is very hard to gift for. I usually take her to the shops to let her select her products so she will actually use what I buy her rather than have it sit in the shelf or cupboard back at home. So with Mother's Day dinner done and dusted (we had to celebrate it early so my sister can join us as she is flying back to the UK tomorrow), I just have to find the perfect gift, which is usually either some kitchen gadgets, or some skincare products.

So this year for those of you who would like some inspirations on Mother's Day gifting, here are my top beauty gifts for the mum who deserves some pampering and luxury this Sunday.

MOR Essentially Yours Mother's Day gift set* - RRP A$24.95. 

Best sellers from the Essentials range, the Honey Nectar (candied warm almonds and in warm honey and brown sugar), Sugar Rose Tiger Lily (sugary roses mixed in tropical fruits with a floral accent) and the Grape Neroli Clementine (citrus infusion of sweet mandarin and candied orange) set contains a delicious and decadent fragrance soap with a soap tin and a body product beautifully presented in an opulent gift box.

See my previous review of MOR Essentials products for more information on how these products moisturise and subtly scents your body. If you can't make up your mind, you can buy more than one set as they are affordably sweet at A$24.95 each.

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh  EDT- A$115/$145 for 75ml/125ml

This new lighter and fresher version of the original Daisy perfume has notes of ruby grapefruit, raspberry, mingled with lychee, wild rose, jasmine, apple blossoms and a lingering base of musk, plum and cedar wood. It represents the free spirited mum who is bright and full of charm. It helps that the adorable packaging with the floral cap and pretty bottle will sit right proudly at mum's dressing table.

Napoleon Perdis All About My Mother -RRP A$59 

Napolean has put out has 3 different luxurious coloured sets for the mum who loves to look and feel her best.
Valued at A$100, each set includes a Nickies Rose cream blush, luminous lip veil and a Prismatic eye shadow Quad and a vintage-inspired cosmetics bag and beautifully gift wrapped and boxed. All sets contains thoughtfully complementary wearable colours that will make sure mum looks classy and elegant.


I hope these 3 pickings give you inspiration on what to give mum on her special day, but remember it doesn't need to take that one day in the year to celebrate what a big part mums are in our lives. I am thankful and grateful of my mum every other day.

How will you be celebrating Mother's Day this weekend?

Mor and Marc Jacobs are available in leading department stores, and selected pharmacies.
Napoleon Perdis is available in David Jones, Napoleon Perdis concept stores and selected pharmacies and salons.
Products marked * were provided for consideration.

Au Voir & My Travel Skincare Kit

In a few short hours time, I'll be flying out of Melbourne and heading to tropical SE Asia with my family for the next 4 weeks.

I wish I could pack my whole table full of skincare products from home with me, but I planned on travelling light and want to leave as much space as possible for the quintessential Asian bargain shopping to be had.

So culling products and travel packs are the way to go for me over the next 4 weeks. These tried and trusted items will going to be on my skincare travel kit:

Cleansers: 50ml travel size ASAP daily facial cleanser & daily exfoliating facial scrub. 
Moisturisers/serums: Prevage Advance Anti-aging serum & ASAP Super C serum 
Day moisturiser: Vitacreme B & Neutrogena Healthy Defence daily moisturiser SPF30+ for oily/combo skin 
Night moisturiser: Roc Retin-Ox Intensive Anti-wrinkle night cream 
Eyes: Olay Regenerist Anti-aging eye roller 
Lips: Blistex Ultra Lip Balm SPF 30+ 
Body/hands: Auscreen Active Clear Zinc Lotion SPF30+ and Banana Boat Sports sunscreen SPF 30+ for the body &amp Skin Doctors Younger Hands and a travel size of L'Occitane's Rose hand cream
Other Miscellaneous items:

• 2 big cans of tropical strength Aerogards to fend off the mozzies for the whole family. 
• Prescribed Elocon for any insect bites and itches
• Vitamin supplements of fish oils, bio-zinc and iron tablets to make sure I've got all the energy and vitamins intake I need to have a fairly active holiday
• Cotton wools, buds and Garnier Clean Sensitive wet cleansing wipes 
• a manicare kit containing nail clipper, nail file, tweezers and a small pair of scissors

I know it seems like a load of products to lug around and not much culling was done, but trust me, it was difficult to not try and pack 3 different types of moisturisers and 3 eye creams.  Most of these items are travel size and some of the items are almost finished so I just want to use them up and throw them out before buying new items whilst on my travels.

While I'm off, my blog will not be updated regularly (unless in the unlikely event that I find chunks of time in some internet cafe in Vietnam and Cambodia). Catch you all next month when I get back.

Lilpil
xx

Top Gifts for the Holiday Season III

This third edition of holiday gift giving ideas will be a showcase of findings from the hours of online and instores scouring I've done in the last week in search for the ultimate beauty gifts that would make any girl happy on Christmas day.

GHD Midnight Set - RRP A$309

I haven't come across a single girl who doesn't like the GHD hair straightener styler. I've had mine for many years and if it was broken, I would definitely upgrade to this one. This deluxe set comes with a hardcase clutch to store the styler, 2 sectioning clips, a cute little mirror and a mini multi voltage hair dryer for travelling - super convenient, all of which come in a big black chest that you can use as a storage box. 

Available at selected salons nation wide and ry.com.au

L’Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert gift pack - RRP A$55

This great value gift pack comes in 3 variants.

• Serie Expert Vitamino Color for long-lasting radiance
• Serie Expert Force Vector for breaking hair
• Serie Expert Absolut Repair for fragile hair.

My personal favourite is the Absolute Repair set for fragile hair with a shampoo, conditioner and hair masque. It is just magic at preventing split ends and breakages in hair as well as boosting hair's hydration levels to keep it soft, silky and shiny.Available at Price Attack, Hairhouse Warehouse and other selected hair salons

The Aromatherapy Company - White Lily & Cassis Gift Set - RRP A$24.95
This pack from NZ contains 2 candles in glass jars and a 50ml reed natural essential oil diffuser set in the lucious Lily scent - it's heaven on earth for floral lovers like me.
Available in David Jones and selected Pharmacies.

Elizabeth Arden Prevage Total Protection Introductory Collection - RRP A$275/US$155
Having used the Prevage serum and day cream (review coming soon), I'm absolutely in love with the product but am crying poor at the prices. This set whilst still pricey is amazing value and the 50ml serum alone is arleady worth $265. So for a mere $10 more you get a 15ml face cream and 7.5ml night recovery cream. It is to date my holy grail anti-aging skincare and keeps face hydrated and protected all day long.
Available in limited quantities in Myer and David Jones.

Bobbi Brown Modern Classic Lip & Eye Palette - RRP A$160/US$75
Bobbi brown does a modern twist to her classic palette; the colours are all very wearable and the texture is just amazing and silky as to apply, it comes with a mini eye shadow and lip brush and have been on my Xmas wishlist for a whole month now...
Available in David Jones and selected Myer stores. 

Lanolips Christmas set - RRP A$19.94/$A24.95
There are 2 variations of these going around. Myer has the $24.95 set with 3 items (Rose balm hand cream, 101 ointment and lip ointment) while David Jones is hawking the $19.95 version for 2 items (Rose balm hand cream and 101 ointment only), both of which come presented in a pretty pink cosmetics bag for you to re-use. My tip would be to pick the Myer set as that gives you more bang for your buck .

Elizabeth Arden Luxury Beauty Hamper - RRP A$99
Contains a wide selection of eye makeup, lip colours and fragrances as well as a set of travel makeup brushes, all beautifully presented in a quilted red cosmetic case.

Revlon Foundation Holiday Set - RRP A$39.95
This pack contains the much raved about PhotoReady foundation (in shade Natural Beige) and 2 nail colours as well as a lip colour. Valued at over twice its selling price, it is a good time to try this foundation out if you haven't gotten a hold of it yet.
Available exclusively at Priceline

Mecca Cosmetica Metals Molten Shine Nail Set - RRP A$40
This limited edition duo will set your nails sizzling with a metallic coppery bronze that looks great against your (faux) bronzed skin and a lighter silvery taupe shade for muted but equally dazzling molten metal finish.
Available at Mecca Cosmetica counters and Mecca Maxima (Melbourne).

Estee Lauder Gloss To Go Set - RRP A$65
This limited edition of 6 pure colour glosses will bring shine, colour, shimmer and sparkles to lips, keeping your puckers soft, smooth and totally kissable on Christmas day.  These are new colours brought out especially for the holiday season and comes presented in a beautiful gold box. Get them while they lasts
Available at Myer and David Jones

Happy Christmas shopping everyone - the car parks are starting to fill up very quickly so be sure the go early in the mornings if you plan to do your shopping on weekends.

Allure's Tried & Tested Top Products

After 6 months of vigorous product testing by hundreds of women, the results are finally in.

Here is Allure Magazine's 2010 top 10 products presented by Allure's Editor-in-chief, Linda Wells.



Top Picks
Hair: Pantene Pro V Solutions shampoo and conditioner
Hair dye: L'oreal INOA professional dye for longer fresher looking hair
Lipstick: Lancome L'Absolu Rouge
Lip gloss; Estee Lauder Pure Colour Gloss
Mascara: Maybelline Volume Express
Eyeliner: Covergirl Liquidline Blast eyeliner pencil
Cleanser: Aveeno Positively Radiant makeup removing cleanser
Sunscreen: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra light sunscreen SPF 60
Nail: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri fast dry nail colour
Treatment: Aquaphor healing ointment

Pantene is in my haircare rotation staple and I certainly can vouch for the L'Absolu Rouge - I love the rose scent and its so creamy and hydrating while the Aquaphor ointment funnily enough reminds me of Lucas Papaw ointment (it's also a wonder products that fixes everything short of making you a cup of tea and doing your dishes).

It's good to see that most of these products are also available in Australia and hopefully the ones that currently aren't will be launching here soon (hint-hint La-Roche and Aveeno, expand your lines in the Aussie market please!)

Which products have you tried and like from the list?