SIMPLICITÉ ROSEMARY BLEMISH GEL

Simplicité (pronounced sim-pliss-i-tay) is an Australian based skincare brand using "certified organic and wildcrafted ingredients" in "medicinal herbal remedies" to help combat various skin concerns. That's a very fancy way of saying their products are fairly natural and plant based. The range is at roughly the same price point as Kiehl's and can be found at Myer (I ordered from the Myer website) or their own website.

The Rosemary Blemish Gel retails for $28.95 AUD at Myer and $29.90 on the Simplicité website. This disparity in price is kind of odd, especially because I would expect that the brand website would be cheaper than other retailers. 

The packaging is sturdy and good quality, although not particularly pretty. It does not feel expensive but is made of unbreakable plastic perfect for travelling or if, like me, you always drop products as you're putting them back on the shelf. It comes with a hygienic pump and lid (bonus: the lid does not fall off), which I appreciate. My only gripe with the packaging is that if you order from Myer you get that awesome barcode & price sticker on the product, and no matter how hard I try it always leaves a gross sticky residue. You can't see in the picture, but I ended up sticking some green paper over it so I didn't have to get glue on my hands whenever I used the product. I am not the smartest cookie in the jar. 

I almost forgot to add that the pump is very stiff, which means you have little control over how much product you dispense out. You try to only do half a pump for treating specific spots, and the next minute you have an entire pump of product that you then have to slap all over your face. Not fun, and very impractical. 

You get 30mL for the price which is (if shopping at Myer) about 1.03mL per dollar. Considering that one pump does the whole face, I think this is good value and the product will last you a long time. I used it every night for about a month and a half and finished one third of the bottle. It may take you anywhere between 4-6 months to finish the bottle if used regularly or semi-regularly. To compare, the Ren Anti-Redness serum (which has similar claims to the Simplicité one) costs $59 AUD from Mecca for 30mL.

It is lightly scented with (you guessed it) rosemary. It took me a while to get used to the scent, but it disappears soon after application. 

This is one pump. It is a very thin, aqueous consistency so it spreads easily and goes a long way. It also sinks into the skin very quickly, so you need to rub it in immediately after dispensing the product. 

I should say now that I do not like this product. It claims to help heal and prevent blemishes by "soothing the skin and minimising redness" but that did not happen. Initially I tried it as a spot treatment and after about a fortnight I began to notice some minimised redness, but the difference was so small that it just wasn't worth it. My pimples stayed exactly the same size and, if anything, became much more stubborn. I also noticed that upon application, my skin felt quite tight and uncomfortable, but because I was only using it as a spot treatment that did not concern me very much. The spot treatments I've tried usually do feel a little weird. 

Anyway, I decided to try applying the product all over the face to see if it would perform better. Immediately, I did not like how the product felt on my skin. That tightness was exaggerated to the point that I absolutely hated how the product felt. Luckily I was using the product at night and could apply some Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate overtop to remedy this. 

I was willing to brave this experience in the hopes that I would really see a difference in my skin. After a month of use all over the face I finally saw results. Just not good ones. This product did not minimise redness and blemishes, it actually did the opposite by clogging my pores. My skin felt very congested, and I started noticing more blackheads and pimples all over my face. I was getting pimples all over my cheeks and around my mouth, whereas normally I only get them on my chin and forehead. I also noticed textural issues on my skin; lots of tiny under-the-skin bumps that made me feel extremely self conscious. Makeup exacerbated any of these concerns. I also developed two massive (possibly cystic) pimples that still haven't disappeared. I haven't had any massive honkers in a while, so I felt very bad in my own skin. 

As soon as I realised the Blemish Gel was the causation of my congested skin, I stopped using it immediately. That was two weeks ago, and my skin has definitely thanked me for it.  Even using it as directed–in a thin layer all over the face–left my skin in dire condition. I would not recommend this product to anyone, but perhaps you may have a better experience with it than me. Comment below with any experiences you've had with new skincare, I'd love to hear about them!

2015 SKIN AND BODY CARE FAVOURITES

Skincare is one of my biggest weaknesses. You can spend as little or as much as you want on makeup, but skincare is something I always recommend investing in and experimenting with. To improve or help your skin, skincare is a better option than slapping some makeup on your face. It actually does something to help fix whatever problem you want fixed, as apposed to hiding it. So, let's jump into my 2015 Skin & Body Care Favourites!

1. Natio Wellness Body Scrub

When I first tried this, I thought it smelled disgusting. To this day I still suck at describing it, but I guess it's a fairly typical herby and sugary Natio scent. The product itself, however, I could go on about all day. It does a superb job of buffing away dead, flaky skin and leaving my whole body looking fresh with regular use. It also doesn't wash away immediately when it comes into contact with water, so you have time to scrub at your skin. However, you'll need to apply some common sense like not using it directly under the shower, or there won't be any point in even trying to exfoliate. Nonetheless, it's a kickass and fairly gentle product that I recommend to everyone.

2. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Moisturising Body Oil

I have very sensitive skin, so I can't use normal moisturiser or shaving cream when it comes to getting rid of pesky hairs. Palmer's oils (every single one), however, are right up my street. They soften my skin while allowing me to not worry about those horrible stinging red bumps I used to get after shaving. Also, they won't just wash away when you accidentally put a limb straight under the stream of water, which is nice. 

3. Simple Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Water

This stuff is a brilliant makeup remover. Seriously. It's probably the best I've ever tried, and the cheapest, too. It simultaneously removes my makeup, cleans my skin, and nourishes it. I just. Love. Buy it. Please. You need it. 

4. Antipodes Juliet Skin-Brightening Gel Cleanser

Oh. My. God. This cleanser is my favourite cleanser of all time, and I will happily repurchase it again and again until I die. Perfect for combination or oily skin, it helps to maintain oil production on my face while brightening my skin. It tackles two of my skin concerns at once: dullness, and oiliness. This gel cleanser foams as you rub it into your skin, which I know is a concern of some people, especially those with dry skin, but I don't you'll have that problem with this cleanser. The foam is very nourishing and creamy, as un-foam-like as you can get while still being a foam. It also removes any residual makeup or dirt very well, but I have to rebut the claims that it does anything for blemishes. It, unfortunately, doesn't. 

5. Ren Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial 
First of all, I want to say this stuff is crazy expensive. It's totally overpriced because it really doesn't last very long, so if you buy products with a heavy focus on value for money, perhaps give this one a miss. However, it leaves my skin looking awesome, as in I literally stand in front of the mirror in awe for five minutes before moving onto the next step in my skincare routine. It exfoliates, brightens, softens, everything. I'd marry it, if I could. 

6. Sanctuary Spa Covent Garden 5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask
You leave this mask on for 5 minutes, let it heat up, wash it off, and bam, clearer looking skin. It minimises my pores, thoroughly cleans my skin without being stripping, and brightens, all for the cheap price of 20 bucks. You really do get your money's worth.

7. Clarins Hydra-quench Cream Mask
I bought this in winter because I'd read great reviews about it working for oily skin in need of hydration. I used it through winter twice a week religiously, and noticed a significant difference in how supple and hydrated my skin was. Now I use it after my Ren Flash Rinse and Sanctuary Spa 5 minute mask, as a way to inject a little moisture after that much exfoliation and detoxing. As we get further into Summer, this mask tends to be a "better safe than sorry" kinda thing, rather than an "oh my god my skin is so dry" thing. 

8. Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate
If you haven't heard of this stuff, I'm genuinely surprised. If you have heard of it, I'm sorry, because I'm just going to rave about it more. This stuff works overnight (I use 4 drops) to soften and brighten skin, diminish redness and blemishes, resurface, and just generally do a little bit of everything. Now, be warned, it won't do a brilliant job at all of these things. The results are often small and/or gradual, but in the long run entirely worth it. I'd never go back to how my skin was before, because with continuous use I still notice that my skin is improving even months later.

9. Ren ClearCalm 3 Replenishing Gel Cream
The idea behind this cream (actually, the whole range) is to target the three main causes of breakouts: oiliness, bacteria, and dead skin cell build up. I've definitely felt and noticed the difference in my skin; it feels replenished, soft, cleaner, and it's less likely to break out. When a breakout happens, this stuff won't stop it, but it definitely helps to diminish the results of breakouts like redness or scarring. Love it! Unfortunately, like with the Ren Flash Rinse, I use this up fairly quickly, so value for money is debatable. 

Well, that's it for my 2015 Skin & Body Care Favourites! It's also the last blogpost on Gypsies of 2015! If you're interested in reading about 2016 Resolutions or Things I Want to Accomplish in 2016, you can check out those posts on my other blog, Candid Jesse. 

Thank you so much for sticking with me this year, despite my erratic and almost nonexistent posting schedule. I can't promise that I'll improve next year, what with school and everything, but I can say that I will continue to try to post as often as I can. I'll continue trying to improve the quality of my content, and I'll continue to maintain some sort of relationship with my readers. You guys are amazing, and I appreciate you so much. Thank you for a wonderful 2015, and here's to an even better 2016.

What are your 2015 skincare and body care favourites? x

2015 MAKEUP FAVOURITES

This will be my first time doing a yearly favourites post, so I'm quite excited to share with you guys the products I've been loving throughout 2015. Today's post is exclusively for makeup, but you can tune in tomorrow for a skin and body care favourites. I'd also appreciate it if you checked out my 2016 New Years Resolutions post and 16 goals for 2016 post on my other blog, Candid Jesse. Moving on from shameless plugs, let's get down to some favourites, shall we?

1. Chi Chi Cosmetics Glamorous Eyes palette in Classics, shade; 3*

While I am a big fan of this entire palette, the third shade is by far my most loved. It's the perfect shade for filling in my (almost black!) eyebrows and making them look at least somewhat similar to my brown hair. It's easy to apply, pigmented but not too pigmented, and stays very well despite this being a fairly budget palette. If you know the struggle of black brows and brown hair, I'd highly recommend buying this palette just for the third shade. Oh, who am I kidding? The whole palette is wonderful!

2. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

I don't use foundation very often, preferring to just slap on some concealer where I need it and blend with my fingers. I find this to give me the most natural finish, and it's also much easier for me than fiddling with a brush. The NARS Radiant concealer is the best one I've tried. It offers a medium buildable (yes, I know it's not a word...) coverage, and a natural glow to the skin that still translates through a mattifying powder. It'll definitely be matte, but this concealer seems to always make me look healthy no matter what powder I apply overtop. It's an amazing allrounder concealer, and I honestly don't know where I'd be without it. 

3. Bourjois Kohl & Contour 16h Eyeliner Pencil in Noir Expert 

This eyeliner is my favourite black eyeliner of all time. I prefer it to any Rimmel eyeliners, which sounds like a big statement considering Rimmel is basically the God of affordable eyeliner. The Bourjois Kohl & Contours are perfect for my sensitive eyes, because while they're very pigmented and have excellent staying power, they have a soft and relatively thin formula that doesn't irritate my eyes. Thicker formulas can make it difficult to blink, especially when I tight line or waterline. This pencil also blends beautifully, and generally kicks ass. 

4. Urban Decay Naked2 Basics eyeshadow palette*

For a natural, everyday look, this palette was my go-to throughout the whole of 2015. I've gotten a lot of use out of every shade, but they don't show many signs of the love I've given them. I particularly like the charcoal-grey colour, Undone, for a natural winged line. This cool toned palette is hands down my most used and most loved collection of eyeshadows from 2015. 

5. Innoxa Pure Silk Skin primer

I've heard this primer be compared to the famous Hourglass ones, and while I can't comment on that because Hourglass is way out of my price range, I truly think this is one of the best cheaper primers you can get. It smoothes and resurfaces my face, helping makeup to glide over my face and actually stay there. Love!

6. Innoxa Blush duo in Rose & Berry

This is the only blush I own (apart from a crappy cream one by Revlon), and while Berry doesn't get much love, I use Rose religiously. Rose is matte, and Berry has nearly invisible silver glitter in it that don't translate onto the skin, but leaves a natural glow. Rose also makes me look glowing and healthy, despite it's matte finish. This duo is quite sheer and soft, but can be built up to be very pigmented – especially Berry. 

7. Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed powder in Translucent 

This is the only setting powder I own, but for good reason. It's seriously amazing at mattifying my base without leaving it look flat or cake-y. The product has lasted ages, which is another bonus, so I'll be waiting a long time until I hit pan.

8. Covergirl Clump Crusher Extensions mascara in Very Black*

Covergirl mascaras are probably my favourite of all the ones I've tried. I was, originally, going to list the original CC as a 2015 favourite, but I've loved it for so long that I thought it would make more sense to include its newer counterpart. My opinions on them are pretty much the same, anyway, although the CC Extensions is a little better for building.

Honourable Mentions

9. Stila One Step Correct primer

I don't love this product. It doesn't do much, especially in relation to the claims made by Stila. However, I use it whenever I do my makeup because it offers a soft, moisturised base for my other primer and my concealer. I wouldn't use it if it made absolutely no difference, but it does diminish redness and brighten my face a little. 

10. Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner pencil in Pure White

I have quite small eyes, so I do whatever I can to make them look bigger and brighter. Lining my waterline with a white pencil is the perfect way to do that. This specific eyeliner doesn't have phenomenal lasting power (it's actually pretty poor), but I'm adding it here as more of a place holder for the simple act of lining my waterline in white. That in itself is a massive favourite. 

11. Bourjois Colourboost lip crayons

I own the red, coral, and purple shades of these lip crayons and I love them all. They're creamy, pigmented, easy to apply, I could go on all day. My favourite thing about them is that they dry down matte, and wear off very evenly. The only reason they aren't listed as an official favourite is because I really don't wear them that often. 

12. NARS Audacious mascara 

I got a deluxe sample of this mascara from Mecca, and let me just tell you, it makes my lashes look damn good. Volume, length, definition, I will sing the praises of this stuff until someone removes my vocal cords. My only complaint, and the reason it's not an official favourite, is that it tends to flake into my eyes easily when I first apply it; I get to deal with painfully annoying gunk in my eyes. 

Well, that's it for my 2015 makeup favourites! What were your makeup favourites for 2015? Let's chat in the comments!

*an asterisk means I've done a review of the product in another blogpost, so you can click on the asterisk to go check that out! Also, does anyone know how to get rid of the underline when linking to another website/page? Could anyone help me out with that?

WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS CHRISTMAS?

My readers are very important to me. You guys inspire me to keep blogging whenever I check the analytics of my blog, or when I'm lucky enough to have someone comment on a post and start some dialogue. It's because of this that I've realised I haven't really checked in with you this festive season, which is abominable. The holidays are all about spending time with or reconnecting with those who mean a lot to you, and while I can't actually see your faces, you guys certainly fit into that category. 

So, how are you all? How will you be spending your holidays this year? I'd love to find out more about both you and your holiday plans, so let's chat down in the comments. There's only two days left of Blogmas, so we've got to make the most of this strong connection we've built throughout the month of December! 

MY FESTIVE RED LIP

I love a red lip, so it's no surprise that I have been rocking one this festive season. This year, my obsession has been the Revlon Colourburst Matte Balm in Standout. Although it shows up fairly pink toned and bright in photos, in person it is a gorgeous deep true red. This colour is also great for the festive season if you're planning on being in a lot of photos, because it whitens your teeth when you're on camera. Your teeth won't look as white not through the lens, but that's the price we pay for perfect photo memories, right?

What lip colour have you been loving this festive season?

MY GINGERBREAD HOUSE

Every year my mum makes a gingerbread house for Christmas, and every year we discover new ways to make it look fabulous (or absolutely terrible). This year was definitely the year that we tried our hardest to make it look good, and I think, apart from the roof, we succeeded. What do you guys think? What festive treats do you enjoy? 

CREATE YOUR DREAM EYESHADOW PALETTE TAG

There's no such thing as the perfect eyeshadow palette, at least, for me there isn't. I don't have money to throw at every palette I see, and I'm extremely fussy, so there are slim pickings in the perfect palette department. For this tag, I'm focusing on colour and finish, seeing as I can't comment on the formulas of some of these because I haven't tried them. (We don't even get Lorac in Australia.) 

1. Too Faced Natural Eyes, shades; top row + Silk Teddy and Nudie

When I first received this palette for Christmas a couple years back, I was absolutely obsessed with it. It was the only eyeshadow palette I had or needed, and it has remained in a special place in my heart for years since. Although I don't reach for it as much lately, the first row and first column contain five of my most loved eyeshadow essentials. I couldn't live without 'em. Pro tip: If you have black or very dark eyebrows that don't suit your brown hair in the slightest, you can lighten them up with a light to mid tone brown sparingly applied through. I do that with a mix of the browns in this palette.

2. Urban Decay Naked Basics 2, shades; all

If I had to take just one eyeshadow palette with me on a desert island, this one would be a strong contender. Lately I've been reaching for it everyday I wear makeup because it's absolutely perfect for a neutral/cool tone lover like me. I get equal use out of nearly every shade, although I don't reach for Primal as much as the others. Nevertheless, this entire palette definitely belongs in my dream palette.

3. NARS Eyeshadow Duo in St Paul De Vence, shades; 1 (pictured instead: Alhambra)

I don't own this, but I have swatched it in store and boy oh boy is it gorgeous. I'd choose the first lighter shade for my dream palette because to have a peachy/nectarine shade has always been a desperate dream of mine. Seriously, I need this shadow in my life. I'd just never be able to justify another NARS duo (I have one; Isolde, and I don't even use it that often).

4.  Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Fireball

Everyone needs a bit of fun colour in their life, and for me, that's wear Fireball comes in. It's the perfect colour for just washing over the lid, and it's absolutely gorgeous. Again, I don't own it, but my extensive research hasn't led me astray yet. I feel like this colour could also be substituted with Urban Decay Freelove, a peach with gold shimmer. 

5.  Lorac Alter-Ego Dream Girl, shades; 3, 4, 6, and 7

I will never be able to get my hands on this palette. Ever. Why do I put myself through this torture?! Okay, I'm a big neutral lover, but lately I've been craving the perfect summery colour packed palette. Shades 3, 4, 6, and 7 (I'm not sure if they have names) are exactly what I want. And I can't get them. Oh, the horror. 

6. Chi Chi Glamorous Eyes in Classics, shades; 2, 3, and 4 + 8 (not circled)

This isn't the prettiest palette, or the best quality, but it is an absolute necessity for my dream eyeshadow palette. 2 is a very warm mustardy brown, which is just always good to keep in my collection in case I randomly decide to embrace warm browns. 3 is my go-to eyebrow colour. 4 and 8 are very easy pale shimmery shades that I can wash over the lid with my fingers whenever I'm in a hurry. Love, love, love!

7. Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Sticks, shades; Gossip Green, Tempting Turquoise, Blamed Blue, and Bulletproof Beige

I love these, and I'm including them even though they aren't technically in the correct packaging for a palette. Who cares, right? These babies are beautiful, and although I don't have all of them, the blues, champagne, and green all look right up my street. I never go for bright greens, but mossy/olive greens compliment my olive skin and brown eyes. Also, I have this weird obsession with blue eyeshadow. I don't own any, but I feel a desperate need to get my hands on some. 

8. Too Faced Sugar Pop, shades; Rock Candy, Macaron, Peach Fuzz (not highlighted), Bubblegum, and Blue Raspberry

This, as well as the Lorac palette, was limited edition. It's already been taken off the Mecca website, so I am to be denied its beauty. Sad, considering that, although it doesn't look as beautiful as the Lorac one, it was basically my only chance to get a near perfect colour palette. It's the end of the world, but I can still dream that it's included in my dream eyeshadow palette. 

Well, there you have it; my dream eyeshadow palette. This list is by no means exhaustive, especially because I could certainly use more neutrals, but I feel like I've covered all my bases. This tag was fun, so be sure to give it a go yourself or create your dream palette in the comments below. I'll see you guys next time for Blogmas Day 15!

MY CHRISTMAS TREE

For today's Blogmas, I thought I'd share with you a (very grainy) picture of my family's Christmas tree for 2015. It never changes dramatically year to year, but I still like to add different twists to it each time we put it up. This year, my mum and I chose a slightly rustic theme, focusing on silvers, creams, and reds. It's still a fairly eclectic tree; there's no way we'd be able to restrict ourselves to a full blown theme with rules. Still, I love this tree and I'm proud of our efforts. How have you guys decorated for this festive season? 

CHI CHI VIVA LA DIVA MATTE LIPSTICKS REVIEW

T to B: Lady Bump, Boy Magnet, Bimbo

The Chi Chi Viva La Diva lipsticks are by far my favourite lipsticks of all time. I've tried Bourjois, Rimmel, all the usual Priceline suspects, but none compare to Chi Chi. These smooth, opaque, long lasting beauties will become a staple in your collection like they are in mine - I promise!

They retail for $18.95AUD, ranging in finishes (matte, cream, etc), and can be found in Myer and Target. I've picked up three mattes: Lady Bump, Boy Magnet, and Bimbo. From the swatches, you can tell that Boy Magnet isn't as matte as the other two. I do need to warn you, readers, that when I wear Boy Magnet it really doesn't look right. What I mean by that is that online and in store it is described as a matte red with blue undertones. When I apply it, it's more a true red/orange red. You'll also be able to tell that Lady Bump isn't as opaque as the other two shades. Not to worry, though, it is easily layered up to look extremely pigmented on the lips. Other than these issues, I seriously think these lipsticks are without flaw. 

Application is easy and stress free, which, coming from someone as lipstick-challenged as me, is saying something. Due to the creamy formula and shape of the bullet (which I'll address in the next paragraph), the lipstick doesn't drag on my lips or apply patchy so I can't work up an even layer of product. If you want to top up throughout the day, however, I suggest you blot whatever product you have on your lips before hand. This will make reapplying easier than if you just slap on another coat; with these lipsticks reapplying can sometimes mean a patchy look or getting that weird crumbly/peel-y affect. This, however, isn't a huge deal for me because these lipsticks last a good three hours on me before needing any attention. They also wear very evenly and fairly unnoticeably, so I bet you could get away with not topping up your lipstick at all. (Unless you're eating or drinking, then, girl, ain't no lipstick gonna survive that.) General housekeeping rules apply when it comes to taking care of the lip colour throughout the day or evening. 

The formulation of these lipsticks is insane. For mattes, the formula is very creamy and easy to wear, so I don't feel like I've got tar on my lips. Despite the creamy formula, however, they don't bleed or slip around, so I'm at a loss as to how Chi Chi kicked so much ass with a few li'l' lipsticks. Seriously. I will say, however, that because the formula isn't as dry as, say, MAC lipsticks, they do transfer. If you're eating or drinking, you'll need to top up. If you're getting ready for a night out and have a fiddly dress you need to slip over your head, apply the lipstick afterwards. To help avoid any pink or red marks all over your face and/or clothes, you simply just have to be wary of the fact that you've got crazy paint on your lips.

For those of you out there who're particular about scents, these lipsticks have a typical lipstick smell that wears down to nothing after application. It's very inoffensive, even if it only lasts for less than a minute.  

Other than that, I'm not sure what else there is to say. I love these lipsticks, because they are perfect for my needs. Even though the colours I own are bright and by no means natural, I think they'd be perfect for beginners or neutral-lovers because they somehow manage to look completely inoffensive.  Of the shades I own, I recommend them all, but none more so than Bimbo. It's a beautiful pink shade! I would warn you of Boy Magnet, though, because it really doesn't seem very matte or blue toned. 

Comment below your favourite lipstick (it doesn't have to be Chi Chi), or any queries you have about this Viva La Diva range. Let's get a little dialogue started. Happy Blogmas, everyone! 

Application: 5/5

Staying power: 3.75/5

Smudging/transferring: 2.25/5

Even wear/fading: 5/5

Pigmentation: 5/5

Shade true to the packaging: 4/5

Scent: 5/5

PINTEREST CHRISTMAS DÉCOR

Not my images. They belong to their rightful owners.

And here we have a collection of some of my favourite Christmas-y décor photos from Pinterest. I've combined both indoor and outdoor inspirations as a way of showing my lofty decorating aspirations for next Christmas. I can dream, can't I? Let me know in the comments how you like to decorate your house for the holidays (whatever you do or don't celebrate!). I'll see you tomorrow with another Blogmas post.