Katy Perry Perfume Collection

I looooooove me some perfumes and the Katy Perry Collection is right up there with my ultimate favourites. I recently picked up the last perfume I needed to complete my little KP collection, so I thought I would do a little run down of each of the fragrances. I absolutely LOVE the packaging, the bottles look gorgeous on any vanity or dressing table.

1. Katy Perry Killer Queen Original 50ml ($49.00)

Funnily enough, the original Killer Queen scent was the last one that I picked up. Having said that, it's definitely one of my favourites (and it's pretty tough to choose between these four) and I wish I had picked it up sooner! The ruby red bottle is gorgeous and this particular scent brings to mind berries, red plum and just a hint of jasmine. The best thing about this perfume is that it actually lasts all day, unlike a lot of other drugstore perfumes, including the other three in this collection.

2. Katy Perry Killer Queen Oh So Sheer 100ml ($69.00)

This was a limited edition scent and I'm actually not sure that you can find it anymore because it's a very pretty scent. It's a lovely light, fruity scent, packaged in pretty lilac. I love the smell of berries, freesias, jasmine and the wee hint of caramel, but I do find that this fragrance doesn't have the same lasting power as the original Killer Queen. It's still a lovely scent and I will definitely be wearing this one again when spring comes back around.

3. Katy Perry Royal Revolution 50ml ($49.00)

This scent is a little darker and a definite departure from the usual kind of sweet, drugstore perfumes. I love the dark blue bottle and it's the only one of the four fragrances with dark silver instead of gold hardware. Royal Revolution smells to me like blueberries, vanilla and musk but there's also a hint of sandalwood and orange flower. I do like this slightly unusual scent and it's a favourite night-time scent of mine.

4. Katy Perry Spring Reign 100ml* ($69.00) 

The latest release in the Katy Perry collection, Spring Reign is also one of my favourites (I know, they're ALL favourites). The sweet pink bottle looks very spring-y and the scent definitely puts you in mind of spring blooms, it's very fresh and flowery without being too old-lady-floral. I think it smells like roses but it also contains hints of gardenia, vanilla, pink freesias and black currant flowers. Can't wait from spring to roll around again so I can spritz myself in this one again!

What's your favourite Katy Perry scent?

Dani xx

*This product was provided as a PR sample but as always, my opinion is my own

Real Techniques Mini Brush Trio

Despite owning, using and collecting many (MANY) makeup brushes, the Real Techniques ones are still my old favourites. They are not only (relatively) affordable, but are also excellent quality, work amazingly and the range is growing everyday. Today, I'm going to be taking a look at some adorable mini versions of my favourite Real Techniques brushes.

The Product - Real Techniques Mini Brush Trio ($10.00 USD) 

These little babies are available via the Real Techniques website BUT they were actually a little GWP a little while ago at Priceline (YAS!). This sweet little set contains three of the top selling RT brushes, all in miniature! In the trio you get: one mini foundation brush, one mini shading brush and one mini face brush. I love my RT brushes but, as they are all full size brushes, they're a little bulky to just chuck into your bag This set is absolutely perfect to pop into your handbag for touch ups on-the-go. The quality is exactly the same as the full size brushes but a million times more convenient and I am in LOVE with this cute little set! 

KaBOOM! Cosmetics gives the Real Techniques Mini Brush Trio:

What's your favourite brush from the Real Techniques collection?

Dani xx

Get Up and Glow!

Winter = dull, tired skin right? WRONG! Just because weather has changed, doesn't mean you can't fake glowy, summery skin all year round! Here are some of my top picks to highlight your life:

1. the Balm's Mary-Lou Manizer* ($34.95)

I was struggling to decide between the beauties in the Lou Manizer range but Mary-Lou is the perfect gold highlight, I think it's a pretty much a universally flattering shade. I like to sweep this onto my cheekbones with a fan brush for subtle glow. I'm always afraid with powder highlighters that they'll be chunky and glittery but Mary-Lou is beautifully soft, subtle and shimmery.

2. Gerard Cosmetics BB+ Illumination Creme ($36.00USD)

I was initially a little confused about this product, I wasn't sure if it was a BB Cream or an illuminator, turns out, it's both (duh!). You can use it alone (but you will look like a glittery Oompa Loompa), under foundation (for an added golden glow) or a as a cream highlighter. I personally like to use a little under my foundation when my skin is looking especially tired. The only downside to this BB+ is that is does have a peculiar smell, it's kind of rubbery and not really pleasant but it (thankfully) disappears once it's on the skin. You can read my Gerard Cosmetics post here.

3. Nude by Nature Soft Focus Illuminator ($22.95)

This is very similar to the Gerard Cosmetics version but ever-so-slightly easier to blend. It's also slightly more pink, whereas the GC one is definitely a bright gold. I do like the pink tone for a more natural looking flushed glow, but both illuminators are very pretty and give a very similar effect.

4. Revlon Photoready Skinlights in 200 Pink Light ($29.95)

If the Nude by Nature Illumiator is pink-toned, this is a true pink. It's also a lot more sheer and a lot more subtle, perfect for any newbies looking to experiment with cream or liquid highlighters. I also like the flat bottle, it's a lot easier to pack for travel.

5. Benefit Cosmetics Watt's Up ($53.00)

Last, but definitely not least, is Watt's Up, a pretty cream stick highlighter from Benefit. I love this one because it's super easy to just swipe onto your cheekbones and blend in. It's a pretty foolproof highlighter and even comes with a blending sponge built in. This is my go-to highlighter when I'm running late because it's so easy to use and always looks good.

What's your favourite highlighter?

Dani xx

*This product was provided as a PR sample but as always, my opinion is my own 

Monster High Collab

Well hey sportsfans! 

Welcome back to KaBOOM! Cosmetics. Today I have a pretty exciting tutorial for you. It's a tutorial on the character Frankie Stein from Monster High and, even better, it's a collaboration! I've been working with some amazing ladies to put these tutorials together so please head to YouTube to check out all of the tutorials.

Melissa Bubbles as Clawdeen Wolf

ME! as Frankie Stein

JdasBeauty as Cleo De Nile

Angelique TV as Ghoulia Yelps

Kitsch Snitch as Draculara

Mishelle's Sleepy Time as Lagoona Blue

Dani xx 

BH Cosmetics Galaxy Chic Palette

I am an absolute sucker for eyeshadow palettes. Show me a palette in neutrals and it'll be on my dressing table in 10 seconds flat. This palette is a little outside my usual comfort zone but it is just so stunningly pretty that I couldn't resist (I tried!).

The Product - BH Cosmetics Galaxy Chic Palette ($22.95 USD)

I actually purchased this palette from a little store called My Cube in the Myer Centre in Brisbane, so I paid a little more than the RRP of $23 USD....but it was worth it! It caught my eye one day and I thought about it so much that I just had to go back and buy it. I mean, a space-themed eyeshadow palette, who could walk past that?

The palette itself contains 18 shimmery, baked eyeshadows, all with space-themed names. There are a range of colours but the main themes are blue, orange, brown and purple. They aren't colours that I would usually go for but they are just stunning to look at. The colour payoff is also pretty amazing, you really only need a tiny bit of shadow. The only downside would be the fallout, which is minor but still pretty annoying. My favourite shades would have to be Milky Way (a shimmery white-pink), Mars (a bold orange), Pluto (a black-purple) and Sun (a red-gold shimmer) but I love every single shade in the palette. I also think the palette itself is great, very sturdy with a decent sized mirror. I do feel like the shadows wouldn't travel well, they do seem a little delicate and prone to smashing, but I'm more than happy to give this palette a permanent home on my dressing table.

Selected swatches (L-R) of Milky Way, Mars, Pluto and Sun

KaBOOM! Cosmetics gives the BH Cosmetics Galaxy Chic Palette:

What do you think of the Galaxy Chic palette?

Dani xx

5 Winter Wonders

The weather has been getting a little chilly lately (which in Brisbane means temperatures lower than 25 degrees) and I've definitely noticed my skin freaking out a little bit. Here are some great additions to your skincare routine for winter:

1. Bioderma Hydrabio Light Cream* ($39.99 for 40ml)

Don't be put off by the price, a little of this goes a very long way! The Bioderma Hydrabio range is designed for dehyrdated or sensitive skin, making it the perfect addition to your winter skincare range. It's surprisingly lightweight, absorbs easily and will get your skin back to tip-top condition in no time. I've been using this as a night-time moisturiser, just to give it plenty of time to absorb and do it's amazing work.

2. The Body Shop Vitamin E Face Mist ($16.95 for 100ml)

I've had a very long love affair with this face mist! Not only is it the perfect companion for long-haul flights, it's also perfect for the chillier months. I like to add a spritz of this before I apply my makeup or right before I go to bed. It's very refreshing and because it contains Vitamin E, it's also very moisturising. The 100ml size is also perfect to pop into your handbag for a little pick-me-up when your skin starts feeling dull, flaky or just plain old tired.  

3. Chapstick Natural Papaw Lip Balm* ($4.69)

This new offering from Chapstick is perfect for beating the nasty chapped lips that come along with the change in weather. Infused with yummy papaw and Shea butter, your lips will feel smooth and moisturised all day long. I also like this one because, unlike a lot of the other Chapsticks, it actually makes my lips feel nourished, doesn't dry them out and lasts for ages.

4. LUSH Mask of Magnaminty* ($15.95 for 125g)

Yeah, yeah, I know, everyone is sick of hearing me go on and on and on about how much I love this mask! But seriously, this minty treat is perfect for when your skin freaks out because the temperature has dropped and you know look like an extra in a horror movie. It's fresh, it banishes breakouts AND it's a great exfoliator too so you can get rid of that not-so-lovely layer of dry skin that comes with winter. 

5. Alpha H Liquid Gold* ($59.95 for 100ml)

Liquid Gold really does live up to its name! It's a resurfacing treatment designed for damaged or acne-scarred skin but it's also perfect going into winter. It very gently removes the surface layer of skin, giving you soft, smooth, glowy skin and it's super simple to use. It is a little pricey but the results speak for themselves.

What are your top picks for winter?

Dani xx

*These products were provided  as PR samples but as always, my opinion is my own 

Bloggiversary Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations Tasha Y! You are the winner of my Bloggiverysary + 2K Giveaway with ry.com.au! Please send me an e-mail at kaboom.cosmetics@gmail.com to claim your prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you to everyone who entered, I really appreciate all the support for my blog and for the giveaway.

Dani xx

Palmer's Micro Fine Exfoliating Facial Scrub

Ever since my beloved St Ives Green Tea Scrub changed their formula, I've been on the hunt for a new scrub to fill the gaping void in my life. The lovely people at Palmer's were kind enough to send me a few goodies to test out and I was intrigued by the Exfoliting Facial Scrub. Could there be a new contender for my new favourite scrub? Read on to find out!

The Product - Palmer's Micro Fine Exfoliating Facial Scrub* ($9.99)

The first thing I noticed about this scrub was the amazing scent, it smells like dark chocolate and vanilla YUM! Unlike most facial scrubs, this doesn't have any exfoliating beads as such, the exfoliating grains in this are actually a mixture of crushed walnut shells and cocoa powder. While that combo may be a bit harsh for certain skin types, it's perfect for me! This scrub also has loads of lovely shea butters so not only does it exfoliate really well, it also leaves your skin feeling soft and hydrated. And just when you thought this product couldn't get any better, it's also free of parabens or phthalates. I've been using this 2-3 times a week and my skin has really been loving it, especially going into the cooler months. There really isn't anything I don't like about this scrub!

KaBOOM! Cosmetics gives the Palmer's Micro Fine Exfoliating Facial Scrub:

Have you tried this super scrub out yet?

Dani xx

*This product was provided as a PR sample but as always, my opinion is my own 

Beauty Wishlist #2 ColourPop

Why do there always seem to be so many delightful new beauty products to buy and why do I always seem to have so little money to spend? Here's what I've been coveting lately from ColourPop.

1. Lippie Stix in Tootsi ($5.00 USD)- Tootsi is a really unique kind of colour, I think it's best described as "greige". It's meant to have a matte finish and I've been lusting after it for months!

2. Lip Pencil in Tootsi ($5.00 USD) - This is the matching lip pencil for the Tootsi Lippie Stix and I like nothing better than a matching pair.

3. Where the Light Is by Kathleen Lights ($20.00 USD) - Vlogger Kathleen Lights partnered with ColourPop to create this stunning quad of shadows which includes the shades Glow, Kathleenlights, Blaze and Cornelius. The shades look like they would work really nicely together too, which is always a good thing.

4. Between the Sheets Blush ($5.00 USD) - This blush seems very me! It's a matte blush and is described as "mid-tone beige pink" and looks like it would be perfect for everyday wear.

5. Lunch Money Highlighter ($8.00 USD) - This is one of the new highlighters that ColourPop recently released and they look AH-MAY-ZING! Lunch Money is a very pretty light gold that looks stunning in all of the swatches that I've seen.

6. Smoke n Whistles ($8.00 USD) - Another beautiful new highlighter, this one is more of a champagne colour and I think it is going to be an absolute winner for adding a little glow in winter. Can't wait to get my hands on it!

What's on your current wishlist?

Dani xx

Maybelline Colour Drama Lipsticks

 Maybelline is one of the most popular drugstore brands, bringing us goodies like the Master Precise and Hyper Glossy Liquid Liners, Fit Me Foundations and the ever-popular Baby Lips AND they've been around for 100 years this year! There's a new offering from Maybelline on the market and it's another winner! The Colour Drama Lipsticks launched earlier this year and have gone down very well indeed in the beauty world.

The Product - Maybelline Colour Drama Lipstick ($9.95)

This baby combines the colour payoff of a traditional lipstick with the convenience of a lip crayon, all in one pint-sized package of goodness. While these may look like a regular old crayon, the colour payoff is amazing, giving a bold pop of colour with a semi-matte finish. Colour Drama comes in ten shades from Nude Perfection (my favourite) to Fab Orange (oh so fab!) to Pink So Chic (berry pink indeed). The only downside I've found so far is that because you have to sharpen them, you do end up wasting some product as you go, which is a bit of a bummer. That's really the only downside for me though, otherwise they apply well, come in a great range of colours, last well and are super-convenient to carry around and use.

Maybelline Colour Drama Pencils (lL-R) Nude Perfection, Fab Orange and Pink So Chic

Maybelline Colour Drama Pencils (bottom to top) Nude Perfection, Fab Orange and Pink So Chic

KaBOOM! Cosmetics gives the Maybelline Colour Drama Lipsticks:

Have you tried the new Colour Drama lippies yet?

Dani xx

Taking Out the Trash - LUSH

Today's Taking Out the Trash video has a little twist, it's LUSH themed! In case you haven't caught on, LUSH is one of my favourite brands and I could talk about them all day long. Hope you enjoy the video and don't forget to subscribe while you're there.

Dani xx

8 Ways to Stick It to Life

Maybe you're feeling under the weather? Maybe you've had some bad news? Maybe it's that time of the month? Or maybe you're just plain old having a bad day? Here are some sure fire ways to stick it to life and come out the other side with a smile.

1. Take a bath - a nice, hot bath, some pretty candles and a bath bomb from LUSH always make me feel better on the not-so-good days. Bonus points for popping on a face mask (check out some favourites here).

2. Cuddle a fur-baby - I'm the first to admit that my fur-baby (Earl), hates all living creatures (typical cat), me especially BUT he will tolerate a snuggle every now and it always makes me feel better, even if he hates it. PS - You can follow Earl on Instagram at @earlthefatcat

3. Lose yourself in a good book - When my life gets me down, I like to escape into someone else's. Whether it's re-reading my favourite series (Harry Potter, A Song of Ice and Fire, Earth's Children) or finding something completely new, nothing beats a good book.

4. Binge watch Netflix - I am a firm believer that every so often, you need a day to do nothing but curl up under your doona and watch every episode of Orange is the New Black in a row! Netflix will even play the next episode automatically so all you need to do is sit back and relax.

5. Eat your favourite foods - I don't really do diets, so I pretty much each what I want to anyway BUT when you're feeling miserable, nothing beats the pleasure of a big bowl of gooey Mac & Cheese, a nice greasy pizza or a hearty serving of Ben & Jerry's. Bad feelings, BE GONE!

Image from benandjerrys.com

6. Exercise - Exercise = endorphins = feeling good! Head to your local yoga class to chill or better yet, head to a kickboxing class to beat the crap out imaginary foes, it's very therapeutic!

Image via Flickr

7. Call your mum/bestie - the number of times I've called my mum in a blubbering mess is scarily high but she never fails to explain exactly how it's all going to turn out fine.

8. Shop - I am definitely guilty of turning to retail therapy more often that I should but hey, it works! Whether it's a little splurge on a new lippie or finally buying the one thing you've been coveting for weeks, a little retail therapy is good for the soul!

My latest bi of retail therapy resulted in this baby. Image from net-a-porter.com

What are your favourite pick-me-ups?

Dani xx