The NYX Best Thing

I've been riding the matte lips train for a while but occasionally I like to take a ride in the lipgloss express (corny much Z :-/ ).

As much as I love lipsticks I've been obsessed with lipgloss since I was in high school. It was always and still is the first product I seem to go through more than anything (the second is my bronzer). So like most, I like to stock up on different brands and a variety of colors. I'm not too keen on glosses with too much glitter, in fact I don't tend to purchase those at all. Great pigmentation, long lasting, glosses that have a bearable scent, mega wattage on shine, are cruelty free and offers a wide variety of colors to choose from are winners in my book.

My favorite has been NYX Mega Shine Lipgloss. It's been a staple in my makeup bag. I love that it's non sticky formula delivers high shine that lasts for hours (no gunky feeling on your lips). Not to mention it's cruelty free which means it is NOT tested on animals. According to NYX Cosmetics official website:

"NYX Cosmetics is certified and acknowledged by organizations, such as PETA, as a cruelty free brand. NYX is committed to producing 100% cruelty-free cosmetics. NYX does not test any of its raw materials or finished products on animals." 

MAJOR PLUS!!

The scent is a mix of cherry and strawberry in which I've heard some may not be fans of but I quiet like the fruity/juicy smell. Also their lipgloss is sheer enough to add a hint of color if you don't choose to layer it on top of lipstick, however the opacity can be intensified if you coat the lips twice. Also, some colors in this lipgloss line I find are quiet pigmented already (eg. Dollypink). I often find that wearing the NYX Mega Shine Lipgloss is best on their own and doesn't require a lipstick for a base color. It's non sticky creamy consistency is incredibly moisturizing on the lips and makes the application easy and is best to use the doe foot applicator with it to get an even coat.

The NYX Mega Shine Lipgloss comes in 39 shades (counting.... please feel free to comment if my count is wrong on this). I feel like I get a variety out of these colors. For day wear and for night. Either way NYX Mega Shine Lipglosses have a wide range of colors to suit anyone of any color!

TIP: Make sure you use a lip scrub (or if you're like me who likes to scrub your lips with a tooth brush) so that you get an even and smooth application on your lips. After all who wants to kiss dry flaky lips??

So far I've found myself purchasing 5 of the same colors. These colors I have chosen are best suited for my skin color (MAC NW40) but I do believe these colors are quiet universal therefor they would flatter everyone.

From Top to Bottom: NYX MEGA SHINE LIPGLOSS in Dolly Pink, Cosmo, Nude Peach, Beige and Smokey Look.

Natural Lip Color (with clear lip balm):

 NYX Mega Shine Lipgloss Swatches on my lip:

  Dolly Pink

Cosmo

Nude Peach

Beige

Smokey Look

NYX Mega Shine Lipgloss' are available here at NYX online website.

Alternatively if you are in Australia they can be found at selected Target stores nation wide or available online at Target.

Have you tried NYX Mega Shine Lipgloss? If so, what has been your favorite and go-to shade? (Comment down below).

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored or endorsed blog. The views and opinions expressed are my own. The material (photos) and content are also my own.

It's the year of Subscription Beauty Boxes (it is at least for aZHianBeauty): January BellaBox

I wanted this year to be the year where I am brave. Brave enough to do things out of my comfort zone. Try out new things and try out new products.

Makeup wise I've found that the best way for this resolution to come forth was to subscribe to beauty boxes. 

It's a genius idea. You're offered deluxe samples to try out so you know what works and what doesn't, what you like and what you don't. Quiet often beauty box companies throw in full size products in your boxes so you're getting more than what you are paying for. 

There are wide ranges to choose from, but given that I'm in Australia I'm still on the hunt for the perfect box that gives me full beauty product variety...and those that are able to ship internationally. 

Now as a product junkie, I'm always happy to try out anything in the name of beauty. I believe for a product to be a winner, is if that product does what it says it will do (plump, define, erase, conceal you get the jist), has a variety of color options to tailor most and (sadly) an eye catching and pretty packaging. I say sadly because I've bought products before where I love the packaging but the product itself was a major failure.

Doing research...

After a couple of months (4), of seeing the monthly goodies put in there previous  boxes aswell as Facebook stalking their pages (fess up, we all do it), you pretty much get the idea of what you could be expecting. I also like to see the brands they are associated with and offer so I can see if there's a brand that I might be inclined to try before I buy.

Most beauty boxes contain deluxe size beauty samples and some full size makeup (most often a lipstick or lip gloss), so I had wanted to subscribe to a couple. The first one being Bellabox.  

Now, before I go into detail about what I got on my very first month of subscribing, Bellabox is an Australian beauty subscription box where you get 5+ beauty samples at an affordable price of $15 per month. I joined up early of january (this year) and took the "$10 for your first box coupon", also a week and a half before they were sending out shipping notifications. I received my box quiet promptly without a long waiting time. You also get tracking for your boxes which is a plus and the shipping is already included in the cost of the subscription (double plus).

I received my box last friday-17th of January (2014).

Introducing to you my first box...☺

Product card / contents in the box:

I've never tried Avene or La Clinica beauty products before and even though on the beauty profile (that you fill in about your skincare concerns/type etc) I entered that I have oily skin, the Avene products they gave me was catered for someone with dry skin 😒...

Hmmm...however since this is my first beauty sub box and as a product junkie I'm very happy with what I got. I got 2 full size product y'all!

I've tried the Model Co Fat Lash mascara. I gotta say, I'm liking it alot. It doesn't clump which is amazing. The mascara brush is a genius and its good at getting into hard to reach places of your lashes and it's lengthening effect is amazing. It's also volumizing and doesn't require much layers of coating either. 

I'm very much looking forward to next months box...but before that I'm looking forward to another beauty sub box that I've subscribed to; Lip Factory. 

If you'd like to subscribe to Bellabox or check out their site here.

I'm looking to subscribe to more, so if you know of any good ones or if you have any favorites and are subscribed to, comment below and let me know.

What do you think about these beauty sub boxes?

Till next time,

Z.

Crazy In Love with Chi Chi Creamy Matte Liquid Lipsticks

The very first makeup kit I ever got was when I was 5 years old. I remember how excited I felt seeing this shiny red bullet lipstick, Barbie pink nail polish and bright coloured eyeshadow palette. Running to the mirror I swiped the shiny red lipstick across my bottom lip, I’d seen my mom do this many times. But there was no red colour painted over my lip. I looked at the lipstick, it was plastic! I was gutted! The whole makeup set was just a toy.

I’m remembering this as I’m applying Chi Chi’s Creamy Matte Liquid Lipstick (Lady In Red) on my lips. I’m 28 now, old enough to know how to apply lipstick, to know what beauty product works, what doesn’t, what brands are winners and what brands are failures. When it comes to makeup I’m quite adventurous. I’ll try any colour or look at least once. It’s how you learn and see what works for you right? If you don’t try you will never know.

Living in Australia, we’re given a variety of cosmetic companies to take home with us. For some reason international brands are often the hottest, favoured and sought after, we often forget the gems we have in our backyard. As much as I love MAC, Urban Decay, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, NYX, Tarte and any other well known brands, be it high end or drug store that’s all tucked in our makeup drawers or dresser, I do still however like some homegrown Aussie cosmetic brands. Chi Chi Cosmetics, Model Co and Face of Australia are just some of the names that I’ve found that are on-trend like any other international companies. Chi Chi is my personal favourite. I’ve been a fan of theirs for several years now. More so, I am loving their new line of ‘Liquid Lipsticks’.

I was lucky enough to get 3 of the new liquid lipsticks for Christmas;

Crazy In Love

 

Va Va Va Voom

…and Lady In Red.

I love the ones I got, I want to collect them all!!

Chi Chi’s Creamy Matte Liquid Lipsticks are bold, opaque, highly pigmented, matte and of course creamy. Their packaging is just like their products, bold, vibrant and eye catching! Though Chi Chi says it’s a matte lipstick, it sits and dries with some shine so no need for a layer of lipgloss on top. The liquid lipstick is so opaque, a little does go a long way. You can customize the degree of opacity you want. For a sheer stained look, just pat a tiny amount of colour on your lips with your fingers, dab your lips over lightly with some tissue to even out the colour. Or if you prefer it bright, bold and like to utilize just how opaque this lipstick is then I would use the doe foot  for application on your lips. It’s long lasting and even when removed the lipstick still leaves a stain of colour. Also, Chi Chi’s Creamy Matte Liquid Lipsticks have a fruity, berry like scent.  

They retail at $16.95 (AUD) and come in 16 different shades to suit everyone.  Check out their website http://www.chichicosmetics.com/15-lips/85-creamy-matte-liquid-lips.html

Have you tried any Chi Chi products? If so, which ones do you like? 

Comment down below what other products you'd like to see me swatch/trial and review.

Z

Who is aZHian Beauty?

About Me

Well hello there Beautiful People,

My name is Zhahara (ZH pronounced and to sound like sh).

I live in a small city in Australia called Adelaide. Where it’s ridiculously hot during summer (46°C) to a rainy cold winter (in which I love).

I came to Australia when I was 7 years old and I have quite a diverse (mixed) background; the strongest, being Philippine and Spanish.

I have always had a passion for Arts. I’m a creative individual who believes in artistic expression through whatever niche it may be. I believe makeup is an art in itself.

I am a girls girl. I like anything pink. Barbie-like pink! My favorite colors are Purple and Aqua or Mint. The latter I can never decide on which one is better between the two. One leans more to green while the other to blue. I guess it depends on my mood.

You’ll find me rocking one of the 3 shades of my favorite colors on my nails. But when we’re talking about makeup on the face, I am adventurous. I’ll try out any look! Most days however, you’ll find me wearing nude colored toned lips, at night I’m indecisive between pink or red!

I am a self confessed makeup junkie and self taught in the art of makeup and makeup application and will forever be learning. 

I’ll be blogging reviews of makeup products and brands that I think are winners and losers, Celebrity Inspired “get the looks”, beauty and skincare product reviews, hauls and giveaways and along the way I’m hoping to share my knowledge, tips and tricks with you. I’m also going to blog about my weight loss journey and talk about tried and tested products. This is a new year and we all have resolutions/goals/dreams to fulfill.

Follow me on this journey… 

Z xxxx

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