Sephora + HopShopGo VS Mecca VS Tarazz

Hey Kittens!!

A good friend of mine recently went to America (in fact she's still there, back soon though. Yay). I really threw myself into making a 'little' list of things for her to pick up for me from Sephora. I had created, in my mind, the perfect list!

I was so excited, I was practically drooling over the thought of all the goodies! I had read countless reviews on Sephora and on numerous blogs. I really took this wishlist seriously!

There was one particular item I was most excited for, Too Faced's Workday to Weekends Perfect Eye Set. It is such a great value for money set, and I couldn't wait to get my paws on it! That was, until I saw those two spirit-crushing words... online exclusive. *sigh. Nooooooooooooooooooo!

Online Exclusive! $65 Sephora.com

I removed it from my list with a heavy heart and picked a few other things just to make up the difference.

The Too Faced set haunted me... I needed it. I had wanted the brush set for ages and it alone is nearly $60 at Mecca, so this set from Sephora is a steal for only $65. Basically making all the other things FREE (that's how I justified it to myself anyway!). I had also been eyeing off the 3 way eye tool as well! See , like I said it's such a good value set!!! I had purchased some other brushes from Too Faced when I was in America and ohmigosh, the Teddy Bear Hair is oh so soft! I love everything about Too Faced products! They are fantastic products and the packaging is just perfect!

I started toying with the idea of using a forwarding service to get it to me from Sephora. I was scared. I hadn't done it before and it seemed like it could take forever and a day, not to mention cost an arm and a leg!

I finally decided on HopShopGo and was very happy with the service. I like that they're backed by PayPal.

The scary part is you don't know exactly how much it will cost you until your order is already sent to them and they request the forwarding fee from you. That was what scared me! What if it was a bazillion dollars?!

Another thing that scared me was I didn't want to use their buy for me service. Firstly, it costs a lot, and secondly, I wanted my Sephora points and freebies! I had read that Sephora doesn't accept international cards, so I was adding up all these extra costs and thinking hmmm it might not be worth it!

I put some items in my cart (including the Naked Flushed Palette and a little Laura Mercier Hand Cream) and was just "testing" to see if it would work! It did, it did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, longest story ever, short... I got the items and the forwarding cost was reasonable!HopShopGo asked if I wanted them to 'cut down' the box for me (Sephora pack with heaps of space in the box and shipping is by volume) the fee was like $7 but it saved me $19 in shipping! Yes please!!! Also, note I chose express shipping! I wanted it ASAP.

Shipping from Sephora to them was FREE but it took forever! I don't know why it took so long. That annoyed me. I was thinking there was an issue with my card or that an item was out of stock! Queue panic attack!

I placed the order on May 23rd, and it was shipped out on May 26th and it didn't reach HopShopGo HQ till the 31st May (that's free shipping for you, but it did say 3 days!)!! I received the package on Tuesday 11th June... It actually should have been the 7th but DHL handed my package to AusPost. Oh Boy was I fuming!!!

So, technically it took 12 business days altogether. Pretty good really!

Here are the comparisons!

Sephora + HopShopGo

This was the forwarding fee from HopShopGo. Quite reasonable considering I chose the most expensive shipping. 

Here is my order from Sephora. See all my freebies!

In Aussie Dollars:
Sephora Order $116.32
HopShopGo $50.10
Total: $166.42 (a bit more than I actually thought! haha. But I did get freebies!)

Tarazz 

$173.55 and that's with an 8-16 day shipping window from when it arrives at their warehouse. Plus, no Sephora points or freebies.

And lastly, Mecca...

Mecca don't stock the pack I wanted or Laura Mercier but still... Check this out.

$145.85 just for what was in the Too Faced set!! Not including the sample mascara or Shadow Insurance. Not to even mention the Naked Flushed Palette or the Laura Mercier Hand cream OR the freebies OR the Sephora Points!!!

So, all in all I didn't save heaps from buying directly from Sephora, but I am still happy with my choice.

Also, I didn't get that Faux Tan freebie... They must have run out, but was substituted a St Tropez gradual tan which I am very happy about. I love St Tropez.

What do you guys think? Have you used HopShopGo or Tarazz? Or any other parcel forwarding companies??

I have used PriceUSA before, but I thought I'd try HopShopGo for this order instead!

♡Missy

My wallet needs to go on a diet!

Well actually not my wallet- that would mean it was fat and filled with wads of monies, that is so not the case. I really mean my spending needs to go on a diet. And so do I, but that's a whole 'nother blog post

I literally don't need anything, but I know I would be setting myself up for failure if I said I was on a spending ban... It just ain't gonna happen!

I bought an unconscionable amount of make up while I was in New York. Unconscionable! I swear on all that is holy in BlogLand that I can and WILL write up a blog post on all my goodies**... Mainly because said BlogLand is wholly responsible for my massive list of wants and when I was set loose in Sephora, I was temporarily mental. Oh Lordy did I go mental?! Luckily I had purchased a new adorable Hello Kitty Suitcase, or I would not have been able to bring it all home.

I was nearly in tears on the flight home, my bags were SO heavy and ridiculously big. I am surprised they let me on the plane. Luckily they thought I was funny. I was wearing a singlet, a long sleeved top, a woolly dress, a knitted top, a fur vest, my massive winter jacket and was struggling with my bags... Security jokingly asked if I was headed to Antarctica .. When I said Australia, they were baffled 'isn't it summer there?'... I confessed I couldn't fit all my clothes into my bags. Oh how they laughed... at my expense. All I cared about was getting all my goodies back home.

I was also afraid the handles on my Hello Kitty case were going to break... All is well, we made it home in one piece.

What was I really blogging about? Oh yes, a spending ban of course. I am really trying to actively shop for quality and not quantity. Also, I am in debt like no one's business, and can't really afford to buy anything... So, naturally a bazillion things have popped up that I want... and they fit the "quality" criteria... Plus I realllllly want 'em! Woe is me.

Another thing I need to work on is actually using my stuff. I tend to just want, want, want and then when I get it, I go all "my precious" over it and never actually use it... I am working on it though. For awhile there, the worst culprit was Glasshouse candles... but I have actually been burning them lately! Well, truth be told the first one I finished, was one I wasn't too fussed over, so that made it a lot easier.

Case in point, I just bought a new leather laptop case on eBay... Firstly, I don't even know if my laptop will fit inside it, and secondly, I don't even need it- I never take my laptop anywhere... but, it is leather, it is pink, and it has perforated hearts on it... Totally fits the quality criteria. And it's cute and I want it.

eBay is a spending ban's nemesis.


♡Missy

** Also I appear to be unable to open all my goodies before I do a blog post. hahaha.

P.S- Not only should my wallet be on a diet, but me also... Eugh. Clean eating here I come.

Latest Acquisitions; of the past edition

Ha. Yes, that title makes no sense… How can something be called latest acquisitions, when it was in the past? Huh huh?! Well, I don’t know about you guys, but as a self-proclaimed blogging-procrastinator, I tend to ‘plan to blog’ about my latest purchases etc… but never do. *hangs head in shame* I have close to a gazillion images on my phone ready to be blogged about.

So, I bring to you, my newest segment, aptly titled “Latest Acquisitions” but this edition is that of past purchases. Okay, still with me?! Sweet.

This cute phone attachment for my mobile phone... I laugh just looking at it. Totally impractical! 

"Hello?"

You can listen to music through it, and it has a buttons to answer and end calls, as well as volume adjustment. So far I've only used it for the LOLs.

This cute receipt expanding file.

It says "Put your important things" with an arrow to indicate where to put said important things. It is now jam packed with receipts! Even receipts from Coles New World... I need to go through them. I only need the important ones, as per the helpful instructions, not the ones for my half-honeydew at the local supermarket!

My adorable Ceramic Travel mug! Russian themed!

I completely love the colours!! It came with a white lid, as standard, but the shop keepers adore me, so they let me swap it for a pink one! yay! I did some serious experiments to check the lid. Very Scientific! It involved water and a sink... and some swift "I'm pretending to walk around' with my arms movements, and some "I'm having a sip" over the sink trials.

I wasn't too keen on taking a sip and having my drink go all over me in the real world. FYI: It works PERFECTLY!

I also grabbed these Faber Castell pencils from Coles New World... They're pretty neat.

Now these are a massive hit with me;

Infallible Eyeshadow from L'Oréal Paris. I read some great reviews about them from some UK bloggers, and I needed to get my paws on them. This was my first haul... I have gained another 5 this past weekend! LOL. 

I will do a review and swatches one of these days. 
The colours here are: Hourglass Beige, Forever Pink, Flashback Silver, Endless Chocolate and Permanent Khaki. 
Love Love LOVE!
I use Hourglass Beige, Forever Pink and Endless Chocolate everyday!


That's it for now!

♡Missy

My Luscious Lush Haul

Well Ladies, here are the goodies I picked up at Lush.

My bestie came along for the excursion, in the end. She called me at work to see what I was doing that night and when I said I was going to the city shopping, she wanted in. Then I said I planned to shop at Lush, she exclaimed ‘what?! that stinky shop?!!!’ haha. So true, my friend, so true.

I have to say I felt really overwhelmed in store, mostly because there are so many products! And also I found the sales peeps to be super pushy! Even after the first one finally let me be, another one pounced!   

I thought when I showed them that I had a list, which was pretty long, that maybe- just maybe- they’d see I was on a mission and kinda knew what products I wanted to go for and would just help me find those products. But no, not so much. I got a few ‘if you think you’ll like that, you’ll love this’ and then the thing that they would show me would be just so not in the right direction for me. I'm into creamy, sweet, vanilla and pink. And, to be blunt, I just don’t like being made to feel like a big giant walking dollar sign who they want to just sell sell sell to. I already had a lot on my wish list that I wanted to check out, I didn’t need so much pushiness! If it wasn’t for my ‘I want it now’ trait of impulsiveness, I would have turned around and done my shopping online.  

My head was just spinning in the store from all the info and being pulled left, right and centre… In the end, I left happy with my buys but when I got home, I had no idea how to use the stuff! I was given twenty bazzillion demonstrations in the store; some were on my arm, and my hands got some love, there were buckets with water shows and paper towels to dry off. It was fun and I was ooh’ing and ahh’ing a little, I'll admit it, BUT not only was my head spinning and my sense of smell completely overloaded, there was super fast talking selling going on and I forgot everything I was shown when I got home! 

I was super excited and very eager to get home and have a bath!!  

By the time I lugged all my stuff home, I was exhausted… and had a headache- maybe due to senses overload, or could have been more of a general body overload; I had also I bought other stuff, like 3 pairs of shoes at Rubi, plus all my usual carry around crap junk precious things, or maybe I was just plain tired?! When I peeked into the bag at home,I had so many choices I had a lot of trouble deciding what product to use first.

My legs ached, so I was excited to try a massage bar and went straight for the hottie massage bar. It was so good. Smells delicious!

Next stop was to have some dinner… Then it was time...

Time to draw my bath. 

But wait! Where’s the plug?! I could not find the bath plug!!! I had to tear the bathroom apart to locate it! Turns out it is actually the same size as the one for the basin, so I could have avoided that whole debacle in an instant, but I didn’t even think to try it.

hurro, creepy hand wave!

I decided on Mrs Whippy. Mainly because it was one of the first on my list and also it is being discontinued and I want to know if I want/need/must-get more. (the answer to this conundrum to come)

Dropped the bomb!

It was so good. I was surrounded by warmth and the scent was indescribable. I was in LusHeaven! 

I loved how my bath was pink… But mostly, oh my sweet Lord, mostly I loved how soft my skin was. 
Directly after the bath? heck yeah. When I woke up the next morning? Double heck yeh. Even after my morning shower and exfoliation session? Oh my Gosh YES! You better believe it! I have been getting magical wafts of deliciousness-ness (that's double the deliciousness!). I definitely want more Mrs. Whippy!!!

♡Missy

Luscious Lush Cosmetics!

Soooooo, truth be told I’m a Lush Virgin.

To be honest, when I used to roam Chaddy as a youngster, the smell of the store used to give me a headache. A really bad headache. I never once set foot in the store. 

BUT now, since entering the blogosphere, I couldn’t help but notice all the hoopla about Lush stuff. It got me a thinkin’ that maybe I blacklisted Lush too hastily.

Let me jump topics for a sec… But I subscribed to the LustHaveIt box when it first started, but then I wanted to stop my membership, as I was not using any of the products and also had a subscription to BeautyBoxn (now GlossyBox), so I had accumulated a lot of little cute adorable mini things. I mean I loved getting the boxes in the mail. I love getting anything in the mail. Anyway, luckily-ish for me, my card got declined and I thought that meant the end of my subscriptions.. I was happy but not. BUT, as luck would have it LustHaveIt kept my subscription alive and I got an email telling me my February box had shipped. I was a little bit excited. Then terror hit. I was still subscribed with my old address!! Noooo. I did have a redirection is place, but it meant I had to wait longer!!! I was not disappointed when it came though. I really fancied everything in the sweet little Valentine themed box! I do want to do a proper review, but for the purpose of this post, I must say, the box smelt delicious!!! It had a sugar scrub from Lush in it. Yay!

I haven’t even used it but now I am desperate to get my paws on more Lush goodness. I am so desperate, in fact, I am getting on the Iron Horse (otherwise known as the train), straight after work, to get my butt to Melbourne Central ASAP to get my Lush on!!! 

Side note; I can’t believe Melbourne Central closes at 6pm on a Thursday?! I thought Thursdays was late night shopping. Chaddy is open till 9pm, but I’m not trekking it all the way there. I am disappointed about that, but I want to get my Lush on now. Mainly cos I am having a Tuscan Tan Spray tan tomorrow night and I want to have a bath tonight… First bath in years!! (That sounds gross, but I do shower, I promise! Haha.) I’m thinking I might use the scrub thingie first and then soak in some sort of bath goodness. Mmm, bath goodness.

Edited to add: Um, The Swanston Street is open to 9pm, so... er, I can go there if I'm running late.

Moving along...

Here’s what Lush says about the Sugar Scrub, I already own;

 $6.50

Our Sugar Scrub is hard, but a bit of a sweetie. It’s no nonsense stance stimulates activity and tackles cellulite with fennel and ginger. Skin calming lavender has a balancing effect. Get yourself wet in the shower or bath, but don’t let the bar get under the running water or it’ll be lost before it can prove itself. Scrub, scrub, scrub and rinse away. It doesn’t waste any time getting down to business.

Turns out, perusing the website is dangerous business. I have a long list of wants.  

Quick side note: Turns out perusing the website again for pics and descriptions for ze blog is even more dangerous! My list has more than doubled! Gahhh. I “hearted” my initial selections. I may need to take out a loan before I go there now! 

Ahem...

In the Ballistics range, I want...

♥Mrs Whippy (which I believe is ceasing to exist soon), so I want 2. Lol. It sounds freakin delicious! $6.75

A sophisticated strawberry milkshake - but for the bath.

♥Butterball $5.50

The bouncing Butterball is chock with chips of cocoa butter to melt all over your hot body in warm water and smooth you all over like a master masseur. It will fizz joyously, scenting the water with sweet musk and vanilla and softening you up nicely.

♥Cream Candy (bubblebar) $8.50

Sweet, frothy and fluffy bubbles that smell like custard creams. What a delight it is to have a bath in the equivalent of a cup of vanilla flavoured, frothy, hot chocolate topped with marshmallows. The Creamy Candy bath is like the friend you're always delighted to see, because he bubbles over with cheerfulness no matter what life throws at him. For days when your friend is busy, it's time to indulge in some Creamy Candy.

♥Mmm Melting Marshmallow Moments $8.50 (bath melt)

Slow melting musky marshmallow marvel. MMM melts into a pink, fluffy waterbed of marshmallow and moisturizing cocoa butter. Each Melting Marshmallow Moment is made with marshmallow herb, which produces a sweet, skin-soothing mucilage that was used to make sugar candies for hundreds of years, and marigold, which is equally calming for your skin. Take your time, savour each moment and have as many marshmallows as you like. 

Honey Bee $6.75

For a soothing, cleansing soak. Honey Bee smells like caramel, much like Honey, I Washed The Kids soap and Soft Coeur massage bar do. Honey Bee holds its own special distinction, though; in addition to soothing honey, it has Moroccan rhassoul mud to deep cleanse and soften your skin. The world’s best spas offer honey or mud baths on their menus. Now, you can have both in one go, for roughly 1% of the cost.

Other prods I need;

 From the Lip section, I want...

♥Bubblegum Lip Scrub $9.95

Our fabulous lip scrubs are here to keep your kissers sweet. This one will make your lips smell like our best-selling Snow Fairy shower gel. Bubblegum is made with exfoliating castor sugar and our delicious vegan flavour to gently scrub away rough skin, keeping your lips smooth and kissably soft. Simply rub it over your lips when they feel the need for some sugar.

 

♥Snow Fairy Lip Tint (this may not be available). I need another gloss/lip colour like I need a hole in the head, but it sounds so nice! $4.75

A yummy lip balm and tint for magical pink tinged lips.

In the Massage Bar range, which I didn't know exsisted until my second look, I want...

Hottie $9.95

Hottie is our new Massage Bar for seriously aching muscles. The bar is specifically moulded with bumps that enhance any massage with extra pressure to get the circulation going. The cocoa and shea butter base is similar to Therapy and melts onto the skin quickly to allow a smooth and sensual experience. We use vanilla absolute for its cosy, sweet aroma, which is a subtle aphrodisiac; it’s also moisturising for the skin and softening in combination with shea and cocoa butters. Black pepper and ginger oils are stimulating and warming for the skin, which gets your blood flowing and helps to release muscle tensions and ache. A Hottie like this one is sure to get you going.

Heavanilli $14.95

Delicious Vanilla Fountain fragrance harnessed in a Massage Bar. This deliciously fragrant bar melts onto the skin with ease, creating a sweetly sensual, tactile experience. The natural shea and cocoa butters smell of jasmine, vanilla and tonka and will make you irresistible to your masseuse. And if you are the one giving the massage, you may find yourself overtaken with desire.

Soft Coeur $10.50

The honey toffee bar with a soft core. The Soft Coeur was designed for a romantic tryst. It got its name from its chocolate and honey soft centre, which you can melt and smooth all over your lover’s body to make him or her extra tasty. Helen wanted to call it Soft Centre, and it morphed into Soft Core before metamorphosing into Soft Coeur. It’s made with honey and suitable for honeymoons. It’s as good for your skin as it is for your relationship.

Wiccy Magic Muscles $14.95

Wiccy is the spicy, tingly, muscle-soothing bar with aduki beans for a deeper rub. This is the one for sorting out aching muscles. The first time you use one of these, it feels very strange, as if a very small radiator has been turned on inside the part of your body you just massaged. Once you get used to it, you’ll start to run just for the pleasure of your Wiccy massage when you get home.

I’m so excited.

What have been your Lush experiences??

Source: All pics & descriptions from Lush!

♡Missy

Happy L♡VE Day!!

 Hope everyone has a lovely Valentine's Day, whether you're into it, or not!!

I have a little movie date arranged with the BF tonight. Yippy.

Just a quick catch-up;
Had a rather disappointing weigh in yesterday *sigh
Got my brows brow-wowed at Benefit
Bought myself a "jeep" for carting shopping on Public Transport.
(It's cute, I swear! And it was a bargain!)
Started the Couch 2 5k Program!!!


♡Missy

Sources: Tumblr, WeHeartIt & Pinterest 

"Couture, Couture" Solid Parfum Ring

Little bit of Christmas cheer for myself...

Actually, I'm not gonna lie, I have spoilt myself rotten this year. I was feeling sorry for myself, so I indulged.

I'll put it this way... It's going to be a Juicy Christmas and a Couture New Year!!