My Blush Collection

I’m having a real moment with blush lately. Sometimes I go through phases where I don’t wear blush a lot but recently I have been appreciating the lovely, natural flush it gives my cheeks and how it pulls a look together. I believe blush is one of those products you don’t need to own a lot of different shades of if you’ve found a couple that really suit your skin tone. I know what works for me and what I personally like. I tend to go for mauve tones and blushes that have a bit of shimmer and can be built up. If you’ve followed my blog for a while you may have heard me mention these products but I thought this would be a great way to collectively talk through my favourite blushes and if you have fair-light skin like me these will also work well for you.

Starting from the blush I’ve owned longest and working through to the newest:

1. Dainty Doll – Billion Dollar Babies

Firstly, look at that pan! This is the only cream blush in my collection but it is my most used blush hands down! Billion Dollar Babies is a neutral pink-brown nude. It may look plain in the pan but once it is on the face it adds the most natural flush of colour whilst making the skin look dewy. This blush is the most versatile I own and it really does go with every makeup look! I don’t tend to wear bronzer or contour when I wear this blush as I find it layers better on top of foundation this way and stops my makeup looking heavy. I keep this blush in my everyday makeup bag on top of my dresser which contains products I reach for often.

2. Dainty Doll – You Are My Sunshine

You Are My Sunshine is a dupe for NARS Orgasm and I purchased this blush a couple of years after I started blogging. I don’t know how I first heard about Orgasm but I remember thinking it was such a beautiful shade and the fact it suits many different skin tones is a bonus. I found this blush brand new on eBay for $8 (NZD) and this easily comes in as a close second to Billion Dollar Babies for being my most used. This blush is also my personal favourite in my collection and I love the healthy effect the peachy golden shimmer gives the skin. A little goes a long way with this blush and if I’m feeling under the weather or want my makeup to pop this is the blush I’ll choose. It pairs well with my fuchsia lipsticks and a light shimmery shadow on the lids.

3. NARS Mini Orgasm Blush/Highlight Duo

I picked up this NARS duo in 2018 as I was curious to see how my dupe for Orgasm compared to the real thing. Taking pictures for this post was actually the first time I had swatched both blushes side by side. They are equally as beautiful and look similar on the skin but Orgasm is more pink and easier to diffuse whereas You Are My Sunshine is more peachy and shimmery and needs to be applied with a lighter hand. I bought the NARS duo as it has a blush and highlighter meaning it’s convenient for travel and takes up less space. Despite the fact the blush is mini it will still last a long time. Orgasm is a classic shade and if you haven’t tried it I highly encourage you to give it a go, it may look intimidating in the pan but it is a surprisingly versatile shade.

4. MAC Mineralize Blush – Warm Soul

I forgot I owned this blush for a little while because my Dainty Doll blushes are so good at covering all bases that I didn’t find myself for reaching this one as often. A couple of weeks ago I used it for the first time in ages and fell in love all over again. Warm Soul has a baked mineral formula meaning it layers well whilst still looking soft and gives a pearl-like shimmer. This blush pairs really well with a pink highlight or if you prefer something simple and subtle, Warm Soul can be worn on it’s own and applied a little higher up to double as a blush and highlighter. The microshimmers will catch the light and make the cheeks look more sculpted.

5. Max Factor Creme Puff Blushes – 10 Nude Mauve and 20 Lavish Mauve

I purchased both of these in February so they are still relatively new to me. I have used each shade a handful of times so far and I’m happy with how they perform. This range of blushes is supposedly similar to the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes so if you’re looking to try a cheaper alternative, these are a good option. Nude Mauve has a muted pink/brown tone whilst Lavish Mauve is brighter and more pink. The marbled effect in the pan is gorgeous and these blushes also contain microshimmers similar to Warm Soul so they can double as blushes and highlighters. If you have a deeper skin tone these particular shades would make pretty highlighters but if you’re fair like me they are perfect blushes.

Swatches:

Left to right: Billion Dollar Babies, You Are My Sunshine, Orgasm, Warm Soul, Nude Mauve and Lavish Mauve.

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Have you tried any of these blushes? What’s your favourite blush?

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March Favourites + Highlights 2020

Literally on the first day of March I felt myself coming down with something. I had inflamed tonsils and a sore throat for most of the month and that resulted in two separate trips to the doctor and being prescribed two different antibiotics. I think I am finally on the mend now and getting back to ‘normal’.

I will be working from home over the coming weeks as New Zealand officially went into lockdown on March 26th for a minimum of four weeks. People are only supposed to leave home to pick up groceries, medication or if they are walking around the block for exercise. I hope everyone takes this period of self isolation seriously and thinks how their actions could impact others. It’s also important to be kind to yourself and find activities that make you feel good and keep you busy. If any of my blogging friends need a chat, I’m here.

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Absent Melange Short Sleeve T-shirt Pink – The weather is starting to cool down now as autumn is properly underway but over the past few months I have loved wearing this t-shirt. I picked it up on Boxing Day for $10 and it’s such a good basic. It’s actually a men’s t-shirt and I also picked up one in blue. The blue is an Extra Small and the pink is a Small as there was no Extra Small left. Both fit really nicely – they’re straight cut which suits my body shape and don’t cling. The length is good and I like how the sleeves are a little longer too.

2. Viva la Juicy La Fleur – I purchased this perfume in August 2019 and over the past few weeks it’s the one I’ve found myself reaching for the most. As I have been sick most of March I wanted something light for the days I was able to go to work and this fits the bill. Viva la Juicy is a nice fruity floral with notes of mandarin, wild berries, honeysuckle, gardenia and jasmine with a creamy gourmand base. This is lighter and not as intense as the original VLJ if you’re curious about how it differs.

3. BECCA First Light Priming Filter – I got a 15ml deluxe sample of this in a BECCA travel set I purchased at the end of last year. This primer makes the skin lovely and dewy so if you have normal to oily skin or you like dewy foundations you’ll probably need a setting powder. I have used this primer several times throughout the month and I really enjoy it, the product feels lightweight yet hydrating on the skin. It soaks in quickly and all products sit on top of it nicely.

4. xoBeauty “The Heiress” False Lashes – I tried false lashes for the very first time this month and I wrote a post about my experience HERE. In February I purchased a couple of sets of lashes from xoBeauty and “The Heiress” lashes are the ones I was most excited to try! These lashes are medium length and give a beautiful curled, fluttery effect. The lashes look very natural on and feel incredibly lightweight. They were so easy to apply and I can’t wait to wear them again!

5. Max Factor Creme Puff Blush in 10 Nude Mauve – This blush is one of those staple shades everyone needs in their makeup collection. If you have medium to dark skin tones this colour may not show up well but for fair to light skin tones it is the perfect everyday blush! Nude Mauve is a brown-pink mauve with subtle shimmer and it can also be used to sculpt and highlight the cheekbones if you feel like skipping contour and highlighter.

March Highlights

• Early in the month I met up with a friend who’s also an ex work colleague. We caught up for food, had plenty of laughs and good conversation. She’s one of those people where I can be completely myself and I know she’s always got my back.
• Before the country went into lockdown I placed a final order with Dominos as I won’t be able to have takeaway food for a while. I don’t buy a lot of takeaways or food when I’m out but I wanted to get in while I had the chance.

March’s Spotify Playlist

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How was your month? Share one of your highlights in the comments!

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Collective Haul: Beauty + Entertainment

I still seem to go through phases where I buy nothing at all or place a couple of online orders around the same time. Does anyone else get excited for packages in the mail or is it just me?! I am really excited about the items (a little nervous for one but more on that later) and now that everything has arrived I can talk about them.

1. Max Factor Creme Puff Blushes in 10 Nude Mauve and 20 Lavish Mauve

I saw one of these blushes on sale in a shop for half price and although I’ve heard lots of good things about them I’d never swatched them for myself. The shade on sale wasn’t quite up my street but there were a couple of other shades that were. Before I commit to buying most makeup products I will research them and watch YouTube videos. Nude Mauve is a gorgeous brown-mauve and Lavish Mauve has more prominent pink-mauve tones. Both shades are suitable for my fair skin and apply beautifully on the cheeks. The formula is soft and buildable and the packaging is compact and feels sturdy.

Blush swatches:

Left to right: Nude Mauve and Lavish Mauve

2. xoBeauty “The Innocent” and “The Heiress” False Lashes

This is the purchase I was nervous about! I have never worn false eyelashes in my life and I feel like I will either be terrible at trying to apply them or I will get better with practice. xoBeauty is a brand I have purchased numerous products from and Shannon’s lash line gets a lot of love. I opted for natural looking styles that aren’t too long as I wear glasses. The Innocent are a short criss cross pattern that will add a nice amount of volume. The Heiress lashes aim to give a fluttery, curled effect and are slightly more dramatic. I haven’t tried the lashes yet but I will experiment on one of my days off.

3. Duo False Eyelash Glue (Clear, latex-free)

You can’t apply lashes without glue! On the xoBeauty site there are a few different glue options but I went for this one as it dries clear and is more suitable for sensitive eyes. My eyes aren’t overly sensitive but I liked the sound of this glue the best. The brush on applicator sounds really useful as well.

4. Lash Applicator Tweezer

xoBeauty have special tweezers which Shannon always uses to apply eyelashes and I’ve watched her use these in numerous YouTube videos – she makes it look so easy! The tweezers are nicely weighted, matte black and have a non-slip grip. The shape of the prongs is designed to aid with application and help fuse the false lashes with your natural lashes.

5. Louise – Heavy Love CD

Louise is a British singer-songwriter who found fame as one quarter of 90s R&B/pop group Eternal. Louise left the group in 1995 to pursue a solo career and released her fourth studio album in January 2020. It was a mission to get this CD, I pre-ordered a signed copy from Amazon.co.uk in August 2019 and during the week or two following release I didn’t get any update on my order. Amazon estimated the CD would arrive by February 3 (which it didn’t) and the next day I got an update saying there is an unexpected delay and delivery will now be between mid February and the end of March. I really wanted a signed CD and thought I’ll cancel my Amazon order and get one from Louise’s official store instead, it was more expensive but it was still signed. When I went to order from Louise’s store the signed CDs were sold out but luckily I found a company called Banquet Records who listed signed copies on their website. I tweeted to ask about stock and there were still signed CDs available. I cancelled my Amazon order, placed an order with Banquet Records and the order was dispatched within a few days.

6. Frankie Bridge – Open

In my life a lot of things seem to come back to music and this book is an example of that. Frankie is a singer I have looked up to for half of my life and my admiration for her multiplied when she revealed a struggle with anxiety and depression in 2011/2012. I am quite an anxious person and whilst I have never been diagnosed with a mental illness or been on medication some of the things Frankie says in interviews and this book resonate with me. In a way it’s comforting to know I’m not alone in some of my thoughts. I finished this book within 24 hours and it was great to learn more about Frankie. The book is written in such a kind way, it doesn’t come across as needy (not that I thought it would) and my only con is that it’s not longer.

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What was the last thing you treated yourself to?

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September Favourites + Highlights

September has been a month of two halves. For the first half of the month I was on leave from work and it was so good to have a break, sleep in and cruise through each day without feeling like I had to be on a time limit and have a schedule. The second half of the month I have jumped straight back into busy work life and in some ways it’s like I was never away. I’ve made a few purchases this month including my first ever high end foundation! I am yet to try the foundation as I’m close to finishing another and want to get that gone first but I am waiting with excitement. When I do finally get around to trying it, of course I will do a blog post!

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Paco Rabanne – Olympéa – Not so long ago I purchased three new fragrances and Olympéa happens to be the one I have reached for most. This perfume is excellent when you want a scent that is going to last all day and I’ve found myself choosing this one recently when I’ve been out for dinner with some of the girls from work. This perfume is different and more mature than what I usually opt for but in a good way.

2. MAC Fix+ Setting Spray – I purchased this setting spray at the end of 2018 and it is my favourite out of all the setting sprays I have tried. I have the 30ml size but I don’t use this particular one every day. The spray nozzle disperses a good amount of product and the spray doesn’t feel too wet when it hits the face and doesn’t disrupt the makeup underneath. The scent is fresh and this also works nicely to spray on brushes before dipping into eyeshadow when you want a more intense eye look.

3. Colourpop Ultra Glossy Lip in Snow Day – I purchased this gloss in my second Colourpop haul and it really is beautiful! My favourite wear to wear this is as a lip topper as the little bits of shimmer bring out the lipstick colour underneath. The formula is not overly sticky and it has good lasting power throughout the day. I am getting used to the brush applicator now too.

4. MAC Mineralize Blush – Warm Soul – Warm Soul is a blush I lusted over for a while before purchasing it. In the pan the colour may not look the most exciting but it is a gorgeous natural, nude colour that is extremely versatile. I’m not sure how this colour would look on darker skin tones but if you’re fair like me I think you will like this. I will say the packaging isn’t the easiest to open but other people have said the same so I know it’s not just me. My MAC highlighter in Soft & Gentle has the same packaging but is easier to open, possibly because it’s bigger.

September Highlights

• My two weeks off from work was bliss – so nice to have a break!
• Nice to feel included and be invited out to dinner with work friends twice this month.
• I made my third Colourpop order. A haul post will be up soon.
• I’ve been listening to Tove Lo a fair bit this month and can appreciate how catchy her songs are.

September’s Spotify Playlist:

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How was your month? Share one of your highlights in the comments!

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November Favourites 2018

November has been a whirlwind! I got offered a new job, began training for the new job whilst I was still working my old job and officially started my new job last week. I have been listening to music and singing most days which is still my most favourite thing to do and similar to last month, I haven’t read much during November. My mind feels very full with information and I’m already looking forward to the Christmas break to have a rest and wind down.

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. xoBeauty Radiant Glow Highlight Powder – Aurora – This is the most recent addition to my highlighter collection. (Post on my collection *HERE*). The powder is very finely milled and so soft and easy to apply. This is the most subtle of my highlighters and it can also double as an all over face powder. Applying with a big fluffy brush works best and allows the product to really be swept over the skin. I am considering picking up the other shade of this powder too which is more golden.

2. NARS Mini Orgasm Blush Highlight Duo – I don’t often wear blush and highlighter together but with this mini duo I can’t go wrong. Orgasm is a flattering shade for a lot of people and if you want a blush shade that is versatile and a little glam, you should try it! The highlight looks quite plain in the pan but once it’s on the face it gives a lovely glow. The highlighter is exclusive to this mini, it’s a special Orgasm highlighter which I’d class as a peachy-pink champagne shade.

3. The Body Shop Metal Lip Liquid 018 Plum Titanium – It’s common knowledge I’m not a fan of matte liquid lipsticks but this formula from The Body Shop is super comfortable and velvety smooth. The pigmentation is good, the colour lasts all day and the formula isn’t streaky to apply. This has a slight fruity scent that is nice and doesn’t linger if you’re not a fan of scented lip products. Plum Titanium is a gorgeous deep red, perfect for Christmas! It’s a wearable red that doesn’t look strictly metallic, making it a safe option all year round.

4. Andy Brown – Cedarmont – I feel a little naughty having a copy of this CD. I originally pre-ordered a signed copy from the artist’s official store but the album release got cancelled and my money was refunded. I caught wind Amazon US had copies available and one buyer left a review confirming the CD arrived and is genuine. I ordered a copy myself and it arrived less than two weeks later. In short, the album is really good and I have been playing it on repeat since it arrived! I have loved and listened to Andy’s voice for years (he’s also the frontman of British band Lawson) and this album further proves his talent. The lyrics are heartfelt, catchy and this album makes me happy when I listen to it. I hope it gets the proper release it deserves. Standout Tracks: Talk of the Town, Put That Record On, Hold On, Keeper and Breaking Your Heart.

November’s Spotify Playlist:

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What were your favourite things in November?

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Makeup Revolution Blush Queen Palette Review + Swatches

Back in September, Revolution launched in New Zealand on the Farmers website. Only a couple of days earlier I was eyeing up the Blush Queen palette on the brand’s British website. Blush Queen contains a mix of eight blushes and highlighters all with an underlying pink tone. Usually I don’t like pink on my cheeks as my skin has slight redness and I find pink accentuates it but, spoiler, this palette is really nice!

The product has a baked, marbled effect but it is still smooth, blendable and finely milled. The smallest amount of product is all you need for a subtle, naturally flushed, everyday look but the shades can easily be built up for more oomph. Due to the shimmer in these I find they are a nice cross between a blush and a highlighter, especially if you’re like me and don’t often wear both together. I tend to apply shades from this palette a little higher up than I normally would a blush to make the shimmer look more natural. I am yet to try these as eyeshadows but I imagine they would look pretty and applying them to the eyes and cheeks would really tie a look together when you’re running short on time.

The shades in the palette don’t have official names so I have numbered them from 1-8 and I will give a quick rundown on each shade and mention whether I use it as a blush or a highlighter. The beauty of this palette and makeup in general is that it’s so versatile and what I use as blush or highlighter others may not. No combinations are wrong.

Shade 1 – Highlight: In real life this is more of a light purple-white and is definitely the most neutral shade in the palette.

Shade 2 – Blush: This is very similar to shade 6 except this is more pink and 6 is more peach. Both shades are peachy-pinks and remind me of Orgasm by NARS with less gold.

Shade 3 – Blush: This borders on being blush and highlight and is the lightest pure pink in the palette which tips it into blush territory for me. A very natural looking pink on the cheeks.

Shade 4 – Highlight: This is the iciest looking shade in the palette, not in a bad way, it just has the lightest tone. One of my personal favourites.

Shade 5 – Blush: This is another blush perfect for a more neutral day to day look. This shade is your nude-pink of the bunch.

Shade 6 – Blush: See shade 2.

Shade 7 – Blush: I find this to be the most pigmented shade in the palette. This blush is a bright magenta-pink and won’t be forgiving if you don’t build up colour slowly.

Shade 8 – Blush: Another one of my favourites. This gorgeous berry-pink is surprisingly not as intimidating as I thought it would be.

Swatches:

Swatched in order from shade 1 – shade 8, left to right.

Overall Thoughts

For the price this palette is great value. $16.50 (NZD) for eight shades works out to $2.06 each. The packaging feels sleek and sturdy and the fact this palette doesn’t have a mirror doesn’t bother me. The quality of the product is up there along with all the other Revolution makeup I’ve tried. I’m a minimalist when it comes to makeup and don’t like to have too much of one thing. This palette slots in nicely with my other two single colour blushes and gives me a little more variety. The blush shades apply the same with fingers and brushes. The colour and pigmentation lasts well throughout the day. If you’re apprehensive about trying certain shades of blush like I was or don’t know whether you’ll like a palette, Revolution is a good brand to try. Their products aren’t expensive and will help you make up your mind without compromising on quality.

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What do you think of these colours? Do you prefer single blushes or palettes?

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MECCA Beauty Wishlist

MECCA is the Australia/New Zealand equivalent of Sephora (we have Sephora too, online at least) and the beauty retailer stocks and carries popular brands that aren’t all available elsewhere in New Zealand. I thought it would be fun to show you what’s currently in my cart and the items I’d like to add to my collection and try. Some brands I haven’t tried but I have heard many good things about in the beauty world!

Soap & Glory Hand Food | $5.00

Hand cream is one of my beauty staples and $5.00 for 50ml from Soap & Glory compared to $10 for 30ml from The Body Shop is a good deal. The hand cream contains shea butter, macadamia oil and marshmallow and features Soap & Glory’s original pink rose and bergamont scent.

Why I don’t need it: I want to use up the hand creams I’ve got before I buy more.

Urban Decay Original Primer Potion | $22.00

This is a classic among beauty lovers and one of Rachael’s – whose opinion I trust very much – personal favourites. I’ve never tried eye primer before and I personally don’t see it as a necessity in my beauty routine but I’d like to try this to see what the hype is about and maybe afterwards I will be converted.

Why I don’t need it: I often use concealer as my eye primer and I’ve already got a NYX eyeshadow base as well.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara | $36.00

I’ve tried the L’Oreal dupe for this mascara (Lash Paradise/Paradise Extatic) and it’s pretty damn amazing but it would be interesting to see how it compares to this mascara and if it’s worth paying twice the price for the Too Faced.

Why I don’t need it: I could get two tubes of L’Oreal’s Lash Paradise for the price of one of these and I’ve got two brand new tubes of my favourite Rimmel mascara waiting in the wings.

MAC Sized To Go Strobe Cream | $25.00

This product aims to refresh, perfect, hydrate and brighten skin, smooth texture and replenish moisture. The travel size comes in the shade Pinklite. Not only does this keep your complexion looking fresh and flawless, the cream is infused with powerful botanicals, vitamins and green tea. The sized to go Studio Moisture Cream lasts me a while and the small size means you get a good amount to try to decide whether or not you like the product.

Why I don’t need it: I see myself picking this up sometime in the near future to use as a base under foundation instead of primer.

NARS Mini Orgasm Blush Highlight Duo | $38.00

NARS seems like such a high quality, well-loved brand and their Orgasm blush is another classic for bloggers. I have a dupe of Orgasm and it is one of my favourite makeup items out of everything I own. The blush gives such a lovely flush to the cheeks and a little goes a long way.

Why I don’t need it: Again, I can also see myself picking up this duo. My favourite blush is a dupe for Orgasm and to have a backup and be able to try the real thing would be cool. The highlight in the duo, Hot Sand, also looks stunning.

MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ | $22.00

Lately with face mists I have been enjoying applying the mist to my face before moisturiser and massaging the face mist in alongside the moisturiser to give my skin more hydration. With warmer weather on the horizon this product would help set my makeup and keep it in place during the day. I also want to try the trick of spritzing an eyeshadow brush with Fix+ to really pack on shimmery shadows.

Why I don’t need it: I’m using one of the new face mists from The Body Shop but I can see myself picking this up once that’s done.

Too Faced Hangover Primer | $23.00

Fellow New Zealand blogger, Angela, loves this primer and I’d like to try it after hearing her mention it on her blog. One thing that does worry me though is the coconut scent, does it linger after application?

Why I don’t need it: I wouldn’t buy this primer and the MAC Strobe Cream. I don’t need both if I use the strobe cream as a primer.

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Have you tried any of these products? What’s on your makeup wishlist?

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Decluttering My Beauty Drawer

When I was deciding what I wanted to try and use up for Products I Want To Finish In 2018 I also came up with a list of products I barely use and a few that don’t work for me. We all love a good declutter and seeing what other bloggers don’t get on with! Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products. Perhaps you fared better than I did.

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#1. Chi Chi Billion Dollar Palette in Heiress

Getting rid of this palette makes me a little sad as it was my very first eyeshadow palette. The matte shades in this palette aren’t great but two of the pink metallic shades, the white and the two silvers got a lot of love. The silver is so amazing – I even hit pan – and I was tempted to keep the palette for this shade alone but I purchased a silver pigment from MAC to take care of my silver shadow needs.

(The silver referred to is the one next to the white).

#2. The Body Shop Swinging Silver Palette

I purchased this palette at the start of 2017 for $15 (NZD) because of how lovely the shades looked online. I thought this palette would be great as it has two backup silvery shades, a metallic peach and a gorgeous navy blue. The navy disappointed me the most as it doesn’t transfer pigment to the eyelid and the light silver applies well but doesn’t have staying power. The only decent shade is the peach. I don’t wear the peach enough to warrant keeping the palette though and like the Chi Chi palette, the MAC silver pigment will take care of my silver needs.

#3. Tanya Burr Sweet Lip Creams

These were a failure. I regret purchasing these but they did make me realise I’m not a matte lip cream/liquid lipstick fan. I don’t mind matte lipsticks in a traditional bullet but not the ones in tubes. The red, Santa’s Little Helper is the better shade out of the two application wise. It gives nice pigment but you can’t apply more than one layer without messing up the first. The dark purple, Blackberry Fudge is gorgeous but very streaky and I struggle to apply one even coat. I have tried these on different occasions and each time quite frankly, they have been shit.

#4. Smashbox – Bawse

I will correct myself and say I don’t mind the formula of this liquid lipstick. It’s more like a mousse and doesn’t dry down instantly giving you time to apply another coat if needed and perfect your pout. I won Bawse in a giveaway and I am incredibly sad to have to get rid of this product, not because I don’t like it but because it has dried out! I had this a little more than a year and it is such a lovely red. I may re-purchase at some point to see if it lasts longer a second time round but I have got other reds I can turn to.

#5. Revlon Lip Butter – Tutti Frutti

I love bright lips and orange lipstick looks so good on other people. The problem I have with Tutti Frutti is it’s not a bright orange, I’d prefer it to be along the lines of MAC Morange. Because of the sheer formula it doesn’t pack enough of a punch to be bright. I have other Lip Butters which are more pigmented. I don’t reach for this colour so it’s time to go.

#6. W7 Raspberry Ripple

I have no issues with this lipstick, I just have similar colours and don’t reach for this particular shade often.

#7. Rimmel Apocolips Lip Lacquer in Solstice and Stellar

Solstice looks so pretty in the tube and when I first purchased it I used it a lot. Now I find I can get a similar colour using Blankety by MAC topped with Revlon’s lipgloss in Super Natural.

Stellar I purchased for my mum as she also loves bright, bold colours! She didn’t like the formula and gave it back to me. I don’t find this shade wears well over the course of a day and it’s a coral-red which aren’t my favourite.

#8. Dainty Doll Powder Blushes in Hippy Shake and My Girl

Blush isn’t a product I wear every day and I have two shades I do use regularly  I tend to use blush or highlighter and prefer highlighters to blushes. The lilac shade on the left, Hippy Shake looks highlighter-esque and is so soft and lovely but I have a similar coloured highlighter and don’t need this anymore. The pink shade on the right, My Girl again is a lovely formula but I cannot wear pink blush, it doesn’t suit my skin and looks harsh.

#9. Covergirl truBlend Liquid Foundation in L2 Classic Ivory

This foundation is weird. The bottle instructs you to shake before each use which I did but when I pump this out onto the back of my hand it’s watery and separated and runny. The colour isn’t exactly a perfect match but I was able to work with it and apply a light layer to avoid an orange tinge. The coverage wasn’t particularly good either.

#10. Revlon Rose Glow Highlighting Palette

This is pretty and I have used it numerous times but the highlight looks chunky and powdery on the face which is a little odd because this isn’t the most pigmented highlighter. Strangely this doesn’t look harsh on my cheeks like the Dainty Doll My Girl blush despite being pink (maybe because it’s sparkly and less pigmented?) It’s not a product I’ll miss having in my collection.

#11. Rimmel Climax

I think what makes me not like this nail polish is the wide brush, my fingers are small and I like a brush that’s not too big or small. I purchased this in 2012 and the colour is beautiful but I don’t wear the polish and only ever have a handful of times. I have newer polishes from Rimmel that don’t have as wide a brush and I like those more.

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I hope you enjoyed this post and thanks for reading! Have you had a declutter recently?

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The Best Real Techniques Brushes

YouTubers Sam and Nic Chapman are the face of Real Techniques whose makeup brushes are often talked about in the beauty world. When I started blogging and purchased some of the brushes myself I could see why. The brushes are not only affordable, they have the quality to match. Brushes are categorised by colour in regards to their function; base brushes are orange, finishing/setting brushes are pink and eye brushes are purple.

I purchased all of my Real Techniques brushes from iHerb as the prices were a lot lower than New Zealand stores. I have never experienced any issues with bristles shedding and coming away from the ferrule. I treat my brushes with care and when I clean them they wash up like new. The majority have synthetic bristles which is one of the reasons they wash up so well.

I have had my brushes for a couple of years now and wanted to share my favourites and most used with you.

This post is not sponsored by Real Techniques. All opinions are my own and all brushes were purchased by me.

1. Expert Face Brush

This brush definitely gets used the most and is my favourite beauty tool to apply foundation. I have used it to buff concealer into the skin and apply bronzer in the hollows of the cheeks so it does have multiple uses! The bristles are quite dense but the brush doesn’t eat up foundation and gives nice, even coverage. The brush is small enough that it can get around the eyes and nose but large enough that it doesn’t take an age to blend out product on the cheeks and forehead. I prefer the finish this gives compared to a beauty sponge or my fingers.

2. Blush Brush

Again, another multi purpose brush! I probably use this for blush the least but it does give a lovely smattering of colour due to the tapered bristles which are also super soft. I love this brush for bronzing up my cheeks. I also use it to apply translucent powder on days I feel extra dewy or want a matte look. Sweeping motions and a light hand will make this brush your friend.

3. Shading Brush

If you want an eye brush that can blend, pack on colour and is a good size to get into the crease you will love the shading brush. If you opt for simple, everyday looks and use one or two shadows you can do it all with this one brush. Or if you prefer creating dramatic, smoky looks you can use this brush to apply your main lid shade and then go in with it again for the socket/crease work. The shades will blend together, completing the eye look.

4. Base Shadow Brush

This brush does what it says on the tin. It’s fluffy so it applies shadow evenly and quickly – you wouldn’t use this brush if you want precision. Being a base shadow brush and not venturing outside the cream/light brown territory very often, it lasts longer between washes as it doesn’t get dipped into as many colours. This brush is not sold separately like the previous three and comes as part of the Starter Set. Apart from the base shadow brush and deluxe crease brush (not mentioned in this post), I don’t reach for the remaining brushes in the set.

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Have you tried Real Techniques brushes? What are your thoughts?

Writing this post led me to browse iHerb where I placed an order containing four brushes from the Bold Metals collection: three eye brushes and one face brush. My favourites could change/expand very soon.

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Top 10 Under $10 – No. 2

Disclaimer: The currency referred to in this post is NZD. These items will have different prices depending on where you live.

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Hello, how are you all doing? Luxury beauty products are normally great quality – hence the price tag – but expensive doesn’t always mean better. There are some amazing beauty bargains out there that don’t cost a lot of money at all and today I’m sharing some of my favourites! In 2016, I did my first Top 10 Under $10 post and I’m back with a further 10 items I wouldn’t be without.

#1. Dainty Doll Powder Blush in 004 You Are My Sunshine

If I could only wear one blush for the rest of my life this would be it. You Are My Sunshine is a dupe for Orgasm by NARS and is a beautiful, shimmery peachy-coral. I purchased this blush on eBay a couple of years back for $4. A little goes a long way with this shade because it is shimmery and doubles as a highlighter. I love wearing this shade in spring and summer as it gives a radiant glow.

#2. Zoella Tutti Fruity Beauty Pouch

I don’t watch/follow Zoella religiously and I didn’t even realise she had a beauty line until last year. I was browsing around Feel Unique when I spotted this pouch and instantly added it to my basket. I love the makeup illustrations on the pouch but also that the pouch doesn’t have to be used for makeup. This would make a good handbag insert to easily switch between bags or a little medication holder when you go away.

#3. Manicare Scissor Tweezers

The tweezers in the image above are purple but the pair I have are neon pink. I pluck my own eyebrows and these make plucking easy. They don’t pull too many hairs at once and are really comfortable to hold. I probably pluck my eyebrows once a month. I’ve noticed since I started regular plucking the hairs don’t grow as thick and fast. I know where to pluck, the shape that suits me and the shape I like. Being bright pink makes them super easy to find in my drawer.

#4. Rubi Rose Gold Nail Polish

I purchased this nail polish back in 2015 and every time I wear it I love it even more! This shade leans more toward gold than copper but it is one of the prettiest colours I own. The packaging is a bit plain but the formula more than makes up for it. This polish is pretty much a one coat wonder (to borrow Stashy’s term) but I still prefer to apply two. Love it!

#5. TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray

Before blow drying my hair or using styling tools I always make sure to apply this and brush it through. A couple of spritzes are plenty and the spray keeps hair shiny and soft whilst protecting against heat and friction. After styling my hair I normally finish with another couple of spritzes. This smells wonderful and is enriched with vitamins to keep hair looking its best.

#6. Fudge Urban Miracle Ends

This product goes hand in hand with the TRESemmé heat tamer spray mentioned above. I tend to apply this to the ends of my hair post styling to keep it looking smooth and sleek. I have mentioned this product before on the blog and I always talk about how good it smells, it should be turned into a fragrance! I also use this on the lengths of my hair if it is looking frizzy to tame it.

#7. Typo Spinout Notebooks

I have bought numerous notebooks from Typo over the past few years and I blimmin’ love them! The patterns and designs on the front are adorable and best of all, these notebooks are left-hander friendly. The margin is indented so hands don’t press into the rings when writing. There’s even a pocket to keep loose bits of paper in and an elastic for closure. These notebooks make the best blog planners and list makers. They could also be used to write posts out with pen and paper before typing them up if that’s your preference.

#8. Tanya Burr Lipglosses

I purchased three of Tanya’s lipglosses last year and I still wear each shade regularly. The packaging of these is so luxurious and pretty. The formula is pigmented and the gloss itself isn’t too sticky. It feels comfortable on the lips and has a lovely watermelon scent. My personal favourite is Afternoon Tea which is a light pink.

#9. Dainty Doll Wonderbalm

This is truly wondrous! It can be used on the lips, cheeks, nails, elbows, anywhere your skin needs a pick me up. Wonderbalm contains mango seed oil, natural plant waxes, beeswax and Vitamin E. My favourite way to use Wonderbalm is as a lip primer before applying really matte lipsticks shades such as Ruby Woo and All Fired Up. This ensures my lips don’t get dry throughout the day whilst still making the colour last.

#10. Black Headband

This is really basic but an absolute essential in my makeup bag when I go away or stay overnight with my boyfriend. I always use this to hold my fringe back when I’m applying moisturiser and makeup or washing my face. The stretchy fabric doesn’t leave a kink like plastic headbands. I picked mine up in the supermarket for less than $3.

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What cheap beauty products do you love?