GRWM: Drugstore Makeup Look

In June I shared this look using as many luxurious makeup products as I could. It was a lot of fun to create so I also wanted to do a look using a full face of affordable, drugstore makeup. Most of the makeup I own is more in the drugstore price range, I love products that are good quality and inexpensive and sometimes drugstore products can’t be beat!

Products listed in order of application:

1. Olay Complete UV Lotion Sensitive – I used to be all about a face moisturiser from Simple until 2018 when I tried this one from Olay and haven’t looked back. This is really nice, it’s lightweight, makeup looks good on top of it and it contains SPF 15.

2. Maybelline Master Prime Hydrate + Smooth – The more I have used this primer the more I have come to enjoy it. It is a little thicker than other primers in my collection but for work and everyday wear this is good. It soaks in quickly so you don’t have to wait before going in with your foundation if you’re short on time.

3. Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil in 002 Hazel – Still all I use to fill in my brows.

4. Max Factor Miracle Match Foundation in 40 Light Ivory – I got this foundation as a birthday gift in 2019 and it sat in my drawer for about a year before I tried it out. I put this to the test with three other foundations at the start of the year (post *HERE*) and whilst it was one of the lower ranked foundations I don’t want to give up on it yet. The undertone of this shade is neutral which works well with my skintone and as it wears throughout the day my natural oils come out and I don’t mind how it looks.

5. L’Oreal Infallible More Than Concealer in 323 Fawn – I purchased this concealer in April after seeing it on Arna Alayne’s YouTube channel. I was a little worried this would be drying on my dry skin but it’s not at all, this still feels nice and creamy! This concealer is full coverage but blends into the skin easily and a little goes a long way. I do find if I use too much this can make my skin look a little pale. This does have a bit of a weird smell but once product is applied the scent disappears.

6. Rimmel Match Perfection Loose Powder  – I am loving this powder lately. I have had it for a few years now but it still applies and looks the same on the skin. It’s translucent so it doesn’t alter how my base products look and it works particuarly well to set the L’Oreal concealer above in place.

7. Milani Eyeshadow Primer – I don’t enjoy this primer as much as Urban Decay’s Primer Potion but it gets the job done and keeps eyeshadow in place. It can make my eyelids a little dry.

8. Colourpop Lilac You a Lot Palette – Purple is one colour that really works for my skin tone and it was fun bringing out this palette for this drugstore look. I started by applying Zoned Out as a base shadow all over the lid then used Iffy to deepen up the crease. Finally I applied Fluff all over the lid with my finger for a pop of shimmer.

9. Colourpop BFF Mascara in Purple Prose – I have a back up of my holy grail Rimmel mascara that I didn’t want to crack open just for this post. The other mascaras in my collection at the moment are all high end and then I remembered this purple mascara I got from Colourpop last year. I love pairing it with purple eyeshadow and it’s fun to wear. Coloured mascara doesn’t take the place of regular black mascara for me but this does add length and volume to my lashes without looking clumpy and the formula is nice and doesn’t smudge. The more coats I apply, the more purple my lashes look.

10. I ♡ Makeup Goddess of Love Highlighter – This was my first highlighter and I still love wearing it. The pink, purple and silver tones look so nice on fair skin and this can be built up depending on the intensity you like. This highlighter looks natural on the skin and pairs so well with purple toned eyeshadow.

11. Dainty Doll Cream Blush in Billion Dollar Babies – I knew this blush would be perfect to add a natural flush to the cheeks. The cream formula is lush!

12. The Body Shop Rose Face Mist – This mist makes the skin lovely and dewy. It’s particularly nice on top of more matte foundations and if I’ve used setting powder. The rose scent is also pleasant, it’s not overpowering or too strong.

13. Revlon Lip Butter in Lollipop – Not only is this my favourite kind of lipstick colour to wear but it also looks good with anything! I love these lip butters as they are nicely pigmented as well as making the lips look juicy and glossy. The formula is sheerer than a regular lipstick but this shade in particular still packs a punch!

The Finished Look


What do you think of this look? What are some of your favourite drugstore products?

signature_59rnt66ifetkuap2w9

Follow me:

Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

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.


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

signature_59rnt66ifetkuap2w9

Follow me:

Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Casual Makeup + OOTD

Sometimes even on my days off I wear makeup if I have things planned or I want to look nice. Last Thursday I went into town for my first visit to Kmart and did a little bit of shopping. I opted for a casual, comfortable outfit and simple, pretty makeup. Hope you enjoy this post!

Outfit:

Can’t go wrong with stripes and monochrome!

  • Top: Dannii For Target
  • Jeans: Glassons

Makeup:

Products listed in order of application:

  1. Makeup Revolution Ultra Face Base Primer – This primer helps my foundation apply more smoothly and keep everything in place longer.
  2. Rimmel Professional Brow Pencil in 002 Hazel – You know how much I love this by now! Look how small the pencil is getting.
  3. Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation in 010 Light Porcelain – Despite this no longer being my favourite foundation it is still good for everyday wear and one of the best colour matches for my skin. It looks nice with the primer and I notice the difference if I don’t use the primer.
  4. Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer – 1 Fair – This concealer is my all time favourite. It blends like a dream and the colour match is perfect.
  5. The Body Shop Honey Bronzer in 01 Light Matte – I love pairing this bronzer with the Rimmel foundation as it warms up my skin ever so slightly and still looks natural. The bronzer is extremely difficult to overdo. It also makes a good base for eyeshadow which I used it for on this day.
  6. Max Factor Excess Shimmer in Pink Opal – I applied a small amount of this on the inner corners of my eyes to make them stand out more.
  7. MAC Pigment in Tan – I applied this over the rest of my eyelids with my finger after going in with the Max Factor shadow. It gives the most beautiful sparkle. I love how you can go in light or heavy handed with this depending on the look you’re going for.
  8. L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara (Blackest Black) – This mascara makes my lashes look long and full and black – it is amazing! I apply two coats to my top lashes and one coat to my bottom lashes.
  9. Dainty Doll Powder Blush in You Are My Sunshine – This gorgeous peachy-coral is my favourite blush. It gives the prettiest flush to the cheeks and I only need a small amount as it is pigmented. I love to apply this with my Real Techniques Setting Brush. It is small and fluffy and allows me to be precise with my application.
  10. Dainty Doll Lipstick in Material World – This is quite a warm shade of pink but it’s extremely beautiful. I think of this lipstick as ‘my job interview lipstick’ because it is a neutral, sophisticated shade. The formula is nourishing and has a kind of demi-matte finish. It’s very comfortable to wear and stays put and doesn’t slide around.

The Finished Look:


What items of clothing and makeup products do you associate with a casual look?

signature_59rnt66ifetkuap2w9

Follow me:

Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Christmas Nails & Makeup Tutorial

The Christmas countdown is on, there’s only 4 days to go! Personally I really enjoy doing my makeup on Christmas Day and making myself look nice. I knew this year I wanted lots of glow and sparkle and that’s exactly what I got! I’ve included a step by step guide as to how I achieved my Christmas look, how I applied each product and a list of the tools I used. Enjoy!


First I want to show off my Christmas nails! I wanted them to tie in with my makeup so I went for a neutral shade, Tiramisu For Two by OPI and did an accent nail (ring fingers) using Glow Your Own Way by Essie.

Makeup Products and Tools Used:

Step By Step Guide:

  1. Moisturise. My go to everyday moisturiser is the Kind To Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser from Simple.
  2. Fill in brows using Rimmel’s Professional Eyebrow Pencil in Hazel.
  3. Apply a pea sized amount of primer. I am currently loving the Ultra Face Base Primer from Makeup Revolution. This has been sitting in my collection unused for a while and I decided to give it another go. It has been helping my makeup stay on longer and aids with application of foundation.
  4. Next I apply Max Factor’s Lasting Performance Foundation in 101 Ivory Beige using the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. I dot the foundation over my face then blend it in. I tend to go in with a little more product on my chin and around my nose as I suffer from redness in those areas.
  5. Using my middle finger I pat concealer onto my nose and chin, again to cover any redness, or any blemishes I have. For this look I used the Studio Finish Concealer from MAC. I have the shade NW10. It is so creamy and blends like a dream. I also run my finger over my eyelids so the concealer can act as a primer for eyeshadow.
  6. *For eyeshadow I used the Iconic 1 palette from Makeup Revolution. Starting with a Real Techniques Oval Shadow Brush I apply the first shade in the palette all over the lid. Taking a Real Techniques Tapered Shadow Brush I blend the darkest matte brown into the crease and outer corner of the eye. The fourth shade from the left is applied all over the lid with a Real Techniques Shading Brush. The second and ninth shades are applied in the centre of the lid with my finger to complete the look.
  7. I used Rimmel’s Scandaleyes Lycra Flex in Black on my lashes. This mascara in the shade Extreme Black 003 is my holy grail. It gives volume and length and makes the lashes look fluttery.
  8. Dipping my Real Techniques Tapered Blush Brush into Dainty Doll’s Powder Blush in You Are My Sunshine I dab lightly over the apples and tops of my cheeks to give a nice flush of colour. This is my favourite blush and a great dupe for Orgasm by NARS.
  9. Using the other side of the same Tapered Blush Brush I apply highlighter to the tops of my cheeks. I chose Mary-Lou Manizer from theBalm.
  10. Fuchsia Fusion from NYX was an easy lip colour choice! Fuchsia is my favourite colour to wear and the sparkles add extra glitz to the look.

*Shades used in eye look:

The Finished Look:

I love this makeup so much! Before I commit to a Christmas Day look I always trial the makeup look beforehand. I wore this makeup out for an evening of shopping and I felt beautiful. It’s not the most traditional look but I didn’t want to do the usual red lip and gold eye.


Do you wear makeup on Christmas Day? If so, what will you be opting for this year?

signature_59rnt66ifetkuap2w9

Follow me:

Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Spring Makeup | Collaboration with Drifting Lexi

spring-makeup

Back in April, Lauren from Drifting Lexi and I did a Spring/Autumn makeup collaboration. We each came up with a look to represent the season we were going into as we live on opposite sides of the world! Six months later, and it’s time for a role reversal – it’s my turn to showcase a Spring inspired look. I wanted it to be bright and fresh and I definitely achieved that!

Note: This look also doubled as the makeup I wore to Ellie Goulding’s concert at the weekend.

Products Used:

spring-makeup-products

As usual, I began by applying my trusty Simple moisturiser.

  • Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil in 002 Hazel
  • Max Factor Lasting Performance Foundation in 101 Ivory Beige – This foundation gives skin a lovely, natural appearance whilst still making the skin look flawless. This is due to the medium-high coverage of the foundation. (I also used this foundation because it is more travel friendly than Rimmel’s Match Perfection which comes in a glass bottle).
  • Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer – 1 Fair
  • Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Barely Branded – I applied this shade as a base to my eyelids, making it easier for eyeshadow to stick to.
  • Maybelline ‘The Nudes’ Palette – I patted the gold shade all over my lids on top of Barely Branded.
  • Rimmel Day 2 Night Mascara – I applied one coat of lengthening mascara before going in with one coat of volume mascara a couple of minutes later.
  • Dainty Doll Powder Blush 004 You Are My Sunshine – The flecks of gold in this blush make it perfect to highlight my cheekbones. It also teams so well with the gold eye look.
  • MAC Without Your Love – This lipstick is a beautiful pop of light pink and I love wearing this shade with the eye look above. Without Your Love brings the look together and makes everything look fresh and bright!
  • Rimmel Oh My Gloss! #150 Glossaholic – Without Your Love is quite a pale shade and I find adding a lick of gloss over it tops everything off nicely and completes the look.

The Finished Look:

spring-makeup-eyes

spring-makeup-the-finished-look


Don’t forget to check out Lauren’s post and let us know what you think of each look!

Be sure to check out our previous collaboration posts from March (HERE) and (HERE) too!

signature_59rnt66ifetkuap2w9

Shop My Stash: Peach & Light Pink Lipsticks

Shop My Stash Peach & Light Pink Lipsticks

This is the third installment in my ‘Shop My Stash’ series where I talk you through my lipstick collection by colour. Peaches and light pinks have become a bit of a staple in my collection and they are perfect for those days when you’re not sure what to wear and want a lip colour that goes with anything. I love wearing pink lipstick and because I have so many pink lip products, I have had to split my pinks into two separate posts. If peachy-pinks are your thing, these will be right up your street!

1. MAC – Patisserie

Patisserie would have to be one of my most worn lipsticks and is also a contender for my most worn MAC lipstick. Lily Pebbles and Vivianna Does Makeup inspired this purchase and it is money well spent. You’ll see in this post, most of the lip products are MAC and that’s because I don’t want to spend $40 on a lipstick that only gets worn every once in a while. I like wearable, everyday shades and Patisserie is my favourite of the peachy bunch. I won’t rattle on about this lipstick too much because I have down a review all about it HERE. In short, it’s a gorgeous peachy terracotta shade in a lustre finish which suits a number of skin tones.

2. BYS – Pretty Little Thing

I’ll be the first to admit I barely wear this lipstick and I’ve only worn it a handful of times. There’s nothing wrong with the actual shade itself, but when trying to apply this shade on my lips it looks patchy and doesn’t look as pretty as it does in the tube or swatched. This swatches differently to how it applies on the lips and I don’t know why, which really bothers me. Maybe I just need to wear the lipstick a few more times and break it in? The best way to describe Pretty Little Thing (which is a VERY appropriate name) is like the lipstick version of NARS’ Orgasm. It’s got a gorgeous golden-peachy shimmer and looks so pretty in the bullet.

3. MAC – Revved

Revved is the only lip pencil that I own to date and it was re-promoted as part of Ellie Goulding’s MAC collection. Revved was already an existing shade (called Revved Up) and it is the epitome of peach. What’s unique about Revved is that it offers the comfort of a balm, colour and sheen of a gloss and the precision of a lip pencil. The pencil wind up application is easy to use and it doesn’t feel cheap. The product itself is nice and creamy but the only thing I would say is this isn’t the longest wearing product. The colour fades nicely though so it’s barely noticeable.

4. Dainty Doll 004 Material World

I see this lipstick as my ‘formal’ pink and what I mean by that is, it’s a nice inoffensive shade which I’ve worn for a few job interviews in the past. I don’t just wear it for job interviews as it is such a pretty pink in it’s own right and I love pairing it with a lilac/light purple eye look. The formula of Material World is slightly sheer but builds up nicely. In my opinion, this is the perfect girly pink and even though it is one my lighter pinks, it doesn’t wash me out. As Dainty Doll caters to redheads and pale-skinned beauties, this may not be the best shade for darker skin tones.

5. MAC – Syrup

Again, here I am talking about Syrup by MAC! I will keep this pretty brief because I’m sure you all know how much I love it by now. I still wear Syrup all the time after purchasing it over a year ago and there’s no occasion it’s not suitable for. Syrup is a slightly darker nude with pinky-mauve undertones and even a hint of berry to it. Syrup was also a Lily Pebbles inspired purchase and it also proves it’s versatility. I am much paler than Lily and I’ve got tons of freckles and it looks lovely against my pale skin as well as Lily’s slightly olive complexion.

Chanelle’s note: I may have said this before but Syrup would be a perfect lipstick choice for a first date! – It makes an impact but isn’t too bold or over the top.

6. MAC – Without Your Love

This lipstick was a birthday present from my brother and the limited edition Ellie Goulding rose gold/glossy black packaging is to die for! Without Your Love has a cremesheen formula which I’m not going to lie, isn’t my favourite. A lot of people love the cremesheen formula and this lipstick is fine but one of my other MAC cremesheen lipsticks isn’t as nice. This lipstick is sheer but it’s a sheer that adds a little je ne sais quoi to your lips. I personally love layering Rimmel’s Oh My Gloss! in Glossaholic over the top for more impact.

Swatches

Peach & Light Pink Lipstick Swatches

Top To Bottom – Patisserie (it’s not as brown in real life), Pretty Little Thing, Revved, Material World, Syrup and Without Your Love.


Take a further look at my lipstick collection:

Leave a comment with your favourite peach and light pink lipsticks!

signature_59rnt66ifetkuap2w9

Mini Beauty Swap

Mini Beauty SwapHi lovelies, throwing in an extra post for you this week!

We all have those products we spend hours trying to find only to discover they can’t be shipped to where we live *sad face*. I have been trawling the internet trying to find two Dainty Doll blushes in the shades My Girl and Billion Dollar Babies. I have been searching for these blushes for a while now and Ulalabeauty have both shades in stock HERE and HERE. Unfortunately they only ship to The UK which is where this post comes in.

I thought with all the kind, British bloggers I’ve met I wonder if any of them would consider doing a little beauty swap. It would make a fun collaboration and obviously whoever I collaborated with would get something out of it as well. I will arrange a small makeup parcel to send to you in return, of similar value to the blushes to keep things fair.

The parcel will consist of:

  • Maybelline Eye Studio Colour Explosion Luminzing Eyeshadow in Caffeine Rush
  • Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm in Lovesick
  • Two BYS* lipsticks of your choice. Select any two shades across the regular lipstick, longwear lipstick and matte lipstick ranges. (I have linked each range for your convenience). If the shade you’d like is not in stock, I will endeavor to find one similar or one I think you will like.

*I recently spoke about BYS in my Fuchsia Face-Off post. Their lipsticks are so smooth and creamy to apply as well as having amazing colour and pigmentation. This would be a great opportunity to get your hands on some of these lipsticks and try them out for yourself.

If you’d like to take part in this beauty swap that would absolutely make my day!

What You Need To Do:

  1. Be a UK resident.
  2. Leave a comment on this post letting me know you’re interested or alternatively you can email me at chanelleblogs@gmail.com.
  3. Include the TWO lipstick shades you’d like in your comment/email.
  4. Select a further TWO shades as backup in case a shade you want isn’t in stock.
  5. Give a number ranking to your FOUR lipstick shades. 1 – Most preferred, 4 – Least preferred.

From there we can go over everything and sort out addresses and finer details etc.

Big love,

signature_59rnt66ifetkuap2w9

May Favourites

May FavouritesI can’t believe in a few days time it will be an entire month since I started my job. This last month has zoomed by but it’s been good not stressing about finding a job and having one less worry on my mind. I’m still job searching in case I’m not kept on after two months but at least I’ll have some proper experience under my belt.

Onto this month’s favourites…

May Favourites1. The Body Shop – Shea Body Whip – The body whip is the product I got when I exchanged the Shea shower cream that I was reacting to last month. I have been applying this body whip at least once a day on my arms before getting dressed and it is absolutely lovely! The product has a light texture and doesn’t feel greasy at all. It sinks in quickly so you don’t have to wait before getting dressed. I’ve mentioned numerous times how much I adore the scent of The Body Shops’ Shea range. Using this in conjunction with my body butter – also Shea – is divine. The bottle feels very lightweight and has a handy squeeze pump allowing you to get the amount you need. The pump locks into place so if you’re traveling the product won’t end up all over your belongings, no one wants a Ross from F.R.I.E.N.D.S situation!

2. MAC Syrup – How could I not include this wee beauty in my monthly favourites?! This has been my go-to lip product almost everyday this month and I just love how versatile and easy to wear this shade is. The formula is smooth and moisturising and doesn’t dry out the lips or cling to dry patches. If you’d like to know more about this lipstick and see swatches, click here to read the review I posted last week.

3. Dainty Doll Blush in 004 You Are My Sunshine – This blush is another product I have been wearing practically everyday in May. I first posted about it earlier this month. There is hardly a day I’ve been to work that I haven’t worn it. You Are My Sunshine is the most gorgeous peachy, rose-gold shade and at first I was worried it wouldn’t suit me but how wrong I was! I lightly tap this onto the tops of my cheekbones and apples of my cheeks and it gives such a subtle, beautiful glow. The golden particles really pick up and reflect the light.

4. Nivea Invisible for Black & White (Clear) – I’ve used this deodorant in the past and really loved it and I started using it again this month. I find a lot of other deodorants tend to feel sticky and get all over my tops when I put them on but not this one. This deodorant promises to not leave white marks on black clothing or yellow marks on white clothing and I’m pleased to say it lives up to its promise! The smell is also pretty pleasant and lingers throughout the day which is nice because it makes me feel like it’s doing its job and I don’t need to reapply. Nivea deodorants come in glass tubes (is tubes the right word?) so you can see how much is left and know exactly when you’ll need to get a replacement.

5. Music (ft. Bianca, Jessica Agombar, Jodie Connor and Morgan Deane) – This month I have been turning to these five tunes time and time again so I decided to compile them all into a handy SoundCloud playlist for you! Most of these tracks aren’t available to buy yet but British popstress Bianca recently released her debut EP Hi-5 – check that out if you like what you hear!


That’s all for this month, be sure to let me know what you’ve been loving!

signature_59rnt66ifetkuap2w9

New Makeup: Blush & Concealer

New Makeup: Blush & ConcealerHappy Friday everyone! By the time you read this I would have completed my first week at my new job and be looking forward to my first weekend off.

I have been on a bit of a makeup buying spree of late but I justify it to myself as trying new products while picking up essentials at the same time. I’m not a makeup hoarder and don’t have a huge collection so I don’t see my makeup buying as impulsive.

I recently purchased a Rimmel foundation and my first MAC lipstick which you can read about here if you haven’t already, but today’s post is all about my new blush and concealer.

Dainty Doll BlushDainty Doll Blush in 004 You Are My Sunshine

I bought one of Dainty Doll’s powder blushes in the shade 004 You Are My Sunshine. It is a peachy, rose gold shade and it is absolutely beautiful. Pictures and swatches on the internet don’t do justice to how beautiful it looks in person. I’ve read that You Are My Sunshine is a dupe for NARS Orgasm. The pigmentation of this blush is really good and I don’t need to apply much as the flecks pick up and and reflect the light. As with all my other Dainty Doll products I love the packaging and this blush is so light and compact so it can be popped in your bag for touch ups throughout the day. The compact also comes with it’s own mirror.

004 You Are My SunshineBlush swatchI have been wearing this blush to work all week and it’s amazing how much it completes my look. I simply swirl my finger round the compact and lightly dab the blush onto the tops of my cheekbones which adds a nice sparkle to my face.

Maybelline Fit Me ConcealerMaybelline Fit Me Concealer – 15 Fair

I’ve had the concealer stick I’ve been using for years and it has never let me down. All the other stick concealers I’ve swatched and looked at buying really don’t come close so I decided to give Maybelline’s Fit Me Concealer a go. The concealer has a doe foot applicator which makes it easy to dot under the eyes or onto imperfections. The aim of the product is to conceal seamlessly while letting skin breathe.

I have been wearing this product to work all week too and I’m really pleased with how it looks. The concealer blends in so nicely and doesn’t feel cakey or wear off throughout the day. I place concealer around the edges of my nose, on my chin and on any spots. I only need a few dots of this particular one – a little definitely goes a long way.

Overall, I’m loving the new products I’ve purchased and I look forward to using them in my future makeup routines.

What was the last makeup item you purchased?

Chanelle x

Wonderbalm: The Verdict

Wonderbalm(Image: GirlieGossip.com)

Having had my Wonderbalm for over two months now, and having used the product numerous times, I thought I’d revisit it and let you know what makes it so great!

Back in September I ordered a tub of Wonderbalm for $3 (NZD) from Amazon and let me tell you this stuff certainly lives up to it’s name! This miracle product can be used on lips, hands, knees, heels and anywhere else that needs a beauty pick me up. Containing mango seed oil to smooth, soften and moisturise, natural plant waxes, beeswax and vitamin E rich in antioxidants, Dainty Doll Wonderbalm, complete with it’s compact mirror, is the perfect product for all wonder women!

I think what makes Wonderbalm truly amazing is the versatility. The product can practically be used anywhere and I want to let you in on a few of my personal favourites:

1. Lips
Wonderbalm can be used on its own as a clear gloss or over the top of lipsticks if they’re dry, you tend to have dry lips or to make your lipstick last longer. I have also used it as a lip exfoliate over night. The product not only smells really lovely but when I woke up the next morning my lips weren’t dry. Some products when left on, can dry out your lips.

2. Elbows/Arms
The skin on my elbows and the underside of my upper arms tends to get dry and quite flaky but Wonderbalm had helped with this a lot! The difference is still noticeable even if I don’t use the product everyday. The only thing you need to be mindful of when wearing Wonderbalm this way is the length of your sleeves. The product has quite a waxy texture so you want to make sure it soaks into your skin rather than your clothes.

3. Cheeks
I don’t do a full face of makeup everyday but if I’m looking for a little pick me up I simply dab some Wonderbalm onto the apples of my cheeks. I’m left with an effortless dewy glow that lasts all day.

4. Nails
I’m sure you’ve all had those little bits of skin around your nails that you’ve pulled or try to pull away. Wonderbalm works quickly at healing the skin so all you need is to rub a tiny amount of product around your nails. Nail polish remover can also be harsh on your nails so after I’ve taken my nail polish off I like to massage Wonderbalm into my nails and over my fingers which helps to repair and strengthen them.

There are so many plus points about the product and although I got it at a good price I don’t think I would’ve paid the £20 it originally retailed for. In saying that, you get a decent amount of product and the tub is sturdy so it’s not going to fall apart, break or spill. The addition of the mirror means you can apply the product on the go and it’s easy to pop in your purse/handbag due to its compact size.

Do you know of any similar products out there?

Chanelle x