GRWM: Trying New Makeup #2

Over the past six months or so since mask wearing became mandatory in New Zealand I haven’t been wearing a lot of makeup. It’s a double edged sword because I miss the chance to create and play with products before work but at the same time I don’t need to get up as early and it has made my morning routine simpler. As a result I haven’t been looking to buy new makeup but there are a few things that have caught my eye recently that I was excited by.

Authored Push Kit

Authored is Tanya Burr’s new makeup brand and I didn’t take much notice of the products at first until I started seeing some reviews and a few bloggers/YouTubers I follow sharing their thoughts on Instagram. In December I purchased the Push Kit which contains all four products the brand makes so far: tinted moisturiser, brow gel, mascara and lip balm. The idea of simple, effortless beauty drew me in and the products are good basics if you’re on the go and want something quick and easy or you want to look polished without putting on a full face.

1. Tinted Moisturiser – Shade 1 – Shade 1 is the lightest shade intended for those with light skin and neutral undertones. Not only did the shade description sound accurate for my skin tone but I figured if it was too light I can easily apply a bit of bronzer, better that than having a shade too dark. The formula is lightweight, on the runny side (I store my tube with the cap facing up) but very easy to blend into the skin and can be built up for more coverage. The product claims to give a soft matte, slightly dewy appearance and I agree, my skin looked like skin but with a healthy, natural glow. The product didn’t cling or settle into lines and other makeup applied nicely over the top.

2. Brow Gel – 1 Light Brown – I had never used a brow gel before so I had to look up how to apply one before doing my brows. Safe to say I needn’t have worried as it was very easy to apply and there was no excess product needing to be cleaned up. The colour is good, my brows are darker than my hair so it’s not hard to get a decent colour match I find. My brows still look natural which is what I like. Big thumbs up!

3. Mascara – When it comes to mascara I prefer natural bristle wands, a formula that is super black and gives length and volume. I don’t believe mascaras give an accurate representation of how they perform after one use so I tend to properly make up my mind after I’ve been using a mascara for a week or two. On first impressions this ticks the natural bristle wand, super black formula and length boxes but I would have liked more volume. Again, that may come once I’ve used it a bit more and the formula has got some air in it – I’m not disappointed by any means. The formula is on the drier side straight off the bat (which I also don’t mind) and it didn’t smudge or flake. It seems to layer nicely and not coat lashes with too much product at once. Looking forward to using this more to see if my thoughts change.

4. Lip balm – This was the product I was least excited to try but it worked out more worthwhile getting the kit and trying all products rather than buying two or three other items separately. I am pleasantly surprised by how much I like this. Normally I don’t need to wear lip balm often and my lips don’t get dry but I can see myself reaching for this to pop on around home or dabbing over top of my lipstick which is what I did for this look. The lip balm isn’t thick or sticky. I’m not a fan of cherry but the scent doesn’t bother me and disppears after a minute or two.

Max Factor Creme Bronzer – Light Gold 05

Is this bronzer still a favourite in the blogging world? I would see this everywhere a few years ago and I don’t know anyone who isn’t a fan! I’ve owned this bronzer for a year or two now but wanted to pull it out as I’ve only worn it a handful of times and it is very pretty. I’m loyal to my Body Shop bronzer as that was in my project pan last year (which was abandoned due to Covid) but this is also a winner and one I’m happy to reach for. Despite having creme in the name this is a powder bronzer and creme refers to the Max Factor range the product is from. The flecks of shimmer don’t make the face look shiny and it’s the type of bronzer that is hard to apply too much of, which is a good thing. I was doing a quick Google search whilst writing this post and I don’t know if this is available anymore. I’d urge you to get in quick if you’ve been wanting to try this in case it’s gone!

Huda Beauty Rose Quartz Palette

Cool tones work better on me and they are what I gravitate towards most often. This is my first Huda Beauty product and I purchased a kit from Feel Unique also containing a zip around case, three eye brushes and a Silk Balm as a birthday present to myself. The day after the palette arrived I knew I wanted to play with it immediately. All of the shades are beautiful and for the first look I went for something rather simple and classic. I applied Radiate as a base shadow, used Precious to deepen the crease, went in with Energized on my finger and applied it all over the lid and placed Love Stone in the inner corner.

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick – 08 Pink In Confidence

I purchased this lipstick last year and had always wanted to try this formula, I’d heard many good things about how comfortable it is and how easy the shades are to wear. Pink In Confidence is a relatively neutral rosy pink with a subtle hit of colour. I am fair skinned and it looks pretty natural on me so it wouldn’t be the best for those with darker skin tones. I love bold, bright lip colours but wanted something on the neutral side from this formula as it is very soft and shiny and a bold colour would get messy. The lipstick is very balm-like without being thick and goopy and is super easy to apply. If you have dry lips this formula works well. The formula won’t have the longest wear time but it does wear evenly and will give you a decent number of hours before needing to reapply.

Other makeup used:

  • Clinique Dramatically Different moisturiser
  • Maybelline Pore Minimizing Primer
  • L’Oreal More Than Concealer – 323 Fawn
  • Urban Decay Primer Potion
  • MAC Double Gleam highlighter
  • Max Factor Creme Puff blush – 10 Nude Mauve
  • Pixi Rose Glow mist

The Finished Look

Have you tried any of these products? What do you think of the finished look?

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Empty Products #10

This is my fourth empties post in a year which is a record for me! I definitely have noticed that using what I have before buying more is working and I’m getting through products faster and have less clutter. I have actually enjoyed being on a low buy and lately I have only being buying products to replace what has been used up or when I’m close to finishing something.

Haircare

1. Schwarzkopf Extra Care Shampoo Supreme Length

I tried the matching conditioner first and was a fan so decided to pick up a bottle of the shampoo and I like it equally as much. The shampoo doesn’t feel drying or make my roots look greasy and only a small amount is required for each wash.

Repurchase: I see myself picking this up again.

2. Schwarzkopf Extra Care Conditioner Supreme Length

This is the second bottle I have finished and this is a great, inexpensive conditioner. My hair feels and looks smooth when I use this and the smell is really nice.

Repurchase: I see myself picking this up again.

Makeup

3. Max Factor Smooth Miracle Primer

I picked up this primer after hearing a fellow blogger rave about it and I’m not disappointed. If you prefer moisturising primers this may not be your favourite but it doesn’t feel greasy or like silicone. Foundation applies nicely over top of this, it doesn’t make product pill and gather and it definitely smooths skin. The product gets pumped from the bottom up so every last little bit gets used and you know exactly how much is left. The packaging is lightweight and travel friendly too.

Repurchase: Possibly in future.

4. Tanya Burr Selfie Lash Mascara

I was sent this mascara by the lovely Dannii and I was surprised by how much I like it! I’m quite fussy when it comes to mascara, I prefer natural bristle brushes, a super dark black shade and a formula that is on the drier side without being clumpy. From the get go the formula was really nice, it didn’t change much throughout the 7 month course of using it which is impressive. The formula didn’t dry out and become sticky either. The wand is made up of small, silicone bristles which help to build length and get in to every lash. This is such a lovely everyday mascara.

Repurchase: Yes, if the mascara hadn’t been discontinued!

Skincare & Fragrance

5. Juicy Couture – I ❤ Juicy Couture

Out of all the Juicy Couture perfumes I’ve tried this is one of the lightest in terms of fragrance and lasting power. This is really nice for work as it’s inoffensive. The fruit notes are the most prominent and whilst they are pleasant they aren’t what I typically go for in a perfume. In no way is this a bad perfume, if I was gifted another bottle I would happily use it!

Repurchase: Probably not. There are other perfumes I like more.

6. The Body Shop Strawberry Body Mist

Over the past month or so I have enjoyed not spritzing a body mist before applying perfume and I’ve got to say I’m enjoying letting the perfume do it’s thing and getting the full scent. Some days I’ll apply a rollerball perfume to my neck and spritz a different perfume to layer the two scents together but I don’t need to rely on body mists. Usually body mists aren’t strong or long lasting either.

Repurchase: Maybe.

7. Trilogy Very Gentle Restoring Oil

This oil has been such a saviour for my skin! I’m currently using a serum from Antipodes and I don’t like it anywhere near as much. The oil is extremely gentle, delicate and is fragrance free. The oil aims to smooth fine lines and wrinkles and I agree with those claims. It’s rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants for soft, smooth, comfortable skin.

Repurchase: I have.

8. The Body Shop Honey & Oat 3 in 1 Scrub Mask

I used this face mask twice a week and it lasted me a couple of years. It’s good if you want a quick 5-10 minute mask and don’t like the tight feeling of clay masks. The honey and oats mean this is nice and gentle on the skin but the texture of the oats cleans and scrubs skin at the same time. The smell of this is lovely, I don’t usually like honey. The mask was easy to apply and wash off and is suitable for normal to dry skin but I also think this would suit sensitive skin. The style of packaging means every last bit of products gets used too.

Repurchase: Not sure. This mask has been discontinued and I didn’t notice any visible differences each time I used it but it’s not a bad mask.

Body

9. The Body Shop Strawberry Softening Gel Lotion

The strawberry range is usually one of my favourites from The Body Shop but I’m glad this lotion was only the travel size. I didn’t enjoy the gel texture, it wasn’t very moisturising and whilst it did soak into the skin quickly the strawberry scent was sweeter than other products I’ve tried from the range. The scent wasn’t light and fresh, it was sickly and synthetic. Squeezing product out of this little bottle was also annoying.

Repurchase: No.

10. Nivea Invisible Anti-Perspirant – Clear

Still my anti-perspirant of choice. Maybe after my current one of these is finished I’ll branch out and try something else.

Repurchase: Yes.


What was the last product you finished up?

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Autumn Makeup Look

Browns and neutrals are go to colours for my eye makeup most days but I appreciate them even more in autumn! Since I started this blog nearly five years ago my makeup skills and knowledge have improved so much. I definitely have preferred methods and know what I like makeup wise but for this eye look I strayed a little from my norm and I am so happy with how it came out – I can’t wait to recreate it again!

When I create the majority of these makeup looks for the blog I know how I want them to come out and the kind of tones I want to use. I actually created a couple of different eye looks I thought would turn out to be autumnal before settling on this as a clear winner. The others either had too much bronze or not enough depth of colour in the crease.

Products listed in order of application:

I thought I would stray away from doing a big list of the products I used to create this look like I normally do as most of the time my base products are the same.

My current go to day moisturiser is Olay’s Complete UV Sensitive Lotion. I let my moisturiser sit for about 10-15 minutes and then I go in with primer, at the moment I’m using Max Factor’s Smooth Miracle Primer. I then fill in my brows with Rimmel’s Professional Eyebrow Pencil in Hazel. I’m very much enjoying using Max Factor’s Lasting Performance Foundation day to day instead of just for special occasions. It is my favourite type of coverage and formula wise it holds up well throughout the day. I apply one layer all over my face and additional product to areas I get redness – around my nose and chin. MAC’s StudioFinish Concealer comes next before applying Urban Decay’s Primer Potion to my eyelids. While I let the eyeshadow primer sit I go in with contour and bronzer. Kevyn Aucoin’s Sculpting Powder in Light is perfect for my skin tone and The Body Shop Honey Bronzer gets dusted over my cheekbones, chin, around my nose and on the temples. Sometimes I also apply highlighter before doing my eye makeup and on this occasion I did and used Soft & Gentle from MAC.

The ‘original’ side of The Remix Palette.

After my face is prepped and done I move onto eyes. I pulled out The Remix Palette from Shaaanxo and all the shades I used are from the ‘original’ side of the palette which contains a mixture of nine neutral shimmers and mattes. First I applied Buttercup (warm matte custard yellow) all over the lid. I used a combination of Terracotta (warm matte brown) and Silhouette (charcoal matte) in the crease. Terracotta is a lovely shade to add depth and with Silhouette I focused it more on the outer V and outer third of my eyelids. I wanted a dark smoky element and this shade gave it. To finish the look I patted Avocado (blue-brown duochrome) onto the lid with my ring finger and applied a few light layers to build up the colour and duochrome effect.

I applied two coats of Tanya Burr’s Selfie Lash Mascara. MAC’s Velvet Teddy was my lipstick of choice and I finished off by spritzing The Body Shop’s Strawberry Smoothing Face Mist to set everything in place.

The Finished Look:

What products do you associate with autumn? What do you think of this look?

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GRWM: Metallic Easter Makeup

This makeup look is inspired by the bright, shiny foil wrapping around chocolate Easter eggs. The idea to create a metallic type look came after purchasing Colourpop’s Super Shock Shadow in the shade Slave2Pink. This shade is described on Colourpop’s website as an “electric neon pink glitter loaded up with blue, violet, hot pink, and silver in an insanely metallic duochrome finish.” I didn’t want to go full on tin man shine but I did want there to be visible shine and I’m super pleased with how the look came out! I wore it to work earlier this week as part of a glam, dress up day.

Products listed in order of application:

1. Olay Complete UV Sensitive Lotion – I am enjoying using this moisturiser and having a break from the Simple moisturiser I used for years. I stuck with Simple for so long because I knew it didn’t irritate my skin but I actually think this Olay one is better. My skin feels more hydrated and it doesn’t soak up the product as quickly.

2. Max Factor Smooth Miracle Primer – This primer is a good combination between hydrating and smoothing. The primer has a slight silicone feel without looking oily or greasy on the skin and makeup applies over top so easily and lasts well throughout the day.

3. Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil in 002 Hazel – Filling in my brows with this since 2016.

4. Max Factor Lasting Performance Foundation in 100 Fair – The demi-matte finish of this foundation is my favourite. I don’t like overly dewy formulas and the coverage of this is also really nice, a good medium that can be built up to medium-full with a second layer.

5. MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW10 – This concealer pairs well with the Max Factor foundation and it’s a great all rounder: good coverage, good colour match, contains SPF 35 and the formula doesn’t dry out in the little pot.

6. Urban Decay Primer Potion – A staple in my makeup routine since I started using it.

7. Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder in Light – I recently bought this from Beauty Bay after being intrigued and wanting to try contouring to give my face some shape. I have been using this for just over a week now and the shade is good for my skin tone. I’m still determining which brush applies it best but I haven’t looked like I’m wearing a stripe on my face which is a good start!

8. The Body Shop Honey Bronzer in 01 Light Matte – I have officially hit pan! I love this bronzer for adding a nice bit of colour to my skin but I also treat it like a setting powder. I don’t use setting powder unless it’s warm or I need my makeup to last extra well. I also find with having drier skin I don’t like a lot of powder products sitting on top of my foundation and concealer or else it looks cakey.

9. I Heart Makeup Goddess of Love Highlighter – To go with the pink metallic theme I decided to wear my pink-purple highlighter. This was the first highlighter I ever bought and it’s such a beautiful, versatile shade. Goddess of Love can be worn lightly for a natural, everyday look but can also be easily built up if desired.

10. Colourpop – Slave2Pink – This is the product that inspired the whole look! I applied theBalm’s Mary-Lou Manizer as a base shadow before applying a light layer of Slave2Pink all over the lid with a shading brush and using my finger to apply more eyeshadow to build up the colour and shimmer.

11. Tanya Burr Selfie Lash Mascara – The more I use this mascara the more I like it. It’s not as dramatic and doesn’t give as much volume as my favourite from Rimmel but it’s still good. It gives a lengthening, separated, natural effect that compliments any look.

12. NYX Cosmic Metals – Fuchsia Fusion – I have been wanting to wear a fuchsia lip colour with the fuchsia Colourpop eyeshadow since it arrived and this look was the perfect opportunity. This is my most metallic looking lipstick and it’s such a comfortable formula. There’s shine and pigment but no gritty glitter. This product is long-lasting and one that always makes me happy when I wear it.

The Finished Look:

Clockwise from the top: Eyeshadow closeup, makeup at 7am, makeup at 5pm, highlighter/contour closeup.


What do you think of this makeup? Do you like to create themed makeup looks?

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February Favourites + Highlights

February has been a bit of a whirlwind, there’s been a few different things happening and a few different emotions to contend with. I haven’t read as much as I would have liked, I picked up a couple of books that I couldn’t get into and it slowed down the good progress I was making towards my yearly goal on Goodreads. I should be able to catch back up again though. I have started exercising on the exercycle again and my current goal is to ride 10km three times a week.

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Melanie Brown – Brutally Honest – I was a little a young to remember the Spice Girls in their hey day but I started listening to them in 2007 when they reunited. I have always liked Mel B’s deep Leeds accent and fierce personality. I’d read her first book Catch a Fire a number of years ago and over the past few years I have heard stories about her second husband and their marriage in the media. Until I read this book I didn’t know the full extent of what went on and the amount of adoration I have for what she put up with went up tenfold. The title is clever, not only is Melanie blunt and honest but it also reflects how much she had to endure to come out the other side. This was a gripping read and there was a lot going on that people didn’t realise.

(The book doesn’t appear in the main image as I borrowed it from work).

2. Tanya Burr Selfie Lash Mascara – This mascara was sent to me by Dannii and I really like it! I’m not usually a fan of rubber wands and prefer natural bristles but this one isn’t flimsy and the bristles really get into all the lashes. One coat of this is perfect for an everyday look but two coats is what I like to go for. This mascara reapplies nicely as well and doesn’t make existing coats that have been applied earlier in the day look clumpy. The formula is not smudgy and wet which I like and it’ll be interesting to see if the formula stays like this or if it changes. The shiny gold packing is pretty too.

3. MAC Viva Glam II – Some days you can’t beat a beautiful nude lipstick. Viva Glam II has a satin finish and is described as a pinky mauve colour which is accurate. Pink nudes suit me better than brown and this particular shade is like a cross between a few other MAC shades in my collection; it’s like Blankety, Hug Me and Brave rolled into one. If you like any of those I’m sure you’ll like this! As this is part of the Viva Glam range, money from these lipsticks goes to the Aids Fund. Viva Glam shades also have a distinguishable red band around the middle of the casing so you can tell them apart.

4. Victoria’s Secret Vanilla Lace Body Lotion – Body lotion is one of my favourite products to apply on a daily basis. I usually buy lotions from The Body Shop as I find their scents last all day and don’t irritate my skin. I do however prefer body lotions that come in a squeeze tube like this or in a bottle with a flip top lid. I have used lotions from The Body Shop in the past that have a pump but some of the product tends to get wasted. I hadn’t tried Victoria’s Secret body lotion before, this scent is a mix of vanilla and musk and it smells really lovely on my skin. It is similar to the Vanilla Chai scent The Body Shop released a few years ago which I also loved. I would like to try more lotions from Victoria’s Secret in future so if you have any suggestions, let me know!

February Highlights

  • I purchased a baker boy cap. I tried one on in a shop as a joke but I really like how it looked. Can’t wait to wear it properly!
  • My signed copy of Claire Richard’s album ‘My Wildest Dreams’ arrived.
  • On Valentine’s Day I picked up a parcel Nadine sent me. Everything is so sweet!
  • One of the girls I work with brought me back a gift from her travels.
  • I had a really lovely dinner date during the last weekend in February.

 

February’s Spotify Playlist:


How was your month? Share something you have been loving or one of your highlights in the comments!

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Soft Valentine’s Makeup

2017 is the only year since I started blogging that I didn’t create a Valentine’s themed makeup look but other than that it’s pretty much a yearly tradition. This is my first Valentine’s Day in three years being single (shoutout to all my fellow single babes!) and I’m okay with that. I’ve been doing much better these past few months and I’m not the kind of girl that relies on a man. I believe things will work out the way they’re meant to… or at least I hope so!

For this look I wanted to create something dreamy and sweet but not overly pink. I opted for base products that would give a subtle glow and look smooth and seamless on the skin. I didn’t go bold on the lips or eyes and kept an almost totally neutral palette, adding pops of colour to the cheeks and lips.

Products listed in order of application:

1. Olay Complete UV Lotion Senstive

2. Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Primer

3. Rimmel Professional Brow Pencil in 002 Hazel

4. L’Oreal True Match Lumi in W1-2 Porcelain Ivory – I haven’t spoken about this foundation on my blog too much. I have had it for almost a year now and it’s the one I am using as my everyday foundation most days and want to finish up next. The formula is light and easy to blend and perfect if you like glowy, hydrating foundations.

5. Urban Decay Primer Potion

6. MAC StudioFinish Concealer in NW10

7. Rimmel Match Perfection Translucent Setting Powder – I find the L’Oreal foundation slightly too glowy in the summer on it’s own so I set my cheeks, nose and chin with powder.

8. The Body Shop Honey Bronzer in 01 Light Matte

9. Shaaanxo The Remix Palette – I used the shade Clarity as a base shadow all over the lid and the shade Buttercup in the crease mixed with a small amount of The Body Shop bronzer.

10. MAC Naked Pigment – Naked was applied over top of Clarity.

11. Tanya Burr Selfie Lash Mascara – I was sent this mascara by a blogging friend and I have been enjoying using it! The brush is small allowing you to get into all the lashes and the formula isn’t wet and smudgy. This gives a lovely natural look but a second coat really adds oomph.

12. Makeup Revolution Blush Queen Palette – I used the third shade in the top row and applied it using a Detail Fibre Brush from xoBeauty which is my favourite to use with this palette. The brush picks up a combination of colour and shimmer and gives the loveliest finish.

13. xoBeauty Radiant Glow Powder – Aurora – Usually if I’m using a blush with shimmer I won’t apply highlighter as well but this one from xoBeauty has a beautiful pink shift and isn’t blinding so it blends in with the blush nicely.

14. The Body Shop Strawberry Smoothing Face Mist 

15. xoBeauty Liquid Lipstick – Carpe Diem – This is such a unique shade of lipstick; a muted lilac. The colour isn’t too pale for me (but is probably better suited to lighter skin tones) and when it fades a little it looks more pink. The formula of these liquid lipsticks is gorgeous and they have a delicious creme brulee scent!

The Finished Look:


Are you doing anything to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, whether you’re single or part of a couple? 💕

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Ride Or Die Makeup Tag

If you only had one of each makeup item to use, what would you pick? I can’t imagine how hard this tag would be if I had drawers of makeup and had to narrow down my favourite products. I am basing this post on the categories Jaclyn Hill mentions in her Ride Or Die YouTube video and adding in/taking out options where appropriate. This is the holiest of holy grails!

Primer
Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Primer

This primer is nourishing and hydrating and makes the products on top look and apply better. I have the sample 20ml size and it has lasted me four or so months now. I definitely see myself repurchasing this in the future. This does have a coconut scent and whilst I’m not a coconut fan, the scent fades quickly after application so I’m happy.

Foundation
Max Factor Lasting Performance Foundation in 100 Fair

Max Factor bases really impress me, they look nice on the skin, they cater for my skin tone and they have good coverage. I previously used this foundation in 101 Ivory Beige but Fair is a better match. This has an almost satin finish, not completely dewy or matte which I like. Despite having dry skin I don’t like overly glowy makeup.

Concealer
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer  – 1 Fair

The coverage and consistency of this concealer is really nice. Dry skinned gals will most likely be fans of this as it’s creamy and doesn’t cling and always makes my base look more flawless. I will continue to repurchase.

Face Powder
Rimmel Match Perfection Translucent Powder

I don’t use setting powder everyday but I do tend to reach for it in summer. To be fair this is the only face powder I’ve ever tried but I do like it and it’s not too powdery that it accentuates lines or dry skin. The tiniest bit goes a long way.

Blush
NARS Orgasm

The peachy-pink tone flatters so many people and is almost like a universal shade. While I don’t wear blush everyday this is the one I would be sad to be without.

Bronzer
The Body Shop Honey Bronzer in 01 Light Matte

This is kind of cheating as it’s the only bronzer I’ve properly tried and stuck with but when a product is this good you’re not going to stray. The Body Shop bronzer comes in a few shades and caters for different skin tones. This bronzer never looks harsh or orange or muddy, you might not think it’s there but it’s a product I wouldn’t skip applying in my everyday makeup routine now.

Highlight
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle

This is one of those cult beauty products and for good reason, it is gorgeous! This is quite a neutral tone but the product can be built up if desired. This is the most versatile of my highlighters and gives the cheeks a lovely glow.

Mascara
Rimmel Scandaleyes Lycra Flex 003 Extreme Black

I have used up a few tubes of this mascara now and whenever I try something different this is always what I compare other mascaras against. This gives length and volume and the Extreme Black shade does what it says on the tin but sadly this shade has been discontinued. I have tried the regular Black version and it is nowhere near as good.

Lipstick
BYS Fuchsia Surprise

Just about everyone who knows me knows bright pink lipstick is my favourite! There’s something about hot pink/fuchsia that I love and whenever I’m in doubt about what colour to wear I always go back to it. I have a few different fuchsia shades in my collection but I picked this one as I finished a one of these completely and the pigmentation and formula for the price point is amazing!

Liquid Lipstick
Frambourjoise by Bourjois

My favourite red! Frambourjoise is a raspberry red with a hint of pink and the formula is to die for – it’s unbelievably comfortable and long wearing – I recently wore this shade for 14 hours. I reapplied during that time but the first layer didn’t flake or get crusty under the second and make reapplication difficult.

Lipgloss
Afternoon Tea by Tanya Burr

Not only does this lipgloss have the cutest name but it is the most beautiful natural light pink colour. Often I wear this if I don’t know what else to wear and want something easy. I love this gloss with a gold eyeshadow and Becca’s Opal highlighter for a glowing, radiant look.

Eyeshadow Palette
Shaaanxo The Remix Palette

This palette really has it all and was one of my favourite beauty discoveries of 2018! There’s a mix of colourful shades and neutrals as well as shimmers and mattes. The formula applies and blends like a dream and this is what I tend to reach for almost each time I do my makeup.

Single Eyeshadow
MAC Tan Pigment

When I’m not using my Shaaanxo palette I like to go for a simple look that doesn’t require too much fuss. Tan is neutral enough that it could be worn everyday but it still has that sparkle and glitz I love.

Setting Spray
MAC Prep + Prime Fix+

I haven’t had this setting spray for long but I am so happy I picked it up. The setting spray has a nice scent and feels very refreshing on the skin. The spray nozzle doesn’t spray too much product at once and two or three sprays is enough. Some sprays and face mists feel very wet and spray a lot of product but this doesn’t.

Perfume
Viva la Juicy by Juicy Couture

I can’t remember how I first heard about this scent but I would always spray it on myself in shops when I was a teenager and it’s a scent I still love and don’t tire of. I have finished up a 100ml bottle in the past and I repurchased another one. I tend to save this perfume for special occasions and this scent reminds me of the latter half of 2016 which was a really happy time for me. This perfume lasts all day, I can still smell it on my clothes and skin the next day and it’s sweet and feminine.

The products in action

Left side:

Too Faced Hangover Primer, Max Factor Lasting Performance, Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer, The Body Shop Honey Bronzer, MAC Tan, Rimmel Scandaleyes Lycra Flex Mascara, MAC Soft & Gentle, Max Fix+, Bourjois Frambourjoise.

Right side:

Too Faced Hangover Primer, Max Factor Lasting Performance, Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer, Rimmel Match Perfection Translucent Powder, The Body Shop Honey Bronzer, Shaaanxo The Remix Palette, Rimmel Scandaleyes Lycra Flex Mascara, NARS Orgasm, MAC Soft & Gentle, BYS Fuchsia Surprise.


Share your holy grail products in the comments!

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Current Everyday Makeup Bag

In May 2017 I wrote *THIS POST* showcasing the products in my everyday makeup bag. This bag sits on top of my drawers and basically houses the products I use most and the products I tend to reach for on a day to day basis. Since the post a year ago I have added products in and taken others out and I wanted to share the updated version!

Products marked with (N) are new to the bag and products marked with (R) remained in the bag from last time.


Starting with the biggest category: face.

I don’t keep any foundations in the bag but the one I am using most frequently to try and get it gone is Rimmel’s Match Perfection in 010 Light Porcelain.

1. MAC StudioFinish Concealer in NW10 – (N)

This concealer has temporarily taken the place of Collection’s Lasting Perfection in my everyday makeup bag. I have had this concealer for almost a year and have made a significant dent in it. It is one of the 18 products I am trying to finish in 2018 hence why I have swapped the Collection concealer out. The concealer is a good match for my skin tone and the coverage is nice as well. The pot is small but don’t let that deceive you.

2. The Body Shop Honey Bronzer in 01 Light Matte – (N)

I have spoken numerous times about my love for this bronzer. It is the perfect colour for me and it’s incredibly difficult to apply too much of this shade. This bronzer adds such a lovely warmth to the face and sits nicely on top all of my foundations. It pairs particularly well with Rimmel’s Match Perfection because I feel that foundation is too pale for me in summer without bronzer but the bronzer still works when applied with a lighter hand in winter – it’s a great year round product.

3. theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer – (N)

I only purchased this highlighter towards the end of 2017 so it couldn’t possibly have featured in the last post! I understand the hype with this and even though it’s not my most worn highlighter, it is versatile and will go with pretty much any look. It also doubles as an eyeshadow base. I put this in the bag because it’s one of those products that will work when you’re not sure what to go for and I want to use it more.

4. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal – (R)

This highlighter is so beautiful and the smallest amount goes a long way. This is the warmest and most golden of my highlighters but when I am wearing gold eyeshadow I always reach for this highlighter to bring the look together. The shimmer isn’t powdery or chunky on the cheeks and this looks beautiful applied with a brush or fingers.

5. Dainty Doll Blushes in Billion Dollar Babies and You Are My Sunshine – (R)

I decluttered some makeup at the beginning of 2018 and halved my blush collection, I went from four blushes to two! I use these blushes all the time and I honestly believe they are the only two shades I need. Billion Dollar Babies is a nude, cream blush with a hint of mauve-pink and it is so good because it goes with everything. You Are My Sunshine is a powder blush and is my dupe for Orgasm by NARS – it’s like a blush and highlighter all in one.

Eyes:

6. Rimmel Professional Brow Pencil in 002 Hazel – (R)

This brow pencil is another well loved and well used product. It is all I have used to fill in my brows for two years and I love how simple and natural it makes them look.

7. Maybelline ‘The Nudes’ Palette – (R)

I don’t own a lot of eyeshadow palettes and I’m still a huge fan of this one. About a month ago I went through the stage of using it almost every time I wore eye makeup and the colours and tones work so well. It’s a great travel palette, it’s sturdy, it contains mattes and shimmers and you can create simple, everyday looks or more glam, nighttime looks.

8. Max Factor Excess Shimmer – Copper – (R)

My favourite shimmery eye product is this one! It lasts all day without creasing and it’s brightening and glittery without being over the top. One of my favourite ways to use this is with taupes or browns from ‘The Nudes’ underneath and this applied over top.

9. L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara – (N)

In the last post I didn’t mention a mascara because I was straying and trying mascaras other than my favourite from Rimmel. I had been waiting for this launch from L’Oreal for a while and in March this year I finally purchased a tube. The reviews I had read were really positive and I was not disappointed after trying it myself. I don’t want to say too much as I have a review post coming soon and I’ll save my other thoughts for that.

Lips:

10. BYS – Fuschia Surprise – (R)

One of my holy grail lip products, hands down! This is my most worn lipstick of life and I am so close to finishing it – I have the tiniest little stub left. I have another tube as backup but I’m contemplating putting one of my other fuschia lip products like MAC’s Show Orchid or Revlon’s Lollipop in the bag once it’s finished.

11. Bourjois – Frambourjoise – (R)

If you don’t like the formula of liquid lipsticks but you like the precision of a doe foot applicator and lasting pigmentation you need to try Bourjois’ velvet lipsticks. The formula is like a mousse and not drying as it wears throughout the day. Frambourjoise is a beautiful raspberry red and if bright reds scare you or you want more of an everyday red go for one like this with a hint of pink to tone down the boldness.

12. Tanya Burr – Afternoon Tea – (R)

There’s something about this gloss, the colour doesn’t look that special in the tube but once it is on the lips it gives them such a beautiful, natural look. Afternoon Tea is a light pink but if you’re not a fan of pink I think you’d still like this. The gloss has a lovely scent, feels hydrating, isn’t too sticky and has the cutest name! I love this for simple makeup looks.


Do you separate products you use everyday from the rest of your makeup collection or keep everything all in one place? Also, leave a comment with an item that is essential to your everyday look!

 

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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.


#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.


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

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New Makeup: First Impressions

I’m a firm believer that first impressions count and I try to trust my gut instinct as much as possible. Makeup is different as it can take a few tries and techniques to apply products before you get a feel for them… or not. Being a makeup fanatic is a double edged sword, you’re excited to try new products but at the same time you hope they’re good and a worthy investment.

I picked up some new makeup on Feel Unique and wanted to put it to the test. I used the new products alongside some of my old favourites to give a true representation and opted for a classic Chanelle look; neutral eyes and a bold lip. Read on to find out how the new products stacked up!


Products Used:

  • MAC Studio Moisture Cream
  • Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil – 002 Hazel
  • Max Factor Lasting Performance Foundation in 100 Fair *NEW*
  • Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer – 1 Fair
  • Max Factor Wild Shadow Pot in Feral Brown *NEW*
  • Rimmel Scandaleyes Lycra Flex Mascara
  • Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter in Opal
  • Tanya Burr Blackberry Fudge Lip Cream *NEW*

New Product #1:

Max Factor Lasting Performance Foundation in 100 Fair – I have been using the Ivory Beige shade of this foundation for a while now and I really love the formula and coverage it gives. I apply Ivory Beige with a light hand as applying too much gives an orange tinge. I always blend it well so I can get away with it but I was always curious to try the ‘Fair’ shade. This particular shade isn’t sold in New Zealand and when I saw it on Feel Unique for half of what I paid for Ivory Beige, in the basket it went! The packaging has been updated but thankfully the formulas of both foundations perform the same. The formula is comfortable, long lasting and can be worn dewy or matte depending on your preference. Fair is pretty much a perfect match but we are going into summer so I’ll still be wearing Ivory Beige as well.

Face with only foundation applied.

I am pleased to say this foundation is everything I hoped it would be! I am super happy with my purchase and I will go as far as to say that the Lasting Performance foundations have overtaken Rimmel’s Match Perfection as my favourite. I’ve fallen out of love with the Rimmel lately and have been preferring the coverage of my Max Factor bases.

New Product #2:

Max Factor Wild Shadow Pot in Feral Brown – Neutrals and browns are definitely the shades I wear most and are the shades which I think suit me best. I love colour but prefer that on my lips and a nice shimmery or neutral shadow on the eyelids. Feral Brown is a warm copper with slight shimmer and it looks so pretty on. The colour applies evenly and has good pigmentation. This will be a great shade to throw on when I want something simple but pretty and for taking with me when I’m away from home. The pot is small and won’t take up hardly any space.

Freshly applied eyeshadow.

The eyeshadow did last throughout the day but I will try applying a cream coloured base shadow underneath to see if it makes a difference or alters the colour payoff. I have been looking for a copper coloured shadow for a while so I’m glad to have found this.

New Product #3:

Tanya Burr Blackberry Fudge Lip Cream – This lip cream was one of the products I was most excited to receive. The colour is unlike anything else I own, the packaging is gorgeous and the scent of the product is like a cupcake (think NYX’s Soft Matte Lip Creams). I tried Blackberry Fudge on the day it arrived and swatched it for Tuesday’s post, My Recent Purchases #2. When I went to apply it two days later it did not go well at all. I had to apply it five times! To say I was disappointed is an understatement. The colour didn’t take well to multiple coats either. I took a picture to show the uneven application then removed it and went for a different lipstick altogether.

Full face complete with patchy lipstick. *sob*

Sadly, I’ll be passing the set of lip creams along. It shouldn’t be that difficult to apply a lip colour and it didn’t meet my expectations. It’s a shame because Blackberry Fudge was such a beautiful, unusual colour. I have already replaced it with Black Cherry by Revlon as I loved the colour so much. It’s not the same but it’s similar.


To quote Meatloaf, “two out of three ain’t bad.” I didn’t quite hit a home run but the eyeshadow and foundation make up for the lip disaster. I’ve got plenty of other lip colours to keep me going and I learned that I probably wouldn’t be a fan of matte liquid lipsticks (despite owning two).

Have you bought new makeup lately? How did it perform?

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