SHINY NEW ADDITIONS (PART II) //

I've been working a lot more lately (hence the blog neglect...), as retail is insane around Christmas, and as such, I've been spending a lot more time "window shopping" in my local shopping centre...to detrimental consequences. (To be fair, it's not like I'm going to go home whilst on my break, right? Right?) Admittedly it seems to happen to the best of us - or so my customers have told me - in regards to Christmas shopping: we feel the need to reward ourselves after ticking off another person on our list!

Here are some more new additions (one 'need', one 'splurge', one 'considered purchase', and two 'impulsive purchases'...):

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion + ($49AUD for 125ml) - This is my first proper purchase of the DDML+, as I had first received a sample of it during their Facebook promotion some time ago. Since finishing the sample, I decided that it was a product that had become integral to my skincare routine, and a year-round staple. (Read an overview of it here.)

Lancôme Lip Lover Gift Set ($45AUD) - I'll concede that a part of me unashamedly relishes the holiday season purely for the numerous gift sets and limited editions that are released by various makeup brands around this time! This one is a little treat to myself, being the lip product junkie that I am, and I rationalised that I could do with a few more lip glosses. I'm mostly intrigued with the formula, which is supposedly a long wearing, pigmented lip gloss. I'll share my thoughts once I put it to the test!

bareMinerals Original Foundation SPF15 in Golden Tan ($35AUD) - You may recall that I've been considering purchasing this foundation for a couple of months now. I finally took the plunge, drawn by the promise of no nasties, and oil-control for sensitive skin. It was trickier than anticipated to find my exact match - Golden Medium was too light and Medium Beige too pink, so I ended up with Golden Tan, the darkest warm-toned offering, which is currently just a smidgen too warm for my NC30 complexion, though it should be near-perfect come January.

Malin+Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant ($24AUD for 73g) - I came across this quite by chance while browsing the Mecca Cosmetica, and prompted by the many positive reviews, ducked in to check it out for myself. Further online 'research' showed mixed reviews, but I decided to take a chance on it anyway, taken in by it's supposed-suitability for sensitive skin.

Essence Long-Lasting Eye Pencil in 02 Hot Chocolate ($3.05AUD for 0.34g) - At that price, you really can't go wrong, I rationed. After seeing how awesome it looked on my mum, I went and got one for myself, and I have to say that it's pretty good, considering that it's cheap as chips! It mostly lives up to its claims of being long-wearing, though I find that it can transfer to under my eye and become a bit smudgy if I apply too much. I prefer to blend it into the lash line for a more natural effect for everyday. It's creamy, pigmented, doesn't irritate my eyes, glides on easily and doesn't require sharpening - the only con is that I can't get a fine, precise line. All things considered, this one's a winner in my eyes! (*Pun not intended).


How many new additions have you added to your stash during Christmas shopping? ;)
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you all! xx

CURIOSITY PIQUED #2 //

I've been trying to 'shop my stash' more, and not spend my hard earned cash on things I don't need. I like to think I'm a little more judicial, but some days I cave wayyy too easily. It's funny though - when I'm waiting for my pay check I'll spend ages online ('window'-)shopping, thinking about all the things I'll purchase when I'm paid, but when payday actually comes, I find myself more reluctant to part with it...

It's not to be unexpected that a few things have caught my eye yet again - though I suppose the element of surprise lies in the fact that it's taken me so long to put this post together! My apologies.

But without further ado, I present to you 'curiosity piqued' - take two:

BareMinerals Original SPF 15 Foundation ($35 for approx. 8g) - I'd previously written this foundation off as 'incompatible' with my normal to dry skin. During a recent catchup, a friend of mine raved about the original formulation (for Winter), as well as the matte version (for Summer), rating them as 'Holy Grail-worthy'. I had tried the compact Ready version of the foundation, but was far from impressed - it was chalky and unflattering (and the shade I was matched with was too light, so it made me appear corpse-like)! But re-inspired by my friend, I headed into my local Mecca Cosmetica to have a play. My MUA talked me through the correct method of application ('swirl, tap and buff') and I was impressed when I found that it did provide an airbrushed finish, though a couple of dry patches were highlighted (but nothing a good moisturiser or primer wouldn't fix). I'm considering it for Summer when my skin tends to be a little oilier. Natural sunscreen through titanium dioxide is a bonus, though I'd probably layer it over something with higher SPF if I'm spending an extended amount of time outdoors.
Despite their wide range of shades, an exact shade match was tricky to find, especially as my skin has neutral-yellow undertones. 'Light' was a good match for my Winter skin, though I was recommended to head back around November for a proper Summer skin match. Admittedly, I was a little put off by the packaging - or rather, the general messiness involved with finely-milled powder foundations (I just imagine a Hiroshima-esque mushroom cloud of powder every time!). I wore it around for the rest of the day and am glad to report that it did not irritate my sensitive skin. You may hear more about this one from me come November!

Becca Mineral Tinted SPF 30+ Sunscreen ($35 for 40ml) - I stumbled across this product quite by chance. To cut the long story short, I was reading an article by Zoë Foster about why she now prefers physical sunscreens over chemical formulations, in which she provided a couple of suggestions for physical sunscreens for various skin types - one being Becca Mineral Face and Body Sunscreen. After discovering that it was no longer available online at Becca, (though I saw it on David Jones' website), I continued to browse randomly, coming across the zinc oxide-based Mineral Tinted SPF 30+ Sunscreen - their only offering in the 'sun care' category. At a rather reasonable price, I'm practically sold, though my only reservation is the shade match - it comes in three shades, 'Light', 'Medium' and 'Tan', and I'm tossed up between 'Medium' and 'Tan'. Some companies make a very dark 'Medium' and others make it very light - what even constitutes 'Medium', anyway?! For my NC30-ish skin, it's always a bit of a challenge - it'd be nice if there were a Becca counter nearby so I could test it out before purchasing.

Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelée ($27 for approx. 5g) - I'd actually been eyeing these for ages, but put it in the back of my mind, as they aren't readily available here in Australia. But with recent news that Mecca Maxima is now carrying Josie Maran, my interest was instantly reignited. I have a particular soft spot for cream/gel blushes, and considering that the mark up isn't ridiculous for once, compared to US prices, this has certainly earned its place on my list of potential purchases.

Ecoya Limited Edition Guava and Lychee Sorbet Candle ($39.95 for 400g) - Uh oh. Not again! You may recall that I had been eyeing the Sweet Apricot and Orange Blossom candle from Ecoya's previous limited edition offerings, and ended up purchasing it. I stumbled across the current limited edition candles while (somewhat less-innocently) browsing in David Jones. While I wasn't so taken by the other candle, Sea Grass and Water Lily, I was immediately enraptured by this gorgeous, fruity-scented one. I mean, as if the name alone was not appealing enough!

Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream Perfume ($60 for 30ml, $90 for 50ml, $120 for 100ml) - Being quite a fan of Marc Jacobs' Daisy perfume, and Daisy Eau So Fresh as well, you can imagine how excited I was to see Daisy Dream launch at Myer. It reminds me of Lancôme Trèsor Midnight Rose (which I also adore) - Daisy Dream a little headier than Daisy, which is lighter and fresher. While I definitely can't justify purchasing another perfume for a long while, I can't deny that it smells delightful - and the bottle is seriously adorable!


*Images from Google



What are you currently eyeing? Do share! x

WEEK IN REVIEW // 11

A week of...more haulin'. They see me haulin', they hatin'... Well, my bank balance ain't looking too impressed, either. I'd better make more of an effort to shop my now-burgeoning stash!

LUSH It Started With a Kiss lip tint - This has been a lovely alternative to a bright lippie, especially when applied sparingly. It wears comfortably, goes on evenly, and fades well, too. I just hope it doesn't end up drying or going grainy like the last two I've tried!

Sussan Pom Pom Socks - Aaaaaand the pom pom socks have finally come out for Winter! They're a bit of a novelty, too, I suppose, and they keep my feet, and ankles, nice and toasty. I seriously have the worst circulation - can't wait for Winter to be over already!

Lanikai Ukulele - Meet my new baby. She has a gorgeous, warm sound, and is great to play. Perhaps there might even be a musical interlude in the near future...? :O

Bourjois Shine Edition Lipstick in 23 Grenadine - Is this...another lip product?! Sorry, I couldn't resist! The glossy/balmy nature of this makes it perfect for Winter, as my lips aren't in the best shape. It doesn't cling to flaky bits of lip skin (sorry, gross!) and has quite impressive staying power for something as moisturising as it is. I like to pat it on to my lips for a subtle wash of colour, like so.

And still going strong from last week:
Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light - I completely understand if you're sick of seeing this one, given the frequency of its appearances here! But it'd be wrong of me not to include it, when it's the only base I've been wearing as of late... It really is a great 'all in one' - moisturiser, sunscreen, illuminator - a lazy girl's dream!

Nuxe Rêve de Miel - I think this has almost matched Nivea Lip Butter's numerous appearances on here, as well. I am pleased to announce that underneath the hardened top lies a creamier balm, consistent with lemon curd... Mmmmm. This is the only balm I've been using lately.

bareMinerals Correcting Concealer in Medium 2 - Last week I mentioned that I was experimenting with application, and I've found that fingers work equally well for when I'm not overly bothered (lazy girl, remember? :P) It provides decent coverage, and its powder finish gives it lasting power, though I prefer to apply it over something moisturising first, so it goes on smoothly.

Happy Monday! Hope the rest of the week goes swimmingly (: x

#FOTD 6 //

Testing out some newbies today!

...And so far, I'm impressed.

The breakdown:
Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light applied over face - I've raved about it before, so I'll refrain from repeating myself.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Natural Beauty applied on cheeks with Real Techniques Stippling Brush - I'm seriously impressed with this one! It looks a bit intimidating in the pan, but when applied with the Stippling Brush, gives a really pretty reddish-pink flush. (It's got more red-toned in person - my camera doesn't capture it very well.)

LUSH It Started With a Kiss lip tint - This is my third tin of the stuff (the first couple ended up becoming all hard and grainy, so I took them back to LUSH and the lovely peeps there kindly exchanged them for another one). Third time lucky? Anyhow, this is a gorgeous, smooth lip tint that can be applied sheer, or built up to a full, strawberry-red. (Applied over a layer of Nuxe Rêve de Miel). This is also more red-toned in person, and a lot brighter.

bareMinerals Correcting Concealer in Medium 2 - I'm learning how best to apply this one. I find that it goes on well when applied over some kind of moisturising base, e.g. day cream or In a Good Light. I like to blend it in with the Ecotools Airbrush Concealer Brush, then pat away any harsh lines or edges with my finger. I find that the warmth from my fingers helps it to melt in nicely.

Rimmel ScandalEyes Shadow Sticks in 008 Bad Girl Bronze (top) and 011 Bluffing (bottom) with Bluffing applied over eyelid and Bad Girl Bronze applied on outer 'V' - I wrote about these in my last post, and I find that they accompany each other rather well! They are creamy and quite long-lasting - even more so when applied on dry skin. I find that it takes longer to 'set' when I've applied foundation to my eye area. I like that Bad Girl Bronze is a lovely warm chocolatey brown, though not so much a fan that it comes across practically identical to Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner in 012 Bronze in terms of colour. I like that the tip is tapered enough to use as eyeliner (just), but wide enough to use all over the lid. It's not like trying to colour in your entire eyelid with an eyeliner pencil (which feels totally weird and futile...)! A good all-rounder, I think.


Cheers to the weekend! What are your plans? x

WEEK IN REVIEW // 10

A week of chillin', adventurous foodie-ing, catchups with friends, and sneaky purchases.

The goods:
Wittner Kissable Heels in Nude Patent Leather - These were my sneaky purchase this week. With all the 'EoFYS' and 'Mid-year Clearances', it's been pretty tough not to cave! I was drawn to the cutouts, which are a little out of the ordinary, the comfy block heel, and the pretty shade of nude (the photos don't do it justice). Seeing as I don't have any pairs of nude heels, I figured it was justified. (Right? RIGHT?!) These may just become the nude counterpart to my favourite black Wittner heels - only time will tell!

Nuxe Rêve de Miel - This has been my lip balm of choice this week. It seemed to be a good match for the citrus tart we had for dessert last night... Last week I mentioned my first impressions, but you can check out the full, non-abbreviated, updated post here.

Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light SPF 30+ - I've found this to be lovely for the cooler, windier weather, as it is hydrating and illuminating - plus, it's got SPF, which is a must! This has been my fave 'face base' of late. See it in action here and here.

bareMinerals Correcting Concealer in Medium 2, MAC Select Cover-Up Concealer in NC30 and Ecotools Airbrush Concealer Brush - Lately I've been struggling with my concealer options, as I'm in need of something more hydrating as my skin becomes drier. I only just got the Correcting Concealer, and I find it to be quite thick and creamy, though I'm on the fence about its cream-to-powder finish. With my usual MAC concealer, I've been experimenting with different methods of application. I've been testing out various tools, such as fingers, the Ecotools Deluxe Concealer Brush, and the Ecotools Airbrush Concealer Brush, which is excellent for diffusing harsh lines and preventing an unsightly almost 'streaky' finish. I'm still eyeing NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, but I might make that my last resort.

And I thought I'd also do a little throwback to when the weather was warmer, and the skies less grey, as the rain falling outside it making this Winter seem rather dreary already...

This photo was taken by my talented pal, Chris (who started his own photography company, Too'Eazy Photography), on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon in April. Ah, I'm wishing we still had that lovely summery breeze.

Hope you're enjoying the long weekend (if you're in Aus)!
What was the highlight of your week? x

HAULAGE // BLOG SALE (+ SWATCHES)

So a while ago I went a bit nuts on Ria's makeup sale site - you can check it out here.
I've used a few of them already, but haven't properly tested out all of them.

Cue haulage...

FACE:
bareMinerals Correcting Concealer in Medium 2 - a creamy concealer with SPF 20

CHEEKS:
Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Natural Beauty - a bright strawberry pink
NYX Powder Blush in Desert Rose - a mauvey-pinky-rose

EYES:
TheBalm Batter Up Creaseless Cream Shadow in Triple Play Mae - a warm cocoa brown, and Grand Slam Pam - a browned-lilac

Wet'n'Wild Comfort Zone Palette - a palette of neutral-ish, cool-toned, buttery powder eyeshadows.

Browbone shades

Eyelid shades (left eyelid shade is more of a shell pink in person)

Crease shades (the left shade is more of an olive brown)

Definer shades (the right shade is darker in person, and the left shade is a pretty duo-chrome)

Urban Decay Primer Potion sample
Kevyn Aucoin eyelash curler

LIPS:
NYX Black Label Lipstick in 105 Cherry - a cream-finish, pink-based red

Have you tried any of these before?
Did you love them or loathe them?