SHINY NEW ADDITIONS //

What's new 'round 'ere?

Newbies

Those of you who have been following along may recall that I've been on a self-imposed makeup ban, in a bid to force myself to use what I have, rather than pointlessly hoarding a monstrous collection (something that I'm rather talented at doing...) On my birthday I made the first makeup purchase in a few months, Becca Mineral Tint SPF 30+ Sunscreen, and since then I've added a few other bits and pieces to my stash.

A big, hearty welcome to...
Becca Mineral Tint SPF 30+ Sunscreen in Medium - I first mentioned this early last month, and yes, ended up caving when I saw it discounted on Adore Beauty. My only concern was the shade match - I ended up purchasing 'Medium', which ended up being a good fit for my NC30-ish skin-tone. I've tested it out on a few occasions and I'm quite pleased with it - it's matte, but not too matte, which is ideal for my normal-to-dry skin, which tends to be on the slightly greasier side in warmer weather. At first I was disappointed with its lack of coverage, but then reminded myself that it's primarily a sunscreen with a hint of colour. It does what it claims - provides a bronzy tint, with no ghostly white cast. Plus it smells delicious, like caramel fudge!

EcoTools Retractable Kabuki - This brush was recommended to me by a friend, who said she found it handy for bringing with her to uni for touchups. I've been using it to apply translucent pressed powder, and I have no qualms about it. It's quite soft and perhaps on the denser side for a powder brush, but it works well for translucent powder, and is of a portable size, which I'm sure will come in useful for travel.

Clinique Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm in 03 Roly Poly Rosy - This was a gift from my lovely Godmother who spoils me excessively! I was after a cream (or non-powder) cheek product for warmer months and this sparked my interest. It has a most intriguing texture that seems almost...spongy. It's difficult to describe... But it looks beautiful on, and blends well to provide a natural-looking flush (I prefer to use my Real Techniques Stippling Brush for this purpose, rather than fingers). I also enjoy the stick packaging, which is more compact and hygienic, and means I don't have to keep dipping my fingers in.

Chi Chi Glamorous Sultry Eyeshadow Palette - Something my mother purchased on a whim... Though it wasn't my purchase, I've been getting a lot of use out of it (I'm grateful my mum doesn't mind sharing!). Admittedly, these shades aren't really what I naturally gravitate towards - I'd actually been eyeing the Chi Chi Glamorous Nudes Eyeshadow Palette for ages, which is supposedly a dupe of the Urban Decay Naked Palette, but for a fraction of the price. I was impressed that all of the shades are smooth and buttery, and most are also heavy pigmented (bar one or two matte shades), and they're generally all quite wearable colours, too. I've been using the matte indigo shade as eyeliner, and it works a treat.

Korres Lip Butter in Wild Rose - So my willpower has finally crumbled, it seems! I'd been eyeing these lip butters for literarily yonks, ever since I first spotted them sleepandwater, and decided I had to make them mine. When I found myself at a Mecca Maxima recently, I resolved to bite the bullet, and ended up taking home Wild Rose, though I was tossing up between that and Pomegranate for a little while. Had I not so many lip products in my stash already (as my Liptember series reminded me) I could easily have bought both, methinks. Overall, I'm quite thrilled with my purchase - it's a lovely, pigmented lip butter, and the berry-red shade is stunning. It could be applied lightly for a sheerer effect, or worked up to a bolder colour. I definitely prefer tinted lip balms or lip butters for everyday, and I can see this one fast becoming an integral member of the rotation.


What new beauty bits have you added (or are planning to add) to your collection this month? x

OCTOBER CATCH-UP //

Whoops. So I've been MIA a little while... I guess I needed a little break after the craziness of September, 'tis all.
This month I relied on my trusty fave beauty products, devoured a popular series, celebrated my birthday, ate too much food, and 'treated myself'...a lot (#soznotsoz).

Read on to see what I got up to in October...

Makeup-and-skincare-wise it's been pretty pedestrian. The temperamental weather (e.g. 30 degrees one day, and 19 degrees the next!) has made me less adventurous with makeup, so I've tended to stick to the products that work well for me. You're probably quite familiar with them by now, I imagine, seeing as they crop up so frequently! I've also waxed lyrical about the brilliance of this Clinique duo, and they're yet to disappoint - they are definitely a versatile pair, whether for cooler seasons or warmer weather.

L-Rish:
Real Techniques Stippling Brush
Chi Chi Mosaic Blush in Pink Peach
Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Rose
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion +
Nivea Lip Butter in Caramel Cream
Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light
Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Pencil in 061 Jet Black (I only realised the other day that I've been calling it 'Black' this whole time, sorry!)
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard

And I finally read the Divergent series, as I wanted to read Divergent before watching the movie - and yes, I also can't believe they'd been sitting on my bookshelf since May! Embarrassing, right?! I thought it was alright - I do have a few critiques of the series, but maybe we'll save that for another time... It is quite an impressive achievement for a 24-year-old author though! And side-note: Anyone else suffering 'Theo James Eyebrow Envy', or was it just me?

A few birthday gifts (and a couple from myself...):
A couple of candles to add to my candle collection, and a few beauty bits (you can bet that they'll be making an appearance again shortly.)

Candle Story Blackberry Candle (A gift from Mother)
Archipelago Botanicals Pineapple & Ginger Candle (A gift from a friend)
Clinique Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm in 03 Roly Poly Rosy (A gift from my Godmother)
Becca Mineral Tint SPF 30+ Sunscreen in Medium (A gift from myself...)
Korres Lip Butter in Wild Rose (And another from myself...)


Hope you're having a great start to the week! :D x

LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 29

I'm reminiscing my first foray into lippie loving today with Avon Glazewear Lipstick in Gypsy Red. It's delightfully creamy and hydrating, and my younger self adored the sparkles. It struck me a couple of days ago - Avon actually seems to do the most unique/'I-don't-even-know-how-to describe-this-colour' shades. Take Gypsy Red, for example. On my lips it looks like a reddish pink, though it swatches like a corally-red, with a hint of orange. Or is it just me? For some reason I've found it a challenge to describe the colours of the Avon lipsticks that I own - is it a cool red? A berry red? A fire engine red? I settled for describing one as 'sangria', though I'm not entirely certain if that was correct, either!

In other news, I've switched (permanently till the colder weather returns, I think) back to my 'Summer combo' from earlier in the year, for my base - i.e. Nivea sunscreen + MAC Face and Body Foundation, as I've found that Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light tends to be a tad too emollient, and a bit light for my tanned skin. It is a bit of a pain to have to layer the two for the SPF (and to add powder on top to negate the shine...), but for the time being I'll deal with it - and factor in an extra minute or two into my makeup routine! I've also been considering tinted moisturisers with 'built in SPF', such as Invisible Zinc Tinted Daywear SPF 30+, or Becca Mineral Tint SPF 30+ Sunscreen, that are also physical sunblocks. I'm starting to research the different between chemical and physical sunscreens, so please do share if you know a bit about it - it's all a bit science-y and mind boggling to me; (science was never really my forte in school!).

The breakdown:
Nivea Daily Face Veil SPF 30+ Sunscreen
MAC Face and Body Foundation in C3
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard
Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Translucent + EcoTools Retractable Kabuki
Clinique Cheek Pop in 01 Ginger Pop + Real Techniques Stippling Brush
Rimmel Waterproof Kohl Kajal in 012 Bronze
Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler
Avon Glazewear Lipstick in Gypsy Red


For those in the Southern Hemisphere, I hope you're enjoying the warmer weather!
(And for those in the North, enjoy Fall while it lasts!) x

LIPTEMBER // DAY 26

I'm considering supposedly-'universally flattering' makeup today, with Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in 400 Big Bang (last one, I promise!) - a pink-based red. Back in my dancing days, makeup for the end of year concert would always be the same - dark brown eyeshadow, accompanied by red lips, as it was supposed to be flattering on everyone, and appropriate for the stage. That had always thrown me a little, because I never found it to be the most flattering combination on me, personally. I was reminded of this when I recently saw the same look on my mother - and she looked stunning; somehow it seemed to enhance her features perfectly. So I thought I'd try it again...but no, I can't say I love it. It's all trial and error when it comes to makeup, I suppose!

A few days ago I mentioned that I enjoyed blotting these lip lacquers and wearing them as a stain. It's more subtle and less glossy - and therefore less likely to move around and smudge everywhere (ahem, hello, Bozo the Clown...). It has more of a matte finish, but wears more comfortably than traditional matte lippies. Here's what it looks like when blotted with a tissue:

It becomes less of a fire-engine red, and a touch more 'currant-y', which I'm not really complaining about. Stay tuned for a little summary of these lip lacquers, coming soon.

What's on my face?
Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light
Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Pencil in Black
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard
Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in 400 Big Bang
Revlon CustomEyes Eyeshadow Palette in 020 Naturally Glamorous (russet brown shade, second from bottom, applied all over lid) + EcoTools Angled Crease Brush


Happy Friday! :D
What are your thoughts on 'universally flattering' makeup? x

LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 25

Wowza. It was pretty crazy earlier today - and all over in about five minutes! The heavens opened and rain bucketed town, followed by hail about the size of raisins or macadamia nuts, which left us without electricity for a few hours. My, my - time seems to pass so slowly without the internet! Anyhow, I was definitely 'feeling' the volatile weather today - and as my mood seems to reflect the weather, it made sense to do a more 'full-on', somewhat-more-Autumnal face. No 'sunshine and lollipops' today! Today's lip is one of my favourites Avon My Lip Miracle in incREDible, which is a gorgeous currant red that I usually reserve for the Autumn/Winter months. I especially love that it's a wonderfully hydrating formula that keeps lips happy all day, while packing a punch in the colour department. Side-note: The eyeshadow I'm wearing is a combination of the burgundy Bourjois cream eyeshadow, with Essence Party All Night layered on top - it's strange how the Bourjois one becomes more of a browny shade when blended (see the swatches here).

What I used:
Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronze Universel + Real Techniques Buffing Brush
EcoTools Large Eye Brush and Smudge Brush
Avon My Lip Miracle in incREDible
Essence Eyeshadow in 35 Party All Night
Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Natural Beauty + Real Techniques Stippling Brush
Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler
Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Pencil in Black
Bourjois Color Edition 24hr Eyeshadow in 05 Prune Nocturne


Hope you're all taking care in this crazy weather! x

LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 22

I thought I'd pull out Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer again today - this time in 303 Apocaliptic (my favourite shade out of the three that I have), as I've got time to spare and my lips are in a somewhat better condition for a bright lip. It's a gorgeous fuchsia shade, slightly warmer than Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 010 Raspberry Pie, and I actually prefer this lippie more when blotted gently with a tissue - it becomes a really pretty stain that wears well and doesn't budge, smear or transfer onto teeth. You might have noticed that I haven't been wearing blush lately, because of that patch of dry, eczema-y skin on my cheek, but today I decided I needed a little pop of colour to prevent me from looking washed out.

What I used:
Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard
Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler
NYX Powder Blush in Desert Rose + Real Techniques Stippling Brush
Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl in 012 Bronze
Rimmel Apolocalips Lip Lacquer in 303 Apocaliptic


Are you a fan of lip lacquers or 'liquid lipsticks'? x

LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 20

Today's face is a low-maintenance, soft matte 'stained' lip for work, feat. Avon Ultra Color Rich Lipstick in Red 2000. I guess you could say that I've been feelin' the red lip these past few days - it's a nice alternative to my usual pared back lip choices. I don't usually wear matte lipstick to work, as they can be quite drying and annoying to touch up, especially as I'm constantly talking to customers. I made an exception today as I've got a short shift, and a stain is easier to work with, in that I know it won't transfer to my teeth or smudge. It's actually intensely pigmented when applied straight from the tube, as you can see in the swatch above, though patted on with a finger it appears quite soft, which I like - just polished enough, but not too over the top. Work appropriate. It also looks lovely with the Yes To Carrots Color Balm in Soft Plum layered on top, which I ended up experimenting with towards the end of my shift, when my lips were feeling a little parched. The sheer burgundy shade adds another dimension to the soft cherry red, which is rather pretty - I don't have a photo, so you'll have to take my word for it!

What I used:
Mecca Cosmetica In A Good Light
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard
Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler
Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl in 012 Bronze
EcoTools Angled Crease Brush
Essence Eyeshadow Single in 35 Party All Night
Avon Ultra Color Rich Lipstick in Red 2000

LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 15

Today's fussier-than-usual face for a meet up with a friend in the city, and a little audition... I decided to do a 'punchier' lip (010 Raspberry Pie), as I knew I'd be on camera for the screen test. I played it safe by first smoothing on a thin layer of Nuxe Rêve de Miel to take care of the flaky bits, and to tone the opacity down a notch - Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters can be quite opaque!

The breakdown:
Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard
Essence Eyeshadow in 35 Party All Night applied all over the lid with Ecotools Angled Crease Brush
MAC Fluidline in Black Track applied with Ecotools Angled Eyeliner Brush
Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl in 012 Bronze traced over the top
Kevyn Aucoin eyelash curler
b Collection by Bloom Cream Blush in Barossa Valley applied with Real Techniques Stippling Brush
Nuxe Rêve de Miel used to prep lips
Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 010 Raspberry Pie


Hope you're having a great start to the week! x

LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 13

Today's face is a quick, basic low-maintenance work look, with eyeshadow being thrown in to the usual cycle as of late. I went through a bit of an eyeshadow phase earlier this year, then got over it, but now it looks like it's starting to sneak back in. But back to the topic - another Chubby Stick?!?!?! Erm...yes. I like that they're moisturising and not too loud in intensity - plus they're a cinch to apply. The Lippie of the Day is actually one of my most favourite shades - Clinique Chubby Stick in 07 Super Strawberry. It's a gorgeous muted strawberry colour, that gives a bit of a 'MLBB effect' in warmer months when I'm more tanned. The true colour is slightly less bright in 'real life' compared to the photos above.

The other stuff:
Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard
Revlon CustomEyes Eyeshadow Palette in 020 Naturally Glamorous (warm burgundy brown shade, second from right applied all over lid) + Ecotools Angled Crease Brush
Clinique Cheek Pop in 01 Ginger Pop + Ecotools Tapered Blush Brush
Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler
Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl in 012 Bronze
Clinique Chubby Stick in 07 Super Strawberry


Have a great weekend! x

LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 12

Bringin' a bit of berry back with Clinique Chubby Stick in 15 Pudgy Peony for today's lunch with Mother Dearest on her day off. The Clinique Chubby Sticks are a firm favourite of mine, as they're portable, easy to apply and moisturising - and they also come in a wide range of colours. I also thought I'd switch things up a bit by dusting off my Essence mono eyeshadows, and trading my usual black eyeliner for bronze.

The rest o' the good stuff:
Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard
Clinique Chubby Stick in 15 Pudgy Peony
Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler
Essence Eyeshadow in 35 Party All Night + Manicare Eyeshadow Brush
Clinique Cheek Pop in 03 Berry Pop + Ecotools Tapered Blush Brush
Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl in 012 Bronze


Happy Friday! Cheers to the weekend :D x