LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 18

You've probably noticed a recurring theme these past few days - i.e. the 'minimal' face - and today is no different! It probably sounds a little ridiculous, and I don't pretend to disagree, but sometimes I almost challenge myself to see how I can make a rather laid-back outfit - such as my jeans-and-plain-tee uniform du jour - appear somewhat more polished with the aid of a little pop of colour on the lips, accompanied by illuminated skin and a touch of eyeliner. I love that this NYX Black Label Lipstick in 105 Cherry is a gorgeous deep cherry red hue that gives off a 'just been eating berries' kind of vibe when gently pressed into the lips (I usually use my ring finger). A full-out red lip would probably have been a little too much for my casual get-up.

The 'bare essentials':
Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard
Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl in 012 Bronze
NYX Black Label Lipstick in 105 Cherry

LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 17

More experimenting with bright Summery lips - today's pick is Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in 501 Stellar, which I only use when I have a lot of time to fiddle around with it and perfect it, because it can be quite difficult to master - and by master, I mean apply it so it looks normal! It's kind of like a highly pigmented lip gloss in that it moves around a fair bit, but it packs a punch colour-wise, hence the description 'lip lacquer'. I kept the rest of the face plain - partly due to the small patch of eczema on my cheek, which prevents blush (especially powder blush) from applying smoothly. I try to avoid piling on makeup if I don't have to, to give my sensitive skin a break. Besides, it's mainly the same idea as yesterday - slick on bright lippie in the hope that it distracts from everything else!

What I used:
Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard
Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Pencil in Black
Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in 501 Stellar

LIPTEMBER CHALLENGE // DAY 16

A just-shy-of-barefaced look for quick trip to the shops for some groceries. I like to think that the brighter lip takes the attention away from the fact that everything else, i.e. hair and outfit, looks a bit drab... LUSH Lip Tint in It Started With a Kiss (how great is the name?!) can be built up to a louder pop of colour, or dabbed on as I've done here for a sheerer effect. Admittedly I haven't used this little lip prod in a while, as the colder weather makes it tricky to use - it completely hardens and takes a while to melt/become somewhat usable again! With the warmer months approaching, I'm hoping to get a lot of use out of this one - the strawberry-red colour is gorgeous.

The (rather small) breakdown:
Mecca Cosmetica In a Good Light
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard
Rimmel Waterproof Kohl in 012 Bronze
LUSH Lip Tint in It Started With a Kiss


Are you a fan of LUSH products?
How do you feel about lip tints in general?

TASTY TUESDAYS // GREEK SALAD

With the arrival of the warmer weather I find myself craving light, refreshing meals, such as salads and wraps, over carbohydrate-heavy, 'comforting' foods of Winter, such as pasta or soups. Today I decided to whip up a quick Greek salad - my salad of choice - for a simple snack/light lunch. I find that I don't eat as much in Spring/Summer, either, as the weather is warmer (as I have poor circulation, a lot of the time I burn energy trying to keep warm!)

Greek Salaaaaad

I followed this recipe here, and didn't do much tweaking, though I did sprinkle some Oregano leaves on top for more flavour. The best part about it is that it's so easy to make, and doesn't take long at all.


What do you enjoy eating in the warmer months?
Are you a fan of Greek salad like me?

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 14

Just a mini review on Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturising Lip Colour Balms (L-R: 07 Super Strawberry and 15 Pudgy Peony), which I rather adore. In these last couple of posts, you've probably gathered enough about these fun jumbo Crayola-esque lippies, but I thought I'd compile a little summary for y'all.

Texture: They have a glossy/balmy feel, and glide on smoothly generally-speaking, though in colder weather they do take a little bit of time before melting into the lips - presumably due to the various nourishing oils (e.g. mango and shea butter) that they contain. To me, they are quite similar to tinted lip balms, except with more colour. They also glide over dry lips with ease, and don't highlight flaky bits.

Opacity: These are actually rather opaque for what they are - semi-opaque would be more accurate (refer to Day 12 and Day 13 to see what they look like on). They are pigmented enough that I wouldn't apply them without a mirror, though some of you talented ladies probably could! They can also be 'dabbed' on for a sheerer hint of colour, though I usually use them like I would a crayon.

Hydration: These are wonderfully moisturising and balmy, and have a bit of slip, so they don't give off a weird, uncomfortable feeling if you rub your lips together frequently, which I tend to do! That said, they can leave my lips feeling a little dry if I don't reapply after wiping it off my lips or after eating/drinking.

Longevity: As they are so hydrating, they don't last for too long - maybe an hour or two with careful  (very careful) eating and drinking.

Price: $35 for...? (I couldn't find it on Clinique AU website, but according to Sephora, it's 0.1 oz, so around 2.8g, which is kinda steep if you think about it!)

Other notes: I find the twist-up design super handy - no sharpening required, and also love that they come in so many colours (16 in the regular Chubby Stick range, plus 8 in the 'Intense' range). They are also quite handbag friendly and portable - and have no discernible scent.


Are you a fan of 'jumbo pencil' style lippies?
Have you tried these Chubby Sticks? 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