Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Light in Purple - review and swatches

This was the first make up item I picked up when I landed in England. I have seen beauty youtubers use this colour tattoo for a while, and Australia doesn't seem to have it, so I was very excited to grab it. It's not an everyday kind of colour tattoo, but it is a duochrome blue/purple and looks gorgeous.

I just wanted to do a quick review and give some swatches for those interested.

Above is a swatch, a heavy swatch and one sheered out. It's hard to capture the duochrome effect, but you can see it is in between blue and purple in the swatches. 

Here I have it by itself, and I used the Urban Decay Naked Basics for the crease and highlight. You can definitely see more purple in this picture. 

I am very happy I picked this up, as I'm pretty sure this colour will never hit Australian shores (I also just did a quick google and almost 30 have been released in the USA, we've probably had a third of that in Australia - how disappointing!). I love the Maybelline Colour Tattoos, and this one doesn't disappoint! 

August Favourites

Time for favourites, yet again. I really have found some holy grail products this month!

Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Concealer Primer
For my birthday my lovely friends got my a gift voucher for Napoleon Perdis. I've never really dabbled in Napoleon, but I decided to go and pick up a few things, and I asked the lady if they had any good products for under eye creasing and she recommended this and another concealer. I've been a bit lazy with the concealer, as it is more a corrector and an extra step in my routine, BUT THIS PRODUCT IS AMAZING. It hasn't completely stopped under eye creasing, but there is 90% less creasing when I use this product. Holy grail status right here. I know Smashbox does one also and I'll try that when I run out of this, but I absolutely adore this product!

Above is what the primer looks like (with flash). There is shimmer in the primer, to highlight, but once you apply concealer on top you don't see any shimmer.

MAC Paint Pot in Painterly
It really was a toss up between this and Soft Ochre, but I opted for Painterly. I have really bad eyelids - they are hooded and they crease horribly - I have oily eyelids (although the rest of my face and body is dry) and this in combo with the hooded eyelids means a lot of creasing. This is a perfect primer/base. Every time I've used it I've had little creasing after 7+ hours (which is awesome for me). Maybelline Colour Tattoos work well as well, but sometimes I need a neutral base and this product is perfect. Highly recommend this to anyone with oily eyelids, or problems creasing.

Benefit They're Real Mascara
I got a sample size of this mascara in the Bronze of Champions kit (see review here). It is awesome! I don't have spectacular lashes, and while I find the plastic brush not as pleasant to use as typical mascara brushes, this mascara gives some amazing lashes.

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette
In all honesty, I didn't think I needed this palette. I have way too many neutral eyeshadows, but I am so happy I picked this up (see haul post here - a review will be coming soon!). This is a perfect palette. The matte shadows mean it is really versatile - crease work, transition work. It is the perfect addition to any palette really, and I've found myself reaching for this every time I do eyeshadow work. Even for a highlight shade with no shimmer, this palette gives two shades. I can't speak highly enough of this palette.

Marc Jacobs Eau So Fresh EDT
I love this perfume! I've used a significant amount of it in the last month, because I've been reaching for it 3/7 days. I love the floral scent, and it is, well, so fresh! Definitely recommend this for those who love floral scents.

NYX Taupe Blush
For the first two weeks of August, this was my go-to contour shade. At the moment I have fake tan on, so this doesn't work well on tanner skin, but for pale girls this is an awesome contour shade!

Essence Match2Cover Cream Concealer
Since coming back from overseas, I have had pimples that won't go away. I don't know what it is. But this concealer is awesome at covering them up! I'm also sure this concealer is no more than $4, so I think it's a product worth checking out.

So in September, I'm going on a no-buy. 30 days, no purchasing makeup/skincare/haircare (unless I run out of something I drastically need, although I stocked up this week on those I was running out of so I doubt it). I want to do the Project 10 Pan, but I think this will be a really good test because I'm sure the Project 10 Pan will take at least 3 months to complete (maybe I'll do Project 5 Pan instead...). I still have some things coming in the post I ordered last week, which doesn't count because they weren't purchased in September! So it won't be so bad, I hope. Wish me luck!

Sleek Face Form (Fair) vs. Sleek Contour Kit (Light)

The Sleek Face Form has been one of my favourite products since I've purchased it. I hardly use the blush though, so when I hit pan on the contour shade I thought repurchasing the whole thing would be a waste. However, Sleek have the Contour Kit which just has the contour and highlighter. I really wish Sleek would just release the contour shades by their own, they are awesome! When I was doing my research however, I couldn't find a comparison between the two, because the Face Form comes in Fair and then Light, whereas the Contour Kit only comes in Light. I thought I'd do a quick comparison post in case anyone else has the same issue I had.

On the top is the Sleek Contour Kit, and the bottom the Sleek Face Form 

Straight off the bat, you can see that the Face Form contour is much lighter than the Contour Kit (and that I've hit some serious pan in the Face Form contour)  

Above is the contour from the Face Form (Fair), and next to it is the contour for the Contour Kit (Light). There is a difference between the two, the Contour Kit contour is darker but it also appears more pigmented than the Face Form contour.

Above is both contours and highlighters. The highlighters in the pan appear the same, but like with the contours, the highlighter in the Contour Kit appears more pigmented. 

So in comparison, the Light contour is darker than the Fair, but if you're only able to get the Light and you're pretty pale, just use a lighter hand with it. The highlights are about the same, although the Light is more pigmented than the Fair, so again, use a light hand. Hope this post helps anyone with the same dilemma I had! 

Current Wishlist

I'm not really allowing myself to spend money the next few months. But I'm a girl, I have a blog like this, I think I'll type up a wish list and maybe reward myself if I deserve it.

1. Clarins Eye Quartet Mineral Palette in Odyssey
This was on my wish list last year, but I never bought it. It's available on Strawberrynet, so I think I might just need to buy it. It was a limited edition product, so that's pushing me to buy it. It's the damn gold shade in the palette, I just love gold eyeshadows at the moment.

2. MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation
When I was at the MAC in Heathrow airport, it was between this foundation and the Mineralize Moisture foundation. I picked up the Mineralize Moisture foundation, but I'm not the biggest fan of it. It's the shimmer in it. This foundation is good for dry skin, and it is full coverage, so it will be the next foundation I pick up.

3. MAC Tan Pigment 
I also want the Vanilla pigment (only because I'd also use it as a highlighter), but I want to tick this one of my list first. The swatches of it look absolutely gorgeous, and I don't think I have something like it in my collection.

4. NARS Seduction Blush
I heard about this blush about a month ago, and it's so pretty. I'm not the biggest blush fan, but I'm trying to get into it, and this one seems really wearable, especially in the colder months.

5. Lorac Pro Palette
I've tried to tell myself I don't need this, and I probably don't, but I want it. The top row is matte shades and the bottom shimmer? Count me in!

6. MAC 217 Brush 
Everyone seems to love this brush, and I just want it okay. I love blending brushes.

7. Real Techniques Duo Fiber Collection
This is limited edition, so it makes me want it more. I haven't seen it in stores in Australia, but it's $20 on iHerb, so I'll hopefully be picking it up soon.

Empties/Products I'm Chucking Out #3

I feel happy writing these posts, because I know that I at least use up some of the products I'm purchasing. 

Lush Dreamwash Shower Smoothie

I discovered this towards the end of the June, and I repurchased a back-up when I was in England because of the significant price difference. It is quite expensive though, so I only use it on parts of my body with eczema and it has helped. 

Vaseline

Who doesn't love Vaseline? I use this as a lip balm and in the hope that smothering them on my eyebrows will help them grow. 

BeautyCareCo Makeup Remover Pads 

A repurchase, and next time I'm in Kmart I will pick up another packet. You can never have enough makeup remover pads. 

Nivea Irresistibly Smooth Body Lotion

I brought two of these travel size bottles with me to England, I used one up there and brought one back with me. I really like this body lotion, and would repurchase it after I have finished up all the others I have scattered around! 

Batiste Blush Dry Shampoo 

My favourite dry shampoo, and my favourite scent. I will end up repurchasing this, but at the moment I have the original Batiste scent Dry Shampoo because it was $4 at the Reject Shop and I picked up 2. 

Priceline Cotton Tips 

These were alright, nothing fancy. Not much to say about cotton tips though. A repurchase if I go to Priceline.

Swisspers Naturals Green Tea Facial Cleansing Wipes (x2) 

I actually really like these wipes. They're not that expensive full price either, so I don't mind picking them up when they're not on sale. They were on sale at work recently though, so I picked up a back up of the Green Tea and Original. 

Lush Mint Julips Lip Scrub

This is expired, although I hardly made a dent in it. I did repurchase the Mint Julips, but when I was in England they had a Popcorn flavour that I've only seen in Australia once (I think it was around Christmas) so I picked it up and I love it! This will always be a repurchase product for me (although only once a year because it doesn't expire for a year and I'll never end up finishing one whole tub [and now I have two, good job Sarah]) because it is awesome if you have dry lips, especially if you want to rock a matte lip. 

Bio Oil

I use this on scars, stretch marks and stuff like that, although I've become really lazy. I'm not allowing myself to repurchase this until I finish up the Cocoa Butter equivalent I decided to try out, but the scent is so sickly that I hardly touch it. 

Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray

This is a travel size of the stuff that my Dad got me when he purchased the Vice Palette for me last year when he visited England. I finally finished it up when I was in England, but I'm going to keep the bottle because it is a good travel size spray bottle. 

Nivea Pearl & Beauty Deodorant 

This stuff was alright, but nothing amazing. Not as good as my favourite Rexona deodorant, lol. 

Juicy Couture Peace, Love and Juicy Eau De Parfum 50mL

I've had this bottle for a while, and I kept it with my other perfumes long after it was finished (about a year) to remind myself to repurchase it, because I really enjoyed the floral scent. I couldn't find this one, but Juicy Couture by Juicy Couture smells about the same so I picked it up. I enjoyed this perfume and if you love floral scents, check out Juicy Couture by Juicy Couture. 

Essence Lash and Brow Gel Mascara

The lid of this mascara ended up breaking, so I decided its time was up. I have a back up of this anyway, but this is my go-to brow gel. Definite repurchase next time I go to Priceline. 

Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara

This just ended up drying up, so it's time to chuck it. I love this mascara, but I've accumulated so many lately that I will wait to repurchase this. 

Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping Mascara

I really have a love/hate relationship with this mascara. I love what it does, but hate the formula. This one is dried up, but I have another one in my collection. My Mum absolutely loves this mascara, though. 

Lush Dream Cream Hand and Body Lotion Sample 

When the lady at Lush recommended me this, there was none left so she gave me a sample to trial out. I ended up loving it, so I picked it up in England. 

YSL Parisienne Sample 

I finished this up and have already purchased the 50mL bottle of this perfume. I adore the scent. 

Youngblood Mineral Primer 

I received this with an order I made off of Lipstick Republic, and I took it away with me overseas. It was an okay primer, but it didn't do anything amazing for me so I won't repurchase it. 

OPI RapiDry Top Coat

I was never really a fan of this top coat. Since discovering Seche Vite, I don't want to touch the others I own. However, I have a smaller size of this that came with a mini pack of OPI polishes and will use it up. But after I do use all the other top coats I own, the only one I will repurchase will be Seche Vite. 

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in 100 Ivory

I am so happy I finished a bottle of foundation! I have a lot of foundation, so this is an accomplishment. I did like this foundation, but the shimmer in it is so noticeable (this is the same reason I don't like the MAC Mineralize Moisture foundation). If you don't mind the shimmer, I recommend this one, but I won't be repurchasing it. 

Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream Sample

I received this sample at Heathrow airport, and I really like this moisturiser! I will repurchase the full size, but I have two other day moisturisers at the moment and I'm trying to reduce the size of my collection. 

Katy Perry Purr Shower Gel 

This was an okay shower gel, but because of my eczema it isn't the best. I was happy to use it up though, and it smelled just like the perfume - which I love! 

Sleek Ultra Mattes VI Brights Palette - review and swatches

The day I finally got to go into Superdrug was a beautiful day. All the brands I can't get in a local store in Australia - Barry M, Sleek, Collection, and they were all there, waiting for me. It was a beautiful day. And when I had finally wandered over to the Sleek section, there was one Ultra Mattes Bright palette left (this has been sold out online for ages, and I wasn't willing to pay $30+ on eBay for it). The box looked a bit damaged, but I checked it and the palette wasn't broken, just a bit dirtied up. But I didn't care! I finally had it in my possession, hehe :') and now I will review this bright palette from Sleek. To see my review of the Acid palette, click here. 

This is the conventional Sleek packaging, a black matte case with the words "Sleek MakeUP" on the front. 

As you can see, a little worse for wear. The newer Sleek palettes now all come with names.

But I managed to clean the palette up quite nicely, and these colours are just beautiful. 

The colour pay off of these isn't amazing, which is a little disappointing. There are some with good colour payoff, although I'm not a big fan of the fallout.

Without a primer, the last three shades from the bottom hardly show up. The only noticeably pigmented shades are the green and blue from the second row, although they were rather chalky. 

With a primer, the pigmentation is a little better, but nothing super amazing. The green and blue from the second row appear even more chalky when swatched, although the orange shows up nicely, as does the yellow. 

Because this is a drugstore product, I don't expect the pigmentation to be amazing. Even the Acid Palette wasn't as amazing as I'd hoped, but the other two Sleek palettes I own - Storm and Au Naturel - have awesome pigmentation. In the summer, I think the best use I'd have out of these would be as an eyeliner, using something like Napoleon Perdis' Cake Eyeliner Sealer (which I picked up last week and will be reviewing soon). 

Although the pigmentation isn't the best, I'm still happy with this purchase. The colours in the palette are beautiful, and I will find ways to make it work. The purple in the top row is just beautiful, and I look forward to experimenting with it as an eyeliner. 

England Haul pt 2 - Skincare, Haircare, Nail Polish and Perfume!

Time for part 2 of my England haul, which features skin care, hair care, nail polish and a perfume. I didn't go as crazy as I did on makeup, so I've condensed these all together. 

I got some Soap & Glory travel size items, they were 3 for 2 at Boots when I went in, and I never got the chance to go back and get some more. I bought Hand Food, Flake Away Body Scrub and the Daily   Smooth Body Butter. I purchased an Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor Deep Conditioner (which isn't as great as I thought it would be). The second week I was in England, we went away to the beach, so I decided to fake tan because I am pale. I purchased the St. Moriz Instant Self-Tanning Lotion and it was awesome! I bought a back up of it to take back with me to Australia. I also visited Lush because there is a dramatic difference in price. I bought back ups of the Dreamwash Shower Smoothie and Dream Cream, which I use both of for my eczema. I also bought Ultrabalm, WHICH IS AMAZING. I've repurchased it since returning to Australia.

I also brought back some sample sizes I wanted to try while I was there, but I never got around to doing so. There is the Skin Wisdom Instant Benefit Peel Off Face Mask (which I've tried, and loved), the Skin Wisdom Skin Essentials Thermal Face Mask, another Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Colour Deep Treatment and a Garnier Ambre Soleil Natural Bronzer Self-tan Face Wipe.

Marc Jacob's Daisy Eau So Fresh. I purchased this duty free, and I absolutely adore the scent! Very happy with this purchase, and the bottle is adorable.

I also picked up some nail polish not available in Australia. Three Barry M (one Nail Effects in Foil Effects, and two Gelly Hi Shine in Guava and Lychee) and a Rimmel Cocktail Colour in a Flash in 110 Baby Bellini.

And this concludes everything I purchased from England. Next time I go, I will definitely pack a lot less in regards to skincare and makeup because I bought much more then I intended to and it really is so much cheaper than it is in Australia! I'll even pack less clothes because I didn't really have much room in my suitcase to bring any clothes back. I loved shopping in England, and I can't wait to go back. 

Benefit The Bronze of Champions - review and swatches

This kit from Benefit is a purchase I made duty free while leaving London. In Australia, this retails for $59 and can be purchased from Myer and Benefit Boutiques. 

I was really excited about this purchase (I considered buying it a couple of months ago) because it features the Hoola bronzer, They're Real mascara, a Creaseless Cream eyeshadow and the Watts Up highlighter - all of which I've wanted to try. 

And here are some swatches (L to R: Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow in Bikini-tini, Longwear Powder Eyeshadow in Thanks a Latte!, Watt's Up highlighter, Hoola bronzer, and Hoola lip gloss) 

And here is the They're Real mascara brush - and I absolutely love this mascara!

After testing this kit out for the last three weeks, I'm glad I made this purchase. Kits like this are really good in that you are able to test out a few products, and although they may not be full size products, by the time you finish the smaller size you'll know if you want to purchase the full size. 

I've particularly enjoyed using the Watt's Up highlighter, and this will definitely be a repurchase when I am done with the one in the kit. I will repurchase the They're Real mascara, just when I'm done with all the mascaras I've accumulated over the last few months! 

I like the Hoola bronzer, but recently I purchased the NYX Taupe blush, and that has been my ideal contour shade. The Hoola bronzer however has no shimmer, and is therefore ideal as a contour shade and as a bronzer. 

I haven't had as much use as the Creaseless Cream shadow in Bikini-tini because it reminds me a lot of the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Barely Branded that I purchased before my trip to England. I will however try to get some use out of this, and will possibly do a comparison post between the two in the future.

Thanks a Latte! is a lovely bronze eyeshadow, but how it is packaged is a little inconvenient and I will probably end up depotting this when I purchase a Z-palette. The staying power of this eyeshadow is awesome. 

For my birthday last week I received another Benefit kit, so look out for a review of that coming in the next few weeks! I hope you enjoyed this review.