Un-hiatus!

Hi readers!

It has been almost two years since I last posted - and in two years a lot may have happened, but my love for makeup has not wavered.

I hope to be back soon with makeup posts, so until then - it's great to (almost) be back!

X

Hiatus

I am taking a break from this blog. I'm not too sure when I'll be back, but I wanted to wish all my readers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I hope you are all well.

Remember,
be kind to each other.

X

Benefit Cosmetics Kissy Missy Holiday 2016 Set

About a month ago, I was in Myer and Benefit had just received the Christmas collection. I'm "trying" to tone down my makeup purchases, but couldn't say no to this set - the lady described the lip products as very pigmented (and they are a new addition to the Benefit line, so how could I resist?)

This set comes with four products - all deluxe size products. It features Benetint, Lollitint, and two new lip products - They're Real! Double The Lip in Revved-Up Red and Pink Thrills.

(L to R: They're Real! Double The Lip Revved-Up Red, Pink Thrills)

(L to R: Lollitint, Benetint)

The new lip products from Benefit claim:

• Product is a liner and lipstick in one with the customer teardrop tip
• Get visibly fuller, sexier lips in one easy step. Position the pointed tip along your upper lip line and glide on. Pivot to fill in your lower lip.
• 91% said lips look visibly fuller and sexier (consumer panel survey of 110 women after 1 week)

The set also suggests to layer either Benetint and Revved-Up Red or Lollitint and Pink Thrills for added staying power, or you can use the products on their own. 

I was sold on this kit because the lady in store said the products were super pigmented. The pigment on these lip products is nice, but not as pigmented as I was hoping for. However, they wear nicely, just like a traditional lipstick. They have a nice, creamy finish.

Overall, I do quite like this set, as I find it a great way to test out different Benefit products - and exciting because it features new Benefit products. I have owned Benetint before so it's nice to add it to my collection again, and Lollitint is a new additional. 

I would recommend this set for someone getting into makeup, as you have four choices for lip (or even cheek) colours, but two different kinds of products to try out. 

This set retails for $49 AUD in Australia, and can be purchased in store at Myer or online here. 

Thanks for reading,

X

Kat Von D Everlasting Lip Contour Duo - review and swatches

About a month ago I was in Sephora and picked up two of these mini lip sets from Kat Von D. At the end of last year I purchased a Lolita duo (click here to see review), and I really like the formula of those two shades, so thought purchasing another mini set wouldn't hurt. This set retailed for $31 AUD in store. I had previously seen it online, but cannot find it on the Sephora Australia website any longer. These mini sizes come with 3.0mL of product, where the full size comes with 6.6mL - so the product is just under half the size of the full size product. 

(L to R: Melancholia, Susperia)

I really enjoy the formula of the Kat Von D liquid lipsticks. They are thin, so I find they do tend to wear off quite a bit, but because of this, I hardly find them drying at all. You can see in the above swatches, especially with Susperia, that it is a little patchy, but this can be easily layered on the lips with no issue at all. 

You are able to achieve an ombre lip with this duo. Because the formula of these liquid lipsticks is so thin, you are able to layer these products with no cracking. These two colours go really nicely together to create an ombre lip. 

The only issue I find with this product is because it is so thin, after a few hours, you do see the product breaking down, especially in the centre of your mouth. This does not bother me at all, as it is quite easy to just layer this product so reapplying on top does the trick - you don't need to take the product off completely to reapply, like you have to do with other products.

I think the formula of Kat Von D Liquid Lipsticks is one of my favourites. I really like these mini sets, as going through a full liquid lipstick is quite a task. If you see this in store or online, I'd really recommend picking it up. The shades are nice on their own, but it's always fun to do an ombre lip!

Thanks for reading,

X

Mecca Beauty Loop Level 2 - October 2016

Mecca Beaty Loop boxes were released this week. This time around, I have moved down to Level 2 - which probably is a good thing and means I haven't spent over $1200 at Mecca in the last year. I'm actually quite happy with the products I received in this box.

I'm actually quite sick at the moment, so I'm not able to smell the Diptyque perfume, but I'm super excited to see it in this box. I've used the Josie Maran Argan Oil before, and quite enjoy it as a face and hair oil. I'm also happy to see a sample of the Smashbox Insta-Matte Lipstick Transformer. Lastly, there is a sample size of the Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara, which I'm also quite happy to see.

Overall, I'm quite impressed with the box and look forward to using all the products.

Thanks for reading,
X

Project 10 Pan - Finale

I have been debating ending this project, or continuing, but I am really disheartened and think I need a break from these products. I have tried my hardest over the last few months to use up as much product as I can, but I think I just need a break now. In saying that, I'm still happy with my progress - out for 10 products, I have finished 3 completely. Out of the 7 remaining, I have hit pan on 3 of the products, and on the cheek trio, I have finished one product completely and hit pan on another. The remaining products cannot be measured on a "pan" basis.

At the last update, there was a significant dent in the Sleek highlight, and I have now hit significant pan on the product. The blush has not gone down much, but does have a tiny dip. I did end up hitting the bottom in the ELF eyeliner, and the pan has increased in the ColourPop eyeshadow. 

I have made a good dent in the Rimmel and NYX pencils, and will continue to try and use them up. The bareMinerals lipstick is the product I had the hardest time with. It's a nice shade, but I really dislike the finish of the lipstick - it is too creamy and glossy for my liking, and in all honesty, I like changing up my lip products on the daily. 

I mentioned in a previous post I would continue to use up the Maybelline Brow Drama until this project was done, as I cannot see inside the packaging to track my progress, but the product is getting old. I really like the formula of this brow gel - it really holds brow hairs in place. Once you cut the weird brush wand you can make this product work. I would consider repurchasing this product, but only if it was on sale. I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase it. 

I think I won't start another Project Pan until next year. I have a few ideas on what I can do next year. But on the other hand, maybe I can do a mini Project Pan for the rest of this year - maybe a Project 5 Pan? Finish 5 by the New Year?

I really did enjoy doing this project, and although I didn't use up all 10 products up, I did make a significant dent in the products I do have left. The products I do have left can always be put into another Project Pan at a later date (I might even do a Project Pan Roulette!)

Thanks for reading,
X

September Favourites

September has come and gone and I realise I haven't done a favourites post in a few months, so here is my favourites post from September!

Juicy Couture Couture La La EDP
I picked this scent up from Priceline a couple of months ago when it was on sale. I adore the Peace, Love and Juicy Couture scent from Juicy Couture, which is quite a floral scent, as is this one. Now that we are in Spring, I feel like I can rock the floral scents, and this is the one I wore on the first day of Spring, and for the majority of the month.

Manic Panic Dreamtone Foundation in Virgin (Whitest White)
This has become my favourite product in my every day routine. I use it to lighten foundations that are too dark, and have even used it to lighten liquid concealers that are too dark (I have some small jars where I have been mixing the foundation and concealer so I am able to store it and not have to do it on the daily). If you are of a fair/light complexion and have difficulty matching your foundation shades, I would recommend this product. I will have a review up of this foundation on my blog at some point.

Mario Badescu Lip Wax
This is the best $6 I have ever spent (I've actually bought two now). This lip balm is super moisturising and I probably won't ever buy another lip balm again. You can purchase this from Mecca.

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso 
I picked this up from Crush Cosmetics about a month ago after hearing raves and raves about this product for years. It's safe to say all the raves were correct and this is one beautiful blush. It is quite a luminous blush, as the name suggests, and looks absolutely gorgeous on my light skin. Highly recommend!

Wet n Wild Megaglo Contouring Palette in Dulce De Leche 
This is another product I've seen raves about over on YouTube. And this is another product that the raves are correct. I picked this one up from Crush Cosmetics as well. This product was $12AUD, which I think is a steal. If you're interested in picking up some US drug store products, I'd recommend checking out Crush Cosmetics - they do have a nice selection of Wet n Wild products. My favourite side of this duo is the highlight shade, but the contour shade is also lovely and I use it whenever I use the highlight shade without any complaints!

(L to R: Wet n Wild highlight, Wet n Wild contour, Milani Luminoso)

Thanks for reading,

X