Empties/ Products I'm Chucking Out #8

It has been almost a year and a half since my last empties post. I have only been accumulating these empties for the last month-two months, as I had stopped collecting my empties.

Covergirl Advanced Radiance Pressed Powder in 105 Ivory

I adore this powder. It works really well on my dry skin. I have already repurchased it, and I think I have found my holy grail drugstore powder. 

MAC Studio Fix Powder in N3

It has taken me about three (or maybe four) years to use this powder up. When I first purchased it, I liked it, but as time has gone on my skin has gotten dryer and this powder really emphasised my dryness. Towards the end, I was just using this powder on my chin where I have a bit of scarring and pimples to cover it up, as this powder has got a lot of coverage. I would recommend this powder for people with oily skin, but not dry skin. 

bareMinerals Original SPF 15 Foundation in Fairly Light N10 

I actually really loved this foundation. I have dry skin, but it did not emphasise my dryness whatsoever. I got this in a set of bareMineral goodies, so I also got the matte version, which I didn't like as much. I ended up purchasing the pressed version of this foundation, and unfortunately it does not perform as good as the loose, as it really emphasises my dryness. I probably would repurchase this as the undertone was fabulous, matched me pretty well, and did not dry my skin out whatsoever. The only downside is it is very messy because it is loose. 

Ben Nye Neutral Set Colourless Powder

I adore this powder. Last year at IMATS, I repurchased two bottles of this powder, and will repurchase two more this year at IMATS. I use this daily to set my undereye concealer, and I have minimal creasing with this product. 

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW20
This is my holy grail concealer for under the eye. A couple of weeks ago I Back To MAC'd five empty bottles, and I'm almost done with another one of these. This will always be a repurchase for me.

Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer
I actually quite enjoyed this primer. It reminded me a lot of the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Primer, which I also enjoy (and have repurchased over and over). I would repurchase this, but only when it is on sale (or at Chemist Warehouse where I initially purchased it - makeup is always discounted there).  I don't think this product is a great pore eraser (it has a silicone feeling, but doesn't fill in pores all too well), but large pores aren't a skin issue that I experience.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind (x2)
The Maybelline Instant Age Rewind is a primer I have repurchased over and over. It is the one I use in my freelance kit, and it works great on my skin as well. It is great at smoothing and slightly hydrating my skin.

NYX Dewy Finish Setting Spray 
This is another holy grail in my collection. I have one sitting in my freelance kit, and one sitting on my vanity. Always a repurchase (and can we talk about how great it is that NYX is now stocked in Priceline???)

Urban Decay b6 Vitamin-Infused Complexion Prep Spray 
This spray was okay. I didn't notice too much when I used this verse when I didn't use it. This product claims to be redness reducing, pore minimising, and oil absorbing. Redness is my only real skin concern out of the three, and I don't think this spray made much of a difference. However, this spray was nice as a pre-makeup treatment and it was a hydrating spray.

Essence Lash & Brow Gel Mascara (x2)

This is my holy grail brow gel. I go through this brow gel quite consistently, and whenever I see it in the shelf at Priceline or Target, I tend to pick it up as a back up. When the product starts to change colour and the tube is getting a bit empty, that's when I tend to chuck it and grab a new one. 

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

I love this mascara. I'm currently using a deluxe sample size of this mascara that's almost done as well, and I have a back up deluxe sample waiting to be used. I do find this mascara tends to dry out quickly, so I prefer going for the deluxe sample size as opposed to the full size (there was a point where at Mecca you could purchase the deluxe sample size). 

Maybelline Pumped Up! Colossal Volum' Express Waterproof Mascara

This mascara was in my freelance kit, and I never used the wand so can't comment on that (my only comment is the wand is actually huge), but this mascara has a good waterproof formula. I did use it on myself a few times (with a disposable wand), and I found the formula good.  I would repurchase this mascara for my freelance kit. 

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara 

This is a deluxe sized sample that I picked up on sale at the Sydney Domestic Terminal earlier this year. I wasn't expecting much from this mascara, but I actually love it. I have quite a few unopened mascaras and I'm trying to keep my unopened mascara collection to a minimal, but I would consider repurchasing this mascara in the future.  

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb EDP

I'm sure this perfume has been in my empties before. This is my holy grail perfume. I go through a bottle a year roughly, and will always repurchase. I abolsutely adore this scent. If you've never smelt Flowerbomb and are a fan of floral scents, make it a point to smell this perfume, and thank me later. 

MAC Velvet Teddy Lipstick 

This is the first MAC lipstick I have used up. Last year, MAC Velvet Teddy was on my lips about 80% of the time. I have repurchased this lipstick, but tend to lean more towards Whirl. I think when the warmer months come around, I will reach for Velvet Teddy more as it is a lighter shade compared with Whirl. 

Blistex Click Cool Spearmint Lip Balm 

Years ago, I used a peppermint lip balm and it was the most soothing, wonderful lip balm. I saw this in Chemist Warehouse a while ago (it was in a duo with a peach scented lip balm as well), and put it in my basket without a second thought. I loved this lip balm, and would repurchase if I saw it in stores again. Mint lip balms are so refreshing. 

Target Essentials Cosmetic Pads

I actually really enjoyed these cotton pads. Next time I'm in Target, I'll pick up another pack. 

Beauty Care Co Makeup Remover Pads 

I tend to pick these up every time I'm in Kmart. They're cheap, and they do the job ok. 

Woolworths Select Make Up Pads

I don't really remember these cotton pads all too well, so I'd say they're about average. Probably would only repurchase if I was in need of cotton pads and in Woolworths. 

Swisspers Naturals Green Tea Calming Facial Cleansing Wipes

I don't use face wipes every day, but when I do, these are one of my favourites to use. They are gentle on my sensitive skin and do a good job at removing makeup. Most importantly, these face wipes don't dry my skin out. 

The Body Shop Vitamin E Sink-In Moisture Mask

I love this mask from the Body Shop. It is a great leave on, overnight mask, and very moisturising. Last year when my Dad was sick and the chemo was drying out his skin, I purchased him a few of the products from the Vitamin E line from the Body Shop, and they worked well for him too. If you have dry skin, or dehydrated skin, I would recommend checking this out at the Body Shop. 

Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil Light

Unfortunately this oil made me break out. Towards the end (once I had figured out it was the oil breaking me out), I used it in my hair only. I wouldn't repurchase this product as I prefer other oils in my hair, but I'm happy I was able to use the product up (and that I only purchased a small travel size as opposed to the full size)

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

I love this micellar water. I use this to remove makeup (I tend to use a cleansing oil first, and then go over with the micellar water). This is fine to remove light makeup, but not great for heavy makeup. I also use this to remove swatches on my arm. This bottle has lasted me well over 6 months, and when I purchased this (it was from the Priceline 40% off skin care sale a while ago), I did purchase two bottles, and have already started using the second bottle. 

Daiso Detergent for Puff and Sponge

For a while, I couldn't find this product in Daiso. When I did, I purchased 10 bottles. I have used up more than just this one, but have not kept them. I find this is great for removing makeup from sponges, and also great to break down liquid or cream products on brushes (I find it works better than my usual baby shampoo) when deep cleaning them. If you haven't tried this product, I highly recommend it. I still have a few left, but will definitely repurchase when those are used up. This product is also $2.80, so you really can't go wrong. 

Lush Rose Jam Bubbleroon 

Rose Jam is my favourite scent from Lush. A couple of weeks ago I purchased a few bath bombs from Lush, and had to purchase two of these. I wish Rose Jam was a scent they had year round. Would definitely repurchase this. 

Manicare Mascara Brushes Duo Length & Define 

I either use these mascara wands in my freelance kit, or when I wax mine or my Mum's eyebrows. These are decent, and I would repurchase. I know I can purchase mascara wands cheap on eBay, and I should do that for when I wax brows, but I do like the shape of these wands for when I apply mascara on clients. 

Elemental Herbology Purify & Soothe Facial Cleansing Balm 

I think this product was off when I tried to use it. The scent of this was horrible. I'm just chucking it in the bin, don't want to put this near my face again. 

By Terry Baume De Rose 

I enjoyed using this lip balm at night, and the sample ended up lasting about a week. I do have another sample to use up, but this product is quite expensive and I didn't find it revolutionary by any means, so I would not purchase. 

NARS Total Replenishing Eye Cream

This sachet lasted a few uses, and was quite nice. I do need to get into using eye creams again (whoops), but I do prefer the Benefit eye cream I used to use to this one. It was a nice hydrating cream, though. 

Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil Light 

This was basically a one time use sachet of the oil. I used this in my hair to moisturise after washing.

I have quite the collection of samples, and want to work my way through them, so hopefully I have a few more to include in my next empties post!

Thanks for reading,

X

MAC Stone Lipstick - review and swatches

When MAC released Stone, it instantly went on my wish-list. MAC describes this lipstick as a "muted greyish taupe brown", and it has a matte finish. This lipstick can be purchased in store or online for $36AUD.

I think this lipstick is a great shade for winter. This shade lasts well on the lips as it has a matte finish, and I tend to be able to wear the MAC matte lipsticks all day with maybe one touch up. 

If you're after a greyish taupe shade, I would definitely recommend looking into this shade. 

Thanks for reading,
X

MAC Whirl Lipstick - review and swatches

I picked up this lipstick a couple of months ago, and from the second I used it, it instantly became my go-to nude (I also feel like I love it more than I love MAC Velvet Teddy!). MAC Whirl is described as a "dirty rose" with a matte finish, and retails for $36AUD. This can be purchased in store at MAC counters and online.

On my light complexion, this lipstick definitely appears more brown than rose. MAC matte finish lipsticks are my favourite type of traditional lipsticks, and once the lipstick dries down completely, it doesn't budge for hours. I find this lipstick is very work appropriate, and this is the lipstick I have used the most this year. If you are thinking about purchasing this lipstick, I would highly recommend it. 

Thanks for reading,

X

Current Favourites

I haven't done a Favourites post in quite some time, so I thought I would compile all the products I have been loving over the last couple of months.

Too Faced Love Flush Blush Palette 
This is the only blush product I have been reaching for for the last couple of months. Baby Love has become my favourite blush - it is the perfect shade for everyday. To see my review of this palette, please click here.

MAC Whirl Lipstick
This lipstick has quickly replaced Velvet Teddy as my favourite MAC lipstick. It is a little bit darker. I really have been loving medium toned nudes over the last year or so, and am super happy I've added this to my collection.

Kat Von D Lolita Everlasting Lipstick
I think this is my favourite liquid lipstick ever. The shade is so gorgeous and perfect for everyday. I only have a deluxe size sample of this product, and will have to purchase the full size very soon.

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara
I picked a mini of this up to give it a try. I actually wasn't expecting to love this mascara as much as I do. This mascara is great at curling and separating the lashes.

Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara 
I got this mascara in a gift set of Tarte products from Christmas. Over the years I have heard good things about this mascara, and I have to agree with them. I love layering this mascara on top of the Benefit Roller Lash. This is a great thickening mascara.

Benefit the POREfessional Primer
This primer is amazing to use one my nose. I wear glasses, and I find with this primer, makeup transfer on my glasses is more than halved! Makeup transfer with glasses always discourages me, but I am so happy to have found a product that is able to reduce this. This primer also keeps product on my nose for much longer - when I don't use this product, makeup always fades super quickly on my nose.

MAC Lightscapade Mineralise Skinfinish
I think this is the most natural highlight I own, and I love it for everyday wear in the office. I picked up this highlight maybe two years ago after trying Soft & Gentle - which was seriously hyped in the beauty community, and to be honest - I just don't get it. Up until the last couple of months, I had hardly reached for this highlight. I tried it one day and was seriously wowed by how natural and glowy it looked on my cheeks.

The Body Shop Ionic Clay Mask 
I have been breaking out quite badly over the last couple of months - and this is something I have never experienced in my life. I love to use this mask as a spot treatment. I tend to leave it on for quite a bit to dry out pimples, and it works quite well.

Australis Take Me On Tour Contouring & Highlighting Palette 
The contour shade in this palette has become my everyday contour shade. Absolutely perfect for my light complexion.

And those are all the products I have been loving over the last couple of months!

Thanks for reading,

X

MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande Lipstick - review and swatches

This year, MAC teamed with Ariana Grande for their Viva Glam collaboration. All proceeds from the selling price of the Viva Glam products goes towards helping those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Viva Glam Ariana Grande is described as a deep dark, matte plum. In the tube, it looks almost black. There is also a lipglass available, which is a light, shimmering pink. 

I'm surprised by how much I actually like this shade. I thought it might be too dark, but on the lips, I actually really like it. The lipstick has a matte finish, and MAC matte's are my favourite finish, so it does not disappoint in this department.

If you are looking for a deep, autumn/winter appropriate shade - I would recommend this lipstick. Even if you're not a fan of Ariana Grande, it is for a good cause. This lipstick retails for $36 and can be purchased online or at a MAC counter.

Thanks for reading,
X

Top 15 of 2015

I feel like 2015 just flew by. It was one of the most challenging years of my life, and I am happy to see it go. So today, I bring you my Top 15 of 2015 - in no particular order.

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette
This palette is absolutely beautiful. When I do makeup on people, this is the palette I reach for 90% of the time. Marzipan is a beautiful allover lid colour, and Creme Brulee is a stunning gold. I have made a significant dent in Milk Chocolate, which I love to use as a transition shade, and the shimmery highlight, Champagne Truffle is a beautiful shimmery shade (and can even be used as a highlight on the face). If I was to travel, this would be the palette I would take with me. It has the right amount of shimmer and mattes, and all the shadows are beautiful. I highly recommend this palette. I will eventually have a comparison post between the Chocolate Bar Palette and the Semi Sweet Chocolate Bar Palette up on the blog.

MAC Velvet Teddy
This has been my go-to colour for the better half of the year. I have purchased a back up of this, as I am nearly out of mine. It is a medium nude, and looks beautiful on my light skin, but would work on many skin tones. It is a pricey lipstick, but the MAC matte lipsticks are my favourite conventional lipstick, and it lasts for hours on the lips. If I'm wearing a nude lipstick, 80% of the time it is this.

Chi Chi Super CC Cream
This is my favourite base product from this year (and probably all time). The shade is great for my skin tone, and you get a lot of product - the tube comes with 50g! I've had it for quite a few months and will need to purchase a back up shortly. It is light-medium coverage, and if you're able to get this in your shade, I would recommend it. It is hydrating as it is a CC cream, and my dry skin looks fabulous with it. Highly recommend this.

OPI You're Such a Budapest  
This OPI nail polish has been on my nails 50% of the year. It is the most perfect periwinkle purple.

Kit Cosmetics Salted Caramel Candle
I don't currently have this candle, but it is one of my absolute favourite candles. This is the only sweet candle I actually enjoy. Usually, sweet candles are too sickly for me, but this candle smells like heaven. Absolutely adore this candle. When I've burnt through 2 more candles, I will repurchase this.

Lipstick Queen Hello Sailor & Queen Bee
I'm going to group these two together because they are a similar product, just a different shade. Essentially, they are a tinted lip stick, that are super moisturising. In the colder months, these are bomb lip products. My boyfriend also gifted me with Medieval for Christmas, so I will have a review up of it soon. For a review of Hello Sailor, see here.

Too Faced Cocoa Powder Foundation 
This powder is absolutely heavenly on my face. It isn't the cheapest face powder, but it doesn't dry my skin out at all. It also smells like chocolate, so who can really complain? I would recommend checking out this powder - oily and dry skin alike!

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
Where has this mascara been all my life???? I don't have the most fabulous lashes. They are short, okay at holding a curl, but nothing amazing. Enter the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara. I love this mascara. If you haven't tried this mascara out, please, do your self a favour and try it. Your mascara game will change completely. The first time I wore this mascara, my friend asked me if I was wearing falsies. Enough said!

LA Girl Pro Conceal in Classic Ivory
MAC Prolongwear Concealer is still one of my all time favourite undereye concealers, but for the last 2 or so months of 2015, I have really enjoyed this concealer. The shade I have is quite pink in tone and thus amazing at covering dark circles.

Chi Chi Brow Pomade 
I have two shades - Taupe and Dark Brown. When my roots were a lot lighter (I have a belayage blonde happening), Taupe was a good shade, but now that my roots are a lot darker, I find Dark Brown the better option. To see my review of Taupe, please click here. A comparison of the two will be up on the blog shortly.

ColourPop Ultra Matte Lip in Trap
In the cooler months, this is the ultimate perfect lip shade. It is a cool toned nude. The formula lasts on your lips for ages, is a little drying, but not too extreme. These products retail for $6US, and they have a heap of shades as well. I have two reviews up of different shades - see review 1 (Trap is mentioned) and review 2.

NARS Steven Klein One Shocking Moment Cheek Palette 
This, of course, is a favourite from the last couple of months of 2015. The highlight shade in this palette is my favourite to put under my eyes. See my review of the palette here. The palette contains a massive Laguna, beautiful blush shades, and a nice contouring and highlighting duo. If you can still pick this up, I would highly recommend it.

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle EDP
This perfume was a gift for my 23rd birthday this year. I've never been too interested in Chanel scents, but this scent is so feminine. I've used a quarter of the bottle in five months, so it definitely has been used a lot this past year.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion Plus
This moisturiser has been a favourite for years. It is super moisturising, works well in the summer and winter months, and always leaves my skin feeling hydrated.

ColourPop Blaze Super Shock Shadow
This eyeshadow was part of the Kathleenlights Where the Light Is quad, but can now be purchased individually (I have placed an order with ColourPop and one is on it's way to me). See review of quad here. This is the most perfect bronzey, glittery shadow. Because it is a ColourPop eyeshadow, it is super pigmented and one of my favourite go to bronzes (next to Urban Decay Smog, nothing will ever remove that as my number 1 bronze).

And those are my favourites of 2015!

Happy New Year!

Dupe for MAC Velvet Teddy (MAC Velvet Teddy vs Too Faced Melted Chihuahua)

MAC Velvet Teddy is my absolute favourite lipstick. It is a medium toned nude, and complements my light complexion nicely. I recently acquired a mini size of the Too Faced Melted Chihuahua, which upon swatching I thought was a really similar shade to MAC Velvet Teddy. Here I have a mini comparison between the two.

The MAC is definitely more matte, whereas the Too Faced is more "glossy" - I say "glossy", as it does dry down to a semi-matte, but doesn't look as matte on the lips as the MAC.

(L: MAC Velvet Teddy, R: Too Faced Melted Chihuahua)

The MAC lipstick comes with 3g of product, and retails for $36 in Australia. The Too Faced comes with 12mL of product, and currently retails for $30 in Australia. The lipsticks are a different finish overall, but I find the shade quite similar and think it is a great alternative - and you are receiving more product with the Too Faced compared with the MAC. I still do reach for my Velvet Teddy rather than the Too Faced, as I find Velvet Teddy lasts longer on the lips. 

(L: Too Faced Melted Chihuahua, R: MAC Velvet Teddy)

Thanks for reading,

X

MAC Magic of the Night Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Oh, Darling! - review and swatches

I checked my emails 12 minutes after I was sent an email from MAC saying the Magic of the Night Christmas Collection was available, and the shade  "Oh, Darling!" was already sold out. I was devastated. The Monday following when this product was released, my mother picked up the last one they had in store - props to you, Mum! This product retails for $51AUD, and if you're lucky enough to find it still in store, I would recommend picking it up!

Photos really do not do this highlighter justice. This first day I wore this, after a full day of work (12 hours of wear on my face) my Mum said my skin looked amazing. The shade is definitely on the gold side, but I find it works well on my light complexion. I have worn this to work almost every day since picking it up. This product lasts all day on the face - I apply it at 7am in the morning, and it is still on my cheekbones when I come home at 7pm. I do use a setting mist from the Body Shop, but it isn't a heavy duty one at all. I believe even without a setting mist, this product would last all day.

It is incredibly difficult to capture the amazingness of this product, but I am glad I picked it up. I don't generally fall into the hype with limited edition MAC collections (except when pigments are involved), but this was an exception.

Thanks for reading,

X

Products I Regret Buying 2015

One of my favourite videos to watch on YouTube are products I regret buying videos, so I thought I'd put up a post on products I regret buying. In no shape or form is my word gospel, but these following products are products that really didn't work for me. It may be the colour, or the formulation, but here are my thoughts on the products I regret buying.

L'Oreal True Match Foundation
I really wish this foundation worked for me, but unfortunately I think my skin is too dry for this to work. The colour is fine but it just clings to my dry patches.

Australis Face and Body Tint
When this foundation was released, many believed it would be a dupe for the MAC Face & Body foundation. Unfortunately, it is not. Should you try to layer this product at all, it balls up. Do not recommend, and have only used it the one time.

Bourjois Happy Light Luminous Serum Primer
I have used a significant amount of this primer, and it is super moisturising. Unfortunately, it made me break out every single time I used it. I like the primer but not enough to have pimples. It did take me a while to realise I was breaking out because of this primer.

Rimmel BB Cream in Light
This BB cream had a strange tone to it. It reminds me of the original Garnier BB Cream, which I wasn't a fan of (love the one for combo to oily skin, though!). This BB cream comes out grey toned but once blended goes quite orange. Doesn't match my skin at all.

MAC Studio Fix Liquid Foundation
I used to adore this foundation, but I regret purchasing a second bottle once I had used up the first. Since I first tried this foundation, my skin has definitely become dryer. This foundation does not work well with my skin at all anymore.

Revlon Photoready Powder in Translucent 
This powder has shimmer in it. No matter how little you use, you can see glitter on your face. Not a fan of this powder at all unfortunately.

MAC Soft and Gentle Mineralize Skinfinish 
This is an annoying one. Everyone seems to love this product, but I find it too gritty. I do occasionally pull it out and try to use it, but for the most part I find myself asking 'why did you ever purchase this?' It might work better on more medium skin tones, but for us fair girls, I would recommend picking up MAC Lightscapade instead. On a brighter side, this Mineralise Skinfinish does work good as an eyeshadow.

MAC Studio Fix Powder 
I have used a lot of this powder, and that was before I noticed my skin going very very dry. This powder is heavy duty - when I went to MAC (about two years ago now) and the lady suggested this powder, I should have really done my research and told her I wasn't down with the super full coverage face. The flashback on this powder is not flattering at all.

Revlon Lip Butter in Peach Parfait 
I love the Revlon Lip Butter's for the most part, but this one is basically glitter in a tube - and this is not a look I like on my lips at all. The colour is gorgeous swatched, but once it is on the lips you can feel how chunky the glitter is.

And those are the products I regret buying!

Thanks for reading,

X

MAC Purple Times Nine Eyeshadow Palette - review and swatches

My wonderful boyfriend gifted me with this palette for my birthday. I had been eyeing it out since I had seen these pop up in MAC stores the last couple of months, but convinced myself I didn't need it.  These come in four variations, and my boyfriend picked out the Purple palette (I've taught him well!).

(L to R:Sweet Lustre, Poignant, Lightly Sugared, Mancatcher, Satellite Dreams, Bon Nuit, After Dusk, Beauty Marked, Shadowy Lady)

Sweet Lust is described as a soft champagne pink with pearls, and is a lustre finish. Unfortunately this shade is not overly pigmented, but would work as a soft highlight for the inner corner and brow bone. Poignant is a soft lavender with a satin finish. Lightly Sugared is a soft lilac with pearl, and has a frost finish. Mancatcher is a lavender taupe, also with a frost finish. Satellite Dreams is a plum with violet pearl, and has a veluxe pearl finish. Bon Nuit is described as a deep plum and has a matte finish. After Dusk is a soft red wine and has a veluxe pearl finish. Beauty Marked is a black red with sparkle pearl, and has a velvet finish. Shadowy Lady is a blackened plum with a matte finish. 

I think the best performing shadows in this palette are the veluxe pearl finishes. The only disappointing shadows are the two mattes - Bon Nuit and Shadowy Lady. As you can see from the swatches, they are not overly pigmented and swatch a bit patchy. In saying that, however, the two shadows perform well over a base (my go-to is MAC Painterly Paint Pot), and I would tend to use both shades to darken the outer V, which they work well for. If I was to create a dark eyeshadow look, I wouldn't reach for either unless they were topped on a dark base. 

My favourite shades from this palette are Mancatcher (4th shadow in the palette) and After Dusk (7th shadow in the palette). Mancatcher has a frost finish, but is quite pigmented. After Dusk is a veluxe pearl. I've never tried the veluxe pearl finish shadows, but I do want to after trying this one. 

Overall, the palettes are good value for money. In Australia, each palette retails for $65 and there are four variations available - purple, amber, burgundy and navy. I most likely will purchase either the amber of burgundy palette as well, even though I really don't need any more shadows. The size and variations in the palette make this one extremely appealing to me, and it is a great palette to travel with. Any of the palettes would be good for beginners as well, as they come with a nice variety of shades and you also get to test out the types of formulas MAC has in eyeshadows. It has been said many a time that MAC needs to update their formulas, but from my own experience MAC mattes are not the best and I wasn't expected amazing things from the two mattes in this palette. Overall, however, I like that MAC has produced palettes like this around a colour theme, and it is great having a variety of purple shades in the one place. If you were interested in picking any of these up, I would recommend giving one a go!

Thanks for reading,
X

MAC Lady Danger - review and swatches

MAC Lady Danger is a lipstick that has been on my wish list for ages, and recently a friend of mine went to Hawaii and I asked her to pick it up. Thank you, Casey!

MAC describes this lipstick as a "vivid bright coral-red". It is a matte finish, and once applied lasts about 2-3 hours without any feathering or fading.

Matte shades from MAC are one of my absolutely favourite kinds of lipsticks, ever (besides liquid matte lipsticks, which are to die for). If you're a fan of reds and oranges, I would recommend looking into this lipstick. In Australia, MAC lipsticks retail for $36 - so it's always a good idea to ask a friend or relative travelling abroad to see if they can pick you up a shade! I think next on my list is Morange. Unfortunately in Australia we are now entering into the colder months, so this lipstick will need to be shown some love in the Spring time!

Thanks for reading,
X

February Favourites

It has been so long since I last did a Favourites post, that I am actually embarrassed. But alas, let us move on to my favourites for the month of February!

Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream in 31 Ivory
This has become my base of choice for the last couple of months, not just February. The only real main skin concern I have is redness in my face, and this base covers up beautifully. I'm sure this is available in Australia, but I picked mine up from ASOS a couple of months ago.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette 
I will put up a review of this palette soon! But in particular, I have been loving the Mood Exposure (last shade in the palette). It is absolutely gorgeous and the colour lasts on my cheeks all day. The shade that comes out on your cheeks is so different to the shade in the pan (at least it is on my complexion).

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette 
I have no clue if I've mentioned this palette on my blog as yet, but it is hands down one of my favourite palettes ever. I bought it a few weeks before Christmas, and since then, it has been my go-to palette. It is the perfect mix of shimmers and mattes. The Semi-Sweet palette has now come out to Australia, and I am contemplating purchasing it... But honestly, do I need more palettes? (probably).

My Burberry EDP
This perfume was a gift from my parents for Christmas. I've hardly touched the bottle as I think this is my first sophisticated, grown up scent. Only to be worn on special occasions, but I love the scent and would recommend it. To me, it is a very sophisticated scent.

MAC Runner Lipstick
This is from the Nasty Gal collection, and I absolutely adore this lipstick. It is a perfect shade for winter. It is a dark red, and described by MAC as a 'burgundy'. If you can still get your hands on this lipstick, I would highly recommend it.

And those were my favourites for the month of February! I'm glad summer is officially over now so we can move into the cooler months and I can experiment more with winter appropriate makeup looks!

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MAC Costa Chic - review and swatches

I've been meaning to do a review of this lipstick for a very long time. Needless to say, better late than never! This lipstick was an impulse buy - I'd never seen it online, looked up swatches, anything. When a friend and I were in MAC quite a few months ago now, we swatched it on our hands and it looked gorgeous - the only downside was it was a frost finish (not something I look for in lipsticks). Needless to say, it hardly looked like a frost, so we both grabbed one.

I think this lipstick is a great summer lipstick. Although it is a frost finish, it hardly appears so on the lips. The only downside is because it is a frost finish, it's lasting power isn't that great. But it's a great coral pink and I don't really have anything similar in my collection, so it's a win win for me! 

MAC Dodgy Girl - review and swatches

The one thing I can never have enough of is lipstick. From the recent MAC Kelly Osbourne collection, a lovely friend of mine gifted this beautiful lipstick to me. This lipstick is described as a "light lavender" and has a matte finish.

Although described as a matte finish, I find this more of a satin-matte. It is a matte lipstick, but not nearly as drying as other matte lipsticks I own. 

(MAC Dodgy Girl)

(L to R: MAC Dodgy Girl, Lime Crime Airborne Unicorn)

Although this is a bit more out there for some people, I love wearing this lipstick. Because it is matte but not nearly as drying as some matte lipsticks, I find it can wear well throughout half the day without needing a touch up. It does lean a bit more pink when compared to other purple lipsticks (like Airborne Unicorn), but I adore this lipstick! It is quite similar to Airborne Unicorn, but next to each other you can see the difference.

If light purple lipsticks interest you (or any purple, really), I'd recommend checking this one out if it is still available. 

Thanks for reading, and I promise it won't be such a long wait until my next post!

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