Kat Von D Monarch Palette - review and swatches

This is the first Kat Von D product I have tried. This was purchased in store at Sephora for $65 AUD. Out of all the Kat Von D palettes, this one is the warm-toned palette. 

The palette features twelve shades in a variety of finishes. 

(L to R: Entomology, Wrath, Papilio, Summerfly)

Entomology is a matte, yellow cream shade. From the swatch, you can see the shadow is a bit chalky, but does have good pigmentation. I tend to use this shadow to set my base before applying any other shadow. 

Wrath is a satin burnt orange. This shadow has slight shimmer in it, but I would describe the finish as a satin-matte. I find this shadow is great to warm up the crease - even though it has a slight shimmer, this does not transfer all too much when used like this. 

Papilla is a pearl bronze. This shadow is lovely and super pigmented, and has a frosted finish.

Summerfly is a gold. It is one of the more chunky shades in the palette, because it does have glitter. The shadow does have great pigmentation. 

(L to R: Telepathy, Killing Jar, Delaney, Vanish)

Telepathy is a light, "pearl gold". This shade has a frosty, metallic finish, and is one of the best performing shadows in the palette. This shadow is a lovely all-over lid colour. 

Killing Jar is described as a "pearl copper". To me, this shadow comes off as a rose gold - but it is definitely beautiful. The pigmentation on this shadow is great.

Delaney is a "pearl silver". This is another shadow, like Summerfly, that is more on the chunky side. It is quite a unique silver to my collection, and more wearable than a traditional silver. The pigmentation on this shadow is good, and it is quite blendable. 

Vanish is a medium, warm taupe. To me, this shade is quite interesting - and I can't say I have anything quite like this in my collection. This does work well as a crease shade.   

(L to R: Tiny Death, Disintegration, Shadow Box, Deadhead)

Tiny Death is a "glitter cream". In all honesty, this is the most disappointing shadow in the palette. There is glitter in this shadow when you look at it in the pan, but this does not transfer much on the eye. The shadow does not swatch cohesively. 

Disintegration is a "pearl brown". It is a dark bronze with a shimmer finish. This shadow reminds me a bit of Urban Decay Smog (which is my all time favourite eyeshadow), so this shadow is on my favourite list. This shadow swatches quite pigmented, and applies nicely on the lid.  

Shadow Box is a matte chocolate brown. This shadow, and the following, Deadhead, are not super pigmented, but for dark shadows like this - I don't think it is a bad thing at all. It does swatch and feel a bit dry, but works well for deepening eye shadow looks. 

Deadhead is a "matte black". The shadow is dry and not super pigmented. As it is a black shadow - this isn't the most disappointing thing. This shadow works well for deepening eye shadow looks, and setting liner. 

Overall, I am really impressed with this palette. The shimmery shades are the most impressive - Summerfly, Telepathy and Delaney are my personal favourites. From what I have read, the Kat Von D palettes are set up as three quads in a bigger palette - like I have swatched the shadows in three lots. Each swatch post is one quad. But of course, the shadows all work well together. 

I have read on beauty blogs that this palette has been discontinued, so if you were interested - and love warm tones - I would recommend picking this up while you still can. I'm happy I gave this palette a go (and am excited to try other Kat Von D Palettes). 

Thanks for reading,

X

Lipstick Queen Medieval - review and swatches

Lipstick Queen has some lovely lip treatments. For Christmas, I was gifted with Medieval - a cherry red shade. Lipstick Queen describes this lip product as:

"During medieval times, when lipstick was considered a sin, women used the natural acidity of lemons to bring forth a natural blood-red stain on their lips. This flattering look has been recreated by Poppy in this best-selling tint. Medieval is purely Vitamin E and pigment, making it silky to wear and divinely transparent. And best of all it makes your skin look flawless".

Lipstick Queen claims the following:

• The red anyone can wear
• Perfect alternative to lip gloss without being a full-coverage lipstick
• Sheer, sexy hint of flattering red looks great on all skin tones 
• Lips look and feel healthy with super moisturising vitamin E 

I truly love these lip treatments from Lipstick Queen. The product is very moisturising, and delivers some pigment which is great for the one product. I really enjoy using these products during the winter months when my lips are at their driest. This product generally lasts on the lips for 1-2 hours, and stains slightly. It is the kind of product you can apply on the go without a mirror. I always have at least one in my bag, just in case it is a super dry lip day!

This product retails for $35 and can be purchase in store or online from Mecca Maxima. To see my review of other Lipstick Queen lipsticks and my thoughts, please click here.

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

Mecca Beauty Loop Box Level 3 - 2016

It's somewhat concerning that to be eligible for this box, I have spent over $1200 in Mecca over the last year. To see past Beauty Loop boxes, please click here. I'm glad that no sachets were including in this box, as I have a massive box full of samples that I'll probably never go through.

I own the full size of the Josie Maran Argan Enlightenment Illuminiser, and adore this product. I love mixing this in with foundations to add luminosity - especially in the winter months. It is a gold/bronze shade, but I don't find it changes the shade of foundation all too much (you only need a small amount to add some luminosity to your skin). I have owned the Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray in the past and do like it. It's a bit too drying for everyday use, but great for a night out - so this travel size will last me a while.  I'm excited to give the Ren Bio Retinoid Anti Ageing Cream a go - it sounds quite promising. The Malin+Goetz Clarifying Clay Mask sounds very promising for when I get break outs (which I have been quite frequently the last couple of months).

Those are all the products that came in the box. I'm quite happy that all the products are deluxe sized products and no sachets - I might actually use these up! 

Thanks for reading,

X

Too Faced Love Flush Blush Wardrobe - review and swatches

I was really excited when Too Faced released the Love Flush Blushes. Over the last year, blush has become one of my favourite makeup items. I decided to wait for the Love Flush Blush wardrobe to be released in Australia so I could have all the blushes in one palette. Towards the end of January I walked into Mecca and this product had just been released. I picked it up without a second thought. The palette can still be purchased online from Mecca (you would have to use the find in store option to see if it is still available in a store near you).

This palette retails for $53 and contains the six blushes in the Love Flush Blush range. They are miniature sizes, but a good way to trial out all the blushes Too Faced has to offer in this range. 

The range comes with a nice combination of pinks, neutrals, peaches and deeper shades. 

(L to R: Love Hangover, Baby Love, I Will Always Love You, How Deep Is Your Love?, Justify My Love, Your Love Is King)

These blushes claim to have 16 hour wear. I haven't worn any of these blushes for 16 hours, but I can still see blush on my face at the end of the day, so they are long-wearing.

The full size blushes come with 6 grams of product each, where each pan in this palette has 2 grams of product. This palette retails for $53 in Australia, and the full size retails for $41 in Australia - which means this palette is good value for money. 

I really enjoy this palette and would recommend it for any blush lovers. Baby Love has become my favourite go-to every day blush shade, and I can see myself using this one up very quickly. 

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

Lime Crime Velvetine Trio - Buffy, Beet it and Peacock - review and swatches

I purchased this trio from Lipstick Republic a couple of months ago. The trio retailed for $66 AUD. The set isn't available anymore, but you can still purchase two of the shades - Buffy and Beet It - on the Lime Crime website, so I thought this post would still be worthwhile. 

There has been a lot of controversy with Lime Crime in the past, but the Velvetines were the first liquid matte lipsticks I tried, and I do love the formula. 

The set comes with three shades - Buffy, Beet It and Peacock

Buffy is described as a buff nude, and I think it is a lovely every day, work appropriate shade. Beet It is a deep berry pink. Peacock is a teal blue, and quite a unique colour in my collection.

(L to R: Buffy, Beet It, Peacock)

The product goes on liquid, and dries matte. The product can last for ages, and if you need to reapply, I find it doesn't clump up - like the ColourPop ones can. 

Thanks for reading,

X