Mecca Beauty Loop Level 1 Box - 2015

This month, Mecca released the Beauty Loop boxes. Surprisingly, I'm only a Level 1 - which is a surprise to me! I believe the box comes up four times a year, and this box includes 4 samples of products.

The samples included are the By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder, Too Faced Shadow Insurance, Ren  Micro Polish Cleanser, and the NARS Light Optimising Primer.

I'm most excited to try the By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder, as it most interests me that this can be used as a skincare product on top of night moisturiser. I used the NARS primer yesterday and today (the sample is good for about 2-3 uses), and it is similar to MAC Strobe Cream in that it reflects light.  It reflects red, and it looks absolutely gorgeous. I might have to purchase this primer, I'm not going to lie. 

And those are the items I got in the Mecca Beauty Loop box!

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OCC Manhunter Lip Tar - review and swatches

A few years ago, I bought the OCC Lip Tar in Hoochie, and it was the first time I had tried a purple lip colour. Unfortunately, I only ever wore this twice because I wasn't a fan of the formula. A colleague from work picked up the Manhunter lip tar and it looked absolutely gorgeous on her. I decided to place an order on Lipstick Republic because there was something mesmerising about the shade. It is a metallic finish, and an absolutely gorgeous red lip.

(each Lip Tar also comes with a mini lip brush - super handy!)

OCC describes this colour as a "red orange with gold shimmer". You can see even in the tube, the beautiful red with gold/orange specks. And you only need the smallest amount to cover your whole lips (refer to the swatches below)

Once applied, the Lip Tar dries a bit (does not go matte) and generally lasts between 2-3 hours without touching up. The only issue I find with this Lip Tar is one the colour fades, the gold glitter remains on your lips.

Overall, this Lip Tar has changed my thought on Lip Tars, and since, I have purchased Technopagan - which I am super excited to try out! Manhunter is such a unique red, and I love the way it complements my skin. Definitely recommend checking out the Lip Tar Metallic range.

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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,
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Empties/ Products I'm Chucking Out #7

It has been a very very very long time since my last Empties Post, and I have been dreading doing this one because of the amount of products I have used up since. But alas, it is time to bin all these empties, so on to the empties post!

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Blush (3x 200 mL, 1x 50 mL)
This is my all time favourite dry shampoo, so I'm really not that surprised I've used this much in the last six months. Always a repurchase, and always features in my empties.

Edward Beale Pure Argan Oil 
I used this product up quite a while ago, but it was good at moisturising my hair after every wash. If this was on sale, I'd probably repurchase it (even though it is relatively cheap to begin with).

Schwarzkopft Daily Oil Elixer

This was another product I liked to use after every wash, and was featured in my Project 10 Pan - look, I did use something up! I have found an oil I like better, but for the price, this was good at it's job. 

Cedel Dry Shampoo
This was good as a dry shampoo, but the scent was too much for me. Would not repurchase.

L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil
This was an okay oil for the price.

Schwarzkopf Ultimate Colour Oil-Elixer
Only a sample, so can't really say much about this oil. But it is for coloured hair, so I might purchase this to give it a real go.

Vaseline Intensive Care Spray Moisturiser Dry Skin Repair
The dry skin body moisturiser from Vaseline is my absolute favourite. I don't use this allover my body, but I do use it on my back as it is hard to reach. Absolutely love this and always repurchase (there is another one pictured below in a different photo that I forgot to include in this one - whoops!)

Garnier Moisture Match Ultra-Hydrating Rich Cream (x4)
I have absolutely been loving this moisturiser, as I'm sure you can see. It's a great drugstore moisturiser for dry skin and I'd recommend it for anyone with dry skin.

Lush Mint Julips Lip Scrub
This was my favourite lip scrub before I discovered the Popcorn.

Lush Popcorn Lip Scrub
This is my favourite lip scrub from Lush (and probably my favourite product from Lush, as well). Have repurchased.

Lush Breath of Fresh Air Toner Water
I was going through a stage where I wanted to test out all of the toner waters from Lush. After this adventure, I have concluded that this is my favourite and since have purchased the large size. The toners are super convenient because they are in a spray bottle, and they are relatively cheap. I would recommend checking them out.

Lush Eau Roma Water
I really liked this toner water, but the Breath of Fresh Air is my favourite.

Benefit It's Potent! Eye Cream Sample 
This was only a baby sample, but I did enjoy using this. I might have to pick this cream up as a full size at some point.

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eu So Fresh

I don't like the original Daisy all too much, but I absolutely adore this version. I've been meaning to pick up another bottle of this scent, it is so summery and so fresh. I have since purchased the Daisy Dream, which I do love, but once that is up I think I will have to repurchase the Eu So Fresh again. I'm not a fan of the original Daisy.

YSL Parisienne

I love this scent. It reminds me of my trip to England every time I wear it. Was gifted with another bottle for my birthday last year.

Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb

My all-time favourite perfume. This will always be a repurchase.

Benefit Moisture Prep Toning Lotion
I liked this toner, but my favourite toners are the Lush Toner waters. But this was a fine toner, nothing wrong with it, did not break me out.

Nivea Pure & Natural Regenerating Night Cream
I like this moisturiser, and I like the scent. I would repurchase this one.

Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream
I actually really like this moisturiser, and probably will end up purchasing the full size. This moisturiser is great for dry skin.

Cutex Nourishing Nail Polish Remover

Don't really have much to say about this nail polish remover. It worked well at removing polish.

Johnson's Daily Essentials Nourishing 24hr Day Cream SPF15 for Dry Skin
I used this moisturiser, but found with most foundation/face products, it would ball up and not look cute. For days where I'd wear mineral foundation (which has been more frequent lately), this moisturiser is fine. But any other days, this would not work.

Johnson's Baby Conditioning Shampoo

My go-to for deep cleaning my brushes. Have repurchased two bottles since using this one up.

Lime Crime Eyeshadow Helper Sample 

I really liked this eyeshadow primer, I found that there was minimal creasing when used. Unfortunately the sample has dried up so I'm the bin it goes.

ELF Blush in Mellow Mauve
This blush unfortunately shattered when it was dropped and I attempted to use it but unfortunately just became too messy. This is a relatively cheap blush and a nice autumn/winter shade, so I probably will repurchase this at some point.

L'Oreal Nude Magique 
This foundation is lightweight, but I really love it. It is super liquidy, which I kind of enjoy. I have repurchased it since.

NYX Dewy Finish Setting Spray
This is my absolute favourite setting spray. I have repurchased, and I always use this when I do makeup on clients.

David Jones Daily Brush Cleaner
I really like this brush cleaner. It is relatively cheap and does the job. Have repurchased since, and have some of this in my makeup kit as well.

Clinique High Impact Mascara
I love this mascara, and I love getting this as a sample. I don't like purchasing mascara too often because I have quite a few tubes going, but would consider purchasing this.

Benefit They're Real Sample
I do like the Benefit They're Real brush, but I don't think it is a mascara I need.

Daiso Puff and Sponge Cleanser 

This product absolutely rips all makeup product out of sponges. Will always repurchase this product.

Face of Australia Translucent Setting Powder

I really like this translucent setting powder and would recommend it. Have repurchased. 

Seche Vite Top Coat 
All time favourite top coat. I have been getting acrylics with gel polish as of late, so I haven't really needed to go out and repurchase this. But I will eventually.

L'Oreal Lumi Magique Primer 
This primer reminds me of the MAC Strobe Cream, and I have purchased it a few times.

Ardell Lash Glue
I absolutely adore this lash glue. I'm currently using up an Eylure lash glue, but once that is used up I will definitely be repurchasing this one. It goes on clear, and it dries clear - what else do you want in a lash glue?

Maybelline the Falsies Mascara
I absolutely adore this mascara, one of my all-time favourites. Recommend this mascara if you haven't tried it. 

Essence Maximum Definition Volume Mascara
I absolutely adore this mascara. It's cheap and does the job. Would repurchase.

ELF Lash and Brow Gel
This is a really old product that just needs to be binned. I love my Essence Lash & Brow Gel, so probably wouldn't repurchase this one. From what I remember, this made my brows super hard like I had sprayed hair spray, so not a huge fan of it.

And those are the empties!

Thanks for reading,
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Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush in Peach Beach - review and swatches

This blush has been on my wish list for a couple of months, and when I finally found one left in a box at Mecca Maxima, it was love at first application! 

The blush consists of three strips of colour - a lighter peach that leans golden, a more coral/pink, and a darker peach that leans golden. All three shades are shimmery. Because of the size of each strip, it is a little hard to focus on one of the three shades. When all three are blended together, you get the most magical, peachy shade. 

(L to R: lighter peach, pink/coral, darker peach, blended together)

These types of blushes from Too Faced come in three shades - Peach Beach, Something About Berry, and Candy Glow. I am considering picking up the other two shades, but peach and coral blushes are my absolute favourite!

The packaging of the product is adorable - the blush and the box are both in the shape of a heart. The only downside I find with this product however is that the packaging is quite bulky - this is not a travel friendly blush. 

I always set my makeup with the NYX Dewy Finish Setting Spray - I find this helps keep the blush on all day. I'm yet to find a blush that stays on my skin from 7 in the morning until I return home at 7 at night (although the Balm's Frat Boy is probably the most long lasting blush I own), but this one does last a good 6 or so hours. I'm not too bothered if I need to touch up the blush throughout the day.

If you're interested in picking up a new blush, I would recommend this line of blushes from Too Faced. And if anyone is aware of long-lasting blushes, please let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for reading,
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March Favourites

Another month, another favourites post:

Kit Cosmetics Salted Caramel Soy Candle

Oh my, this is the most delicious smelling candle ever! I never really go for the super sweet candles, but this candle was just too delicious to not purchase. Since purchasing it, I have been burning it non-stop. 

Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush in Peach Beach

I was hunting this blush down every time  I went into Mecca, and after about two months there it was, one left in the box! This is such a flattering blush on lighter skin tones (although I am sure it will work on darker skin tones as well). I sometimes find it hard to find a blush that works with my complexion, but this one definitely does. I will have a review of this blush up shortly. Definitely recommend this one if you are looking to buy one!

Wet n Wild I Love Matte Palette 

This palette is an oldie but a goldie. I have no idea if it can still be purchased, but I find it worth the $10 I would have paid for it, just for the two lighter neutral shadows on the right row (the Browbone and Eyelid shade). These two shadows are great for everyday makeup looks. 

Savvy Ultra Matte Lip Colour in Miss Monroe

I picked this lip colour up from the Priceline 40% off cosmetics sale (I also wanted the darker nude that was sold out), and it is absolutely amazing. Matte lip creams are my absolute favourite lip product - once applied, they won't go anywhere. 

OPI You're Such a Budapest 

This lilac slight periwinkle blue is such a flattering shade. I got this done through gel, but bought the regular polish when I was leaving the salon. 

Thanks for reading, 

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SauceBox Creme De La Creme Palette - review and swatches

 

I picked up the SauceBox Creme De La Creme Palette from IMATS last year (see blogpost here). I have seen SauceBox cosmetics featured on many Australian beauty blogs, but had never tried anything from them. It had always been on my to-do list. I am so glad I picked up this palette, however. 

The palette consists of 6 neutral eyeshadows, each a massive 4 gram of product! The pans are huge and if I ever hit pan on any of the shadows, that'll be a massive accomplishment! 

(Top - L to R Sea Shell, Inception, Future; Bottom - L to R Rain, Secrecy, Black Widow)

All shadows in this palette are shimmery, which I think is the only downfall. The pans in the palette are interchangeable, which means you can change it up and put six different SauceBox shadows in the palette - this would be great for travel. The only downside is the shadows don't have the name on the back (I'll probably add this with a marker at a later date).

Sea Shell is a pink champagne with shimmer, and is a great highlight and allover lid colour. I have even used this eyeshadow as a highlight on my cheekbones.

Inception is a bronzey shimmer and absolutely gorgeous as an allover lid shade.

Future is a silver shimmer.

Rain is another highlight shade, and is more neutral-yellow than Sea Shell. 

Secrecy is a taupe shimmery shade and will definitely be a go-to for the cooler months.

Black Widow is a black with slight shimmer. The shimmer in this shadow does not transfer much to the eye and this black is super pigmented and intense.

(L to R: Sea Shell, Inception, Future, Rain, Secrecy, Black Widow)

Although the palette is all shimmer, there is a combination of cool tone and warm tone shadows, which does add to the versatility of the palette. I would recommend this palette to anyone who is a neutral lover. The shadows are gorgeous and I don't think you need to worry about ever replacing the shadows. The consistency of the shadows is buttery, and they blend beautifully. If this is paired with something like the Naked Basics 1 or 2, endless looks can be created.

Overall, I love this palette and am glad I picked it up. If anyone is contemplating purchasing this palette, I would definitely recommend it.

Thanks for reading,
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