May Favourites, 2013

Holy cow, it's time for another favourites post! How does that even happen? Today marks 38 days until my 21st birthday and only 22 days until my party. Eep, so exciting. Enough about that though, let's get into my favourites. I have a number of beauty products, all of which are reasonably new to me, and I can't wait to share them with y'all!

UPDATED Skincare Routine: Removing My Makeup

I've never proclaimed to have perfect skin. Hell, I've never even said I have good skin. As I've said countless times on this blog, my skin is very temperamental; one minute it's good and the next it's terrible. To see one of my latest skin explosions, click here. 

I've given my skincare routine a compete overhaul so I decided to give you guys an update. I'm really happy with this routine but, don't get me wrong, I still have breakouts and am still very much prone to spots. This routine just minimises that and helps tackle blemishes before they become huge problems. 

Given that I have three separate skincare routines, I decided I'd do three posts! A couple of days ago I uploaded my morning skincare routine. Click here to check it out! 

Before I start, I figure I should give you a tiny bit of insight into my skin. I have combination/oily skin that's quite prone to blemishes. It can be quite dehydrated.

To see what I use to remove my make up, keep reading! 

Aveeno Naturals Daily Moisturising Lotion Review

For some reason, I've never really been one for body moisturises and lotions. Back in the day I tried a few very heavy body moisturisers so I decided to stay away. No one likes applying something that's the consistency of butter, do they? Ain't nobody got time for that!

Anyway, a while back I came home to find the Aveeno Naturals Daily Moisturising Lotion waiting for me so decided to give it a try! 

"Relieve and protect dry skin with this fragrance-free, not greasy lotion containing natural colloidal oatmeal. Clinically proven to moisturise skin for a full 24 hours, the formula also contains rich emollients to keep skin feeling hydrated and healthy for longer. Used regularly, the lotion will provide relief from chapping and scaling associated with extra dry skin.  Dermatologist tested and suitable for sensitive skin."

- Aveeno Media Kit

To find out what I think of the Aveeno Naturals Daily Moisturising Lotion, and whether I feel it lives up to the claims in the media kit, keep reading! 

UPDATED Skincare Routine: My Morning Routine

I've never proclaimed to have perfect skin. Hell, I've never even said I have good skin. As I've said countless times on this blog, my skin is very temperamental; one minute it's good and the next it's terrible. To see one of my latest skin explosions, click here. 

If you've been following my blog for a while, you'll know that, for a long time, I swore by LUSH Cosmetics' skincare line. To see how that skincare line worked for my skin, click here. After using their skincare for the best part of a year, my skin stopped responding positively to their products so I thought it was time to try something new.

I've given my skincare routine a compete overhaul so I decided to give you guys an update. I'm really happy with this routine but, don't get me wrong, I still have breakouts and am still very much prone to spots. This routine just minimises that and helps tackle blemishes before they become huge problems. 

Given that I have three separate skincare routines (morning, removing make up and evening/night), I decided I'd do three posts! 

Before I start, I figure I should give you a tiny bit of insight into my skin. I have combination/oily skin that's quite prone to blemishes. It can be quite dehydrated.

 To see what I use in the morning, keep reading! 

Estee Lauder Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara Review

My sister recently acquired an Estee Lauder kit (no idea what kind, I didn't ask questions) and offloaded a couple of the products to me. One of the products I managed to score was the Estee Lauder Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara. To be honest, I was a little apprehensive about trying this product to begin with. Why? Because 1. I was quite happy with the mascara I'd been using 2. I hate trialling expensive products in case I really like them. Anyway I gave it a try and, unfortunately (but really it's fortunately), I fell in love with it.

Keep reading to find out why I  think it's almost worth the $48.00AUD price tag. 

Sophie's 21st Birthday Party: Part Two

If you haven't seen the first post in this series, let me catch you up. I'm Sophie, I turn 21 this year and my 21st party is in 34 days (not that I'm counting!). Given that I've spent the past few months organising my party, I thought it might be time to give you guys a bit of insight into my party and what I'm doing to celebrate, as well as any tips, tricks or genius (in my opinion) ideas that I've had. 

I'm going to spread this out over a couple of posts because I don't want to bore you all with a super long post! In my last post (click here to read it) I told you all about my party venue, invitation list, music and invitation and theme. This time I'm going to be talking about food/drink, decorations and a surprise for my guests! 

So, if you want to know more about my party, keep reading! 

HUGE Collective MAC Haul

Before I get into this post, I want to apologise for the amount of product hauls I've been uploading lately. Out of my last four posts, three of them have been hauls. Yep, I've been shopping too much lately. I have a lot of blog post content that I've been wanting to write lately but between work and being unwell, I've not had time to sit down and write them. I'll have the up as soon as I can though!

Anyway, let's get back to the haul! Before I get into it, I want to make you aware that this was not all purchased at once, nor was it all purchased by me. Some of the products I'll be featuring below have been gifted to me, some were purchased by me from the US MAC website and included in a big order my friend was placing and the rest is bits 'n' pieces I picked up over the period of a couple of months. 

To find out what I got and why I got it, keep reading!

Compare the Pair: Urban Decay Sin & Essence Cosmetics Strawberry Ice Cream

Whilst I really love my whole Urban Decay Naked Palette, I find myself gravitating towards Sin, a pink toned champagne colour, the most. If I could recommend only one colour from the palette it would be Sin. Sin is a beautiful eyeshadow colour but, at $21.42 on BeautyBay, it's not exactly the cheapest individual eyeshadow. I recently found a dupe for Urban Decay's Sin eyeshadow and I'm so glad to share it with you!

Essence's Mono Shadow in #68 Strawberry Ice Cream is a fantastic dupe for Urban Decay's Sin eyeshadow. They're both shimmery pink shades that work beautifully as a lid colour. 

Essence #68 Strawberry Ice Cream | Urban Decay's Sin 

To see how these eyeshadows compare, keep reading!

A little for me & a little for you: Lipstick Republic Haul

Last week I placed another order with Lipstick Republic. There's no actual make up in this haul. Surprising, huh? There are a few things I want that aren't in stock at the moment so I'll be uploading a haul as soon as they are! 

Anyway, I picked up a few things for myself as well as something for an upcoming giveaway. I won't be hauling that item because I like to keep that a secret! To see what I got though, keep reading! 

Sometimes It Just Happens.. ANOTHER Priceline Haul

On Saturday I picked up a few bits 'n' pieces for myself, as well as some for my Instagram giveaway and another giveaway that you can expect soon. Anyway, I probably picked up a few more things that I should have but, you know what, I don't.

Let's get into what I bought!

500 FOLLOWERS INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY!

Yesterday, as I was heading out to do some retail therapy, I realised that I was about to hit 500 Instagram Followers. To celebrate, I picked up a few bits and pieces to include in a giveaway for all my loyal followers.

Anyway, last night I hit the super exciting milestone and, to thank you all, I have opened the giveaway. I'm not sure if all my blog followers follow my Instagram so, incase you're not, I thought I'd blog about it!

For more information about my giveaway, keep reading!

Compare the Pair: A New Blog Series

Before I get into this post, I just want to apologise for being a bit of a crappy blogger over the past week or so. I planned to upload every second day but, with work and other commitments, the posts haven't been that regular lately. In saying that, I'm really sorry and things will be better. I promise!

Anyway, today I wanted to tell you a little about a new series I'll be starting here on Born to Buy, compare the pair. Basically I'll be doing exactly what the name suggests and comparing two products. As someone who's obsessed by anything beauty related, I have the opportunity to try a lot of 'stuff'. I'll often find myself using two products which are very similar so I've decided it might be nice to share them with you all, especially when one is substantially cheaper than another!

I don't know whether this will be a weekly series or whenever I find a good product 'dupe'. I guess it will just depend on what I find. I hope to have my first post in this series up in the next couple of days and I'm really excited so keep any eye out.

Although I already the first couple of Compare the Pair posts planned but if there are any products you'd like me to compare, please comment below to let me know! 

Also, what do you think of this series? 

Always look your best,

Sophie

x

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Korres Lip Butters in Quince and Pomegranate Review and Swatches

I've owned my Korres Lip Butter in Quince for a while now and, for a lot of that time, I never used it. The lip balm sat in the back of my drawer and I think a lot of that was to do with the fact that's it a potted product. Anyway, regardless of why, I pulled it out a few months ago and holy guacamole, why have I not been using this my whole life? 

To find out why I love these Lip Butters, keep reading! 

Sophie's 21st Birthday Party: Part One

I know I've mentioned this before but I really love birthdays. No, they don't have to by my own but, of course, that helps! Along with birthdays, I love celebrating them and organising parties. I  think I started planning my 18th the day after I turned 17 and so on. Given that I've spent the past few months organising my party, I thought it might be time to give you guys a bit of insight into my party and what I'm doing to celebrate, as well as any tips, tricks or genius (in my opinion) ideas that I've had. 

I'm going to spread this out over a couple of posts because, as I'm sure you know, I can get a bit rambly and I don't want to bore you all. I wasn't really sure how to structure the post so I decided to go in order of how I've planned for the evening. 

So, if you want to know more about my party, keep reading! 

HUGE LOVISA GIVEAWAY WINNER

Even though I'm super tired and soo ready for bed, I'm so excited to be announcing the winner of my latest giveaway. This prize is one I'm really excited to give to a lucky winner!

Before I announce the winner, I just want to say a big thank you to Lovisa and Two Birds Talking for providing me with the prize for this giveaway. Lovisa is one of my favourite stores for jewellery and hair accessories so it was really exciting to have this opportunity to collaborate with them.

As always, thank you to everyone who entered this competition! It's been so nice to see some regular readers entering the giveaway, as well as new followers and readers. Regardless of how long you've been a part of the Born to Buy community, welcome and thank you! 


And now let's get into announcing the winner!

ASOS Cosmetics Haul for April, 2013

Last Thursday I placed two (because one would have made too much sense, Sophie) orders with ASOS. There's been a few things that I wanted to pick up from there for a while so I took the pay check from new job and got right to it! 

I placed the first order and then, after trying the Rimmel London Match Perfection Foundation and realising I bought it in the wrong colour (click here to see my haul), I decided to place a second one. I also took that opportunity to pick something else up because I had to make it worth it, right? Right!

You probably don't want to know why I bought what I bought, just what I bought so, with that being said, let's get into it!

Sigma 10% OFF for MAY, 2013

As you may know, I recently got a job so I'm adding some Sigma brushes to my shopping list. Eek. With that in mind, I thought I'd share this month's Sigma 10% off discount code with you all. There's so much I want from Sigma (click here and here to see my two shopping lists) so I absolutely love knowing the monthly discount codes. Who wants to pay retail when they don't have to? For the month of May, get 10% off all Sigma orders using the Coupon Code below at the checkout.

For direct access to the Sigma Beauty website, click here. If you buy anything, comment below to let me know! I'd love to hear what you've bought! If you already own Sigma brushes (or cosmetics, for that matter), comment below telling me what you think of them! You all know how I love my recommendations. 

Always look your best,

Sophie

x

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April Favourites, 2013

This month I haven't had as many favourites, beauty or otherwise, as I have in other months. I think that's mainly because, given my new job (a definite favourite), I've not got the opportunity to try new products. In the past few weeks I've mainly relied on tried and tested products to ensure that I can be ready and out the door in record time.

In saying that, though, there's a few new additions to my collection and, as always, I really want to share them with you all!

Revlon Colorstay Foundation | Rimmel Wake Me Up Instant Radiance Shimmer Touch in #001 Flush of Pearl | Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray | MAC Studio Fix Concealer sample | MAC Well Dressed Blush | Abbamart Small Duo Fibre Stippling Brush | Abbamart Apple Blush Cheek Brush