Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner Review

I don't know why but I don't tend to reach for pencil eyeliners very much. They're inconvenient, with most needing to be sharpened, and I just seem to prefer the effect of a felt tipped liquid liner. With all that in mind, the Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Damsel came with their In The Light palette and it's totally revolutionised my thoughts on pencil liner. In fact, I loved that Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner so much I've since picked up the Stila Color Outside The Lights Smudge Stick 5 Piece Collection from BeautyBay.

Emptying the Trash and Beauty Diet Update // June 2014

With June rapidly coming to a close and my excitement for July, my birthday month, looming, it's time to crack on and show you the products that I finished up this month! If you're not aware, I'm making a conscious effort to work through my half used products as a part of The Beauty Diet but I'll make more reference to that when I get to my make up bits. 

People for Plants Kakadu Plum, Calendula & Chamomile Eye Cream* Review

Being 21, almost 22, I tend to rely on eye creams to moisturise and hydrate the under eye area, rather than to perform any sort of anti ageing miracle. There are a few different hydrating and brightening eye creams that I've enjoyed in the past (Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado, I'm looking at you), and a few that I will steer clear of for the rest of my days (this time I'm looking at Origins' Ginzing Refreshing Eye Cream). I mentioned in my Post Hospital Skin Picks post that I was really enjoying the People for Plants Kakadu Plum, Calendula & Chamomile Eye Cream*, the newest eye cream to hit my skincare collection.

For more information on the People for Plants Kakadu Plum, Calendula & Chamomile Eye Cream*, as well as People for Plants the brand, keep reading!

NEW RELEASE // OPI Brazil Collection with Cobacabies Mini* Swatches

Inspired by the tropical rain forests and warm sandy beaches of Brazil, the Brazil Collection by OPI features a range of red, pink and coral tones, as well as earthy colours including taupes and jungle greens. The Brazil Collection by OPI launch also includes a set of four limited edition Beach Sandies Liquid Sand mini lacquers in a purple, pink, turquoise and yellow. 

I was lucky enough to be sent the Brazil Collection by OPI Capacababies Mini Nail Lacquers Collection* so I thought I'd show you swatches of all four colours while it's still available.

Maybelline Color Elixir Creamy Lip Lacquer Review and Swatches

I highly anticipated the release of the Maybelline Color Elixir Creamy Lip Lacquers for quite some time. They definitely took their sweet ass time making their way to Australian shores, don't you think? Anyway, I've accumulated a selection of six shades at this point in a combination of bright and neutral shades so it's finally time that I share my thoughts! 

FOTD // Looking Happy When You're Feeling Crappy

Guys, about a week ago I was sick. I wasn't dying wish sick, but I was sick enough to complain about it and look and feel absolutely awful. Between being sick and having a broken leg, I'll admit it, I was pretty miserable. When I started to feel better and began to slowly venture out of the house, I realise how pasty and white I looked (and by that I mean more than normal). Needless to say, I needed a bit of make up. I didn't want to create a full on glamorous look so I wanted to keep it easy, adding a bit of colour and light back into the face whilst taking away some of the awful redness that seemed to hang around. 

Here's what I created and how I tried to look a little better than I felt. 

Bioderma Atoderm Crème* Review

Whether it's your face or your body, winter seems to be the time of year when skin dries out. I have fairly oily skin so I rarely find my face drying out, however I'll often suffer from dry elbows and such. While these seem to be okay at the moment, I've found that other parts of my body have developed the odd dry patch or two and the only thing that'll fix them is the Bioderma Atoderm Creme*.

HUGE COLLECTIVE MAC Haul ft. Alluring Aquatics, Osbournes and more!

MAC have been on fire lately. Their latest collections (namely Alluring Aquatics and their collaborations with The Osbourne ladies and Lorde) have completely captivated me and I've picked up a lot of really amazing products. I have a very, very big haul to show you today. I've collected these products over about a month, with everything being purchased before I started The Beauty Diet. 

Grab a cup of tea, maybe even a snack or two, and get comfortable 'cos this haul is a big'n.

Stila In the Light Palette Review and Swatches

If I didn't make it crystal clear in my Perfect Palette TAG post, I love eyeshadow palettes. I love experimenting with colour combinations (almost always neutral, of course) and playing around with various eyeshadow formulas from different brands. When I was stalking the BeautyBay site recently I saw that the Stila In The Light Palette was on sale and, given that it had been on the top of my palette wish list for the longest time, I took the plunge and picked it up! To see what else I bought, click here.

Jurlique Mists // Calendula Calming Mist v. Rosewater Balancing Mist

Over the past few months I've been playing around with two mists from Jurlique, Calendula Redness Rescue Calming Mist and Rosewater Balancing Mist. Both were purchased by me over the past few months (actually quite a while ago now, I've been promising this post for quite some time) and today I'm here to tell you how I think they compare, if I think they're worth the money and which I prefer!

The Jojoba Company Bead & Bamboo Facial Exfoliant (EE Cream)* Review

I don't know what it is but my skin's been really congested lately (although let's be honest, isn't it always?). One of my favourite products to use when my skin is feeling congested is a facial exfoliant and, at the moment, my product of choice is The Jojoba Company's Bead and Bamboo Facial Exfoliant (EE Cream)*. This product is both a manual and chemical exfoliant and I've found that it's really agreed with my extra sensitive skin!

THE BEAUTY DIET // Collection Cull and Share

Early in June I started The Beauty Diet. You can read my post for all information and, of course, my rules but I'm basically trying to work through the multitude of products in my collection by allowing myself to purchase a product for every two things I finish up. For every five products that I either throw away prematurely or I give away, I'm also allowed to buy one item. I decided to start off by giving my make up a bit of an on overhaul, culling products that no longer work and making a little pile of things that are good enough to be shared with family and friends. 

I'm not going to talk through every product because there's quite a bit but if I've reviewed anything I'll let you know! 

Shanghai Suzy Autumn/Winter 2014 Collection Review and Swatches

Shanghai Suzy lipsticks have been doing the rounds of the beauty community lately. Everyone  and their Mum seems to be loving them and, being the lip product addict that I am, I knew I had to pick a couple up! Given that every colour is limited edition and only available for the season they're released it, I was really tempted to pick up all nine shades on the site however I settled with four shades and I'm pretty happy with my choices!

Given that Shanghai Suzy is a relatively new make up brand, I wanted to give you guys some information on them before I got into what I think of the products. Shanghai Suzy is a lipsticks only cosmetics brand founded by Joanna Wheaton, a Melbourne based model. All of the lipsticks colours are inspired by current trends and, as I said, they are only available for a limited time; a beauty lover's nightmare! There are two different formulas available from Shanghai Suzy, Matte and Nourish.

COLLECTIVE BEAUTY HAUL | The Many Priceline Orders

In the two weeks after my release from hospital I picked up quite a few bits 'n' pieces from Priceline. One order was placed because I needed to pick up some bits for a few beauty swaps (I added a few things for myself to the cart, of course), the second was because I absolutely could not resist the 40% off haircare sale and, last but not least, the last was because the Maybelline Color Elixirs finally became available online and nothing was going to stop me getting my hands on them, not even two broken legs!

Essence Blush Up Powder Blush in #10 Heat Wave* Review and Swatches

I'm not sure what's happened to me but lately I've become a bit of a sucker for blush. I've added a few lovely ones to my collection in the last few months and I knew the Essence Blush Up Powder Blush in #10 Heat Wave* would be the perfect addition to my collection when it arrived on my door step about a month ago. Since then, it's been one of the blushes I've found myself reaching for a lot and, I must say, I'm really impressed by it!

FOTD // Let's Get Naked

Not long after the Rimmel London BB Cream Matte* arrived on my door step I decided to create a whole face look so I could see how it wore throughout the day. I wasn't doing anything special but, seriously, when has that ever stopped me applying a full face of make up? Yup, never! This look is pretty basic and there's nothing that exciting to it but I'm trying to get into Face of the Day posts again and working out the best places to photograph my completed looks. It's harder than it sounds!

Anyway, let's see how I turned the products above into a face! 

Kit Cosmetics Limited Edition Travel Make Up Case Review

On Monday I hauled the Kit Cosmetics Limited Edition Travel Make Up Case and, given that it's a limited edition product, I wanted to get my review and thoughts up as soon as possible. I know a lot of people have expressed an interest in this travel make up bag but, given the somewhat hefty price tag, they may have chosen to leave it in the store. 

If you're wondering what I think of this product and whether I'd recommend it, keep reading!

My Top 10 Winter Lip Picks

Whether you're a nude lip lover or a bold girl girl, there's no doubting the fact that the cooler months are the time to bump up lip colours and get a little more adventurous. I love to switch up my lip colours and, even though I don't let the seasons dictate my make up, I do love an excuse to wear a deeper coloured lip.

I went on a winter lip hunt in my collection and found ten different lip colours that I think would be great for the autumn/winter weather. I've chosen five more natural colours with subtle winter tones, as well as five that I feel really epitomise winter lips!

Keep reading to see what my Top 10 Winter Lip Picks are!

Rimmel London BB Cream Matte SPF 15* Review

Whilst I've been really impressed with some of the BB Creams being released in Australian  by the Western market, I've found that a lot of them have been far too moisturising with a finish that's too dewy for my combination/oily skin. When I was offered the opportunity to try Rimmel London's BB Cream Matte*, a BB Cream specially formulated for young and oily skins, I jumped! 

Collective Mecca Cosmetica Haul // May - June 2014

Over the past two(ish) months I've placed a few different orders with Mecca. Two of the orders were placed and the third was placed over the phone as I searched high and low for one of the most coveted beauty tools of the last few years! For more information on what I've bought from Mecca recently, keep reading!

I bought a new 10mL bottle of my favourite primer of the moment (if not of all time), the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer not long after I got out of hospital but it's disappeared. I'm not sure if it was accidentally thrown out when I cleaned or not but, either way, I bought yet another tube. Hopefully I find the first one! I added a new lipstick to my collection, the bareMinerals Marvellous Moxie Lipstick in Fly High, and I am so in love with it. Fly High is a cool toned lavender pink shade and I am becoming very fond of that colour! 

I have spent high and low trying to track down the NARS ITA Kabuki Brush and, after calling every store in Western Australia, I was finally able to find one in Adelaide. The lovely ladies organised for it to be posted to me and a few days later I was the proud owner of this bad boy. I love the effect it gives, though I'm not sure it's worth the hefty price tag. Stay tuned as I'll be reviewing it eventually. 

Finally I treated myself to something I really did not need, Kit Cosmetics' Limited Edition Travel Make Up Case. This case was a bit of an investment, yes, but I think it will be the perfect travel companion. I can never seem to find a cosmetic bag big enough to fit all my make up essentials so I think this will be perfect. Again, if you're interested, I'll be uploading a review of this next week! Just so you know - if you're interested in checking out this product it is limited edition so you may want to be quick!

So that's everything I picked up from Mecca Cosmetica. I also bought a few bits 'n' pieces for swaps along the way and I really hope the recipient likes their new products. I have reviews for all of the pieces planned but there's so many products I want to share with you at the moment so it may take a while for me to upload it. If you'd like me to prioritise the review of a product, let me know!

What did you think of this haul? Have you tried any of these products?

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MAC Fix+ Review

I picked up MAC's Fix + a while back but I didn't try it until recently. The thought of spraying liquid onto a perfected face of make up always freaked me out, especially because I identify as having oily skin. I dabbled into setting sprays in the past, playing around with Urban Decay's All Nighter Setting Spray, but, after seeing Tati from Glam Life Guru on YouTube rave about MAC's Fix + for the millionth time, I decided to pull it out of its box and give it a shot.

Needless to say I absolutely love it and today I'm here to tell you why!

GIVEAWAY WINNER // Clearasil Daily Clear Vitamins & Extracts Scrub

When I was discharged from hospital I knew I had to change up my skincare routine because, while it was working, it was a little difficult to do when I couldn't reach the sink and I was washing my face out of a Tupperware bowl (which, for the record, I am still doing - agh!). In switching up my routine I became quite fond of a few products and for the past two weeks I've been hosting a giveaway for someone to win a Clearasil Daily Clear Vitamins & Extracts Scrub and today I'm here to announce the winner!

1,500 Instagram Followers Pamper Giveaway

 Hi, everyone! Last night I reached 1,500 Instagram followers and I am so excited. I feel like Instagram is an extension of myself and my blog. It's a way for me to share my photos and my passion for all this beauty related with a different audience, some who are blog readers and some who are not.

I can't thank my Instagram followers (and, of course, my blog readers) enough so I wanted to try and do so by hosting a pamper giveaway over on Instagram. I am giving away three products; Joico Moisture Recovery Treatment Balm, Nuxe Reve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm and This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray. 

You need to enter via Instagram so head over if you think you'll be interested in winning these products! 

The giveaway is open internationally!

 

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NEW RELEASE // Muppets Most Wanted by OPI* with Swatches

In April of this year OPI released eight new limited edition nail polishes inspired by Disney's Muppets Most Wanted. Whilst I had no desire to see the movie I was, of course, quite 'taken' by a few of the nail polishes. When I was offered a chance to try a few of the colours in the range I, of course, jumped at the opportunity. Given that they're limited edition, I wanted to get these swatches up as soon as possible so you can head out and pick the colours up if you so fancy. 

THE BEAUTY DIET // An Introduction

For almost this whole year I've been reading about Vita from Makeup 4 My Age and Anissa from Beautifully Glossy updating their readers on their beauty diet; a way of them controlling their purchases and working through products in their collection. I've really enjoyed reading about the progress they've been making and, if I'm honest, I've also been admiring their commitment and will power. The other day, after spending wayy too much on the MAC Osbourne collections I decided enough was enough and I decided to join these lovely ladies, as well as Norlin from Baubles, Bubbles & Bags Style File. 

Previously I've tried spending bans, giving myself budgets and, well, every other trick in the book I could think of to combat my love of shopping for beauty products on line. Whilst I'm blaming my most recent spending ban flop on my two broken legs, I feel like I need something with clear rewards. Vita created a 'two out, one in' approach which I think is really fantastic and I think it'll be a great way to motivate me to finish up those pesky products that have been hanging around for far too long. 

For more information about the Beauty Diet, my goals and how I'll be rewarding myself, keep reading!

Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzer Review

The Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzer is a product that's been high on my 'to try' list for quite some time now. I've had a play with it every now and then at Kit Cosmetics but I've always left without it. After using and loving the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Eyeshadow Palette, my desire to own the Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzer grew stronger. It wasn't a case of if I was going to own it, just a case of when. After stalking the pages of Beauty Bay for quite some time, this bad boy finally became available and now it's mine! (See haul here). 

Clearasil Daily Clear Vitamins & Extracts Scrub Giveaway Reminder

Hi, everyone. I hope May was extra nice to you and June was just as kind!

Just a little reminder that my Clearasil Daily Clear Vitamins & Extracts Scrub giveaway is open and will be until midnight, Western Standards Time, on June 5. I'm giving away this product thanks to Clearasil. This giveaway is open internationally and I'm really enjoying reading what skincare products people are loving at the moment! 

To be taken to the giveaway, click here. 

Goodluck, everyone. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

There are a lot of questions that I find myself being asked quite frequently.

How old are you?

I am 21 years old, turning 22 in July.

What is your skin type?

I have very odd skin. It is combination/oily and very prone to break outs and blemishes. It is really sensitive and I find that it reacts to products quite easily.

What camera do you use?

I use a Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 with a 1.1.7 (I think?) lens. 

Where do I buy my make up?

I buy my make up from a combination of online and physical retailers. I am working on a post listing all my favourite online places to buy my cosmetics so, when that's live, I will include a link. 

If your question hasn't been asked, ask it below and I'll be sure to add it to the list! 

The Lip Product Addict TAG

If you watch beauty vloggers on YouTube you may have noticed that everyone seems to be doing The Lip Product Addict TAG lately. This TAG was recently created by Essie Button (a favourite YouTuber of mine) and Amelia Liana. You can watch their video here. I'll admit it, I'm obsessed with lip products so I have been loving watching these videos and I was so excited to be tagged to do it by Kate from The Minted Beauty. Thanks, Kate!