NYX haul....

Words can't describe my excitement when I first saw the NYX stand in my local Target, and I whipped my 'Things I Need From NYX If I Ever Get Around To Placing An Order' list sharpish. 

I admit I've since been back and bought heaps more lip products and their famous Milk pencil (how have I called myself a beauty blogger and not owned this until now??)

Stand out products for me were their Matte Lipsticks (I'm now the proud owner of over half their collection), the Butter Gloss (not too keen on the darker shades of these but the pinks and peach's are incredible) and their Rouge Cream Blush in Boho Chic. The only disappointing product was the eyebrow pencil....nice consistency but far to red toned to look anything near natural on me.

What else should I try from NYX? I really want to get involved in some of their shadows but not sure on the quality of the palettes?

Loves

xxx

"You look like you were in a fight with a T-Rex" OOTD....

Top - present from Florida

Shorts - Myer (Australia)

Converse - Office

Bag - Australia market

Bandeau - New Look

I've been wearing this to death recently, I love the effect and detailing in this top, it looks so effortless with a pair of converse and denim shorts like I've styled it above, or with a pretty bra under and a pair of skinny jeans and heels for a night out. A nod to the grunge trend, without going over board :)

How else would you style this top?

Loves

xxx

Sportsgirl lip stuff haul...

So my spending ban went for all of a week! Ultimate fail, but when I was killing time waiting for my bus I popped into my favourite shop over here in Australia, Sportsgirl. It's kind of a Topshop-ish shop, selling clothes, accessories, shoes and makeup and hitting the same kind of price point. I'm already well and truly in love with their nail varnishes, so I thought it only fair to give their lipsticks a trial (right?). 

Wanderlust is quite a matte lilac which I think will look cute when I finally get some sort of tan. I fell in love with Powder Puff which is actually a bit lighter than it appears here, it's a gorgeous sheeny pink that will be beautiful for an every day look. Finally my favourite, a take on the Topshop lip crayons, in a matte peachy pink. The shade was on the label which I of course took off, but I'm almost sure this is called Beauty Queen. I popped this on as soon as I got home from the shops and it stayed for AGES! A little drying, but nothing a lip balm as a base coat won't sort out. 

L-R Wanderlust, Powder Puff, Beauty Queen

Any other colours you've tried from the Sportsgirl range that I should try??

Loves

xxx

The best dress for hiding a food baby OOTN....

Dress - Trade Secrets (Australias version of TK Maxx)

Bag - Australia market

Boots - ASOS

Jacket - Topshop

 Dresses and boots are by far my favourite combination at the moment, even though it's pretty much summer over here now I'm not read to give them up just yet! So I'm totally in love with this dress, so much so that I bought it in black too. It's the perfect 'I'm going out for a meal and I'm going to certainly develop a food baby' dress. I was actually going out for Thai food this night so I'm glad I opted for this rather than jeans! 

Loves

xxx

The Body Shop Vitamin E eye cream review...

I always find eye cream to be quite tricky. How do you know if it's working? What makes a good eye cream? Personally I look for something that makes my eye makeup apply smoothly, sinks in easily so I can use it morning and night, and doesn't make my eyes swell up (a problem I've had with many an eye cream in the past). 

I'm a huge lover of The Body Shop Vitamin E range and have used various items of the range on and off for years. I picked this up on a recent speedy shopping trip and am so pleased with it. It's nothing crazy, it doesn't perform miracles, but it's a soft light cream suitable for use morning or night, makes me under eye concealer slightly less prone to creasing, and no swelling!

In my, now less puffy and slightly brighter, eyes this is a winner and will be a future re-purchase for sure.

What eye creams does everyone else use and recommend?

Loves

xxx

'Budget brand does collections' alert...

A while ago, Essence did a collection to go alongside Oz the Great and Powerful film and at the time I was in need of a golden based highlighter. Now this isn't necessarily a full on review of this product as I'm aware you can't buy this anymore and that would be unfair to you guys! 

But I have heard that Essence is coming to/has hit some UK stores so keep an eye out for this bargain brand as not only do they stock some great nail varnishes and eyeliners among others, but unlike a lot of cheaper high street brands, they bring out some seriously lust-worthy collections with some incredible high end quality products. So, seeing as though I mentioned my favourite Essence product I guess I should show it to you...

It's a golden based highlighter that is really pigmented but can be blended out onto the skin for a beautiful golden glow. Perfect for the summer or perking up tired winter skin.

What do you guys think of Essence?

Loves

xxx

Typical spring OOTD...

I love that now it's spring it's typically leg's out appropriate every single day....

Shorts - Rusty from local surf shop

Top - Cotton On (Australia)

I'm getting a bit too used to this sunshine!

Loves

xxx

What's on my lips #2...

Sticking with the purple theme from he last What's on my lips post that I did, this time I'm loving a more muted offering from the colour family. 

   

Firstly can I say how excited I am to try the new Rimmel Moisture Renew lipsticks as these are some of my favourite high street lipstick's ever! Vintage Pink is a mauve lilac pink hybrid and looks great with a  very light, neutral eye as the lipstick can look a bit heavy and dark if it's applied heavy handedly!

What has everyone else been loving on their lips this week?

Loves

xxx

October Favourites...

I won't go on for too long because I have a full review on it here, but The Body Shop warming mineral mask has been my life saver this month. The Herbal Essences shampoo and conditioner duo in Tousle Me Softly has been my go to shower pairing for an everyday hair wash. It smells lush, leaves my hair soft but by no means lifeless, and makes it super easy to style. And for those days when I clearly haven't (but probably should have) reached for these two, the V05 Plump Me Up dry shampoo comes to my rescue. Again, it's bagged it's very own review here. 

I've got my sticky little hands on another of Lush's lip scrub offerings, this time in Popcorn. Not much to say on these as most people know or will have heard how much of a life saver these little bargain pots are. I've fallen in love with the Bourjois Happy Light foundation this month, although I do have to powder with with my Holy Grail Mac MSF Natural (I'm the shade medium plus). It lets me real skin show through while giving just enough coverage for day to day wear. Why oh why have I never owned a Mac 239 brush? Who let me get to 25 years of age without ever having one in my possession?

Benefit They're Real is back in my life (and, yes I know I'm sorry, back in my monthly favourites posts). I may have found an (almost) dupe for this from the drugstore but more on that later in the month. For lip wear, I've been dabbling in the Kate Moss matte range and in particular wearing 113, a pale nude, and 107, the infamous deep burgundy red that everyone, including myself) is going loopy for right now.

And, finally, what would a favourites post be without a product from The Balm? Mary Lou-manizer is everything I need a highlight to be. It lasts (for hours), gives a subtle shine to the desired areas (with the right brush and a very light hand) and comes in the cutest packaging ever.

What are everyone else's October favourites?

Loves

xxx

OOTN ft my new Guess handbag...

With working in a handbag shop comes only one thing....an ever expanding handbag collection. I saw this one just before my birthday and was really lucky to have the money put into my account by my parents so I could get it as my birthday present! 

Kimono and vest - Cotton On (Australia)

Jeggins - Zara

Heels - Office

Bag - Guess (from Strandbags)

Necklace - Collette (Australia)

I went off Guess as a brand when they started to go too 'blingy'....totally not my style. I also think they increased in price considerable, and at the same time loosing their quality and getting cheap and plastic looking. I'm still a bit off most of their offerings but this little cuties popped up in work and I couldn't say no....anything that combines a long strap, turquoise and leopard detailing and small enough that I don't work up a sweat lugging it around on the hot Australian summer days is a winner in my eyes!

Loves

xxx

Review....The Body Shop Warming Mineral Mask...

I'm not sure if it's the odd changes in the weather over in Australia right now, but my skin is playing some horrible games with me. Not one to suffer with spots throughout my life, I've had some horrible sore red spots around my mouth and across my chin, and it's been really sensitive to most skincare that I've been using. I went into The Body Shop with the intention of getting the Vitamin E mask (something for sensitive skin) but was dubiously talked into trying this one out...

It does't dry to a hard, crispy finish like most clay masks, which means it doesn't strip the moisture out of my skin, and after one application (I use this twice a week) my skin feels fresher, clearer and my breakouts have considerably gone down! The best thing about this mask is, unlike most masks which cause you to break out shortly after using while it draws out the impurities, I didn't get any new breakouts after using it. 

If you like the deep cleaning feeling of a clay mask without that crispy dryness you get after the 15 minutes are up, I'd highly recommend this. 

What other face masks should I try?

Loves

xxx

My thoughts on Inglot....

So I mentioned in a previous post that my boyfriend took me to Inglot to choose some makeup for my birthday last week. It was the first time I'd experienced an Inglot store and I first of all have to mention how incredibly friendly and helpful the sales assistants were in the store I went to (Chermside in Brisbane, Australia). 

In case you don't know about the Freedom system palettes from Inglot, basically you purchase a palette from a range of different sizes (I went for 5) and then fill them with blushes, concealers, lipsticks, eyeshadows, basically whatever you want in whatever colours suit you. I played it safe with eyeshadows and here's my pick...

A shimmery pink shade, and a completely matte pinky peach which looks great as a crease colour.

An incredible peachy gold shimmer which looks like the eyeshadow version of The Balm Big Mama blush.

A shimmery brown that looks great smoked out through the outer third of the eye and up and above the crease, and finally a matte deep brown which is great to do a dramatic cut crease or use as a nice alternative to a black liner.

They give you a magnetised board to stick your shade selection to which lets you play around with the different shade combinations and the order you would like them in the palette, then just take this too the sales assistant at the end and she makes up your palette for you. Simple. 

The only one (tiny) downside of the system is that the shade numbers are on the back of the shadows, and I've seen and heard some horror stories about people getting the shadows in and out of the palettes so unfortunately I've not been brave enough and have no idea what shade numbers I have!

In terms of quality, the packaging is the best (in my opinion) of any brand, a nice sturdy magnetised case that's still streamline and slides into my makeup bag nicely! As for quality (considering the price) these are equal to Mac, however don't beat my beloved Urban Decay shadows.

Has anyone else tried Inglot makeup? What did you guys think?

Loves

xxx

Happy Birthday To Me...

Just thought I'd post a few snaps from my birthday, I had a great day full of surprises, cake, wine and generally getting spoilt rotten...

I woke up to a laundry basket full of presents 

The boyfriend got me an incredible Japanese teapot set with a selection of tea's....a girl can never have enough tea!

Of course what's a birthday without an epic double chocolate mud cake complete with giant white chocolate button?

My bestie from Rainbow Beach came down to surprise me with (more) cake and wine!

This awesome package came through the post from one of my besties I met and travelled with last year. She's now at home back in England now so sent a care package of all the things I was missing from the UK :)

So in general, a good day was had by all :) and I feel like a very lucky girl!

Loves

xxx

What's on my nails #2...

BYS in Ferris Wheel

Do you ever have those days when you wake up and feel like Barbie? Well wear this nail varnish and as soon as you catch a glimpse of your nails through bleary morning eyes while you're putting the kettle on, you'll think you were the girl herself. This is my ultimate Barbie pink girlie shade, and I love how it complements a tan as well as looking cute against pale skin. Not so in love with the formula but it was just a cheapy from the drug store next to my work. 

What's on your nails right now?

Loves

xxx

Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Barely Branded...

I'll admit it, I'm lazy. I love the ease of sweeping a cream eyeshadow across my lid and generously applying a few coats of mascara before flying out of the door. That's where the likes of my Mac Paint Pots and Benefit cream shadows come in, but if there was ever a chance for a cheaper alternative, I'll take it! 

My first experience with the Maybelline Colour Tattoo's was the taupe shade and, well, I hated it. It was a horrible consistency, didn't blend well, and creased like a bitch. I gave them another chance and picked up Bad To The Bronze which is now my go-to everyday eye colour of choice, so when I saw yet another "me" shade sitting on the shelves, and in a shade conspicuously like my trusty Mac Bare Study, who was I to say no??

Barely There is a pinky gold champagne shade that I'd say is more on the golden shade of Bare Study. It does look great on the lid alone, but I've been in love with wearing it underneath a really shimmery pink shadow with a mid tone matte brown through the crease. All in all, a great easy to wear product, and a much cheaper alternative for Mac Bare Study paint pot if you're in the market for something similar.

What other shades do I need to pick up from this range?

Loves

xxx

Disappointing Products #1...

Quite a small selection of products for my first ever disappointing products post, but considering how much time I spend on YouTube, reading blogs etc I like to think I do my research before going out and spending any money on cosmetics these days. I'd rather be sure that I'm buying something worthwhile than just wasting money on crap.

I bought Maybelline The Falsies mascara because, I'll be honest, Tanya Burr loves it. That's usually a good enough reason for me to go out and buy something. The first thing that should have rang alarm bells for me was the wand; I usually like skinny plastic wands with spiky combs much like They're Real from Benefit. I didn't find this volumising at all, it gave nice definition to my eyes but I like really thick, exaggerated lashes and I don't think this delivered. 

The second disappointment was the Bliss Fabulips exfoliating lip scrub. Not living near a Lush, I was missing the benefits that their lip scrub has always offered me and felt the need to have one back in my life. I picked this up from the Feel Unique sale a few weeks ago and can honestly say, bring back my Lush scrub! It's a really oily, thin balm that sits on my lips and doesn't sink in, and the exfoliating particles are so sparse that I need to dig out loads each time I use this. 

What's everyone else's disappointing products at the moment?

Loves

xxx

Chermside collective haul, ft. Pop Tarts...

Expect lots of reviews coming up on some of these beauties! My first stop was Benefit to pick up a couple of re-purchases in the form of They're Real Mascara and Porefessional. I also picked up Stay Don't Stray no they've finally changed the packaging from a pump to a concealer wand like applicator. In fact, I spent a good 10 minutes discussing the benefits of this change, only to get home and realise she'd given me the old pump bottle. Annoyed much!?

I had a $50 Body Shop voucher and needed a new eye cream so picked up their Vitamin E offering. I love everything from the range so thought it was a safe bet. To make it up to $50 I also picked up one of their clay masks, I'm coming to the end of my current face mask so can't wait to give this one a go.

You have no idea how excited I was to see a Lush stand in the middle of the shopping centre...Lush is really hard to get over here! I am NOT loving my current lip exfoliator (more on that in an upcoming post) so picked up one of their trusty little pots in the limited edition Popcorn flavour, and finally bought their Big salt shampoo that I've wanted for who knows how long.

We found a really odd Japanese department store type shop, where everything was $2.80! I grabbed five pairs of lashes, and one of those weird applicator type things that I'm not convinced is any good but  at that price...why not!

My last big purchase came from Mac. I have so many 217 type brushes to blend and define the crease, but I felt my brush collection was lacking the in-famous 239 brush so I bagged one of those, as well as Mac Harmony to use as a contour (now I'm getting tanned I find contouring with bronzer just looks a bit odd) and finally a bright orange lip liner in What A Blast.

And, of course, when opportunity arrises, English sweets (Munchies) and some Pop Tarts are a must have!

I also went into Inglot for the first time in my life (heaven in a store!) but that's all a surprise for next week. Ty did snap me doing what I do best though...

So all in all, a good trip! 

Loves

xxx