Urban Decay Naked 3 with swatches....

I'm pleased to announce I am now the proud owner of the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette thanks to a very generous boyfriend in the form of a late Christmas present. First off I'd like to discuss the packaging. I only own Naked 1 so in my eyes this pencil tin style palette is a big improvement for security of the shadows and travel, so thats a huge thumbs up before we even get started on the shadows.

It also comes with 4 samples of their primer potions which should last a week per sample. I love this idea as I've always been stuck in a bit of an UD original primer potion rut so it will be nice to try some of their other offerings.

So now onto the shadows. First off, if you don't like pinky hues on your eyes I'd suggest sticking to Naked 1 or 2. I've recently got into pinks and rose shades on my eyes so this palette came around just at the right time for me.

(l-r) Strange, Dust, Burnout, Limit, Buzz, Trick

(l-r) Nooner, Liar, Factory, Mugshot, Darkside, Blackheart

I can't wait to try out some looks with this!

Loves

xxx

Sportsgirl kimono OOTD...

I may have mentioned this before (only about 100 times) but for Australian fashion, Sportsgirl are my go-to. I manage to find some really unique pieces in there, as well as some great basics and denim, and when I spotted this ridiculously gorgeous kimono in there a few weeks ago I was straight to the checkout. 

It's black, swishy, has fringing, and an outrageously cool eagle design on the back. Who was I to resist such an incredible piece?? I paired it with my Miss Shop denim shorts and my Converse, with a plain black cami underneath and kept accessories minimal.

I let my eagle do the talking.

Loves

xxx

Top 13 of 2013... the beauty edition...

Bioderma was a new discovery for me this year and I know it will forever be part of my skincare routine. I found my dream day cream and night cream this year, the Seaweed mattifying day cream from The Body Shop and the Nivea regenerating night cream.

To treat my skin I found a new love for clay masks, particularly the Body Shop warming mineral mask, which is great for really clearing out congested pores. My favourite cleanser of 2013 was a later discovery but it would be criminal not to include it; Let the Good Times Roll from Lush. For the smell alone this is a winner, but it also really helped me to steer away from harsh scrub cleansers and be a bit more gentle to my skin. 

When it comes to lip balm there could be only one winner...a real love it or hate it product from Nuxe, their Reve de Miel conditioning lip balm. Never again to I want to feel a sticky residue on my lips. 

For body I've been trying to combat pesky mosquito bite scars on my legs and Bio Oil has not only been a saviour for that, but it and will remain one of my life long holy grail products.

I've not done much tanning this year as I've been blessed living in the sunshine of Australia but for those in between days when I feel like I need a bit more colour, I've been loving the St Tropez gradual tanner. Top points for the bearable fake tan smell too! Of course no girl can fake tan on top of flakey skin so I discovered the Organi lychee salt scrub which not only smells delicious, but is an oil free scrub so won't interfere with any tanning products. 

2013 was a year I fell in love with hair products in a big way. I discovered the three products I'd been searching for. First the V05 dry texturising spray which is such a bargain but adds a really nice 'undone' look to straight hair. Then one of Lush's cult products Big shampoo, a sea salt shampoo that really adds some grit to the hair, and my newest discovery the Fudge Root Juice. The strangest product I've ever tried, but if you lust after volumised roots you need this in your life. 

The last hair product is an oil from Shwartzkoft, Daily Oil Elixer. This baby doesn't way down your hair but manages to keep my frizzy mane tamed and soft for the whole day.

What are everyone else's beauty favourites of 2013?

Loves

xxx 

LBD summers day OOTD...

Dress - Supre (Australia)

Bag - Colorado - Strandbags 

Rings - Sportsgirl

Denim jacket - Forever21

Sunnies & boots - ASOS

Oh summer, how I love you. Unfortunately since this picture was taken it's taken a turn for the even more hot and humid and I think my days of wearing boots are over for the foreseeable future.

Loves

xxx

Top 13 of 2013...the makeup edition...

Top foundation has to be, without a doubt, Revlon Nearly Naked. Third bottle of this bad boy and the love affair is still continuing. 

The concealer that has kept creeping back into my life (well, makeup bag) in 2013 was the Body Shop Illuminating Touch in the shade 3. Great for achieving Kim K style cheekbones.

The only bronzer to grace my face was Benefit Hoola, which I'd probably award as my top product of all time award. Big news.

Favourite blushers go to Sleek in general but, not to be called a cheater, I'd pick Pixie Pink if I was going to single one out. 

Highlighter could only be The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer, used sparingly, for a beautiful daily glow.

For eyeshadow the only thing I regularly reach for, and my one 'take away with me everywhere' was my Urban Decay Naked Basics palette. For day looks, eye looks, and brows this was my saviour. 

I couldn't let eyeliner slip by without throwing a huge mention out to the Rimmel Scandaleyes pencils, especially in the taupe and nude shades, and my trusty Topshop liquid liner in black. 

Again, mascara is a two parter as big lashes were my favourite look of 2013. My stand out winners were Benefit They're Real and Makeup Forever Smokey Lash. 

For the nude/pink lipstick offerings I turned to the NYX matte lipsticks towards the later part of the year, but my favourite lip discovery of 2013 were hands down the Maybelline vivids, of which I own and love every single one. 

Lastly my Urban Decay de-slick setting spray has been a life saver on these hot Australian days.

Honorable mentions go to the Real Techniques brushes, Rimmel Apocolips (especially Big Bang), the Maybelline colour tattoos and the new Revlon lip glosses. Sorry, I cheated. 

What has everyone else loved in 2013??

Loves

xxx

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