July 2016 Favourites

So, I'm a few days late with getting my July favourites out but I had a few items this month that I really enjoyed using and just had to share (lets just forget that I haven't done a favourites post in around a year or so shall we!)

So this month I had a little mix of things that I kept going back to again and again. These were:

1) Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water - It took me a really long time to get on the Micellar water bandwagon as I was convinced that it was a lot of hype over nothing. But, since I decided to take the plunge and buy some of this at Priceline a few weeks ago I can now see why it is so popular. This product takes off any makeup product it's put up against and does it with very minimal effort. It's non-irritating, even when used for stubborn eye makeup and has no annoying scent or oily residue. My skin feels refreshed and totally clean after use so I will definitely be repurchasing this when it runs out.

2) L'Oreal Infallible Makeup in Creamy Natural - This would have to be hands down my most favourite foundation of all time. I have had this bottle for what seems like forever and I put it aside now and then to use other newer foundations I buy, but then I always go back to it and wonder why I change. It goes on flawlessly using a brush or a beauty blender and stays put all day long. It doesn't sink into my fine lines and gives me great medium to full coverage without looking like I'm wearing a huge amount of makeup. I just love it!

3) Australis AC on Tour Contouring and Highlighting Kit - I was going to do a full review on this product but decided not to as I think it has been reviewed to death. This palette never leaves my makeup table and is my most reached for item at the moment. All of the highlighting powders are the perfect shade for my pale skin and the middle contouring shade is just great. These powders are so easy to blend out and seem to last for the whole work day. They also make good eyeshadows on those days when I'm in a rush and want a quick, neutral look. For the price this has to be one of the most economical palettes out there.

(Australis AC on Tour Contouring and Highlighting Kit)

4) Elizabeth Arden Lipstick in Rose Petal - I have been living in this lipstick this past month as it is the perfect everyday winter shade for me. It is a gorgeous medium, rose-pink shade that is so creamy to apply and it lasts for hours, even through eating and drinking. This formula doesn't sink into lip lines at all and it keeps my lips feeling moisturised and soft all day. I have always been a huge fan of Elizabeth Arden lipsticks and have a few of them in my collection. I don't think they get anywhere near enough attention in the beauty world.

(Elizabeth Arden lipstick in Rose Petal)

5) Sukin Purely Ageless Intensive Firming Serum - I received this is the last Priceline beauty bag and am going to be running back to my nearest store to get more as soon as it is finished. This serum feels just gorgeous on my skin and makes it seem so soft and supple when applied. I absolutely adore the smell as well which is kind of sweet but floral at the same time (I suck at describing scents!) It's not sticky at all and absorbs into my skin straight away so it doesn't feel too heavy when I apply my day or night cream afterwards. I will definitely be repurchasing this.

6) Rimmel Magnif'eyes Eye Shadow Stick and Liner in Back to Blacks and Queens of the Bronzed Age ** - These shadow/liner sticks have been on my eyes almost every day for the past month. They make a subtle daytime smoky eye possible in literally under 2 minutes. My favourite way to apply these is to do a thick swipe of the black shadow along my upper lash line followed by another thick swipe of the bronze shadow on top of the first line. I then quickly grab my eyeshadow brush and then blend, blend, blend upwards until my whole eyelid is covered and I have an unbelievably fast and long-wearing smoky eye. I then like to use the golden liner end to line my lower lashes and highlight the inner corner of my eye. The trick to these is to blend them very quickly as they set fairly fast and then don't budge for the entire day, even on my badly hooded eyes. They are amazing!  

(Rimmel Magnif'eyes Eye Shadow/Liner sticks in Queens of the Bronzed Age and Back to Blacks)

So that's it for my favourites this past month!


Have a great week!

Michelle xx

** Product received for consideration but my thoughts are purely my own.

March 2015 Favourites

March has been a bit of a mixed month for me. My skin has just decided it doesn't agree with pregnancy and has gone absolutely crazy breaking out all over the place and no amount of foundation or strategically placed concealer is making me feel much good right now.

In an effort to take some of the focus off my horrid skin I have been opting for more brighter products on my eyes and lips so here is a quick round up of a few of the products that have been on high rotation during the past month.

1) Australis Conceal & Correct 4-in-1 Concealer Corrector Palette - This little beauty has been a bit of a life saver for me lately as it contains two concealer shades (a light and a darker one), a green shade to combat redness and a lilac shade to brighten up dull areas and dark circles. It's so handy to have all these products in one little pot and until my skin calms down I'll be getting a lot of use out of this.

2) Maybelline Master Glaze Blush Stick in Just-Pinched Pink - I picked this up on sale at Coles a few weeks ago and just love it. It's such a pretty light pink shade that suits my skin tone perfectly and makes me look a lot fresher and more awake than I feel most days. I do plan on doing a review on this in the near future so stay tuned.

3)  Clinique Face Compact - This was in the last Clinique gift with purchase I fell for which I wrote about here and the lazy girl in me has been using it almost every day since. The two eyeshadow shades are just so easy to throw on without any thought and the blush is also a great everyday shade.

4) Mirenesse Inside Out 27hr Eye Kohl in Isis - I have been loving this pretty shade of blue as a pop of colour underneath my eyes when I am wearing nothing but a nude or cream shade of eyeshadow. It just seems to brighten up my eyes without much effort required at all.

5) Clinique Chubby Stick Baby Tint in Poppin' Poppy - This was another product I got in the last Clinique gift with purchase and although I wasn't very impressed with it initially, I have really grown to love it. It's a great little balm to swipe quickly over the lips when I want a teeny hint of colour and it is surprisingly moisturising too.

6) Face of Australia Sheer Gloss Lip Crayon in Macaron - After being so disappointed in the last FOA lip crayon I purchased in Peach Parfait which I recently reviewed here, I ended up rekindling my love for this pretty pink one instead. It's a great shade to wear for a little bit of a pick-me-up when I'm not wanting a full-on opaque lip.

7) Cherry Brown Lipstick in Hot Pink - I recently reviewed this lipstick here and have been wearing it quite a lot when I don't want to do much with the rest of my face but still want to look awake. It's a shade that just automatically makes you feel better when you're wearing it.

So, that's it for the products that I have reached for the most during the last month.

What products have you been reaching for the most lately?

Michelle xx 

Face of the Day - Using some old favourites

I only realised the other day how long it has actually been since I did a face of the day and put my big mug on the blog for all to see. I always want to show my face of the day but by the time I've put my makeup on in between stopping no less than 20 times to make sure my toddler isn't burning our house down in another room, then trying to remember to get some photos before we rush out the door, then trying to remember what products I actually used when I come to write it all down is a bit of a mission and a half these days.

This look is one that I wear quite often as I am a huge fan of a purple toned eye. I feel that purple seems to suit me more than most other shades and paired with a white or cream shadow it also makes me look a bit more awake than I really am too! I was also on a mission to use some of my older products that had been forgotten about on this day as well.

Here is what I used for this look:

* Mirenesse Absolutely Firm Treatment Primer
* Bourjois  Healthy Mix Serum Foundation in Vanilla mixed with a little bit of the Models Prefer Illuminizor in Illuminate to brighten my skin
* Napoleon Perdis The One Concealer under my eyes and over any blemishes
* Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Matte Finishing Veil in Translucent
* Australis Bronzing Powder in Golden to contour and Prestige Mineral Bronzing Powder in Pure Shimmer to highlight

* Clinique Quick Blush in In-A Rush Blush
* Avon Glimmersticks Brow Definer in Tawny
* Clinique High Impact Eye Shadow in Sugar Sugar all over the lid with CK Intense Eyeshadow in Merlot blended into the outer half of the lid and into the crease
* Camouflage Colour Skin Crayon as a liner - This doesn't have a shade name but is a browny/purple colour
* Almay Intense I-Colour Volumising Mascara in Midnight
* ASAP Pure Mineral Lip Pencil in Two as a liner with MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in How Darling

This is a nice subtle workday look for me that doesn't take much thinking and is pretty quick to do.

What looks have you been loving lately?

I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend!

Michelle xx

Australis Creme Colour for Cheeks & Lips in Dusky Rose

Now I know these have been around for quite a while already but I've only become a recent owner of this after a trip to Priceline a couple of weeks ago and have since fallen in love.

The Australis Creme Colours are supposed to be used on either the lips or the cheeks, but I really only use mine as a blush as I found it a little bit too drying on my lips.

I find this product has a lovely, easy to blend formula and you really only need to use the absolute teeniest amount, especially this shade, because it packs a huge punch and can look a bit clown-like if overapplied.

I have to admit that although I loved this shade when I picked it up off the shelf to bring home, I was totally horrified at how bright it actually ended up being when I first swatched it. I was thinking there was no way in hell I was ever going to be able to work with a shade so bright! But, luckily I soon found out that as long as you go light handed and blend, blend, blend, it gives such a pretty looking flush to the cheeks that does end up looking quite natural.

Australis Creme Colour in Dusky Rose

It's fairly long lasting too and seems to get through a normal work day for me without fading too much at all. Also, because you do only have to use the tiniest amount, this little pot should last forever.

Overall, I'm definitely in love with this as a blush and have nothing like it in my makeup kit already which is always nice.

Has anyone else used one of these before? Do you also find it a bit drying on the lips but a great blush?

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

Michelle xx

FOTD featuring Arbonne Cosmetics

A couple of days ago I reviewed some products from the Arbonne Cosmetics range here and decided to post a quick FOTD which I did incorporating all of those products for what I think is an easy and very simple daytime look.

For this look I used the following products:

Face: Nude by Nature BB  5 in 1 Miracle Cream, Mirenesse Touch On Concealer in Golden Cream, Arbonne Cosmetics Blush in Blossom, b Collection by Bloom Cheek Tint in Napa Valley (to highlight), Australis Bronzing Powder in Golden (to contour)

Eyes: Arbonne Cosmetics Eyeshadow in Divine Plum blended out all over lid, Mirenesse Touch Up Brow Sculptor, Bobbi Brown Lash Glamour Extreme Mascara in Black

Lips: Arbonne Cosmetics Lipstick in Scarlet

I'm absolutely loving bolder colours on my face at the moment now it's getting a bit cooler temperature wise.

Is anyone else embracing darker shades now we're heading into more chilly weather?

Michelle xx

A Little 'Thank You' Giveaway!! (Closed)

To celebrate the fun I've had running this blog for almost two years now I decided to hold a little giveaway.

The majority of the products here are ones that I personally love and use often so I hope the winner enjoys them too :-)

Here is everything that one lucky reader will win:

1) Australis Paparazzi Perfect High Definition Concealer in Medium/Dark

2) I nuovi Cosmetics Glitteratti Cosmetic Glitter in Blonde Fever

3) Mirenesse Pearl Crush Creaseless Shadow Trio in Bora Pearls

4) Eylure Naturalites Intense Lashes

5) Yagun Eyelashes

6) Mirenesse Inside Out 27Hr Eye Kohl in Isis

7) Models Prefer Kohl Pencil in Matte Black (my personal favourite black pencil liner!)

8) Savvy by DB Luxury Liner in Glitzy Gold

9) Mirenesse 24Hr Brow Lift & Shape Mascara

10) Designer Brands Australia Lip Pencil in Nude

11) Mirenesse Velvet Lip Lift Moisture Shine Mini in No. 17 (a pretty rosey pink that is one of my favourite shades in this range)

12) Australis Lash TLC Conditioning Mascara in Blackest Black

13) Press & Go Nail Covers (I live in these when having bad nail weeks)



All of the products are brand new, never been used. To be in the running to win these goodies all you have to do is complete the Rafflecopter form below and cross your fingers.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck to everyone who enters and a big Thank You for reading my little blog :-)

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

Michelle xx

Nails of the Week - Australis Nail Colour in Bombshell

I now have a new favourite polish and funnily enough it's a colour that I normally detest; Pink!!

Bombshell is one of those polishes that really make you look twice. It's such a super bright and eyecatching shade and I couldn't help but keep looking at my nails when I had it on.

This polish was virtually opaque in just one coat but I applied two just to make it that little bit stronger on the nails. Amazingly it lasted for almost a week without any chips too.

 

 

I usually have a fear of anything that is bright pink as it takes me back to my childhood where my mother literally saturated me in the colour because she just couldn't understand that I was more my father's daughter and preferred to be underneath cars and getting coated in grease rather than wearing pink ruffles and sipping tea with her.

BUT, I have to give credit where credit is due and that is with this shade because it is fricken awesome!

Has anyone else fallen in love with this shade too?

Michelle xx

Simple Shopping Trip FOTD

So the other day we were going out for a bit of retail therapy (gotta love end of financial year bonus time at hubby's work!) and I decided to do a very simple look that would last the day without any fuss.

For some reason I seem to always gavitate to purple eyes as it's the one shade I can work with quickly without looking like a clown. Since buying my 120 colour pro palette a few weeks ago I vowed I'd try to get more creative with my eye looks but I haven't even broken the plastic off of it yet, eeek! To tell you the truth, I love colour on other people but I'm scared to death of trying it for myself. I will eventually though, I promise!

Anyway, here is the simple look I went for:

                     

Face:
Maybelline Fit Me Foundation in 115
Australis Paparazzi Perfect Blush in Poser

Eyes:
Clinique Colour Surge Eyeshadows in Plum and Lilac (the two purple shades on the right of the palette
B Collection by Bloom Shade & Line Eyeliner in St Mark's Square on the top and bottom lash line
Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lash Extending Treatment Mascara in Black

Lips:
Revlon Colourburst Lip Gloss in Hot Pink

And that's it! I've been trying to minimise using powders and concealers too much lately due to my skin being a bit sensitive after I was sick with the flu for so long so a light foundation is all I've been putting on lately.

Do you have a certain shade or combo that is your 'safe' look like I do?

Michelle xx

Review - Australis Bronzing Powder in Golden

I think I have achieved the impossible! I have finally found a bronzer that a whiter than white skinned girl can actually wear without looking ridiculous.

Everyone, meet Australis Bronzing Powder in the shade Golden:

What the product claims:
'Australis Bronzing Powder gives skin a sun-kissed glow in an instant with this ultra-fine tinted pressed powder. Light-reflecting minerals provide an instant airbrushed appearance and the compact includes a mirror and applicator sponge, ideal for creating a wash of colour on the face or décolletage. Australis Bronzing Powder is available in two shades: Sunkissed and Golden.'

I decided to be brave and pick this up a while ago when I was browsing in Priceline because when I had a bit of a swatch fest this one seemed to be the best one I could see for someone as white as me. I've always been absolutely terrified of bronzers due to the fact that when other pale gals I have known have used it they have looked awful. There really is no other nice way to say it. There's nothing pretty about having two orange racing stripes heading up the side of your face when you use a bronzer that doesn't suit your skin tone.

Up until I purchased this little beauty I had been using a pale golden/brown eyeshadow I had as a bronzer as it seemed to work perfectly for me. Ever since I have pretty much used product on a daily basis.

(Left: Blended out, Right: Swatched)

As you can see from the above photos, this is a light golden bronzer that is very fine without having a heap of shimmer. It is extremely easy to blend out and buildable so it is impossible to put too much of this on your face at once. I usually find I have to do at least two or three applications of this bronzer before I really notice it on my face which shows you how fine a powder this is.

I'd love to know of any other bronzers out there that someone with ivory skin and freckles like me can get away with using without looking like a tiger. Any suggestions?

Michelle xx

Review - Australis Paparazzi Perfect High Definition Blush in Poser

First up, I really need to apologise for the fact I haven't been posting much lately and also for the fact that what I have been has been a bit sporadic as well. My CPA exam for this semester is coming up on the 2nd May and I have officially hit panic/stressed-out mode and am not coping well with concentrating on anything other than studying right now. I always get like this a couple of weeks prior to my exams and I guess it's my way of getting in the exam zone so that I feel prepared enough on the day.

Therefore I have to admit that I won't be posting too much at all over the next couple of weeks until this exam is over and I can do other activities again without feeling guilty (at least for a couple of months until the next damn one starts!)

Anyway, onto the main reason for this post, the Australis Paparazzi Perfect High Definition Blush in the shade Poser.

What the product claims:
'Australis Paparazzi Perfect Blush is a multi-coloured palette, formulated with light reflecting and balancing photochromatic pigments allowing for instant camera-ready photos. The technology blurs pores, fine lines and other imperfections. The formula is also enriched with jojoba and grape seed oil to lock in skin moisture.'

Isn't it pretty? I just love the marbled effect of this blush which was one of the main reasons for me purchasing it. It's almost in that 'too pretty to use' category as far as I'm concerned.

I have to say one thing straight up about this blush and that is it is the most pigmented product I think I have ever come across. When I first brought it home I got all excited and decided to have a play with it and started applying it the same way that I do with my other powder blushes and I ended up with the darkest cheeks you have ever seen. It was hilarious! I have since learnt that you only just have to touch your blush brush to the product in the softest manner to get the right amount of product to apply.

It also has a very subtle shimmer to it which I like as it works to help highlight the cheekbones.

The above photo is taken with a flash and gives a pretty good indication of the colour of this blush. On the left is a swatch of all the colours together and on the right it has been blended out.

I didn't realise until I got this baby home that it was so dominantly brown and have since decided to use it as a bronzer/contouring powder rather than a blush which is suits me better because of my pale skin. It's really easy to blend out as long as you don't apply too much, otherwise it can make the face look a little dirty.

Frankly I think I will die with this product. There is no way I will ever hit pan on this as the amount you have to use is so miniscule. If I was part of the product development team at Australis I'd be expecting a bit of a berating from management because if they develop too many more of these types of products Australis will most definitely go out of business because we just won't need to replace anything ever again!

I'm definitely interested in trying one of the more pinker shades and then I will be set for blush for the rest of my life!

Has anyone else tried one of these blushes yet?

Michelle xx

Nails of the Week - Australis Nail Colour 'Knickers in a Knot'

This is such a bright summery colour and looks great with a lot of fake tan! I am even wearing this on my toes at the moment because I just love how bright it is!

It's a nice smooth polish to apply and gives good coverage in just one coat. It's got a real nice shine too which means you can skip applying a top coat if you wish.

My only gripe with this polish would be that it seemed to take a really long time to dry completely. I put on a base coat and two coats of the colour a good couple of hours before going to bed and I still managed to get some sheet impression on it in the morning when I woke up which was a bit disappointing.


(P.S. I never wear the same colour on my fingers and toes at the same time, I don't know why but it's just something that I've never been able to do. I've always liked to have them different colours so to wear this on both my fingers AND toes at once says how pretty it really is).

My latest 'Yay I've finished my exams for the year!' haul!

Hello everyone. Remember me?

Yeah, I'm the one who hasn't really been around much lately due to being stressed out of my eyeballs with studying for two CPA exams this semester that are now officially done and dusted. I will hopefully now be able to be around a lot more these days as I have all the time in the world to kill now when I'm not at work.

To celebrate this wonderful time of the year where I now get to experience 'free' time again (I've almost forgotten what that is) I decided to go and spoil myself with a little haul from Priceline due to them enticing me in with their 20% off all Cosmetics and Skincare sale.

Here is what I got:

1) Simple Soothing Facial Toner - I love this brand and don't think you can go wrong with anything in the whole range. This is a lovely toner that doesn't have that awfully strong alcohol feel to it that some other toners have.

2) Prestige Skin Loving Mineral Sunbaked Mineral Bronzing Powder in Pure Shimmer - I have never ever used a highlighter before (I can hear all the gasps of shock!) and thought this product looked so pretty so couldn't resist buying it. There will be many fun filled adventures to be had while I try to teach myself how to use this product now.

3) Artiste Professional Small Eyeshadow Brush - I finally retired all of my old brushes not that long ago and this was a nice cheap little brush which will be good for the makeup bag.

4) Nail Polishes (left to right) - Australis Nail Colour in Knickers in a Knot, Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Colour in Sun Kissed and Green With Envy and Face of Australia Molten Metallics Nail Enamel in Verdigris.

5) Models Prefer Small Cosmetic Case - I needed a new one for my handbag as my old one had seen better days. I just couldn't resist the snake skin print.

Anyway, that was my little splurge today. I can't wait to try out my new goodies.

Hope everyone is well :-)

My Favourite "Oh My God I'm So Late" Saviours

I'll admit it. I'm always late. BUT, I have a 'Get out of being late free' card as far as I'm concerned after having a new baby in March this year. No matter how organised I think I am, bub always has other ideas and yep, because of this, I'm always running late.

Because of this fact I have gotten into a bit of a makeup habit lately and have realised that there are a few basic products that I have been using practically every day because I know they are easy to apply, are good colours and get me out the door without making me even later than I usually already am.

These beauties are:

* A.S.A.P. Sheer Tint Moisturiser SPF15 - I have just realised that I left this out of the photo but if you want to see what it looks like I have reviewed it here. I am in love with this tinted moisturiser. It is so easy and quick to apply and it's just the best tinted colour I have come across as yet and gives a really nice even coverage.

* Australis Pressed Powder in Natural - Probably the best pressed powder I have ever tried and considering how cheap it was the best value too. It goes on so smooth and doesn't seem to crease in the fine lines of my face even after being on all day. I usually put this powder on top of the A.S.A.P. tinted moisturiser and that is usually enough to make my face look good to go.

* Clinique In-A-Rush Blush - I'm not sure if you can even still buy these but if you can I recommend getting one quick smart! This is the quickest and easiest and most convenient blush I have ever used. The blush is held in one end of the stick and the blush powder is pressed into the other end. You simply twist the end with the brush onto the powder to apply as little or as much colour as you want and then apply. So, so quick and easy.

* Bourjois Pump Up The Volume Mascara in Black - This is one of the best mascaras I have had in a while. It never goes clumpy or hard and makes my lashes look super duper long and thick. It's got a tilted brush so you can get right into the corners with ease. If I'm really in a rush a swipe of this on my top lashes is all I'll do to open up my eyes. Otherwise, two coats on the top and one on the bottom lashes will make my eyes really stand out.

* Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow Super Shimmer in Lucky Penny - This is a great colour that looks pretty just on it's own because of the slight shimmer and it borders on being kind of a pinky brown. I usually just apply some of this all over the lid and am good to go. Being a neutral colour you don't have to be so cautious when applying it so when time is of the essence this is the eye shadow I always reach for.

* Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm - I love this lip balm and always apply it first before applying any other gloss or lipstick. It's got a nice cooling effect and when applied it makes my lips feel hydrated and smooth for hours.

* Maybeline Colour Sensational Creme Gloss in Sugared Honey - This is an awesome lip gloss and has become one of my staples. It's a really pretty shimmery pinky plum colour that just about matches everything. It also stays on really well and never makes my lips feel dry or sticky.

Well, that's it for my favourite quick and easy "Oh My God I'm So Late" fail safe products. With the help of these beauties I can usually have a pretty decent face on in under 5 minutes. With a small baby who's sometimes screaming the whole time I'm trying to get ready just for the sake of it, I've really become to appreciate items like this that can save me time and even my sanity!

Does anyone else have any other products that are their favourite time savers?