Laura Mercier Mini Caviar Stick Eye Colour Collection

I have only just discovered Laura Mercier about two years ago and from everything I've tried, the brand is super promising. As it is a relatively new brand to me, I more easily impressed as the quality of the products are superb and perform at a professional makeup artistry level. Last week I picked up the holiday caviar stick miniature set and wow, just wow.

NARS Laser Cut Palette and Virtual Domination Palette for Holiday 2014

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MAC Keepsakes Gold Lip & Eye Bag

Holiday collections...they pull you in with their fancy packaging, use trigger words such as "value set" and "gift" to persuade us that we will actually be doing our bank accounts a favor by purchasing this "exclusive" and "otherwise unobtainable item". In short, we buy it because our FOMO kicks in. This was the case for me anyway, I had to store hop to find this set as they were selling out FAST. 

This set contains a mineralize eyeshadow quad in Rarefied (limited edition), a mineralize rich lipstick in Posh Tone (permanent), a mineralize glass in Modest (permanent) and a good-sized dark grey/silver glitter cosmetics bag.

Monthly Marvels - October 2014

October has been a hectic month of uncontrollable beauty sprees. Holiday collections from all brands across the lands has appeared on counters and I am not one hold back. Here are a few products that has left a lasting impression ever since first application and read on to find out why I've been reaching for these pretty much on a daily basis.

Benefit Holiday Gift Set 2014 - Complexion Confections & Sugarglam Fairies

The day after I had come back from visiting family overseas I popped into my local Myer to see what new products and collections have come in to the beauty department. The benefit christmas sets were unmissable! If you have not heard before, benefit comes up with very practical, reasonably priced and a fairly large variety of gift sets housed in cute and quirky packaging each year. Out of probably around 8 sets ranged from as little at $20 to $150 i picked out two that I thought were great value for money and what I am actually in need of.

Stila Color Balm Lipstick in Olivia and Vivienne

I wonder why these Stila Color Balm Lipsticks aren't raved about more in the blog-o-sphere as they are simply amazing. I'm kicking myself for not knowing about these earlier to help with my horribly chronic dry lips. This could have saved me countless times for being caught out with dry flaky lips.

Chanel Illusion D'ombre Cream Eyeshadow in 95 Mirage

I may be a little late in talking about this Illusion D'Ombre. It was released as part of Chanel's Summer collection but this may be your last little push to purchase before it's gone for good. This colour has been on my radar for months now but I had been putting it off as I simply just had too much but when I recently had a chance to acquire this at a discount price, I was unable to resist.

Rant & Rave: Inglot Freedom System Eyeshadow Palette

I have been MIA for so long and it almost killed me. I would whinge to my husband all the time for not being able to settle little Evelyn so that I could get some alone time to do things I liked. (I love taking care of Evie but beauty and makeup is my escape. It is the only thing that gives me a high/release when my nipples are sore from breastfeeding, covered in regurgitated said breast milk, and exhausted from entertaining a tireless little creature). So when this week I saw that one of my favorite bloggers Belly Head from Wondigondigo started following me I had a renewed determination to pick myself back up and get my act together.

So here I am 1:15am reviewing a new addition to my makeup stash for you all. Up on the chopping block (well, not really chopping block rather than golden podium. Because I have already titled this post a rant and rave) is a new customized Inglot Eyeshadow Palette. 

Tom Ford Eye Colour Quad in 02 Cognac Sable

Straight off the bat; this is my least favorite Tom Ford Eye Colour Quad that I own. I bought this from David Jones more than two months ago and I haven't even touched it since three days ago because I never got the chance to take a picture of it in all its brand-spanking-new glory. I'm not sure if I got a dud one but my feelings for this quad is definitely spiking on the opposite end of the graph. Where it shouldn't be with the price tag it came with. 

By Terry Rouge Terrybly Age Defense Lipstick in #101 Flirty Rosy

I'm about to make a big statement here and I don't go around making big statements lightly. I may have just found the creamiest lip formula to ever glaze over my lips. I've heard about these lipsticks before, a notable blogger who raves about these Rouge Terryblys is Karima from Shameless Fripperies. But I had not yet come down from my high from Tom Ford's Lip Colours so at the time, I didn't give By Terry's the time of day. I was recommended this from my regular Mecca Cosmetica makeup artist Ashley and I couldn't stop eyeing my plump and moisturized lips in the mirror all afternoon. 

MAC Limited Edition Pedro Lourenco Nude Eyeshadow Quad

Another Nude palette released? Not to worry, I'm already onto it. I stumbled across this accidentally when I was trying to purchase some Alluring Aquatic products from maccosmetics.com.au and at the time I did the whole "you don't need another neutral palette. you already have tens if not a hundred similar colours in your collection already" and guess what, I added this sucker to my cart the very next day and am here to tell you all about it today.

Revlon Highlighting Palette in Rose Glow

It seems like someone has finally realized that there has been a lack of drugstore branded highlighting products in general available on the market. The only drugstore brand that I can think of that has some highlighting powders would be Physician's Formula. And every so, Australia doesn't carry the entire range. So I was over the moon when Revlon released their new Highlighting palettes earlier this month.

Monthly Marvels: May 2014

I've been a little behind in posting on my blog and I've especially neglected the my monthly favorites. Monthly favorites is a great way for sharing my thoughts on a few specific products that I've been loving recently. The products are usually still available for purchase and suit the current weather (Australia) which I think is important for any beauty loving girlfriend. Here are a few of the things I've been loving and simply can't put down in the past month.

MAC Alluring Aquatics Seduced At Sea, Lorelei and Mystical

It's Alluring...It's Aquatic...And it's just simply irresistible! MAC's Alluring Aquatics limited edition collection just reached Aussie shores this week and if you're a sucker for extra dimensions collections, I say drop everything and get your fingers to your nearest MAC counter for a swatchfest. 

The Collection contains two Bronzing Powders, two Extra Dimensions Bronzers, two extra dimensions blushes, six extra dimensions eyeshadows, five lipsticks, two brushes and three nail polishes. Here are a few of my picks from this mermaid-esque collection.

Hourglass Femme Nude Lip Stylo in Nude No. 3, No. 4, No, 5 and No. 6

I may have gone a little overboard in choosing my "perfect nude" with Hourglass' Femme Nude Lip Stylos. The idea is to choose your ultimate nude lip colour from a selection of six shades. The lightest two shades were too concealer lips on me for my liking and the rest went into my shopping basket...

The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter

I had never really paid attention to The Body Shop's skincare range before. I mainly go crazy around their shower gels and body butter shelves leaving little energy to actually walk around the store and see what else is available. For the past year I have been using Bioderma. Every. Single. Day. And I thought it was finally time for a change. My first weapon of choice to target my dirty 10 hour long foundation face is The Body Shop's Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter. 

By Terry Ombre Blackstar Color Fix Cream Eyeshadow in Bronze Moon

It's so nice to find some time to blog again and ramble about something I'm passionate about. I've been a busy little chicky lately because my mother in law has come from overseas and I've not had a spare moment to just sit back and relax. Before I turn this blog post into a review about my mother in law (lol! that would be a long one) let's get on topic here. Today I'd like to share a little gem I accidentally discovered at a makeup application from Mecca Cosmetica beginning of April. I've just started using it and found myself reaching for it all week and I just can't get enough of it.

It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Matte Eyeshadow Palette

I think everyone needs to invest in an all matte eyeshadow palette. It is a great tool to use for everyday looks as well as contour the shape of your eye/socket for a natural no-makeup makeup look.  But many of the matte palettes on the market today are either unpigmented, chalky, too sheer or very hard in texture and difficult to blend. So is this IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Palette worthy of a place in your makeup drawer?

For now...all signs point to not really...

Charlotte Tilbury Eyeshadow Quad in The Dolce Vita

Charlotte Tilbury has definitely taken her MUA career to the next level. She launched her line of cosmetics some time last year but it is very limited in stockists. Most Australians wouldn't have even heard of Charlotte Tilbury cosmetics let alone where to buy it from. Her theme, which is her main selling point, is that she has created 10 specific looks that you can achieve from purchasing a kit with the exact items that she uses. Aside from these looks, she also has a series of products that suit each particular eye colour if you don't wish to starve for a week and buy one of each product from her range. Here I have The Dolce Vita eyeshadow quad, one of Charlotte's best selling items, and I am ready to tell you whether this little number is worth the hefty price tag that it comes with.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush: Luminous Flush

L - R: Luminous Flush, Mood Exposure, Diffused Heat

If you have read my blog posts up to past the one month mark, you will have gathered that I am in love with the new Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes which were released here in Australia end of Feb (exclusive to Mecca Cosmetica). I have just been picking them up one after the other and fallen head over heels for the colours, the pigmentation, the texture and the general effect that it has on the skin. 

MAC Eyeshadow X15 Warm Neutrals Palette

 

Everytime I walk into MAC I am overwhelmed with excitement yet intimidated by all the rows of colorful little orphans pleading for me to bring them home with me. And to be honest, I'm always a little afraid of the MAC BA's. They are always so eccentric and out there with their intense makeup, sometimes crazy hair colours/style and their lack of ability to pinpoint exactly what you want because there is just so much damn product! So when this palette was released early this year, it was like a ray of light shining through a break in the clouds. Someone has made a palette for me.

Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet Foundation

For the past week I have been road-testing this new foundation from Chanel. I was quite surprised to see this in Chanel's Makeup Studio counter in Sydney City Myer as I had not heard any news regarding the release of this foundation. And after coming home and doing a little research, it seems that it hasn't been released for sale in some countries yet (namely the UK!) so I leaped for joy as finally Australia got something NOT a year later, after everybody else. This will hit UK stores today, 12th April, and I bet praise for this foundation will be flooding in left right and centre.

Chanel Dentelle Precieuse Illuminating Powder: A Review + Swatches

The minute I saw an image of this powder from the internet, I knew it had to be mine. I called up Chanel's Makeup Studio in Sydney City Myer and the rest was destiny. Need I really say more? Your thinking about popping in to a counter for a swatch aren't you? For girls who don't live near a Chanel Makeup Studio, read on for more photos and swatches.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Pomard in Chocolate

The Anastasia Dip Brow Pomade is unattainable this side of the globe so when urbanoutfitters.com offered free international shipping, my fingers couldn't click "add to cart" fast enough. 

Monthly Marvels: March 2014

This month has been a hectic month of Drugstore makeup acquisitions and I'm sad to say that not much has made to my favorites for the month. This is one of the risks of buying low-end products as they are inconsistent throughout the brand or even colour selection within the same product range and are a bit of a hit and miss. The brands I can always rely on however, are Tom Ford, Hourglass and Chanel. If you want to dive into the deep-end, these are great brands to jump off from.

Now onto the favorites...

Selfridges&co Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Haul

dust bag the cosmetics arrived in

cute tissue paper

About three weeks ago I was watching a UK based beauty youtuber (I can't remember which one) and she mentioned a couple of Charlotte Tilbury products that she has been enjoying. Underneath her video were also a few Charlotte Tilbury related review videos/tutorials/hauls suggested by youtube and after half an hour of watching, I was in Selfridges website and loading up my shopping basket.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush: Diffused Heat

If you have read my post on the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure, you will know that I wasn't too keen on this blushes from the beginning. I saw them in Mecca on the first day of their Australian release date and swatched one of the pale colours (Dim Infusion or Ethereal Glow) and didn't see the vibrancy and pigmentation that I usually go for in blushes. 

I purchased Mood Exposure on a whim and also at the recommendation of the Sales who helped apply some to my cheeks. At the time I was tossing between Mood Exposure and Diffused Heat. Only about 15 minutes after my purchase, I thought "what the hell, just buy both" so I went back in. But to my dismay, Diffused Heat was all sold out. It's been quite a while that anything I've ever wanted to buy from a cosmetics brand was sold out, so I was left feeling very empty and zombie-like. Like I didn't know what to do with my life anymore. After this state of shock subsided, I was a woman gone wild. I made it my life's mission to get my hands on one anyway I can. And here it is. After having it for two weeks or so now, I can confidently say, I need more Hourglass blushes.

Revlon Colorburst Matte Balms

The Revlon Colorburst Matte Balms came out a couple of months ago in US and UK and just from looking at youtube swatches and blogger reviews I was pining to get my hands on this to try for myself. Boy, boy, boy are these good?! They are jolly amazing! I don't know how I can give you a proper review of this product and contain my excitement. I bet I can use three words to make you pine for it too. 

Sisley L'orchidee Rose Highlighter Blush With White Lily

Can we just take a moment to catch our breaths again? 

I recently picked this beauty up from David Jones and it took a lot of courage to dip my brush into the blush and use it. It is just so gorgeous and may I actually say...captivating? I feel like I am describing Ryan Gosling here. (Not that I would complain about smearing him all over my face).

L'oreal Color Riche Eye Color Pencils

Delicate Beige, Enigmatic Brown, Smoky Taupe

A couple of days ago I picked up these L'oreal Eye Crayons from Myer in a recent ever so slightly large drugstore haul. I had no idea what they were and hadn't seen anybody from US or UK mention them before so of course I jumped at it and picked out the three neutral shades. These retail for $16.95 and I couldn't help but have high hopes for these new crayons. I will show you these pencils in action and my final thoughts on this new release.

Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quad 01 Golden Mink

I've had this eyeshadow quad for two months now and have had a chance to get down and jiggy with it so I think it's reasonable when I say that this is probably my favorite eyeshadows of all time. ALL TIME. That may seem extreme but believe me, this quad is extreme...extreme buttery, blend-able goodness!

Chantecaille Limited Edition Save the Bees Palette

This palette has been sitting on my makeup counter for about a month now and no matter how much I wanted to get stuck into it, it couldn't bear to ruin it by using it. But now that more and more girls are aware of this palette I'm committed to write a review with swatches for the pretties who don't have a Mecca Cosmetica near them. 

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush - Mood Exposure

I really didn't want to be bullied into buying this range of blushes from Hourglass by the blogger/youtube community. These blushes came out in Mecca Cosmetica in the last week of February and I didn't give them a second glance. I swatched Dim Infusion and my first thought was "just another blush with swirly pattern, it's probably an overhyped product just because the ambient lighting powders did so well." I had this mentality that if a product was too much anticipated due to the success of its predecessor, it will probably have a high chance of disappointing you. So I went home thinking "Ha! Not going fall for this marketing trap!" 

New Brush Holders from Ikea

New Maybelline Colorsensational Lipsticks

I haven't seen many reviews or anybody rave about these new Colorsensational lippies from Maybelline yet. I have read a short review about them from The Sunday Girl's blog and I can't actually remember whether she liked it or not. The reason no one has really talked about these is maybe because they're not that readily available in Australia yet. I've only seen them in Coles (which is where I bought mine) and just recently, Priceline. Target, Big W etc don't have them yet which is strange. 

As I bought mine from Coles, it's in the dreaded full packaging and no testers. Urgh! So I picked three shades and prayed that they were wearable. I haven't seen any swatches of these lipsticks, and only scanned through a short review from which I didn't pay attention about texture or consistency (nice one Kristen).

Bobbi Brown Bronze Eye Palette

This palette came out in Australia along with two other palettes around beginning of February. I remember receiving an email featuring these palettes as valentine's gift ideas. I didn't think much of it as it just looked like any other ol' neutral palette. And let's be honest here, I'm really not in need of anymore eyeshadows. So have a guess what I did when I walked past a Bobbi Brown counter (still not interested at this point) and gave the shadows a little swatch. Yup, that's right. Told the SA to shut up and take my money. Well...I didn't tell her to shut up because that would just be rude but I did drop my credit card on the counter and uttered the shopaholic's default speech setting "I'll take it".

If you are familiar with Bobbi Brown, you'd either have heard of or know from experience the amazing spot-on quality of her products. He eyeshadow palettes don't differ from her permanent range in any way if not be even better. The packaging is a new metal magnetic enclosure which I love and believe is more sleek than the original black plastic packaging secured by a clip. It is highly reflective and looks a million bucks. Or 80.