Beauty Favourites of 2013

Hi All! Happy 2014 and also it's my first post on this blog - this year! Hurrah! It's been a while and to be honest I've been lazy with blogging - so I'm gonna try and keep up since I do have some spare time right now.

Anyways... this will be a quick and sweet post! I've complied a bunch of beauty products in which I deemed to be my beauty favourites of 2013. I've seen many other bloggers who have done this post or in a video form, so... I thought I'd share my own version!

The Basic Lazy Face (Winter Routine)

Hi guys! I've been busy (as usual) so that's why I haven't been posting! Right now I'm free from the horrid exams, yay!

Also, I'll be heading to Melbourne next Wednesday so my blog will be quiet... not that it hasn't been quiet for a while!

Anyways... onto the post! Ever since Uni started for me this semester, I've been lazier at applying my make up (surprising? Yeah I know.) I haven't been putting that much effort into applying my blush, bronzer, lipstick etc. unless I have time and that I'm really bothered and by bothered if there's photos bound to be taken I'll probably put in that extra effort.

For those who know me, I try to keep my makeup as natural as possible, you'll never see me with a smokey eye or anything dramatic because...... let's face it... I'm not that spontaneous enough to wear it though I'm kind of a make up noob when it comes to looks!

Now a days it's just face and eyeliner and that's it! Oh and the brows too. I remember last year I put a bit of time and effort whilst getting ready but... 'nobody got time for that! Especially for the busy person I am now. (Or correction, lazy)

Anyways, since it's winter my face tends to get a little drier and I've been using a variety of BB creams and Tinted Moisturisers to allow some moisturisation for my face.

Today I'm just gonna show you some products that I've been reaching out for lately for my easy peezy lazy natural/flawless face look. (No self shots apparently but just images of products that I've been reaching out!)

I've been trying out this new Australis Matte Out Face Base* and I love how I can apply this on my T Zone and not have it getting all oily. I always tend to get an oily T Zone throughout the day and I love how it mattifies the T-Zone. This product swatches clear, so no - you would have purple streaks on your face nor do you have to blend it out! Staying power is mediocre though, I can get through a day but the oil control is quite excellent. It reminds me of those foundation sticks but it's in purple and has this floral scent. 

Rimmel BB Cream 9 in 1 - Not my favourite but I like how it has a primer already in it's formula and along other moisturising properties and goodness. This is a huge lazy face essential - just apply it and if you like, set it with powder! I would use this on days where I have work or just need some evenness on my face in a flash. If it's a special occasion like a party, outing or where I need my make up to last - I'll use my Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation (in which I should blog about real soon!)

In my case, I use MAC Mineralise Skinfinish in Medium to set my make up. But before that, I like to conceal any redness or blemishes with the Benefit's Some Kind-a gorgeous Foundation (in a Mini) in Medium which provides me with that natural flawless look. It's quick and easy. 

For the lips I use the Korres Lip Butter in Mango and I LOVE this stuff. It's so moisturising and gives my lips a little colour. Throughout the day, I apply my Bloom Watermelon Crush Lip Balm or any other lip balm I carry on my either the Korres Lip Butter or the Maybelline Baby Lips which is somewhere in one of my bags. 

As for eyeliner, it's nothing too special. I didn't take a photo but it's just a basic black crayon eyeliner and my Dollywink Liquid eyeliner. I haven't curled my lashes in so long or bothered to apply mascara now a days, so I've been uber lazy. 

Anyways, hope you enjoyed this post. A bit bland but it's what I've been sporting lately for my lazy look. Let me know if you ever go through a phase where you just use less makeup or what not! I want to know :) Shall see you REAL soon!

Love, J 

Disclaimer: Products marked with an * were sent for consideration but I was not obligated to review the item. All items posted here are purchased with my own money. 

A Wrap Up of my Top 10 Favourites of 2012!

I know I'm not constant with monthly favourites (and I've tried!) but today I thought I'll do a quick (and impromptu) post before I head out tonight in time for NYE!

I could possibly say that these are my 'all time favourites' but I'll do a separate post on that sometime soon! For now this is just some of the favourite products which I enjoyed using throughout the year 2012!

So.. let's get to it! (Oh and excuse the dirty Real Technique's Brush I have there)

So first off, here I have a Real Techniques Blush Brush which I adore so much! (Also nearly everything from the Real Technique's Range). I love the RT brushes in general and I much prefer those brushes over the Sigma ones any day! I still use my Sigma ones but after discovering RT's I was hooked. 

No doubt I love my MAC products and here I have 4 MAC favourites. I'm madly in love with this blush and I shall consider it as my all time favourite blush (which I've recently discovered) and it's Peaches by MAC. It's the best blush out. If you own it and love it - It's pretty much self explanatory. It gives a nice subtle flush to your face and it's perfect with any look (I may say). I also own a few other MAC blushes (Like Margin, Peachykeen & Gingerly) and I could say that Gingerly comes second after Peaches. I like to use Gingerly as a contour from time to time. 

The Second MAC product here is the MAC Fix +, I love my Fix + and I have the full size (100ml) and the travel size (pictured here - 30mls) and I always spritz it on my face after powdering / setting my make up and also throughout the day to refresh my skin. I know many people often get confused with the whole concept of the Fix + and the thing is - it's more of a Make Up Fixer than a make up setter. Nevertheless, it does both jobs pretty well for me... (despite the claims and etc) 

While on the same topic, another MAC product I adore and use everyday is my MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural in Medium adn my MAC Studio Moisture Tint in Medium Plus. I use this everyday or otherwise (exclude the Studio Tint when I'm heading out and there's pictures bound to be taken). 

Studio Tint is my favourite everyday 'foundation'... technically it's a tinted moisturiser. To me this is kinda my 'BB cream' even though it's not labelled as one. I've been using it for the past year and a half and there's still less than a quarter of it left. It will probably be my first repurchase of a MAC product and I'm so glad I have it in my kit! 

As for the MAC Mineralise Skinfinish, it's amazing! All I can say is that I use it as a setting powder even though it's not translucent. I use a small pea size amount of foundation when I apply my make up and use the powder to even out the skin and also set it at the same time without looking cakey. 

The next item on the list is my Clarins Beauty Flash Balm. My mum gave me this not knowing that she could probably make use of an awesome product, but whatever! I used it a few times and didn't like it at first as I felt like it was just some ordinary moisturiser, but then after reading how it works (since it gives just unclear and minimal instructions) I did see why many people on Make Up Alley rave about how awesome this product was and what it actually does to your face. 

At first I used it as a primer but after a while after googling and all that crap. I found out that it's mainly used to even out wrinkles (which I don't have just yet), minimise pores...? and also minimise redness plus all over good stuff (which I cannot remember). 

I know that when I apply this product before foundation - it gets rid of the redness off my face and also provides a nice base for my foundation. My skin feels smooth and also felt like I've drank so much water my skin feels super hydrated. 

Despite it not being a primer, I use it like a primer from time to time. I love how it's like an eraser for my imperfections and allowing my foundation to do it's magic and make my face look flawless. I've gone through so much of this 30ml travel sized product that I'm ready to purchase the full 50ml sized product. 

Next thing is Seche Vite, after hearing the biggest hype about it in the bloggosphere I finally gave in and purchased this infamous top coat. I can say that it's the best top coat I've used - even though I have no tried Out the Door (which many people claim is just as good or even better than Seche Vite). Enough said, it dries so quickly (like I think around a minute or less) and also leaves my nails with this nice incredible shine. Best $7 spent on a top coat indeed. 

Three more products to go! Dolly Wink Liquid Eyeliner is also one of those liquid eyeliners that have been hyped about for sooooooo long, I did give in and I could say that I am highly impressed and that I'm going to purchase 2 more as back ups. It's stays on all day and also has a nice precision tip which makes applying your liquid eyeliner a breeze!

As for mascara, I cannot tell you how many mascaras I have and how many I need to get through. But by far, I do love my Australis Killer Curves mascara (Review Here) but than again I think my all time favourite would have to be the Tarte Lights Camera Lashes mascara. I have a travel size here, cause I bought it on eBay just to see how awesome everyone claimed it to be. It's freaking amazing and I've been loving it ever since. It gives decent volume and also length plus! despite having short stubby asian lashes I found that out of all the mascaras (ranging from Maybelline to Dior) this is the mascara that makes my asian lashes a teeny visible!

Lucky last, I know... another hyped up product from the bloggosphere!? But hey, I love this lip gloss to death and I am so glad I've purchased it. Thank god I bought it for $31 on StrawberryNet and also it's really rare to find this colour online now (since it's sold out everywhere *for those who want to purchase via Australia at that price). This gloss is amazing. I never thought this gloss from YSL would be so great, I use it everyday - work and going out. I also use it on top of most of my favourite lipsticks to give it an extra staying power. (Review Here)

I hope you enjoyed reading this lengthy post and sorry for the rush but hope this impromptu post keeps you occupied!

Oh, and before I go... Happy New Years everyone! It's been a lengthy and stressful year for me but also I'm excited to see what the new year unfolds! :D Stay safe everyone!

Love, J

Welcoming Spring with October Favourites

Apologies for the lack of posts because as usual, I've been hella busy! I've just got signed up for this new promotion at work (and I'm currently on 4 different marketing promotions at the moment) and it's crazy. Juggling Uni and also hours that are probably considered as full time work is no doubt stressing me out.

Anyways! So, I don't really do a monthly favourites post because it's just so hard for me to literally have a favourite every month... unless I was repeating myself.. Anyways, this month has been an exception I'm going to try and do a monthly favourites so if it's successful or so I'll keep posting monthly favourites from now on!

These are the products that I've been reaching lately ever since Spring started. Today I thought I'll do a post about it and also introduce just a few new products (which I've been meaning to review). I'm not going to go into too much detail because I'll be either saving them for a future review or they've already been reviewed.

It's quite a lot of favourites but hey, they had to be included in this post! I love love love each and every product and a few are just ones I've recently picked up as well... (at IMATS) 

First off the MAC Studio Moisture Tint SPF 15. Neglected for quite a while and thought I'll put it to use since my Garnier BB Cream (the new one for oily & combination skin) has broken me out with stubborn pimples. I bought this last year from the US and got it shipped to me via my cousin. Best Tinted Moisturiser I've used and it's so gooooood. Highly recommend it. 

MAC Blush in Peaches is something I purchased at IMATS this year, I paid the full AUS RRP which was $40 (I think) and I don't (really) regret paying the AUS price (considering I order my MAC via the US) but this time I didn't want to bother my cousin and trouble her sending items over and also I was in desperate need for a new blush and went away and splurged on this along with Margin which I don't really pick up that often. This blush gives me the nicest flush of colour and perfect for Work, Uni & Outings. (Review Here)

The Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Translucent is AMAZING. So cheap and also so good. Doesn't leave a white mask like my old Australis Ready Set Go Translucent Powder and also actually keeps my oily combination skin matte for a good period of time (by all means at least 5-6 hours, but I wear this from 8am - 6pm and barely any sleekness on my face) it's amazing and I highly highly recommend it if you're looking for a cheap translucent powder. (Review Here)

The next item is something I really adore and also something I picked up at IMATS as well. Well, I picked up Shade 100 at IMATS and bought the Shade 45 at Inglot Bondi Junction. These Inglot Sleeks/Sleeks Cream's are amazing. I find that the Sleeks Cream has a slighter better longevity but it's not that drastically noticeable. The Shade 100 is a perfect dusty pink nude colour (An in-depth review will be posted soon! (SO, I don't wanna go into too much detail!) as for the Shade 45 which I purchased for $22 at Inglot. It's an amazing and highly pigmented orangey-coral colour that I've been searching for. Shade 100 which I purchased at IMATS was $15 by the way. Today, I purchased a whole heap of Inglot products so keep your eyes out for that Inglot Haul Post real soon!

Moving onto the other items! I have here are the Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara which I've previously reviewed ages ago here. This mascara provides me with lashes that my natural asian lashes don't display naturally... This was a travel size and I'm willing to purchase the full size when it runs out. To be honest it's the best mascara I've ever used and very hard to find. It's almost comparable to Maybelline's One by One but instead it's a much more drier formula. 

Australis Killer Curves Mascara* was a miss for me when I first received it, I didn't really like it that much and didn't see much of a difference. But now since using it and also probably cause of the fact that my lashes grew a tad bit longer (due to applying lash serums for like a month?) my lashes are lengthened and slightly curled up. I love it to bits and I can't wait to repurchase this mascara. I always apply this mascara first before my Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara and both work like a charm! Definitely a good purchase if you would like to get your hands on one, it's under $12 (from what I remember)

Dollywink Liquid Eyeliner in Deep Black is something I recently got this week, giving that I've had it for a couple of days it's more than enough for me to give my input to this mascara. I won't go in too much depth since I'll save it for a review later but so far, I actually do believe it lives up to it's hype. Let's see how it goes in a couple of weeks and a month later on. So far so good. 

Britney Spears Midnight Fantasy Travel Size Perfume, I've recently bought the gift set (with a body lotion, shower gel, travel perfume & 100ml bottle) of this fragrance because I absolutely love it. As much as I adore the Marc Jacobs Eau So Fresh Daisy, Dot and also my Miss Dior Cherie by Christian Dior. None of them have the longevity like  Midnight Fantasy.

Lately I've been annoyed with having all these expensive perfumes and then not getting a really good run on longevity unlike Midnight Fantasy. Despite the price tag for this (it's like so so cheap now) you don't need to spend so much on fragrances just to smell good! This was such a bargain grabbing the 100ml gift set for $49 at Priceline. It's going to be my everyday scent but it won't be my signature scent.  

Last but not least, Make Up Forever Aqua Lip in 1C this is a nice nude lip pencil which I use nearly everyday (when I remember to lip line or feel like it). It's a great multipurpose nude lipliner for any lipstick you're planning to wear. I'll be writing a review on it real soon as well. 

Hope you enjoyed by 'favourites' this month. This was more of a 'Welcoming' Spring Favourites post. Stay tuned for more 'favourites' posts in the future!

Love, J 

Products marked with '*' were sent by PR for consideration, all other items here were purchased with my own money and I was not reimbursed in anyway. For more details please see my disclosure policy. 

MAC Blushes in Margin & Peaches

So two weeks ago I picked up these MAC blushes at IMATS. Surprisingly I heard that they weren't 20% off because it was only the MAC Pro items that was 20% off so to my realisation now, when I handed my credit card I paid full price?! Oh well, I worked really hard and I deserved to spoil myself at IMATS! (Not going to kick myself...) If I knew that earlier... why did I bother waiting in line and shizz. Urgh! 

Anyways, these are the very first MAC blushes I ever gotten and probably the most expensive blushes I've own to date. I was on the hunt for a peachy toned blush and somewhat Peaches was somewhat kinda what I wanted - not exactly but boy, it looks amazing on my cheeks! Hehehe. 

I tried Warm Soul in store many times - which I really liked but you gotta have a light hand to apply that because it's really pigmented. I was planning to purchase Warm Soul at IMATS but it was sold out. I got to the MAC Pro stand at around 9am and crap... a lot of goodies were gone. Margin was a random purchase I don't know, when I swatched it.. I was like... "Okay, I'll get that one" cause the other colour I chose (I don't remember) probably it was Springsheen (I think) was sold out. So maybe... that's why I chose Peaches secondly?! Anywho don't care I got two blushes, I'm happy!

Together both blushers look awesome. I've gotten many compliments from wearing them (especially Peaches) and also it's great for everyday wear and also going out. Basically, ANYTHING. I recommended Peaches to my cousin Mel and this was after she bought the NARS Orgasm blusher from Mecca... I told her to suss out Peaches and go back and exchange Orgasm. And I'm pretty sure she really digs Peaches as well. :) 

Margin (Left) & Peaches (Right)

As Margin is a Frost Blusher, as mentioned I use it sometimes as a highlight. As a blush by itself it's really opaque?! Well sheer. Peaches on the other hand is a Sheertone blush which is ... obviously sheer and also more pigmented and really buildable. The blushers I find are not so powdery they're smooth on application and last quite a while on the cheeks. I think a good couple of hours (4-5hrs?) 

I believe Margin is $42 or $43 at the MAC Counter and Peaches is $40. You can find these at a MAC counter at Myer or David Jones. 

Overall, I dig Peaches more and I love these blushers. Before these, I didn't really use blusher and now I'm so in love with Peaches and I love how it gives my face some colour. Love love love it! 

Any other MAC blushes you admire or like to try? 

Love, J 

IMATS Sydney 2012

Hello lovelies! I've missed my beloved blog after being MIA for a little while. I've been spending my mid-semester break at the beach, eating out, spending some time with the bf, celebrating a friend's birthday and also attending IMATS (yay!). Now I'm back at Uni and also back to working my ass off for the rest of the year... to lighten up the day I have my IMATS haul to show you!

I know you're all wondering what I got from IMATS and I got quite a handful. A little more than I imagined to be honest! This year IMATS was held at the Sydney Convention Centre at Darling Harbour. I attended IMATS with my childhood friend/workmate Lisa! We woke up at 6.30am, meet each other at our local bus stop at 7.10am and got to the city at around 8.30am just for IMATS!

(You gotta excuse the poor DSLR image I took in my room, the lighting kinda reflected here...) So... what did I get from IMATS on Saturday!?

• MAC Sheertone Blush in Peaches
• MAC Powder Blush in Margin
• Inglot Flakie Nail Polish in 203
• Ben Nye LX-100 Ultra Bright Loose Pigment (This was a free sample)
• Inglot Sleek Cream Lip Gloss in 100
• Make Up Forever Aqua Lip Pencils in 1C, 15C, 17C
• Royal & Langnickel SILK Pro Brushes: LG Stippler C251, Shade & Conceal C211, Flat Smudger C446, Crease C430, Metal Lash Comb C515, Dome Powder CR211, Synthetic Lip CR210
• Mario Badescu Samples (From Myer) 

MAC Pro was 20% off, Inglot was 30%, I'm not sure about Ben Nye, I did purchase a cream eyeshadow but ended up returning it because I changed my mind about it. Lisa went to get a refund for it and the guy at Scotty's Make Up was extremely rude to Lisa... um okay? But at least I got my refund back.

Make Up Forever was supplied by PM Studio and I purchased their HD Foundation at the Spa & Beauty Expo in August, this time I purchase the Aqua Lip Pencils. MUFE was roughly around 30% off. Royal & Langnickel I don't know what the % off was but their brushes were mainly under $10 each.

I've taken a few photos at IMATS on my iphone cause I didn't bring my DSLR because it was bulky and I couldn't be bothered carrying extra weight. Also I wasn't on a Press Pass so I wasn't really bothered. I found out I could get a Press Pass after purchasing my ticket. SIGH. Couldn't saved $32! But oh well! Next Year! 

Lisa + I and our IMATS One Day Passes :) 

       

Left is the items I bought and Right is the items Lisa bought. 

Lisa got the Inglot Freedom Palette (10) with mainly neutral eyeshadows (pearls & mattes) and an Inglot Eyebase Primer.

5 Ben Nye Powders (I think there was an eyeshadow and the rest were blushes)

(Not Pictured) was her Myer Purchases afterwards. 

We took these pictures right after IMATS whilst taking a break sitting down at Darling Harbour :P

     

My Inglot Flakie Nail Polish in 203 and my Sleek Cream in 100

and

Make Up Forever Aqua Lip Pencils 

      

My MAC Blushes in Peaches & Margin

and

Royal & Langnickel Silk Pro Brushes

Despite spending nearly $200 at IMATS, I'm somewhat content... okay, happy!? I kinda stuck to my budget but I went over by a bit afterwards only because there were Inglot items I wasn't planning on getting as well as getting that additional blush from MAC! .

Overall Sydney IMATS was a bit disappointing, I was hoping there would be more stalls and also it'd would be bigger! The Sydney Spa & Beauty Expo was roughly 3 times bigger than IMATS and I actually found the Spa & Beauty Expo to be more interesting as the set ups there were more eye catching.

I was extremely disappointed that NYX wasn't there and my friend Lisa & I was waiting and wondering if they would set up a stall... at all... I heard it's not the first time they did a 'no show' apparently last year that occurred as well. Boo!

It was heaps crazy at MAC Pro, a lot of things were gone by 9.30am and one of the blushes (which I don't remember) was gone when I asked the girl to get it for me - but I did end up getting two MAC blushes which I like!

Inglot was also crazy, Lisa & I headed to Inglot first because she wanted her Freedom Palette she was eyeing for quite sometime. She made a list of all the eyeshadow shades on her phone and wrote them all down on a sheet and quickly got her order put together! Others waited quite a while in this 'cattle' styled waiting 'area'. The second round when we headed back to Inglot (this time I made a purchase) I waited nearly an hour to get my items... others waited for like half an hour or less. It was inconsistent and the 'system' they had was a bit stupid but meh.

I saw a few beauty bloggers and also a few youtubers that I sort of knew and some I knew. I was super shy so I didn't have the courage to go up to them and say "Hi, I'm .... and I watch your videos!!!" etc. Lisa kept encourging me to say 'Hi' but I was way too shy!! I don't know why but other bloggers that I was willing to say hi to or bump into I didn't see them! Probably cause we were roaming all over the place and we probably left and never gotten a chance to see each other! Next year... next year!

After IMATS, Lisa & I headed to Westfield Pitt St Mall for Illamasqua and also miscellaneous goodies in the Cosmetics Dept at Myer. Since MAC Pro was selling out most their products, Lisa went to get a brow pencil despite paying full price because she was in desperate need of a brow pencil stat! She also ended up purchasing Too Faced Shadow Insurance after being a bit iffy of her Inglot Eyebase (Primer) and also some Mario Badescu Toner? Cleanser? I forgot... and I managed to grab two samples for myself. 

After a long ass day at the city from leaving our area at 7.30am til getting home at 4pm - we were dead dead tired. But we were so happy with our purchases! I was so glad I got new MAC blushes (as I never owned a MAC blush before). I wore it to my friend Karen's Birthday the following day after (On Sunday). I had complements about my blush and I love it! I wore MAC's Peaches and I'm madly in love with it! 

I also got to wear a few of the cosmetics I picked up at IMATS. Along with MAC's Peaches on my cheeks, on my lips was my Inglot Lip Gloss in 100 (which I ADORE SO SO MUCH!) and also the Makeup Forever Aqua Lip Pencil in 1C. I also used the Stippling Brush I bought from Royal & Langnickel and used the Eye Brushes for my smokey brown shadow I had going on... I was surprised with my attempt with a smokey eyeshadow - I've never really succeeded! I don't think you can tell in the image below cause I kept it really subtle but overall I was highly impressed with my make up on Sunday night, ready for my friend, Karen's Birthday! 

So what did I use...

Eyes/Brows:

Urban Decay Primer Potion 

Shu Uemura Lash Curler 

Essence Eyebrow Designer in 02 Brown

Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze

Naked 2 Palette Eyeshadows: Snakebite, Chopper, Half Baked and Foxy 

Skin Food Waterproof Eye Crayon in 01

Australis 10 Hour Eyeliner in Bombtastic Bronze

Australis Killer Curves Mascara

Maybelline One by One Mascara

Natural Looking False Lashes (Some Korean Brand I threw away the packaging) 

Face:

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer 

Make Up Forever HD Foundation in 123

MAC Select Cover Up Concealer

Benefit's Porefessional Pro Balm

Revlon Colourstay Pressed Powder in Medium 

MAC Peaches Blush 

Benefit's Hoola Bronzer 

MAC Fix+ 

Lips:

Maybelline Baby Lips in Antioxidant Berry 

Make Up Forever Aqua Lip in 1C

Inglot Sleek Cream in 100 

Yep, that's my make up for my friend's birthday on Sunday :D

So this wraps it up!

I will also be definitely reviewing the products I bought from IMATS real soon. 

Did you attend IMATS? If so, let me know below & I would love to check out your haul! I've been watching many IMATS Sydney Hauls on youtube and they're so interesting! 

Love, J

My Little MAC Lipstick Collection

No doubt I love MAC Lipsticks and also I'm easily suckered in for their sleek black signatured MAC packaging.

I'm kinda aiming for a whole 'MAC' collection I have going on cause I just want a whole uniform set (if that doesn't sound weird at all). I'm currently in the dilemma of deciding whenever or not I should go get a peachy NARS blush (Luster, is the one I have in mind) or Warm Soul from MAC. I'll wait til IMATS for the verdict.

Anywho a few weeks ago I ordered from MAC Lippies and also a Select Cover Concealer (not pictured/mentioned in this post) which I got my cousin Lila to send over. Everything pictured is the MAC Lippies I currently own. Velvet Teddy is one I got last year but I added to this post anyways.

Yay, they're all freshly made this year! Hehehe. 

Awesome how Costa Chic is the freshest outta the lot. 

It was made in June 2012 (Hence 6 (for June) and 2( for '12) - Thought I'd share this little tip with you guys! (I think this only applies to MAC products not sure about the other brands) 

Swatches corresponding to the lipsticks in order above. 

Swatches:

Crosswires, Morange, Freckletone, Costa Chic, Velvet Teddy and also lip swatches below. 

I know Freckletone, Costa Chic & Velvet Teddy don't really show up here but in real life you can notice the difference (depicted on the arm swatches). I think it's the lighting - definitely that makes it look the same. Anywho, if you're interested in those colours just swatch them yourself at a MAC Counter!

My favourite out of all of them would have to be Freckletone. It is a Lustre so it's heaps sheer but it's buildable. It's a perfect nude and it's my go-to nude lately. I wear Freckletone to Uni and sometimes if I feel girly or feel like changing my look a bit I would go with Costa Chic. I love how lipstick can add a little touch to your face and also lighten up your complexion and can go with whatever outfit you're wearing. 

I'm also glad I got brand new lippies even though they're not drastically different in colour but I'm satisfied. Considering I got them at US prices compared to AUS is a good deal. I haven't really given Morange a spin but whilst in Melbourne this year I was dying to get my hands on it now it's just meh to me.

I was wearing Topshop's Firecracker which is a near dupe for it and I literally wore it for most of my Melbourne trip. I can't wait to wear Morange sometime soon it's an awesome loudmouth orange. I'm thinking of getting MAC Rebel next if i'm not afraid to pull off a bold purple and maybe add the infamous MAC Russian Red considering I already have a YSL Red Lippie.

Let me know any other wonderful MAC lipstick colours you like!  

Love, J 

  

MAC Wishlist

Lately I've been lustering over getting more MAC products because I just want this whole collection of MAC items! So far I've been eyeing the lipsticks and there are a few colours I've been eyeing for a very long time but never really had the incentive to really purchase them. So......... considering it's my birthday coming up in 3 weeks time and seeing how I'll be working a lot lately (and I know I should be saving) I can't help but wanting to splurge on cosmetics (once again)

So far on my wishlist are mainly the lippies, I'm obviously planning to get them in the states considering I can get so much more over there as opposed to paying the price of two lippies here in Australia. I wanna do a big haul so I don't have to order and wait so long from the US and also not bother my cousin's busy schedule! She's so awesome for paying for the shipping and also sending it over here, so thanks Lila!

Anywho, here my MAC Wishlist, I don't even know if I'm going to get all of this but I might as well!

Lipsticks - $14.50 each (AU: $36)

 The ones pictured are the ones I'm definitely going to get! 

Other colours I've considered...

The Make Up Artist at the Myer Parramatta store applied CB96 for me and I was in love with it! Been eyeing it ever since.

Meltdown is a new one that was drawn to me with the flecks of sparkles but somewhat lighter and similar to CB96. Ravishing would be a lovely everyday colour.

After trying Morange at Melbourne, I got compliments on it and also loved how it looked and felt on my lips. Even my cousin liked Morange more than Booyah! (Which I tried on prior). It's so nice and smooth and  somewhat something I could pull off.

Been eyeing Vegas Volt for a very long time after Clothes Encounters (on YT) wore it in one of her OOTD videos and it looked so nice on her! Considering I have something somewhat similar from Sportsgirl (Fruit Tingle) Vegas Volt is somewhat more brighter.

Freckletone is a nice everyday nude but I'm still a bit iffy considering it's a Lustre.

I'm currently looking for corals and oranges, I really really HATE bright or really bold pinks... I don't like the way it looks on me and they don't really suit me either. I'm talking about Saint Germain and Pink Nouveau. 

Concealer - $17 (AU: $33)

• Select Cover Up in NC30 - After trying this at Melb I fell in love with it and found myself constantly using my cousin's one. Must get it!

Translucent Powder - $22 (AU: $39)

• Prep + Prime Translucent Powder/Pressed - After using my cousins one, I literally threw out my Australis one and started using this - but I had to get myself one! 

Eyeliner - $15 (AU: $30?)

• Technokohl Liner in Graphblack - My current waterproof crayon eyeliner is bound to run out any day so this is a new replacement. 

Solutions - $20 Fix + (AU: $40?), $22 Mineralized (AU: $42?)

• Fix + - I've been eyeing this for a very long time, tried it a couple of times and love how it feels on my face. Considering that it's $20 in the states for 100mls... Hmmm! Yes?!

Any other suggestions for the lipstick colours? Especially from the ones as shown? 

Will be doing a review soon on some items! 

Love, J

Liquid Eyeliners

So I recently bought Essence's Liquid Liner Pen and I gotta say... for $5 it is amazing! Better than anything else I've used and I think I will stock up on more! I've used Maybelline which is great but then when I bought Line Stiletto, I find that it starts cracking after setting after a while. (Dislike) But other than that it has decent staying power. MAC's Rapidblack, I loved it at first because I love how precise you can create lines with it but I found that it ran out way too soon and started drying out and all, which made me sad. LOL. But I don't think I'll repurchase either MAC or Maybelline, for now. 

So right now, all eyes are on the Essence Liquid Liner Pen. It states that it's extra long lasting and it definitely is! I love the tip of the pen and the one thing I like about liquid eyeliners is that it is in a shape of a pen. I dislike Lash Stilettos brush style, even though it is somewhat quite like a pen. I have to try and manoeuvre around with it - I find it gets all over the place (maybe cause I'm a noob) and I just dislike the uneven application. So meeeeeeeh.  

MAC, Essence, Maybelline.

Lash Stiletto, Essence, MAC. 

Overall, liquid eyeliner/eyeliner in general is something you shouldn't go too high end for. If it works and it's affordable - go for it. I use to use Chanel's Waterproof Crayon eyeliner (which I still use from time to time) but I find that as long as another product is a fraction of the price AND is doing the same job. Then why pay the price? 

The Essence Liner is available at all Target Stores. There's a little Essence Stand where all the other make up brands are in the MU section of Target. You won't miss it!

If you're like me and is a bit pedantic and loyal to having high end products due to luxury, experience as well as the assurance that you won't be disappointed. (I hope that really made sense... LOL) By all means, that's you. But for me - as long as it works, it's wonderful and you know you'll have more money in your pocket at the end of the day. Let alone, I will always buy high end foundations - just sayin' 

Hope you find this somewhat useful! Oh, and before I forget. Thanks to all of those I tagged in the 11 Questions. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT! (I don't know if I mentioned this before - I think I did but I'll mention it again for those who didn't see my message)

Love, J.

MAC Velvet Teddy (Matte) Lipstick

So it's about time I've finally gotten myself a high end lipstick other than Lancome. Because the Lancome ones I get are ones that my mum passes down to me because she gets heaps from Gift Sets she gets and also because she simply does not fancy the colour or it's just to bright for her. Nevertheless, I use them from time to time but it's not my ideal go to colour. So it just sits in my make up vanity, collecting dust waiting to be discovered once again. 

Anywho! I've finally got myself a MAC Lipstick. Yes this is a real and authentic MAC for those who are wondering and it is in the colour Velvet Teddy which is a rosey dusty pink colour. After searching for a lipstick dupe for my long beloved and well admired NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Stockholm - I really wanted a MAC Lipstick form of it. Considering I want to keep that trend with my favourite make up brand MAC. I wanted a whole collection of a set of essentials. If you know what I mean... Like Foundation, Eyeliner, Lipstick etc. 

The MUA at Myer's helped me out in finding the dupe for my NYX SMLC in Stockholm and she swatched Velvet Teddy and it was as close. I then knew I just had to get my hands on it. But me being a 'savvy' shopper and not wanting to pay the price for a MAC Lipstick here (which is $36AUD) I got my cousin Lila from America to buy it for me from her local MAC store in Texas and send it over to me! I also wanted to try Chanel's Vitalumiere Foundation, I tried looking for samples at Myer and the lady gave me a darker shade since she did not have my shade in stock. So Lila to grabbed me some Chanel samples in B20 & B30 from her local Sephora. So thanks so much Lila for getting my MAC Lippie and also my Chanel Samples - because I couldn't get a hold of here!

MAC Velvet Teddy (Matte Lipstick) - $14.50USD/$36AUD 

Nails: 

China Glaze 'For Audrey'

China Glaze Snow Globe on the tips 

with a combination of Nubar 2010 Flakies on top. 

In comparison to my favourite NYX SMLC lip colour :)

Swatched next to NYX in Stockholm! (Left: MAC, Right: NYX)

Comparison of Colours I have in nude/pinky lipsticks.

L2R: 

MAC Velvet Teddy, NYX Pumpkin Pie, Australis Mambo, NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Stockholm

~

Tip: 

Considering this is a Matte Lipstick. To ensure it looks evenly nice on the lips, you should exfoliate or apply a lip balm so it smooths out any chapped or dry lips. Or else it will just set between the crack and won't look so appealing. This also applies to other lipsticks in general as well.

Overall, I'm so satisfied with MAC Lipsticks. I love the quality of the lipstick, the scent of this lippie has this yummy reminiscent vanilla scent that reminds me of cupcakes and it's smells so delicious that I can imagine tasting it LOL! In which I think is a distinguishing scent for all MAC Lipsticks (correct me if I'm wrong) but yeah. Huge love love love! 

Although I wished MAC in Australia wasn't as expensive unlike MAC in America. So yeah! I hope to continue my journey and start collecting MAC Lippies. I'm not a huge lipstick person but ever since finding a colour that I've been so addicted to, I think its obvious that I will using this lippie more than ever. I pop this lippie in my make up bag, in which it is situated/travelling between my handbag and my Uni Backpack, and this lippie just adds a quick pop of colour to my lips when out and about. It's my favourite colour and I would like to say it would be my signature colour at the moment. I'm hoping to find a signature perfume as well, and I may have found it. Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh. Smelt it today at Myer and felt in love with it. I think I might get it. 

Til later! 

Love, J.

My Make Up Essentials.

So I thought I would update you guys with my make up essentials, I know it hasn't been too long since I last posted mine but I thought I would update you guys with the latest products I've been using lately as well as many of the few that I've recently bought that I absolutely adore!

When it comes to make up, I love to keep it simple and light. I have normal/combination skin, so most of the time it's never too dry or too oily.

When it comes to foundation, lately I've been mixing mine with Lancome's Photogenic Lumessence and MAC's Studio Moisture Fix. Of course, before foundation... you have to use PRIMER! I never apply foundation without face primer! HOW CAN YOU NOT!? Together it works like a charm and is pretty long lasting. I always aim for light to medium coverage for that natural look, I always use roughly about a 5 cent amount for my face and dot it on face and buff it out with a stippling brush for that airbrushed look.

My favourite as well as affordable to me, would be Natio's Ageless Illuminating Primer. Don't let the word "Ageless" put you off, assuming it's for mature aged people. It's definitely not! It's mainly for everyone with all different skin types. It works like a charm and was way better than my old Face of Australia primer which I absolutely hated! I felt like it was just a moisturiser and didn't do much justice. 

Priming is like a major essential when it comes to applying make up! Without it - It's like... not brushing your teeth?! LOL (I can't think of anything better). Face or Eyes, I can't see why someone would skip this! Obviously, face primer allows my foundation last longer as well as create a barrier between the skin and the make up in order to prevent breakouts. 

After that, I apply Benefit's POREfessional, it is absolutely AMAZING! I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to conceal their pores?! Because I have large pores on the high points of my cheeks and I often notice they get accentuated when wearing foundation after a long time. This makes sure your pores are minimised and also evens out the skin. It can also be doubled up as a primer as well!

For concealer, I'm not a huge or heavy user of concealer but I got Benefit's Erase Paste for the under eye dark circles as well as minor blemishes I may have. It's just another product I use here or there when I'm really bothered. 

As for the cheeks, Benefit's Hoola is a holy grail bronzer for me! I discovered it ages ago but never had the courage to give it a go. After using Australis Bronzing Powder (I still love it), but Benefit wins me over! After trying it out at Myer, I was in love! One Hot Minute by Benefit I think, is as great but Hoola is just beautiful. Lovely for contouring the cheeks as well as a nice natural flush to the face. 

NYX's Mosaic Powder in 01 is my highlighter. I'm not a 100% fan of this but I just use it. I want that iridescent glow on the high points/apples of my cheeks. A light dusting of this and viola! 

As for the eyes, Urban Decay's Primer Potion is a definite MUST. Obviously, being the world's best selling eyelid primer (I believe so). I would never go back to any other primer, ever. It is a bit pricey if you're on a budget but it is something I would invest on. 

Eyeliner is a huge thing for me, I think doing my eye make up is the most time consuming thing for me. I have to have it perfect or else I'll be constantly annoyed that it's not perfect (probably except when I go to Uni - I couldn't careless what I look like because I end up being a sloth there anyways LOL) But my go to eyeliner would be anything that is crayon (twist up) and waterproof. 

I've used Chanel, Maybelline and Covergirl for tight lining - I'll choose whatever works. I currently use Skin Food's Waterproof Eyeliner which is amazing! It's the only eyeliner I use right now and it works like a charm, just as great as the Chanel one but a quarter of the price!

Another eye make up product which I use along my crayon liner is also MAC's Fluidline It's a gel liner and it's awesome when applied with an angled eyeliner brush. Any other brush, I think it doesn't give that right application and just kinda looks tacky... in my opinion. 

Naked 2 Palette... I love it to bits but I haven't been giving it enough love to the other colours on the palette! I've been using Blackout to set my eyeliner as well as Half Baked and Bootycall to highlight my inner corners of the eyes. Sometimes when I'm adventurous or just wanna add a bit of colour to my eyes before heading out I add Snakebite or Busted to the upper inner corner of my eyes. 

Mascara is also a huge factor too! I prime my lashes with Urban Decay's Eyelash Primer. It's a mediocre product, I've noticed that my lashes has been stronger and also lengthened a tad. It's just an extra thing I do for my lashes because I'm determined to get thicker and longer lashes. 

I tend to alter between mascaras and I've gone through so many drug store brands and they always seem to fail me. I've stepped up into High End Mascaras and I'm not going to turn back! I currently alter between Dior's Iconic & Extase as well as Tarte's Lights Camera Lash (This is not avaliable in Australia and I've purchased it from eBay - but avaliable at Sephora). I sometimes use Lancome's Hypnose Precious Cells, which is mediocre. 

Eye care? Under eye circles? Puffy Eyes? I use The Body Shop's Elderflower Eye Gel. Get go to 'depuff-er' and refresher around the eyes treatment! 

For setting the make up and all, I don't give much love to my Australis Translucent Powder because I tend to skip it or even so just not bother with it. But I decided to include it in because it's something you would wanna do to make sure your make up doesn't run and stay put. 

As for perfume, I've been using Lush's Solid Perfume in Vanillary and altering between Katy Perry's Purr and Christian Dior's Miss Cherie. Other than that, it's either just plain Rexona for Uni LOL. 

There was some minor things left out but these are the most go to items in my make up kit. Hope you found this post somewhat useful! And til next time, happy reading! 

Love, J. 

The Old & The New Essentials!

So i thought i'll show you guys my essentials! Been on the comp all day editing my blog design and also coming up with a different simplistic banner for my blog on photoshop and etc. So! I'll show you what i mainly use every time i leave the house and just my basic natural face make up! 

Most of the time when i leave the house i wear make up whether if it's little as just applying a light dusting of powder foundation just to even the skin tone and just a line of eyeliner & a swipe of mascara TO medium coverage with lip gloss and crisp liquid eyeliner along with blush (which is not pictured) especially for work! I do go all bare on my face on very rare occasions... :$

{ Overall these are just the things i need for a decent, simple and most importantly natural look }

I know some of them i've recently received and also have seen on my blog but here are my old ones and my new ones in comparison. I whacked out my DSLR and was like, pictures obviously look so much better on them and i haven't been playing with it for a while. It is bulky but who wouldn't love the quality of the pictures as opposed to my iphone. 

Notice the Old Essentials lighting is different because i just took this like 5 minutes ago, the other one i took yesterday during the day. 

NOTE: This isn't all my essentials these are my basics. I should've added the blush and eyeshadow (probably do so with an updated one but this will do) 

My Old Essentials - I still do use some that are pictured here :) 

MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC25

Australis Fresh & Flawless Pressed Powder in Deep Natural

Maybelline Lash Stiletto in Black

Lancome Adaptive (in Beige Diaphane) / Teint Idole (Beige Nature) Samples

MAC Dazzleglass in Like Venus

Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara in Blackest Black

Skin Food Auto Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner in Number 1 

NYX White Eyeliner in White Pearl

Nivea Lip Balm Repair & Protection

MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC25

My overall two cents on these products:

Maybelline's Lash Stiletto: I really really hate the applicator for this. I highly do NOT recommend these for beginners. I discarded it ever since i got my MAC Pen Ultimate. The reason being, i'm not so good at liquid eyeliner and i find that the pen liquid eyeliners work best instead of the whole brush idea. Overall i hated it and i avoided using it at most and i use Maybelline's Gel Liner (which isn't pictured)

Revlon's Lash Luscious: It was a mediocre mascara but i've tried so many and this was just a meh - i only used it cause of the big brush and also the idea that it repairs lashes. 

Lancome Foundation Samples: I do like Lancome's foundation but i don't think they were for me. I used these time to time and i got them when i was looking at their foundations ages ago. 

Most of the products there i SHOULD'VE added to my new essentials and which is continue to use and still love are:

• NYX White Eyeliner - I use it to do the inner corners of my eyes and line the bottom and etc
• Skin Food Eyeliner - Best black waterproof eyeliner ever. I use it still to tightline my upper lash line
• MAC Dazzleglass in Like Venus - Enough said. I love it. 
• MAC Studio Fix & Concealer - I barely use it now... but i do use it from time to time. I feel like it's a bit heavy on my face but it provides good coverage
• Australis Fresh & Flawless - It's always a switch around with that and MAC's Studio Fix to set my powder it is also a go to foundation when i just wanna go ALL natural and simple and i just apply that on my face and i'm out. 

My New Essentials which i loveeeeeeee!

I say these are an improvement to my previous products and also most of them i love them to death and probably can't live without. 

But definitely these are the ones i've been reaching out to lately. 

Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara in Black

Skin Food Auto Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner in Number 1 

MAC Studio Moisture Tint in Medium Plus

MAC Penultimate Liquid Eyeliner in Rapidblack

MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC25

MAC Studio Fix Powder in NC25

MAC Dazzleglass in Like Venus

Urban Decay Eyelash Primer Potion

Christian Dior - Diorshow Iconic Mascara in 090

My overall two cents on these products:

I love them!!! Especially the MAC Studio Moisture Tint! It's a light weight tinted moisturiser and i love the smell of it and the feel on my face LOL. As for the mascara's i use two, cause i have annoying short and thin lashes, so to achieve the long and slightly thick eyelashes i use both mascaras. As you can see i'm a huge MAC fan and i'm madly in love with their cosmetics. I have had the best experience with them and i love how they match my face and their texture along with the way the products are packaged and how they suit so well to me. 

This shall be all for now! Can't wait to go out and have dinner with my beloved girlies  - Stef & Steph along with my boyfriend tomorrow!

Love, J