Spring Makeup Picks

 It is officially Spring! At least it is here in the Southern Hemisphere. Longer days and balmy nights are just around the corner, so it is time to swap out my makeup look for a fresh springtime glow. I'm dreaming of pretty pinks and peaches with injections of coral and bronze! Here are my picks for this season

Left to Right: Mac Mineralise Skinfinish Natural in Medium, Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in True Ivory

Face
Time to ditch the heavy full coverage makeup and swap it for a more natural dewy looking finish. This spring I will be wearing the Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation, which I have pledged my love for previously on this blog. The finish is light to medium and leaves a natural glowing looks to the skin. I will set this base with my Mac Mineralise Skinfinish Natural in Medium, but only through the oily points of my face where the foundation is likely to show wear more. I want to maintain the healthy glow, so mattifying my whole face is quite counterproductive in this instance.

Stila In the Light Pallette. Kitten is marked with the heart

Eyes
I am obsessing over champagne colours on the eye for Spring/Summer. I just love a sweep of Stila Kitten across the eyelid with a cool tones matte brown shade to blend out the crease and smoked out underneath the eye. This look is so effortless and fresh, and lends it self so well to a pretty, bright spring lip.

I also have my eye on pretty pop eye liners! There are two at Stila I am currently lusting after- Periwinkle and Turquoise. Pop liners could work well with my simple eye look I explained above. You could either sweep it across the lid and wing it out, or perhaps you will choose to smudge it into your lower lash line for a more subtle look. Either way, break out of your comfort zone and experiment this season.

Left to Right: Nars Orgasm, Milani Luminoso, Illamasqua Hussy, Bobbi Brown Nectar

 Cheeks
Peachy pink blush shades are perfect for the springtime and really help to bring back the healthy glow to your complexion after the miserable winter months. Since peachy pinks are a weakness of mine, I have a few recommendations. If you are interested in a more shimmery cheek, Nars Orgasm and Milani Luminoso are just perfect. The shimmer helps to wake up the complexion, and you can always skip the highlighter if you feel too much like a disco ball. For a more matte look, my faves at the moment are Illamasqua Blush in Hussy and Bobbi Brown Blush in Nectar. I receive endless compliments whenever I wear these shades, and I feel like they give a very natural finish.

Highlighter is also important for giving that healthy glow. I suffer from a sometimes dull complexion so I am in love with highlighting products. Probably more than what is healthy but hey! My favourite highlighter is the hallowed Mac Mineralise Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle. This peachy highlight is so natural and pretty and I love sweeping it across the high planes of my face and also in my cupids bow for a more pronounced lip.

Lips
It is no secret that I am a bit of a lipstick junkie, so it should be no surprise that I have several recommendations for a spring lip. I like to use the warmer months to play up the colour and corals more. Corals always look much better on a tanned complexion anyway, and I intend to take full advantage of this time to break out some of my favourite shades.

Left to Right: Mac Viva Glam Nikki 1, Mac Lovelorn, Mac Creme Cup

Pinks
I love Mac Viva Glam Nikki 1 which is a hot neon coral shade that looks amazing with a tan.

For a prettier lip I like Mac Lovelorn, which is a pretty soft candy pink.

For the perfect pinky nude, I love Mac Creme Cup

YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick in #13

Corals
YSL Rouge Volupte in #13 is a holy grail of mine. It is not too bright, so it is easy to wear, but you get that peach hit on your lip which is just so so pretty.

NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Nude Peach

Gloss
My favourite gloss for spring is the NYX Mega Shine Lipgloss in Nude Peach. This semi sheer gloss is amazing on its own or over a coral lip.

I hope you find my picks helpful for spring. Please comments and tell me your favourite spring products as I love to try new things!


Jen xox

Spring Nail Picks

The weather may still be a little cool, but there is no easier way in my opinion, to get into the springtime mood than expressing seasonal colours through a painted nail. Pretty pops of pastel on my nails just makes me so happy, and give me hope that the cold Melbourne winter will break eventually and the sun will come out! These are my favourite colours for this spring. (PS no I am not sponsored by Essie, I just purchased a lot of Essie nail colour when I was in the States recently)

Left to Right: Mint Candy Apple, Mojito Madness, Fiji, Tart Deco, You're Such a Budapest

1. Essie Mint Candy Apple- This soft blue/minty hue is so pretty and I have nothing else like it in my collection.  

2. Essie Mojito Madness- I have never owned a colour like this before. I am so excited to try out this bright emerald shade this spring. Emerald is also the Pantone Colour of the Year, so this is an easy way to rock the emerald trend without shelling out for more expensive clothing items.

3. Essie Fiji- This is a favourite in the beauty community and I am sure everybody is well aware of it. Fiji is the perfect baby pink in my opinion, although I have trouble with the consistency of the formula, so I recommend keeping this chilled in the fridge and you will probably need to apply 3 coats.

4. Essie Tart Deco- I cannot wait to sport this peachy apricot hue. I think this colour would look so HOT with a tan! (faux of course!). PS how adorable is the name!

5. OPI You're Such a Budapest- This shade is from OPI's Euro Centrale Collection. I feel like lavenders and periwinkles are just quintessentially spring and this nail varnish is definitely the even prettier love child of the two shades.

What are your favourite nail colours for spring?

Jen xox

Currently Roadtesting: New Skincare

I am the biggest "Phase Girl" you will ever meet! I am the type to obsess over lipstick, and thus only purchase lip products for a two month period, and then decide to obsess over shoes (and the pattern continues). It seems my brain in completely incapable of focussing on more than one product type at any given time. Enter: MY SKINCARE PHASE!

I would say, I have an obsessive skincare moment about once a year, where I overhaul my current skincare routine, and review what is working and what could be swapped out for a new product. My mum started me on a basic three step skincare routine back when I was around 11. I never had problem skin, in fact I have been incredibly lucky as far as skin goes, but I thank my mum (and my "Ten-O-Six" thee step program) every day for instilling good skincare habits early on.

I have been currently obsessed with Caroline Hiron's blog. She is an absolute wealth of information on skin and is incredibly honest, which I love. Her BeautyMouth blog has really inspired me to amp up my current skincare routine, and introduce a few new processes and products to really achieve as much as I can from my skin.

With that little intro out of the way, here are the products I am currently testing to see whether they deserve a rightful place in my beauty cabinet.

Hydraluron by Indeed Labs
My main skincare concern is dull lacklustre skin and also preventative anti ageing. This product is a pure hyarulonic acid treatment, which I have been using morning and night after I cleanse. Hyarulonic Acid is a hydrating acid, which is great keeping the skin super hydrated which in turn will help in minimising fine lines.

Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm by Emma Hardie
I have been intrigued by cleaning balms for some time now, with all of the hype surrounding the Eve Lom Cleanser. This Emma Hardie cleanser, does not contain any nasties such as mineral oil (I am looking at YOU Eve Lom!) and the texture really helps to cut through all of the product on your skin. I plan on using this as a first cleanse in the evening.

Drink-Up Intensive Overnight Mask by Origins
Upon my recent trip to The States, I was stalking the Korres Sleeping Mask in every Sephora I saw, with no avail. I did however stumble across this baby, which is half the price of the Korres one. Win! I love the idea of sleeping with a mask on, and I also think this will be AMAZING on planes, where I find my skin becomes very dehydrated (as everyone's does I suppose). PS this is smells absolutely delicious. Fruity, yummy, deliciousness.

Anthelios XL 50+ Exteme Fluid by La Roche-Posay
I recently discovered that moisturisers with SPF contain predominately SPF, and minimal, anti ageing, hydrating and whatever else benefits. Apparently SPF takes up a lot of "space" (?) in a moisturiser, so all of the other ingredients are very minimal and are probably not having an effect. I have thus decided to apply a separate moisturiser and SPF. This is my new SPF. It is lightweight and doesn't give you a grey mask. Also, did you realise that the 15+ SPF in your moisturiser only lasts 1.5 hours? I don't know about you but I am not reapplying my SPF thoughout the day on my face. That would involve foundation smearing, in which I will say a very firm NO to.

Beauty Elixir by Caudelie
This seems like a bit of a "fluff" product, but I am intrigued all the same. The Beauty Elixir is kind of a toning mist which helps the skin glow. It can be applied before or after makeup, and throughout the day. I am all for the glow, in case you haven't noticed, and really cannot get enough of the divine botanical "spa" scent of this product.

I will possibly review these products in upcoming posts as I use them more and really form a proper opinion.



Jen xox

Hit or Miss: Cult Status Vol 2

Today is part two in my Cult Product series, where I review much loved items in the beauty community and share my experiences good and bad. Today's round up I have had mostly positive experiences with. Please remember these are just my opinions, and if something does not work for me, it doesn't mean it does not work. These are all best selling items I am reviewing over this series so they are all clearly working for a lot of people. 

 

Sigma Brushes
Sigma brushes were originally released with the same numbering system as Mac. This was helpful as it made it really easy to compare like brushes across the Mac and Sigma lines. Sigma have since developed their own numbering system, I suppose to try and create a distinct stand alone brand image for themselves. I originally purchased a basic eye kit from Sigma, and it did serve me well at the time, but I really was lacking a few key brushes. I ended up purchasing the Mr Bunny Kit, which has a range of face and eye brushes made with the Sigmax technology. From my research, Sigmax is an exclusive synthetic filament developed by Sigma, which is said to create a more flawless high definition finish to the makeup application. I actually can notice a big difference between my Mr Bunny brushes versus my original eye kit, which is really just a little meh in comparison. I cannot explain exactly what it is, but I just find that the Mr Bunny brushes are softer, hold their shape much more, and blend better. All Sigma brushes are synthetic so they are great to use if you are Vegan or just looking for a more affordable alternative to Mac brushes. The synthetic filaments also lend themselves well to the application of cream products. Natural fibres are hollow and tend to suck in the product so you are not receiving the most economical application.

Do I Recommend? I recommend the brushes with Sigmax technology. I would personally skip the other brushes as there are definitely better quality alternatives out there.

NYX Mega Shine Lip Glosses
At circa $5-$6 these glosses seem like a no brainer right? If you are looking for a juicy lip gloss with a sheer lip tint, at a bargain price, then look no further! I will be honest, I actually prefer these glosses to my Mac Dazzleglass and Lip Gelees which I have spoken about previously. The formula is not at all sticky and is of surprising quality for the pricepoint. The pigmentation is sheer but is lovely on top of a lipstick. There are a few glittery glosses in the range, but I prefer the non glitters. My favourites are Nude Pink and Nude Peach. The taste is the only real potential issue with this gloss. I personally do not mind it- it taste like Cherry Starburst which I love! But I have heard a lot of negative reviews on the taste so it really isn't for everyone.

Do I recommend? Yes, but do your research on the colours as they are not of equal quality. My recommendations are the Nude Pink, Nude Peach and Beige (which isn't beige at all!)

Benefit They're Real Mascara 
Did you know 1 of these mascaras is sold every 10 seconds apparently? Crazy right? I am a big fan of lengthening mascaras so I was very intrigued by Benefit's claims surrounding this product. 

According to a consumer panel survey conducted by Benefit
94% saw dramatic length and volume
90% saw base to tip curl
94% saw visible lift
100% saw long wearing results

Of course we can't all believe marketing hype and I usually quite skeptical of these kinds of claims. I mean, what mascara DOESN'T claim the above? I decided to try it for myself, being a big fan of Maybelline The Falsies at the time, I felt like they had big shoes to fill. The result? WOW! I have never had a mascara that curls, lengthens and volumises all in one, and it is the blackest of blacks. The formula is not too wet like The Falsies, and I do not find that I have any clumping issues. (I usually apply two coats). My favourite part about this product is that my lashes STAY CURLED. This is quite a feat considering my left side lashes are stubbornly straight  They're Real is hands down my H.G mascara. It is just a pity it is so pricey ($38 in Australia) If you purchase on the Benefit website, prices are in line with America, however you need to spend $120 to obtain free shipping, (not hard to do, but annoying if you only want mascara). 

Do I recommend? ummmmm duh!

Nars Blush in Orgasm 
This product needs no introduction, and I have in fact already spoken about this product in my Nars Swatch Post LINK. For a fuss free everyday cheek that suits everybody, peachy pink Orgasm is a good one to have in the collection for many looks, day, evening, summer, winter, the possibilities are endless. The pigmentation is great as is with all Nars blushes in my experience however,  there is quite a bit of shimmer to this blush, so if you are not one for goldy shimmer I would steer clear. I love this blush for low maintenance days and I find that I do not need to apply a highlighter when I use this product, as the shimmer lends itself enough glow for me with the shimmer particles, so it is also good if you want a minimalistic makeup collection. 

Do I recommend? Yes, especially if you are not a blush junkie and just want one blush to work across all looks. 

Mac Mineralise Skin Finish in Soft and Gentle 
My favourite highlighter to date! This peachy pink Mac wonder has attracted a lot of attention over the years, and for good reason. Sweeping this product on the high plains of one's face will instantly lift the complexion and give a healthy glow, without being too glittery or frosty. I also love sweeping this product across the eye in the summertime, for an easy fuss free eye look, on the days I am not in the mood to create a layered and contoured eye. Yes this product is pricey, but you definitely get your money's worth. In Australia this product is $55 and the States is $30, but the container holds 10 grams of product. I have been using my Soft and Gentle religiously for the past year and a bit, and I have barely made a dent in this pretty swirled dome shaped product. 

Do I recommend? Yes! This is my HG highlighter so far in my highlighter journey! 

Please feel free to share your experiences with these products in the comments section. I love hearing other peoples reviews and experiences good and bad. 


Jen xox

Fab Find! Affordable Nail Sprinkles

I have long lusted after the gorgeous Caviar Manicure and the like from Ciate, but just have not been able to bring myself to make the $35ish investment on such a fad. It was just last weekend my sister and I were torturing ourselves once again over whether or not we should try it out. Alas, our self control prevailed. (Well done self control). Later that day we wandered into Sportsgirl, which is a high street clothing chain for those of you non Australians. Perusing the makeup section, what did we come across? NAIL SPRINKLES! I am not going to lie, I was PEAKING! At $7.95 the price is absolutely right! The sprinkles come in both glitter (hello glitter accent nail!) and my favourite, beads, or nail caviar, just like Ciate!

The colour range is quite good also (LINK). I purchased the Black sprinkles and Rose Gold glitter, but the sprinkles also come in Neon, Pink, Silver and Multi (Nails that look like cupcakes? I will take it!). The range also extends to tiny metallic hearts which are adorable as well.

I also rate the packaging. The little plastic pots are just precious and there is plenty of room for nail dipping, so they are not just cute, but very functional.

I am fairly certain Sportsgirl ship worldwide so anyone can jump onboard this fab find! I know I will be going back this weekend to see if any other colours are in stock!

PS: Apologies for the very substandard image. My lighting and camera were just not working as one tonight. : (

Jen xox

Drugstore Foundation of the Moment

Rimmel have been knocking it out of the park lately with an array of new releases that I just cannot get enough of. The front runner of these is the Wake Me Up Foundation.

I have mentioned before, my main skin concern is dull lacklustre appearance, so the "anti-fatigue effect and radiant glow"claim really grabbed my attention there in Priceline. I am normally quite the drugstore foundation skeptic, and in my previous experience, this hesitance is well warranted. I am pleased to announce that this foundation has proved my theory wrong, and has thus become a drugstore favourite, and dare I say it, potential Holy Grail contender.

The coverage is light to medium, but absolutely buildable. I find it easy to apply with both foundation buffing brush and fingers, and the more I rub in the formula, the more amazing it becomes. This foundation finishes very natural as a radiant healthy glow which is perfect for day to day wear. There are tiny particles of shimmer throughout the formula, but honestly when I buff this into my skin, the shimmer goes away. I promise, you will not look like a disco ball!

I find this foundation has a reasonable longevity. I have an oily nose (thanks Dad), so this is really where I notice the foundation wearing off during the course of the day. I will often apply my Smashbox Photoready Primer prior to the Wake Me Up, which really gives a flawless finish paired together. I will finish off my base with my Mac Mineralise Skin Finish Natural in Medium. This combination, really helps to extend the wear of this foundation and this is my go to base look for everyday at the moment.

The scent is a fresh citrusy fragrance, which I do not mind. I think Rimmel have added this as a part of the whole "wake me up" experience, given that citrus scents are energising. The packaging isn't too bacd. I like the glass bottle and the pump applicator, but the plastic lid doesn't blow me away. Alas, this is from the drugstore, I can't have everything for a $19.95 pricepoint!

The only downside to this product, which doesn't really affect me, is the colour range. While I do not expect a super vast spectrum of colours such that you would see of a high end brand, six colours is somewhat limiting for some. Luckily for me Shade 103 True Ivory is pretty much perfection.

Overall, I absolutely recommend this product. If I was given a blind test, I could easily have said this was a higher end product. It is THAT good. Aussie girls, keep an eye out for Chemist Warehouse and My Chemist, because I have caught this product on 50% sales at these stores a couple of times now, in which case I stock up!

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation offers 30ml of product and contains an SPF of 15.


Jen xox

Michael Todd True Organic Skincare- A Review

You have no doubt noticed since the beginning of the year the internet has been littered with rave reviews on Michael Todd True Organics. There are two reasons for this: 1. is that a mass promotional activity was carried out, whereby every beauty guru out there was sent a selection of products. 2: apparently they are really THAT good. 

Wellllllllllll, a few months ago, sold on all of the reviews, I made a purchase from the website and eagerly awaited my products. And I waited, and waited and waited and after a month, I queried my case with customer service and they lovely rep I emailed, straight away, resent my order no problems at all. (Customer service is seriously the best asset a company can have!). Finally after around two months these products were in my hot little hands and I could not have been more excited.

For those of you who are not aware, Michael Todd is a beauty brand, whose focus is organic skincare. They have an array of products to suit all skincare types, at very keen pricepoints. There are also dozens of 20% coupon codes floating around Google-Land so you can save money on the already low prices. Not only, when I opened the box of goodies, I was shocked at the size of these products. The only way I can think to describe them is novelty sized....in a larger sense. The serum and eye cream in particular dwarfed my other treatments in the beauty cabinet, and the toner was only just tall enough to fit my shelf space. Win win? Well, after using these products for a few weeks, I had mixed feelings...

HIT!
Tropical Fruit Enzyme Exfolient Scrub
I love a good scrub, and this is no exception.The consistency is very fine like sand almost, so it is low irritant. The best part is that it totally works! This scrub, which I like to rotate with my Lush Ocean Salt makes my skin baby soft and smooth. The scent is quite fruity, but it does not really do much for me. The fact that the entire Michael Todd line is organic was a major draw card for me, as I am trying to minimise, nasties such as parabens, sulfates and mineral oil.

Ingredients
Aloe Barbadensis (Organic Aloe) Juice, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut RBD) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Wax Beads, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Emulsifying Wax, Palm Stearic Acid, Walnut Shell Powder, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Limonum (Lemon) Essential Oil, Organic Carica Papaya (Green Papaya) Extract, Organic Ananas Comosus (Pineapple) Extract, Organic Carica Papaya (Papaya) Extract, Citrus Sinensis (Orange, Sweet) Essential Oil, Xanthan Gum (Polysaccharide Gum), Sodium Benzoate, Glucolactone, Pyrus Cydonia (Quince) Juice, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Extract, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai Fruit) Pulp Powder, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane), Musa Sapientum (Banana) Fruit Puree, Natural Flavors, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid.

MEH...
Blue Green Algae Antibacterial Toner
I have quite clear skin as it is, so I really think this product did not blow me away as I did not really need it? I am usually quite skeptical on toners with my skin, as I have never really had much of a use for them. I purchased this one, as I read reviews, where people claimed that this did wonders for their skin even though it was already clear (much like me). Alas, I am back to not using a toner as once again, there seemed to be no effect. I want to send this to my sister, as I think she would really benefit from this product.

Ingredients
Aloe Barbadensis (Organic Aloe) Leaf Juice, Ascophyllum Nodosum (Organic Kelp) Extract, Aphanizomenon Flos Aquae (Organic Blue Green Algae) Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Salix Nigra (Black Willowbark) Extract, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai Fruit) Pulp Powder, Sodium Chloride (Dead Sea Salt), Polysorbate, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Essential Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Glucolactone, Citric Acid, Lavendula Angustifolia (Certifed Organic) Hydrosol.

MISS!
Intensive Organic Cream Eye Treatment
I was really disappointed with this product as I think it was broken when I received it. When I try to dispense the product, it seems to come out of every crevice imaginable, except for the hole it is supposed to, so that was already a huge inconvenience. In terms of the quality of the product, it is not really my preference.The consistency is quite thin and I personally prefer a thicker eye cream so I am not really a fan. The scent however, is just divine! It is that botanical scent, I like to call the "spa smell". I cannot get enough! Unfortunately this product just has not worked for me. 

Ingredients
Aloe Barbadensis (Organic Aloe) Juice, Olea Europaea (Organic Olive) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Organic Jojoba) Oil, Lavendula Angustifolia (Organic Lavender) Distillate, Emulsifying Wax, Palm Stearic Acid, Lavandula X Intermida ‘Super’ Extract, , Aspalathus Lineans (Organic Rooibos Tea) Tincture, , Oenotheris Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Punica Granatum (Organic Pomegranate) Tincture, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai Fruit) Pulp Powder, Hyaluronic Acid,Eyeliss® (3%), Haloxyl® (3%), Copper peptide GHK-Cu (Copper tripeptide-1), Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract, Calendula Officinalis (Organic Calendula) Extract, Aphanizomenon Flos-Aqua (Blue Green Algae) Tincture, Xanthan Gum (Polysaccharide Gum), Citric Acid.

Hyraluronic Acid+C Antioxidant Moisturising Serum
I was attracted to this serum for two reasons, the first being that it contains super hydrating hyraluronic acid, and secondly, I love vitamin C enriched skincare to help brighten my sometimes lacklustre complexion. Once again I was a little underwhelmed by this product. The constancy,  like the eye cream was just a little thin for my liking and I found this product did not absorb as quickly as I would have liked. In addition, I can always tell the next morning, when I have used a serum the night before  but with this serum, the results just were not there. 

Ingredients
Rosa Damascena (Rose) Distillate, Aloe Barbadensis (Organic Aloe Vera) Juice, Vegetable Glycerin, Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), Emulsifying Wax, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam Seed) Oil, Vaccinium Myrtillus (Organic Bilberry) Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Organic Sugar Cane) Extract, Acer Saccharinum (Organic Sugar Maple) Extract, Citrus Auranium Dulcis (Organic Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Organic Lemon) Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Organic Cranberry) Extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Phenoxyethanol, CoQ10, Beta Carotene (Pro Vitamin A), Retinol Palmitate (Vitamin A), Alpha Lipoic Acid (DL- Thioctic Acid), Dl-Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Daucus Carota (Carrot) Oil, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum (Polysaccharide Gum), Rosa Damascena (Rose) Absolute, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai Fruit) Pulp Powder, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sodium Benzoate, Glucolactone, Citric Acid.

Despite my mixed success, I definitely recommend the scrub and I really like the brand's message in general in regards to the clean skincare at an affordable price. The above views as just my opinions and experiences, and everyone's skin is different. If anyone wants to try the products, the code I used was acnefree. This is not a affiliate link for myself, I found it on another blog, so it may be affiliated with somebody else.

Jen xox