About 11 months ago, I’d had some vague plan to write a post on the five products you need for your hair right now, but I get the feeling I would have been just a little bit off the mark. And, I’m glad I waited to write this post, because the number is now looking a little closer to, well, three (did the photo above tip you off? Just a little…?).
It isn’t often that a beauty product takes me back to my youth; and I mean really takes me back to my youth, and not in that lipsmacker-smells-so-good-you-could-almost-eat-it kind of way. No, I mean in that lazy summer afternoon watching the waves roll down the beach, with a scoop of chips, some battered fish, and a thirst-quenching ginger beer kind of way.
For the last six weeks or so, I’ve been using a few products from the Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger range, and to say I’m impressed is an understatement, by far. Since I was in my early teens, I’ve relied pretty heavily on a rather battered pair of GHD hair straighteners, and some rich serum to tame any flyaways (and believe me, there’s always a l-o-t). But since putting these haircare products into heavy rotation, I’ve found myself reaching for those styling products less and less, to the point that I can get away without any heat styling to my hair, and not have any unwanted volume near my roots.
So, about the products. They’re free from sulphates, which means that your hair isn’t being stripped of any essential natural oils which keep your hair looking healthy and moisturised; meaning it’s already a win in my book (that, plus did I mention they smell like ginger beer??!!).
My favourite product of the three is the ‘Moisturising Lather Shampoo‘; a little of this stuff goes a long way, and it lathers up unlike anything else I’ve ever used before. The ‘Keratin Cream Rinse‘ on the other hand has a formulation which feels more like milk in your palm than any other conditioner I’ve tried – which is generally on the thick and moussey side of the scale. I’m not exactly sold on the formula of this, and I get the feeling that this has more to do with my general experience with hair care than anything else, but it’s worth noting that when putting this through your hair, it’s hard to know whether you’ve managed to condition from root to tip or not.
For a long time, I struggled to find an intensive conditioning treatment which works as well as my HG from Bumble and Bumble, but the ‘Keratin Intensive Treatment‘ manages to hold a candle to it, perhaps coming in at a very close second. This is so incredibly nourishing and seems to have added that extra bit of moisture and shine to my hair that it really needed – well, that and the additional magic that a fresh cut can have.
From the girl who used to shudder at the thought of spending more than she had to on shampoo and conditioner, I’ve come a long way in the last fourteen months. And, it’s safe to say that I’ll be keeping Paul Mitchell’s Awapuhi range in heavy rotation – it’s one of the few products I’ve used recently (along with OGX) that has really gone above and beyond my expectations.
I’ve been trying out a couple of other bits from the Paul Mitchell range, that I’m hoping to share my thoughts on in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, I would love to hear your thoughts. Have you tried PM before? How did you find it?
Rimmel Brow Styling Gel & Brow This Way Sculpting Kit*
This past year has seen me become a complete beauty convert. From the girl who thought that dusting bronzer all over her face, to the girl now, who seldom fails to leave the house with a little bit of colour in her cheeks and full-looking brows.
My holy grail, never-want-to-be-without-it brow product has been the Anastasia Brow Wiz, which is arguably one of the quickest, fail-proof brow products out there, but lately, another brow product has been after my heart.
That product, is the recently launched ‘Brow this Way’ sculpting kit from Rimmel. It’s a bit of change given I’ve been exclusively using a brow pencil up until now, but I’ve really been enjoying rocking the bold(ish)-looking brow that I get from applying some of the dark ashy coloured wax from this little brow duo.
I’ve picked this up in the shade medium brown, which is an ideal match for me. The wax is an ashy dark brown that blends in very naturally with my brows. The formula itself sets down almost immediately, and a little goes a long way. I’m by no means a brow-pro, but this is such a simple product to apply; it’s not quite as fool-proof as the Brow Wiz, but it’s pretty darn close. I use the thicker side of the small brush which comes with the compact to apply the wax and fill out my brows just a little. I then use the miniature spooly to brush through my brows and distribute the product a little more evenly.
The other half of the duo has a very warm-toned powder which is apparently to be used to set down the wax, but honestly, I’ve barely touched this. The shade is far too warm-toned for my brows (although it could possibly double as a shadow), and I haven’t really found it necessary to use over the wax, as this sets down on its own.
In terms of wear time, this doesn’t budge or smudge and even after a long day at work, I’ll go home and my brows will still be intact.
The top two images are me rocking my natural brows; the bottom left is with one natural and one filled in; and the bottom right is my brow game strong
The Brow Styling Gel on the other hand, I’m not quite so sold on although I’ve been trying to persevere with it. The formula of the three shades I’ve tried (clear, medium brown and dark brown) is quite wet, and doesn’t seem to do much to keep my brows in place – not that they’re unruly to begin with though! Of the options available, I prefer the coloured brow gels as they are great at subtly enhancing your natural brows for those days where you want a more natural look. While I do have complaints about the very wet formula, once applied, the product is incredibly lightweight and is feels like add a subtle touch of colour.
It has a small mascara style wand, making it quite easy to use although you do need to act with a bit of precision when brushing the product through the tail of your brows (think of it a little like ‘drawing within the lines’). I find that the wand tends to retain a lot of the gel when drawing it from the tube so I’ve been wiping this off lightly just to get a more even application.
While my brows are very dark brown (or almost black), I’ve found that the medium brown shade works best for me; the dark brown can look a little bit heavy and when applied whereas the medium brown has a much softer look to it.
The wear time on the gel is excellent; the tint lingers all day, and as the product is quite wet, it has the benefit of drying down to a natural – far from crunchy – finish.
Both products have been helping to keep my brow game strong, as I’ve been quietly rationing what’s left of my Anastasia Brow Wiz (and forgetting to reorder it on the reg…), and I’ve been liking the flexibility between a softer, natural-looking brow, and one that’s just a little bit bold. I’m still not completely ready to toss out the Brow Wiz and commit to Rimmel’s latest offering entirely, but it’s definitely earned a place in my beauty rotation and I have been reaching for it a lot lately.
Have you picked this up and if so, I’d love to know what you thought in the comments below!
I received such an overwhelmingly positive response to my combined favourites last month, that I thought I’d continue sharing my beauty and fashion favourites each month, moving forward.
Perhaps one of the more exciting favourites of the month – for me at least – has been a new base that I’ve been using; the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser. I have this in the shade Light 3/Groenland, which is a pretty good match for me for the winter. It’s a very light coverage, but evens out my skin tone and adds a light dewiness to my face.
I’ve really been getting into a bold lip this month, I think it seems to go hand in hand with the more porcelain look my face gets during the colder months. I’ve tried so many different formulas, and one of my favourite and more affordable options has been from Wet n Wild’s Fergie range, in the shades Saranghina and Old School Glam. These are a semi-matte finish, very creamy and not overly drying at all, and have such an incredible lasting power that even a big lunch and copious drinks won’t wear it down.
My blush collection has been slowly expanding, and if there’s one thing I tend to look out for, it’s a matte and shimmer-free finish. My current favourite that I’ve been reaching for everyday has been the Aerin Multicolor for Lips and Cheeks in Natural 01; it’s a cream blush/lipstick formula which works brilliantly for both purposes. It’s such an effortless shade and adds a flesh toned warmth to the cheeks. It’s incredibly pigmented so a little goes a long way!
My last beauty favourite has been the By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Frozen Quartz, a stunning lustre lilac with silver flecks throughout. This is such a buttery creamy formula which is so easy to work with on the lids and blend out. I never notice any fall out below the eyes, although it’s worth noting the shimmer in this shade can be pretty full on. I’m so tempted to try this in a few other shades as the product seems to have gotten nothing but praise!
As for my fashion favourites, I’ve been loving my silver chain necklace from Kingsway Design. It’s so simple and minimal, making it the perfect chain to adorn my neckline when wearing a lower cut singlet or t-shirt. I’ve also finally taken the time to switch out my purse to something equally as colourful as the last; it’s the filigree leather embossed purse from Karen Walker, this time in an evergreen and rose gold combination. These are incredibly hard wearing and don’t seem to stain easily, and I love the fact that they have a little clip inside for your keys!
The last two favourites for this month have been worn over and over again; the kitty flats from Charlotte Olympia (which have just come back – like new – from the cobbler) and the pleated midi skirts from ASOS. I tend to wear these on a weekly, if not daily, basis, and they’ve both served me well over the past month.
Over the last couple of months, chances are, if I’m wearing blush, it’s been one of these five beauties, which have got me covered across everything from a natural flush to a peachy glow across my cheeks.
I tend to shy away from anything with even a hint of glitter when it comes to blush (NARS Deep Throat is Admittedly, my standard go-to quite often ends up being the blush from Aerin, as it’s so easy to throw on when you’re on the go. But, with summer literally round the corner, I’ve been enjoying wearing a swipe of something with a bit of pop, and nothing screams golden glow and summer sunsets at the beach like a subtle hint of neon.
So in no particular order, these are the blushes I am loving… right now.
Aerin Multicolor for lips and cheeks; cream products are often touted as being more difficult to work with than powder, but that definitely hasn’t been my experience with this blush from Aerin. Plus, I love the fact hat it doubles as a lipstick making it the perfect compact for on the go. I have this in the shade 01 Natural, which is a medium brown toned dusky nude shade that comes off as very natural in appearance once on the cheeks.
Milani Rose Powder Blush; I’ll admit it, I bought this one purely for the packaging – the rose pressed into the product looked too pretty to pass up. I have this in a couple of different shades, but my favourite is by far 01 Romantic Rose; a true dusty rose. This comes off slightly pinker on the cheeks than the Aerin blush I mentioned above.
Clinique Cheek Pop; I’d heard a lot about these blushes after they launched, so I took the plunge with a Nordstrom order a few months back and grabbed this in the shade 12 Pink Pop. As a very bright and almost neon-hued pink, this certainly isn’t a shade I would normally reach for. The product comes off quite sheer upon application, so it adds more of a subtle flush to the cheeks rather than an obnoxiously neon strip (there’s definitely a thing as too much blush.
NARS Powder Blush; going into your local Mecca (kind of like Australia and New Zealand’s answer to Sephora) is always going to be dangerous, but even more so when you’re getting your make up done there. During my last make up application, the MUA applied this blush in Gina to my cheeks and I was absolutely smitten. It’s a bright sherbet orange and just screams summer in a pan.
Milani Baked Blush; after hearing Kathleen Lights wax lyrical about how good this blush was, I snapped it up in the shade Luminoso, which true to her word, adds a gorgeous J-Lo glow to the cheeks. I’m looking forward to reaching for this a lot more once I’ve gotten a little bit of a tan.
What blushes are you going to be reaching for this summer?
I know… I’m a little late to the party. I’ve been keeping this palette to myself for the last few months, but I really wanted to make sure that it was worth its salt before I shared with you just how good this is. I was dead set keen on nabbing their latest offering, the ‘in bloom’ palette (or Amazonian Clay 2), as along with a decent array of mattes, it included three shimmer shades, something which felt a little lacking from Tarte’s original Amazonian Clay Palette.
In the palette, you get 12 shades; 9 mattes and three shimmers:
Charmer (off white)
Jetsetter (warm taupe)
Rocker (shimmering taupe)
Smokeshow (black brown)
Flower Child (peachy nude)
Smarty Pants (tan)
Firecracker (bronze copper)
Activist (dark brown)
Funny Girl (champagne)
Sweetheart (peach)
Rebel (chestnut brown)
Leader (aubergine)
Just like the original, the pigmentation is excellent, overall. Funny Girl is probably the only shade of the lot which takes some work to get a decent colour payoff, however I think it works best layered over deeper shadows to add a little bit of sparkle. The shadows do kick up a little bit of powder, however they blend out beautifully, and the formulas themselves are incredibly smooth. The wear time on them is also excellent; my eyelids are on the oilier side, but with a primer I find that these shadows last all day on me and then some.
For me, this has become one of those palettes that I reach for frequently, as the shadows range from cool to warm, and it’s incredibly versatile – you can make it work for day and for night (and the HUGE mirror makes it very travel friendly). What really surprised me about this palette wasn’t how good it was, but the scent. It’s a little bit of a cross between Too Faced’s Chocolate Bar Palette and a fresh marshmallow plucked straight from the bag, and makes the whole palette seem that much sweeter (as long as you have a sweet tooth like me, that is!).
My favourites in the palette are hands down Flower Child, Smarty Pants and Sweetheart, plus I love a little bit of Leader packed onto the lash line and smoked out for a little bit of depth.
Personally, this definitely sits within my top three favourite palettes; it’s fairly neutral, high quality, and has a large enough variety of shades to keep me coming back to it on a daily basis. Have you added this palette to your collection yet?
I recently picked up a few bits and pieces from Everlane and The Real Real , and figured it was as good a time as any to nab a few beauty products that I’d had sitting on my wishlist.
First up was the Lorac Pro Contour Palette; while I don’t contour quite as much as I used to (I tend to go pretty minimal on the base these days), I thought that this would be a great product to have in my vanity. I’ve been using it the last couple of weeks and I’ve been really impressed with the quality. Highly pigmented – trust me when I saw a little goes a long way – incredibly smooth, and so versatile.
Then, I decided to stock up on a couple more of the Clinique Cheek Pop blushes. I tend to reach for the shade Pink Pop most days; I love the formulation of these, they are slightly sheer but build up quickly for a nice flush of colour on the cheeks making them great for beginners. I picked up two new shades, Ginger Pop (a red toned coral) and Peach Pop (a true peach) which are both beautiful and I think will be perfect particularly during the warmer months of the year.
As I mentioned earlier, I tend to keep my base very minimal. Most days I’ll leave the house without applying any foundation or tinted moisturiser – my face tends to get pretty pale in the cooler months and I’ve been trying to embrace it, while avoiding clogging my pores. But one thing I have been keen to pick up is the pore minimising photo finish primer from Smashbox. I tried out a sample of this earlier in the year and absolutely loved it. It has a slippy silicone texture to it, which for my oilier skin type is ideal. I’m really looking forward to wearing this on days where I do opt for a full face of make up – it’s definitely a product that feels very comfortable on the skin.
Lastly, I picked up a new lip pencil from MAC. I’m a huge fan of MAC’s pro longwear lip pencils; it’s one of the more comfortable and creamy formulas that I’ve tried, and I find that they help to prolong the wear time of any lipstick I’ve swiped over the top (as you’d hope!). Practicality for my make up has been first and foremost as of late, so I opted for the shade Nice’n’Spicy. This is a gorgeous brown toned nude with a hint of pink – great for everyday and also a good option if you’re planning to overdraw your lips a little bit.
Next on my wishlist has to be Charlotte Olympia’s makeup collaboration with MAC, although I’m still at odds over how many red lipsticks is too many…
As a huge fan of MERIT’s original Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on their matte formula. Mostly, because I had a feeling – before even seeing the line up – that the shade selection would be intriguing. And I wasn’t wrong. Eight new shades, which you can either buy separately, or at a significant discount when buying the quartet in The Box Set. I’ve been putting these to the test, and wanted to share my thoughts and feelings. Especially as someone who loves their OG formulation so much, I’ve made it through a full lipstick already (and that’s saying something). So, let’s review the MERIT Beauty Signature Lip Mattes.
Packaging
Touching on the packaging, just briefly. The Box Set comes in a plush velvet box which feels weighty, and is satisfying to open, revealing four lipsticks snugly tucked inside. That experience alone feels luxurious, and I’ve actually been keeping them housed in their box as it’s such an easy way to keep them tidy and tucked away.
The lipsticks are housed in a translucent perspex case – same as the original Signature Lightweight Lip, but in a smokey grey to differentiate the formula.
MERIT Signature Lip Mattes Review
So let’s talk formula. Because as far as comfort goes, I haven’t worn anything on my lips in the past two years that even rivals their OG formulation (yes, it’s that good). And, I wanted to know, does the MERIT Signature Lip Mattes live up to the hype?
I think we all have a pretty solid idea in our head about what a matte formula looks and feels like on the lips. Powdery finish, drying to wear, but does. not. budge.
So reading the ingredients list had me wondering, was MERIT about to topple that preconceived notion on its head? Hyaluronic acid to lock in hydration; sesame seed extract for conditioning and comfort. Curious.
My lips have a propensity for dryness, so I’ll always start off by priming with a lip balm. Because these are mattes, I went in with the big guns; a heavy duty, thick base – the Trinny London Lip Treat. I think it’s worth highlighting this, as I do think that this ever so slightly adjusts the way the formula applies and lasts over the course of the day.
These strike me as much more pigmented than the OG Signature Lip. One swipe is ample enough to get a rich wash of colour, though you can layer up for a more pigmented/opaque look. It glides on the lips seamlessly; similar to most satin lipsticks I’ve tried. No dragging at all. The finish has a velvety look, and can be blotted and blurred at the edges with a tissue or the tips of your fingers.
Comfort-wise, I found wearing these no different to most other lipsticks. While the Mattes don’t have the slip of the OG Signature Lip, they don’t seem to wear like a traditional matte lipstick beyond the wear time. On which is reasonably good, though do expect fading – the trade off of a more comfortable formula is to the longevity. But this is absolutely not a dealbreaker for me. I’d rather reapply, that have dry, uncomfortable lips all day.
So… TLDR: The Merit Beauty Signature Lip Mattes are a fairly opaque, creamy matte formulation which glide on the lips and feel (very) comfortable to wear. Extremely decent wear time, though do expect to need to reapply throughout the day.
MERIT Signature Lip Mattes Swatches
There’s eight shades available, all of which on reflection, act as enhancers for our lips across the spectrum, plus a couple of bolder red-toned hues for good measure. The Box Set includes the shades Antibes, Maison, Power, and Classic. Antibes was top of my list to try, and I’m also curious about Equestrian and Court.
From top to bottom in the imagery above, we have Antibes (Soft Peach), Maison (Berry Mauve), Power (Cool Red), Classic (Neutral). Perhaps the only additions I would make are that Power feels like more of a punch raspberry hue with a blue-pink undertone. And Classic reads quite light in the bullet, but translates beautifully onto the lips, with a faint warm, neutral undertone.
Below you can see how they swatch on me. I have an olive complexion, with cool-toned lips. Antibes is in the top left, Maison in the top right, Power in the bottom left, and Classic in the bottom right. Given my favourite OG Signature Lip is the shade Tiger, it probably comes as little surprise that I can see myself wearing Antibes the most – it feels like it naturally matches and is one with my complexion.
So, are these the best matte lipsticks I’ve ever tried? From a comfort standpoint, it’s a categorical yes. I haven’t tried anything that feels quite like these on the lips. The colour range is pretty unique – something that MERIT does extremely well – and I’m happy to forgo a bit of longevity if it means boosting comfort. Added bonus that the formulation includes soothing and hydrating ingredients!
My skincare routine is under constant refinement. I’ll usually introduce something new on a fortnightly basis, but the products I keep coming back to always remain the same. And it’s the test of time that really highlights which are the heroes in your routine. And out of everything I’ve been trying, I’ve found myself having something of a semi-exclusive Emma Lewisham skincare routine. Not on purpose, but because my complexion seems to really be loving each and every product.
It’s worth noting that this is a luxury skincare brand. Which is reflected in the price point, but also the overall experience. The packaging feels weighty, high end. The formulations have this soft fragrance I often associate with luxury skincare, but they also have a textural elegance to them. Smooth and silky to the touch. All ingredients are 100% natural, and there are no fillers, artificial colours, synthetic fragrances or synthetic preservatives used in any of their products.
And what I love to see is that Emma Lewisham is B-Corp certified, and strives for sustainability across the range. All products are both refillable (something that I’m thrilled to see become more common across the board), and Toitū Climate Positive certified PAS 2050.
Now let’s talk about the three products from the range which form part of my daily skincare routine.
Illuminating Face Cleanser
Emma Lewisham’s Illuminating Face Cleanser is one of four cleansers I currently have on rotation. It took me a while to warm up to oil-based cleansers, because in my early twenties I’d always assumed that these would make my “oily” skin oilier. Clearly, I’ve since seen the light, and also recognised more about my skin. It’s combination/oily but dehydrated. So cleansers which are both efficacious and nourishing at the same time work wonders for me.
As far as oil cleansers go, this has quite a thin consistency. Very emollient, with a soft, floral fragrance. And it’s effective. The only mascara it’s not been able to shift is this one from Merit – and I suspect that’s because it’s a mascara that’s best removed with warm water. I’ll usually squeeze 2-3 pumps onto my fingertips and work into my face for around 30 seconds before following up with warm water. Occasionally there will be some stubborn eye makeup that it didn’t melt down during the initial cleanse, but I find this is often the case if I’m not using a face cloth (something I find always gives a more precise, thorough cleanse in general). One tip is not to try and add more product once your skin or fingertips are damp. It needs to be applied directly to dry skin in order to be most effective.
The way my skin feels after is soft, nourished, dewy. This is very gentle, and as someone who does have sensitive skin, I’ve not had any sensitivity issues with this cleanser (or any Emma Lewisham products for that matter!).
A quick look at the ingredients list, and you’ll note a deluge of oils which all work to hydrate and replenish the skin. For example, Helianthus annuus seed oil and Olea europaea fruit oil to reduce the loss of skin’s water content and nourish the skin. And Lavandula angustifolia oil which has anti-inflammatory properties. It’s no wonder my complexion loves this. For me this is a 9.5 out of 10. Cosmetically elegant, the experience of using it feels luxurious, and the only minor flaw being it’s not 100% compatible with my current mascara of choice.
Skin Reset Face Serum
The third step in my skincare routine is the Skin Reset Face Serum. Which I’ll apply after using Avene’s Tolerance Control Recovery Serum (which I’ve found has been helping to settle my skin sensitivity). I love the airtight pump jar – this disperses the perfect amount of product, and feels unfussy and clean. Again, you’ll notice a soft, floral fragrance, but most surprising is the appearance of the serum. Usually, I’d expect something clear, perhaps viscose in nature. But instead it’s milky white in appearance, with a light creamy texture.
This serum is award-winning, packed with natural actives that work to even out skin tone, reduce hyperpigmentation and restore radiance. Due to the efficacy of the serum, it’s recommended that you introduce it into your routine slowly. What’s interesting to me is their proprietary Physiology Synchrony Unlock Method™, and the way in which they’ve been able to innovate and engineer a formulation which prolongs the activity of Vitamin C on the skin – an ingredient we all know to be a real skincare powerhouse.
It’s worth remembering that skincare isn’t a magic salve, though what I see this as doing is softening the effects of my genetics. My complexion is pretty similar to my late mother’s, and I recall her having quite a bit of pigmentation from the sun. So no wonder that as I’ve approached my mid-thirties, my skin has begun to do the same (despite avoiding the sun as much as possible!). Clinical studies found that 77% of users noticed a visible reduction in their hyperpigmentation, which is a credit to the R&D, and concentration of actives like Vitamin C and Niacinamide. That said, I can’t say I’ve noticed any new hyperpigmentation – which in of itself is a win!
What I have noticed, is that my skin is glowing. I was reflecting on this last night, and had put it down to stepping up my exercise game. But am realising that exercise is only one piece of the puzzle. The Skin Reset Face Serum has also been helping to do the heavy lifting. A miracle given my reliance on chocolate for that sugar rush/bout of energy due to a lack of quality sleep.
Supernatural Face Creme Riche
Final step in my skincare routine is the Supernatural 72-hour Hydration Face Creme Riche. Something I’ll use both morning and night. What I love about opening the jar is the fresh scent of powdery rose that jumps right out at you.
It’s been a struggle for me to find creams that penetrate the skin’s lipid barrier deeply for lasting hydration which also have a rich, lush texture. I’m prone to milia, which are small fatty deposits that form under the skin, so I always approach thick nourishing creams with some trepidation. But I’m pleased to report that this offers the richness that I crave – especially during winter when our skin is its thirstiest – without being too heavy on my skin. A big win for me as it’s a rarity – the only other brand I have on rotation which offers something similar in terms of richness would be Go-To.
You know, this year, I’ve really started to feel like my skin is showing my age. The fine lines in my forehead look more apparent and the quality of my complexion seems to be changing. While I can’t ever see myself going through the motions, I did say to a friend that this year was the first time I’d considered whether I needed botox. Not on the menu for me, but perhaps the precursor to highlight the way that this has worked for me. My wrinkles seem less apparent. Softer. I feel more youthful when I look at my reflection in the mirror. And again, while this isn’t a miracle product, that is high praise and I think testament to the quality of the formulation.
It’s been developed to signal to our skin to increase collagen synthesis, using peptides like Human Tripeptide-1 (a liposomal plant derivative). And of course you have ingredients like Alaria Esculenta Seaweed which support that boost to collagen, and Saccaride Isomerate to lock in hydration.
This is a splurge, but as I’ve come to realise as I’ve gotten older, it’s worth investing in the right kind of skincare for you. For me the price tag is warranted as it’s felt like a salve to some the more major skincare concerns I’d been having. Safe to say it’s one I don’t want to go without in my vanity.
This time two years ago, if you’d asked me what my beauty routine was, you would have been presented with a very minimal series of products. A contour kit used as an all-over bronzer, a liquid eyeliner (which two years on is still my holy grail), and any mascara from Lancome.
I’ve come a long way since then, or at least I’d like to think so. My vanity is close to bursting with beauty products, and while I don’t always reach for the foundation every morning, I’ve learnt the virtues of how to apply bronzer correctly.
Since I figured I can’t be the only one who made some completely basic beauty blunders, I thought I’d share some of the beauty lessons that I’ve learnt over the last year and a half.
Powder is e-s-s-e-n-t-i-al. I never understood the importance of powder until I experienced my first Australian summer. Humidity and makeup do not make for fast friends, and having some powder on hand, or at the very least brushing a very good mattifying powder across your t-zone in the morning, is essential. Not to mention that it helps to set down your base and any concealer – just don’t go overboard; it can end up looking a little cake-y otherwise.
Have a strong brow game. Online, I’ve often seen the following question posed; would you leave the house without your brows done or eyeliner on? Up until about a year ago, I was definitely in the latter camp, but after discovering the Brow Wiz, I’m not quite so sure. I don’t like to go overboard (nobody wants to look like Helga from Hey Arnold!), but filling them in just a little really does make a world of difference, and balances out any heavy eyeliner that you may have going on.
A bronzer is not a base. I’ve been committing a cardinal beauty sin for so many years – bronzer liberally powdered over my entire face. Granted, I was using it primarily as a base (sans blush or highlighter though; I know!), but that’s not really much of an excuse. These days, I’ve cottoned on to the face that bronzer should be dusted over the points over your face where the sun is most like to hit; think, your temples, nose, jawline, and the outer frame of your face.
Foundation is the secret to a flawless complexion. It wasn’t until I found the right foundation for me, that I realized what a game changer it was. I’d always thought that I had a pretty even complexion naturally, but a great base goes a long way in attaining that picture perfect and flawless complexion.
All red lipsticks are not created equal. To me, it always seemed that a red was a red; and for the longest time, I always thought that this was something that only a blonde could wear without looking (or feeling) like a Jessica Rabbit caricature. Now, I seem to collect red lippies like they’re going out of fashion. I’m partial to an orange-based red as it really warms up the skin, but a blue-based red can really make your smile pop as it gives the illusion of even brighter ‘pearly’ whites.
There are no rules. Perhaps the most important thing that I’ve learnt, is that there are no rules. Fancy a little bit of lilac eyeshadow on a Wednesday? Go for it. Want to wear a red lip every day, even though it’s not party season? Why not. The key is to enhance your natural attributes, and feel comfortable in the skin you’re in.
Given it was just a casual couple of YouTube videos that even got me into makeup, my makeup collection – and makeup skills – have certainly improved (not to mention I’ve picked up the odd beauty trick!). What beauty lessons have you picked up?
If there’s one beauty product that gets my heart racing almost as fast as a bold red lipstick, it’s a buttery, soft, muted eyeshadow palette; and god knows I’ve got a few too many of these lurking in my vanity. One of my more recent additions, is the It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Palette; an all matte eyeshadow palette with a ‘transforming pearl’ shadow designed to add a bit of shimmer and dimension to the eyes.
MAC All That Glitters is quite possibly up there as one of my all time favorite shadows, but a bit of glitter swept across the eyes isn’t always work appropriate…
I’ve been using this quite a bit over the last couple of months, as it has weaseled its way into regular rotation. I’m incredibly fond of the colour palette, which includes soft blushes, warm tangerines, deep chocolates, and some cooler, lilac toned shades. There’s a lot of variety making this palette so versatile for a number of different looks.
To the touch, these are so soft and buttery; they have such a velvety silky texture. While they aren’t chalky, they can be a little powdery upon application however each shade blends out really beautifully, and as these are matte shadows, there is absolutely no fallout when applying.
Pigmentation is not overly intense; the colour is definitely buildable but generally these tend to add a soft wash of colour to the lids. The light to medium toned shades are much more opaque than the darker shades in the palette (as you can see from the swatches above), so if you’re planning on using this for a dark smokey look, having a bottle of MAC Fix + on hand wouldn’t go astray.
Admittedly, the packaging isn’t my favorite (and from what I’ve gathered online, I’m not the only one with reservations) – it’s a pale pink velvet fleece material which is just begging to be covered in all kinds of make up related marks. Packaging aside, I’ve been enjoying digging this palette out while getting ready for work; mostly, I love the pretty, muted shades, which throwing on any – neutral day – look so easy.
It Cosmetics has been on my radar for a while now (the Bye Bye Pores powder is a-m-a-z-i-n-g), and I’m kinda looking forward to trying a few more products from their range, as my experience so far has been largely positive. Recommendations are welcome!
