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I’ll admit it. I caved – completely, utterly, undeniably caved. After a month of semi-stalking Sydney’s Sephora store (I’m not really one to wait in a queue if I can avoid it), I finally ventured in and like any addict, made a beeline for the lipsticks – naturally. January has already been a little heavy on the beauty front for me, but having spent the last month eying up Givenchy’s Le Rouge lipsticks on Escentual, it was a given that I wouldn’t be leaving the store without a tube in my handbag.

Yes, it is a total splurge –ruinously so – but my oh my is it worth it. The packaging is sleek; a black grainy leather and a simple silver tube engraved with the Givenchy logo (although there’s no satisfying click when you snap the tube shut). The lipstick itself is long-lasting (when worn with a lip liner underneath), rich and creamy, applies evenly and keeps my lips feeling moisturised – getting four thumbs up from me. Naturally, I played it pretty safe with this one, opting for a neutral over a bold lip. I pick up the shade ‘Brun Vintage’, which is a stunning warm-toned muted rose shade with a velvety satin finish.

It hasn’t taken long for this lipstick to earn a permanent place in my handbag, or to become one of my favourite everyday shades. Somehow, I get the feeling this is going to be the first of many.

My beauty routine has been changing up quite a bit recently with the shift in the seasons. I’ve also added a few new beauty bits into regular rotation over the last couple of months, so I thought I’d quickly share with you what is currently making the cut in my daily make-up routine.

Starting with my base, I’ve been really loving the Laura Mercier oil-free tinted moisturizer. I have this in the shade ‘Sand’ which is definitely more of a summer shade for me, although I’ve been making it work by mixing it with my Elis Faas foundation in the shade S103L. Personally, I’m not a fan of caked on foundation and prefer the barely there finish this gives my complexion, while also doing a good job at evening out my skin tone and diminishing the appearance of any red patches.

I’ve been highlighting and concealing with a mix of YSL’s Touche Eclat (in shade ‘2’) and Chanel’s Correcteur Perfection Concealer (in shade ‘20’). The Touche Eclat is perfect for highlighting under the eyes – and on my cheekbones, when I can be bothered – as it has a slightly pink undertone and really removes any slight sallowness I have under my eyes, literally melting into my skin as I blend it in; there’s a reason why this has cult status. It’s taken me a while to get on with the Chanel concealer however I’ve found it blends in really nicely when I use the Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer as my base, and is great for those areas where you need a little extra coverage as it is quite a thick consistency.

To warm up my face, I’ve gone back to the ‘Filmstar Bronze & Glow’ from Charlotte Tilbury. The ‘sculpt’ shade is a little warmer than most contour powders so I like to brush this around the high points of my face to get a natural sunkissed look. For my cheeks, I prefer something quite subtle, and a favourite of mine is the L’Oreal Le Blush in ‘Candy Cane Pink’. This isn’t as pigmented as other blushes which I like as it means I can really build up the colour as much or as little as I would want, without worrying about going completely overboard.

Since I picked up Anastasia’s Brow Wiz, I haven’t wanted to use anything else on my brows. It’s so quick and makes filling in eyebrows easy, even for a relative newbie like me. I usually then go onto the eyes, and as I have oily eyelids, I always always prime my eyelids as all eyeshadow products tend to crease for me otherwise.

My current go-to look has been a combination of Maybelline’s Colour Tattoo in ‘Bad to the Bronze’ all over the lid, with a little bit of the Jordana 12 hour made to last eyeshadow pencil in ‘Continuous Almond’ in the inner corner to highlight and add some extra dimension. It’s such a simple wash of colour, so to vamp it up a little I’ll smudge a dark eyeliner along the upper lash line or a winged eyeliner look. I’ve been rotating through a few different mascaras although one of my favourites has to be the ‘Dramatic Lashes’ mascara from Natio. It does an excellent job at really separating and lengthening your lashes and doesn’t smudge along the brow bone like some of my other mascaras have a tendency to do.

To finish off, I’ll slick on a swipe or two of the Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G lipstick in the shade ‘Coachella Coral’. This is a really punchy pink-toned coral which admittedly is more of a Spring/Summer shade; but it is Sydney after all so I’ve been making it work.

The best part about this routine? It only takes about 10 minutes, or less (if I’m in a rush!).

If there’s one thing I know by now, it’s that I have a bit of a soft spot for Rimmel. There aren’t many ‘drugstore’ or budget beauty brands that have continued to impress with each new product I’ve tried, which was why I was really excited to receive a selection of Rimmel’s latest lipstick release, the Only 1 Lipstick.

I’ve been wearing these on and off over the last few weeks, and overall, I’ve really been enjoying them. They apply incredibly smoothly, with medium pigment that can be built up for a full on injection of colour. The formula is one of the more moisturizing that I’ve tried, probably best described as an oil-based cream, which dries down to a semi matte finish on the lips. Once the lipstick has dried down, it pretty much doesn’t budge, even after a few cups of coffee and a veggie packed sandwich for lunch. I still like to carry the bullet in my purse for the odd touch up, and to slick an extra layer across my lips when they’re in need of some additional moisture. Wear time is also really good; you’ll get six hours wear at least out of your morning application, which is pretty long lasting for any lipstick in my books.

Perhaps what I love the most, aside from the slippery moisturizing formula is the scent; these smell just like grape flavoured candy, and give me nostalgia for the lipsmacker addict in me from my early teenage days.

The collection launched with 12 shades, ranging from everyday nudes, to deep plums and vibrant reds.

One thing that struck me was the presence of shimmer particles in the nude lipsticks, which translates to a slight frost finish when glossed over the lips. It feels a little nineties, but it’s subtle enough to work for every day. Personally and perhaps unsurprisingly, I’ve find the more nude-toned pinks the easiest to wear – the brights can get a little intense, although they’re great for those days when you really want to go for a bold (and bright!) lip.

Just one thing to note, the ‘nudes’ in the collection are much more mauve toned, so you aren’t going to find a your lips but better shade in this range. I’ve had shade #700 Naughty Nude floating around in my handbag for the last couple of weeks (along with my Kate for Rimmel Nude lipstick in 45), and it’s been such an easy go-to option.

is a gorgeous bright red with orange undertones, #810 One of a Kind is a deep brown toned burgundy, #710 Easy Does It is a brown toned mauve with a subtle shimmer running through it, #700 Naughty Nude is a mauve toned medium nude and #200 It’s a Keeper is a petal pink toned nude.

I have to admit, I’m pretty picky when it comes to lipsticks. My lips are incredibly sensitive and the wrong formula can set off a wave of eczema which can often take a week to heal up. These new lipsticks from Rimmel however, were gentle on my lips, and have been a dream to wear. I’ve been impressed with the quality of the formula and the wear time, that rivals many high end brands. These have definitely earned their keep when it comes to fighting for space in my vanity, and I’m looking forward to branching out and trying out some of the additional shades in the range.

When it comes to lipstick, my approach is almost as relaxed as it is in the kitchen, if not more so. I probably wear lipstick about 10% of the time, which is why I decided I would give the Christian Dior ‘Dior Addict Lip Glow’ a shot. It’s the kind of lipstick which doesn’t bear thinking about. You slick it on and go. There’s no worrying if your lips look uneven (possibly my biggest concern on a lipstick-wearing day), no worrying if the colour suits you, and no need to really worry about touch-ups.

The product feels more like a lip balm than a lipstick, and truthfully, it probably is. It tints your lips slightly, the result of which is unique to each individual; it’s incredibly moisturing, yet gives the sheen of a lip gloss – minus the tackiness. It’s earned a permanent spot in my handbag, and because it is just so easy to use, I’ve been wearing it almost every day. And I mean e-v-e-r-y day.

It’s not often that I’ll find most of my beauty products need replacing around the same time. But, it’s given me the opportunity to try out a few new products I’ve been itching to purchase, as well as pick up some trustworthy staples.

After a few months of daily use, I’ve finally run out of the PureTAN coconut body creme. While I absolutely adore the scent (it seriously smells good enough to eat!), I thought I’d try the Body Shop’s body butter for a bit of a change. In the past I had never been able to justify the price, but after hearing so many good things about their body butters (from Youtube, where else?), it seemed like an easy choice.

I’ve been almost exclusively using the Clinique high lengths mascara (in black), and though I hate to say it, I’ve been rather disappointed with this on the whole. While I loved this mascara in the dark brown iteration, I found that the black one clumped my eyelashes together, which made for some very frustrating application in the mornings. I’m not sure if this is down to a change in formula, or if there’s a difference between the colours (or maybe I just got a bad tube of mascara!), but what I do like was the fine comb-like brush for application. I’ll probably look to repurchase the dark brown at some point in the future, but I thought it was time to go back to an old favourite – Lancome. I’ve been using Lancome’s ‘virtuose’ and ‘doll eyes’ mascara’s interchangeably over the last few years, and have found them to be some of the better mascara’s I’ve used. I thought I would pick up their new grandiose mascara, and give that a whirl; the ombre-effect tube and swivel wand sold me on it alone.

When I was in the US three and a half years ago (how time flies!), I bought a melon lip balm from EOS on a whim while waiting a little too long at the Target checkout. It took me a really long time, but I finally finished it recently, and thought I should probably look to replace it. The best thing about the EOS lip balms is how easy the application is. There’s no twisting of tubes, no using your finger, you just open the lid and glide the product over your lips. This time, I decided to go for ‘coconut milk’, which is sweet smelling and creamy.

I’ve flirted with a few different facial cleansers this year, although there’s really just been one which has stood out; Grown Alchemist’s gentle gel facial cleanser. I finished my last bottle just before I moved to Sydney, and replaced it with a carefully selected cleanser from Aesop (the fabulous face cleanser, if you’re wondering), which seemed like the natural choice in Australia. Unfortunately, this wasn’t really for me, but I figured I would stick it out to the end anyway (while trying a few other cleansers along the way for good measure). I recently used up the last drop, and was pretty quick to revert back to Grown Alchemist. A little tip for those new to this brand – I absolutely adore the Grown Alchemist range, however, I find that the toner is quite astringent, even though it is alcohol free. I’ve been using the B&Tea balancing Toner from Aesop (which is considerably more mild and hydrating) combined with the Grown cleanser; and so far, so good.

Last but not least, I picked up a new nail polish from Chanel. I’d been looking for a pale pink nail polish for some time but nothing I picked up seemed to quite hit the mark. I found the formulas from OPI and Essie just a little too thick (and opaque) for my liking, whereas I find that with Chanel, the polish glides on slightly sheer, so you can build up the opacity to suit your own preferences. I bought the shade ‘Ballerina’, and it truly is the perfect soft ballerina pink tone. For those looking to pick this up, you need about three coats with this one – so it definitely requires a little bit of patience. Aside from the beautiful packaging, Chanel always seem to have their colour range so en pointe – if only it lasted on my nails for more than a day or two!

With most days seeing the barometer hit the low thirties (which is nothing to scoff at – trust me!) I’ve taken to stripping my daily beauty routine back a notch.

Tropical weather and humidity aren’t exactly kind, and aside from wondering what a good hair day actually looks like, I’ve been dialing down the number of cream and liquid-based products I use. Any kind of base has gone out the window – I opt for a more fresh-faced look, as my foundations are unlikely to last past morning tea. Instead, I’ve been starting with a small amount of bronzer brushed around the frame of my face, focusing on the temples just to give me a bit of glow. I’m yet to find a new matte bronzer that I like so I mainly switch it up between the Essence Matte Bronzing Powder (in brunette) and the contour shade from Charlotte Tilbury’s Filmstar Bronze and Glow. Occasionally, I’ll tap a little of the highlight shade on the tops of my cheekbones to add a bit of glow and dimension – too many mattifying products on the skin can make you look a little bit flat!

For the cheeks, I’m loving a subtle pink flush, and have been reaching for Clinique’s Cheek Pop in ‘Pink Pop’ most days. It’s a sheer formula that needs to be built up, making it perfect for beginners, or those who are trying to avoid going overboard.

My go to eyeshadow palette has been the Tarte Tartelette palette. Twelve matte shadows ranging from peach to beige to plum to chocolate, it’s an all-rounder that can take you from day to night. The shadows are quite pigmented, and build up really nicely on the skin – my favourite way to wear it is with Supermom dusted all over the lid, and Natural Beauty and Best Friend in the outer corner to create a bit of shadow and definition to the socket.

I’ve been switching between liquid and pencil liner, although my favourite is still hands down the Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner. This stuff does not budge, and is a cinch to apply. For lashes, I’ve been trying out a deluxe sample from Chantecaille, and have been loving it so much that I’m probably going to nab the full size once it runs out. It’s the Faux Cils mascara; it really lengthens and separates your lashes (no clumping, at all!) and dries down incredibly quickly. I’m usually a one coat kind of girl but I put on a second coat of the Faux Cils, to add a little bit of extra length.

I am still yet to pick up a new Brow Wiz from Anastasia Beverley Hills, so I’ve been making do with either my Eye Pencil from MAC in ‘Coffee’ to fill them in lightly, or Rimmel’s Brow This Way in ‘Medium Brown’ for a more subtle take.

Lipstick hasn’t been one of my top priorities, to tell the truth, instead I’ve been opting for a swipe of Nuxe Reve De Miel before I head out the door. On the days where I’ve decided to make a little bit of extra effort, I’ll throw Charlotte Tilbury in ‘Penelope Pink’ or Stoned Rose in my bag to apply on the go.

It’s cold outside, the days are shorter, and those early starts feel just a little too difficult. It’s winter alright, which for me usually means crawling under the covers until the last possible minute, and typically spending 1 minute throwing on an outfit as opposed to 10. On those mornings (which occur more often than not), I tend to focus more on accessories before that morning shot of coffee. While there’s no question every girl already has these items in her wardrobe, there’s nothing like a bright red lip, a sturdy heeled boot, a polished handbag and a snuggly scarf to get me out the door.

The red lip is a statement in itself, and as far as I’m concerned, is the remedy to an all black outfit on a gloomy day. While I love a matte lip, the colder months are drying enough as it is so I always opt for a creamier formula. My lipstick of choice? Clinique’s long last lipstick in ‘Party Red’.

As far as I’m concerned, the woollen scarf is an absolute necessity come winter. I tend to prefer something large enough to wrap around my neck a couple of times, but will always settle for one that’s super soft and cosy. The few scarves I own are in muted neutrals, think a soft grey or a midnight navy, although one in a mid-camel or burgundy tone wouldn’t go amiss.

Ballet flats might seem the obvious choice for running to and from the office, but the black heeled boot is usually my go-to shoe once the mercury drops. There’s a general aloofness to my winter dressing – slouchy sweaters win out most days – so a heeled boot tends to balance it out.

The classic bag is a bit of a no brainer – and after three years my PS11 is still going strong, alternating on the odd occasion with a tan leather tote bag (which is license enough to throw everything and anything you could possibly need for the day in it).

Simple accessories aren’t exactly groundbreaking – but then neither are florals for Spring, and I’m all for sticking to the tried and true. Besides, if it ain’t broke…

It’s mostly been too hot this summer to warrant wearing much on my face aside from the requisite liquid eyeliner and a dash of mascara, but for those days when we’ve had a slight respite from the heat, there’s just one thing that I’ve been buffing into my skin; Rimmel’s Match Perfection Foundation. I picked this up in the shade 102 Light Natural, which looks a little dark in the bottle but lightens up as it blends out onto the skin.

It takes a lot to get me to step away from my bread and butter routine using my HG tinted moisturiser (NARS… of course!), but this foundation works all kinds of skin perfecting miracles that it’s become my go-to for when I want just a little bit more coverage. It has that absolutely flawless finish which looks just. like. skin, only better.

So, let’s get into the nitty gritty details… The foundation comes in a glass bottle – which is not ideal if you’re like me and prone to dropping well.. absolutely everything – and has a pre-attached pump for dispersing the product.

The formula is more on the liquid-y side of the scale, so it’s best applied dotted around the face and then buffed in vigorously to ensure an even finish. It has a medium level of coverage, which can be built up, but honestly, I think this defeats any skin-perfecting elements that it already has. As I mentioned before, the foundation comes out a little darker than it actually applies, and I’ve yet to notice any oxidisation as the day has wore on in the last couple months of using it. The wear time is pretty good, although I would consider re-applying if I was going out somewhere nice in the evening as it does tend to slide off a little (although that might just be me or the 30+ degree heat we’ve been having). Oh, and I should probably mention that the shade selection is also pretty decent – as has been my usual experience with Rimmel.

For the girl who a little over 12 months ago had never used a foundation, let alone had an understanding of what a ‘highlight’ was, I’ve definitely come a long way, and Rimmel’s Match Perfection Foundation is sitting quite high up the list of my favourite base products (along with more recently, the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation !!).

Summer is just shy of a week away here in Sydney, and given that we’ve traded the golden beaches of Bondi for the ‘burbs, I’ve been getting together all my summer essentials; denim shorts, espadrilles, a golden glow and some colourful bright nails.

Mostly, I’m a sucker for a classic shade of red… it does go with everything, but this year I’m thinking I might mix things up a little, so aside from my classic staple, I’m opting for pale pastels, and coral-toned brights. Which is about where this new nail polish from Sally Hansen comes in… a coral-toned, bright, tiger lily orange (I’m wearing the shade ‘Block Party’ if you’re curious).

As part of Sally Hansen’s recently released miracle gel nail polish range, these are supposed to, in effect, emulate the appearance of a salon gel manicure, but in the comfort of your own home. The formula is incredibly thick, which adds a heap of volume to your nails; it applies evenly and doesn’t streak; and the opacity is decent enough that one coat will do – in a pinch.

For me, that’s where the positives end – something I loathe to admit as it’s such a fun shade for the summer time. After applying the miracle gel top coat (which makes your nails look ultra glossy, by the way…), pinprick sized bubbles appeared just under the surface, making the initially even – and gorgeous-looking – manicure not-quite-so-perfect. By day three, I not only had a number of minor chips across my nails, but a shattered glass effect running through the polish.

To say it’s disappointing is a bit of an understatement; I’ve had such great experiences with Sally Hansen’s regular nail polish and nail strengthening ranges – needless to say, the bar was set high. Who doesn’t want their at-home manicure to last two weeks?

Have you used Sally Hansen’s miracle gel nail polishes? What was your experience?