The Wishlist: High End

High end and luxury makeup is something all of us bloggers tend to go a little crazy and get insane bouts of lust over. Our wishlists are never reasonable or even probable, but they are called "wish" lists for a reason. These are the things I'm currently dreaming about...

MAC Lipliner in 'Nightmoth'
Aside from hating the name due to my insane moth phobia, the colour is stunning and perfect for the hoard of burgundy and purple-hued lipsticks I have in my stash at the moment. This is on the more probable end of the wishlist, however I always worry about not getting enough use out of stand out products like this.

MAC 217 Blending Brush
If I had to pick a favourite makeup brush it would definitely be a blender. They are not only multi-use but really do make all the difference in a makeup look. It seems as though every other product could be applied with hands or the like, but shadows will never look flawless without copious blending. This is a cult favourite, so naturally it is one I need to try!

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers
I have a keen fear of my eyelash curlers ever since they pulled out a few lashes very painfully a week or two back, so I've been on the hunt for something a little more pricey that also look more safe. My heart is set on this stunning pair by Shu Uemura and I have heard amazing things!

Nars Dual Intensity Eyeshadow in 'Callisto'
While there are many, many stunning shades in this collection, naturally the super neutral one stands out to me most. What I love about this is that it looks like a one-shade lid kind of shadow and definitely gives off the glistening metallic vibe that I'm coveting for this summer.

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in 'Glastonberry'
RE: Nightmoth, I'm in a burgundy-berry obsessed haze which is odd considering summer is around the corner here. Regardless of how unseasonal I may look, I am in love and insist on rocking this look. This looks like the perfect shade and the formulation sounds incredible, especially as I find matte lips quite drying.

Chanel Rouge Allure Glosses
This is a "no, no, no" in my head but a definite yes in wishlist land. Everything about these appeal to me. The formulation looks great for a gloss and can we take a minute to appreciate the packaging? Anything clickable I'm down for, especially when it comes to makeup!

Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette in 'The Dolce Vita'
I've seen this on one too many blogs to not be head over heels in lust with it. The colours are simple and very everyday while also giving the air of luxury that comes with all Charlotte Tilbury products. There are a lot of dupes for this selection colour wise, but nothing comes with that stunning gold glitter!

LORAC Mega PRO Palette
As a huge, huge fan and advocate of the LORAC PRO palette, this is a dream. I've heard mixed reviews, but if the shadows are of the same quality as the original I would be hooked. I also love that they have put a lot of effort into creating new shadows rather than reusing the old ones.

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser
I'm a light base lover and I've been steered in this direction so many times! I know that I'll be obsessed so I don't know why I've held off picking it up for so long. This is definitely something that will be making it's way into my collection sooner or later.

What is on your high end wishlist?

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Instant Repurchase: Revlon's 'Lash Potion' Mascara

I feel like I need to reel it in when it comes to raving about this mascara, but on the other hand there has been a sufficient amount of time in between my last rave to warrant another. I never see or hear much about Revlon's Lash Potion which leaves me confused and wanting to speak out about it more as I feel like this is one of those products everyone should try. I have a hefty mascara stash, but this is the only one I ever need to repurchase instantly at the first sign of gloopiness.

This is my holy grail, and I can't say that about many products because I am constantly on the search for something better when it comes to everything else. I don't tend to pick up mascaras too often anymore because nothing ever compares to this. The thing that makes Revlon's Lash Potion so great is that it is an all in one with no sacrifices in any area. It isn't a "this is great but you could do this or layer it with that to get an even better result", it is the best result all on it's own. It gives incredible length, amazing volume and is super, super dark - it basically ticks every box. The brush is very large which I know can deter people, but I think this is the key to why this mascara doesn't clump as it does have quite a thick formula. I think it's obvious by this point that I strongly, strongly recommend this product.

What product in your stash makes you want to force everyone in the world to try it? Let me know!

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The Ultimate Affordable Contour Palette

Finding the perfect contouring shade has been a challenge for me and something I talk about frequently around these parts. Products tend to be either too warm or too orange and I never usually notice until I get the product home and onto my cheeks. So naturally when Australis announced they were releasing an affordable highlight and contour kit I was over the moon as I'd been eyeing up the Anastasia Beverly Hills one for awhile.

To be perfectly honest, this is of a much higher quality than I expected. For $16.95 AUD I expected a good product and one I would use often, but definitely not a product of the quality that it is. The powders are so buttery to touch, lovely to apply and don't leave a powdery finish on the skin at all, which is something I definitely didn't expect. Don't get me wrong, they definitely mattify, but there isn't the presence of powder on the skin that can be occur when you're using different powder product.

My favourites of these shades have to be the centre of each category, the banana highlight shade and the cool-toned contour shade. The yellow powder makes such a noticeable difference when used to set the under eye, it brightens and almost provides a coverage without looking like you've added product. The cool-toned contour shade mimics the ashy tones of a shadow perfectly and therefore looks completely natural. Instead of looking like you have a brown stripe down your cheek at certain angles, this looks like a shadow no matter which way you tilt your face or what lighting you are in which is something that is really important to me as I love seamless, natural makeup.

As to whether this is a dupe for the Anastasia palette, I can't say for  sure as I haven't had a chance to try it. I will say, however, that the colours presented in both are near identical and appear in the same order. As I cannot fault the quality nor the pigmentation of the Australis powders I would definitely recommend trying this product out first if you've been thinking about the Anastasia one and don't want to splurge just yet. I would be very interested to read a true comparison of the products to see how they weigh up!

Have you been able to find an affordable contour palette and if so, what is it?

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My Favourite Affordable Brush Brands

Makeup brushes can get ridiculously pricey, and while some may be worth the investment there are plenty of quality brushes you can pick up at a 'drugstore' price. There are so many brands on the market that great brushes, but I've compiled some of the brands I love and have had great experiences with.

Sigma Brushes

These are the priciest of the lower-end brushes that I'm going to be discussing (at least here in Australia), but they are of an incredible quality and stock such a diverse range that you will find exactly what you're looking for. My two favourites are their powder and crease brush and I find myself reaching for them almost daily. Sigma dominate my collection as they sell them in even more affordable sets and bundles. If you are wanting to dip your toes into Sigma brushes I definitely recommend picking up a travel set as they contain a bit of everything and retail for around $75.

EcoTools 

EcoTools were the first makeup brushes I ever purchased so I have some serious nostalgia when it comes to them. This brush collection is more limited than Sigma, but there really is a brush to cover every base. I love their eyebrow and eyelash groomer to pieces and cannot do my brows in the morning without it! Their powder brush is also a stand out and I use it to give a light dusting of bronzer as it's fluffy and not very dense. You really can't go wrong with EcoTools, and I have heard amazing things about some of their foundation buffing brushes as well. Another great thing about EcoTools is how attainable they are - I can even pick them up in my local supermarket!

Real Techniques

This is a brand that I am majorly lacking in. I am currently in the process of researching their brushes so I can decide which ones to mass-order online. While I'm not super experienced in the Real Techniques department, my Expert Face Brush is close to my heart and works wonders for foundation and concealer. These are amazing because I can pick them up at my local drugstore and they aren't insanely expensive either, even if I would rather opt for an international online purchase.

What are your favourite affordable brushes and what Real Techniques brushes are a must-have?

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Tropical Print Everything

This may seem largely unseasonal to most of you, but here in Australia we are starting to get the thirty degree days that let us know that summer is well and truly on its way. I go through intense loves seasonally, so the warmer weather has definitely triggered something in me. In winter it was the mohair look sweaters, last summer it was pineapple print and this summer it's anything tropical and leafy. I can't even explain why it appeals to me so much, I've just found myself reblogging masses of ferns on Tumblr and my heart skipping a beat every time I see something in this lush, green print.

I can never resist a makeup bag, regardless of how many I already own, so this piece was a no-brainer. It was smaller than I expected, but it ended up working out much better for me as I tend to overstuff my everyday makeup bag with things that aren't everyday products. This can only fit my daily essentials which is great, as it's small and compact and I can grab it and go without having to rifle through my makeup stash making sure that I haven't forgotten something important.

I can also never resist a cute phone case, especially since I go through them so quickly due to being extremely clumsy, so this ended up in my clutches about two seconds after entering the store. I love that the background is white too, so it looks amazing paired with a white iPhone. There was also a beach towel in an identical print but I had to resist it for now because the lady in store was already side-eyeing my mass leaf buying spree.

Do you go through crazy periods of buying only one kind of thing as well?

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The Review: Rimmel 'Match Perfection' Foundation

This is a foundation that needs no introduction. Much loved in the beauty community, it always appears when top drugstore foundations are lined up and for good reason. I am picky when it comes to foundations purely for the reason that I don't like anything that is apparent on my skin. Regardless of this being a medium to full coverage foundation, it doesn't have the obvious look that other foundations can, and in all the right ways.

This provides coverage and is highly perfecting while also being luminous, but isn't cakey or thick. It's probably the most liquid foundation I own as I always find myself being surprised at it running down the back of my hand since I'm not used to such a thin consistency. I do notice glitter-like reflects in the sun, which is why I stopped wearing it for some time during the day, but I think my tastes have changed because it doesn't bother me anymore. As for longevity I think this has quite a standard staying power and even longer when powdered down, which is what I tend to do.

I still reserve this largely for going out or days where I need to be done up, but that is for no reason except that I seldom wear a base day to day - even a BB cream is stretching it. This would be an amazing daily foundation for anyone who loves more coverage as it's quite thin and quick to apply, especially with a sponge.

What is your go-to, foolproof foundation?

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The Sliders Trend

If you've been around here for awhile you will know I'm completely in love with the sliders trend, along with a lot of the blogging world it seems. They receive some hate, kind of the shoe equivalent of the leggings as pants debate, but much like leggings once you try them and realise how completely comfortable they are everything changes - at least for me.

I seem to have a magic radar when it comes to picking painful shoes, so wearing these is like a dream. It is hard to say they look "cute" with an outfit, but I really do think they add something different when paired with the right things. These are the ultimate shoes for casual days when you will be walking a lot or just for running errands.

How do you feel about the sliders trend?

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The Drugstore '90's Lip'

Australis is a brand most Australian girls will know well. It's super affordable, comes out with on-trend colours and products while also maintaining a really great quality. Their lip products have always been what stood out to me most due to some really out there shades that other drugstore-type brands just weren't offering in Australia.

I have been looking hard and trying lots of different shades that seem to make the cut when it comes to the perfect Kylie Jenner-esq lip, but I always find them being slightly more on the pink side with barely any brown undertones to them. Australis's lip pencil in the shade 'Tickled Pink' seems overwhelmingly brown on first swatch, the same way MACs 'Whirl' is, and leaves you wondering how it will actually look on the lips. It looks amazing - very 90's, very Kylie and the perfect balance between the brown and pink tones.

Upon first application the pencil does feel like it pulls and is overly waxy, however that seems to be a coating as after the first use it became very creamy but with still the right amount of tackiness that suggests that it will be long wearing. The formula is matte and the same rules apply as with most lip liners - exfoliate and moisturise before application. I find that applying the liner first and adding a little clear balm over the top on dry lip days works a treat if you're not too fussed about the matte look and still want to rock the colour.

If you have access to Australis and are looking for a cheaper version of the coveted MAC liners this is definitely something to check out! What is your favourite 90's lip shade at the moment?

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Tumblr Inspo #9

Today was a twenty seven degree spring day and I was unfortunately inside watching the world go by from my window as I studied for my upcoming exams. My fingers are crossed that it doesn't get too warm until after my exams are done and dusted so I can enjoy the hot weather.

I am never usually excited for summer as it can be quite hard to deal with in Australia, days shooting well into the forties sometimes. However, I miss the beach and can't wait to start swimming and laying out again so hopefully this year is more manageable than the last.

I have been spending a lot of time getting blog posts together for while I'm busy studying and have really gotten into the hang of scheduling things. I'm aiming to post every second day from now on, especially once my time frees up a little more in the summer break. I have been putting a lot of thought into my blog and I am so excited to be able to work on it more. I want to freshen up the design, work on my content and maybe even look into getting a better quality camera. Nothing is more exciting to me than the prospect of improving my content as it's something I think is so, so important.

How is the weather in your part of the world and what steps are you taking to improve your blog?

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Mimco's 'Mim Pouch'

This is a piece I have wanted to add to my collection for a long time. I had a cheaper patent leather-look pouch in place of this and adored it, however due to the quality and daily use it fell to pieces. That's when I decided to splurge on the real thing since it was an item I knew I would use every day.

Mimco is an Australian brand that originated in Melbourne and is best known for these luxe pouches. I decided on the classic Mim Pouch in black patent leather and embellished with a rose gold Mimco badge. These pieces come in so many colours, finishes and with different material badges that there really is something for everyone. I believe this design is one of the most popular which isn't hard to believe - it's beautiful. The quality is what you would expect from a designer piece, luxe feeling leather and weighty hardwear. This pouch came with a two year warranty, authentication and a dust bag which all feels very special when you're splurging on a new piece for yourself and provides reassurance on the quality of the product.

This is perfect for anyone like me who prefers to use a pouch in place of a purse. This is bigger than your standard coin purse turned wallet and could fit your phone, cash and a lipstick if you wanted to use it to dash out of the house or even as an evening clutch. This piece is diverse and can really be slotted into any use you may have for it.

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The Review: Rimmel Scandal Eyes 'Nude'

This is a product I had heard so many people rave about yet I avoided picking up due to the mentality that it would be 'useless'. This is usually how my brain works when it comes to things that are nude, however I was definitely wrong and this product makes all the difference in my routine!

The Rimmel Scandal Eyes pencils are mega creamy and create no drag on the eye whatsoever while delivering complete pigment. They are just a stunning product and something that you would want to build up a collection of as they are a great go-to pencil liner. In my collection I currently have nude, black and a gorgeous silver. While the nude and black are reserved for my water and tight line, the silver I have used sheered out over the lid as a shadow. While this isn't their purpose, I imagine that it would work for any shade in the collection as they all have the same buttery texture that sets after application.

The nude shade has to be my favourite as it really does help in brightening up my forever tired looking under eyes. If you have tired eyes or even just redness in the water line, I strongly recommend this as it's a very quick, cheap way to make a lot of difference to your every day makeup.

What is your favourite eyeliner brand in terms of being used the water/tight line?

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The Review: bareMinerals 'Prime Time'

It's hard to believe that only a few weeks a go I was completely sold on The Body Shop's Insta-Blur and here I am writing about a new love. I was really excited to receive this sample as it is a product I have heard a lot about but wasn't completely on my radar in an "I need to buy this" kind of way.

This primer is like liquid silk. Honestly, I have never had my skin feel so smooth as when I am applying this. Everything from my complexion to my base looks and feels better as a result. I also find this quite pore filling as it does have a silicon texture to it. I would go so far as to say that this fills in pores better than my insta-blur and that isn't even this primer's main claim.

When it comes to longevity I don't usually have issues regardless of primer. The real thing that makes this such a stand out product to me is what a change it made in the appearance of my base and concealer. My under eye area, which is usually the most concealer heavy place on my face, looked as though there was no product on the area at all. As for my foundation, there was no caking in my usual problem areas such as dry patches or the nose.

The texture of my skin was flawless and truly looks as though there was no product present, which is my personal goal. I really believe it has been all thanks to this primer as I haven't incorporated any new base products into my routine lately besides this. This is something that is definitely worth the splurge and that I will be picking up the full size of when the time comes!

What is your favourite primer of all time?

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The Wishlist: ASOS

In a means to cheer myself up after a long, tiring day at university I decided to browse ASOS. It is one of my favourites not only because of the sheer quantity of stock, but because every time I come back there is something new to look at. I ended up stumbling upon so many things that fit the 'buy instantly' category that I had to step back and make this wish list so I didn't have a major splurge.

The thing I was most excited by were the tropical print bikini bottoms. I can never find bathers that I like, especially in a high waisted cut, so I was in a buy this here and now frenzy until I saw that they didn't have my size. My heart broke and I'm now crossing my fingers that my size magically appears soon since summer is on the horizon here in Australia.

I went a little pouch and micro bag crazy in my search and while I am definitely giving some of these a miss now that I've made a non-ASOS related splurge (stay tuned) the micro bag is definitely still on the cards. I love everything from the colour to the size and I think it will satisfy all of my minimalistic bag cravings since I could physically not fit more than my phone, a few cards and maybe a lipstick in there.

I have been a little shoe crazy lately which is odd, because I'm usually a clothes over shoes kind of girl. When I saw the eye print flats my heart skipped a beat because I was so completely obsessed with the Kenzo eye designs and this was near identical and without the designer price tag. Another pair of shoes I got too excited over were the white sandals featured above. Something about them is just so cool, and while I barely trust myself with white it is nice to dream.

One of my favourite things about ASOS is the fact that they make some UK beauty products so much easier to obtain or give us Australian's early access to new Rimmel lines which tend to hit our shores a month or two later. The matte version of Rimmel's Apocolips look so, so stunning and I am obsessed with the orangey red shade and the rose.

What is on your ASOS wish list at the moment?

ASOS Mini Crossbody Bag | Whistles Coin Purse | Cat Coin Purse

Leaf Print Bikini Bottoms | Shelly's London Sandals

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September Favourites

This is my very first favourites post and something that I've been wanting to do for awhile. I'm either too scatterbrained to post one on time or feel like I've talked about everything too much already. This month was different and I felt like I had a unique set of items that could warrant a favourites post!

One of my biggest favourites of the month, maybe even the year, was my newly landed Lorac Pro Palette. This is even more stunning than I imagined and the quality is utter perfection. I've been experimenting with the colours and finishes a lot and can't wait to talk a little more in depth about what I think of it. With this palette came the Lorac Behind the Scenes eye primer which I've also been loving. The consistency is really nice and it definitely makes the shadows look more beautiful and last longer. Another primer sample that appeared in my makeup bag this month was the bareMinerals 'Prime Time' face primer. I have to say I like this better than The Body Shop Insta Blur that I was raving about just a week or two ago. I think I'll have to splurge and get the full size when this little guy runs out.

It's been a big month in terms of brows. I've gotten my brow routine down with the help of a few key products. My Eco Tools brow styling brush may look pretty simple, but it makes all the difference. I never used to take the time to brush out my brows, but with the help of this my powder application is so much smoother and overall looks more polished. With a full review here it's clear to see that I love the Maybelline Brow Drama brow gel. I've always stuck to clear gels in the past, but the tinting really makes all the difference and adds some dimension to my brows.

Since spring is here on my side of the globe I've been having some serious autumn envy. However, I've been trying to incorporate some bright, easy to wear colours back into my every day routine. Maybelline's Lip Butter in 'Sweet Tart' has been a staple for me since I started wearing makeup. It bright, beautiful and so, so moisturising. Along with the spring vibes, even though I wear it all year round, is Marc Jacob's 'Daisy'. It's such a fresh, floral scent and Daisy Dream is definitely going on my Christmas list.

I've been wearing the floral, flowly shirt above all month as the warmer weather has started to show. Paired with highwaisted skinny jeans it's great for the days you want to experience the warmth of the sun on your arms, but it's still a bit chilly for a dress. Finally, I've been obsessed with my chunky platforms that I picked up from Missguided awhile ago. I've actually had a few chances to wear them this month which makes me happy. This picture does them no justice, I am completely obsessed with them!

What have you been loving this month?

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