April favourites

April was a hard month for me. I bought practically nothing beauty wise and I may be experiencing withdrawal. My skin wasn't enjoying the weather changes so I went back to my tried and true products, make up wise I was sporting autumnal vibes; think dark lips and a plummy blush.

I found myself really enjoying the Rimmel Lasting Finish Soft Colour Blush in 170 Genuine Plum. Its a muted plum that translates to a lovely flush on the cheeks. Pigmentation and formula is fine and all but nothing inspiring. What I really do love is the colour. Considering this baby is under $10, even here in Australia I can't say anything bad. The packaging is a bit flimsy but what's inside more than makes up for it.

This was my first brush with Laura Mercier and its only a sample size but I love the Creme Smooth Lip Colour in Red Amour. Its a blue based red that is just a touch off neutral. I'd say its still wearable enough for the everyday though. It glides on so smoothly but I find the longevity of it average. Nothing that a quick reapplication doesn't fix. What I love most about it is the colour, its like a quick injection of confidence.

I've been quite into looking after my skin lately because I've developed this theory ... if I have perfect skin than I don't really need all that much make up do I? So I've invested in a serum according to the words of Beautypedia. The Olay Regenrist Micro-sculpting Serum somehow earned itself a full 4 stars and after using it I can see why. There's a slight smell that quickly disappears after applying, I find it quite pleasant so I don't really mind. I squeeze out a pump and apply underneath my moisturiser. It leaves a subtle glow and just gives my complexion an extra boost. Definitely worth the money. 

I've rediscovered the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask. The first time I tried I was like eh, nothing great. In a moment of desperation where my skin felt dull and lifeless I picked it up and when I woke up the next morning and looked in the mirror; angels were singing, I kid you not. Hello to plump, dewy, lovely, soft skin. Since then I've been using it religiously a couple of times a week with great results!!! 

And finally, Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream. I have to say the packaging is nothing inspiring but this soothes my skin like nothing else. I'd say its a moisturiser on the heaver side but once it sinks in my skin is smooth and doesn't feel dry at all, and it stays that way throughout the day. What I like most about it is that it manages to get rid of the tight feeling my skin has after washing my face. I'm sad to say Mecca is currently in the process of phasing out the brand so I may have to look elsewhere next time I repurchase.

Brow Basics

A tell-all brow exposé

I'm not a brow fanatic, I mean I have committed my share of cardinal brow sins ... over plucking, going months between brow maintenance, stray hairs. Luckily, no one has ever died of not being Cara Delevingne although it looked pretty likely early 2014. I do think that brows can really complete a look though; cue my growing interest.

I have had a long struggle with my brows. I know people like to say brows are sisters not twins but in my case these sisters are diametrically opposed. One is the good sister - compliant, obedient and somewhat overachieving while the other is a nightmare. Over time I've learnt how to tame each brow. 

The Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz pencil in Dark Brown is my quick fix. Before this brow pencil I didn't really understand how effortless and good things could be between my brows and I. The colour is a tad off for my black hair but nothing too noticeable. The thin end means application is very precise, furthermore the pencil is mechanical so no sharpening is needed. I don't know if its the pigmentation or the ashy undertone but this product manages to nicely define and fill in my brows while still keeping them looking like actual brows.

The Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Promade in Dark Brown really puts the bulletproof in bulletproof brows. Even though it says Dark Brown it works fine with black hair and its less daunting than the darker shade Ebony. It takes some time to apply but rest assured once its there, its there and its not coming off without a fight. You can pretty much use any angled brush to apply it. I find the secret is to lightly, oh so lightly dip your brush in and fill away. Too much product on your brush and it becomes a disaster.

I use the Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara in Dark Brown last, after everything is filled in. This product does a good job of thickening the brow hairs and setting them in place. When using this you have to ensure the product doesn't apply directly to the skin or it looks decidedly odd.

What do you use to tame your brows? What other brow sins have you committed? Confess with me! Its cathartic, I promise.

A brush with Zoeva

Zoeva is a brand well known for their brushes seeing as just about every beauty blogger and youtuber raves about them. In fact, I've yet to hear anything bad. Today, I'm pleased to announce I'm finally in on the craze and I completely understand why everyone loves them so.

I snagged the Zoeva Classic Face Brush Set for $87 off here, they also have a vegan version for anyone interested. Shipping was free and the brushes came in a makeup bag ... score.You get 6 makeup brushes and if you break it down it means one is roughly $15 which I'm pretty happy with. 

All of the brushes I got are amazing quality, the brushes themselves are sturdy and I can see them lasting years. The bristles feel silky soft and some of my Real Techniques brushes have already been usurped. When using them or even washing them I saw no shedding. They are almost ridiculously good.

The 106/Powder brush is delightfully fluffy and soft. Right now I'm using it to apply my powder foundation which is the Nars Pressed Powder and it works fine, maybe even better than fine. I've never had any problems with the powder so I can't tell if the smooth application is thanks to the brush or the powder. Either way I am definitely going to keep using both.

I use the 102/Silk Finish brush to buff in my liquid foundation. Its dense and using this means application is pain free and streakless. I like to just close my eyes and enjoy the feeling of the brush blending it all in. I find I like the brush as my foundation always looks silky and natural when using it. 

The 142/Concealer Buffer is different from the flatter brushes I normally use to, almost paint on, my concealer. Using this wonderful brush means my concealer application and blending is very precise allowing me to build up coverage where I need it. Its also gentle enough for any painful blemishes as well as the under eye area.

I love the 122/Petit Stippling. I use it for cream blush and because its so small it means that I get to choose exactly where my blush goes. Using this brush its easy to pick up any cream products and blend it out seamlessly. 

So far the 105/Luxe Highlight hasn't seen much use as I'm not big on contouring and highlighting for my every day life. Unfortunately, it missed out on being washed. The tapered end makes applying highlighter on the high points of your face (cheekbones, the cupids bow, nose, etc.) a dream. I imagine the shape means its perfect for contouring as well.

The 127/Luxe Sheer Cheek brush - I like it. It just works. I have a tendency of putting too much blush on and the way this brush sheers cheeks products out makes applying blush easy. A fool proof blush brush if I've ever seen one. 

I love the precision that all these brushes allow me to apply my makeup with! I'm a Zoeva convert.

Have you tried any brushes from Zoeva? What other brushes do you think I should try?

The Low-Down on Urban Decay

For us Australians, just about all makeup brands feel so out of reach, unless you're willing to pay the outrageous shipping prices of course. For me, this has resulted in a sadly minimal collection of Urban Decay makeup. Seeing as Mecca Maxima has recently begun to stock the brand at their stores I think its time I size up what I've got.

The crowning jewel of my collection is most definitely the Naked 2 Palette. There are plenty of gushing reviews preceding mine so I'll just give a quick summary. What swayed me into buying this one over the Naked 1 was the shade range. The shades in this palette are amazingly versatile and can be tailored to everyday wear as well as something more flashy. While there are one or two shades with disappointing colour pay off the majority of the shades are stunning. In addition the packaging is comparably more study and clicks shut satisfyingly. I love having the palette and most especially, being able to say I have it.

My current go to foundation is the Naked Skin Weightless Skin Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup in Shade 5.0. Its a surprisingly good match, so much so that I'm terrified of getting any tanner. The foundation really does live up to the 'weightless' in its name. I would say its light to medium coverage and it does a good job of giving the skin a healthy, dewy look. With powder I can stretch it to last the day and I am very satisfied.

The All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray is perfect for when I'm feeling a bit cakey. One spritz of this and its problem solved. While there are rave reviews about it extending the longevity of makeup I haven't really seen a difference in mine but I do like that it feels so refreshing. 

I also own the Naked 24/7 Glide-On Double Ended Eye Pencil in the shades Perversion and Rockstar. Rockstar is a metallic, deep purple while Perversion is a matte black. Both shades are extremely opaque and do in fact, 'glide-on' pleasantly. The staying power is solid and while the eyeliner is creamy it does sometimes smudge.

Last but not least is the Eyeshadow in the colour Sin - a warm beige-ish champagne. Swatched it looks like nothing special but on the eye lids its a pigmented, gorgeous colour that adds depth and dimension with its subtle shimmer.

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Overall, I enjoy what I've bought from Urban Decay and definitely intend to purchase more. Right now I have my eye on a Sheer Revolution lipstick. 

Is there anything you think I should try from UD? Are you as excited as me about them finally coming to Australia?

Blooming Brights

This was an impulse buy for me. I grabbed the Stila Blooming Brights Convertible Colour Trio which is part of their Spring 2015 collection, at the checkout at the very last minute and I am so glad I did. Considering one blush is $34 and the set of 3 was $26 its an amazing deal! You get considerably less product but I don't mind seeing as I have yet to finish any of my blushes.

The formula is lovely. Its pigmented without being too pigmented and its a dream to blend. The colour fades a bit by the end of the day but not enough for me to worry about. The packaging has a vintage feel which I adore but the colours of the actual blushes are different than the colours on the outside.

Lilium is by far my favourite of the bunch, its looking slightly unpleasant now thanks to my stippling blush but the colour is amazing. When swatched it appears as a light, dusky pink but sheered out it gives a very natural flush on the cheeks.

Petunia is a dark, raspberry and nothing like the packaging. The colour is flattering on the skin when applied with a light hand.

And finally, hibiscus which is a coral red, the quintessential spring colour. This colour isn't something I'd typically go for as I tend to steer clear of the less natural colour. Nonetheless when applied lightly its pleasant, too much and the appearance is clownish.

From top to bottom: Hibiscus, Lilium, Petunia

On the lips all three colours are disgusting. Enough said. They are all extremely drying and bring out the dry patches I didn't even know I had. 

Overall, this set is definitely something I would recommend! Its a great way to see what the brand has to offer and the colours are all lovely and diverse.

Have you tried a Stila blush? What do you think?