March Favourites: All about the Mattes

Hey gals and guys!

Late post but I finally have time in my schedule to write a post. My life has been 5 days of uni and 4 days of work... 2-3 assignments per week... and no free time :( Easter Long Weekend is therefore the perfect time to blog.

Sigma Brow Powder Duo in Dark

Lately I've been trying to find alternatives for my maybelline Eyebrow Pencil (which is often too light) and the Anastasia Brow Pomade in Dark Brown (which is too intense for everyday use). And this is the perfect product! As you can see in the swatches, the powder is quite light so you will never be worried about looking like a clown - the powder is quite build able. I have heard that these powder duos are dupes for the Anastasia Powder Duo and is about half the price!

Mac Prolongwear concealer in NC25

Not sure if I have posted about this concealer before, but I have so much love for this product. Before buying this high end concealer, I've used everything from Maybelline Lumi Touch to the Loreal True Match concealers, but really... nothing can ever live up to pro longwear! The formula is quite thick but incredibly blendable. The liquid has quite a lot of 'tack' which means it is sticky, making it have longer wear. I highly recommend this for everyone because it has such high coverage which means you won't need to use a lot... meaning that at the end of the day it will last you heaps longer than drugstore ones.

Essence Lip Liner in Soft Berry

At $2, or well, $1 when it is the priceline 40% off sale, this lip liner is seriously amazing and worth every cent. The formula is so creamy and pigmented, not drying at all, like their eyeliners. I wish that I hadn't splurged on revlon lip liners at about $15 previously, because these do a much better job and you can buy all the colours for less that $15! The colour is great for winter, and the more dark berry based lip sticks! I love using it for an ombre lip-look with the apocolips lip velvet below!

Rimmel Apocolops Lip Velvet, Matte in 307 Meterotic Matte

This is my favourite drugstore Matte product! The colour is great because it can transition from a summer/spring colour, to a winter/autumn look. Because it is drugstore, the formula is pigmented but not as long lasting. It feels really nice on the lips because it is matte but incredibly moisturising!

ELF Mineral Eyeshadow Primer

ELF makes some pretty good products for about $3 a pop. It creates a really nice base for eyeshadow because the mineral finish is kind of mattifying. Of course, it doesn't intensify the eyeshadow colours like the Urban Decay Eyeshadow potion, but helps the products last a lot longer. I am running out and will repurchase to use for everyday makeup looks!

Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub

I know people say that you can just make lip scrub out of sugar, oil etc. but it's something about the bubblegum flavour of this one that just made me want to buy it! It works just the same as DIY ones, but I know for a fact that I can't make mine smell like bubblegum! Obviously not the best product out there but the smell itself made is my favourite this month.

Seriously... this product shouldn't be on the monthly list... it should be on my FOREVER favourites! As you can see in the swatch, it is highly pigmented and dries very quickly! I used to use the Maybelline master precise eyeliner but found it to be quite watery and I hated the brush because it was too flexible. This is the best liquid eyeliner on the market because it helps create the easiest cat eye look! LOVE FOREVER!!

Rimmel Velvet Matte Nail polish in 017 Mattitude

Along with the Apocolips matte lip lacquer, I received this in the mail from Coty Australia. They're awesome because they send out full sized samples - so generous! I personally have never used matte nail polish, but I think it is so in right now - particularly the black matte. The only downside of matte formulas is that it chips quite easily so I'm trying to find a top coat that keeps the product matte but protects it from chipping too! Loving the mattes this autumn though.

Product Listings/Locations

Sigma Brow Powder Duo in Dark - $22 @ sigmabeauty.com or redefiningbeauty.com.au
Mac ProLongwear Concealer in NC25 - $32 @ myer.com.au or maccosmetics.com.au
Essence Lip Liner in Soft Berry - $2 @ priceline.com.au
Rimmel Apocolips Lip Velvet in Meterotic Matte - $15.95 @ priceline.com.au
ELF Mineral Eyeshadow Primer - $3.00 @ herb.com/au
Lush Cosmetics Lip Scrub in Bubblegum - $9.95 @ lush.com.au
Still Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner in Black - $26 @ mecca.com.au
Rimmel Velvet Matte Nail Polish in Mattitude - $8.95 @ priceline.com.au

Have a great week everyone and Happy Easter!

Janie

January Favourites

Hi everyone!

Your first instalment of monthly favourites of 2015 has officially landed.  The products are a mix of makeup are mainly what I use in the summer to achieve a golden, summer glow and products that I've used pretty much everyday this month! 

Lorac Pro Palette - Eyeshadows

(Swatches from left to right on the palette)

I've been loving this palette, even though i'm not that great at putting on eyeshadow! Unlike the Naked Palettes, this one has a row of 8 mattes and 8 shimmers that complement each other. The texture is buttery and nicely pigmented. Besides the Taupe colour (3rd colour of the top row), all the shadows have great colour payoff!

Tarte 12 hour Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed

After watching Essie Button, I decided to purchase this blush as one of my first for Tarte. She describes it as a light brown-toned pink that could be used alone without bronzer or contouring. I definitely agree with her! The blush is perfect for everyday makeup looks, especially if your previous blushes have left you looking like a clown. I cannot claim that it lasts 12 hours but it does last considerably longer than say my ELF blushes. I would recommend getting a good blush brush such as the Sigma F40 because the texture of the blush is a bit hard (because of the clay) so you need a brush that will pick up a good amount of product. 

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette 

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!! This is by far my favourite setting powder (it is deceiving but they are not highlighters!). Hourglass claims that these powders will blur out your imperfections and set your foundation with a gentle iridescent glow. I totally vouch for that and my colour for winter would be the Dim Light one and Radiant Light would be when I have a tan. Also I use Radiant Light for light contouring for daytime looks! 

Benefit's Gimme Brow

This little wand changed my brow game forever. It is the perfect deep brown colour for the awkwardly brown/black asian brows that I have. The wand is so small and precise that it helps me mould how I want my brows to look, even without a pencil sometimes! The formula is unique because it has fibres that volumise your eyebrows, creating a fuller look. This is perfect for everyday makeup as you don't need to put in much effort at all. Gimme Brow comes in this colour and a lighter one.

Loreal Paris 24 Hour Super Liner Gel Eyeliner

This is the first gel eyeliner that has worked for me and I am so grateful because my liquid liner is running out! As you can see in the 2nd image, the line is so dark, black and pigmented with just one swatch. I love this because it is such a smooth formula and lasts forever on the eyelids. Highly recommend guys! Note: I would recommend using this with a very thin pointed or angled eyeliner brush such as the Sigma E10 or Sigma Angled brush for the best results.

Nars Lip Pencil in Yu

I bought the Limited Edition Nars Digital World Pencil Set and Yu is by far my favourite colour. As you can see it is so, so pigmented and is a great pop of colour for those partying nights! At first I thought the texture would be dry and tug on the lips because it was a pencil, but it was very creamy and has great lasting power. It is a satin finish so it has a hint of glossiness for a classic look.

Mac Mineralise Skinfinish in Soft&Gentle

I've been wanting this highlighter for a really long time and when my Aunty got it for me, I was over the moon! Besides the beautiful golden/bronze sheen that is has on the skin (compliments pretty much any skin colour), the actual highlight powder itself is so mesmerising. The marbling effect kind of makes me feel like the highlighter is better than it actually is (great marketing Mac ;)) But overall it has great lasting power and completes any look!

Benefit's Hoola Bronzer

The universal bronzer. Many makeup artists have claimed that this bronzer is used on a lot of their models, and I would have to admit that it does make me feel like I'm a model. Because the it is a matte bronzer that has little to no orange or ashy tinge, it is the perfect bronzer for contouring. Previously I used the Laguna Bronzer which is also great but I found that this does do a better job. The texture is very buttery but has a bit of fall out. Lasts pretty much all day when it is set with powder! 

Loreal Paris False Lash Wings Mascara

This is my favourite night-time or night out mascara because it is so black and adds both volume and length. We all know my favourite is the Maybelline Full 'N Soft but it doesn't add enough oomph for nights out. This mascara is unique because of the wand, as it fans out creating a wing effect for your lashes. The bristles are close together so they catch every lash which is very impressive. I opted for the waterproof one as I usually do because they hold the curl better. Even though it is my favourite I'm still on the lookout for a mascara that does an even better job!

YSL Touche Eclat in 02

I have been wanting a highlighter pen for a while now and I picked up this baby during christmas sales for $32 as opposed to the RRP which is $55 (which is kind of ridiculous to me, but Australian prices ...). So far I have been using it for nights out and helps create that glowy highlighted look that everyone is into these days! It is a runny formula but I use my beauty blender to blend it nicely into my skin. I usually target the under eye area, cheekbones, nose bridge etc. I love that it is a pen as well because you can just mark where you want to highlight. Definitely recommend! 

Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade in Dark Brown

LOVE!! This product really does live up to all its hype. The texture is so creamy and doesn't budge even if you are sweating like crazy at a club. It does take a lot of practice to get used to it because it is so pigmented that your brows might look more like hairy caterpillars by the end of it. The trick is to use a stiff angled brush (preferably brow e.g. the EcoTools angled eyeliner brush) and to dip a bit of your brush is on both sides and clean it off on the rims so that there isn't too much product. It is so worth the money because you only need a tiny bit on your brush and you're good to good. Warning: This is for a more intense brow look so you might want to save it for your nights out when you want bold brows. 

That's it for January favourites and if you have any further questions or comments about the products please comment below! :)

Janie 

IMATS Adventure: Part 1 of 2

Hey guys! 

I know I've been away for a week but I am really busy with the influx of uni work and assignments, as we all are. This will just be a short catch up post to show you some pictures of IMATS (International Make Up Artist Trade Show). They bring in international products, mainly from America to our willing Australian hands. It was really an amazing experience. We got to see some talks about makeup, and flooded with make up after make up after makeup! Part 2 will be much more detailed, especially with descriptions on the items that I bought. Also, if you want some tips on skin care that I have asked from my friend who has worked with Clinique tune in for my blog next week as well. 

Presale Tickets: All day - $35-$45

Tickets at the door: All day - $50

Entrance: it's like Cosplay for makeup ^^

ermergerd Makeup forever!!!  

Top end budget brushes, ranges from $4 to $18 (Bargain!)

IMATS Makeup Talks: Showing professional make up (and us noobs) artists how to contour, highlight, and apply eye makeup correctly.

Mac store. Nothing special, just 20% off everything :)

Amazing Camo Man painted by Mac Makeup artists using their 'body paint' line.

I didn't get anything from Inglot but the prices were really decent! 30% off all products. I didn't buy anything but my best friend bought a lipstick ($27 down to $19)

More Inglot! People were crazy. We spent a good 30 minutes waiting to purchase the liptsick. 

 Couldn't stand close enough, but make up artists doing their magic on models and giving 'runway' tips to the public. Putting gloss on your lids after finishing your eye make up will make it last longer and seem more intense!

 And we are done ^^ 

Isn't she pretty ^_^

Goodbye IMATS! See you next year :)

My haul for today. $242. Overspent but I will justify my reasons in Part 2!

As a person who has become really interested in makeup, it is great that there are shows and conventions for pretty much any interest group! I didn't hear about IMATS until I came across some beauty bloggers who raved about the discounts. Because it was Australia, I assume that the discounts weren't as great as say in Toronto but it definitely gave me a look into the professional make up field. There were make up artists everywhere buying 20 of the same make up brushes to stock up. And many sales people were treating everyone as if they were make up artists. It was really an enlightening experience. But yes, I would recommend any upcoming make up artists or those who are getting into makeup to check out IMATS tomorrow or next year. It is like walking into the industry in one exhibition room. Anyways, I will be showing you guys what I bought next week and my reasons for it. 

Till then, stay beautiful! Hope you have a great weekend and good luck for upcoming assessments and mid-semester exams.

Toodles,

Janie