02/06/2014

Monthly Favourites // May 2014

I cannot handle how fast this year is going! Half of 2014 is gone and I'm not ready for it to eeeend. Aaah, things are getting very real, very quickly. But of course, there will always be a favourites post to document the passing of another month. May was a good month - ma bday month as well as the birthday month of a lot of my friends, like geez there must have been much excitement in August '96...jus' sayin. So, there was much to be celebrated!














































DKNY Delicious Night Eau de Parfum
Fragrance fave! My sister is moving down to Melbourne, *sad face* but that meant she was getting rid of a heap of her stuff - hair products, a couple of makeup bits and a shedload of clothes, as well as this perfume. This is probably one of the less popular out of the famous apple perfumes. I wasn't expecting to love this, but I have been spritzing it on most days! You would think from the name that it's more suited for nighttime wear, but actually since the weather has been cooling down it's not too heavy for the day. It's sweet and sexy but still has a fresh-fruity element. I might bring Smelly Sunday back to talk about it some more!

Garnier BB cream for Oily/Combo skin in Medium and Heroine Make Lasting Mineral BB cream in shade 2
A base favourite this month has been a mixture of these two. The Garnier being too dark and the Heroine Make too light, the combo of the two gives a really good shade match. The formulas are somewhat similar, the Heroine Make being superior in the coverage and lasting power departments, but together they give a really good coverage and lasting power, easily buffed on with a buffing brush.

MAC Opulash Mascara
Another sloppy seconds from my sister, and again I didn't really expect to like it because I've really heard nothing about it. Also, the brush is HELLA big, like the size of my eye. What surprised me about this mascara though is that it doesn't clump. Like the first time I used it I swear I put on 3 coats of the stuff, and didn't need to comb through with a spoolie. This is CRAZY for me because I can't stand clumps, and even comb through mascaras that aren't even badly clumpy/sticking my lashes together. Combing through is habit for me, and I didn't need to with this! It looks pretty natural, but gives good thickness, decent length and volume. It also doesn't smudge too badly by the end of the day.























Nvey Eco Natural Bronze Organic Compact Bronzer
Another product from my sister, and another that I didn't think much of to begin with. Wow, sensing a theme? Firstly, the colour didn't look too great in the pan. It's quite warm and red-toned, almost like…a dirt colour? Yeah, not so appealing and it definitely isn't appropriate for concentrated contouring. With a fluffy brush, I like the Real Techniques Blush Brush, it applies really nicely and looks very natural, especially around the hairline mimicking a sunkissed look. Also when swept lightly under the cheekbones it provides definition and shadow without coming off too ruddily.  It's completely matte, blendable and pigmented.

Essence Blush Up! in 10 Heat Wave
So obviously I love it, it's an ombre blush. Also the colour is absolutely up my street. The formula ain't too bad either, haha! It's very pigmented, but at the same time retains a translucency? I don't know how to explain it, or maybe I'm imagining things but it still lets your skin show through, with like a sheer...overlay of colour. Get me...? It's also pretty dang long lasting too!

Benefit Ultra Plush Lip gloss in Coralista
Out of the Benefit Go Tropicoral kit, this was the product I thought I'd be most 'meh' about, but turns out to be the only one I'm using on a regular basis. I haven't gotten around to reviewing that kit, I will though - once I get around to actually, properly using the products inside. This gloss though feels much like a balm, quite slippy and with a medium level of glossiness. The pigmentation is definitely on the sheer side, like the slightest wash of colour. It's also not sticky at all, even when it wears down it sort of absorbs into the lips. I like it a lot!

Bastille Bad Blood
A music favourite this month has definitely been Bastille and their debut album Bad Blood. My friend has been nagging me for ages to listen them, and sorry Yas for taking so long! I've basically been listening to the album on repeat, Dan Smith's voice is majestic, plus he's an all round cutie. Said friend plus a couple others are going to their concert in a couple of weeks which I'm so jealous about! I am going to Katy Perry at the end of the year though, so my concert quota is all filled up :( (but much excite for Katy). 

So it was a month filled with unexpected favourites, but favourites nonetheless! What have you been loving in May?

30 comments:

  1. I'm giving Bastille's concert next week a miss too! Going to see The Paper Kites instead for much much less because booking Bastille didn't let you choose seats, and the seats I was given weren't worth the $80 pp. The Nvey Eco bronzer looks so intriguing- good to hear that it's pretty on the skin though. I can totally relate to the clumpy lash thing- I've got a Majolica Majorca mascara to try next and I'm apprehensive because it's a plastic comb brush thing that you can't wipe excess product off (it's a lot easier with bristle brushes)!

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    1. Ooh exciting! The MM mascara brush isn't terrible but it does take some getting used to. Literally though, I just always brush through with a spare spoolie!

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  2. I've been loving the show The Face, the songs "Girls Do Cry" by San Cisco and "Leave Your Lover" by Sam Smith, and the books To All the Boys I Ever Loved by Jenny Han and The One by Kiera Cass :)

    Emily // ahemitsemme.blogspot.com

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  3. OOOo...I'm damn in love with that essence blush! I've never seen it here but I freaking love the color gradient! Lovely stuff! I've never been to a music concert even though there are plenty here in singapore but I need to save up for other things!

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    1. I know right! The ombre is everythinggg. Haha I know that feel, I've only ever been to one other, which was also Katy Perry haha. They're just so expensive, and while I'd love to go to more, there are so many other things I could buy...

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  4. I stopped wearing foundation and have been using the Garnier BB cream more often now! I forgot how much I loved it. That Essence blush looks amazing!

    Nhi | Miss Blushaholic

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    1. I know right, it used to be my everyday base back in the day, until I realised it was quite orange on me. It's now one that I always mix with others to make them darker.

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  5. I love this Garnier BB cream, the oily/combo skin formula is so much nicer than the original :) I have the light shade which is a little too light for me at the moment so I mix it with a foundation I have that is a little too dark! Haha so doing the opposite of what you are ;) I love DNKY's apple perfumes- I have nearly all of them but I don't have this night time one! Have you tried the pink blossom (light pink) one? It smells so pretty :) I haven't heard much about MAC's mascaras either, didn't even know they did mascaras :P

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    1. Yes MUCH better than the original. Ooh no I haven't smelt that one, I'm sure it's delicious though! Haha, of course they do mascaras! They're probably overshadowed though by their much more popular products.

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  6. Nice list of favourites! I haven't tried any of these, but I've been seeing a lot about essence products, quite keen to check that blush out :)

    LilynotLouise | Beauty and Food

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    1. Definitely check out more of Essence! Their products are so great for the price.

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  7. I still can't get over the fact that it's june already?! Where is the time going... but when I saw the garnier bb cream I was like "YAY you like too I'm not alone". I really like the looks of the Nvey Eco bronzer, and it sounds amazing from the way you described it!

    Yige || Yet Another Makeup Blog.

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    1. I know right!? Haha yeah I do like it, it was the first proper base that I used regularly. It is very good quality methinks, but the shade is a bit iffy, if you're not careful.

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  8. I love Bastille so much, Dan Smith is so gorgeous. They are on my list of bands that I just HAVE to see live.
    Eden from edenroses xx

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    1. Yaaas he is a gorgeous human being, so adorable and shy in interviews too haha! I must see them next time they tour, really sad I'm not going this time :(

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  9. Beautiful picks! I really like that Garnier BB Cream and that Essence blush looks super pretty! xo

    -Jen

    www.vibrantbeautyblog.com

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    1. Thanks! It is so pretty, the epitome of cheap and cheerful!

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  10. that blush seems wonderful, really want to try
    xxx
    http://loadsof-joy.blogspot.com

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  11. Yesss glad you got the Essence ombre blush. Still such a treat for the eyes (and cheeks) haha! Ikr, I went to two birthdays in May too! It must be a really popular bday month.

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    1. Yeah me too, I got it a while back! Haha indeed it is. Yeah actually SO many people have birthdays in May, like legit I had at least one fb notifcation each day!

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  12. That bluuuuusssh! I'm so in love with everything from essence (why are essence products so limited in the US?!) It's funny because I'm a May baby too haha! I guess August 96' was an exciting time....everywhere

    www.lilting-grace.blogspot.com

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    1. Damn, but then again you guys have sooooo many brands we can't get here, and at a much cheaper price! Haha indeed it must have been, are you 17 as well?!

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  13. I think that exact same thing about the Essence blush! With that whole... pigmented yet sheer concept haha.

    Great favourites!

    heytherejacquelyn.blogspot.com

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  14. STOP RUBBING THAT ESSENCE BLUSH IN MY FACE(....actually, if you could literally rub that blush on my face that would be gr8) (Also, shts starting to hit the fan? Re: things happening quickly)
    YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I am jealous of your friends. I mean, I'd be excite 4 Katy too BUT BASTILLEEEEEEE. (my fav is Bad Blood and the one with the Twin Peaks reference)
    You know what else is a solid album? IMAGINE DRAGONS' NIGHT VISIONS.

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    1. Hahahaa lols, gr8 but also unhygienic. Aah YES, gahd I have to decide what I want to do for the rest of my life in the next three months!! Slash, what I want to study at Uni but CLOSE ENOUGH.
      I'm SOO JEALOUS TOO LIKE I COULD BE THERE. But alas I am too poor! Arr yes Bad Blood and Laura Palmer are faves of mine too (but lbr the whole album...) Aww yiss girl, LOVE Imagine Dragons!!

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    2. UGH I HATED THAT POINT IN MY LIFE WHERE I HAD TO CHOOSE WHAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO STUDY IN UNI. I'm really glad I chose Anthro, because I do immensely enjoy it, but like....jobs?!??!???

      If I had to do it again, I'd probably 5th year, because uni is expensive for something you're unsure about :(

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    3. Ooh Anthropology (right?), interesting!! That's cool that you're enjoying it! 5th year? A concept I have no knowledge of - I'm guessing it's a Canadian thing?

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