The Daily Makeup Edit

It's been a loooong, long time since I've done any sort of "daily makeup" routine post on the blog, and seeing as I've stuck to a pretty solid routine for the past several months, I figured I should update you guys! This post will also serve somewhat as a September favourites as I haven't really been using or loving anything new, just the same old shiz! I think that will change in the coming months though as I've broken my spending ban (a pretty lax one at that) and made a Colourpop order, and I anticipate I will be buying a bunch more with the impending holiday releases! I'm pretty proud of myself though, I pretty much hadn't bought anything since the Sweet Peach Palette which was all the way back in May! Anyway, if any of y'all are OG readers, some of these products might take you waaay back into the archives! I should say, I don't necessarily wear this makeup everyday but this look is typically my go-to for work (without the eye products) or long days at uni!

The Best of 2015

Hallo humans! I'm finally getting around to wrapping up my favourites of 2015! I hadn't thought of what I would put in this post (was probably procrastinating lbr), but when I sat down to write up my list, there were quite a few obvious picks! I had quite a bit of trouble narrowing it down, and will probably throw in some honourable mentions too heh. I decided to go about picking the products I used and loved during 2015, not necessarily new products of 2015, though I did get quite a few of them last year. I'm also not mentioning products I got in the last couple of months, but you can catch up on those faves in my November and December favourites posts! Anyway, enough rambling, let's jump in before this post becomes 10000 years long!

The One and Only Tag

I was tagged a few months ago by Sheri to do the One and Only tag. I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to get around to doing this, but school life just got in the way - damn you, school! Anyways, we're here now and I'm sharing what products would be my one and only of that category, my "holy grails" I guess you could say. However, in some categories, I thought of it in a way where I only have that product, so it would be a good multi-tasker, ya feel? Regardless, they're all faves and it was definitely a tough call. Especially since in some categories I don't have a product that I love more than the others, but I did my best!

PRIMER - Lorac Behind the Scenes Eyeshadow Primer

Does this count? I actually don't have many face primers, and I don't really love any of them, so I decided to go down the eyeshadow primer route. Eye primer is definitely a must for my oily lids! I really love the Lorac one, it seems to work really well to make shadows appear more vibrant, and last longer on my lids.

BASE PRODUCT - Bourjois Happy Light Foundation

This was definitely tough, I had a hard time choosing especially since this is the newest foundation in my stash but dang I love it. It's the perfect amount of coverage for me, light-medium, it's a great shade match, it leaves a satin, natural finish that lasts really well on me as my skin gets progressively dewier but never overly oily. 

POWDER - Australis Fresh & Flawless Powder

This has been with me for a good couple of years, and I've really loved it. It adds a hint of extra coverage whilst setting my makeup in place, never too flat matte or cakey looking. A really good powder, and a gem in the Australian drugstore!

CONCEALER - Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

I actually haven't tried that many concealers, but this is definitely a good 'un. It doesn't have the fullest coverage, but it looks natural and covers blemishes, scars and undereyes alike. It lasts pretty well too - the only qualm I have is that it can slightly accentuate flaky skin a bit. 

BLUSH - theBalm Instain Blush in the shade Toile

Oh blush, how you trouble me. This was hard considering blush is my weakness and I have a drawer overflowing with them. I chose the Instain Blush because damn girl, this blush be hella long lasting. It's very pigmented, yet blendable, smooth and creates a lovely flush. Toile is a strawberry coral shade that I love, and it actually looks quite natural on.

HIGHLIGHTER - theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer

Oop, another theBalm product, they just know how to do cheek products. The hype is real on this highlighter, it's gorgeous. The golden tone complements my skintone so well, it's smooth, pigmented and crazy beautiful glowy. Love.

EYEBROW PRODUCT - Dolly Wink Eyebrow Powder in Dark Chocolate

Technically already the only brow filler-inner I own, but it works perfectly for me. The cool-toned deep brown suits my hair really well, without making me look like I have black eyebrows. Filling in with powder is super quick and easy, it looks natural and it legit makes the hugest difference.

BRONZER - Nvey Eco Natural Bronze Organic Compact Bronzer

This was quite an unexpected favourite but I do really like it. I'm not sure if it's holy grail status, but I've been really loving it lately, and would be happy with this alone. It looks quite ruddy and terracotta like in the pan, but it blends really well on the skin, adding warmth, shape and shadow to the face. It's has a matte finish, and the powder itself is of high quality - soft, pigmented and blendable.

MAKEUP BRUSH - Real Techniques Multi-task Brush

I don't think I can pick out a favourite brush, but if I could only have one, I'd choose the Multi-task brush. Like the name suggests, this brush can do many things. It has foundation, powder, blush, bronzer and highlighter covered. It's dense yet fluffy, super soft and a really great shape to cater for different needs.

MASCARA - ???

I honestly couldn't choose a mascara! I haven't come across one that I've loved any more than another so have to leave this one blank. My perfect mascara would be waterproof and be able to hold a curl well, be lengthening, defining and volumising. Well that would be a super mascara.

EYESHADOW - Lorac Pro Palette or Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze

Okay, okay, I have two products but hear me out! I wasn't sure if this question meant just one shade, or one eyeshadow product. In the case of the former, I'd go for Bad to the Bronze. It's such a great bronze shade that is perfect for slapping all over the lid. It really is the perfect, everyday one shadow look product. Although it does still crease on me, it lasts longer than powder. If I could choose an eyeshadow product, hands down it would be the Pro Palette. This thing is amazing. Its shades are beautifully pigmented, soft and versatile.

EYELINER - Essence Gel Eyeliner in BBC All Night Brown
While I like my pencil and liquid liners just fine, this gel liner is the only one I really love. Shame it's discontinued. Damn you, Essence! It's a really pretty bronzy-brown with a slight golden shimmer. It's creamy, pigmented and long lasting. Also, if I only had this, it would work excellently as a cream shadow for a smokey eye or as a base!

LIPGLOSS - Maybelline Colour Elixir in Caramel Infused
This was actually such a hard decision. I was tossing up between this one and the NYX Butter Gloss. Ultimately I went for this because I feel like the formula is just a tad more translucent and glossy, but still pigmented and not sticky at all. It really evens out the lip surface making them look really good. Also, I wear this shade all the dang time.

LIPSTICK - MAC Morange (a review from the dark days of my blog, literally)
This was also quite a difficult category, mainly because I actually don't have a lipstick formula that I love more than any other. I settled for this one as it is crazy pigmented, smooth and creamy. It has a satin finish and is long lasting, but isn't at all drying. The shade is a stunner of an orangey red too.

A very tough tag that forced me to choose favourites (you're all still my bbys though!) haha! I tag Cherie, Vanessa, Yige, Daphne and Ash, if you guys haven't already done it, and anyone else who would like to!

Monthly Favourites // April 2014

April was a good month this year. Majority of it was spent on school holidays and also there were a LOT of public holidays - what's not to love? I have a few new products to share, many of which are from my last collective haul. I also have a couple of random favourites which will be at the end! 

Lush Ultrabland Facial Cleanser

The newest addition to my cleanser collection and one that I'm enjoying a lot. I will definitely have a full review up of it in due time, but so far I really like it. I wouldn't exactly call it a balm cleanser because it actually doesn't really melt down into an oil (that's what I perceive a balm cleanser to do). It's more of a very thick, pasty cream cleanser. The texture takes a bit of getting used to on the skin because it's not very 'slippy', so it requires a bit more force when working it into the skin. Due to this, I feel like it's really getting in there and cleansing my skin, if that makes sense? My skin is left feeling clean but also very moisturised!

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

I've been using these every night since I bought them (replacing the Clarins Gentle Exfoliating Brightener Toner - for now) and have definitely noticed a big difference in my skin. In the 2 or so weeks I've been using them, my skin has been brighter, smoother and I've even noticed my acne scarring to be slightly lighter! I will definitely keep using these and will have a review up after I've used them for a decent while.

Arbonne Perfecting Liquid Foundation in shade Honey Beige*

My last post was a review of this so I won't talk a lot about it. I've just found this to be an excellent all-rounder foundation. It has good medium coverage, satin-matte finish and excellent lasting power. My one qualm is that the shade I have is too pale, but I've been mixing it to make it work :)

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

This little bundle of squishy goodness has been amazing for applying foundation, and my pick for when I have time and want a particularly good finish on my foundation! I have a review soon to be published, but I really do love the way this applies my foundation and finally I have tried a face sponge! Yay!

Dolly Wink Eyebrow Powder in Dark Chocolate

I know, I know - this is not a new product or a new favourite, but I've been particularly liking it this month. I slightly reshaped my brows and just plucked in a bit more of an arch, so when filled in they look a lot more structured and just better. So I guess you could say my brows have been a fave this month? But this powder is seriously amazing and looks so natural with my blacky-brown hair.

Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Complex

I did not expect to love this as much as I do - but I'm just in love with the colour! It is such a flattering, pale peachy-brown nude that goes with basically everything. Great formula to boot too.

Marvel's Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Movie fave! Gah, this movie was AMAZING. If you guys didn't already know, I'm a huge Marvel fan (though I haven't read the comics, even though I sort of want to? But so many things to read, and not enough time! D:), and this installment was by far the most developmental to the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe), and just amazing. The action was choreagraphed beautifully, there were some great political/worldly issues in there, still had some classic Marvel humour, and of course who doesn't love a little Chris Evans?

Giffing!

I also learnt how to gif this month (thank you Yasmin!) and made a few edits for my tumblr, including my sidebar during the holidays. I've always wanted to learn and it's actually not as hard as it looks. I had fun giffing scenes from a few tv shows and movies and it really makes you realize how dark the lighting is in them! Recolouring them is crucial! Fun stuff giffing is. Fun stuff.

Anyways, those were my April favourites! What have you guys been loving this month?

*Product sent for consideration.

On the Daily

What with me back at school again, I've settled back into the routine of using similar, if not the same products during the week. My daily makeup is nothing extravagant - especially considering there is a no makeup rule at my school (shh...). I tend to opt for a natural look, covering my main imperfections and making myself look a bit healthier and more awake. I thought I would share the selection of products I've been using on the daily and my thoughts on them!

I store my daily makeup in my MUJI 2 drawer narrow acrylic box set with flip top lid so that it is all conveniently in one place and so that I won't have to go rummaging through my main makeup storage. I really love this little box set, it's nice and sleek and I wish that my whole storage was MUJI! I often rotate what is in here sometimes daily, or weekly depending on if I want to wear a particular product/whatever I'm feeling. A lot of the products here are constant though.

Biore UV Perfect Face Milk

I've already talked about this in a Monthly Favourites and a full review will be coming soon. This has been my sunscreen of choice as it is so thin it feels like nothing on the skin, and it also mattifies my skin slightly, to the point that I actually notice my skin not being as oily as usual by the end of the day! Also it has an amazingly high SPF.

Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream in Medium

For my base I will almost always reach for one of my BB creams, this one being my most used. A nice, light almost moussey cream consistency that has a satin finish. A quite light coverage and smooths on easily with fingers. 

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Medium

My latest concealer addition. I find it really quick to apply to any spots and scars with the doe foot applicator then blend with the Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush. It's a really good shade match, and while the coverage isn't totally full, it's still very good, looks natural and doesn't cling to dry patches.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser in Brightener

I don't use this everyday but when I feel like I have any dark circles or my face needs brightening up I reach for this. I apply it underneath my BB cream as it is quite pale and pink. It does a good job of concealing and brightening, and has a lovely thin consistency that blends well and doesn't cake/settle.

Dolly Wink Eyebrow Powder in Dark Chocolate

The only brow-filler-inner product I own and it's been fulfilling the job now for over a year. A lovely shade for my brows and I find powder looks much more natural than pencil. I use the Real Techniques Brow Brush which is a bit thicker but actually makes the job much quicker. I also forgot to photograph my Essence Lash and Brow Gel Mascara which I use everyday to set them. It's probably for the best actually as my tube is looking pretty gunky!

Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless Mascara

I don't wear mascara everyday but depending on the weather, I will use this or the L'oreal Telescopic Waterproof mascara. If I want to hold a curl I'll use the L'oreal, but otherwise I've been using this one a lot. I really like the brush as I find it applies the product well by grasping all my lashes - it's not too big either. The formula is very natural and a bit wispy which is generally how I like my mascaras. It slightly lengthens and thickens without clumping. You don't get a lot of volume with this though.

Australis Fresh and Flawless Pressed Powder in Darkest Brown

I tend to powder nearer the end so my face makeup has had a chance to settle into my skin. This powder is really nice and one of the gems available on the Australian drugstore scene. It adds a tad more coverage, mattifies and sets with a satin finish and is a really soft, smooth powder. I think I might be hitting pan on this soon!

Jane Iredale Bronzing Powder in So Bronze 1

I've mentioned this countless times so I'll spare the spiel. It's lovely to warm up the face and put a bit more dimension back into my face without contouring. Depending on whether or not my base is a bit pale for me, I'll either go heavier or lighter with this.

Models Prefer Powder Blush in Desk to Date

One of my favourite blushes - a beautiful warm pink-peach with a slight golden shimmer that isn't too apparent on the skin. Complements my skin tone well and is just a lovely shade to add a bit of colour to the face. I tend to change up my blush shade quite often, but this one is a fail safe.

I use the Real Techniques Blush Brush for those three powder products.

Australis Colour Inject Mineral Lipgloss in Bellydance

I always like to coordinate my lip colour with my blush shade and this gloss is a really pretty peachy-pink that goes well with Desk to Date. I tend to apply this lightly so that it's only the slightest wash of colour. The formula is really nice - non-sticky and even slightly moisturising.

The Standouts of 2013

Hello 2014! I hope you guys all had a happy new year! I cannot believe another year has been and gone, and it will probably take me a while for the fact that we are in 2014 to sink in. Anyways lets live in the past and take a look at my most favoured products from 2013! I haven't covered all categories as I didn't necessarily have a FAVOURITE favourite for every area. Despite that, I still had trouble narrowing things down so you're in store for quite a few products! Also, I haven't touched on tools or skincare, haircare, bodycare or nails. For tools, pretty much all Real Techniques and for skincare, check out my skincare routine posts here, here and here. Reviews have been linked where applicable! Let's jump in!

Face:

• Laura Mercier Foundation Primer
• Maybelline Dream Pure BB cream in shade Medium
• Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation in shade Light Beige
• Neutrogena Healthy Skin liquid makeup in shade Natural Beige

I find the Laura Mercier primer generally good at prolonging the wear of foundation and keeping it looking better for longer. My BB cream favourite was hard to choose, but I found myself reaching for the Maybelline a lot. Good colour, coverage and finish. Foundation wise, for a lot of the year the Bourjois was a go-to but I found the shade quite light towards the end of the year. I've used it by mixing with other products and a hefty load of bronzer. Lovely finish on the skin and a nice light-medium buildable coverage. The Neutrogena is pretty much a spot on colour and offers a good medium coverage with a very natural skin like finish. Not too dewy or too matte.

Cheeks:

• Models Prefer Desk to Date
• The Balm Instain Blush in Toile
• Essence Silky Touch blush in Natural Beauty
• Sleek Contour Kit in Light
• Jane Iredale Bronzing Powder in So-Bronze 1
• The Balm Mary Lou-Manizer

I am a self-professed blush junkie but these three were probably my most worn. I like Desk to Date for an easy, goes-with-everything light peachy pink, Toile for something slightly brighter but still natural and Natural Beauty for a bit of a 'nothingy' cheek - it's the perfect blend of a blush, bronzer and highlighter in one. For contouring my main favourite has been the Sleek (mainly just the contour shade), a nice brown that isn't hard to work with and creates a natural looking shadow. For bronzing all over the face, Jane Iredale has been my pick. A nice warm brown that is only slightly darker than my skintone and gives warmth and colour to the face. Highlighter fave is hands down Mary Lou-Manizer. It provides an amazing champagne-golden glow which I love.

Eyes:

• Essence I love Stage Eyeshadow Base
• Estee Lauder Pure Color Stay-on Shadow Paint in shade Halo
• Maybelline Color Tattoo in shade Bad to the Bronze
• MAC eyshadow in shade All that Glitters
• Essence Gel Eyeliner in shade BBC All Night Brown
• Napoleon Perdis Ultimate Nude Palette
• Lorac Pro Palette, particularly shades Taupe, Espresso, Gold, Lt. Bronze and Pewter
• Dolly Wink Eyebrow Powder in shade Dark Chocolate

The sadly discontinued Essence eye primer has been my most used and loved this year. My two favourite cream shadows were from Estee Lauder and Maybelline. Bad to the Bronze made the perfect single shadow eye look while Halo was both a great base and all over lid shade. All that Glitters was definitely a favourite - I love the pinky-beige metallic colour! Also discontinued is the Essence Gel Liner which I used quite often for both a winged liner and smudged on the lower lashline. The deep bronzy brown made for a perfect casual liner look. The Napoleon palette is filled with matte shades which I used both on their own or to accompany other eyeshadows. Also filled with mattes is the Pro Palette which contains a bevy of shades to create a multitude of looks! Also some of the best formulas were found in this palette. Pretty much the only thing to grace my eyebrows was the Dolly Wink powder - perfect shade for my black hair!

Lips:

• Essence lipstick in shade All about Cupcake
• L'oreal Nutri-shine balm in shade Nudy Coral
• Estee Lauder Signature Hydralustre Lipstick in Venetian Rose
• L'oreal Nutri-shine Lipstick in shade Pink Nude
• Estee Lauder Signature Hydralustre Lipstick in Soft Amethyst
• NYX Butter Gloss in shade Peaches and Cream
• Witchery Lip Gloss Wand in shade Blossom
• Nivea Lip Butter

All about Cupcake and Nudy Coral were probably my most worn lipsticks of the year. All about Cupcake being the perfect my-lips-but-better (and more pink) and Nudy Coral being a lovely tinted lip balm with the tiniest hint of colour. Venetian Rose is sadly discontinued but is probably the best peachy nude I've come across so far. It's not really nude but it's really the perfect neutral peach for my skin tone! Pink Nude is just a beautiful colour. It's got hints of pink and peach, with a neutral tone - lurve it! For the wearable purply-plum lip, my fave has to be Soft Amethyst. Lovely formula and really flattering! It's purple without being PURPLE. The NYX gloss has a lovely texture and the colour is just really lovely. The Witchery gloss however, is the lipgloss that got me liking lipglosses. Probably my favourite lipgloss formula yet (though the NYX is rivaling it) - thin, non-sticky and pigmented. The Nivea lip balm has definitely been my fave. My lips have been very fussy and lip balms that I used to love seemed to irritate my lips. The Lip Butter saved my lips and has been pretty much the only balm I've used since!

Fragrance:

• Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Camellia

This scent has definitely been my most used. It's light, summery and really nice for every day wear.

So that concludes my beauty favourites for the year that was! I will be doing a part two concerning more 'entertainment' favourites I guess you could call them, including favourite TV shows, books, movies and other varying ways to procrastinate.

What have been your favourite products of 2013?

Half as Fancy

Hi guys! So I got back from my trip to Hong Kong and Vietnam yesterday! If you hadn't gathered, the posts from the last two weeks were scheduled and now I can finally sit down and write my semi-formal post! My grade 11 Graduation Dinner Dance (a.k.a Semi-Formal) was on the 30th of November (the day before I flew out!) and I wanted to share my outfit and makeup!

Products used:

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser in Brightener

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in 53 and Revlon Colourstay Foundation for Oily/combo skin in Natural Beige

Sonia Kashuk Concealer Palette

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent

I used a mix of two foundations as the Bourjois is slightly too light while the Revlon is a tad too dark. Also I find the Revlon can be a bit heavy on its own, they both don't contain SPF (well the Colourstay has SPF 6) so they didn't flash back in flash photography!

For the Eyes:

Lorac Behind the Scenes Eyeshadow Primer

The Balm Balm Jovi Palette shade Metallica 

Chi Chi Nudes Palette, second last shade

MAC Iridescent Loose Powder in Silver Dusk

Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeliner in Black

The Body Shop Eye Definer in Moonstone

Dolly Wink Liquid Eyeliner

L'oreal Telescopic Waterproof Mascara

Ardell 120 Lashes and Lash Grip

Because my dress is black with some silvery jewels (photos down below!!) I chose to go for a mainly silver eye with a gunmetally shade in the outer corner/crease - sort of smokey but not. I popped the MAC powder over top for a bit more sparkle (also in the inner corner and browbone). I did some winged liner and put on false lashes! I actually did a practice run of the makeup which was my first time putting on falsies and I was suprised at how well I did it haha, went pretty smoothly on the day too! I don't particularly love the mascara I used but it's waterproof (didn't want any smudging!) and I was wearing falsies anyway. I tightlined with black liner and put some champagne coloured liner on my waterline. 

Face and Brows:

Dolly Wink Eyebrow Powder in Dark Chocolate

Essence Lash and Brow Clear Mascara

Sleek Contour Kit in Light

BYS Blush Trio in Coral Me In

MAC Iridescent Loose Powder in Silver Dusk

I contoured and highlighted with the Sleek kit to eek out my non-existent cheekbones. I also topped off the highlight with the MAC powder for a little extra glow and the silver shade complements the rest of my makeup, accessories, etc. I opted for a blush that would complement the lipstick shade I wore and I used the far right shade which is a rather bright coral. I applied it extremely lightly though so it didn't detract from the rest of the makeup.

Lips and Nails:

Yardley Lip Definer in Pillar Box Red

Maybelline Colour Sensational Vivids in Vibrant Mandarin

OPI Nail polish (shade unknown)

I wanted to go all matchy matchy with my lips and nails but sadly the nail polish actually dried more red than in the bottle - oh well! Haha, they were similar enough. I wanted to go for a rather bright and bold lip as my outfit was all black and I wanted to add more colour! 

YEaaH...those selfies...haha

These photos are actually from my practice run of makeup a couple of days before so my hair isn't done here! It looked pretty much exactly the same on the day. I'm glad I took these photos though because it was pretty hectic on the day because I actually did two of my friends' makeup! Yep, it was like Salon Tasha up in here, haha! 

Onto my dress! Please excuse that the photos are not up to par with most fashion bloggers - I'm not one and my mum was behind the camera, haha. The dress is from ASOS and I actually bought it near the beginning of the year (risky, because it might not fit come the day or tastes may change, but luckily neither of those happened but it was pretty tight...). It has an open back and jewelled detailing on the front so I opted for minimal jewellery and an up-do. It also has a tulle skirt which was VERY puffy and big, so my mum ended up cutting a layer off and sewing it down at points to the lining haha. You can't tell it's been altered and I like it much better! My friend Tam did my hair in exchange that I did her makeup hehe! It's a french braid crown essentially and I really like it so thanks Tam! I borrowed both the clutch which is from Mimco and the wedges which are from Wittner from my sister. I really like the detailed wedge (which you can't really see) but it's gunmetal so it matched other bits of my outfit!

The earrings are my mum's and the rings I got from Lovisa. I really like the assortment of midi and normal rings and I think they added just the right amount of pizzazz.

The Gal Pals!

I hope you found this post somewhat interesting as I spent a while compiling this post! I had a really great night and it was an amazing way to end the year off - heaps of fun! It was pretty exciting to get all glammed up haha! Now to start hunting for a formal dress...

Monthly Favourites | February 2013

Today I have my monthly favourites for February! This month has seriously zoomed past, not to be cliched or anything, but it really has! Here are a few things that I've really been enjoying.

First up for the face:

The Skin79 Super+ Hot Pink BB cream (review here) has been my go-to base for the month. It is just so easy! I slap it on as the last step of my skincare. It provides moisture without making my face oily, has an SPF of 25, decent light coverage and a slew of other skincare benefits! Although this oxidizes quite close to my skin tone, I still find that I appear to have a slight grey cast or that my face looks quite pale and washed out. To perk up my face I use another product featured in this post!

Rimmel Stay Matte powder in the shade 001 Transparent has been my setting powder of choice. It doesn't add any more coverage to the face so it doesn't look cakey, nor does it look powdery. It sets everything nicely and controls oil for me to be matte for a good 4-6 hours depending on what I'm doing or what the weather is like. It's super good for touch ups too!

My new fave concealer is the Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer palette (review here). I love that I can mix the colours to achieve my perfect match and the neutralizer works really well for reducing redness. Not a huge fan of the powder, but I'm a lover of the rest of the palette!

Brows, Eyes and Cheeks:

Here's a bit of a sneak peek into my brow routine!

First up I fill them in with the Dolly Wink Eyebrow Powder in the shade Dark Chocolate (review here) with my Essence Angled Eyeliner brush. It is really thin and stiff so it applies the powder in really natural, hair-like strokes. I really reccommend it for less than $3! The colour of the powder matches really well with my hair colour and gives me nice full while naturally defined brows.

I top off my brows with coat of the Essence clear gel mascara which does the trick! It sets my brows, keeping them in place all day whilst helping the colour last longer. Very cheap and does the job. Wish I could say the same for the packaging though! The spoolie from mine has completely broken off of the lid, it's still usable so I'll try and finish the tube!

The MAC Eyeshadow in the shade All that glitters has been a lovely all over lid colour. It's not too metallic but it is just such a beautiful shade which I am in love with! 

Like I said earlier, to perk up my face and give it a bit more warmth I've been reaching for the Topshop Blush in the shade Head over heels (review here). It's just such a sweet peachy-pink shade with a subtle gold shimmer to give a lovely glow. It also has amazing staying power!

Lastly for the lips, Essence lipstick in All about Cupcake has been my go-to. Such a cute name and shade of pink that looks wonderfully natural. It's a definite my-lips-but-pinker colour. It is a bit sheer and glossy which is what I love about it. Decently moisturizing and very cheap!

That sums it up for the products I've been using this month! What have you guys been loving using in February?

Dolly Wink

 Today I have a couple of items from the Japanese makeup brand Dolly Wink to share. I picked up their eyebrow powder and also their liquid eyeliner.

 I have the eyebrow powder in the shade 03 Dark Chocolate which is the darkest available. It comes with two different coloured powders; a dark, ashy brown and a light, almost creamy brown. The brown is also cool-toned so it suits people with black hair.

 The purpose of the two shades is to mix and match your perfect brow colour. I initially thought I wouldn't use the light one at all but I have been mixing it with a bit of the darker one and filling in the front of my brows with that and the tail-end of my brows with the darker powder alone. I find this creates a much more natural effect with definition without is being too dark or stark.

 The kit also comes with a brush. The brush is a bit too fat so it doesn't provide thin, hair like strokes but it does the job of filling in the brows. 

Darker shade, lighter shade

 The powders have a nice dry texture and are not too pigmented which is good because it makes it easy not to overdo your brows. I find that their lasting power is okay, even when topped with a clear gel (in my case the essence clear gel mascara), by the end of the day I find the colour has completely faded.

The Dolly Wink eyeliner in Black has a nice thin tip which is super precise and the very end of the tip is also nice and flexible making it very easy to draw lines. Because the tip is thinner at the top and fatter at the bottom, you can get both a thin or thick line.

However, because it is so precise, it will show every shake in your hand so you must have a steady hand whilst applying your eyeliner! The colour is super pigmented and black so you don't have to draw over and over your eye to get decent pay off. It lasts all day and is waterproof. 

Haul from Abroad

Recently I returned from my month long adventures in South Africa and a brief four nights in Hong Kong. Of course, I had to do a bit of beauty shopping!

I picked up some things from some brands that you can't get in Australia and also things that were a bit cheaper over there.

From South Africa I picked up:

Revlon Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie

Topshop lipstick in Ohh La La

Topshop Cream blush in Head over Heels

Catrice Defining Duo Blush in Peach Sorbet

The Body Shop Eye definer in Moonstone

Revlon Colorstay Nail Enamel in Spanish Moss (with free Top coat)

Sinful Colors Cinderella (Which can now be purchased in Priceline and Target stores)

Catrice Genius in the bottle

Yardley Twist nails in Sunset Glaze

From Hong Kong I picked up:

Dolly Wink eyebrow powder in Dark Chocolate

Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Frame Plus Mascara

Dolly Wink liquid eyeliner in Black

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers

Skin79 Super BB cream in hot pink

That's it for my haul from abroad and I will have reviews up soon for most of these products so stay tuned!