Bright Matte Lips

When I first chopped my blunt fringe, my inspiration was seeing amazing photos of Zooey Deschanel and imagining how easy it would be to pull off bright lips with more hair framing my pale face. I have to admit that I haven't made use of that all too much with my current love for mauve toned or nude/blush lip colours, but I pulled out my fresh tube of Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Carthage to pair with my (in need of a trim!) fringe and here we go!

Using the taupe shade in the Dior Fairy Golds Quint all over my lids is my current favourite easy eye look; I usually reserve this palette for the festive season but can't help but be tempted to pull it out during the year too. The shadow quality is second to none and I love the fine shimmer in each shade! I lined my eyes with essence LongLasting Liner in Hot Chocolate as I do most days and finished off the eyes with Maybelline The Rocket Volum' Express mascara. This mascara is still in trial mode for me after purchasing it on my honeymoon last year - I have only just got around to opening it up...

The beautiful and bright Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Carthage is definitely the star of the show for this look, and the formula of these is what turned me onto matte lips in the first place. I can still appreciate a bright gloss but the ease of use and wearability of a bright matte is perfect for my lifestyle, and I hope to get my hands on more Nars matte formulas in the months to come. To warm up my features but keep Carthage the focus I used a light dusting of my beloved Clinique Superbalanced Bronzer* and Max Factor Crème Puff Blush in Nude Mauve on my cheeks.

Products
Base:
Face of Australia Face Base Primer
Revlon Colorstay Whipped Crème Foundation
Maybelline SuperStay 24HR Concealer
Rimmel Lasting Finish 25HR Powder Foundation*

Eyes:
MAC Painterly Paint Pot
essence Hot Chocolate liner
Dior Fairy Golds Quint (taupe shade)
Maybelline The Rocket Volum' Express

Lips + Cheeks:
Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Carthage
Clinique Superbalanced Bronzer*
Max Factor Crème Puff Blush in Nude Mauve

I'm really getting into using the Clinique bronzer again, but I have a feeling that this particular formula was discontinued to make way for all of the new cheek products they have been releasing lately. Have you tried any of the new cheek colour from Clinique yet? Do you have any matte lip recommendations for me?

-Emma x

 

*Products provided for consideration. Honesty, always.

The Repurchased

I've just spent a beautiful afternoon lazing about the house watching Bondi Vet and reading a stack of blog posts, and I have to say it made for a wonderful day indeed! I have a list of my regular reads along the left of my blog >>> and Tiffany from Will Work For Makeup is one of them. She recently posted about the products that she has repurchased (not just the ones she intends to repurchase!) and I thought I'd round up my lot and follow her lead. Great thinkin', Tiffany!

I was initially sent both of these products as PR press samples, and have since bought them a couple of times over with my own dosh - if that's not a good endorsement, I don't know what is! Urban Rituelle 'Cotton Candy' (original posts here and here) is seriously sweet and I keep this purse spray with me all the time nowadays - Mister adores the scent and it sits so nicely on my skin. Something else that sits nicely on me is the Face of Australia Face Base Oil Free Primer  - an affordable primer that has the same ingredients list as the pricy and much loved Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Primer!

Skincare is a tricky one as I am fond of trialling new formulas (typical beauty blogger, right?) but once I find products that really work, I am hard-pressed to veer away from them for good. Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion is the best anti-acne product I've used and I credit it with clearing up my congested forehead; this is my second bottle and I can see myself repurchasing this for years to come to keep congestion at bay. A gentler anti-acne cream is the much lauded La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (this is the updated + version that I find works just as well) which I've burned through many tubes of, and a nice affordable repurchased product is the Garnier Moisture Match Light Softening Cream (Normal-Dry Skin)

I struggled to find repurchased makeup items that weren't foundation/powder which are frequently emptied around these parts. I came up with MAC Painterly Paint Pot which I repurchased in American late last year, and two colour products that I somehow managed to lose and couldn't be without, which subsequently ended in my making a second purchase to replace them. Nars Pure Matte Lipstick 'Carthage' has still yet to resurface but I'm content with my new tube, while my pot of L'Oreal Infallible Shadow 'Tender Caramel' did eventually show up so now I own two of the gorgeous taupe shade. Losing a bunch of beauty products, you say? Gives you a hint as to the state of my beauty room, doesn't it...

What products in your stash have you actually repurchased?
Have you ever lost or misplaced a beauty product before?
-Emma

*All of these were repurchased by moi, wouldn't you know it. Nothing to disclose! :D

My Current Go-To Lip Products - Clearing Out The Handbag

I recently delved into the makeup pouch in my everyday handbag and came up with more than a handful of lip products that had been kicking around in there! I try to only take the lip colour I'm wearing with me out each day but they seem to accumulate, and along with these I also have the Chapstick Cake Batter Balm and other makeup bits tucked inside the pocket of my bag - is there any wonder my shoulders have been aching lately? These are often taken out and placed back into my everyday makeup storage, but they seem to jump right back into my makeup pouch and I just can't get enough of these shades at the moment.

Covergirl Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balm - Haute Pink Twist*
MAC Viva Glam - Cyndi 
Nars Lipgloss- Misbehave
Nars Lipgloss- Babe
Bite Beauty Matte Creme Lip Crayon- Glace
Nars Pure Matte Lipstick- Carthage
Bite Beauty Matte Creme Lip Crayon- Leche

So you tell me - are 7 coloured lip products too many for one handbag?
How many do YOU carry?
Which of these would you nick first if you were being a cheeky bugger?
Emma x


*Provided for consideration but honestly always in my handbag!

What's On My Face This Week - Bright Lips and Easy Eyes

I’ve been all about the easy eyes and shocking pink lips lately, and this week I’ve put this look on repeat varying some of the products but keeping the overall look really similar each time. Now that it is beginning to feel like winter in Melbourne (how about that wind!) I’ve reverted back to my love of wearing black to work and nothing pops better against black for me than a bright pink lip!

Mister Bovary making an appearance!

In these shots I’m wearing my Maybelline Color Bloom in ‘Pink Bloom’ which is a clear balm that turns into a bright pink tint once it hits the lips – it was a gift from a friend who travelled to Bali, but I really hope they are launched worldwide because they are seriously amazing and stain the lips so well! I topped that balm with my Maybelline Colour Elixir in Fuschia Flourish and am still head over heels for that packaging. I've pretty much stuffed all of my bright pink lip products into my Muji to rotate and am still mourning the loss of my Nars Carthage (did I lose you? are you hiding? was it something I did?)

Eyes have been the same shadows all week – I’ve rediscovered my Maybelline Bad to the Bronze Colour Tattoo and am back on the bandwagon. I didn’t realise how many Maybelline products I’ve been using lately – promise this isn’t a sponsored post and I didn’t plan it out! I’ve still been using my Too Faced Shadow Insurance underneath, and then sweeping some Too Faced Soleil from the A La Mode palette through my crease. It’s definitely the most used colour in that palette so far! It’s an easy eye look that takes no time at all in the morning and lasts all day for me, so I can see the trend continuing for the time being.

Cheeks are neutral central right now, in this instalment I’m wearing my new and shiny Dolce and Gabbana The Blush in 25 Caramel which is just as lovely as Jessica said it was! If I’m not wearing this powder I have on the Naughty Nude Revlon blush from the newly released Cheek Boutique – love!

What has been your favourite look this week?

I'd love to see you pop your pink lip recommendations in the comments for me to suss out!

Emma x

A Peek Into My Lipstick Collection

I was tagged by the lovely Kirsten Jane of Commander in Chic with this tag- to share with you some lipsticks from my collection. I decided to throw in some that I haven't showcased before, as well as the ones I am always raving about.

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Maybelline Color Sensational-Coral Crush

Australis Colour Inject-Jive

MAC-Costa Chic (Frost)

Clinique High Impact-Citrus Rose

MAC-Ever Hip (Cremesheen)

Revlon Super Lustrous-Fuchsia (Pearl)

Nars Pure Matte Lipstick-Carthage

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 As in the order above:

Coral Crush, Jive, Costa Chic,Citrus Rose, Ever Hip, Fuchsia, Carthage

I will point out that the swatches do not do the brightness of some of these shades justice, esp Carthage and Ever Hip. All of them are much nicer on lip, naturally ;)

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1. When you were a child, did you ever use your mother's lipsticks?
Mum had this amazing ruby red shade that was cased in the most beautiful floral metallic case. I used it more as a stain than a full pout (as does my Mum) but it was my introduction into the world of beauty. I have a post coming up soon where I share my makeup memories, a picture of the lipstick will be there!

2. How old were you when you bought your first lipstick?

I’d say I was probably 15/16? Have no idea what it was, though. The first memorable lipstick was my baby, Coral Crush <3

3. Pink or red lipstick?

 Orange and coral! Though I do adore pinks and reds, I’d say I rock pinks more often just because they are easier and go with smoky eyes for daytime.

4. The most expensive lipstick you have ever bought?

I buy ‘expensive’ lippies from blog sales for bargains, and got my Chanel Rouge Coco Shine from Strawberrynet for $35, so I’d say my most expensive would be my MAC collection.

5. And the cheapest?

My blog sale bargains kill it here, $1 etc for amazing shades. Otherwise, Priceline bargain bins hold some beauties.

6. What's the most bizarre thing you have done with lipstick?

Written on my mirror, I think it looks super cute (though it might look silly in my adult bathroom…) I think there is still a lipstick love heart on my bedroom mirror!

7. If you had to recommend a lipstick, which brand would you recommend and why? 

Maybelline Colour Sensationals! Great pigmentation, can be cheap when on sale, creamy and easy to wear. Coral Crush is my all-time fave, but I’ve recommended some of the pink shades from the range to my best friendCandice (who looks amaaaazing in them!)

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I would love to see more of this tag, I think a peek into a collection can be so exciting!

In particular, though, I tag:

Maddy

Haute and Stylish

Tara

Yolly

emmabovary xx

Holiday Make Up Bag 'Weekend Away' edition

I went away with Mister Christopher this past weekend for our 3 year dating anniversary. We went to Rye, and despite it being winter the weather was really nice! This is the loot I took along with me for the 3 night stay, it may seem a lot but I love playing around with different looks when I have the time.

THE LOT

I tried to get some organisation going in there, but as soon as the case lifts it all jumbles around.

THE BASE PRODUCTS

Illamasqua Concealer

Face of Australia Primer

Face of Australia translucent powder

Bourjois HealthyMix Foundation 52

Clinique foundation

THE CLEANERS

Mini versions of Benefit's new range

THE PEEPERS

Clinique E/S Strawberry Fudge Quad

MAC Painterly Paint Pot

Estee Lauder Orange Pop

Australis palette in Frock and Roll (used here)

Napoleon Perdis eye dust in StarDust

Face of Australia Mousse shadow in Magic Mist

THE SMACKERS

Softlips balm in Chai Latte

NARS Carthage

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy

MAC Dazzleglass in Baby Sparks

Revlon Super Lustrous in Pink Pop

Revlon Super Lustrous in Coral Reef

Lanolips LemonAid

MAC Ever Hip

Clinique Citrus Rose

Clinique Chubby Stick in Whole Lotta Honey

Savvy lip crayon in Cafe

Jack Black balm in Vanilla and Lavender (reviewed here)

THE CHEEKS

Sleek Blush in Rose Gold

Essence Highlight Powder in Famous Flamingo(shown here)

Lacura blush

NYX Peach

Stila Gladiola

W7 Bronzer/Highlight

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So as you can see from the display I've made of my makeup case lid, I brought heaps to play with while I was away! Admittedly not all was used, but that's the pleasure of driving to your holiday destination- no excess baggage fees!!

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Scent of the weekend was Guerlain Champs Elysees for moi, and a David Beckham for Chris.

All that was in Chris/ toiletries bag was deodorant and a roll on concealer!

If you'd like to see me review any of the above products, let me know and I'll send them to the front of the queue. Hope you had a great weekend, I'm back to reality now and drinking coffee by the boatload!

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emmabovary xx