Nars And God Created The Woman Set

As soon as I spotted the infamous Nars palette online at Mecca Cosmetica ($79 AUD), I clicked add to cart and made it mine. I've seen many a post raving about the beauty of this teensy palette and the fact that it comes with a mini eye primer and a shadow brush made the decision even easier for me. I have to admit that I am completely enamoured by this, despite not having tried many Nars eyeshadows before, but I did have my reservations when I saw the size in person...

I've been interested in trying out the Nars Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base thanks to Ingrid Nilsen's love for it and so a mini tube was more exciting to me than it probably should have been! I'm yet to try it out (still using my Australis for now) and I haven't broached that strangely shaped brush yet, either. I did a bit of research and found out that they switched out the brush type since this was first launched at Sephora in 2013, and the Australian release also has the shadows in different positions in the palette which I thought was quite strange.

 I have to admit that my heart sank when I first unwrapped my Mecca parcel to see that the giant Nars box was housing a palette closer in size to a credit card...I'm used to my Lorac Pro, Naked Palettes etc so this was an eye-opener for me. For reference, it's a bit smaller than the NYX Love in Paris palettes which are in themselves quite a small size, so those looking for a palette that is easy to travel with might be elated with it's tiny physique. I can definitely see myself hitting pan on these shadows in this lifetime, but the shadow pans fit my brush perfectly so I don't really have any complaints at this point.

A neutral lovers dream, right? I have had a go at all of these shadows and can't say I'm disappointed with the quality of any of them. Despite them looking a bit 'meh' in swatches, once they hit the eye with my Royal & Langnickel brush it's all systems go and smooth sailing!

My favourite shadows from this palette are probably Kalahari, Alambra and Coconut Grove - the latter purely because I've been lusting over the single shadow for years! I went out for Thai on Saturday night with friends and I popped a bit of Night Clubbing into my crease to make my eyes more dramatic, and it was totally better and less scary a shade than I thought it would be.

To see some of the shades in action, hit up these lovely ladies - Tiffany, Alison and Anna.

The Nars And God Created the Woman set retails for $79 AUD and is available at Mecca Cosmetica. They are still in stock at the time of posting but I'm sure it will be one that sells out as it is limited edition, so hop to it! The set contains one shadow palette (6x 1g shadows) as well as an 0.09 oz Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base and the #42 Wide Contour Eye Shadow Brush.

My intense love for a palette isn't a common occurrence despite my love for beauty, and that is a testament to Nars indeed! It has made me all the more excited to check out this mega Nars palette...

Emma x

Makeup Diary #1

It seems I need to work on rotating my bases and blushes...I took a snap of my daily makeup for a week and love being able to pick up patterns in the photos! I am very much into neutral eyes at the moment (and you can see I hauled towards the end of the week!) and lips have been quite low key most of the time.

Getting back into a Nars frame of mind, the standout for this lazy errand day with my sister in law was definitely the taupe shade from the Grand Palais duo. 

Sticking the the Nars trend but stuck Lorac Pewter over the top for some jazz! I went wedding shopping with Mumma Bovary and oh she looks stunning in her 'mother of the bride' dress!

Working out how to pull off silver eyeshadow and wearing my beloved MAC Poised blush. After dinner we hand delivered a stack of wedding invitations and it felt so good!

Tried to keep the eyes nice and simple with Burberry Pale Barley, as this was the only day this week that I wore a bright lip! Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in 02 Frambourjoise was the lip of choice, and thank goodness the lasting power is great because I forgot to bring it along with me for touch-ups!

A relatively makeup free day, I evened out my complexion (I'm currently in a terrible skin phase...) and added mascara to feel human. Cake batter lip balm, by the way? Genius!

I told you it was Nars-centric! I chose to try out Nars Orgasm blush (from the Danmari Cheek Palette) this time around, as I still don't love it as much as everyone else seems to. The Turkish Delight gloss is a whole other story though, I adore that pale pink shade.

As soon as my Nars And God Created the Woman palette arrived I snapped the obligatory blogger shots then threw it on my lids. Absolutely swooning over this tiny palette.

I'm the kind of person who finds a base she likes and sticks to it, and Illamasqua Skin Base is no exception. It's one of the few foundations that matches my pale skin but I have been needing a whole lotta undereye concealer lately, so had to pop some YSL Touche Éclat over the top of my Maybelline Age Rewind to make things half-decent.


So that is my makeup diary for the week! If you like peeking into the makeup bloggers use everyday, check out Liz's post which is what inspired me to keep my makeup diary! If you want to know more about anything in these shots just let me know, I would love to chat more about them.


Do you wear similar products for your everyday style?
What blush gets a heavy rotation for you?
Emma x

The Honeymoon Wishlist (Part Two)

We're less than two months away from the wedding - which also means the honeymoon is looming closer! Since my last Honeymoon Wishlist we've booked the whole lot, so now I know we are definitely heading over the the U.S for the very first time. We'll be spending the majority of our honeymoon in Hawaii (Maui + Waikiki) with jaunts in LA and Vegas beforehand, suffice to say shopping is on my mind along with the lolling around relaxing.

I have been perusing the Sephora website to no end looking at all the things I will get to check out, and the things that have intrigued me greatly are the palettes - surprise surprise!

Tarte Amazonian Clay eyeshadow palette v1

Anything Tarte is going to tempt me on this trip, I can see myself grabbing a whole bunch of products from the brand to try out and this palette looks like the best value so far. The shades look very wearable and I hope they swatch smoothly, too!

 

Chanel Poesie palette

I've been eyeing this one off at the Myer counter since it launched, but think I might wait until we hit US shores where everything is cheaper to indulge in my first Chanel eye quad.

 

Marc Jacobs The Lolita palette

I definitely want to pick up one of the MJ palettes as we don't have access to his beauty brand here in Australia. I love the look of the bright palette in this range but realistically speaking I will get more joy from the neutral palette options, so they are probably what I will head home with.

 

Kat Von D Monarch palette

As a celebrity, I'm really not a fan of Kat Von D's style or mannerisms - in fact I always ask Mister Bovary to turn over the channel if he starts watching her while I'm in the room! Her makeup line has a pretty good reputation though so I'm looking forward to swatching some of the shadows and lip products to see if anything catches my eye.

 

Nars Narsissist palette

I have to say that I don't have as much experience with Nars as many other bloggers seem to - the blushes are yet to amaze me and I only have the odd eyeshadow duo to use, so I don't know much about the shades in this 15 strong palette. They definitely look like colours I would wear often and I'm thinking of picking up the Nars eye primer also, so if this is in stock I want to see how it fares. I have always wanted the Coconut Grove single shadow and since it's in here it would be a shame to pass on it...

 

Bobbi Brown Nude on Nude palette

This is something I want to swatch, but I'm not necessarily going to pick it up. I find Bobbi Brown shadows quite sheer and I've never been able to take the plunge and buy any, though I am always intrigued by them. Perhaps this trip will topple me over the edge of Bobbi Brown mountain?

 

 

Thinking about the percentage of these that I may actually pick up is equal parts exciting and ridiculous, so there's that...what can I say, I know what I like and what I'll use and it just makes sense to haul these rather than a bunch of random stuff I might not enjoy!

 

We'll see how we go, honeymoon countdown timer is ticking and purse-strings are pulled tight to save for this lot!

 

Emma x

Wishlist #2 // 2013

I am surprised that this is only my second wishlist for the year, though I did manage to pick up ¾ of my last wish list (post here if you are interested!) This time it seems to be eye and lip centered, though I am still lusting over Chanel Rouge and some of the new Face of Australia glitter polishes…

 

I am huge fan of the Clinique Chubby Sticks, and naturally am dying to try the version they are bringing out for eyes. I think I will be getting the lilac shade and some of the neutral/brown shadow sticks, but I’m excited to swatch the whole lot when they come out in Australia.

Nars are always coming out with palettes I lust over, and the latest offering is no different. And God Created the Woman is filled with shades I’ve been wanting to try (Coconut Grove, anyone?!) as well as a brush and an eye primer. I’ve heard the primer is the bomb diggity, so I’d like to try it out for myself now that my MAC Paint Pot is running out.

I will admit that I often pass over the Too Faced counter at Kit Cosmetics, though the shadows do look quite pretty. It wasn’t until I saw this Boudoir eyeshadow palette that I wanted to purchase one, and I think that the colour mix in this is something I will get a lot of use from. I quite like the tin style packaging these come in, and don’t mind the $50ish price tag for so many shades.

I have been loving all of the drugstore type lip products that have been launching lately (Maybelline Vivids, L’Oreal Shine Caresse etc) and have been eagerly anticipating Rimmel’s new faces. The Apocalips look a lot like the liquid lipstick hybrids we have seen around lately, and the colours seem really pretty and wearable. Am contemplating heading to Asos to order one in, but they are always out of the colours I’d most like.

Everybody knows I have a weakness for YSL lip products, and the new Rouge Volupte Shine’s seem like the perfect midway point between the creamy Rouge Volupte’s and the Sheer Candy’s that I have in my collection. I have my eye on a few shades, but have showed restraint so far.

I only bought my first beauty product from Dior late last year, and though I often admire the new collections it takes a lot for me to want to take something home from the counter. When I saw the new Dior Addict Lipgloss colours they had released for (US) Spring and found out they had changed the formula slightly, I knew I had to give this famous glosses a go. Chris actually bought me one of this beauties yesterday, but I’ve kept them on the list as I know I will be picking up some other shades down the line. They feel so nice on and the colour range is just stunning!

 

 

 

This wishlist has been saved in my phone for well over a month now, and I am enjoying contemplating my purchases rather than just diving in and later feeling regretful. Doing my Post Grad and placement means there is hardly any time left over for shifts on the side, so as well as helping me save this little list is helping me stay on track with products I will really use and love.

What is on your current wishlist?

 

 

red lip wardrobe

I frequently use the 'but I'm a beauty blogger, so it's research' excuse when confronted with questions about my growing cosmetic collection. Here I whip it out again, to make up for the fact that the above is but a selection from my red lip wardrobe.

When I look for a red lip, I don't stick to one formula or texture. I have glosses, sheer reds, coral-toned reds, brick reds and those in the spectrum between. I do find that I need to warm up the rest of my complexion when I wear some of these shades, and I generally use a bronzer like Nars Laguna to do so.

The truer reds in my collection would be 'Screen Siren' from Vani-T and Revlon's lip butter in 'Candy Apple'. I tend to base looks around them when I wear them, as they are quite strong on their own. The Serge Louis Alvarez '#27' is a blood red gloss with lots of intense shimmer, it really is a beauty and one I'm so glad to have in my collection. Nars 'Amsterdam' is the newest addition to the red lip family, it is deep and vampy and the formula is divine.

I was a bad blogger and totally neglected my mini Nars glosses when taking these shots. The shades Babe and Misbehave are stunning, and I can apply them without a mirror but am also able to build them right up on the lip as well. I adore the Nars gloss formula (regular line, not keen on the Larger than Life range though the colours look good)

My favourite product from my red lip wardrobe is definitely MAC's Viva Glam Cyndi lipstick (now sadly discontinued) which is a Lustre finish and is coral-toned, which makes it so easy for me to wear day in and day out. I will be heart broken when Cyndi leaves my life, but for now I am enjoying her but alternating with other red shades like MAC's Hot Tahiti. That, my dear blog readers, is the beauty of having a red lip wardrobe!



Recreating Myself // My Wildcard Entry for #BBU12

In terms of makeup, I switch up my look all the time. Some days are bright pink lips, other days it is bright green eyeshadow, but the one look I am afraid of, I decided to tackle for Sara-May's Makeup Utopia Wildcard. For those of you who are unaware, Makeup Utopia are hosting a Beauty Bloggers Conference in September and have 2 wildcard spots available... and I want one!

I present to you, my take on a 'dark and vampy' FOTD!

I used matte shades for the eyes as it is something I don't do often, and it forced me to work at blending a lot more than I normally would as well.

I used theBalm's Meet Matt(e) palette for my eyes, with Matt McDonald being the star player! I blended the edges out with Matt Gallagher and used Matt Chung as the hightlight. The lips were courtesy of MAC Plumful, until I thought of something vampier in my collection...

The new Nars Pure Matte lipstick in Amsterdam fit the vampy bill perfectly!

Whilst most of the other Wildcard entries are full on looks, I thought of this challenge as a way to recreate my way of thinking, and stop fearing certain looks! Makeup is all about having fun (after all, it washes off!) and so I'm grateful for this challenge, which has taught me to try all the looks in my head, and not fear new things!

What new things will you try this week?
What look are you most afraid of?


What do you think of my Wildcard attempt?!

theBalm hits Australia! // collection, launch, photos

I was so excited to see that theBalm has reached Australian stores! I have purchased one of my theBalm items online and another overseas, and am happy to now be able to build up my collection of these great products closer to home (at David Jones!)

 My very first theBalm purchase was the Hot Mama! blush which I bought online. I find it really pigmented and only wear it every now and again, but I adore the slim cardboard packaging and beautiful imagery. Next up was the Meet Matt(e) palette, which was a gift from Chris (after much hinting) when we were in Thailand earlier in the year. I've grown to love matte shades as I am always complemented when I wear them! The first purchase from David Jones in Australia was the eyeshadow palette Shady Lady Vol.2, I am yet to try all of the shades but am happy with the ones I have used thus far.

The most exciting theBalm purchase for me was definitely the Mary-Lou Manizer, a beautiful champagne toned highlighter that has been on my wishlist for what seems like an eternity. When I popped into David Jones last week (before interviewing Michelle Phan!) I saw that they had a GWP running. If you made any purchase over $27.95 you received the Balmbini Vol.2 palette, which is on sale now for $49.95! I couldn't pass up this amazing deal, so I now own both of these beauties.

I will have full reviews (with swatches) of all of these coming up, so please let me know in the comments below which you are most excited to see!

Have you tried anything from theBalm?
Will you be visiting them at David Jones?

*All of these products were purchased by me. Honesty, always.

a basket full o' makeup

This post here had me thinking about my beauty using habits. I tend to wake up in the morning bleary eyed and reach for whatever pretty my heart desires at that very moment. I decided to switch it up, and at the start of the week (which is a Wednesday for me!) fill up my tub on the counter with products I want to make a dent in. Here is what made it in this past week!

I threw in a few half-used items to see if I could finish some off, and some new items I'm reviewing to make sure I give them time to impress me.

base; Bourjois Healthymix, L'Oreal Base Magique sample
blush; NYX Peach (review here)

bronzer; Nars Laguna

Undereye; Smashbox Undereye Brightener*

Mascara; Lancome Doll Eyes (review here) & Clinique High Impact
Eyes; Sportsgirl Prom Night (pan hit, woohoo!), MAC Painterly Paint Pot, Ardell Clear Brow Gel, Mirenesse Tightliner*, BYS Brow pencil* & Rimmel pencil liner
Lips; Estee Lauder High Gloss in #11 Blush

I have almost used up both mascara samples and want to make good use of them before they have to be tossed, and the Smashbox concealer is just there to be used up as I'm not fond of it. NYX Peach and Laguna have been kicking around in my collection for quite a while and I'm looking to hit pan on them, if it's the last thing I do.

I don't even need to explain the Ardell brow gel, it's pretty ratty looking. I know that it is fine and that it is just my brow powder mixed into it, but it still grosses me out. The BYS pencil is something I'm trialling for review at the moment, and the Sportsgirl shadow is much loved but needs to be in cosmetic heaven now. Painterly is something I use every single day so it has a permanent position in the basket full of awesomeness.

My Bourjois Healthy Mix has been so good to me, and has lasted so long only because I had two on the go at once. I had one in my bag most of the time for weekends away or for when I was at Chris' place, but this one is finally about to bite the dust!

Laguna and Peach, respectively.

The L'Oreal Base Magique was a sample Chris got me, haven't used it enough to know whether or not I like it. The gloss was nabbed from Chris' Mum when she split up her travel set. Estee Lauder glosses are the bomb, and this one is my favourite shade. Boring in the tube, stunning on the lips!

My neutral Inglot palette...(review here)

...and my brights palette (review here)
I chose these two palettes because I adore them, and also because I don't reach for them as much as I should. I wear brights quite a bit, but thought that throwing them in would push me to create some nice combinations that I haven't tried out before. I was right! I have a stack of FOTD's to share with you in upcoming posts, all using these palettes with other shadows thrown in.

I think this is the sort of task I am able to stick to, I don't have enough patience to complete a set pan project. I think the fact that I have enough wiggle room to use other items from my collection makes this an enjoyable effort, and still gets my mind working in order to use these items creatively. I'm not trying to use all of them up (palettes,for example) but wanting to remember the things I love about my makeup collection.

Have you ever tried a project pan? How many makeup items have you hit pan on?

Would love to hear some motivation and your pan efforts!

Items marked with * have been provided for review or were in goody bags.