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?!

Shades of Grey

More inspired by the dreary Melbourne weather I'm enjoying rather than the saucy trilogy penned by E.L. James, this look is full of soft grey tones and is a fresh winter look.

I applied my Bourjois Healthymix (nice and moisturising for dry winter skin!) with my Rae Morris Radiance* brush, and dusted a little Maybelline Dream Matte powder to tone down the dewy look of it.

As usual I used MAC Painterly paint pot as an eyeshadow base, then whipped out my deep grey Inglot shadow (matte 339) to use all over the lid, and used the matte vanilla shade (matte 351) to blend and highlight. I also popped a bit of MAC Nylon onto my inner corners. I used my L'Oreal Infallible eyeshadow in All Night Blue to line my upper and lower lashline, and I think it was a subtle touch that led to the cool-toned look. I finished the eyes off with my Australis Lash Length Extension mascara* and filled in my brows with my BYS brow pencil*.

The cheeks were kept glowy with MAC Full of Joy blush, which is a pale lavender toned pink blush that gives a gorgeous sheen to the face. The lips were given the once over with Face of Australia's Lychee Crush lipstick* (which I really like the look of in these photos!)

What is your winter makeup look?
Have you read 50 Shades of Grey? I've read the first two and my oh my the writing is woeful, but the storyline did grab my attention and I don't regret reading them. I'll get around to reading the third one one day.

*Marked products were provided for consideration. Honesty, always.



my favourite hydrating face mask // The Jojoba Company

I tend to use a facial mask once or twice a week, and often when I'm in need of a hydration hit I reach for my The Jojoba Company Botanical Hydrating Face Mask* (or 'that squishy red tube' in real talk!) This mask is a 97% natural clay based mask that I smear on thick and go about my business while it dries and works its magic.

 I use this after I've had a night out drinking or feel like my skin is parched. It smells quite strongly of something a little bit floral and a little bit organic-y, and looking at the ingredients I can attribute that to sandalwood, lavender and ylang ylang. I leave this on for 20 mins +, and it can also be kept on overnight if you are that way inclined. I love that the back of the tube mentions it helps repair the damage that comes from urban living- most of us need that in one way or another!

This mask is a winner because it makes a noticeable difference to my skin when it's in need of a hydration hit, and being housed in a squishy red tube is awesome. 

You can head here to find out more about the mask here (including ingredients etc)

It retails for $49.95 AUD.

*This product was provided for consideration quite a while ago, and I've been loving it hard ever since. Honesty, always!

Clarins Crystal Coral // Review, Photos, Swatches

The 'Enchanted Summer' collection from Clarins is a very beautiful one, and one of the coolest designs comes into play with their Instant Smooth Crystal lip balms. I was kindly sent the shade Crystal Coral to play with, and will be showing you the balm today.

The packaging of all of Clarins' products are stellar, and the Crystal Lip Balms are no different. I love the sleek silver tube with accents that match the shade inside, and the base allows you to easily see which shade is which in your collection.

The core of this beautiful balm is a burst of colour, surrounded by a transparent jelly like lip balm. I am fascinated by the idea of transparency in stick form lip products, and I love that this leaves a juicy blood orange stain on my lips that can be worn sheer or built up to be similar to a lipstick in appearance. On the lips this feels like a cross between a balm (because of the light moisture) and a lipstick (because I can feel that I am wearing something)

Wearing Crystal Coral and Nars Orgasm on the cheeks.

Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balms retail for $34 AUD and are available from Myer and David Jones Australia wide, selected pharmacies as well as Adore Beauty.

Have you tried anything from the Clarins makeup line?

What do you think of the new Crystal lip colours?

*This product was sent for consideration, which does not affect my opinion of it. Honesty, always.

OPI Spiderman collection // swatches, photo, review

To coincide with the release of the latest Spiderman film, OPI have released a collection of polishes inspired by the flick. I have swatches of four of the shades for you today.

Your Web or Mine? is described as "the perfect pink for sticky situations" and is an almost metallic dusty rose shade with cool shimmer running through it. This wasn't the most flattering on my pale skin, so it isn't my favourite from the collection. 

Number One Nemesis is a sparkling gunmetal grey shade that contains a multitude of fine coloured shimmer beneath the surface.OPI suggests you "show your metal in this sparkling nickel", and I am a huge fan of this captivating shade.

Into the Night is a frosty deep-ish blue shade that contains fine silver shimmer. OPI says that "this perfect midnight blue was made for prowling" and while it appears quite deep and dark in the bottle, on the nail it is quite sheer and needs at least 3 coats to look good.

The most anticipated shade from The Amazing Spiderman collection was definitely Just Spotted the Lizard, which is said to be a dupe for the famous Chanel Peridot. OPI says "be seen in this reptilian yellow-green", and I think that is a really cute description for it. This polish is very flattering and eye-catching on, and in many lights appears like a complex golden shade. I am in love with this duochrome shade and think it is the most impressive shade from the collection.

Seriously stunning.

Did you choose anything from The Amazing Spiderman collection?

Do you love the duochrome look of Just Spotted the Lizard?

*These polishes were purchased in a mini set by my mother-in-law. Honesty, always.

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.

this past week

This week I've been rocking OPI From A to Z-urich on my nails, playing matchy-matchy (without realising it!) with my new wine coloured scarf. I'm about to paint my nails with some new Rimmel goodies, Lively Lilac with an accent of Disco Ball! My lips have been rocking Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy at work as I'm trying to say sayonara to the shade, but I've also been loving the new Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait De Gloss in Troublant.

 I've been spraying Urban Rituelle's Cotton Candy fragrance all week long, my boss and my mother have tried to nick it so far, it's such an addictive scent! I'm excited to be almost at the end of my Rimmel Match Perfection gel-cream foundation and my NYX blush in Peach, I've already arranged the blush replacement but am not letting myself touch it until Peach is all gone! My beauty issue this week has definitely been my flaky forehead, it makes it hard to wear foundation and hydrating masks aren't helping. Does anyone have a solution? And finally, the beauty product that has been giving me butterflies all week is my Kiehls Midnight Recovery eye cream, which is just so lovely I could cry.

Now please, make my day and tell me YOUR 'this past week' in the comments below!
Nails this week:
Next nail shade:
Most worn lip:
Most worn fragrance:
Products you are trying to use up:
Beauty issue:
Butterfly product: