New Favourite Nude Nails! My Nightly Craving - Gelish #579 Swatches

I was all set at my recent nail appointment to go for a deep and shimmery grey polish over the top of my clear acrylics, but then the lady next to me pulled out a few nude shades and my eyes clapped onto this grey/brown/pink/lavender nude concotion and I was all "excuse me, what number is THAT!?" I googled the number from the swatch stick at the salon and it turns out that My Nightly Craving was released in 2013 in the Under Her Spell collection, which was full of cozy cream shades that scream winter. Perfect for the rainy grey weather Melbourne is experiencing this week!

This is my first time using a Shellac/Gel/Gelish type product over false nails, and I have to say that not having to sit and wait an absolute age for them to dry has already won me over! They're also a lot shinier than a standard polish with OPI topcoat, even Mr commented that they looked fancier than normal so that's a win. Something to note is that the colour does seem to fade/change a little over time, which was also noted in this blog post I came across in my searches. It doesn't really phase me as it just seems to be a tad more brown-nude than the pinked lavender greige kind of nude it began as, and I like both of those nude variants anyway! If you're going to be scrutinizing your nails though, the shift of pink and brown may drive you a little insane.

 

It was hard to capture just how beautiful this shade is, so it's worth having a look if you have access to Gelish where you are. The colour change is a bit of a pain but no-one looking at my nails has noticed it and the compliments have been rolling in. I'm very tempted to pick up a full bottle of this next time I'm out shopping...

Emma x

City v Country Haul // Sephora, Op Shopping, Revlon & T2

Living a while away from a loved one can be so tricky sometimes, so I was elated to be able to enjoy a mid-week stay with my best friend Candice a few weeks ago in Barfold, Victoria. We wanted to just spend some chilled out time together so after a lovely dinner cooked by her hubby we snuggled with tea in front of the projector and watched The Bounty Hunter - Gerard Butler, need I say more?!

 

In the morning we wandered around her yard checking out all the plants and vegetables, it definitely made me envious as I've not got a green thumb in the slightest. I had cuddles with her adorable husky Kye, and we ate eggs and drank coffee with the morning sun streaming in through the window - definitely one of those moments to think back to when having a hard day at work! Sometimes life can get a bit hectic, but relaxing in such a beautiful part of Victoria helped me to sit back and think about how lovely life can be.

 

We drove into some country towns for a spot of shopping and I wanted to share what I bought at the op-shops and country stores, but I also hit up the shops in Melbourne CBD as I had to pass through to catch the V-Line train. Here is my modest haul, city v. country edition!

I hit up the cardigan and jumper section of the op shop pretty hard, coming home with 4 new knitted pieces to add to my wardrobe. Coral seemed to be the colour of the day but I must say I'm most enamoured with the bejewelled navy pullover I scored - nanna chic is my favourite style, for sure. Brand new pillowcases were a slightly less exciting purchase at Vinnie's, but I needed it! I also took advantage of my high spirits and finally picked up the Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Sultry, which I've seen on so many blogs I admire and I think it will be a great shade for those really cold days when I need to crack out my dark winter coats.

Another beauty purchase was my very first Sephora Australia pick - Formula X nail colour in Sparklebomb which is a champagne and gold glitter. I will have a full post up on this shade, I'm quite excited as I've always wanted to try Formula X and now it is so much easier to buy in Australia!

I just couldn't go to the CBD without hitting up T2, I wanted to get Candice a box of tea to go with her birthday gift and couldn't resist picking up this Red Choc Mint rooibos tisane to try out, I'm so obsessed with chocolate mint tea at the moment that I want to try any that I lay my eyes on! Candice also rifled through her tea cupboard and dished me out a few to take home and sample, how sweet is that?!

I had such a lovely time in Barfold with Candice, and I'm so happy to be heading up there for a party at her place this weekend with Mister in tow - nothing better than enjoying the company of a few of your favourite people at the same time!!

Hope you're all well!
Emma x

My First Mecca Beauty Loop Box

Despite being a diehard beauty addict, in the last few years my budget has leaned towards home wares and house projects over a regular big splurge at the beauty counters. I think that is why I've only just managed to reach the first real tier of Mecca's Beauty Loop program despite having been a member for quite some time. I am now a Level 1 Beauty Discoverer, which means I've spent between $300-599 annually in store. As well as the quarterly sample boxes I receive complimentary makeup application on my birthday, and as you move up the rungs to 'Level Two - Beauty Devotee' and 'Level Three - Beauty Aficionado' you get birthday gifts, makeup applications and lessons as well as special events etc. Here's a link to all of the details if you want to take advantage. The sample box is very cute and I didn't need to make a purchase in order to receive it, they simply scanned my card and were really friendly overall (as they always are at Mecca!) It comes with a card of product details which I think is a nice touch, and very reminiscent of beauty subscription boxes.

 

 

Too Faced Shadow Insurance Anti-Crease Eye Shadow Primer
I've used this before and really liked how it felt on my lids and how it gripped onto my powder eyeshadows to help them last. Experience has told me that I can stretch a sachet like this out for 2, possibly 3 uses if I don't let it dry out.

Josie Maran Cosmetics 100% Pure Argan Oil 4.5ml
This was easily the most exciting product in the L1 box, how dinky is the miniature bottle? I've always wanted to try out something from Josie Maran and I haven't used an oil product in the longest time, so this is a wonderful addition for me!

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Cleanser 2ml
Another brand I've yet to try, I have heard great things though so I'm looking forward to trying out this foaming exfoliating cleanser for the first time!

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer 1ml
I love a good primer, and this is meant to be the bees knees! I know the lovely Vita from Making Up 4 My Age liked this one so fingers crossed it works for my skin.

Have you tried any of these products?
What store cards do you find the most beneficial, and which aren't worth it?
-Emma