The Grey Nude

I don't need much of a push when it comes to buying new lipsticks, and when the one you're lemming comes in at a measly $4.70 it's hard to feel guilty about the whole situation. I initially saw essence Come Naturally from the new nude lip collection on Angela's blog, and after subsequently spotting it on Sleep and Water I was sold hook, line and sinker! I had already purchased Cool Nude from the Nude Longlasting Lipstick release (seen in this favourites post) but I didn't think I would be able to pull off the purple and grey tones of Come Naturally....



Nosy Charlie wanted to know why I was taking so many photos of a tube of lipstick!

One thing I really like about the essence nude lipstick release is the packaging - the different tube colours make it easy to identify a shade in my overflowing stash and I think the embossing on the bullet itself warrants a higher price tag than the small sum these actually cost. The finish is satin and wears well, and being nude it doesn't give me any hassle as it wears off throughout the day, making it a wonderful work day shade for me. The thin black band around the tube is quite chic and the closure is really secure, which is worth noting if you often tote your lipsticks in a handbag pocket as I do.



essence 'Come Naturally'
essence 'Cool Nude'
Chanel Rouge Coco Shine 'Boy'
Lancôme Shine Lover Lipstick in '212 Twisted Beige'*
Colourpop Lippie Stix in 'Lumiere'

As in order above

to show the difference in finish and pigmentation

As it turns out, Come Naturally is a very wearable trend shade! The purple tones mix in nicely with the grey cast and I find the overall colour quite flattering on my pale complexion - it's neutral enough to wear with most any look, but is different and interesting at the same time. A lot of my nude lipsticks lean brown and the 'my lips but better MLBB' shades lean quite pink, so I feel like having this taupe shade really rounds out my neutral lip stash quite nicely. It's definitely a nice affordable way to dip a toe into the trendy pond of Kylie Jenner-esque/90's lips, that is for sure.

What do you think of neutral shades like this?
What neutral lippy is your all time favourite?
-Emma x


*Marked product was provided for consideration. Honesty, always.

What's In My Handbag, May 2015

I've got a major thing for handbags, and it's been a really long time since I invested in a new one which has me lemming a little gander around online...to stop myself from doing that and to keep myself in saving mode I thought I'd throw up my very first 'what's in my handbag' post! I love taking a peek into what others tote around with them, and although I adore large handbags a recent bout of back problems has made me switch to this old and very loved faux-leather crossbody that fits in (most of) the everyday essentials. I still can't help but stuff it to the brim and I'm known for carrying far too many lip choices around, but the reduced weight is definitely a plus for my health right now.

The usual suspects reside inside - a cheap pair of sunglasses, a coin purse from Cotton On where I keep my main cards and cash and my in-need-of-an-update iPhone.

This is a pretty standard lot for me, but generally accompanied by receipts and a snack which is usually some cheese and cracker Dippits or a muesli/nut bar. I keep all of my loyalty and gift cards in the zip compartment of the bag alongside my work badge, and the latest addition is the Nando's card which was spurred on by Sarah Cooks post! Two of the Rimmel lipliners were only purchased the night before I took this shot (at Chemist Warehouse for half price!) and the rest of the lip products are pretty much always in there as an option. The Laura Mercier 'Sweetheart' gloss and Chanel Rouge Coco Shine 'Boy' are part of my current project so I'm trying to remind myself to use them over all others until they're gone!

If only I had a Mary Poppin's bag that could fit my giant water bottle and a novel inside without adding extra weight to the handbag...#handbaggoals

How much do you keep inside your handbag?

-Emma

Project Use It Up #1

There is nothing more inspiring for a beauty blogger than a great beauty 'project' (except maybe a great makeup collection video, amiright?) They often spur me on to use up products, but as I lamented in my recent empties post the amount of actual makeup that left my stash wasn't very impressive in 2014 so I aim to rectify that this year. Using the wonderful Monika from Rocaille Writes as a direct inspiration (particularly these 'make a dent' posts) I've taken it upon myself  to set up a simple challenge...

I will use up these products in 2015 (preferably in the first half of the year!)

Project Use It Up Products as of January 2015

As you can see I'm not silly - I've chosen the products that need to leave my stash, the previous pan hits and the lip products that I really like and can wear often enough to make this challenge a success. Easy to wear lip colours in a mixture of formulas, a great foundation that I know I'll end up repurchasing and powders that aren't as impressive now that I have the likes of Chanel and Hourglass in my life.

The Products:
-Sportsgirl Get Cheeky Shimmer Powder
-Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation
-Smashbox Sheer Gloss in Overexposed*
-Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Sweetheart
-NYX Powder Blush in Peach
-Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy
-Clinique Chubby Stick in Whole Lotta Honey*

NYX Powder Blush in Peach

Clinique Whole Lotta Honey & Chanel Boy wound all the way up

Sportsgirl Get Cheeky

I know in theory I could easily toss these products, but the temptation of the thrill I'd get once they are completely used up is far too strong for me to do that. I actually really enjoy using all of these products and would probably repurchase some of them down the line (hence why they have been used so frequently already, I suppose) 

I actually forgot to include my mini Nars Laguna and some pans from my Urban Decay Naked palette so I'll have to exclude them from the challenge despite their pans showing. I will be checking in with you as I burn through these to let you know how I go, though I'm not placing stringent rules on myself in regards to not purchasing any other makeup etc. My general plan is to stop buying so many drugstore products that just go to waste and make deliberate and considered choices when it comes to new products entering my collection. A seemingly simple task that I often fail at (though I'm doing well for 2015 thus far!)

My 'Project Use It Up' products on the beautiful tray I received for my birthday

Do you have any tips for my first project?
Wish me luck!
Emma x

*The Smashbox gloss was a PR sample and I won the Clinique Chubby Stick in a Facebook competition on my personal page. Honesty, always.

What's In My Makeup Bag

I’ve recently begun to appreciate a well-stocked makeup bag for every day, and so have been using this Lust Have It bag in my very favourite colour to tote around the basics so that I am prepared for whatever is thrown my way. Let’s dive in!

I always keep a mini perfume vial in my makeup bag in case I need to freshen up during the day, and at the moment Oscar de la Renta’s Sargasso* has the top spot. As a side note, I also keep a travel sized Rexona in my handbag, but it is too bulky to fit inside the actual makeup bag, as is my Uriage Thermal Facial Spray*. I also keep a small mirror that was a gift from Chris as well as my essence Return to Paradise blotting papers, to absorb any oil throughout the day.

 

I don’t always keep my Manicare tweezers* in my makeup bag, but I’m in need of a brow wax and am using these to tame them until I can get there. I also love keeping my YSL Touche Eclat* on me at all times, as I use it to cover any redness or blemishes that pop up throughout the day (I apply with clean fingers, not the brush) and Chris also likes popping a bit of this on if we’re heading out after work, to cover his dark circles. My current powder is the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Light, but I have to say that I still prefer my Maybelline Dream Matte powder for both the finish and the oil control. I also keep the blush of the day in my bag (in this case Tarte Exposed) in case I need to top it up before work (I have been working in retail after placement + uni) or want to intensify the colour at all. I keep brushes for each of these powders, alternating them with whatever is clean that morning.

I always like to keep a selection of lip products on me in case my mood changes during the day, or I want to switch out the colour for evening. Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy is something I am trying to use up (look out for my Chanel Boy challenge post next week!) and the Kool Aid lip balm is one of the nicest I’ve tried in a long time. I have been loving the new Max Factor Colour Elixir lip crayons (shade pictured is Couture Blush) and my Nars gloss in Oasis. Other lip products include my beloved Carmex balms*, Barry M Toffee lipgloss and Rimmel Apocalips in Celestial.

 

I love having my essentials with me all the time on long days – how much do you carry around on a daily basis?

What powder are you using at the moment?

Do you carry around as many lip products as I do?

 

*Marked items were provided for consideration, but were honestly in my makeup bag. Honesty, always.

What's in my Makeup Bag // August 2012

A while ago I tweeted that my goal for the day was to find the perfect makeup bag for my handbag, and on my lunch break the next day I ran into this Sugar Baby Hibiscus print darling. It's a great size but quite stiff and hard to get into sometimes, so I will be buying one off Etsy soon to interchange with it, but for now I am a happy camper. I thought it would be a great time to share what I tote along with me every day!

It fits exactly what I need on a day to day basis, but any more than that won't fit without it being cumbersome and hard to close. I've worked out how I like everything to sit in there, and it is quite snug.

As you can see I like to keep a few lip options on hand at all times, and I can't see that changing in the near future.

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy- using this up so I keep it on hand to remind me to use it.

MAC lipstick in Patisserie-a great nude that really works for my skintone.

Urban Rituelle Petit Parfum in Cotton Candy- review of this up this week

Australis Lash Length Extension mascara-I've now switched this out to my new mascara as this was finished, but I loved it.

Natural Compatibles lipstick in Berry- favourite lippy, keep it with me in case I need to feel tough

essence stay with me gloss in Deep Rose-goes with everything and can be worn on top of any of the above lipsticks to switch it up a bit.

Urban Rituelle Lemongrass & Lemon Myrtle hand cream- I love the smell of lemongrass and this is a nice hand cream formulation, I also appreciate the thin packaging which sits nicely in the makeup bag.

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder- my favourite setting powder, I like having this on hand for extra coverage when I touch up during the day.

essence Oil Control Paper- I love the sturdy dispenser that these blotting papers came with in the long discontinued Return to Paradise collection.

 

What do you carry with you each day?

 

 

 

 



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

*

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!!

*

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!

*

emmabovary xx