Summer Skin Essentials

While the UK shivers through the snow, we in Australia are absolutely roasting! Seeing the difference between the whinges of my family in Scotland/England and the whinges of my local family is quite funny. The beauty products I use in summer are also quite different to the products I use when it’s cold, and I thought I would share some of my summer skincare essentials with you.

Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist: A beautiful and refreshing rose scented spray, housed in a stunning frosted glass bottle. As I've mentioned previously, this isn’t handbag friendly, but for long days at the desk it hits the spot!

Dermalogica Oil Free Matte Sunscreen (with Medibac Clearing)*: Though the ladies at Dermalogica have said that this may be too matte for my dry and dehydrated patches of skin, I am still head over heels for this sunscreen. It contains SPF 30 and truth be told, I use this as a primer just as much as I use it as my daily sunscreen.

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse OR, aka Dry Oil Golden Shimmer*: It is no secret that anything French has a headstart for my affections, and this is no different. I’ve been using this down the centre of my lily white legs to get a bit of healthy-glow action happening, and over my arms and décolletage to glam up my summer outfits. The smell of this is the same as the original Dry Oil, which I tend to use as an overall moisturiser.

Uriage Bariederm Barrier Cream*: A less glamorous addition to the summer bag, but a necessity nevertheless. Barrier creams are excellent at stopping chafing, and is recommended for nurses and mechanics who wash their hands and get dirty frequently. Chris is a mechanic and also chafes during summer, so he loves swiping a bit of this stuff when the weather heats up.

 

Clarins Mineral Bronzing Duo (in Dark)*: Nothing better on a summers day to have bronzed up skin, and since I don’t tan, I turn to bronzers to give me the glow I need. My love for Clarins knows no bounds, as this blog documents, and these two shades work for my pale skin even though I was sent the dark version, if I use a light hand.

Unmeltable lip products!

YSL Glossy Stain in #15 Rose Vinyl: I adore the formula of the YSL Glossy Stains, and because they don’t melt or snap when warm, they are perfect for keeping in my handbag during hot weather. The glossy finish is casual enough for everyday and the stain means I don’t have to retouch very often, and all of those factors make this a perfect summer lip product for me!

Sportsgirl Give Some Lip liquid lipstick (pictured is the shade Luscious): I swear by this liquid lipstick/lipgloss formula, I love the unique scent and the beautiful colour selection. These are unmeltable, and really pigmented for juicy looking lips.

Revlon Super Lustrous lipgloss in Coral Reef: Revlon are stellar when it comes to lip products, and these glosses are really comfortable to wear, with Coral Reef being the perfect coral shade for this heat.

So now it is your turn to share your summer essentials in the comments below,  I’d love to hear what you rely on when the weather heats up!

*Marked items were provided for editorial consideration. Honesty, always.

Cheek Week // blushes that graced my face

I've been rotating the same group of cheek shades this month, now that I'm getting up early each morning for work the less choices the easier it is choose. Essential for work days are long-lasting, easy to wear shades, hence my cream-centric choices!

I picked up all three of the new Revlon Photoready Cream blushes when they launched in Australia a few weeks ago, and I posted a full photo-heavy post on them earlier this month! I've used the pale peach Pinched most out of the lot, and though it is a very pale colour I can get away with it if I build it up. Flushed is a nice pop of pink for these spring days, and Coral Reef goes really well with the gloss of the same name.

The longest lasting blush I own is the YSL Creme de Blush in Powdery Rose, which also happens to be my very favourite blush. The texture is second to none and I feel put together whenever I wear this shade. Though I hardly wear bronzer, I do go through stages where bronzer is an everyday appearance. I have been using the Clinique SuperBalanced Powder Bronzer, it's one of those nifty ones that you shave a fresh slice off each time you use it. I like the way it looks on my skin (I use the lightest shade) and it lasts well on my skin, as it absorbs oil and is mineral.

I am enjoying the fresh look that my cream blushes leave on my cheeks, but I've recently picked up a few new cheek products so will be switching them in in the next couple of days. The Clinique bronzer is staying in my everyday stash as I've been loving the healthier look it gives me, but I won't be bringing it to Sydney with me as it's just too bulky for light travel.

What has graced your cheeks lately?

Are you as obsessed with blushes as I am?!

*The Clinique bronzer was provided for review, which doesn't affect my opinion of the product. Honesty, always.

Coral Reef, Pinched, Flushed // Revlon Photoready Cream Blush // Swatches, Photos, Review

 The new Revlon Escapism collection by Gucci Westman saw the release of three creme blushes, as well as a slew of other beautiful products. Naturally, I was drawn to them like the proverbial moth to a flame, and here are the spoils. (I will also admit to picking up other pieces from the collection later in the week!)

 

 The packaging of these is nice and compact, a thick plastic pot with a screw top lid.

 

 From what I understand the most popular shades are definitely the latter two, brighter shades. I am happy to own all three, and have been wearing them all equally.

 Pinched is a pale peach shade that it very sheer, even on my palest-of-the-pale skin tone. I have been wearing this regardless, as I find the hint of colour to work well when I'm playing up my features with bronzer. Those with skin tones darker than mine might want to give this shade a miss, and instead pick up one of the more intense flushes from the range.

Coral Reef is a great match for the lauded Super Lustrous gloss of the same shade, and being a fan of coral colours in general this was a sure fire win for me. Though it appears super vibrant in its pot, it sheers out easily and creates a beautiful flush on the cheeks. I like wearing this with a slick of black liquid liner and the Coral Reef gloss, the look ties in well together and I find it flattering. 

Flushed is a hot pink shade that sheers out, just like the others, to a very wearable pop of pink on the cheek. Of all the blush colours I own, my pink shades get the most love and so this is a nice change from the baby doll pinks I generally go for.

See, I told you they could be sheered out easily!

I find these long-lasting so far (though have only worn them a few times each) but I have had a problem with Pinched fading on my cheeks in a patchy way (which you could only see if you were reaaaally close to my face) I have a feeling it didn't get on with my Dermalogica sunscreen, as when I've worn it previously I didn't have a problem.

I love the muted but bright shades that Gucci Westman dreamed up for this PhotoReady collection, and coming into the warmer weather of Australia means these should get a good run in my 'everyday face' bag.

 

Have you tried anything from the new Escapism collection?

What are your thoughts on bright cheeks?

 

*These products were purchased by me and I am not affliliated with Revlon. Honesty, always.

The Inglot Inventory: Peachy Keen

Forgive the cheeky university bathroom shots, it was the only opportunity I had to take pictures of this look after I forgot during the car ride in. I wear this dress quite often (see post here) and love drawing out the rich orange tones to use in my makeup.

 The BareMinerals concealer was used today, and you will notice on one of the blemishes on my forehead my skin looks darker, and frankly horrible. It's quite obviously not the concealer for me, but this is all a learning process :)

Face:

BareMinerals Foundation in Fairly Light*

BareMinerals Warmth (as bronzer)*

BareMinerals Concealer*

BareMinerals Mineral Veil*

NYX Peach blush

Face of Australia Powder in Outback Translucent*

Eyes:

MAC Painterly Paint Pot

Inglot Bright orange (from this palette)

Inglot AMC Shine 08 (champagne from this palette)

Mirenesse Tightliner in Black*

Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes

BYS Brow Pencil in Brown*

Lips:

Revlon Super Lustrous Gloss in Coral Reef

I snapped these so quickly as people were coming in and out, and I didn't think about reapplying my Revlon Coral Reef so you might notice that it has rubbed off quite a bit in these pictures. It's much more vibrant before you stuff your face with a toasted cheese sandwich and flat white from your favourite cafe!

What is your favourite orange cosmetic products?

Have you tried Coral Reef? It is a stunner!

Products marked * were provided for consideration but this does not affect my thoughts of them nor my choice to use them in my looks.

a face, featuring Danmari and drugstore wonders

Days without make up just aren't doing it for me lately. I feel like I need that little bit of creativity in the morning to jump start my day. This is the face I painted on the other day to celebrate one of my nephew's birthdays in the park with his mothers group- was such a lovely day, filled with chatter, lollies and running around with little ones.

This is my fallback look, I wear quite a lot of coral and orange so it goes with that really well.

I like quite a heavy blush, and this was no exception.

A simple wash of a champagne neutral over the lid and my Lancome Doll Eyes mascara.

*

Most of these items are my favourites of the moment, and so you might see them in my January favourites as well. It's mostly drugstore/priceline stuff, with a touch of high end in there.

Danmari palette: Nars Orgasm

Danmari palette: Nars Hungry Heart highlighter

 Maybelline Dream Matte Powder

 Loujene brow powder (darkest one)

Ardell clear brow gel

Essence gel liner in Midnight in Paris

Revlon Super Lustrous gloss in Coral Reef

Maybelline Color Sensational in Coral Pop

L'Oreal Color Infallible in Sahara Treasure

Hidden away are the Dove tinted moisturiser (beige) and Lancome Doll Eyes mascara.

My most common FOTD's tend to feature coral lips...

How often do you wear a coral/orange lip?

What are some of your favourite coral products?

(All items featured in this post were purchased by me, except for Sahara Treasure + Nars Danmari palette (Christmas gifts from Chris) and Dream Matte Powder (gift from best friend Candice). Honesty,always.)

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!

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emmabovary xx