February Purchases & Pick-Ups

THE PURCHASES

Another tame month of spending for this little blogger - a back-up of my staple shampoo and a gorgeous blue printed scarf from Ishka were the things I first picked up in February. The dog print is so sweet and since bringing Charlie into our family I've been dog-mad, so it suits me to a tee. I've worn it a stack so far and the cold days seem more inviting now that I have this to wear!

It took me until the end of the month to find something to spend my Priceline voucher on - a friend of mine always had great 'lipstick' on and each time I'd ask the shade she'd mention an essence lipliner, so it made sense to pick up some to try. Totally converted and I've even picked up two more to add to my March purchase tally, such is my instant love for these!

PICK-UPS

L'Occitane are really pumping out the new releases, and I'm loving it! This slightly-nanna scent reminds me of my aunty in the best way, and I like how soft but fragranced the Iris Bleu & Iris Blanc seems to be. I'll be trialling these during the month and will let you know how I fare with the powdery purple products...

Yep, eye mist, I know right? Hardly the usual suspect on this blush and palette loving blog, but Mister appreciates a good eye mist and we've been wanting to try this Murine release after seeing the television ads! When the opportunity popped up I was happy to oblige - it really works like the ad says, you spray it on closed eyes, wait and open. You feel instant moisture on your eyeball, it is freaky cool and is yet to smudge my eye makeup, so hurrah!

The Electric Paradise lipstick from Mineralogie is making my heart beat faster, let me tell you right now. The shade is a true stunner and I've got posts in the works for this bad boy. The palette (also from the Mineralogie Mai Tai collection!) is so different to what I usually go for but I was intrigued by the two right hand shades - that purple looks very wearable to me, and the fun deep pink 'MAC Cranberry-esque' shade is so, so pretty...

The last interesting release I was sent was the new Essie Fall 2014 nail colours - all deep, murky and perfect for the cooler weather ahead! I am particularly intrigued by the red Dressed to Kilt (I am of Scottish heritage after all!) but Mumma Bovary has clapped eyes on it and plans to snaffle is as soon as my swatches are complete!

How much did you get around to buying in February? Anything more exciting than my scarf, shampoo and lip liners? ;)

-Emma

*Pick-ups are all press samples - for more info on this new blog series please check out the first instalment here. Honesty, always.

Current Beauty Favourites

I've been all about a flawless base and warm lips lately, and my favourites also seem to reflect my efforts to wean myself off of an obsession with neutral blushes, with pink shades filling my blush drawers. I've taken to layering blushes often in an effort to spice things up, and with a new hairstyle comes new (hair) responsibilities so the rare hair-care appearance is in part thanks to that new development. All in all, a pretty stellar line-up of currently loved products!

L'Oreal Elnett Satin Hairspray* (Normal Hold)

Never did I expect to have 'hairspray' in a favourites post - no sirree I didn't see that coming! Now that I have a fringe though I need to set it every day with spray and I've tried 3 or 4 so far, and this is easily the best - no residue, holds well enough, brushes out and comes in both full-size and mini which is great.

 

Batiste Tropical Dry Shampoo (Mini)

It's a similar scenario with this - I appreciate a good dry shampoo like most people but using it to plump up my fringe is wonderful and the Tropical scent is my favourite from Batiste.

 

Rimmel Provocalips 'Make Your Move'*

Seen in action here, this long-last lip colour wasn't a colour I thought I'd fall for but it works so well with my pale skin and I've been reaching for it a whole lot since it hit my desk! Sometimes I find the formula a touch too drying but it's only happened twice so far, so perhaps it's a hint to load up on the balm at the beginning of my makeup prep.

 

Bite Beauty Matte Lip Crème 'Gavi' (mini Holiday edition)

It's definitely in the same colour family as 'Make Your Move' so I guess warm lip colours are floating my boat at the moment! The formula of these is actually insane, they feel so comfortable on the lips and look amazing, too.

Lancôme Dreamtone Serum*
My only wish is that this was within my current price range for skincare...*cries* I honestly believe that this changed the texture and tone of my skin and the acne scarring on my left cheek - it's empty now and the heart breaks! See my full review here.

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette (in particular, Verve)
Obsession isn't even the word for this shade, and the palette in general to be frank. I've reached for it over all of my other beautiful shadows and am enjoying dipping into shades I've neglected and just generally playing around and getting to know this palette. That is such a #beautyblogger thing to say, isn't it?

Revlon Colorstay Whipped Crème Foundation (150 Buff)
I'm all about the full-coverage base right now - give me (almost) flawless skin all day errday. This bad boy is wonderful, shame it took me so long to dip into the glass jar but I'm making up for lost time now (whilst still indulging in Illamasqua Skin Base in an effort to use it up...)

Maybelline Master Glaze Blush Stick 'Just-Pinched Pink'*
Love how pigmented this is, and the shade is a neutral pink that totally suits my complexion!

In2It Blush 'Sensation'
I pulled this from my blush drawers to admire the pretty embossing (now almost gone!) but fell in love with the easy colour and the thought of how little time it will take to use up this tiny little pan...I've been dusting a bit of this over the top of the aforementioned Maybelline Blush Stick and they are a great pair!

 

Current blush loves? Dreamtone dupe? Favourite Naked palette shade?

-Emma

 

*Products provided for consideration. Honesty, always.

Current Wishlist : February 2015

Despite seemingly having a lack of shopping mojo at the moment, my lust for certain items still dwells deep in my beauty-loving belly and eventually I know I will be getting these products for myself! I think my overhauling on the honeymoon quelled my need for new things, and I'm making sure to enjoy the things I already have before adding to my stash...that being said, here are the products I'm currently lusting over.

ColourPop Lippie Stix
I've seen ColourPop products all over Instagram and Twitter and I am utterly obsessed with doing a big haul of their stuff. Mister has promised this as a belated birthday gift but we have an upcoming Christening to pay for so we're holding off for now. I plan on grabbing some of their powder eyeshadows, brand new blushes and a bunch of the Lippie Stix. I first saw ColourPop in this video and anything Jessica likes, I usually end up wanting.

Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous
I tried to nab this in America but every drugstore I went to didn't have my shade left on the display, I was sorely disappointed. I may resort to eBay if this doesn't launch in Australia soon...I watched this review of it on the plane and it spurred my need for this, coupled with the fact that my favourite foundation comes from Covergirl so it seems promising.

Urban Decay Single Eyeshadow in 'Sin'
I've almost used up the entire pan of Sin in my Urban Decay Naked Palette and it's my favourite champagne shadow, so I really feel like I need a single of it in my life. Since Urban Decay are coming to Mecca in March I will wait until then to pick it up.

The Body Shop Smoky Poppy
I've heard that this scent is sweet and musky, and the packaging makes me want to try it too. I haven't been to The Body Shop for a while so am looking forward to giving this a sniff in store and might treat myself to a shower gel or body lotion (not that I need more body lotion in this lifetime!)

The Body Shop Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask
Overnight masks are my kryptonite in theory, and despite only owning one of them I always pore over reviews of them online and keep an eye out for new releases to one day purchase. Seeing Caroline Hirons talk about skincare shoots it onto my wishlist, and being akin to memory foam in texture is definitely another selling point for me.

Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
I'm obsessed with the thought of the perfect matte red lip, but now it's just a matter of working out which Nars red is the perfect one for my pale skin. I love seeing them on Anna from Vivianna Does Makeup but her skin isn't the same tone as mine so I shall have to try on a few shades at Mecca to work this one out for myself...

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Happy Nude Year
Apart from the hilarious shade name, the seemingly rosy nude colour of this new Bourjois release has me intrigued. I adore the formula of these and am not sure why I haven't bought more after my initial love for them was realised...I will definitely be adding more shades to my Rouge Edition Velvet collection this year.


I also forgot to pop MAC Make You Mine blush on this list - d'oh! Looking at all of the inspiration for this wishlist and it seems like fellow bloggers and YouTubers are to blame for all my beautyl ustings - tsk tsk!
-Emma x