Graduation // FOTD, NOTD, celebration!

The day finally came for me to don the university gowns and get up on stage to receive my degee. I plan to return next year for a diploma, but am still relieved and excited to have entered this new chapter of my life as a graduate!

Rather than getting the stiff official photographs from the university, my best friend grabbed my Nikon and snapped away and it worked out perfectly for me! My parents were still on the plane coming home from overseas so didn't make it, but I had other family there to cheer me on, and Chris took the morning off work and beamed up at me from the audience.

Candice and I, with the beautiful orange flowers she bought me.

Graduation FOTD

Candice is holding my hair back from the windy weather!

Products Used
Face:
Face of Australia Face Base Primer
Illamasqua Skin Base in 3.5
Illamasqua Lover blush
Maybelline Dream Matte Powder in Light 4-5

Eyes:
MAC Painterly Paint Pot
Laura Mercier African Violet and Black Plum with Pale Pink to highlight
essence gel liner in Midnight in Paris
Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara in Black Shimmer

Lips:
YSL Rouge Pur Couture in 6 Rose Bergamasque

I went with my 'dependable' look for such an important occasion, rather than trying anything new or exciting. I wanted to define my eyes for photos, and I knew that Lover looked great on camera so went with that. I was really happy with how it all came together, especially seeing as my skin is terrible right now and you can't tell in most of the photos.

I wanted something darker than my usual nail looks for my graduation so that you could see that they were painted in photos, so I chose to use my new Mode Cosmetics metallic shade in Blue Steel. I couldn't resist glittering it up with my BYS glitter polish in N347 (one coat wonder, with a base colour!) I was really happy with how they looked, I'll pop a photo with flash below so you can see how dark they actually were.

All the late nights, coffees, sleep ins and long lectures were made worth it when I finished this course. Even though I'll undoubtedly be studying something my whole life, my graduation ceremony made me proud of myself and I really feel as though I've accomplished something.

What is your proudest moment? Graduation? Becoming a mum? Buying your first home?
I'd love for you to share your stories with me!

I personally purchased everything used in this NOTD and FOTD. Honesty, always.

Current Favourites

Time to share my current beauty loves with you all!

Illamasqua Blush in Sophie*

 This coral shade has golden shimmer in it which just adds a glow to the skin, without making my cheeks look like chubby glitter pillows! I love the shimmer blushes from Illamasqua, so far they've only made a few shades in the shimmer formula but wow they like to do it right.

 

Dior Amber Diamond

I think everyone in the beauty world knows of this beauty! I love the way this blends so easily into the cheekbones, and makes me look awake in a natural way. I love to pair this with Sophie and the Clinique bronzer to create a pretty, sunny look, even on my fair bear face.

 

Victoria's Secret Amber Romance Body Lotion

I bought this in the airport on the way back from IMATS and BBU, and I am addicted to the scent. I don't think I've tried anything with amber before, and I suspect I may be a fan. The bottle is shimmery and pretty, and I can't wait to keep this on my desk when I set up my new makeup area.

Clinique Superbalanced Bronzer*

Usually not one for bronzer, I've been dusting this on almost every day for the past couple of weeks! I like that it suits my pale complexion, but is also buildable so would work for medium complexions as well. I get a real thrill when I shave off some of this sunshine in a pot, it actually makes me look forward to doing my makeup a little bit more.

 

Urban Decay Naked Palette

I've had this for an age, and go through stages where I use it non-stop and lately, that has been the trend. My favourites shadows from it are (obviously) Virgin, which I use to highlight, and Sin, which I either use all over or in my inner corner. Smog, Darkhorse and Toasted are other favourites that I've been using a heap lately.

 

Laura Mercier Eye & Cheek Palette

Have been obsessed with the African Violet eyeshadow from this palette, but every shade has graced my lids of late. Black Plum is a most beautiful colour for a wee smoky eye of an evening.

 

 

 

What are your current favourites?

Do you wear makeup every day, or just on special occasions?

 

*Marked products were provided, but are honest favourites of mine right now.



Laura Mercier Cheek & Eye Palette // Swatches, Photo, Review

I don't know about you, but I often go through stages where makeup releases aren't tempting me and I'm just wearing the same look all the time. Then something comes along that sweeps me off my feet and gets my heart racing...

 The new Laura Mercier Cheek and Eye palette from the Lingerie collection had me hook line and sinker from the moment I saw swatches online. I ran out that weekend to a Laura Mercier counter and was so enthralled with it that Chris eyed me strangely before prying the palette from my fingers and putting through the purchase.

The cheek and eye palette has some nice neutral shades along with some purple shades to play around with. I like that they have included a matte pink toned shade to blend out, and a mid-tone brown that can be used all over or to define the crease. I've used the eye colours more than the cheek colours at this point, but I love having them all together like this.

The most amazing colour from this palette is African Violet, it is shimmery as all hell which I love, but on the eye it's grown up shimmer and just looks divine. I've been wearing it all over the lid with Black Plum smoked out on the outer third and I feel like a hottie every time I have it on. Black Plum has given me my first perfect smokey eye, it blends like a dream and I barely have to work to make it look amazing every time. These shadows are such great quality, I'm really happy with them.

Full sunlight.

 Window light.

 

I am head over heels for Laura Mercier as a brand and have dropped more cash there lately than I'd care to think about, but it is okay because it is all in the name of love and beauty.

 

The limited edition Laura Mercier palette retails for $60 AUD and is available from Myer + David Jones. I believe the colours in this palette are also available individually instore-hooray!

 

What have you tried from Laura Mercier?

Which shadows stand out most from this palette?

Are you in love with a brand?

 

*Chris bought this for me, and so this post is not affiliated with the brand. Honesty, always.