Instant Repurchase

Though I rotate cosmetics like there is no tomorrow, often I stick with some star products from the lineup. A product has to absolutely knock it out of the park for me to repurchase, so for these to jump back into the stash instantly speaks volumes!

Face of Australia Liquid Liner – This was originally a PR sample which I adored. I misplaced it, and ran out to grab another one quick smart. I then found the first, so have two floating around my stash and both are still going strong with no sign of drying out. This comes with a fine brush style tip and is a deep inky black. I was terrible at liquid liner before I learnt with this brush, and now I have the confidence to use lots of different sorts of liquid liners! A game changer, and affordable to boot.

Bioderma Crealine H20 – Ah Bioderma, the cult favourite that came into my world and swept me off my feet. Again this originally came to me via PR, I have repurchased this quite a few times now and still love it for the initial cleanse each night. I have temporarily put it on the backburner in an effort to show love to (aka use up!) my other cleansing waters and oils, but when they bite the dust it is me and this guy (and Dermalogica Preclease, 3 peas in a pod)

Lush Lip Scrubs – I change up the flavour every time, but keep going back to this little jar of soft lip-making goodness. Basically a sugar and deliciousness blend, this is an easier option for me as I can’t be bothered making my own lip scrub. Tastes deliciously sweet (duh!) and comes in a bunch of flavours, this is well worth the cash.

Guerlain Champs Elysees – I think everyone has that ‘one scent’ that just suits them perfectly and makes them feel a million dollars, and this is the one for me! Quite a mature fragrance, this is strong and makes me feel powerful and in charge. I’ve gone through bottle after bottle of this, and am looking forward to picking up yet another one from Paris on our honeymoon a few years down the track.

Rimmel Match Perfection Crème-Gel Foundation – Yet another love that first came to me via PR! I fear this is discontinued now that the new bottled version has taken its place on the drugstore shelves, so I am planning on stocking up when I find some in my shade in a discount bin. A foundation that covers it all but looks just like skin (seriously, it is undetectable!) this is my HG formula.

What products are instant repurchases for you? Do you tend to chop and change as much as I do, or are you loyal to a few key players in your beauty team?

 

The February Edit

This month it was a breeze picking the stars of my cosmetic rotation, and these are not only things that I loved the most but also those that got the most use from me over the weeks. This edit turned out to be easy picks for quick on the go looks, so suffice to say I wasn’t too creative in the realm of makeup during February. Cheeks were kept on the neutral, natural side of the fence as I alternated the amazing Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed with the peachy L’Oreal Super Blendable Blush in 326 The Muse’s Blush. To brighten up my face I reached for one of my favourite highlighters, TheBalm’s Mary Lou Manizer. Rather than using my Real Technique’s for Samantha Chapman Contour brush to apply as I normally do I’ve been using my fingers, and loving the sheer effect that it gives. This makes it brilliant for everyday wear, and is nice and quick for rushed mornings. Scent of choice has also been a failsafe with Guerlain's Champs Elysees covering me every day. If I had to wear only one scent for the rest of my days, this would be it.

The L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil* was on my wish list for so long, and I am elated to say that not only has it met my expectations, it has actually exceeded them. A tip off from Estee has made me use this as a shaving oil, but it works beautifully as a regular body wash when paired with a sponge as well. It definitely warrants a full review (read:rave) so I’ll get to work on that soon. I have also been loving the Covergirl Clump Crusher mascara, which has garnered me more lash envy comments than I had received in a long time! For me, that is the main measure of success for a mascara, as well as the stellar and easy to wear formulation. Lips have been lazy, and the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey has been a staple not only for its non-melty texture (Melbourne heat hates lipsticks!) but the colour goes with absolutely everything. MAC Patisserie was thrown into the mix on the odd colder day we enjoyed, and man that is a winner of a shade!

So there is my lazy-day, easy to use February Edit. Have you tried any of these products, or do you want to?

*Product provided for consideration, but an honest favourite.

Beauty Tag // This or That

It has been quite a long time since I posted a tag on emmabovarybeauty. Since I am in the mood to ramble about makeup, today is the day! Feel free to copy this tag (which I saw on Thirteen here, and edited to my liking)

Blush or Bronzer? Original post here.

 

MAKEUP:

Blush or bronzer?

Blush is definitely my weakness, even though I'm having a bit of a love affair with my Clinique Superbalanced Bronzer. The biggest chunk of my makeup collection is blushes, and nothing gets my heart racing faster than a pretty blush colour.

Lip gloss or lip stick?

I would have to go for lipstick, glossy types like Burberry Lip Mist's can be just as shiny as some glosses so they have the ability to cover all bases. I definitely wear lipstick more than I wear glosses, so it is a no brainer for me.

Eye liner or mascara?

  I wear mascara every single day, but often neglect eyeliner so again, a no brainer for me. I like the look of my gel liner, especially when I use my essence Midnight in Paris gel pot, or my Australis 10 hr pencil liner in the brown and deep purple shades. To be honest, I'm too lazy to sharpen my pencil liners so I tend to wear my essence gel liner much more often.

Foundation, or Concealer? Original post here.

 

Foundation or concealer?

When I began university my skin went downhill, and even though it is much better now that I've changed contraceptive I am left with a lot of pigmentation and scarring. I need foundation (or at least tinted moisturiser) everyday to feel good about my skin, and because I like to wear fun makeup, an even base is crucial.

Neutral or color eye shadow?

I do wear colour quite a bit...neutral shadows are for lazy days for me, so I think I might go for colours to have more fun! I love trying out new colour combinations, today I tried one that failed miserably but I had lots of fun playing around with it all, and that is the main thing. Even if I just wear it around the house, it pushes me to be creative and makes me smile.

 

Pressed or loose eye shadows?

Pressed shadows are so much easier to work with, I love palettes too much to choose loose shadows. Even though some loose shadows are stunning and the colours are magnificent, a brand like Inglot have pressed shadows that blow my mind on a similar scale.

 

Brushes or sponges?

I don't think I own any sponges, they don't seem clean or useful enough for me. If my brushes are dirty, I'd prefer to use my fingers to warm up product and apply it. 

BODY:
Perfume or body splash?

I only own a few body splashes, and I use them most when I'm working from home and have the opportunity to keep reapplying throughout the day. I like the strength of perfumes, and if a scent fades before I get home from work it makes it harder for me to justify the repurchase. My favourite perfumes are definitely Guerlain's Champs Elysees and the men's cologne from Juicy Couture, Dirty English.

Lotion, or butter?

 

Lotion or body butter?

Lotions are more my thing, though I've just bought a stack of pumpkin butters from Haus of Gloi. I'm lucky enough to not suffer from dry skin on my body, so if I apply lotions fairly regularly my skin stays nice and soft. I'm using the Amber Romance scented body lotion from Victoria's Secret at the moment, it is divine.
 

Body wash or soap?

Body wash all the way, though I do adore the tins and scents from The Scottish Fine Soap Company (get them at David Jones) Body wash is much easier to use and I find them more hydrating, so we buy body wash over soap all the time. I think some soaps make for nicer gifts, whereas it is only pricier body washes or gels that are fancy enough to give as gifts (L'Occitane make for divine gifts!)

 

Lush or other bath company?

Even though I'm only on my first order from Haus of Gloi, I definitely prefer their products to Lush. Lush is often quite expensive (Ro's is $30, and more than I can spend on a body conditioner without guilt right now) and Haus of Gloi comes in stunning packaging. The scents there are so out there (I think) and I love the luxury I feel when I apply them.
 

I'd love for you to leave your responses to this tag below, or do a blog post with it and leave me the link in my comments so I can check it out!

I really like blathering about beauty and skincare, maybe that is why I look forward to blogger meet ups so much!