essence Love & Sound Collection

On my last shopping jaunt with Mumma Bovary I spotted the new essence Love & Sound collection on the shelves at Priceline - naturally I made grabby hands for a few bits and pieces and thought I'd share what I chose and my initial thoughts on them! Limited edition blushes are a natural choice for the #blushfiend in me, and the unique eyeshadow shades really tempted me as well. I also restocked my favourite daily eyeliner, the essence Long Lasting Eye Pencil in Hot Chocolate as my current one is almost empty.

essence Long Lasting Eyeliner in Hot Chocolate
I've spoken about this eyeliner a whole lot on the blog, and stand by my love for the deep chocolate cream shade - the price tag of around $3 also cements my love for it! I wear it most often smudged into my upper lash line for some subtle definition, and it's something I buy back-ups of regularly in case essence lose their minds and discontinue this amazing eyeliner range.

essence Love & Sound Eyeshadow in Glastonberry
This immediately grabbed my attention and I was quick to throw the last pan into my shopping basket - I was also tempted by the peachy colour, but I'm currently trimming down my makeup collection so didn't feel it was a 'need', just a 'want' so I left it aside. Glastonberry immediately reminds me of Angela from Caffeine Induced, so imagine how weird it was to hop straight onto her blog after the shopping trip to see that she has just bought the shade, too! It's a wearable yet pigmented wine colour with a brown tone to it that just makes my eyes pop - I've been throwing it over a champagne shade everyday since I bought it and it's rocking my world right now. Spoiler alert: it will definitely feature in my next Currently Loving post!

essence Love & Sound Multi-Colour Blush in Sunset @ Centre Stage
Limited edition? Tick. Ombre? Tick. Stunning? TICK! I didn't even think twice about this one, the ombre blush formula from essence is of such high quality for the price tag and the colour seemed a bit different to most of my shade thanks to the plum tones of the first shade section of the pan. I did wonder if it would be similar to my essence Blush Up Powder Blush in Heat Wave or Pinky Flow, but I'm happy to report that they are quite different (comparisons are below for you!)

Heat Wave, Sunset @ Centre Stage

Heat Wave, Sunset @ Centre Stage, Pinky Flow

Each shade strip of Sunset @ Centre Stage

Heat Wave individual shades swatched // Sunset @ Centre Stage individual shades swatched

Heat Wave swirled together swatch, Pinky Flow swirled together swatch, Sunset @ Centre Stage swirled together swatch

I'm really pleased with my choices from this collection and think I'll get a lot of wear from them - other than these bits I was only really tempted by the mauve lipstick, but that was sadly sold out. Here is the rest of the collection if you're interested! I think I'm looking forward to the new Brit-Tea collection that should be out at Target any day now a little bit more (it's yet to be released at mine, has it hit yours?)

Later in the week I'll be posting a makeup look using these new Love & Sound products, so look out for that if you're interested!

Hope you're having a wonderful day!
-Emma

*I personally purchased these products. Honesty, always.

The Eye Products I Reach For Daily

The real staples in my beauty drawers are frequently spotted in makeup posts, but too often overlooked when it comes to a full post or review. I thought it was high time they had the spotlight to themselves - especially since the products featured here are what I use with almost every makeup look I wear. I don't necessarily have a set style when it comes to eye makeup, I'll switch around my shadow shades and float between using mascara on my lower lashes to spice things up sometimes, but things like liner, primer and mascara are things that I just can't be without.

If I'm wearing makeup, you can bet that an eyeshadow will be coating my lids whatever the shade. I think perhaps the first eyeshadow primer I began using was the famed Urban Decay Primer Potion, but then I moved onto the MAC Painterly Paint Pot and have never looked back. I've already gone through a whole pot of this (evidence for you!) and I repurchased this while in America late last year. The colour is just a tad darker than my natural skin tone and I find it really helps to create a base for the shadows to stick to and helps them stay crease free during the day.

Wearing MAC Painterly, Covergirl Clump Crusher and Hot Chocolate
with Total Intensity by Prestige 'Bewitched' on the lid

Another daily staple for me is mascara, as I'm sure it is for many of you. I've tried many different brands but keep coming back to Covergirl Clump Crusher as it's easily my favourite - buildable, gives me lift and volume, a really reliable and affordable product for my makeup drawers. I posted a full review back in 2013 of it here and will continue to have this as a fall back mascara as I trial others for the blog.

 

Another daily product for me is my beloved essence LongLasting Eye Pencil in Hot Chocolate - I have back-ups in my drawer of this and love popping a little bit on my upper lashline to bulk up my lashes and give some definition to an eye look. I find the chocolate shade flatters me more than a straight up black for day to day looks and the fact that it twists up, negating the need for a sharpener, makes me seriously happy.

Every morning I grab for these 3 from my daily drawer and throw whatever shadow I feel like in to finish off my eyes - having products that are reliable but that still excite you is the key to enjoying a makeup collection in my opinion, and I've definitely found that with these three. What daily eye staples do you rely on?
-Emma

Current Favourites // July 2014

For a while now my life has been a tumble of wedding planning, house cleaning and honeymoon dreaming, and through it all I spent a lot of time in my beauty room enjoying my almost-organised stash. It was actually with ease that I chose my current favourites, which is a nice change from scrabbling to make up my mind.

When I originally came across the Revlon Cheek Boutique I took home the one that swatched the nicest – Mauvelous! It wasn’t until Chemist Warehouse took down their Revlon products to half price that I grabbed Naughty Nude as an afterthought, and wouldn’t you know it I’ve barely had it off my cheeks since that day! I’m obsessed with neutral cheek shades at the moment and this one is nice to dig into – something worth nothing about the Revlon shades is that they swatch terribly, but look amazing on the cheek when applied with a blush so don’t let the swatch put you off!

It’s all about my obsessions at the moment – my bright pink obsession is still going strong! I wanted to pick up some new shades to add to my gel nail stash (in love with my Sensationail machine!) and one of them ended up being Sally Hansen’s Back to the Fuchsia which is a seriously gorgeous hot pink that I needed in my life. I was a bit put off when I saw the blue shimmery base when I opened the bottle but it just looks like a shiny crème finish on my nails so happy days! It matches my constant pink lips perfectly – I’ve been rocking my Maybelline Color Bloom lip balm in Pink Bloom underneath my Elixir in Fuchsia Flourish for low-key makeup days, and Bourjois Rouge Velvet Edition in Pink Pong for work days and weekend wear alike. All bright, all right!

Each and every day has been an ode to my beloved – the essence Long Lasting Eye Pencil in Hot Chocolate. The perfect pencil for defined eyes that aren’t harsh, I’ve been swiping this on my top lash line every single day for so long now that I’ve just about used up the whole pencil. I have already procured a back-up (and added some other colours into my stash, too) and the next round of empties will see my current one finito. It’s as soft as a crayon but in thin pencil form and is a wind up, negating the need for a messy and annoying sharpener.

 

I couldn’t ignore my current skincare loves in this post, so in steps the exxy Lancome Dreamtone* which I wish I didn’t love (three digits, painful) but I totally completely do. It is the first product that has actually reduced the acne scarring on my cheeks (and all over my face) and for that it is worth each and every penny – though the day I have to repurchase this will be a painful one, and I’m stretching this PR sample out as far as it will take me. It softens my skin, soothes it, lightly moisturises it and actually does give my skin a ‘dreamy’ tone I’ve never had before.

The final favourite is a reoccurring one on the blog, my La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo which banishes crappy skin, works at blemish build-ups underneath the surface and stops pimples from appearing. I’ve seen a lot of people mention that this isn’t very effective on skin with pre-formed pimples, but I use this every night/every second night and apart from perhaps a monthly spot I don’t have any blemishes come to the surface at all...prevention people, not cure! I’ve found that using preventative methods works best for my skin, and this in conjunction with my Mario Badescu loves means happy skin territory for me.

What are your current favourites? Pink lip recommendations anyone?

Emma x

*Provided for consideration! Honest favourites though ;)

Sweet Kisses Makeup Look

Popped on some of the shadows from the Models Prefer Sweet Kisses palette I reviewed yesterday, because sometimes you just need to see a wee creation to bring the palette to life!

 I basically just chose some of my favourite shades from this palette and threw them onto m eyelids, which I maintain is the best way to wear bright shadows. The trick is all in the blending and using a touch of eyeliner to anchor down the crazy - this can make almost any eye look wearable! 

Eyes:
Models Prefer Sweet Kisses palette:
*Mint Slice
*Pistachio
*Black Forest
*Butter Cream
*Honey Crunch

Covergirl Clump Crusher mascara
essence Hot Chocolate liner

Lips:
Revlon lipgloss in Crystal Water

Do you dare to wear bright mixes too?
Which of these shades should I throw together next?

 

 

Emma @ emmabovarybeauty 

It's Love

The thought of doing a favourites post last month totally didn't appeal, so I just left it aside and decided to wait until I had the urge before posting some lovely things. I have been in a bit of a blah mood lately and have been chilling at home makeup-free with Charlie most days, but these have still been very loved by my face tummy and heart!

My recent breakout is still clearing up so I've been wearing my beloved Rimmel Match Perfection Cream Gel foundation with some Maybelline Dream Matte for a bit of extra coverage on the red areas. This has way better oil control than any other powder I've used - and matte crappy skin looks better than shiny crappy skin, in my experience!

I've been absolutely obsessed with my essence Long Lasting eye pencil in 02 Hot Chocolate, run quickly along my upper lash line to give it a bit of oomph. I've been using my Urban Decay Naked Palette (and can't wait to get my hands on Naked 3!) and also this little quad that my beautiful cousin Claire bought me from the U.K. - the Topshop Smokey Eye Palette in Tawny. Lazy days were made for that pale champagne shade, let me tell you!

Estee Lauder Modern Muse - stretching this vial as long as I can, and adore the scent. Lips have been loving the Carmex Moisture Plus in Clear*, which as you all should know is the bees knees of my lip stash. Now come the random loves of late! Slim Secrets Snack-Attack (caramel!) bars are delish, though my favourite flavour is definitely the Craving Crusher which is Cookies + Cream. I sneak these into the grocery basket every single week, and they are great for on the run to stop myself from eating crap at the shops. Having said that...the other day I had a fun size Mars Bar, and it was the highlight of my day! The other highlight of that day? Suffering through a work meeting but being treated to a cute little Christmas ornament at the end of it - woo hoo! And last but not least...

We welcomed our little King Charles Cavalier Charlie into our family almost a week ago, and now I can't remember being without him <3 He is going really well with toilet training and is sleeping through the night which is so good. He is an absolute smooch and a mumma's boy, and his favourite spot is sitting on my lap as I sit on the floor to write blog posts!


What are you loving right now?
Emma @ emmabovarybeauty

Peppermint Chip // Stash Shopping Makeup Look

Sometimes a classic colour combination is something not to be messed with, and often when I land on a winning combination I am immediately hooked! I was inspired by the thought of a mint chip cookie for this look, and it has been my go-to on and off for a while now.

 

A quick rifle through the unloved sections of my stash brought out some real winners, with the Chanel Illusion D’Ombre cream eyeshadow in Epatant being the star of the scene. I’ve been using it on and off for weeks now, and love that it isn’t too green by itself those scared of colour, take note! A light pop of BYS metallic green over the top of it can really kick the ‘mint’ effect up a notch though, and then you throw a bit of chocolate goodness through the crease and it's done - good enough to eat! 

A smudge of essence Hot Chocolate really ties the theme together for me, and I brought out my Clinique High Lengths mascara* out to really stretch my lashes out. The funny rubber brush takes a while to get used to (I may not even be there yet) but I sure love the length it gives, so I’m not going to complain!

Chanel Epatant, Burberry Copper, BYS palette, Clinique High Lengths*, Clinique Strawberry Fudge, essence Hot Chocolate

I was having a pretty good skin day when I took these photos, but props must also be given to the cheek stars that I think did a nice job of warming up my face against the relatively cool toned eye look that was the star of the show. Clinique Superbalanced Bronzer* is my top pick for a bronzer, you’ll often see my spruiking it to anyone if the topic of faux sun is mentioned in passing. In fact, I was raving about it to my lecture buddy at University earlier this week! I topped it off with my snapped but still beautiful Burberry Lip Mist in Copper (best GWP ever, I’d say!) and the peppermint chip makeup look was complete!

Bourjois 123 Perfect foundation, Laura Mercier foundation primer, Clinique Superbalanced Bronzer*, L'Oreal The Muse's Blush

What do you think of wearing chocolate and mint together? Keep it in the ice cream cone or go for it?

April Favourites // All About Eyes

I’ve been relishing in the tonal variations of the neutral eye shadows in my collection this month, and even more so since I’ve been focused on teaching. With less time for intricate blending and the like, I have come to appreciate the ease and beauty of these shades. Once again my Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze is among my favourites, especially when layered under Maybelline Silken Taupe to create an icy neutral sort of eye look.

  

Burberry has also been gracing my lids often, with my two pans (Pale Barley & Rosewood) getting quite a workout during April. I love how long these shadows last on my lids without creasing, and they are so quick to blend that I hardly have to work on them in the early morning, pre-coffee haze.

 

Liner is another eye product that is fast becoming one of the most exciting parts of my makeup routine, despite it once being something I rarely reached for. The Australis Curve Ink* still impresses me with its amazing lasting power and easy to use (though unusual) packaging. For pencil I’ve been loving Hot Chocolate from essence, which is a self-sharpening chocolate stick that I’ve been using lightly along my lash line to create a nice shape and intensify my mascara as well.

Speaking of mascara, I’ve been loving my Covergirl Clump Crusher, using my Face of Australia Impact Curl mascara coating my lower lashes daily.  I know a lot of people aren’t a fan of lots of mascara on the bottom lashes, but I love the way it opens my eyes right up. I feel as though I can wear less makeup on the rest of my face when I use mascara on my lower lashes, so I have been using it for the majority of this month.

 

So April is wrapped up, a month of lots of lashes, liner galore and pretty neutral shadows to cover my lids. I hadn’t planned on having an eye centred favourites list for this month, but things happen!

How often do you wear mascara on your lower lashes?

Are you a liquid liner or pencil gal?

 

*Marked items provided for consideration.