If you’re looking
for a little pick-me-up the day before
payday, the lure of Myer and its luxe cosmetic brands is often out of reach for
many of us (payday itself is a whole other story!) It’s days like those
where I turn to the drugstore aisles in search of a beauty fix, and in the sea
of cheaply made duds there lies some gems that are really worth your while. I
thought I’d skim through my drawers in search of the best drugstore beauty I
own, and I came up with a lot more than I anticipated! I’ve split my
recommendations into three categories to make things easier, and now is as good
a time as any for my Australian readers to pick up a bargain with Priceline
holding their 40% cosmetics sale for two days only (today and Wednesday 25th)
EYES:
I couldn't think of an eyeshadow palette from the Australian store that has really impressed me, so turned to my Total Intensity by Prestige Long Term Relationship Single Eyeshadows instead. The pigmentation is insane, I've got the MAC Club dupe Hocus Pocus and the stunning Bewitched. I don't wear these all the time but they are great quality, I'll need to do a full post for you soon as I think they're underrated. Eye staples that I use daily are also drugstore gems, Covergirl's Clump Crusher mascara and essence Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Hot Chocolate.
LIPS:
I'm loving lip pencils and long lasting lip products right now - the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet's are a firm favourite (shown here in the shades Frambourjoise and Pink Pong) but the newcomer from Rimmel is floating my boat right now, too - the Provocalips 16HR Kiss Proof Lip Colour in Make Your Move*. I've recently fallen for the $2 essence lipliners too and plan on picking up some back-ups during the Priceline sale (seriously, too cheap people!) but another more vibrant lip pencil option is the new Maybelline Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencils*. I have been wearing the natural Nude Perfection* and the bright Fab Orange* over and over since they hit my desk!
BASE & BLUSH:
I'm a big fan of affordable foundation offerings, and the newest release on the street is the Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous Oil Free Foundation. I've been trialling it and so far it hasn't knocked my beloved Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3in1 Foundation from the top spot, but it's still pretty good and worth a try! I struggled to think of a decent high street blush until I clapped eyes on my Maybelline Master Glaze Blush Sticks* in my everyday drawer (shown here in Coral Sheen, Pink Fever and Just-Pinched Pink) They are probably the only blush I'd strongly recommend from Priceline - if you've tried a great drugstore blush I'd love to hear about it though!
What drugstore staples do you swear by? Will you be picking anything up from the Priceline sale?
-Emma
*Provided for consideration. Honesty, always.
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.
