Latex Nails // Rebelizer from essence

 I decided to grab this latex effect nail polish from the recent essence Rebels collection even though I wasn't completely sold on the theme of the collection. Rebelizer is an acid green colour and quite vivid, and because I am out there in my nail colour choices I didn't mind the shade.

 The shade is shot through with pale green shimmer which makes for a very pretty visual.

Despite the back of the bottle highlighting the long wearing claims of this particular formulation, I am sad to say that this was not the case on my nails. This chipped quite badly with a regular old top coat, and though most polishes don't last long on my unkempt nails, this had an even shorter lifespan. Having said that, I haven't tried this with Seche Vite yet, and it may fare better with it.

 Quite yellow in some lights, which adds to the sort of neon edge this has. I do think that this has a latex look to the finish, much like the Illamasqua renditions from collections past. I can't say I am a big fan of the look on my short nails, but I think that some nail art would look wonderful with the bright acid green of Rebelizer.

 

Would you wear this bright shade?

What are your thoughts on the new nail textures coming out- caviar, velvet, matte, latex?

 

*I purchased this polish myself. Honesty, always.

 

 

Inglot Freedom Palette // Photos, Swatches, Review

I've made no secret of my love for Inglot, and for my engagement party I decided to book in to get my face done there. The makeovers are $70 AUD which is redeemable on product (but does not include eyelashes or the application of them) While they made me over I made a mental checklist of colours I needed, and these are the ones I chose for my palette.

 I chose to leave the pans in their packages and complete my palette at home so that I had a chance to photograph the shade names for future reference.

 I went for a much more wearable palette than my last few, and was sure to grab a bunch of matte shades as that is a finish that is lacking in my collection. The second shade from the right appears peachy in the pan but in reality it is a champagne colour.

Matte 351 & Pearl 393

M351 is a creamy off white shade that I use for blending out shadows and highlighting. P393 as I mentioned above appears really peachy in the pan, but once swatched is a golden champagne sort of shade.

Matte 358 & Matte 339

 M358 is a mushroom taupe sort of shade that leans purple and reminds me of MAC Copperplate a little bit. I love this all over the lid or sheered out as a wash with a deeper colour in the outer third. M339 is a depper shade that is along the same lines but leans grey. The two go really well together on the eye.

Matte 326

M326 is a richly pigmented chocolate brown shade that is something I needed more of in my collection. I am getting into chocolate smokey eyes and this works perfectly for that.

The colours were all a breeze to swatch and blend like a dream, as do all of the Inglot shades I have tried thus far. I am pleased with the matte formula and think that all of these shades are great additions to my makeup collection.

 

 

To see this palette in action head here to see a recent face of the day! I'd love to hear what you think of it.

What do you think of the Inglot Freedom Palette system?

Do you own many matte eyeshadows?

What do you think of my colour choices?

 *This product was purchased by me after a makeover with Inglot. Honesty, always.

theBalm hits Australia! // collection, launch, photos

I was so excited to see that theBalm has reached Australian stores! I have purchased one of my theBalm items online and another overseas, and am happy to now be able to build up my collection of these great products closer to home (at David Jones!)

 My very first theBalm purchase was the Hot Mama! blush which I bought online. I find it really pigmented and only wear it every now and again, but I adore the slim cardboard packaging and beautiful imagery. Next up was the Meet Matt(e) palette, which was a gift from Chris (after much hinting) when we were in Thailand earlier in the year. I've grown to love matte shades as I am always complemented when I wear them! The first purchase from David Jones in Australia was the eyeshadow palette Shady Lady Vol.2, I am yet to try all of the shades but am happy with the ones I have used thus far.

The most exciting theBalm purchase for me was definitely the Mary-Lou Manizer, a beautiful champagne toned highlighter that has been on my wishlist for what seems like an eternity. When I popped into David Jones last week (before interviewing Michelle Phan!) I saw that they had a GWP running. If you made any purchase over $27.95 you received the Balmbini Vol.2 palette, which is on sale now for $49.95! I couldn't pass up this amazing deal, so I now own both of these beauties.

I will have full reviews (with swatches) of all of these coming up, so please let me know in the comments below which you are most excited to see!

Have you tried anything from theBalm?
Will you be visiting them at David Jones?

*All of these products were purchased by me. Honesty, always.