Tiny Drugstore Makeup Haul

I showed quite a bit of restraint during the lastest Priceline 40% sale and really only went for items I'd had my eye on for a while and that I knew I wouldn't shove in a drawer and forget about. I could have gone crazy at the essence stand had it not been wiped clean, but I guess paying full price is still a bargain with that brand anyway.

Knowing how much use I'd gotten from my Max Factor Crème Puff Blush in Nude Mauve (it has flattened out quite a bit and I can see myself using it up one day!) I decided to try out another shade from the range and chose Seductive Pink; terrible name, but my what a shade! It swatched so beautifully and I'm looking forward to busting it out soon now that I'm slowly stepping away from natural blushes back into my brights and my pinks!

Speaking of pinks, I spent an age swatching all of the new L'Oreal Infallible Lip Gloss shades before deciding on the bright pink 109 Fight For It. So far I think I quite like the plush formula and shade but I'm not sold on the 'lip shaped applicator' which collects quite a bit more product than I need for a single application. I really prefer liquid lip products once summer hits Melbourne, I've melted too many lipsticks in my handbag to bother even trying again so this was perfect timing for me and in a great summer shade, too.

Last but not least, my favourite pick from this petite makeup haul - Revlon Photoready Eye Art Lid+Line+Lash in 080 Desert Dazzle! It is the most stunning shade of shimmery khaki alongside a gorgeous golden glitter and I've been trying to find it since I fell in love with my first two Eye Arts here. I plan on rocking that glitter for the festive season, yes I do!



L'Oreal Fight For It
Revlon Desert Dazzle
Max Factor Seductive Pink

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Happy 1st of December everyone! I've got the majority of my Christmas décor up and looking pretty, now to tackle the tree whilst cranking Mariah Carey at full volume. Hope you enjoyed seeing my tiny haul, I'm off to caffeinate myself and finish the last 5% of my Christmas shopping today! x

Currently Obsessed

I've been feeling really good about my makeup collection lately - a few new and exciting pieces have spiced up my routine and have made me enjoy putting on my face each and every morning. I've also rediscovered an old favourite at the back of my stash to pair with the new products which is always a good thing - stash shopping at its finest, amiright?

 

I was looking back over some older blog posts (like this 'The 6 Best Bronzers for Fair Skin') and remembered how intense my love for the Clinique Superbalanced Bronzer* was, so pulled it from the depths of my drawers. Then I did a little hunting around on the internet and I think that it has been discontinued! Isn't it the worst feeling when something you love isn't around anymore? I've been using it flat stick this month and my love for it has grown, so I thought it worth mentioning in case you have it hidden away in your collection, too! I've been pairing it with my new Max Factor Crème Puff Blush in Nude Mauve, which has seriously impressed me and has become my 'work blush' of choice.

Clinique Superbalanced Bronzer
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 Max Factor Crème Puff Blush in Nude Mauve

Even though I've been loving bronzer and neutral blush lately, my appreciation of the colour pink has slowly been seeping back into my makeup life, too. The first product that really sparked this turn is also the newest recruit to my blush drawers - Physicians Formula Argan Wear Ultra-Nourishing Argan Oil Blush in Rose. Not only is the embossing utterly beautiful, the colour itself is a great pink shade for me and I find that it brightens up my complexion nicely and is buildable, too.

Physicians Formula Argan Oil Blush in Rose

I've also fallen head over heels for a new eyeshadow formula - a cream one at that, which is not usually my fortay! I saw a few whispers about the new Revlon Photoready Eye Art Lid+Line+Lash colours but it wasn't until this post from The Mustard Jumper that I decided I needed one, stat. I went to Priceline when Revlon was 40% off because at the full price of $21.95 it was just too much of a risk for me...turns out that I absolutely adore these! I initially bought Peach Prism because the other neutral was sold out, but I managed to track down Topaz Twinkle at Priceline near my work so I was happy with that. I am considering buying the green version at some stage, but will wait for another sale for that one.

Peach Prism
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Topaz Twinkle

I love reinvigorating my stash and feel like I'm at a much better place than I was in previous years when it comes to new purchases and shopping habits. I put a lot more thought into the things that I buy (and those that I accept for consideration) and it really shows in my attitude to my collection and how I feel about blogging about things these days.

What are you currently obsessed with?

- Emma

Bright Matte Lips

When I first chopped my blunt fringe, my inspiration was seeing amazing photos of Zooey Deschanel and imagining how easy it would be to pull off bright lips with more hair framing my pale face. I have to admit that I haven't made use of that all too much with my current love for mauve toned or nude/blush lip colours, but I pulled out my fresh tube of Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Carthage to pair with my (in need of a trim!) fringe and here we go!

Using the taupe shade in the Dior Fairy Golds Quint all over my lids is my current favourite easy eye look; I usually reserve this palette for the festive season but can't help but be tempted to pull it out during the year too. The shadow quality is second to none and I love the fine shimmer in each shade! I lined my eyes with essence LongLasting Liner in Hot Chocolate as I do most days and finished off the eyes with Maybelline The Rocket Volum' Express mascara. This mascara is still in trial mode for me after purchasing it on my honeymoon last year - I have only just got around to opening it up...

The beautiful and bright Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Carthage is definitely the star of the show for this look, and the formula of these is what turned me onto matte lips in the first place. I can still appreciate a bright gloss but the ease of use and wearability of a bright matte is perfect for my lifestyle, and I hope to get my hands on more Nars matte formulas in the months to come. To warm up my features but keep Carthage the focus I used a light dusting of my beloved Clinique Superbalanced Bronzer* and Max Factor Crème Puff Blush in Nude Mauve on my cheeks.

Products
Base:
Face of Australia Face Base Primer
Revlon Colorstay Whipped Crème Foundation
Maybelline SuperStay 24HR Concealer
Rimmel Lasting Finish 25HR Powder Foundation*

Eyes:
MAC Painterly Paint Pot
essence Hot Chocolate liner
Dior Fairy Golds Quint (taupe shade)
Maybelline The Rocket Volum' Express

Lips + Cheeks:
Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Carthage
Clinique Superbalanced Bronzer*
Max Factor Crème Puff Blush in Nude Mauve

I'm really getting into using the Clinique bronzer again, but I have a feeling that this particular formula was discontinued to make way for all of the new cheek products they have been releasing lately. Have you tried any of the new cheek colour from Clinique yet? Do you have any matte lip recommendations for me?

-Emma x

 

*Products provided for consideration. Honesty, always.