The 'Project Use It Up' Face

Working on using up my older beauty products is an enjoyable process for me – it’s reminded me of how lovely some of the products are, but has also forced me to appreciate just how great some of the newer products in my stash are. It’s made me rethink that moment in the store when I used to buy ‘new’ but mediocre formulas and shades, and made it clear that that was not only a waste of money but distracted me from the quality within my drawers. Having a makeup stash full of wonderful, exciting and stellar products is my end goal I suppose, and I’m happily plodding my way through some of the beauty targets set out in my Project Use It Up in this makeup look.

A trick that I’ve found to work when I’m consciously using up something is to add a new or exciting product into the mix with it, to spice things up and keep yourself from going completely mad (if you’re like me and love to switch products all the time!) This time around I pulled out my Chanel Poesie eyeshadow palette; it’s one of the newest additions to my makeup drawers and creates such an effortless eye look. I then added in some of the ‘Project Use It Up’ contestants, the pan-tastic NYX ‘Peach’ Blush and my Clinique Chubby Stick ‘Whole Lotta Honey.’ Not yet in my project purely because I forgot to include it is my mini pan of Nars ‘Laguna’ Bronzer – let’s consider this mention his official induction into the challenge, shall we?



There has been a big change for me in the hair department – I felt like a new woman when I walked out of the hairdressers with a fringe (or bangs, as my American friends call it!) I have a post forthcoming on the hair products I’ve switched over to, but for now I’d love to hear your tips on using up products and what you think of this simple, everyday makeup look!

-Emma

The 6 Best Bronzers for Fair Skin

Summer has arrived in Melbourne! I'm currently slumming it with Charlie in front of the air-con with all of the blinds drawn, and thought that it was the perfect time to bust out some of my bronzers. Does summer get you in the mood for bronzing it up, too?!

So as a self-proclaimed blush junkie, bronzer isn't a consistent part of my makeup routine if I'm honest. However, around this time of year both of my sisters head on summer holidays and come back looking uber brown, and since I am crazy-pale at the best of times, sitting next to them can make me look like a ghost if I'm not careful. I need a touch of bronzer to warm up my complexion since actual tanning is a no-no for me, and these are what I'm working with!

The easiest powder for me to wear is probably the Clarins Accent Face Powder thanks to the sheer formula, pale shade and dash of peppy pink to bring it into blush territory. Next up for the pale and sheer reasons would be The Body Shop Honeycomb bronzer, which it a tie for my very favourite bronzer altogether. Not only is it cute and compact, it blends like a dream and can be used as a contour thanks to the matte formula.

Now for an opinion that many won't agree with...let's talk about Nars Laguna. I see people rave about this all the time on blogs and YouTube, and am happy to say I got this adorable little travel size for free back when Mecca Maxima first opened the doors in Melbourne Central. As you can see, I've used it enough to hit pan on it, but if I have to be totally honest I'm just not a huge fan of this! It doesn't blend as nicely as most other bronzers I own, the colour isn't anything spectacular and as we all know, Nars rubber packaging gets super filthy in a flash! This is something I wouldn't personally purchase, but others seem to love it so take that with a grain of salt.

Another hyped up bronzer that I'm testing out is the beautiful Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel which is one of the only cream bronzers in my stash. I am yet to try this under my foundation as Estee/EssieButton recommends, but so far it seems easy to blend and the colour is pretty lovely for my skin tone. Plus c'mon, it is Chanel for crying out loud - stunning!

The most shimmery of the bronzers I own (and the most affordable at $11.95!) is definitely the Face of Australia Pressed Bronzer*, which I use sparingly on the top of my cheekbones for a subtle bronze glow. I don't see this as being the same as any of my other bronzer-type products, and use it more as a bronzed up highlighter than anything else. The top nod for my favourite bronzer (tied with The Body Shop number...) is the beautiful Clinique Superbalanced Bronzer* (the grinder version) which is the best for me in terms of colour, blendability and finish. I do see how frustrating the large packaging would be to travel with, but ultimately the other factors more than make up for that and my love for this bronzer holds strong.

And now for the swatch!

 

What are some of your favourite bronzers?
Are they a daily staple in your routine, or do you only bust them out occasionally too?

Emma @ emmabovarybeauty

*Provided for consideration, which doesn't affect the bronzed up love. Honesty, always.

The Greek Adventure

 

My in-laws recently got back from a trip to Greece and brought back some gorgeous pieces of jewellery back for all the ladies in the family. I love being able to hold beads from a country I've never visited before, it is sort of like I am able to enjoy some of the holiday from the comfort of home almost! When I think of Greece, I think of beautiful beaches, donkeys, salty air and amazing seafood - all of the things my in laws captured on camera for me on their trip (I bugged my MIL to snap shots of EVERYTHING for me!) In terms of makeup, I can't imagine wearing very much when in a hot climate like that. These things I've been wearing here in drizzly Melbourne, but could easily see myself loving in Koroni (where my FIL grew up!)

Everyone knows of the famous Nars Laguna bronzer, right? This itsy bitsy sample has lasted me an age, and was a gift given upon the opening of Mecca Maxima Melbourne back in 2010! It isn't the perfect bronzer for me (I prefer the Clinique Superbalanced grinder* personally!) but the size means it travels really well and seeing the pan each time I open up the compact is a great feeling.

One of the latest concealers I've been trying is the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser, and though it is specifically for the under eye area, I find that it works a treat on my blemishes and red marks as well! I swipe some onto a clean finger or the back of my hand rather than dabbing it right onto spots (I definitely don't need the blemish bacteria to spread and create more issues on my face!) I think this is nourishing enough to be Greek holiday worthy, don't you?
How cute is the packaging of this Suvana Organic Paw Paw + Honey balm*!? I like using this on my cuticles and lightly on my lips, but it is also great for protecting dry spots on windy days. I can picture myself using this as I trek up a Greek hill on the back of a donkey like my in-laws did, can't you?

Lining my eyes is a new obsession of mine, so this Face of Australia Liquid Eyeliner would totally be cracked out for late night feasts or heading to the nightclub near Mister Bovary's uncles place. We are contemplating heading to Greece as part of our honeymoon next year if our budget permits, and I'm often stuck daydreaming of hot nights with Greek music and cold drinks wearing a big cat eye flick of liner!

Have you ever visited Greece, or anywhere exciting in Europe?
What hot holiday staples do you think would work well in this sort of climate?

Emma @ emmabovarybeauty

An American Saint

Had a glorious day off last weekend, and caught up on some reading as Mister Bovary and my Dad continued painting our house. Even though I wasn’t planning on leaving the house (and only got as far as a wander in our garden!) I decided to pop some makeup on, and ended up creating a classic makeup look that was heavily inspired by the new ‘American Flag’ scarf that Mumma Bovary bought me. Though it isn’t my typical style, seeing it in a few videos from my favourite U.S/U.K YouTubers (such as in this video with Tanya Burr + Ingrid Nilsen) sealed the deal for me!

the all important elements

The Models Prefer Sweet Shadows palette (review + swatches here) has really impressed me! I used Adorable all over the lid with Cute through the crease, and Innocent to highlight my brow bone. The colours blended really easily and didn’t crease all day (I used MAC Painterly paint pot as my base) I’ve worn a variation of this look a few times, substituting some of the shades for Sweetened and Graceful for a more dramatic look.

For this look I used my Rimmel Match Perfection foundation*, which I am trying to fall in love with in the wake of the brand discontinuing my beloved cream gel formula. The liquid counterpart definitely needs a good powdering after application, and though I like it I still much prefer the old pots which I have in my back up stash. This will be happily used though, because the colour is a nice pale match for me – you might say it is match perfection ;)  

chevron cushions baby!

Nars Laguna often makes an appearance when I rock a red pout, for this looked I haphazardly dusted it all over with a fluffy brush. In these photos I still look uber pale story of my life but in person it made a nice difference to my face. I wore a quick dab of TheBalm Mary-Lou Manizer as well, and didn’t wear blush….shock horror! The main player for my Americana look was definitely my Lipstick Queen Sheer Lipstick in Saint Rouge* which is so easy to apply and is a dark enough red for me to pull off nicely I think.

painting mode is on! He had just asked why I had such nice makeup on, hence my facial expression ;)

I really enjoyed this look, it was quite different to what I normally wear and I liked the way I tied the whole colour scheme into my rad new scarf.

Is it just me, or is it a whole heap of fun to match your makeup to your scarf?
What red lipstick is your go-to?

 

Emma @ emmabovarybeauty