copper and beige : : a FOTD featuring essence, Illamasqua and YSL

I really wanted to crack out my essence pas des copper eye souffle (post here) and show you how it faired. I like wearing this by itself over MAC Painterly paint pot (review here) but I wanted something a little more striking today, so applied a little bit of my favourite bronze Illamasqua Bronx over the top.

I have been having so much trouble with my skin lately, it has gone from it's previous dry and dehydrated state to being oily and dehydrated, so I've been using my BareMinerals powder foundations a lot more recently.

I have no idea where my Model's Prefer Glitz and Glamour highlighter (review here) has gone, and so have turned to using this Revlon Colorstay Mineral Finishing Powder in Brighten as a highlight atop my cheekbones. I layer it on quite a bit as it's a much more natural finish than the Model's Prefer. I've actually fallen in love with another highlighter which I am reviewing soon, it's amaazing so keep your eyes peeled.

As you can see the look is still quite subtle as I was light handed with the eye makeup, but I like the way it looks and happily wore it to work. I generally wear bright makeup to work as they are quite encouraging, but this more typical work-appropriate look would be nice for the office, in my opinion.

Trialling this new Australis Lash Length Extension mascara and I must say, I'm loving it. Drugstore win, and it must also be mentioned that Australis is really picking up their game lately, I am very impressed. The Mirenesse Hydra Gel Eye Liner in Black Caviar is something I've been using for a while now, I will have to get around to reviewing it soon.

Since hitting pan on my staple blush NYX Peach, I've switched over to another blush as an 'everyday' blush choice. Benefit Hervana is a swirl of colours which leave a peachy pink tone to my cheeks, and I find it really wearable. I'm not as in love with it as I thought I'd be, but I do like it.

My lipstick love of late is YSL's Rouge Volupte in 1 Nude Beige. It's such a gorgeous nude that leans pink, and I've been wearing it to death lately. I have a review coming up of this one, too.

I wish the Rouge Volupte ends looked like the display models, it would be so much nicer!

A close up view of my bronze eye look.

The completed look! I love the way the YSL 1 Nude Beige perks up my face but is able to be paired with bright, dark or neutral eyes. I am loving delving into my collection and finding gems like the ones I've used in this FOTD.

What gems have you found lately?

Have you tried the YSL Rouge Volupte formula?

What do you think of my FOTD?

Ballerina Backstage by essence

This months essence collection focuses on a ballet vibe, with cute shade names and pops of pale pink colour. I picked up a few key items including the 3 lipglosses and the bronze eye souffle, but somehow managed to miss the gorgeous cheek souffle that is also on offer. Fear not, I managed to nab it once I realised my mistake, and will pop it on the blog soon.

The essence eye souffle in pas des copper is a stunner, no doubt about it. I didn't have high hopes and to be honest bought this for the hell of it, but once I swatched it my expectations grew.

The jar feels nice and sturdy, and I love the font they've chosen to adore the lids of this collection.

A golden shimmery deep brown shade that is far too pretty.

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Cute shade names!

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Wear Your Litle Tutu is a pale pink that makes my lips look icy. It has silver shimmer running throughout, and is pretty sticky on but less so than a MAC Dazzleglass.

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On Your Gracile Tiptoe is the coral orange offering from the Ballerina Backstage collection, and also contains shimmer and is quite a sticky formulation.

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Do A Floating Pirouette is such a pretty purple toned raspberry shade, and is of the same formulation as the other glosses.

I adore the little touches that essence has put into this collection, the lace detail and shoe images on the tubing is a really sweet idea. I personally don't mind having sticky glosses in my collection (I adore Dazzleglasses, though Chris doesn't) so I quite like these. The icy effect of Wear Your Little Tutu is something that surprised me but I am happy to have this in my collection, but I think the real must have from the collection is the pas des copper eye souffle, just an amazing texture and wearable shade.

The prices in this collection sit around the $3-6AUD mark, and are available in Australia from Target stores.

Have you picked up anything from this collection?

What do you think of Essence?