Sample Selection #1

I've decided to begin a new series in order to dip into my sample stash and throw some mini reviews up onto the blog. First up is a selection of adorable little sample pots that Mumma Bovary nabbed for me at The Body Shop. Our local shops had a scratch and win, and Mumma B came up trumps with a rare win - usually all we see is 'better luck next time'! The lure of the free samples dragged her in even though the scent of shops like that is normally far too much for her sensitive head. She walked out with Honeymania Body Butter, Coconut Scrub and Honeymania Shower Gel sample, which she promptly brought round to mine and gifted me!

 

I've been wanting to try the Honeymania scent since it launched, and it is so much more than a simple honey scent lemme tell you. It is floral and strong, and I'd say it is more honey blossom than a sweet nectar sort of scent.

 

The shower gels from TBS are always lovely (I rely on the travel sizes anytime I go away) but the Coconut Scrub was a little bit new for me as I'd previously only tried the sugar-based scrubs. This one was creamy with little bits of grit in it and left my skin really soft and smooth, but I've smelt better scents from TBS so I'd probably choose another scrub when the time comes.

 

The winner of this trio was definitely the Honeymania Body Butter - the butters are quite heavy on the skin (and also very moisturising, so there's that...) but the scent was perfect and it fixed my dry elbows in a flash - very classy I am!

 

So what scents do you recommend I sniff when I head back in for my complimentary express makeover? Do you have any Body Shop loves that you just can't get enough of?

 

Emma @ emmabovarybeauty

The Christmas Party



The first of many festive celebrations was on last weekend - Mister Bovary's work Christmas party! Held at a gorgeous venue with views of the sea, I was looking forward to a night of nice finger food, decent company and people watching. I decided to wear a mustard yellow dress with strappy wedges as it was a nice warm night, and naturally I went matchy matchy with Mister Bovary's navy shirt and chose to create a navy smokey eye (my night-time go to!) 

I pulled out a few nude lip options to go with my dark eye look, and in the end Mister Bovary chose for me after I swatched them all for him. I had a few brown toned nudes in there like Revlon Rosy Future* and Clinique Whole Lotta Honey Chubby Stick, but I also had some pink tones like Kardashian Beauty Au Natural Honey Gloss (Kourtney's shade), Laura Mercier Sweetheart, Models Prefer Angel Wings and essence Natural Beauty. Mister Bovary ended up choosing essence Natural Beauty and Laura Mercier Sweetheart.

I had to scrounge for some navy blues as I haven't used them since we moved into the house! The trusty Inglot came out, which houses my very favourite navy shade, but I looked into some of my other palettes from BYS and L'Oreal for other blues to mix in to create a more interesting eye look.

I love palettes in a big, big way...

 I added in some shimmer from the Body Shop*, Clarins Instant Concealer*, Tarte Exposed and my Rimmel Scandaleyes liner and the look was complete! I actually ran out of time before I had the chance to paint my nails even though there are some stunning OPI bottles in this picture - our ride picked us up early so they got a chance to meet Charlie and play with him!

Not exactly a clear makeup look photo, but this is the only blurry snap we managed in the dim light of the swanky bar. We had a great time and I was really happy with my makeup too, I layered my foundation and concealer to really even out my skin tone and it was well worth the effort!

Hope you are all having a relaxed lead up to the crazy part of the festive season - I am almost finished with my shopping and then will be able to practise baking and chill out with the family before my favourite day of the year arrives!

 

Emma @ emmabovarybeauty

 

Festive Dior

 

 The festive season is upon us, and I'm in the mood for some glittery eyes! I'd been using Sidecar from the Urban Decay Naked palette when I remembered how much I'd used the Dior Fairy Golds palette this time last year. It screams Christmas time to me, so into the daily stash it went to sit alongside the other Dior loves of mine. Looking at all of the luxe navy and pink made me want to create a look entirely made of Dior products, so that is what I present to you now.

I used my Dior Diorskin BB Crème sample in Light for the first time, and was really impressed with the finish. I think this is one of the only times this year I haven't powdered my face as I was happy with the oil control and not-too-dewy finish that this gave my skin. I went in with my Real Techniques Stippling Brush and Dior Crème Blush in Bikini, which I think is beautiful but I perhaps should have gone for another shade when I purchased this. I used my Ecotools Fan Brush* to sweep some Amber Diamond on my cheekbones, and the base was done!



As I said, the Fairy Golds palette was the catalyst for this look, and I used the top left beige shade all over the lid with the chocolate brown through the crease. I topped the centre of my lid with the glittery gold shade, and used the centre white glitter for my inner corner highlight. I didn't end up putting mascara on with this look after being inspired by Larie's latest post, and I think it added to the soft and relaxed overall look. I only have two Dior lip products (so far!) so obviously I had to use those to complete the look. I patted the Dior Addict in Exotique lightly onto the lips and blotted it, before topping it with loads of Dior Addict Gloss in Princess which is a beautiful shimmery pale pink shade - fit for a princess!

 

So there you have it - a luxe and glittery festive look created with some beautiful Dior beauty products.

What products do you turn to for the festive season?
Do you have a lot of Dior products, or does another brand have your heart?

Emma @ emmabovarybeauty

 

The Sniff List - Top 5 Scents to take a Whiff of for Summer

Each time we reach the end of the year, I begin thinking about which perfume I'd like to pop onto my wishlist. Since my birthday is but a week after Christmas, I pretty much need to make a monster list to make it easier for my family to cross me off their present list. I perused my fragrance stocks (some are still boxed away, woe is me!) and pulled out 5 awesome scents that would make lovely gifts for somebody else, or for yourself!

I don't really know much about Vivienne Westwood, so thought 'cute bottle' and not much more when Flirty Alice* hit my desk. One spritz and I was hooked though, this is probably my top pick from this bunch. It smells citrusy with some vanilla somethin' somethin' going on, and a quick check of Fragrantica says it also contains some green tea, rose buds and blonde woods (though I prefer brunette, ha!)

 The latest Marc Jacobs just had to be included, if not for the scent then the adorable bottle alone! Marc Jacobs Honey* is a soft and floral honeyed scent which is something Mumma Bovary would go crazy for - she likes it a bit sweet but most perfumes give her migraines, so Marc Jacobs is her go-to for soft and wearable scents.

Michael Kors Very Hollywood was on my wish list for the longest time, and was a gift from my beautiful sister for my birthday two years ago. It is a strong white floral, and I love the pink/coral and gold accents on the bottle. A great light summer fragrance is Clarins Sunshine* - you know I adore this brand, and so a orange bottle of their juice was bound to be a hit with me! It smells sweet, floral and citrusy, perfect for hot weather!

 

Last but not least is a great 'out for dinner' perfume that is super strong - Paco Rabanne Black XS. I nabbed this from Mumma Bovary who bought it duty free after loving the scent of it on my cousin when she lived with us, but it is too strong for her so I scored big time! I am also eyeing off the Kim Kardashian bottle she bought at the airport, as I've already finished my bottle and would love another!

 

How often do you spritz on a new scent? Are you a fan of commercial scents, or are a die hard indie perfume fanatic?

 

Emma @ emmabovarybeauty

 

*Provided for consideration - honesty, always!

 

all week long - Ben Nye Eye Shadow and Rouge Palette

A while ago I pulled out my Ben Nye Essential Eye Shadow and Rouge Palette, as I ashamedly had not used it once since buying it at IMATS in 2011! I wanted to give it a good run, and have been dabbing my brush into the cheek and eye colours for over a week now. I thought that I would get sick of it, but I'm still going quite well and have only strayed a few times.

Vanilla, Shell, Cork, Espresso, Smokey Taupe and Black
Nectarine, Blushing Bride, Dusty Pink, Vintage Rose, Pink Bliss and Fresh Coral

 For what is I think the first time in my beauty-loving stage of life, I have been wearing a super toned down eye look every day! I feel quite strange not rocking the shimmer, but the fact that wearing a matte cream eyeshadow like Shell over the lid makes me excited is a wonderful thing. I sometimes run a little bit of Cork, Espresso or Smokey Taupe through the crease, but generally it is Cream and some essence Hot Chocolate eyeliner before I'm out the door. The matte shades in this palette are done so well, they aren't chalky and blend on the lid with such ease it makes mornings simple. Cream + Hot Chocolate, see?

I've been steadily working my way through all of these blushes, and I am happy to report that all of them are really lovely! Some are quite pale so might not suit darker complexions than mine, but I find them to sit really nicely on my fair skin. There is a definite stand out shade though, in the form of the booming bright Nectarine which is just divine. I've been returning to this shade quite a bit and pairing it with my Revlon Pango Peach lipgloss, which is also a big love of mine. Now that the weather is slowly heating up I refuse to take lipstick out with me in my handbag for fear of it melting, so I am turning to some lovely glosses like this one!

 

What do you think of this eye and cheek palette?

Have you tried anything from Ben Nye, or have you been to IMATS?

Do you like wearing gloss in the summer too?

 

Emma @emmabovarybeauty

Sweet Kisses Makeup Look

Popped on some of the shadows from the Models Prefer Sweet Kisses palette I reviewed yesterday, because sometimes you just need to see a wee creation to bring the palette to life!

 I basically just chose some of my favourite shades from this palette and threw them onto m eyelids, which I maintain is the best way to wear bright shadows. The trick is all in the blending and using a touch of eyeliner to anchor down the crazy - this can make almost any eye look wearable! 

Eyes:
Models Prefer Sweet Kisses palette:
*Mint Slice
*Pistachio
*Black Forest
*Butter Cream
*Honey Crunch

Covergirl Clump Crusher mascara
essence Hot Chocolate liner

Lips:
Revlon lipgloss in Crystal Water

Do you dare to wear bright mixes too?
Which of these shades should I throw together next?

 

 

Emma @ emmabovarybeauty 

Models Prefer Sweet Kisses Tin Palette - Photos, Swatches, Review

So it seems that Models Prefer are well and truly stepping up their game in terms of product releases - some very cute stocking stuffer-esque packs and the famous Sweet Shadows ($15 AUD) tin. The larger version of the tin palette comes in the form of Sweet Kisses, which is multi-layered and filled with much brighter shades than the smaller palette. You also get some face products with this one, so lets have a look and swatch this baby!

Some nice and wearable chocolate and neutral shades for the safe-Sally's, and some interesting colours mixed in like blue, green and a pretty purple shade. I have to say that this offering is quite varied in terms of colour choice, and those who (like me) wear bright eye shadows regularly will appreciate this aspect of the Models Prefer Sweet Kisses palette.

Using the ribbon to lift up the padded cardboard layer of eye shadows, you reveal an eyeshadow primer, duo shadow brush, mascara/brow gel combo as well as some face products. Cinnamon Spice is a slightly darker bronzer than I am used to, and has a bit of shimmer in it as well which is something to keep in mind. At first I thought Macaron was an all-over face powder, but it is actually more like a highlighter and quite a dark one at that. I think this may work for darker skin tones than mine, because it sort of looks silly on me.

My favourite part of the lower tray is definitely the Peach Parfait blush, which is red-toned and simply stunning! I've been wearing it quite a lot lately, and I am elated to have another red blush in my stash despite it being tucked away inside a tin. The Marshmallow blush also looks lovely, but I've just been so distracted by it's team mate that it hasn't garnered much love from me at all! Let's be honest, I bought this for the shadows + cute tin, so the Peach Parfait blush was a great bonus and the rest were just tacked on for me...

Now for swatches:
Row for row, here we go!

Butter Cream, Almond Nougat, Cherry Ripe, Honey Crunch

Toffee, Cocoa, Strawberry Cream, Caramel

Chocolate Whip, Pistachio, Black Forest, Praline

Truffle, Mint Slice, Maple Fudge, Dark Cluster

Now for the face products:

Cinnamon Spice, Macaron, Marshmallow, Peach Parfait

The texture of most of the shadows are decent albeit soft, with some duds that are still workable. My personal favourites so far are Mint Slice, Pistachio, Black Forest and Butter Cream. Overall, I am impressed with this palette and think it is worth the $25 price tag for the shade range and Peach Parfait alone!

 

 

I will have a makeup look using this palette up on the blog tomorrow!

What shades do you like best from this palette?

Are you a fan of mixed palettes like this, or do they overwhelm you?

 

Emma @ emmabovarybeauty