May Favourites

So I haven't written a blog post for a long time, you can blame my new obsession of bullet journalling for that. I haven't blogged, I haven't read a blog and I haven't done anything super exciting with my make-up. However I have learnt some things since taking a step back from this blog. I have found some really great products, I haven found a few disappointing products and I have have learnt that I do still want to blog. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, hey?

Enough rambling, let's get into my the products I've been loving. I'm calling this post 'May Favourites' but let's face it,  I haven't done a favourites post since October 2017.

L'oreal Infallible Pro Glow Foundation - I have dry skin, large pores and redness. This foundation sits really nicely on my dry skin, doesn't look cakey and blends in beautifully. It hides my redness well, provides buildable medium-high coverage and whilst it is a dewy foundation you don't look shiny. This foundation has not broken me out at all. I love the effect this foundation gives me, a healthy glow, and combined with it's lasting power and colour match to my skin, I have worn this daily for a couple of months now.

Bare Minerals Moxie Plumping Lipgloss in 'Temptress' 

This lipgloss represents my one and only lip product that is mettalic-like (it's not 100% metallic but my nod to the trend). Surprisingly I love this gloss and reach for it very often. It is a really stunning berry pink that has a warm gold shimmer. It doesn't tingle, lasts for a good amount of time and doesn't feel super sticky. Unfortunately this shade was limited edition for Christmas but I highly recommend you check out the permanent range of these glosses. Side  note: Bare Minerals do amazing lip products.

Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick in 'Audition' 

Audition is a muted dusty pink with a touch of nude and a lovely shine. This lipstick is nice and creamy, applies beautiful and lasts okay. It lasts for a couple of hours, which is pretty decent for a lipstick on my lips, feels very comfortable on the lips and is super easy to apply. This is my go-to lipstick and has been since Christmas when I purchased it in a Christmas set.


Laura Mercier Lip Parfait in ' Cinn-ful"

Cinn-ful is a creamy warm brown lipstick from Laura Mercier. On the lips it feels creamy yet lightweight and provides opaque shiny colour. This was an impulse purchase, I heard that Laura Mercier is leaving the Australian market and rushed to Sephora to pick up some goodies. This seemed like a colour that was very "me" so it came home with me...

Good Girl Eau de parfum  - I never get compliments on my fragrances. However, the compliments roll in whenever I wear this perfume. I'm completely useless at describing fragrances and I know for a fact I only received this parfum because of the bottle. I'm a shoe lover and the bottle of this parfum is one seriously cool stiletto. If you want to know about the notes of the fragrance here is a link: https://www.fragranceheaven.com.au/good-girl-by-carolina-herrera.html 

October Beauty Favourites

Too Faced Sweet Peach Creamy Oil Lip Gloss in 'Papa don't peach'

I'm being a little sneaky including this product in my monthly favourites post as it is a relatively recent purchase. However, this is a product I have instantly fallen in love with and it's not often that I immediately love a product. What can I say? I'm pretty harsh when evaluating my beauty products.

This is a shiny lip gloss in what I consider a perfect nude. Out of all of the shades in this collection it is the deepest with a brown undertone mixed with warm peachy undertones. It glides effortlessly across my lips and is very comfortable on the lips. My lips are always on the drier side and this gloss looks great regardless of what condition my lips are in. It does not dry my lips out at all, they claim these provide hydration and I definitely believe that is true. In terms of lasting power, after an hour the pigmentation is still great and my lips are still shiny. After two hours the colour is less opaque and the shine despite having diminished, is still there.

L'oreal False Lash Butterfly Wings Intenza Mascara

For over a year my holy grail mascara has been Maybelline's Lash Sensational. However, I think I have a new holy grail mascara! This mascara is a champion! It isn't clumpy, it doesn't flake or transfer and it looks great throughout the day. Definitely a mascara to try!

Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Pant in 'GNP 38' and 'GNP22'

I have been reaching for these Barry M nail polishes a lot lately. They dry quickly, one coat can suffice if you're in a rush and they wear well. The pink is like a fuchsia that isn't quite neon and the grey toned beige is a great polish for work. It doesn't attract any attention to your nails, which I personally love because my cuticles are a mess, but still looks sophisticated.


Too Faced Sweet Peach Eyeshadow Palette

I always love my Chocolate Bar palette and my Sweet Peach palette from Too Faced however I feel like I need to give the shades 'bless her heart' and 'puree' some extra love this month. I had never really used these shades but have fallen in love with them. 'Bless her heart' is not as green as it appears in the pan, however it is a nice colour and something a bit different for me since I always wear browns and shimmery taupes.

Beauty Favourites | February 2017

I struggled to look back over the products I've loved throughout February, it seems like a really month and at the same time I have no idea how we're through with the second month of 2017. There are a lot of products I've used and loved this month BUT I have only included the products that I have loved AND used consistently throughout the whole month.

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation 

Sometime last year this foundation was a favourite of mine. But as I love exploring new options, it eventually found itself un-used and shoved at the back of my drawer. I have started using this foundation again and really love it. The lasting powder is really good, especially when set with a power. It doesn't cling to any of my dry patches and

Sometime last year this foundation was a favourite of mine. But as I love exploring new products it eventually found itself shoved at the back of my drawer. I started using this foundation again and have remembered why I loved it so much! It lasts for a good amount of time, especially when set with a powder. It doesn't cling to my dry patches and gives my skin a nice texture and like the sticker on the bottle, it makes my skin look dewy + smooth.

Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream 

I have always had rough and dry skin around my nails. I use hand cream but this cuticle cream from Burt's Bees has helped get rid off all that dry peeling skin. After using this nightly for around a week, my skin looked dramatically better. I highly recommend this cuticle cream!!!

Fanola Nutricare Shampoo* 

Full disclosure, I received this product for review purposes. However my opinion is 100% honest and unscripted. First up, this shampoo gets bonus brownie points for it's scent - it's a very calming warm scent that is described on the label as "milky". I also detect caramel/vanilla scents, I think? I'm dreadful at identifying scents but I do know Inlove this scent! The shampoo is quite liquid-y and lathers nicely into my hair. It doesn't strip my hair or make my hair feel too squeaky clean after use but does make my hair feel clean. I would definitely considering purchasing this shampoo with my own money (you can buy it from https://amr.com.au)

Mecca Cosmetica Happy Hands Hydrating Hand Cream (Limited Edition)

First of all, I am really sorry this was a limited edition product from Christmas. However I am hoping that this hand cream reappears again, or perhaps there is also already a hand cream in the Mecca Cosmetica line? This hand cream makes me so happy! :) It smells divine, it reminds of a fancy hotel room??? and it really moisturises your hands well without leaving behind any residue. I don't need to mention the gorgeous rose gold packaging, do I?!?!?!

O.P.I 'Ducle De Leche' Nail Polish 

I can't say no to a good pinky nude nail polish and in February 'Dulce De leech' from O.PI won my heart. I absolutely adore this shade and have re-applied it to my nails multiple times this month. I rarely reapply the same colour to my nails back-to-back however this polish is really perfect.

Milani Baked Blush 'Luminoso'

This blush gets so much hype and I do think it is deserves it. It gives your cheeks a healthy pinch of colour and a glow that is beautiful but not OTT. I also like this blush because it's easy to apply and you don't have to be too careful with it.

Revlon Ultra HD Gel Lipcolour in 'Desert'

This is a brand new lipstick that Revlon just launched in February and I LOVE IT!!! The colour 'Desert' is my favourite type of lip shade, a warm pinky peach nude. You get great pigmentation, hydration and lasting power with these new lipsticks. You can expect a review of these on the blog soon.

2016 Skincare Favourites

Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face Superscreen SPF50

I adore Mecca Cosmetica's To Save Face Superscreens. They come in both SPF50+ and SPF30+. For some reason there is a difference in how they feel and their formulas. I typically stray towards the SPF50 because it offers a higher level of protection. It doesn't have that yucky sunscreen scent, it absorbs into the skin super quickly and makes applying make-up easier, it sort of acts like a primer too. Bonus! You can read my full review by clicking here. Compared to the SPF50 version the SPF30 version feels more creamy.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment

Last February I visited Las Vegas and I had to pay a visit to Sephora. Which is where I purchased two sugar lip treatments from Fresh. AND OH MY GOD it is seriously the only lip balm I have worn all year. In 2015 I would easily have tried out at least a dozen lip balms. This though is my holy grail of lip balms. Unlike other lip balms it doesn't dry out lips out in the long-term. It has a luxurious plump feeling on the lips, lasts forever on the lips and has a delicious scent. The tinted version is also really nice.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturiser

When it comes moisturiser, my list of requirements is rather long:
- Leaves  no yucky residue behind.
- Doesn't interfere with how my make-up applies.
- Doesn't interfere with how my make-up lasts.
- Doesn't make me feel oily at the end of the day.
- Absorbs into my skin instantly.
- Leaves my skin feeling moisturised but not overly moisturised (does that make any sense?)

I find that the Ultra Facial Moisturiser from Kiehl's satisfies everything I look for in a moisturiser. I'm on my second tub of it and I'll probably re-purchase a third. It's a great basic moisturiser.

Clinique Clarifying Lotion

I overhauled my skincare routine in 2016 and for the first time in a long time I have been using more than just a cleaner and moisturiser. I introduced the Clarifying Lotion from Clinique into my routine and noticed a definite improvement in my skin. Some people say bad things about Clinique and that this is a drying product. I'm not sure where I sit on all that but overall I really think it has improved my skin.

Clique Liquid Facial Soap

Continuing on with the Clinique theme...I splurged on this cleanser and really enjoy it. It doesn't dry your skin out but it still gives that clean feeling. Used in combination with the Clinqiue Clarifying Lotion and the Ultra Facial Moisturiser, I noticed a drastic reduction in pimples and break outs! Yippee.

2016 Make-up Favourites

Happy New Year!!! 2016 has been and gone so it is time to talk about what products I loved in 2016. This is a huge post so let's skip the intro and get into the details...

Smashbox powder Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder

When I wandered into Mecca I wanted something that would my make-up lat longer and provide a bit of extra coverage. After receiving amazing customer service I walked out with this powder from Smashbox. And I absolutely love it! I was warned that with a heavy hand this could look a little cake and whilst that is true, it is avoidable. Instead of just having a tub of loose powder you "shave" the powder up into the accessible part of the tub which minimises wastage and helps you get only the amount of product you need.

Urban Decay All Nighter Liquid Foundation

2016 was the year of high-end foundation experimentation for me. I received a sample from Mecca after hearing mixed reviews but instantly fell in love and rushed back to buy the foundation after wearing the foundation for a handful of days. This foundation gives fantastic coverage, lasts really

Maybelline 'Rose Poudre' Nail Polish

In previous years I had different polishes on my nails every 3 days or so. In 2016 I started working full-time and my nail polish obsession faded away. Having said that I still love a good nail polish! 'Rose Poudre' is a gorgeous dusty pink colour that can be applied in one coat. It dries quickly and applies really easily, thanks to a great brush. I'm probably half-way through my current bottle and will definitely be repurchasing this polish.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

This mascara was actually in my 2015 beauty favourites but I thought it deserved to be in this post too. I have had this mascara in rotation all year and have repurchased it numerous times. The Lash Sensational does a really good job of separating and fanning out my lashes as well as adding volume without making them clumpy or gunky.

Mac Lipstick in 'Syrup' 

This lipstick from MAC is literally going to become the first lipstick I have ever completely used up. I have the tiniest nib of product in the tube which I have reluctantly working towards using up. This is a fantastic lipstick to wear as it is perfect for any situation and time.

Mac Lipstick in 'Shy Shine'

'Shy Shine' is the more neutral and lazy day version of 'Syrup' which I just talked about. It's semi-sheer and quite shimmery so it will go with any look and can be easily applied on the go. I've seen it described as a warm coral but I was going to describe it as a nude-ish pink with a slight coral undertone to it? It is more shimmery than the typical lippy I wear but I absolutely adore it.

Urban Decay Vice Lipstick 'Naked' (Cream)

In 2016 this was my "special" lipstick which I wore whenever I was going out. These lipsticks have amazing pigmentation, feel really creamy on the lips, don't dry out your lips and

Naked | Syrup | Shy Shine

Sally Hansen Complete Care 7-in-1 Nail Treatment

A good base coat is really important for a great looking manicure and healthy nails. This 7-in-1 nail treatment from Sally Hansen is a really good base coat. It dries very quickly and I have noticed my nails have been in much better condition since using this base coat.

September Beauty Favourites

Time for September favourites and I have a group of really good products this month to share with you. I really love all of these products and they have been working beautifully in my make-up routine. 

Mecca Cosmetica To Save face Superscreen SPF 50

Everybody knows that sunscreen is a brilliant way to prevent wrinkles and ageing skin, however, I think there are many people that don't follow this beauty and skincare rule. I certainly don't in winter (and yes I know this is bad of me!). But I am trying to change. I have been wearing the 'To Save Face Superscreen SPF 50' from Mecca Cosmetica over my usual moisturiser and underneath my primer and I am really liking it. I don't think it has caused any breakouts, it smells really nice and not like sunscreen at all, absorbs nicely into the skin and hopefully is keeping my skin protected from evil sun rays. It doesn't seem to interfere with the wear of my make-up either which is great!

L'Oreal Base Magique Transforming Smoothing Primer

This primer makes your skin feel like it is covered in velvet, makes applying your make-up more effortless and I could swear it makes my make-up stay on for longer. With some primers I am dubious about their ability to make my make-up last longer but with this one I feel like it does something - yay! I have really been loving this primer, so much so that I can forgive the fact that it comes in a jar.

L'Oreal Lumi Magique Touch of Light Highlighter

I have been using this underneath my eyes as a bit of a concealer. It's the first concealer I have ever used underneath my eyes and I don't really know how to judge such a product but I like it so there you go. Let me know what you think is important in a under eye product!

Antipodes Deliverance Kowhai Flower Hand Cream 

I always walk past the Antipodes products in Priceline however I saw KitschSnitch on Youtube talk about this hand cream and decided I needed to try it for myself! The scent is amazing but I'm hopeless at describing scents so I'm not really going to try. It smells warm and a bit sweet??? On the hands it absorbs really quickly and makes your hands feels really smooth.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment 

I really should sit down and write an actual review on this lip balm because I just love it so very much! This is thicker than your typical drugstore lip balm and it lasts a really long time. Whereas some lip balms can make your lips more chapped and dry, I feel like this one isn't one of those lip balms where your lips get drier and addict to.

Rimmel London Lasting Finish By Kate Lipstick '54 Rock n' Roll Nude'

We will address the elephant in the room first - yes the rose gold packaging definitely contributed to me wandering across to the Rimmel London stand! This is a really nice pinky nude, however it is slightly more pale than the nudes I typically wear. Really nice for spring.

August Beauty Favourites

August has absolutely flown by but at the same time, when I sat down to think about my most loved products for August, there were a lot. I whittled them down to the very best products, so enjoy! 

My skin was really struggling with winter this year so I overhauled my skincare routine. The Ultra Facial Moisturiser from Kiehl's is the moisturiser that I settled on after trying a couple of samples. It is a pretty basic product but it works so very well. The main pro's of the product are: doesn't leave any kind of residue behind your skin, your skin feels supple and moisturised, doesn't interfere with your make-up and it absorbs nicely into the skin. Con's: it only comes in a tub - I would love it if this came in a tube or pump. 

Lanolin Lemonade Lip Treatment is a classic Australian lip product. It is a shimmery liquid ip balm that does wonders for dry, chapped lips. 

Mac have a gorgeous range of colours, I think we all know that. My favourite lippy from Mac at the moment is 'Patisserie' which is a super wearable lipstick from their lustre collection. On the Mac website it is described as a "creamy neutral pink" and if I was going to have a stab at describing the colour I would say it pink nude with more pink than brown in it. 

'Perpetual Peach' from L'oreals Infallible lipstick range is an absolutely beautiful lipstick. It leans more towards the coral spectrum however it is as wearable as Patisserie, only more pigmented and opaque. This lipsticks lasts really well and is comfortable on the lips. 

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June Beauty Favourites

There may not be a truckload of products here but I love love love them all so much. 

Maybelline Colorsensational Matte Lipstick in 'Daringly Nude'

This lipstick is amazing. The shade is the perfect for me. Bold lips look great on other people but I never wear bold lips. Having said all of that, this is a gorgeous nude pink colour. The formula of this lippy is also really great and the lasting power is impressive. Expect a full review on the blog soon!


Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild

I have decided to spend more money on skincare and create an actual skincare routine. I have only been cleansing and moisturising once a day and never taking my make-up off before bed. In my search for the "perfect" skincare routine I picked up a sample of Clinique's Liquid Facial Soap. This is a really nice cleanser. It lathers well, doesn't dry your skin out and makes your skin feel nice and clean. I am definitely purchasing the full-size but it is 4x the cost of the cleanser I was using previously...

Rimmel London Magnif'eyes Mono Eyeshadow in 'Millionaire'

This eye shadow from Rimmel in ' Millionaire' is a really pretty colour and is perfect for work. When I don't really have time for eyeshadow before work but I go against my better judgement, this is the best eyeshadow to work. It lasts well over my Too Faced Shadow Insurance primer and adds a real good oomph to your eyes with minimal fuss. 

Victorias Secret 'Pure Seduction'

When I smelt 'Pure Seduction' in the Victoria Secret store I loved it and so it came home with me. It's quite warm and fruity. I like it because it is slightly more heavy than the typical fruity scent. Delicious!

April Beauty Favourites

For me April was a nail polish month. I fell in love with so many gorgeous polishes. But before we talk about stunning shades lets talk about my new favourite base coat. A good base coat can be a game changer! The Complete Care 7 in 1 Nail Treatment from Sally Hansen is a fabulous base coat. It dries quickly and has been doing wonders for my neglected nails. It dries clear and shiny.

The shade 'Rose Glass' from Sally Hansen's Salon Manicure collection is now one of my all-time favourite polishes and that is saying a lot for somebody who has hundreds of nail polishes. It is a gorgeous warm-toned pale pink that is so very pretty. It isn't nude but is still appropriate for any occasion.

'Show Us Your Tips!' from OPI's new 'New Orleans' collection is like no other polish I own. It is an amazing periwinkle blue-toned mauve (does that make sense) with silver shimmer. The formula is quite thin so you definitely need more than two coats. However I am more than willing to overlook this because once you build this up to be 100% opaque it is 100% stunning. Go google some swatches, it might look meh in the bottle but on the nail it is stunning. Seriously.

Lanolips Intense Hand Balm is a balm that you warm up and then it sinks into your skin. This balm is great if you have very dry hands. I like to spot apply it onto my cuticles and fingers however I wouldn't recommend them applying it all over your hands until the end of the night because you can "feel" it on your hands. Or maybe I just apply way to much?! Either way I know this will be great for the coming winter months.

Prada's 'Candy' Perfume has been my go-to perfume. I have been looking for a perfume that can replace my beloved 'So Hooked on Carmella' from Benefit which is discontinued. This one isn't identical but it is still a gorgeous perfume. I'm rubbish at describing scents so I googled it and apparently it is caramel, sweet, warm spicy, musky and balsamic. I say just go and have a sniff next time you are near the perfume department :)

Not technically a "beauty" favourite but it is beautiful so I'm going to quickly mention the Medium Supernatural Pouch from Mimco, isn't the print divine?!!!!!!!!

At the end of March Priceline had their famous 40% off all make-up and I brought enough foundations to cover the surface of Earth...well maybe not quite but nearly! Anyway there is not a single foundation I want to talk about. Some of them are promising but none of they instantly gained holy grail status. The search for the perfect foundation continues...let me know if you have any recommendations.

Want to check out what I loved in April last year? Here is the link to last years April Favourites: http://theblogforbeautifulliving.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/april-beauty-favourites.html 

Have a wonderful May :)

March Favourites

March favourites time!

Since I started a new job I have been reaching for foolproof and classic products. I want products that I can trust and rely on. I don't want to worry about my foundation oxidising during a meeting or that my blush is making me look like a clown.

The Maybelline Master Hi-Light in 'Pink Rose' is a gorgeous soft pink blush that I probably wore a minimum of 4 times a week throughout March. It offers good buildable pigmentation, perfect for the beginner or somebody who wants an added glow. I don't think I have ever gone over the top with this blush,  which is great!

Also from Maybelline, the Baby Lips Moisturising Lip Gloss in 'Taupe With Me' is a lipgloss I have been wearing a lot lately. I picked this up from America in February when I visited Vegas. This lipgloss isn't clear as it has a slight taupe tinge to it however it is extremely subtle. It looks very pretty

over a matte lipstick or alone if you are looking for a very natural look.

Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes are something that I constantly use. They do a great job at removing eye make-up! They don't sting the eyes, you don't have to rub and one wipe is definitely all you need for both eyes. 

I have been trying to lift my eyeshadow game and that means having the right tools. I love one end of this double ended shadow brush from Artiste. Problem is...I don't actually know what the other end is for! This brush is good for packing shadows onto the lid. It cleans well and doesn't shed. 

Essano Rosehip Regenerating Facial Moisturiser is definitely something you should consider trying next time you visit Priceline. This moisturiser sinks into the skin quickly, doesn't leave any residue behind and has a lovely texture. It's quite thin however still feels creamy, not runny. The packaging is also very practical, you get a huge bottle for a great price and the pump makes it very quick and hygienic to grab in the morning. 

Mac 'Shy Shine' is a very pretty pinky nude with a slight hint of coral. Being a lustre finish it is nice and shiny and not 100% opaque, great for an everyday lip. I have been loving 'Shy Shine' for work days and when I want something foolproof. 

Thanks for reading and have a great day :)

January Beauty Favourites + Blog Update

These are the products I loved using the most during January... 

Before we get into the post I want to first give you a quick update about the blog. It is no secret that I didn't blog much during 2015 however I am jumping back onto the blogging bandwagon and will be dedicating a lot more time to Beautiful Living in 2016. I am super excited to have my enthusiasm back for blogging and hope you continue to enjoy Beautiful Living. 

Maybelline Baby Skin Primer 

This primer received so much hype when it was first released in the US a very long time ago. People were shouting from the rooftops that it was similar to Benefit's Porefessional. Whilst I have never used the Porefessional I can say that I am loving this primer. It makes my skin feel very smooth and makes my make-up go on flawlessly. I am also pretty sure it prolongs the wear of my make-up, however I am still messing around with it so I will report back in a full review once I am 100% sure.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara 

This mascara has been included in my 'monthly favourites' post before and there is a good reason it is re-appearing here. Whenever I want my lashes to be 10% amazing I reach for this mascara. It easily separates my lashes, doesn't clump and makes my lashes look dramatic without a fuss.

Maybelline The Falsies Mascara 

The Falsies is another great mascara from Maybelline that I have recently fell in love with. The formula of this one is less wet than Lash Sensational, so I feel like this one is a little easier to apply. It is definitely a mascara worth checking out.

Bare Minerals Moxie Lipstick in 'Get Ready' 

Silly as it may be I could spend sentences talking about how cool the packaging is on the lipstick. But I probably shouldn't so lets talk about the actual lipstick, hey? This is a stunning "my lips but better" shade with a berry undertone. This lipstick has great pigmentation and is creamy. If I don't want it to be as bold as it is normally I put it over some Lucas papaw. Beautiful!

L'oreal Color Riche Eye Colour Pencil in 'Delicate Beige' 

This cream eye shadow pencil is beautiful. 'Delicate Bridge' is a champagne-y shimmer shade. This is a very easy shade to apply onto the lid and hey presto that's all you need to do before leaving the house.

Lucas' Papaw Ointment 

So if you are Aussie you will know this iconic product...which according to the tube is a "local topical application for minor burns and scalds, sunburn, gravel rash, cuts and minor open wounds, insect bites, splinters and nappy rush". But I think we basically say that we pull the tub out for many many many things. I love using this as a lip balm. I just recently re-purchased this after not using it for a couple of years and they now have a tube with a lip applicator which is sooo good! I don't know why it took me so long to buy this again because I'm loving it!

Thanks for reading and have a lovely day :)

2015 Beauty Favourites

It's time to round up the beauty products that I loved the most and used the most throughout 2015. Overall I think that in 2015 I discovered a number of amazing products and there are a number of products that I cannot imagine not using daily. My skincare routine changed but what changed more drastically was my make-up routine...but that's another blog post (note to self!).

Innoxa Pure Silk Skin Primer

A silicon based primer, this primer provides a silky smooth base for my foundation to be applied onto. Not only does it make make-up application easier but it makes everything look significantly better. 

Australis Pressed Powder 

This pressed powder from Australis is a marvellous beauty staple that prolongs the wear-time of your foundation and blends easily into your skin - no cake face to see here! 

Australis Fresh & Flawless Pressed Powder

Okay so what's going on here? Two Australis pressed powders?! That's right, I swear I'm not going crazy. This Fresh&Flawless powder is an Aussie beauty icon and if you don't have this sitting on your dresser you need to give it a shot. It's a 2-in-1 foundation and pressed powder that can be worn alone, over primer or with your foundation. It adds coverage, helps to hide my redness and applies easily. I prefer to apply this with a kabuki brush over the sponge that comes with the compact. This could be my favourite product for the entire year. 

Mac Lustre 'Syrup' Lipstick

This is most definitely the most worn beauty product of 2015, I would be surprised if I had worn this fewer than 4 days a week. It's a beautiful and easy choice to reach for as the colour is very appropriate for anytime and anywhere, regardless of whether you have a full face of make-up on or a no make-up day. Being a lustre means has a slight shine and can be built up to a mid level of opaqueness. You can wear it more sheer too. Syrup is a berry mauve colour, leaning towards the pink end of the spectrum. I wear this lipstick nearly every day - seriously! If you want to buy a Mac lipstick buy Syrup!!! 

Nyx Butter Gloss in 'Angel Food Cake'

We are going to skip the whole "butter glosses are the best, they smell divine...blah blah blah" spiel...Angel Food Cake is a beautiful deep rose pink colour which is very glossy. Unlike some of the other glosses in this range, this one has no hint of milkiness, the colour is pretty opaque for a gloss, and super shiny!

Maybelline Lash Sensational Full Fan Effect Mascara

During 2015 I broke away from my habit of only having one tube of mascara open at the one time. I wouldn't say I was obsessed with trying out different mascaras but I am definitely on the path to obsession! The Lash Sensational mascara from Maybelline is brilliant, the rubber brush is an unique shape which helps you get the "full fan effect".  The formula is lightweight, doesn't smudge, doesn't clump and gives you a really impressive effect. This mascara doesn't get consistently good reviews online however I personally love it and think it is worth trying out! Well obviously considering it made it into this post! 

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

I never wear eye shadow without first applying this eye shadow primer first! It truly does make your eye shadow last ages. I typically buy cheaper eyeshadow, which typically lasts around 5 hours without primer, however with primer I find most of my eyeshadow lasts up to 8-12 hours. I love this eyeshadow primer and certainly recommend it. 

Maybelline Colorshow Crayon Khol

This pencil eyeliner is by far the best eyeliner I used during 2015. Being a beginner my eyeliner skills are lacking...what I love about this eyeliner is that being a pencil it is quite dry, making it harder to make mistakes. It also doesn't smudge easily. 

Nyx Love in Paris 'Merci Beaucoup' Eyeshadow Palette

This is a great little palette with a lovely range of colours, regardless of whether you want a natural eye or a pop of colour. Without primer the eyeshadows last around the five hour mark. They apply well and blend quite well too. I adore the deeper pink colour and the matte brown. The matte brown is in no way chalky, has good pigmentation and blends well. 

Garnier Moisture Match Light Softening Cream (Normal to Dry Skin)

This is a really good basic moisturiser which I discovered whilst my skin was going through a crazy stage. I love how this moisturiser is very hydrating without being slippery. It sinks in nicely and leaves your skin feeling hydrated all day long. 

Olay Complete Defence Daily UV moisturising lotion SPF 30+

This is my go-to moisturiser for the summer months. It moisturises my skin, sinks in quickly, leaves no weird residue behind and has SPF 30+ which is great! I also love the packaging, the pump bottle makes application easy and mess free. 

Essano Facial Moisturiser 

Before you go squinting at the picture and asking yourself where it is...it's not in the picture because I have ran out of it :( but this is a fabulous moisturiser!!! It sinks in super quickly, doesn't interfere with the application of make-up and doesn't leave any weird residue behind. 

Essano Gentle Facial Exfoliator 

Whilst I have previously stated that the fresh & flawless powder was my favourite piece of make-up from 2015, I think this exfoliator from Essano is my favourite skincare product from 2015. This facial exfoliator is gentle enough to use every day but still has quite a dense, gritty feeling to it. It lathers nicely and feels exfoliating without feeling to rough. It's not the most gentle facial exfoliator I have ever used but it is a great product nonetheless. I prefer exfoliators where you can actually feel something happening, and that is exactly what this one feels like, but without feeling as rough as sandpaper! 

Now time for the nail polish!!! This blog begun as a nail polish blog and although it has grown I still love a good polish of nail polish! This post is ridiculously long so I'm going to simply list the polishes, they all have great pigmentation, good formulas and dry reasonably quickly. 

My favourite nail treatments for 2015 were: OPI Nail Envy (Sensitive version) and Sally Hansen Insta-Dri. 

My favourite nail polishes for 2015 were: OPI Big Red Apple, OPI Hands Off My Kielbasa!, Marry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in 'GNP 38'. 

Happy New Year and may 2016 be a marvellous year :) 

October Beauty Favourites / First Impressions

Before I get into the nitty gritty details I want to make a disclaimer - yes these are "beauty favourites" but unlike most of my monthly favourite posts, these products are all quite new to me. So are these tried and tested? No. But at the moment I am loving them...stay tuned for more details review posts once I have worn them for more than 3-4 weeks. 

So let's get into it! A couple of weeks ago I left the house with zero make-up on. It was fine, it was a quick trip out of the house. Wait a second, no it wasn't! I had to go to work too. Luckily I ran into a Priceline grabbed a foundation and lipgloss. The lipgloss was over-priced and not that great. Thankfully the foundation, Rimmel London's Lasting Finish 25hr Comfort Serum, was super impressive. At this point in time I'm not 100% sure about the claim that it lasts 25 hours but the coverage is really nice, it is very easy to apply and it looks and feels amazing on the skin. It also has SPF20 which is useful. 

Moxie's lipstick in 'Get Ready' was an impulse purchase but definitely not a waste of money - especially since the tube clicks up and down - so much fun but completely besides the point! 'Get Ready' is a super juicy pink berry. The formula is creamy and quite opaque. Lasting power is pretty good too :) A perfect lipstick for the summer.

Have you smelt Nivea's Vitamin Shake in 'Cranberry & Raspberry'? If you haven't, you NEED to!!! It smells like raspberry/strawberry milkshake. The formula is creamy and sitting on the fence between thick and lightweight, and of course moisturising. I love Nivea lip balms, definitely worth trying if you haven't before.

Finally, one product that I have used consistency for over a month is Essano's Rosehip Regenerating Facial Moisturiser. This is a mini tube that I got in an Essano kit but I will most definitely be purchasing the full size tube. It is a really decent moisturiser, not too heavy but provides a good level of moisture without interfering with make-up. It sinks into the skin quickly too which is great!

August Favourites

This month I have tried to mix up the products a bit and I have some new favourite products - yay!!!

Lets begin with a new foundation that I tried for the first time this month and now rate very highly - Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation in '115 Ivory'. I haven't had the best of luck with Maybelline foundations but during the 50% off sale this foundation came down to the $10 mark so I figured I might as well give it a shot. This foundation surprised me, it is really really really good. I will be posting a full review of this foundation soon but here are they key points. Pros: Very liquid-y formula, medium buildable coverage, easy to apply, doesn't cling to my dry patches. Cons: Not super long lasting, no pump in the package :(

Another Maybelline product - Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara. I wrote up a full review of this mascara the other day, click here to check it out. Overall this is a great mascara if you like a mascara that has a very wet formula and if you want your lashes to look bold and fanned out.

Onto the lip products...because we all know I am a lipstick/lipbalm/lipgloss addict!

Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick in 'Magnolia' is a lipstick that I have been wearing in anticipation of spring. To me this shade screams out "spring is coming". The formula is really nice and creamy but feels lightweight at the same time. The pigmentation is decent - not super opaque but by no means sheer. I don't think this lipstick lasts that long - a little over an hour before it begins to fade.

Nyx Butter Gloss in 'Angel Food Cake' is a yummy smelling lip gloss that is not sticky and has great pigmentation. 'Angel Food Cake' is a gorgeous deep "my lips but better" shade with undertones of dusty pink and mauve. Well at least I think thats how you would describe it? I have been loving this gloss as it doesn't dry your lips out which is perfect because my lips are dry at the moment (thanks winter).

And now for one random non-beauty favourite :)

Silver 'Bead and Tassel Bracelet' from Seed - I only picked this up the other day but I am obsessed with it. Especially when I wear it with another bracelet I have from Bevilles (the second one in the picture).

What have you been loving this August?

Thanks for reading and have a great day!!! :)

July Favourites

A couple of days late but here we go...these were the beauty products that I loved in July. Geez, that made it sound like I don't like them anymore! For the record...I still love these products :)

Nyx Butter Gloss ' Angel Food Cake'

I've always been a fan of the butter glosses from Nyx and I now love them even more after discovering this shade. Unlike previous shades, 'angel food cake' is less milky and the colour is a lot more intense. Plus there is always that delightful cake scent.

Mac 'Syrup' Lipstick

I don't have a huge collection of Mac lipsticks but despite that this has been the lipstick I have been reaching for pretty much everyday. If it is a "lipstick day" 99% of the time it is a Syrup day. I don't hear a lot of people raving about this shade but next time you walk past the Mac counter I highly recommend you give it a swatch. It is a very versatile pink shade. Love it!!!

Rimmel London Oh My Gloss 'Snog'

Surprise surprise, another "my lips but better" shade!!! This is your typical lip gloss but with extra shine - the colour sticks around for a decent amount of time and the shine lasts and lasts and lasts. If you want to know more check out the review I posted a little while ago: http://theblogforbeautifulliving.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/rimmel-london-oh-my-gloss-snog-review.html 


Maybelline Colour Show Crayon Kohl Liner

This pencil eye-liner has really impressed me. Less creamy than say a Rimmel London Kohl, but I actually find it a little easier to apply. I am a novice when it comes to eye-liner but because this one is quite dry I find myself making fewer mistakes when applying it. It lasts well and doesn't flake off if you accidentally fall asleep in front of the TV watching the Tour de France. A random July favourite, non-beauty related, would have to be watching the Tour de France! Love it!!!

Too Faced Shadow Insurance 

For the longest time I dismissed eye primers. Shouldn't an eyeshadow be able to stick around all day without a primer? Well maybe it is because my eyeshadow application skills are shocking and I typically buy relatively cheap shadows...but I have a lot of shadows that are lucky to pass the 5 hour mark. Anyway long story cut short...kinda...this eye primer is amazing. It makes eyeshadows that typically last 2-3 hours last over eight hours easily. I highly recommend this eye primer, it's great :)

What products stole your heart in July? I'd love to know!!!

May Beauty Favourites

Skipping the obligatory "oh my god where did the month go?" and getting right into which beauty products stole my heart in May...

I am going to begin with Innoxa Pure Silk Skin Primer - this primer has the ability to turn a train wreck of a foundation into a really decent foundation I happily reach for. I don't want you to think that the Maybelline 'Better Skin' foundation is terrible, because it isn't, but I have difficulty applying it on my temperamental skin. My skin is oily one minute and dry the next...Anyway if I apply the Innoxa primer first and then apply the Maybelline 'Better Skin' foundation, I get a result I really like. It makes the foundation easier to apply, plus once it is on, it makes it look a lot better too.

Next up is the Maybelline Colour Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil in 'Minimalist' - This is one of the most pigmented and long lasting lip products I have ever tried. 'Minimalist' is a very pretty pink with silver shimmer running through it. Expect a full review in the coming days :)

OPI Nail Envy (Sensitive & Peeling) - This is the first OPI nail product I have ever tried and I am smitten. I really do feel like it stops my nails from peeling and strengthens them. The formula is thin, dries quickly and applies easily. Make sure you get the sensitive version though as it does not contain formaldehyde.

While we are talking about nails I am going to give a quick shout out to Revlon's Bordeaux nail polish - this is a stunning deep burgundy jelly polish. I have blabbed about this before on the blog so will keep this short...but I love this polish!

Now onto two products that have pretty much achieved the 'holy grail' status...

Maybelline Baby Lips - I am addicted to these lip balms. I picked up few in My Chemist Warehouse's 50% off sale. One of the new ones I picked up was 'Lychee Addict'. It isn't my favourite "flavour" but it is doing my lips wonders, as do all of the original Baby Lips (although the tinted ones don't seem to be as moisturising).

When I first started this blog years and years ago Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve was a staple. It is quite pricey ($24AUD) so I haven't repurchased it until this week and it is safe to say I have fallen back into love with it all over again. If you super dry hands definitely give this hand cream a try!

And that reminds me...May marks the third year this blog has been running. It all began in May 2012!!! Can you believe it???! I would like to say a big thank you to anybody who has ever read the blog, followed or left a comment :)

April Beauty Favourites

My favourites for April are an unusual bunch - I have been trying lots of different brands and products recently. You will also notice a couple of old favourited (e.g., Nivea lip balm & Garner moisturiser). 

Syrup - Mac 'Lustre' Lipstick

A couple of months ago I brought my first Mac lipstick, less than one week later I felt compelled to buy another. And that is the story of how this lipstick ended up in my lipstick collection. 'Syrup' is a lovely natural looking pink lipsick. Being a very versatile colour, I find that this has been the lipstick I have reached the most for in the past month.

Australis Pressed Powder in 'Natural'

I have only recently started experimenting with pressed powders. So far I am absolutely loving this one from Australis. The colour is a great match to my pale skin, it noticeably prolongs the wear of my foundation and is easy to apply. When I'm in a rush or having a lazy day this works well over BB cream. Otherwise I just wear it over my foundation. Definitely worth checking out!

Nivea Pure and Natural 'Olive and Lemon' Lip Balm + Garnier Moisture Match Moisturiser

I have grouped these two products together because I know I have raved about them before on the blog. These products are amazing and if you haven't tried them yet, you should! Enough said?

OPI 'Big Apple Red' Nail Polish

As somebody with a beauty blog and an addiction to buying nail polish, it is very rare that I re-apply the same polish more than once in a month. However, in April I re-applied this stunning red from OPI 3 times! Yes you read that right...3 times! It is easily a one-coater, has a great formula and wears quite well, even without topcoat.

Nyx Love in Paris 'Merci Beaucoup' Eyeshadow Palette

In the past I haven't loved this longevity of the shadows in this palette. However, I have started wearing them with a primer and now find myself reaching for this palette all the time. There is a really nice selection of colours in this palette, regardless of whether you want a neutral eye or something more interesting.

The swatch on the far left is Mac's 'Syrup'. The three shadows are the ones I use the most from the Nyx palette. Apologies for the extremely messy swactch! 

Thanks for reading & have a great day! 

February Favourites

Today it is time for me to write one of my favourite type of posts...monthly favourites! So let's skip all the inevitable rambling about where the month disappeared to and get onto all the products that won over my heart this month.

I'm going to begin with Garnier's Moisture Match Start Afresh Moisturiser. Last month my skin was feeling dreadful. I put it down to a lack of a good moisturiser and, hey presto, once I started using this moisturiser my skin felt so much more hydrated. I love this moisturiser and definitely recommend it!

A product that is by no means a new love of mine, rather a love I have rediscovered, is Rimmel London's Stay Matte Pressed Powder in 'Silky Beige'. I think this powder is dearly loved by many bloggers and for good reason. I'm not a "powder" person and this is the only powder that has ever impressed me. In particular, this month I have been loving this powder in combination with the Physician's Formula CC cream. I wrote a post all about that, click here to read it.

All month I have been blown away by the Essence Maximum Definition Mascara. I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting to love it this much because it costs a mere $5.75 which is ridiculously cheap. But it is a really good mascara!!! The brush is great and even though it isn't a waterproof formula, it never smudges on me. A great everyday mascara, check it out!

Moving away from face products and onto the lips, I have two lip balms that I have been loving recently. Nivea recently launched their Pure and Natural 'Olive and Lemon' Lip Balm here in Australia (I think this was launched in America a year ago?). I feel like this lip balm actually moisturises and heals my lips. You would think all lip balms would do that, but no...I actually find a lot just dry my lips out unless I slather them in lip balm every 20 minutes. Am I the only one who thinks this? I have also been loving the 'Salted Caramel' Lipsmacker. After hearing that the company had been sold in the news I thought I would relive my childhood. It truly does smell like salted caramel, absolutely delicious! Plus it does moisturise my lips and is a decent lip balm - a yummy scent isn't everything!

This is where all orderliness goes out the window. We have a random nail polish and a body butter. Shall we talk about the nail polish first? 'Timbleberry' by Sinful Colours is a polish that I have had for a couple of years now and I haven't worn it for over a year :( With the crazy hot weather we were having I thought it was time to break it out. And I love it as much as I did when I first brought it. Timbleberry is a gorgeous (and very bright) coral pink. Great for the summer!

I have also been loving a new discovery, Jergen's Deep Conditioning Shea-Butter Rich Body Cream. This is a luxurious body cream that absorbs quickly, lasts a long time and isn't greasy. It also smells really nice. I'm not a huge body moisturiser person but what makes me love this so much is that it doubles for hand cream. Most body creams and body butters are way too thick and greasy for hand cream  but this truly sinks in quickly.

What were your favourite products for February?