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.

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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What's in my bag?

I am completely obsessed with handbags and I have been for my entire life. I thank my DNA, both my Mum and her Mum share this obsession. Having such an obsession means that I change my bags A LOT so treat this like a disclaimer. This is what my handbag looks like today, tomorrow it will probably be different, however whenever I use this specific bag this is what is in it...Oh and I guess I should mention the actual bag too! This is what I carry around with me when I use my small Longchamp Le Pliage.

• Mimco Mesh Mash Wallet - I adore the matte mesh on this wallet. I had always admired the original Mimco mesh but it was too bling for me to use everyday, even though you can't see the true matteness of the wallet in the pic, it is definitely matte! 

• Rubi Bag Tassle - Tassle keyrings seem to be "the thing" at the moment. I didn't want to splurge on one of the super nice (but super expensive) ones because it is just a keyring at the end of the day. This one was $6.95 :) Top Tip: Buy a colourful keyring that is large or has something dangly you can feel it when you are groping around in your bag, because you know...your keys are never going to be easily found!  

• Nivea Lip Balm, Vitamin Shake 'Cranberry & Raspberry' - There is always a lip balm or three in my bag! This one is my current fave, it smells so nice.

• Mac Lustre Lipstick in 'Syrup' - This is definitely the lipstick I wore the most in 2015! As it is a colour I can pretty much wear wherever and whenever it is pretty much always in my handbag :) 

• Headphones - I keep my headphones untangled by using a bulldog clip! So much easier and less embarrassing than having to detangle them everytime I pull them out of my bag.

• Typo A5 Weekly Buffalo Diary - I'll be the first to admit my memory is not that great! So a diary is a necessity. Last year I tried relying on the calendar on my phone and whilst I LOVE how it syncs between my laptop and iPad I have always been a stationary lover so this year I am using a paper diary properly again. It is also a good excuse to buy pretty pens! 

• Kikki K Metal Rollerbal Pen: Don't Follow Your Dreams, Chase them - This pen is so cute I couldn't leave it behind in the shop. I love how sturdy and special this pen feels.

• Mimco Stand Case - Sometimes I don't want to take a bag out (ironic considering the premise of this post!) so this is fantastic because it protects my phone and also provides me with a place to slip in some money and cards.  

• Crabtree & Evenlyn Sugar & Spice Ultra-Moisturising Hand Therapy - There is always a hand cream floating around the bottom of my handbag. This Christmas hand cream from Crabtree & Evelyn smells amazing and is a great hand cream. It sinks in quickly and moisturises lovely. 

• And the usual suspects: Stray hair ties, hand sanitiser. Not much to say here...

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!!!