On-the-go Mascaras

Its amazing how quickly I accumulate mascaras. There are so many to try and I have to hold myself back before buying like ten different ones every time I go to Priceline!

Here are the mascaras I currently have open/am using:

Maybelline Mega Plush Volum' Express (Waterproof)

• waterproof mascara...*shudders* I really can't stand waterproof formulas but sometimes you just need them and I hate that! This one is ok, I definitely wouldn't repurchase though as I'm sure there are so many others to try that I would like more as well. It does make my lashes very 'plush' and full but nothing much in terms of length. This is the oldest one I have going and its nearly empty/dried up so at least I can throw it out soon! 

Photo sourced from: www.maybelline.com.au

Revlon Lash Potion by Grow Luscious

• Mentioned this one as my favourite product in January so I definitely am loving this one! Smaller brush than the Maybelline, beautiful formula that isn't super wet and makes my lashes look so long and full. Love! Definitely one I will repurchase.

Lancôme Hypnôse

• My favourite mascara ever! So great I won't even bat an eyelid when paying over $50 for one tube. The smallest brush of the three it creates amazing length and definitely the easiest formula to work with.
• I also have sample sizes of the other Hypnôse mascaras - Drama, Star and Doll Eyes. Each different one has a really interesting brush (photos* below!) and I also layer these on top of the original to create the most amazing lash looks ever!

 

*photos sourced from Nordstrom: these are the best photos I could find of the different wand types

Benefit They're Real!

• I also wrote a review of this one recently and am really coming around to it. Separates the lashes and adds amazing length.

I think I'm actually doing pretty well with only 3 full size and 4 smaller sized mascaras at the moment! 

I hope you enjoyed this post and if you're in the market for a new mascara gave you a good idea of what to try next.

xx Cat ^.^

Monthly Roundup: January

I thought instead of just doing monthly favourites posts, I'd take the chance at the end of each month to stop and reflect on things I've been loving in terms of makeup and fashion and also to update on the progress of some of my beauty goals for the year.

This month has been very exciting in terms of my blog. In the first month I reach 1 000 page views, received a lot of positive feedback from readers and have been able to really expand my horizons by reading so many other beauty blogs and most importantly being inspired by all the other beautiful beauty bloggers out there :)

Pick of the month:

I never thought I would find a mascara that came close to my favourite - the Lancôme Hypnôse, however I was pleasantly surprised when I tried the Revlon Lash Potion by Grow Luscious. It absolutely outdid all my expectations and most notably gave so much length to my lashes and made them look really curled as well without even using an eyelash curler. As pictured below it has a really big 'fluffy' fibre brush which is definitely the type of brush I prefer. Although the Lancôme Hypnôse still remains my favourite, the Revlon Lash Potion has a much dryer formula which makes my lashes look curled and super long all day because they aren't being weighed down by a heavier formula- however, it does smudge much faster than the Lancôme Hypnôse. I am super happy I stumbled across this mascara and will continue to repurchase!

Spending ban update:

I'm so so so excited that my two month spending ban is finally coming to an end! I did cheat a little and bought something with a voucher - but still haven't spent any money on cosmetics and I am really proud of myself for following through with the challenge. I can't believe I haven't bought a single makeup item for two months and have so many things I want to try. Get ready for a few hauls coming in the next few weeks!

That's all I really have to update you all on this month ! I am really excited for my next couple of posts so please come back to check them out :)

xx Cat ^.^

Pink for the Faint Hearted

I always envy girls who have the confidence to pull off bright pink lips and lust over gorgeous pink shades of lipsticks, blushes and eye shadows whilst thinking that I just couldn’t pull it off! With my hazel, greeny eyes I’d always stuck more with purple shades but with as we start to get into summer I decided to be bolder in my makeup choices. I’m definitely not one to ever have worn bright pink (or even pink at all!), especially since I’m super pale. However,  was inspired by the beautiful shade 'Peaches and Cream" of the NYX butter glosses and wanted to create a pink look that put me out of my comfort zone. I think this would be perfect for a daytime summer party, or if you are going out at night, instead of contouring your eyes with browns, at a bit of sparkle with silver or smoke it out with some grey or black shadow.

For the Face:

I used Clinique 'Redness Solutions' foundation in 01 Calming Alabaster - applied with a paddle foundation brush this gives AMAZING coverage, especially if you have trouble with redness like I do, particularly around the cheeks and chin. However, I prefer a matte look and the Redness Solutions makeup is more to the satin/dewy finish which just doesn't work with my oily skin. I always apply a power whether its a translucent finishing powder, or for a little extra coverage Australis' 'Fresh & Flawless' pressed powder in Natural. For blush I used the shade on the far left in my NYX 'Butt Naked' palette which is a beautiful peachy/pink with little gold specks, similar to NARS 'Orgasm' blush. I also used the bronzer on the far left and the more golden highlighter on the far right (all shades in palette pictured below.)

For the Eyes:

For a pop of pink colour of the eyes I used a shade from my Australis Paparazzi Perfect Eyeshadow in 'Frock n Roll' but to really make the colour stand out I recommend using an eyeshadow base in a white or beige colour. I used the NYX jumbo eye pencil in 'Milk'. 

I am absolutely OBSESSED with my eyelashes here - I have never made them look so long and full! I used Lancome's Hypnose mascara first to create length and then from the same range the Hypnose Drama to add volume. The shapes of the brushes in the Hypnose range are all very interesting and different and along with a fantastic formula are great for creating different looks.

For the Lips:

This is a very NYX inspired look from all the new products I have tried recently! Firstly I used the shade 'Tokyo' of their soft matte lip creams which is a beautiful, bright light pink and then to add a glossy texture and even more bright pink the butter gloss in 'Peaches and Cream'. I am absolutely obsessed with the beautiful colour, pigmentation and glossy texture of the butter glosses and can't wait to get my hands on some more. Very excited I can now just pop down to my local Target and pick some up!

Finished Look:

Hope you enjoyed this look!
Cat ^.^