High-End Concealer Battle // Worth the Splurge?

Considering I'm a massive makeup collector/hoarder its unsurprising that my concealer collection has grown *slightly* out of control. However, I have been enjoying rotating these different concealers depending on what look I'm going for. I wanted to start by saying I enjoy using all of these, however, some stand out more than others. I've also included the shade I use for reference. I would describe my skin tone as fair, with neutral to warm undertones.

// Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer

Pros:

• Medium-full coverage
• Lightweight, thin formula
• Easy to blend
• Long-wearing
• Limited creasing under the eyes
• Sets to a matte, velvety finish, so you don't need to set with a power
• This concealer has the perfect sized applicator that dispenses just the right amount of product - magic!

Cons: 

• Can be a little more drying, particularly if you have drier skin.
• Will need to layer the product to get a fuller coverage.

My shade: Fair Neutral (Light Warm is similar but more yellow)

// Too Faced Born This Way Concealer

Probably my least favourite (sorry Too Faced!)

Pros:

• Light, thin formula
• Easy to blend
• Hydrating
• Great for a more natural look

Cons:

• Coverage is quite natural, so doesn't work very well on dark circles
• Formula is too thin and hydrating to cover blemishes
• The packaging can get quite messy with product spilling out the top
• Not very long-lasting and prone to creasing under the eyes

My shade: Very Fair - This shade is quite similar to my skin tone, so not great for highlighting. If you are fairer than me you might have trouble finding a shade.

// Tarte Shape Tape Concealer

Apparently one of these is sold every 26 seconds!

Pros:

• Very high coverage
• Thin formula that doesn't feel thick or cakey 
• Blends easily
• Limited creasing under the eyes
• Long-wearing 

Cons:

• Giant applicator can dispense way too much product! Not too much of an issue but make sure to scrape off any excess
• Only available in Australia from tarte.com so you will have to try and shade match yourself using swatches online.
• I found that this concealer doesn't layer well over other correctors/concealers, which you don't necessarily need because the coverage is so high!

My shade: Fair - The lightest shade out of all these concealers. Perfect for when I want a really highlighted look.

// YSL Touche Eclat

Pros:

• The formula is so light and thin its pretty much undetectable on the skin!
• Beautiful for highlighting and perfect for brightening under the eyes
• Blends easily
• Super versatile - can be used all over the face including to highlight under the brows and to define the lip line.

Cons:

• Not cruelty free
• Incredibly expensive! I spend a lot of money on makeup but the price of this makes me cringe a little.
• This is not really a concealer, the formula is targeted towards brightening so needs to be layered over something else as it won't actually cover anything on its own.

My shade: No.2 (I could definitely go a little lighter for a more highlighted look)

//Bobbi Brown Corrector

Not necessarily a concealer, but I thought I would include this because I find this to be the BEST option for dark circles.

Pros:

• Think colour theory - peach/orange shades are opposite blue/purple on the colour wheel - so it is amazing at counteracting darkness under the eyes.
• Easy to blend
• You only need a small amount of product 

Cons:

• Not cruelty free
• The formula is very thick and creamy so it's essential that you take your time to blend this in properly.

My shade: Light Peach. There are two different undertones - peach and bisque. Bisque is more pink toned perfect for neutral to cool skin and peach is more salmon toned and works better on olive and warm skin.

So who comes out on top?

My favourite is definitely the Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer. However, if you're a full coverage fan, Tarte's Shape Tape has a similar thin, lightweight formula with that extra coverage! Also if you do suffer from blue or purple darkeness under the eyes, a corrector is the best way to go.

What's your correcting and concealing routine?

xx Cat

HUGE Combined Makeup Haul: Sephora, Mecca, Beautylish

Its been a couple of months since I did a beauty haul and I have so many things to show you that I've picked up lately. With holiday limited edition products being released as well as end of year exams I've had a lot of reasons to shop - yes exam stress is the best reason to shop!

I'll start off with what I picked up from Sephora! I went to check out the new Sephora Broadway store when I was procrastinating from studying and picked up a few items I've had my eyes on for a while. Firstly is the Cover FX Custom Blot Drops. After seeing Tati's review of this product a couple of months ago I knew I had to have this to try and tame my oily-ass skin this summer. After stalking Sephora in the city so many times I finally found one left in stock at Broadway - hooray! I also picked up the Commodity Cocktail Kit which have ten mini fragrances. I've been spraying myself every time I walked into a Sephora trying to pick which fragrance to buy so I was excited to find this kit so I can try them all! I was also excited to see Sephora Australia had updated their Beauty Pass rewards and are now offering little samples in exchange for points, so I was happy to take home a mini Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Mascara to try.

I also placed an order from Beautylish because by some miracle they had the Anastasia Modern Renaissance Palette back in stock and I couldn't wait any longer to get my hands on it! I have another one of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Eyeshadow palettes and the quality is AMAZING! Can't wait to play around with those gorgeous burnt red shades! (So many exclamations! Can you tell I'm excited?! - also sorry friends but it seems to be out of stock again *sad face*) I also picked up the Becca Blushed With Light Palette. I've been meaning to try some of Becca's blushes and didn't want to buy the Jaclyn Hill palette since I already owned Champagne Pop so I was super excited to see this palette released.

 

Finally, I hit up Mecca and grabbed a few holiday releases. Of course, I could not help but get my hands on the Hourglass Surreal Light Palette. I got the ambient lighting palette last year and love it so much! Not only did I want to pick up the palette because I love the product, but the packaging is so beautiful and as a makeup collector I needed to have this in my collection. I also got the Sun's Up Face & Body SPF Duo which is such good value and perfect coming into summer! As a 'translucent white' I need all the SPF 50+ I can get. I also love the little neoprene bag it comes with which will be great for beach days. Finally from Mecca I picked up the Ciate Kiss Collective holiday gift set which includes three minis of their Liquid Velvet lipsticks in the shades Wonderland, Pin Up and Starlet. Unfortunately it is no longer available online but definitely worth seeing if there are any left in store. I love the texture of these liquid lipsticks, they have a moussy formula and are super comfortable on the lips.

So that's my huge *cringe* haul! I'm not planning on picking up anything else for myself, its definitely time to think of presents for my friends and family!

xx Cat

Tried & Tested // *NEW* Bobbi Brown Eye Opening Mascara

When it comes to mascara, there are a few important things I look for. I want my mascara to give me lots of length, hold a curl nicely and give me enough volume so that my lashes still look natural but nice and fluttery. I have been in a long-term, open relationship with the Lancôme Hypnôse mascara for a while now - sometimes seeing the Tarte Lights Camera Lashes mascara on the side and occasionally the Maybelline Lash Sensational too. So when the Bobbi Brown Eye Opening Mascara entered my life, things were already a bit crowded in my mascara draw.

However, I have to admit that it was love at first application with the new Eye Opening Mascara from Bobbi Brown. Although initially I was a little bit put off by the jumbo sized wand I was surprised to find that I was able to coat my short, little lashes easily without making a mess of mascara all over my eyelids!

Immediately I noticed how well the mascara pushed up my lashes and curled them as well as how intensely black the formula is. The formula is really unique in that it contains kaolin, which is what helps the lashes hold a curl.

Image Source: http://www.sephora.com/contentimages/pdf/BB_EyeOpeningMascara.pdf

And of course at the end of all this hard mascara testing, I was pleasantly surprised at how easily it washed off at the end of the day with a little bit of warm water, especially considering how well it lasts without smudging or flaking!

You can purchase the Bobbi Brown Eye Opening Mascara anywhere there's a Bobbi Brown counter for $44. I grabbed mine from Mecca Maxima.

xx Cat

Beauty Graveyard: Empties & Products I'm Throwing Out

I had a huge bag of empties, as well as some other products I was keen to get rid of, taking up space in my room that I thought it was finally time to do a round-up post and review a random selection of products I really loved and others...not so much.

Let 's get into it!

First up are some of my daily essentials:

• ELF Daily Brush Cleaner

I picked up the ELF Daily Brush Cleaner from Kmart which I think was around $8. I really liked this and reached for it a lot, especially when I wanted to clean eye brushes so I could use them with different coloured shadows. I probably wouldn't pick it up again, however I definitely still recommend this product!

• Daiso Puff & Sponge Detergent 

This is such a great product for the price and is absolutely fantastic for washing brushes and sponges. It's also only $2.80 which is very affordable! I would definitely purchase again in the future but there isn't a Daiso store close to me so it's not as convenient as grabbing a bottle of baby shampoo from Priceline. If you do find yourself in a Daiso store - stock up! 

• Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner 

I love the Mario Badescu skin care range for no-fuss, affordable and effective skincare. The Glycolic Acid toner is a great way to add in a gentle exfoliation into your everyday skincare routine and it made such an improvement to the texture of my skin. I've already repurchased this one from Mecca Maxima for only $26!

•  Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

Probably one of my favourite multi-task products ever! I've gone through many bottles of this and will continue to repurchase. 

Next up, some of my most used skincare:

• Origins Make a Difference Plus + Rejuvenating Moisturiser

One of my favourite daily moisturisers which is super hydrating but still sits really well under makeup. I've reviewed it here and I've definitely repurchased.

• Sukin Hydrating Mist Toner

My collection of complexion mists has expanded to include some more high end selections but the Sukin Hydrating Mist Toner is still my favourite. It's really hydrating and doesn't leave a sticky residue. This is definitely an essential coming into summer so I have picked up some back ups. 

• Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask

Another great product from Origins. I recently reviewed all of my Origins masks here. After finishing this deluxe sample size I bought the full size straight away! 

• Philosophy Hands of Hope Hand Cream

I really liked this hand cream and this is about my third tube I've finished up. It didn't have an overly obnoxious scent and was super hydrating. It is quite expensive thought so I wont repurchase unless I find it on sale again.

• Mario Badescu Drying Lotion

One of the best spot treatments on the market! I had to pick up a new bottle as this one, which I've had for around two years, wasn't working as effectively and there was hardly any alcohol left either. 

I also finished up a few of my most used makeup products:

• Bare Minerals Mineral Veil

My absolute favourite setting powder! This was a smaller size which came with one of the Bare Minerals starter kits but I have since bought the full size. This powder is great for setting your foundation if you prefer a transparent powder than leaves a natural, smoothing finish.

• Anastasia Brow Wiz in 'Soft Brown'

The Brow Wiz is a hugely popular product, however for me, it didn't really live up to the hype. I liked the precision you could get from it however, the shade wasn't the best match for me. Overall, the Brow Wiz didn't overly excite me and I won't be repurchasing.

• Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner in 'Eastend Snob'

East End Snob is my go to lip liner to wear under almost any nude lipstick. I love its mauvey-pink shade, how it applies so smoothly and that it lasts well either by itself or under another lip product. I've definitely repurchased - I can't imagine being without this lipliner!

And finally, after a big clean out of my collection, here's some products I decided to get rid of:

• Maybelline Colour Tattoo in 'Audacious Asphalt'

The Colour Tattoos from Maybelline are some of my favourite eyeshadows from the drugstore. I didn't get much use out of this colour though and it has dried up quite badly. I'm not sure if this shade is even available anymore. 

• Beauty Blender

As you can tell, this Beauty Blender needed to be thrown out really badly. And yes, I have definitely repurchased.

• Real Techniques Stippling Brush 

Unfortunately my RT stippling brush has reached an early end after some serious shedding. I haven't experienced this with my other RT brushes which were all purchased at the same time and washed/looked after the same way. I did enjoy using this brush with cream products and I'm not sure if I would repurchase only because I've got other brushes that do the same job. So far my only disappointing experience with RT.

• Maybelline The Falsies Mascara

An old fave drugstore mascara, The Falsies if perfect for giving the lashes length, volume and curl without clumping or flaking. Unfortunately for The Falsies I am head over heels in love with the new Lash Sensational from Maybelline so I won't be repurchasing (also I've got WAY too many mascaras on the go - oops!).

• Jordana Best Lash Extreme Mascara

I was pretty disappointed with this mascara, considering the hype. When you first open it, the formula is very very wet and tends to get everywhere. After a while, the formula is much easier to use but then it flakes and leaves smudges under the eyes. I did like how it made my lashes look, and I'm sure it was under $5. However, I wouldn't repurchase because I didn't get much use of it.

• Clinique Redness Solutions Foundation

I have always loved Clinique foundations and the Redness Solutions was no exception - great coverage and finish on the skin and is so easy to apply and blend. I have had this one in my collection for a few years and it was almost as if the colour had oxidised inside the bottle. I may consider repurchasing in the future but I have more than enough foundations to go through at the moment!

• L'Oreal Nude Magique Eau De Teint

I have had this in my stash since it was released in Australia but I haven't reached for it in over a year so it's definitely time to move on. I didn't mind this foundation and it had a nice natural coverage and was comfortable to wear. However, I always had trouble with the shade being too dark.

Well done if you made it all the way to the end! What products have you finished up recently?

xx Cat

Tried and Tested: Josie Maran Argan Black Oil Mascara

I'm a little bit obsessed with Josie Maran. It was love at first swatch with her Argan Illumanizer and ever since purchasing I can't help but stare longingly at the display at Mecca Maxima every time I'm in store.

I ended up adding the Argan Black Oil Mascara to my collection because even though I have more than enough mascaras for only having two eyes I was very intrigued by the brush and the formula just looked SO black! Also my taste in mascaras is expensive to say the least and while I'm usually happy to sell my body parts on the black market for a $52 Lancôme mascara, finding cheaper alternatives would help my budget situation.

What really impressed me about the product was how well it wore throughout the day. It held a curl and didn't smudge or flake but was so easy to remove at the end of the day with just micellar water. Initially I found application a little difficult because it is quite a large brush, but after giving it a go for a few days I was able to easily get a result that I really liked.

This mascara is definitely fantastic for volume but is more on the natural side in terms of length which is unfortunate for my stubby lashes so while I was a little disappointed at first I still enjoy using this mascara on more natural makeup days as it wears so well without the eye tugging needed to remove it later! It would also be great for those of you blessed with naturally long lashes who just want a bit of definition and volume! It also has the added benefit of containing Argan Oil to condition your lashes as well which is really unique to the market.

Overall, another beautiful product from Josie Maran that I am happy to have in my collection. I am happy with the price point too, at $27 I don't even cringe!

xx Cat

My Winter Skincare Routine

I'm sure I'm not the only one who experiences their skin getting a little out of control during winter. When the temperature and humidity drops so does the levels of moisture in my skin. Today's post features all my favourite skincare products I've been using to boost hydration as well as to even out my skin's texture, fade acne scars and prevent future breakouts.

1// Cleansing - twice a day

Cleansing is the first step to maintaining healthy skin. I wear makeup most days so double cleansing is a must for me to make sure there is no trace of makeup left on my skin! To remove most of my makeup I really love using micellar water as it is quick and effective - even for waterproof eye makeup! Not to mention using a micellar water with cotton pads is more cost effective than buying makeup wipes. My favourite is the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water. After removing my makeup I will then go in with Philosophy Purity Cleanser to remove any other impurities left on my skin. I absolutely love this cleanser as it leaves my skin squeaky clean without being too harsh. It is also fantastic at removing eye makeup without causing irritation to the eyes.

2// Toning - twice a day

There's a long running debate in the beauty community - to tone, or not to tone. I've always used a toner as part of my basic skincare routine and definitely recognise the benefits. During winter I've switched to using the Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner which has both glycolic acid and grapefruit extract to gently exfoliate the skin. Since my skin has been a little more dehydrated than usual, using this exfoliating toner helps remove any flakiness on the surface of my skin as well as maintaining the skin's natural glow. A really great one to try if your skin is looking a bit lacklustre.

3// Exfoliating - 2/3 times a week

My winter skincare routine features exfoliating with the Origins Never a Dull Moment Scrub between two or three times a week. It's super important not to exfoliate too often with an abrasive, manual exfoliator otherwise you could be damaging healthy skin cells rather than just removing the dead ones. I love Never a Dull Moment because it smells incredible and is really fantastic at brightening the complexion. As well as being a manual exfoliator, it has fruit enzymes as well to further exfoliate the skin.

4// Moisturising - twice a day

Probably the most important part of your skincare routine to maintain during winter is moisturising. The skin is so easily dehydrated during the colder months that it is crucial to maintain the moisture in your skin to protect it. I have been using the Origins Make A Difference + Rejuvenating Moisturiser which not only moisturises the skin but will repair the skin so that it holds onto moisture more efficiently. I have been using this moisturiser both morning and night because it is super hydrating but also a fantastic base for makeup. If I feel like treating my skin to something a bit richer I cannot go past the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask. Drink Up Intensive is such a treat for your skin, not only because it seriously injects life into dehydrated skin but it smells so delicious it's my favourite part of my skincare routine!

5// Nourishing - 1-2 times a day

Especially during winter I want to be extra sure that I am not only hydrating my skin but protecting it from the harsh cold and dry weather conditions by feeding it extra nutrients. My favourite way to do this is to use a facial oil and at the moment I've been loving the Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil. I use about two drops and pat it into my skin. I love using a facial oil in the morning before applying makeup to really hydrate and smooth out my skin.

6// Treatment - as needed

As well as my basic skincare routine, I like to add different treatments to target specific skincare concerns. Having oily/combination skin means I often get the odd breakout and I am always struggling with blackheads on my chin and nose. To really decongest my skin and help reduce blackheads I like to use a mask once or twice a week, depending how my skin is feeling.

At the moment I'm loving the Origins Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask. With calming ingredients like zinc oxide and camphor, as well as sulfur which helps absorbs oil, this masks leaves troubled skin feeling super soft and refreshed as well as noticeably reducing any redness or inflammation. I also like using this mask because it has salicylic acid which exfoliates within the pores, therefore you aren't just decongesting the skin, but helping reduce the risk of future breakouts.

Of course to banish spots as they happen, I can't go past the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion. A true miracle product that has cult status for a good reason, this stuff will get rid of pesky white heads over night!

So that's my skincare routine! For some it may seem a little excessive but as a skincare junkie I really love indulging in taking care of my skin. If you are thinking "ain't nobody got time for that!" my advice would be to have a simple routine that includes cleansing and moisturising daily.

xx Cat

Tried and Tested: Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream

Recently, after exclaiming how gorgeous my friends' skin looked (shout out to Amels!) she told me she was wearing the Smashbox BB Cream. Being a lover of all makeup/skincare hybrids I picked up a sample from Mecca Maxima after guessing I was the lightest shade (and I was...as usual).

Whilst the shade match was perfect for me I was less than impressed with the product overall.

Initially, I was happy with application. I tried applying the product with a flat foundation brush as well as a sponge and found both worked quite well. The product does set quite quickly l but still gives you enough time to blend it into your skin. The finish on the skin is definitely more matte and has decent coverage as you would expect from a BB Cream. Overall, I didn't have any trouble with application however, I do prefer base products which don't dry as fast on the skin as I found that powder just didn't sit right on top of the BB Cream.

After putting the BB Cream to the test over a six hour work shift I found that it just didn't wear as well through the day as similar products I've tried. I always use a primer under my foundation as well as a setting spray on top so I did the same thing with the Smashbox BB Cream. However, I found that especially on my nose, forehead and chin it had worn away unevenly which I was not very happy about.

After talking to a makeup artist at Mecca Maxima about my experience they agreed that it doesn't work well on everyone and that the Complexion Rescue from Bare Minerals is a product that seems to look and sit better on a wider range of skin types.

Overall, whilst my experience wasn't fantastic it is still a decent, natural coverage base product that would be nice for short time wear. In my opinion, however, there are much better options at better price points too.

Find Smashbox at Mecca Maxima, Kit Cosmetics or at mecca.com.au

xx Cat

Keeping Up With The Beauty Bloggers: Beauty News March 2015

March is a pretty exciting month if, like me, you are a beauty addict. New releases means more makeup and more makeup means more shopping - YAY! Hopefully I can remember to do one of these monthly/bi-monthly to keep you all up to date.

There's no doubt that Anastasia Beverly Hills has made huge waves in the beauty community. As a brand they have been releasing high quality and on trend products in the last year or so that you should definitely know about. You can now purchase ABH at Sephora in Sydney and their ever so coveted Contour Palettes have just landed in store! I'm sure a lot of Aussie beauty lovers are ecstatic to be able to get their hands on this palette without having to order online. Sephora aren't super open about when new releases will be in store so I recommend following their instagram @sephoraaus.

Everyone knows the most exciting launch in March is Urban Decay coming exclusively to Mecca Maxima! Mark your calendars - March 27th is the day. Mecca Maxima will be stocking the FULL range of Urban Decay products and you can also purchase online.

• FYI the Naked Palettes will be $78

Mecca Maxima are also expanding with a few new stores opening. There will be a pop-up Maxima store in the QVB in Sydney opening late March and a brand new store opening at Liverpool Westfield. I remember this time last year there were only two Maxima stores - one in Parramatta and another in Warringah. Now I'm sure most people in Sydney will have a Mecca Cosmetica or Maxima store less that 10km from their houses. #worlddomination

Image: mecca.com.au

Carisa Janes, the CEO and founder of Hourglass Cosmetics was in Australia recently and a few beauty bloggers shared with us an exciting new release! Two new bronzers will join the 'Ambient Lighting' range in June - again available at Mecca Maxima and Cosmetica. Now you can powder your whole face in light filtering goodness!!

• As a side note I've been super lucky to try heaps of the Hourglass line recently and let me tell you that if you haven't heard much about their products I highly recommend heading into Mecca and exploring their collection. Especially the complexion products... Veil Mineral Primer is life. 

Unfortunately, I have to end on a bit of a sour note but I think it's something that needs to be discussed. I wanted to announce that I will no longer be supporting Lime Crime as a brand. I have two of their lipsticks (both bought from Australian retailers) and will continue to use them but I'm kind of bummed I bought them in the first place. For those who don't know, Lime Crime's brand history is a little shady. I knew all of this before I purchased and it did discourage me for a long time, but to their credit, Lime Crime do stock a decent quality product for the price - nothing too dodgy there. However, In the last month or so a huge scandal including credit card fraud, security breaches, huge beauty gurus publicly denouncing the brand and heartbreaking stories have really made the brand unappealing, to put it nicely. I won't blab on about the whole story because there are so many posts already - so I'll link some really informative resources down below. Basically as a consumer, I have decided not to support a business that acts in a negative and harmful way to their customers.

• search #boycottlimecrime on Instagram
• Reddit Thread
• Boycott Lime Crime rant by Kitsch Snitch
• Oh Dear, Doe Deere! Tumblr page - including company history timeline

That wraps up March Beauty News! Let me know what you think in the comments below :)

xx Catherine

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