Tried and Tested: Maybelline FitME Matte + Poreless Foundation

As mentioned in my last post, Maybelline is currently 50% off at Priceline until the 24th August. I took advantage of the sale to pick up the new formulation of their FitME Matte + Poreless foundation after being a fan of the FitME concealers for a few years.

I matched myself to the shade 115 Ivory in store which I find to be a little bit too pink to be a perfect match but it is still definitely wearable. There are only 6 shades in the range which I find to be quite poor considering the range is supposed to be about finding your perfect match.

Despite the limited shade range, this foundation has really impressed me. The formula is gorgeous - creamy and blend-able. I have applied the foundation both with a beauty blender as well as a buffing brush with great results. Matte + Poreless is definitely accurate! The foundation smooths over pores and sets to a natural matte finish.

Even as a matte foundation I don't find it to be drying at all and find it wears really comfortably throughout the day. Not only is it comfortable to wear all day but I want to wear it all day because it looks so damn good! I tested this foundation over a week of 8 hour work days and even 12 hours after application my makeup still looked fresh.

My foundation hadn't worn off at all apart from on the bridge of my nose where my glasses sit, but that is hardly avoidable. I did have a little bit of shine coming through the t-zone but not to the extent that I felt I needed to powder. I also found the Matte + Poreless foundation to be a great long lasting base for my blush and bronzer which also looked fresh at the end of the day.

My only other gripe about the product - apart from the limited shade range - is the packaging. This foundation doesn't come with a pump (GRR) and is in a glass bottle which is not ideal for travelling.

Overall however, I'm super impressed with this foundation and how it has performed so well, especially considering I paid less than $10 for it! A great one to try if you're looking for a long wearing foundation that feels comfortable on the skin.

xx Cat

New Release: Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara & Hypersharp Wing Liquid Liner

Maybelline always do mascaras well. I've been a fan of The Falsies for ages and will always recommend Maybelline as the best mascaras at the drugstore. The new Lash Sensational Mascara is no exception and honestly I have been so so impressed by this mascara it now sits right next to my beloved Lancôme Hypnôse as my all time favourite mascara!

The Lash Sensational Mascara has curved wand with short plastic bristles which are longer on one side. I was particularly surprised that I fell in love with this mascara so much because I usually have a huge aversion the plastic bristles on mascara wands.

This mascara is amazing because it adds heaps of length, the perfect amount of volume (aka it doesn't clump!) and holds a curl better than any mascara I've tried. I love how it separates and defines my lashes and it doesn't smudge or flake, wearing really well throughout the day.

At the same time Maybelline released the Lash Sensational Mascara into the Australian market, the Hypersharp Wing Liquid Liner also hit shelves. I've used the Maybelline Master Precise liquid liner in the past and found in to be ok and I was skeptical as to how different the Hypersharp liner could possibly be.

Again, however, I was pleasantly surprised and immediately impressed with the new product. The Hypersharp Wing liner has a nib that is similar to a liner brush in that it is made up of bristles rather than a felt tip. What makes this product really unique is that the brush tip is actually flat! This really interesting design means that on the thin edge you can get incredibly close to the lash line and it also makes it very easy to create a winged liner look. You can also use the brush on the flat side to create a more dramatic look.

The product itself is super black and wears really well without fading but isn't a hassle to remove like a gel liner. Overall so impressed with this new liner from Maybelline and now I'm able to wear a winged liner everyday if I want because it doesn't take three hours!

Maybelline is currently 50% off until 24th August at Priceline.

xx Cat

* These products were orginially provided to me as part of Beauty Heaven's Trial Team Program

I've got mail! Online Haul

I placed orders on three different online sites and wanted to share with you guys not only my haulage but my experience of shopping with them as well. I'll be comparing each online shopping experience including shipping costs and how long I had to wait until my order arrived!

Firstly, I have had the Tanya Burr lip glosses on my wish list for a long time, especially when she launched heaps of new shades. I was browsing feelunique.com when I came across a deal of 2 for 3 on Tanya Burr's range! I immediately placed an order for the shades I Found Nemo, Lunch Date and Picnic in the Park. These glosses are $13.49 which I definitely found to be good value. The glosses are creamy, pigmented and long lasting. The only thing I don't like about these glosses is the scent which is a sweet, candy like scent that is WAY too strong for my liking.

My shopping experience with feelunique.com was definitely positive! I received my order just under two weeks from when I placed it. Shipping is free for all orders over $20 so you'll likely be able to get free shipping on your order otherwise shipping is only $3. Overall I will definitely shop on Feel Unique again especially as I've noticed they often have sales and discounts.

My second order was placed on beautybay.com, another UK online beauty site. I've know about Beauty Bay for a while, particularly as a convenient way for Aussies to get their hands on Urban Decay. I noticed they now stock Zoeva and after wanting to fill a few gaps in my brush collection I placed an order for the 101 Luxe Face Definer and 105 Luxe Highlight brushes. (please excuse my dirty brushes I couldn't help myself!)

Shipping is free from beautybay.com for all orders over $20 or just $3.80 - comparable to the great deal offered by Feel Unique. The only problem I had with ordering was that I couldn't pay with Paypal. I know as a reputable online store I don't really have to worry about security but I do prefer using Paypal. I also found that my order took almost four weeks to arrive. After the two week mark when I started to get a little anxious I noticed that there is a mention on the shipping page that parcels are often delayed to Australian addresses because they get intercepted at customs - my package was definitely opened!

Zoeva brushes are also easily accessible from website Luxola which I have heard a lot about from Youtubers. When I found out they had a 25% off code for Zoeva and Sigma brushes I jumped on the chance to order the Pink Elements Complete Eye Set which I have honestly been lusting over forever. Seeing one of my favourite Youtubers Sharon Farrell use these gorgeous pink brushes I just HAD to jump at the chance to get the set at an amazing price.

Luxola is a Singapore based site but is also great for Aussies as you can shop in AUD$ which is always handy. Shipping is free for all orders over $40 which is fantastic, although not quite as good as the deal offered by both beautybay.com and feelunique.com. Orders under $40 will set you back $15 for shipping. Another positive of shopping at Luxola is that you can pay with Paypal which is definitely my preferred way of paying online. However, Luxola doesn't ship to PO Boxes and my usual delivery address is a PO Box. Whilst this is a little annoying I ended up choosing to ship to my mum's work address. I received my order in less than two weeks! Definitely the fastest arrival of my orders.

Overall all my online shopping experiences were very positive! I love the range of brands available on each site and the option free shipping for such a low minimum purchase. Just note that Beauty Bay shipping could take a long time!

What have you ordered online recently?

xx Cat

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Velvet on Velvet: New from Rimmel

Rimmel recently released a few new products just in time for autumn and are perfect for lovers of all things matte!

Firstly, a product that I've been waiting to get my hands on for a while - the Apocalips Lip Velvets. These are the matte version of the original Apocalips Lip Lacquers which I seriously love (yes, I have all the shades). The Lip Velvets come in 4 different shades - two deep shades, an orange and a pinky nude. I decided to try the shade 'Meteoric Matte' as it looked very similar to the Australis shade 'Doo-Bai' but I wanted to see if the offering from Rimmel would be more comfortable on the lips.

The Apocalips Velvets definitely have a matte finish, however, they feel very similar to the original Apocalips as in they don't set on the lips. Whilst this makes them really comfortable to wear they will transfer like crazy with any eating or drinking. Whilst the shade 'Meteoric Matte' is such a beautiful deep berry shade I found this such a pain to wear during the day as it smudged all over my face, wore off unevenly and the colour ran quite badly around my lips. A beautiful shade but definitely a high maintenance formula.

Along with the Apocalips Lip Velvets, Rimmel has released a range of Velvet Matte Nail Polish. I have always loved the Rimmel nail polishes and was definitely excited to try the matte formulation. I picked up the shade 'Midnight Kiss' which is a navy blue and I thought it would be a cool alternative to a black polish.

I was most impressed with the fact that this nail polish actually dries in seconds. To get the best result I find that using only one coat gives the most even finish as layering the polish can look a bit messy if you're not careful. I have tried matte polishes before that just look as if you've got 'pillow marks' but this is not the case with the Rimmel Velvet Matte polishes. The finish is definitely matte and I think velvet is also an accurate description. The only negative I found was that the polish chipped really easily. As someone who always takes the extra step of adding a top coat, obviously using a top coat over these polishes would ruin the matte effect and it definitely showed in the wear time.

Overall I'm kind of disappointed I got sucked into the hype of these products. Whilst I was impressed with both products in terms of their shades and velvet texture I found them a little inconvenient and fussy - ain't nobody got time for that!

Rimmel is available from Priceline, Target, Big W, Kmart and other Pharmacies. The nail polishes retail for $8.95 and the lip velvets for $15.95 - but always look for a sale!

Have you tried these new products from Rimmel?

xx Cat

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New In: At the Drugstore

The hardest thing about not having a job at the moment is being tempted by all the new releases to hit Australian shores (first world problems I know, but seriously...hire me). There are heaps of exciting new products popping up at the drugstore so I've complied a list so you don't miss a thing.

Maybelline is definitely my favourite drugstore brand and they have so many new products hitting the shelves. Firstly for the eyes, a twist on everyone's favourite black liquid liner, the new Master Graphic Liquid Liner is for those who love a bold liner look. Maybelline also brought their Pumped Up! Colossal Mascara to the Australian market. Maybelline have an amazing range of mascaras so if you're looking for something new to try, I doubt you could go wrong with this one.

More Maybelline products that have finally reach Aussie shores are the Dream Wonder Foundation. I tried this in store and it is very similar to the L'Oreal Nude Magique foundation. However, I did notice that the Dream Wonder foundation have a larger selection of pale shades which is excellent news for #whitegirls like me. I was also excited to see the Face Studio Master Hi-Light and Face Studio Master Glaze products on shelves too!

Finally from Maybelline are their Colour Drama Lip Colour lip pencils, which look like a thick lip liner and remind me of the Bobbi Brown Art Sticks. They have a nice range of colours and this is definitely a product I'm interested to try as it's quite unique to the drugstore market.

Revlon have added to their Photo Ready range with three new products. Firstly is their Prime and Anti-Shine Balm which claims to even out the skin's texture and minimise pores. Another new addition is their Airbrush Effect Foundation and finally is the Insta-Fix Makeup which comes in a convenient stick form. This range seems to be aimed at providing a long-lasting flawless complexion. A few retailers have a 3 for 2 promotion on this range at the moment which would be great to take advantage of if you are interested in trying these products.

One of the most exciting new releases that I have been waiting for to hit Aussie stores is the L'Oreal Colour Riche Exclusive Nude collection. There are a range of nude nail polishes and matching lipsticks inspired by some of Hollywood's biggest stars. I've already got my hands on some of the lipstick shades and I absolutely love them! The formula is quite sheer, but very moisturising and comfortable on the lips. I definitely recommend wearing a lip liner underneath to get more depth of colour.

From Rimmel is a new mascara release and the first mascara to be created by Kate Moss! The Kate Idol Eyes Mascara has a thick, curved wand that claims to add heaps of volume. Kate's line of lipsticks and nail colours are some of Rimmel's best products so if you're a fan of Rimmel mascaras I would definitely check this one out!

Finally from the drugstore are some new releases from Sally Hansen, one of my favourite brands for all things nail care and pretty colours! Firstly are two new 18K Gold products for nail care - the 18K Gold Hardener and the 18K Gold Cuticle eraser. Both products look fantastic for a DIY mani at home and I will definitely be trying these out!

Have you picked up any of these products recently? What's your favourite new release?

xx Catherine

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FOTD// Peachy Keen

My go-to eye look recently has been pretty simple and sticking to mattes. However, I really wanted to play around with a little bit of colour and see what would work to make my eyes 'pop'. So I pulled out my LORAC Mega Pro Palette and inspired by the shades 'Apricot', 'Blush' and 'Merlot' created this fresh face of the day with peach tones throughout.

Starting with the base, I applied the Australis Primer all over the face and went straight to concealing using Benefit's Erase Paste under my eyes and then Maybelline Fit Me Concealer over blemishes and red spots. I'm obsessing over mineral makeup at the moment and the Maybelline Mineral Power Foundation and Finishing Veil have been favourites for a long time. Unfortunately they don't sell the finishing veil in Australia anymore but I highly recommend the foundation! To finish off the face, I added some warmth with Benefit Hoola Bronzer as well as the Shimmer Powder and Blush Stick from the Essence 'Bloom Me Up!' trend edition (which I forgot to photograph -oops!).

#dathighlight

For the eyes, I started by using the Max Factor Excess Shimmer Eyeshadow in '20 Copper'. This shadow has a really strange, mousey texture that I found is easier blended out with your fingers. All the other shadows I used were from the LORAC Mega Pro Palette. Through the crease I used 'Khaki', then starting in the inner corner I used 'Blush', 'Apricot' in the centre of the lid and then 'Mulberry' blended through the outer V. I applied 'Grey' right along the lower lash-line and blended 'Merlot' along the outer third of the eye up to the top lashes. I absolutely loved the look of the shimmery peachy shades with the dark berry shades to deepen the look!

To finish off the eyes, I curled my lashes and applied a few layers of the Elizabeth Mott It's So Big! Mascara. For eyebrows I've gone back to using my Essence Eyebrow Designer in Blonde to create a natural, full brow. To complete the look I chose the new L'Oreal Color Riche Collection Exclusive Lipstick in 'Eva's Nude' for the lips which is such a beautiful peachy nude and I absolutely love the sheer, moisturising formula.

#moustache

xx Catherine

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Top 10 under $20// Drugstore Starter Kit

I wish that beauty items weren't so overpriced in Australia so this post could have a more catchy title, but alas here are some rad products that are super affordable AND of amazing quality. If you are just starting out with makeup or want to build a small makeup collection on a budget these are my picks for the perfect 'starter kit'.

1// Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation [$19.95]

This is a really fantastic full coverage, matte foundation that you can rely on for a truly flawless finish. My go-to for a night-out. Unfortunately in Australia the shade range is quite limited so it's unlikely you'll find a shade at either ends of the skin-tone spectrum.

2// Maybelline Fit-Me Concealer [$14.95]

A well loved drugstore concealer and it's definitely worth the hype. Great to use under the eyes, on blemishes and over redness as well as being super creamy and easy to blend. An awesome choice for beginners, but again it can be difficult to find the correct shade so make sure you swatch in store or ask for help.

3// Face of Australia Translucent Loose Powder [$11.95]

Definitely one of the best translucent setting powders I have tried and it comes with HEAPS of product. Keeps you matte, great at setting foundation and doesn't look cakey at all, this is definitely one to try if you can find it in stock!
Also available at Big W and K-Mart.

4// Sleek Face Form Palette [$14.99]

The perfect palette for a starter kit as it houses all the face products you need - a matte bronzer which can be used for bronzing or contouring, a shimmery highlight as well as a blush! They also come in different shades for different skin tones so you're definitely going to find a palette with products that work for you.

5// Wet n' Wild Eyeshadow Trios 

For the price, you cannot go wrong with Wet n' Wild shadows. They are soft, creamy, easy to blend and these trios literally give you an eye look in 3 steps. I cannot recommend these enough and would make a great addition to any makeup collection. They also have some bright colours to experiment with. These shadows aren't available in Australian stores but you can purchase them from crushcosmetics.com.au [AUD$8.00] or if you don't mind waiting for shipping, from beautyjoint.com [USD$3.99].

6// Rimmel London Scandal Eyes Khol Kajal [$9.95]

My favourite affordable eyeliners, these Rimmel Khol Kajals are pigmented, creamy and glide on the eyelid and in the waterline so easily! You can also smudge them out a bit to create a smokey look but once they set - they ain't going anywhere. Definitely a great choice if you're looking for a long wearing eyeliner. For beginners I recommend the shades 'Black' and 'Bronze'.

7// Maybelline The Falsies Mascara [$19.95]

Everything you need in a mascara - volume, length and amazing definition. The natural fibre brush makes it easy to use and the formula is also easy to work with - not too wet or dry. Oh and never buy this full price! Maybelline is always on sale somewhere and you can easily find this at half price by shopping around.

8// Essence Eyebrow Designer [$3.05]

My no.1 regret as a makeup newbie was ignoring my brows. My go-to brow product from the drugstore, I love this pencil for its surprising versatility and hard, waxy texture. A simple to use, one step brow product will add extra colour as well as holding those stray brows in place.

9// Revlon ColourBurst Balms [$17.95]

Practically all my favourite lip products are from the drugstore and come in under $20 so it was pretty hard to choose my no.1 pick perfect for a beginner's starter kit. I chose the Revlon ColourBurst Balms because they come in three different formulas which are all equally amazing. The Just Bitten Kissable Stains are perfect for a sheer wash of colour in a really moisturising formula - try 'Honey' for a 'my lips but better' shade. The Matte Balms are super pigmented and leave a gorgeous matte finish whilst still being really comfortable to wear - try 'Sultry' for a versatile, deep rosey shade. Finally, the Lacquer Balms offer a high gloss finish - try 'Coquette' for a fun vibrant pink. As well as this, the fact that they are a jumbo lip pencil makes application foolproof!

10// Real Techniques Brushes 

If you've been reading my blog for a while you may now my absolute love of the Real Techniques brushes. They are incredible quality for the price and so versatile as well. They are also great for beginners as they have synthetic bristles which are really easy to maintain. As always I suggest buying Real Techniques from iHerb where you can get their Core Collection and Enhanced Starter Set for $18.00! You can now shop in AUD$ on iHerb and they ship with Australia Post at an affordable rate. I've done a review of some Real Techniques brushes here.

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New In: Nail Polish

This summer I have been absolutely loving playing with nail polish, switching up colours every two or three days! So lately whenever I pop into Priceline I can't help but pick up some new shades. Here are the latest additions to my collection:

Firstly, I picked up two shades from the new Essence Beach Cruisers trend edition. I always love the Essence limited edition collections and both 02 Girls Just Wanna Have Sun! and 03 Keep Calm and Go to the Beach! are absolutely perfect for summer. They also have a pretty gold shimmer throughout the which is something unique to my collection.

I've been meaning to try more polishes from Essie and when I received a $5 off coupon I jumped at the chance and picked up Spaghetti Strap. It is such a gorgeous pastel pink and perfect for everyday or as a base for glitter top coats.

My next pick is a gorgeous shade, but a bit of a disappointment. I bought Up the Ante from the Revlon Colourstay Gel Envy range after seeing Estée from Essie Button wearing it in a few of her videos. I hope hoping this shade would be a little more unique than others in my collection but unfortunately it is almost exactly the same as Essence 'Break Through'. However, after initially hating the Revlon Gel polishes I've found by applying thin coats and at least two layers of the top coat the finish is so glossy and really does last ages on the nails!

Finally, all the shades in the Maybelline Super Stay 7 Day Gel Nail collection are really unique and I can't believe I've been able to show some restraint and only pick up one! I bought Forever Green which i have been loving throughout summer on the toes.

What's your favourite nail polish colour for summer?

xx Catherine

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Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick: review and swatches

Rimmel have recently re-released their Moisture Renew lipstick range and when I they went on sale at Target I grabbed a few of the shades I had my eyes on! 

These lipsticks mainly interested me because I've been gravitating towards matte lipsticks a lot lately and wanted to try some bright lipsticks with a more glossy formula. The Rimmel website says these contain SPF 20 as well as Vitamins A, C and E for well cared for lips - impressive!

They feel absolutely gorgeous on the lips and practically melt on when applied. The pigmentation is amazing and with only one coat gives an intense colour that can be built up even more! The finish they give is beautiful and glossy, making the lips look plump and full. However, because they are a moisturising formula the staying power isn't overly impressive. They do last a few hours but if you're eating or drinking they will come off the lips.

As well as this, the packaging is really sleek, particularly for the price.

As You Want Victoria

A beautiful vibrant, blue based fuchsia!  

Sloane's Plum

A brown based plum shade. I had trouble with this one looking patchy so I prefer applying thinner layers using a lip brush.

In Love With Ginger

I absolutely love orange shades and this is a fantastic addition to my collection!

The Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipsticks retail for $13.95 but Rimmel is often on sale at Priceline at Target so there's a good chance you can get these at a better price. I definitely recommend these for the price, the pigmentation and fantastic colour range.

xx Catherine

New Releases: Essence

Essence has released a few new products into their permanent line. Essence is definitely one of my favourite affordable brands and here are a few of their new releases that I have picked up!

XXXL Longlasting Lipgloss in 'Baby Doll's Favourite'
RRP $4.10

• This lipgloss is so gorgeous! As you know I love the XXXL Shine glosses from Essence and the Longlasting version is just as impressive. they shade is a gorgeous pinky nude with a subtle shimmer that makes you're lips look so plump! This lipgloss reminds me a lot of the NYX butter glosses - it is long-lasting, non-sticky, super pigmented and really comfortable to wear on the lips.

XXXL Longlasting Lipgloss Matte Effect in 'Velvet Rose'
RRP $4.10

• Unfortunately the matte formulation of the longlasting lip glosses is very disappointing. With the matte lip trend huge this year, I was excited to see an affordable option from Essence. What is confusing is that they decided to release them as a gloss, when clearly a gloss isn't matte. While the shade is a beautiful soft nude it is so uncomfortable to wear on the lips I don't think I will ever reach for this. It applies patchy and the product collects at the outside of the lips which is definitely not a good look. Whilst the product does give a more matte finish is doesn't seem to dry down and you are left with a weird coat of moisture sitting on top of your lips. Definitely a miss.

All About Nude Eyeshadow Palette 
RRP $6.45

• Again, Essence has hopped on the trend bandwagon and released a nude eyeshadow palette which has been absolutely huge this year. I was excited for this one because the shades were a really interesting twist on the classic nudes. The inclusion of a really beautiful purple/taupe shade and metallic gold in particular caught my attention. I used the purple shade in a smokey eye I did recently and I absolutely loved it! The pigmentation is impressive, they are soft, easy to apply and blend out and with a primer underneath (I use the elf eyelid primer) they have excellent staying power. If your makeup collection is already overflowing with nude palettes I wouldn't say it is a must have, but still an incredible product from Essence, particularly considering the price.

Blush Up! Powder Blush in 'Heat Wave' 
RRP $6.45

• This is the one product which I initially had no intention of buying because whilst the colours are stunning I just couldn't see myself wearing something so bright on my cheeks! However, I couldn't resist the ombre effect and was interesting to see how pigmented the product was and how the colours would look applied when swirled together. On the cheeks this blush leaves a really beautiful flush of coral that that be built up to a more intense colour.

Overall I have always been impressed with the majority of products available from Essence and these new releases are no exception. The affordability of all products available from this brand means that it is a great way to try new colours or products.
Essence is available at Priceline and Target.

xx Catherine

Review: Sukin Natural Skincare

Over the last six months or so, I have been trying a few skincare products from Australian natural skincare brand Sukin. As all the products come to an end (surprisingly and conveniently all at the same time!) I thought I would review them all.

//Foaming Facial Cleanser

Probably the product I enjoyed the least out of the Sukin Range. Despite being targeted specifically for oily skin types, I really didn't feel like it did much to help my skin get a really nice, deep cleanse while still maintaining the skins moisture. I don't feel it really helped maintain the balance in my skin as it would often leave my skin feeling coarse. Whilst it didn't make my breakouts or oiliness any worse, it didn't really do anything either. The scent, which is the same as the moisturiser, is quite strange and I didn't overly like it either. Probably a decent cleanser is you don't have problematic skin and I'm interested to try their cream cleanser because I do prefer the cream formula.

//Revitalising Facial Scrub

I really enjoyed this facial scrub and its beautiful and gentle while being fantastic at providing exfoliation. What really struck me about this scrub was that the little particles that acts as the 'scrub' are made out of natural, organic materials - bamboo extract and ground walnut shells. This definitely appealed to me over scrubbing my face with harsh chemicals. The texture of the product is creamy and doesn't foam up but is easily massaged into the skin. I definitely felt this gave my skin a little 'lift' and smoothing out dry spots. However, I didn't think it provided a deep enough exfoliation to really remove the impurities within my pores. Overall I think this is a great gentle scrub for sensitive although if you do have a range of skin issues you may need another product to really remove those deep impurities.

//Facial Moisturiser

This moisturiser had the same strange scent as the cleanser which I wasn't a huge fan of. I didn't overly like this moisturiser either. It took a long time for it to be absorbed into the skin which isn't ideal especially if apply in the morning as a day cream before makeup. It also doesn't have SPF which I'm not sure is because SPF isn't a natural ingredient, but it is still something that I think is imperative in a moisturiser. While it did add moisture to my skin, it didn't have a long term effect on the quality of my skin so I will probably be trying something new. My sister however, absolutely loves this moisturiser. She has dry to normal skin, so this might be a good option for you if you are within that skin type and are looking for a light moisturiser.

//Hydrating Mist Toner

This is the only product that I have repurchased so far and it is an absolute essential in my daily skincare routine. A really nice refreshing toner that works to soothe the skin and is great in reducing redness. I definitely recommend this toner if you have sensitive skin as you don't have to rub your face any more with a cotton pad which could be an extra irritation you don't need. The scent is also really nice and subtle. I've talked about this product so much here on my blog so that's a clear indication that I'm obsessed with it ! So glad I found this product.

//Purifying Body Scrub

I've only been using this for a couple of weeks after looking for a gentle body scrub. I knew I liked the face scrub so was intrigued to try this. So far I'm quite impressed and it is quite similar to the facial scrub, having the same ingredients. It is however, thicker in consistency and does a good job to exfoliate your skin and is great to help with dry skin. While I do prefer a deeper exfoliation after I shave, this is a good option to keep my skin refreshed on a daily basis.

Are these products for you?

Overall, I am quite impressed with the products from the Sukin range. If you have normal skin and don't have much problems with breakouts these products are a fantastic option! They are sensitive and will definitely keep your skin moisturised and glowing. However, if you have more problematic skin - either very dry or very oily - I don't think all the products are going to work and it might take some time to try which ones work for you. Whilst I had to really personalise my routine after finishing these Sukin products to target my problem areas, these products didn't make my skin any worse. As I've talked about over and over again, I absolutely love the Hydrating Mist Toner and would definitely recommend it as a toner if you have sensitive skin.

Overall the best things about the Sukin products are:

• Price - These are super affordable, most of the face products are under $10 and conveniently available from Priceline and most other pharmacies.
• Natural, Organic Ingredients - For me personally, I prefer using skincare that has natural ingredients as I find it is most effective for my sensitive skin. I also really believe in their principles which you can read all about here.
• Range for Sensitive Skin - As well as their regular range, Sukin has a range specifically for sensitive skin. My mum originally had a reaction to the facial moisturiser and after getting in touch with customer relations, was sent the facial moisturiser from the sensitive range to try instead which worked really well. 

Hope you found this review helpful!

*Disclaimer: I have oily, sensitive skin and these products were tested over six months. These products were purchased with my own money and all opinions are honest and my own.

xx Catherine

40% Off Haircare at Priceline

I love when I see this on the Priceline Website! The best opportunity to restock on your favourites or pick up some new products to try. Let me know in the comments if you got anything!

Happy Shopping!
xx Catherine

Review and Swatches: Ulta3 Lip Paint

I recently picked up two shades of Ulta3's new lip release 'Lip Paint'. These retail for $5.95 and are available from selected pharmacies. After recently falling in love with there moisturising and matte lipstick formulas I was super excited to try these. I have the shades Expressive Fuchsia and Radical Red.

First of all I adore the packaging. I think its really cute and looks like a little paint tube. The lid screws on properly so you won't have any trouble throwing these in your handbag. The only thing is that the colour of the tube is not the true colour of the product so swatching is a must!

The formula is actually much less liquid-y than I was expecting which made application very easy. I was expecting something similar to the Rimmel Apocalips which I find gets quite messy, but along with the firm doe foot applicator the product was very easy and 'no-fuss' to apply to the lips. This is probably the best part of the product because with such bold colours and glossy finish you definitely want a perfect application. The product does have a minty smell, similar to the Revlon Balm range which I personally love but may not be for everyone.

Finally, both colours were absolutely gorgeous and bright. Expressive Fuchsia is a gorgeous blue-based pink and I think it would look fantastic on darker skin tones. Radical Red is again a blue-based shade and a red that I don't have anything similar to in my collection. I love the glossy finish of these as well and I recommend two layers for complete opacity.

Overall, very impressed with these liquid lipsticks and the fact that they are so easy to apply means I'll be reaching for them often. I also really want to get my hands on the other shade Manic Mauve.

Hope you enjoyed this review and let me know if you've tried any of the Ulta3 Lip Paints.

xx Catherine

p.s. I hope you all have a fantastic Easter and long weekend!

$20 Makeup Challenge

I have been planning this post for a while and am so excited to finally share it with you! The $20 Makeup challenge is pretty self explanatory - create an entire face of makeup with products that cost less than $20 combined. It is definitely harder than it seems, especially in Australia where its difficult to find a drugstore foundation for $20 or less. However, there are quite a few affordable options available in Australian stores and I have chosen products from four different brands to showcase them. I've got little reviews for all the product as well!

Weekly Beauty Edit #4

1// Sephora Comes To Australia!

Probably the most exciting news of the week, and if you've been living under a rock, makeup giant store Sephora is set to open a store in Sydney in 2015. This is very exciting for all beauty lovers and will hopefully allow Australians to access some cosmetics and skincare brands that are hard to get in Australian stores. The big question will be of course the mark up on prices and how much extra will Australians have to pay? This is also particularly interesting news following the news early in the year that Sephora opened its shipping option to the UK and although there seemed to a shipping option to Australia, it was a mistake. In any sense, the fact that Sephora could open a physical store in Australia by next year is very very exciting!

2// NYX Stand Opens in Target Rhodes

While NYX has been stocked in Target stores since last year, a stand has finally popped up in my most frequented Target shop - a moment I've been waiting for since the first release! The Rhodes store is one of the smaller Target stores so hopefully this means NYX stands will be rolling out to all stores. If you missed my post earlier this week, NYX is currently 3 for 2.

3// Essence Eyebrow Designer

I picked this up for an upcoming post and it's one of the best eyebrow pencil I've ever used. It is quite a firm, waxy pencil and not very creamy but I find that creamy eyebrow pencils are very difficult to work with to create a natural looking brow. I got the shade Blonde and is only $2.50 available from Priceline and Target - definitely to best value beauty item I have picked up in a while, I much prefer it over my Revlon eyebrow pencil which was ten times the price.

4// Lips Lips Lips

I have gone a little bit crazy this week on buying new lip products - the official count is 10...oops! All from the drugstore I'm excited to try some Ulta3 products as well as the new Essence lip glosses and a Sportsgirl lipstick.

5// Chi Chi Glamorous Colour Kit Nudes

Another absolute BARGAIN I recently picked up. This entire gift set comes with 2 Chi Chi eyeshadow palettes - including the Nudes palette which I've been dying to try - as well as a bronzer, blush and 2 lip glosses. It was on clearance for $15 and with another 25% off it came to $11. This is amazing value as the palettes alone are $22 RRP.

Catch up if you missed any of my posts this week:

• FOA Screen Siren Nail Polish Review
• Drugstore v High End
• Style Stories - an inside to my style

I hope you have a lovely week and don't forget to check for new posts on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

xx Catherine

3 for 2 NYX

If you've been wanting to try some NYX products which are now stocked in Australia in Target stores, they have a 3 for 2 sale going on at the moment. The NYX stands are often quite empty, so get down to Target ASAP to make the most of this sale. The stores I find are usually well stocked are Burwood and Bondi Junction.

My top picks from NYX are the Butter Glosses, Jumbo Eyeshadow Sticks and powder blushes.

Let me know if you pick anything up !

xx Catherine

Drugstore v High End

For something a little bit different I decided to try to do a look using only drugstore products and then try and recreate it using only high end products. I chose to do a bronze smokey eye, with a red lip and highlighted face. I also used mineral foundation in both looks.

Drugstore

High end

I wanted to show how drugstore products can be used to create very similar effects for just a fraction of the price. Although I do love my high end products, if you're someone who isn't willing to spend a lot of money on cosmetics, which is totally reasonable, you can still create beautiful makeup looks with budget friendly products. 

My advice - its all about the application. Drugstore products applied with care and the right tools can create really fantastic results. I think having a good set of brushes is key and there are definitely a lot of affordable options - my brushes of choice are the Real Techniques brushes.

Let me know which look you prefer!
xx Catherine

Face of Australia Limited Edition Screen Siren Nail Polish

I could not go past these limited edition nail polishes from Face of Australia who have recently released the 'Screen Siren' collection featuring four nude shades and three beautiful bright shades. I picked up the nude shades 'No Angel' and 'Travilla'.

These lasted so well on my nails and definitely win the non-chip award out of my drugstore nail polishes. With my Ulta 3 top coat they lasted a good four days without chipping! I was also very impressed how the high shine finish of these polishes also lasted throughout wear. The polish itself is quite easy to apply with a regular sized brush (unfortunately not as easy as the Essence nail polishes) and come up opaque in 2-3 coats as suggested on the packaging.

No Angel is a gorgeous pink based nude

Travilla is a more grey based nude

I absolutely love wearing nude shades on my nails as I think it is so sophisticated and this limited edition collection has come out just in time for autumn/winter where understated, sophisticated nails are very on trend. They are fantastic not only for everyday where because they really lengthen your fingers but add real sophistication to any outfit.

I was pretty interested to learn that the 'Screen Siren' collection was inspired by Marilyn Monroe, with each shade name having a specific meaning. For example, Travilla was the name of the costume designer who designed her famous white dress that blew up when she stood over the subway grate.The product description on the Priceline website states:

"Marilyn Monroe famously slept in the nude. As an ode to her, we have come up with four perfect nudes to suit any skin tone".

There are also three bright colours inspired by Marilyn's love of bright costumes and makeup which I am very tempted to go and add to my collection.

Overall I am super impressed with these polishes. The shades, wear time and glossy finish prove that these polishes are of excellent quality and for less than $5 they are a must have!

Available from Priceline for AUD$4.95.

Hope you have all had a beautiful start to the week!
xx Catherine

What's on My Face?

The usual 'bad day Priceline visit' - I really need to stop my terrible habit of emotional shopping! But I am very happy with all these new goodies and expect lots of reviews coming up!