Makeup Ragrets

Lots of ragrets...

As a makeup lover, it's only natural that I also love to shop...mostly for makeup. Most of the time the beauty bits I pick up after doing some research, reading reviews and seeing if there's a gap in my collection. However, there are inevitably some impulsive buys that haven't worked out so well. Here are some of my more regretful purchases - including both high end and drugstore products.

// Australis AC ON TOUR Contouring & Highlighting Kit
I am ashamed to admit I fell victim to the hype of this product when it first set beauty lovers in Australia into a bit of a frenzy. I think I've reached for it maybe three times at most with disappointing results. The contour shades are so pigmented its very easy to make a mistake and the fact that the powders aren't bendable at all means when you do make a mistake its not easy to fix. The highlight shades are decent quality but I never reach for this palette anyway.

// Artiste No.55 Contour Brush
I must have purchased this around the same time as the Australis Contour Kit in the hopes that I could transform myself into a sculpted goddess. Unfortunately (probably mostly due to my application skills but anyway...), I found this brush to be quite useless. The bristles themselves are soft and the shape of the brush is perfect to fit underneath the cheekbone. However, the bristles are either not long enough, or the brush is too dense that it is really difficult to blend out product.  It is definitely NOT a dupe for the NARS Ita Kabuki and if you want an affordable alternative I would skip this one and try the Real Techniques Sculpting Brush instead.

// Maybelline SuperStay 24H Waterproof Powder
I wanted to love this so bad. The finish of this beautifully finely milled powder is gorgeous on the skin. However, something about it makes me produce so much oil that I have to use half a packet of blotting papers to make my face look normal again. Whilst I usually get a little bit of shine through the t-zone, it is nothing compared to how oily this powder makes me. I am thinking it's something to do with the waterproof aspect? Anyway it has become completely unusable :(

// Too Faced Natural Eyes Palette
I bought this cute little palette because the packaging is adorable and so convenient for travel. Plus the shades were completely gorgeous and a perfect combination of matte, shimmer and glitter. Unfortunately, I was fairly disappointed in this palette and I regret purchasing it for the fact that it doesn't compare in quality to my other palettes of around the same price range. The matte shades are quite beautiful and I will still reach for the palette to use the matte shades but the shimmer and glitter shades are so 'meh' in terms of pigmentation and lasting power on the lids. I would definitely give this one a skip and try the Chocolate Bar Palette from Too Faced instead.

// Benefit They're Real! Push Up Liner
This product has always received mixed reviews and caused a bit of controversy in the beauty world. Let's just say give me a pot of gel liner and a brush over this product any day. As most critical reviews of this product have mentioned - its too hard to use, the product is too dry and has the tendency to ball up and rub off and also its really really hard to use.

// Benefit It's Potent! Eye Cream
I swear this is not an Benefit slam fest because I do quite enjoy a lot of Benefit's products, however, their skincare range, in particular the It's Potent! Eye Cream was not for me. I found this product really thick and it caused a lot of milia (those little white dots) to form under my eyes. It was a product that I don't think should have been recommend to me and I definitely won't be trying any more of their skincare because it isn't marketed in a way that tells you what the products will do. I prefer the skincare I use to be simple and the packaging to be informative rather than obscured that 'cute' aesthetic benefit goes for (and works well for their cosmetic range). Also this was very expensive for what it is.

So there are some of my biggest makeup ragrets. Of course makeup and skincare products are so incredibly subjective and if they work or don't work for you can depend on such a wide variety of factors. Some of my biggest regrets have actually helped others find their favourite products - since I passed my Australis Fresh & Flawless Powder on to my mum a few years ago she hasn't used another foundation! Let me know what your biggest beauty regrets were or if you really like any of these products!

xx Cat

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

MAC 'Nordstrom Naturals' 15 Pan Palette

I'm so excited to share with you a very exciting addition to my makeup collection. Ever since I started watching beauty videos on Youtube, completing a full MAC palette became a distant dream. That dream eventually became a reality when last week I received the Nordstrom Naturals Palette in my letter box. Nordstrom was exclusively selling the palette which was a collection of their top 15 selling eyeshadows. I couldn't resist the amazing value of the palette at only US$85! So I decided to use hopshopgo to get the palette shipped to me all the way in Australia.

THE PALETTE

(From L-R)

Top Row: Vapour, Honey Lust, All That Glitters, Saddle, Mulch

Middle Row: Ricepaper, Amber Lights, Woodwinked, Wedge, Brun

Bottom Row: Omega, Satin Taupe, Embark, Beauty Marked, Carbon

The reason I was so drawn to this palette was because all of the shades were ones that I had heard so much about and read many positive reviews on. Classic shades like Satin Taupe, All That Glitters and Woodwinked were shades that I had swatched in MAC stores and had on my wish list for ages! Once I saw that Tati from GlamLifeGuru had mentioned it in one of her monthly favourites videos I could no longer resist and started researching how I could get it shipped to Australia!

After finally getting to play with these beautiful shadows I've been loving Satin Taupe all over the lid, Vapour as a highlight under the brows and Wedge in the crease for a really simple, understated pretty eye look.

USING HOPSHOPGO

I ended up deciding to use the forwarding service offered by hopshopgo because they are affiliated with paypal and I always feel much more comfortable using paypal when purchasing online. I also decided to go with hopshopgo because they also offer a purchasing service which I needed as my credit card never seems to be accepted on international sites as well as the fact that they can also consolidate your parcels for you as well. 

In terms of costs, the fee for the purchasing service is 10% of your order. For shipping, the fees will be determined on the weight of your parcel as well as whether you want to pay extra for an express service. My parcel was within the minimum weight bracket so I ended up paying US$28 for international tracked shipping. The parcel took 6 business days from when I paid for the shipping. Shipping itself took only 3 business days but there was a delay in shipping my parcel from the warehouse.

Another great benefit of using hopshopgo is that you can store your parcel/s in their warehouse for up to 30 days for free. This is handy if you need to wait for your next pay cheque to pay for shipping or want to place another order and then consolidate your packages. Overall I found hopshopgo to be really simple and efficient to use and I would definitely recommend using their forwarding service.

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