Battle of the Eyeshadow Primers

I feel as if my life has been a constant uphill battle against oily eyelids. Definitely a first world problem, but when you invest in a good quality eyeshadow palette and spend half an hour blending a smokey eye to perfection you don't want your eyeshadow to end up above your eyebrows by the end of the day (yes, it happened).

I've tried A LOT of the primers available on the market and have narrowed down the best three:

• Urban Decay Primer Potion
• Too Faced Shadow Insurance
• Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

I'm putting these top three primers head to head, comparing the different qualities of each so you can choose the one to best suit you.

First up is the Urban Decay Primer Potion. A cult classic, the primer potion comes in four different formulas - Original, Anti Ageing, Sin (Champagne Shimmer) and Eden (Nude Matte). The original formula is a beige colour that blends out without leaving a tint over the eyelid. The formula is definitely the thickest of the three but there isn't any difficulty with blending it out. When applied on the eyelid you can immediately see the difference in the smoothness of the lid and also reduces any shine. So, does it actually help eyeshadow stay on your eyelid? YES! The UDPP does a really great job of keeping eyeshadow in place. I notice a huge difference in the wear time of my eyeshadows when I put the UDPP underneath as well as the vibrancy and opaqueness of my shadows. However, compared to the other two primers, I find the primer potion makes it significantly harder to blend shadows over the top. This isn't too much of an issue if you use a really soft, shimmery shadows but I do have trouble with my everyday matte shades. In terms of packaging, the primer potion comes in a squeezy tube. However, I have heard on the grapevine that the packaging is being changed so that instead of squeezing the product out there will be a doe foot applicator.
The Urban Decay Primer Potion is available at Mecca Maxima for $18 (6mL) or $30 (11mL).

The next primer I found really effective was the Too Faced Shadow Insurance. This was the first primer I ever tried that really impressed me by extending the wear of my eyeshadow, after a good eight hours my smokey eye hadn't melted and faded at all. Compared to the UDPP, the formula is thinner but still leaves the same smooth finish over the eyelid. Again, I did experience a bit of difficulty blending stiffer, matte shadows over the top but not to the extent of the UDPP. One of the biggest issues I did have with the Too Faced Shadow Insurance was that sometimes it would get dry and flakey, particularly if you used too much product and it settled in the crease. What I found was definitely 'less is more' - controlling the amount of product you use can definitely help with the primer becoming flakey but it is a bit hit and miss. However, the Too Faced Shadow Insurance is the best out of the 3 primers in making bright eyeshadow shades really pop! Even if you're using shades like purples or reds, you need this primer in your life!
Similar to the Urban Decay Primer Potion, Shadow Insurance comes in a plastic squeezy tube. The Too Faced Shadow Insurance is available at Mecca Maxima or Kit Cosmetics for $26 (11g).

The final primer in the line up is the Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base. The offering from Nars is quite different from the other two primers in terms of formula. It is much thinner in texture and makes my lids feel super smooth, leaving a really silky finish. As well as this, the packaging of the Nars primer is similar to that of a lipgloss, with a doe foot applicator - of course in the classic rubberised Nars packaging. Whilst I had trouble with blending eyeshadows over the other primers, I found that the Nars primer makes blending easier! However, the issue I had with the Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base was that it didn't extend the wear of my eyeshadows as long as the other two primers. It definitely makes a difference compared to wearing no primer with powder shadows but the Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base does not stand up against cream shadows in my experience.
The Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base is available at Mecca Cosmetica and Mecca Maxima for $36 (8g), definitely the most expensive of the three.

Overall, all three primers are fantastic and if you continually have issues with oily eyelids I would skip the cheaper options and try one of these. What's your favourite eyeshadow primer?

xx Cat

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Origins Skincare Review

For the last couple of years I've been struggling a lot with my skin. Having oily skin means black heads and breakouts and makeup never lasting and also somehow being dehydrated. Forgive me but trying to tackle all of those concerns at once can be a little confusing and overwhelming. Having tried so many different products and sometimes seeing results but most often not, its easy to get lazy and just do whatever.

I've recently learned a lot about skincare and how to tackle specific skin concerns. I figured my first issue of a super oily t-zone and uneven skin texture was probably a result of exfoliating too much (yep -twice a day...) and also not giving my skin the hydration it needed.

So I decided to try some products from Origins to switch up my skincare routine because (a) they are affordable (b) they use natural ingredients and (c) they smell good!

Because I do wear makeup most days, I wanted to feel like I was getting a decent clean, especially since I knew I had to start cutting down on scrubs. I liked the idea of the Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash because it still foams without containing sulphates. I use this cleanser at night after I remove my makeup and it leaves my skin feeling so refreshed and smooth. It is marketed for use on all skin types and it has definitely made my skin more balanced. I don't feel it has exacerbated any dehydration I have around my cheeks and forehead while still controlling my oily t-zone.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who struggles to maintain their combination skin.

I have also added the Origins Make A Difference Plus+ Rejuvenating Moisturiser into my everyday routine. The Make a Difference range is specifically targeted to restore hydration into the skin and repair the skin over time to improve it's own moisture retention. I am absolutely in love with this moisturiser and it is perfect to use underneath makeup. I find it instantly brightens my skin as well as making it feel really smooth helping everything that goes on top look much better! I love that it locks in moisture all day so that even after wearing makeup all day I don't feel as if my skin is really tight and dry. I also really like its light texture so it doesn't feel heavy at all and absorbs quickly into the skin. I'm really interested to see how the overall hydration of my skin improves from continued use. My only gripe with this product is that it is in a tub which is a little less convenient than a tube or pump bottle - but there is definitely heaps of product to last you a really long time!

 If that wasn't enough hydration for my skin I've also started using the Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask 2-3 times a week. After wearing this at night I guarantee you will wake up with the softest skin that looks so bright and healthy! It also has apricot kernel oil so it smells so delicious! Just like the Make A Difference Moisturiser, this mask it not thick or heavy on the skin at all! If you have really dehydrated skin you could definitely use this as your nightly moisturiser.

To specifically tackle some of my more oily issues - acne and stubborn blackheads - I've been using the Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask as well as Never a Dull Moment Face Polisher both each a few times a week. I really want my skin to look brighter and more naturally luminous and both these products have been so effective. I have been popping the Out of Trouble Mask on all over my face around once a week, whilst using as a spot treatment whenever needed. It has a pleasant and refreshing menthol scent, but it might be quite strong for some - definitely don't get it too close to the eyes. After using the mask you can see such a huge difference in the size of pores and it leaves your face feeling so smooth! I chose this mask also because it contains salicylic acid which exfoliates within the pores and is fantastic in helping to prevent future breakouts. So far so good - but I'd definitely like to see if my breakouts do reduce significantly after using this mask consistently.

Never a Dull Moment is a brightening exfoliator and I was interested in trying this one because it contains fruit extracts so I knew I would be getting an enzymatic exfoliation as well as manual. I absolutely love this so far and find that it isn't as abrasive as my usual St Ive's scrub but with better results. It definitely leaves your face feeling brighter and super smooth. Also the scent of this is incredible!

Overall I'm really impressed with all the products I have tried from Origins so far and definitely have some more on my wish list. I would definitely recommend these products to those looking for an effective natural skincare brand. The only thing I would warn against is that the products have quite strong scents, although they are all completely natural and no synthetic fragrances are used. If you don't like using anything too scented, these products are probably not for you.

Origins is available instore at Mecca Maxima and Kit Cosmetics or at mecca.com.au

xx Cat

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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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Worth the Hype? Beauty Blender

If you've never used a Beauty Blender before you must be thinking:
"There better be something magical about a sponge that costs $20!"

I understand you. $20 for tiny pink sponge is beyond any comprehension of 'reasonable' but I have to admit that I just bought my second beauty blender - yes it is worth the hype (and the price tag).

There is indeed something magical about the BB. If you usually apply foundation using brushes or your fingers, you may have had difficulties with obvious brush strokes or the mess that comes with having makeup all over your hands. Applying foundation with the BB blends in everything so smoothly resulting in a flawless, airbrushed finish.

How does it work?
First, start by saturating the sponge in water. Squeeze your BB so it can absorb as much water as possible - once damp the BB will be about twice it's original size. Then towel dry your sponge so it is ready to use. Dip your BB into foundation and bounce the BB over your face to blend in your makeup!

The beauty blender will work with most foundations and is particularly great for applying thicker foundations as it allows you build coverage in thin layers. I would probably steer clear of using the BB with really thin formulas, for example the L'Oreal Nude Magique or Maybelline Dream Wonder Fluid, as the sponge will absorb a lot of the product.

Definitely a thumbs up from me!

Beauty Blender will be available soon at Sephora in Sydney but you can pick up the cult favourite at a number of online boutiques.

Is the beauty blender part of your everyday routine?

xx Catherine

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My First Tattoo

I recently made a little risk. Sparked by a little creativity and something else I can't really explain, I decided to get a tattoo. I wanted to share with you my experience because it was really exciting and also as a bit of advice for other tattoo virgins thinking about getting inked!

Why?

I'm not one to believe that an individual's actions or choices need to be justified to anyone else. So if you want to get a tattoo, why not? For me, it was as simple as wanting a cool piece of art on my body.

What does it mean?

My tattoo was inspired by my love for the Shakespearian drama Hamlet (nerdy, I know). For me, it reveals the power of the mind and infinite possibilities of the imagination. Also how cool is it that hundreds of years later we can pick up Hamlet and find meaning within it for our own life, revealing the power of the theatre.

"Oh God, I could be bound in a nutshell, and count myself a king of infinite space, were it not that I have bad dreams." Act 2, Scene 2

Did it hurt?

Yes. I didn't expect it to hurt as much as it did, but I'm not sure if it was just because I'm a wuss or I had trouble staying relaxed and my heart rate stable. I was able to stay still though, but I was actually quite shocked at the pain. Obviously it depends on where you get your tattoo as well - I got mine on the inside of my arm.

How did I choose an artist/shop?

I got my tattoo done at LDF in Newtown by artist Jimmy Memento. Basically, I had driven past the LDF shop in Marrickville almost everyday for years on the way to school. When I started thinking about getting a tattoo I started following the shop's instagram account to get an idea of artists I liked, particularly as I had an idea but was open to ideas and artistic interpretation. I think the best way of finding an artist is to look on instagram. There are so many fantastic tattoo artists posting their work and it's easy to find other artists by searching hashtags and through posts by the stores themselves.

Jimmy's Instagram
LDF Instagram

Another piece of advice - I wasn't really sure how to make an appointment with an artist so check out their website or call the shop to ask what the process is. The artist I chose holds consult days where I got to discuss my design and book an appointment. Some artists are in high demand so you may have to wait a while, but it's definitely worth it!

Overall I am so so happy having got my first tattoo done. It hurt so much but I was also ridiculously excited and happy about the whole experience!

Let me know if you have any other questions :)

xx Cat

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Beauty Favourites: March 2015

March has been such an exciting month for me and I'm so excited to share with you some of my beauty favourites! As well as starting back at uni for the year I've also started a new beauty-full job which is absolutely a dream come true. In this post I'm sharing a lot of new products that I've never featured before on my blog both high end and drugstore!

I've been absolutely loving using the Duo Fibre Face Brush from Real Techniques for absolutely everything! It's such a versatile brush perfect for blending foundation, using powder, sculpting the cheeks or for both cream and powder blush. Definitely one you should add to your collection - I have two, one for powders and one for liquids/creams. Get the Duo Fibre Brush Set at iherb.

For foundation, I've been gravitating towards my Bourjois Healthy Mix which is absolutely gorgeous, leaving a natural satin finish. I reached for this foundation again as my skin has been a little dehydrated and being stuck in aircon all day meant I wasn't getting as oily throughout the day. However, I definitely do need to wear a primer underneath to get some extra wear time.

Speaking of primers, I can't go past the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. I've had a bit of a love affair with Hourglass products recently and I am continually impressed with the quality of their products. The Veil Mineral Primer is perfect for me as it neutralises redness extremely well and provides a beautiful smooth base for foundation. I also love using this under the eyes before I apply concealer to really add extra brightness. Overall such a fantastic product and so worth the money.

A new product that I tried during March which I absolutely fell in love with was the Max Factor Creme Puff Blush. These are new releases from Max Factor and have a striking resemblance to the Hourglass Ambient Blushes. The quality of these blushes are absolutely beautiful and they blend like a dream! I have been reaching for this blush over anything else because it gives a gorgeous sheen and looks absolutely seamless on the cheeks. Definitely a product to pick up - I loved them so much I grabbed all the shades! Also for cheeks I've rediscovered my Benefit Hoola Bronzer which was sitting a little unloved for a while but such a classic matte bronzer for contouring and warming up the face.

My go to look throughout March was definitely natural eyes and bold lips. I fell in love with the Tartlette Palette as soon as I knew it existed and having it in my hot little hands the first day it was released in Sephora was probably the most exciting makeup purchase I've ever made. The shadows are gorgeous - so pigment, soft and easy to blend and the shades are everything you could ever need for a neutral eye look. Without a doubt the best matte shadows I've ever used and honestly I love creating looks with just this palette but it is the best palette to have to accompany all your other shadows. I love wearing Caregiver all over the lid, Natural Beauty in the crease, Bombshell wet as a liner and Super Mom as a brow highlight - perfect neutral eye! Available at Sephora.

And to pair with that neutral eye - I wore bright pink lips constantly this month! The Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Pink Pong is my go to for a long lasting, matte finish that is going to last all day. I also recently added to my collection the Bobbi Brown Artstick in Hot Berry which is basically the same gorgeous bright pink shade but is much smoother on the lips and leaves a satin finish and is also a little easier to apply. If you're looking for a bright pink lip definitely check out those two because they are universally flattering.

March has been the month of skincare discovery for me and I've completely switched up my routine with some really amazing results (a skincare routine is coming soon!).

The first couple of products I've been obsessed with are from Origins which is stocked at Kit Cosmetics and Mecca Maxima. My first favourite is the Checks and Balances Face Wash which is great for balancing out oiliness and dehydration in the skin which is exactly what I've been suffering with. It's so refreshing and my skin feels so soft and clean after using it. I've also been enjoying the Make a Difference Plus+ Rejuvenating Moisturiser which I put on in the morning. It is fabulous under makeup and injects so much moisture without feeling heavy at all - a new staple for me! I also love that Origins uses natural ingredients and is free from parabens - also they smell incredible!

My other skincare favourite has been the Maracuja Oil from Tarte which is absolutely heavenly. I love facial oils and this one is the best I've tried. I apply at night my patting it over my moisturiser and I have noticed such a difference in the brightness of my skin since using it. Available at Sephora.

I hope you have a wonderful April and enjoy the Easter break!

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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