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

Sweet Peach // Worth the Hype?

 I have a confession to make. When Too Faced announced they would be bringing back their Sweet Peach Palette as a permanent addition to their collection AND be expanding their range to include lip glosses and face products I didn't fall into the hype. In fact, I was so vocally opposed to the whole thing, especially the brands constant churning out of new collections with gimmicky names and packaging. I was so sure the Peach Palette was just another neutral palette and I didn't need it.

Well, I'm not afraid to admit that I was wrong. The hype finally got me and let me tell you, the hype is REAL. Before purchasing the palette, I tried it a few times in store before realising that it was a palette that I would reach for over and over. I've also since purchased the Papa Don't Peach Blush! #converted

//Sweet Peach Eyeshadow Collection



The core of Too Faced's Sweet Peach collection is the eyeshadow palette. A gorgeous palette that includes 18 shades, all quite neutral with a few brighter pinky-peach shades as well as some beautiful deep plums and my surprise favourite, an olive green.

I am really surprised at the high quality of the eyeshadow formula. I own a few other palettes from Too Faced and I have the say the quality is the most consistent in the Sweet Peach palette. The shimmer shades are soft and buttery and glide over the lid so easily, packing a punch in terms of pigment with just one swipe. I absolutely love the shades Luscious and Bellini for the perfect all over the lid shimmer. The mattes perform really well too. My favourite matte shades are the warm browns, Puree and Summer Yum. Unfortunately, the worst performing shadows in the palette are the 3 cream shades in the first column. I really wish that White Peach was a matte cream highlight, but unfortunately its super shimmery but also not very pigmented.

So do you need this in your collection? Well, you don't really need any makeup, but as someone who owns a lot of neutral palettes I love reaching for the Sweet Peach because I can create something soft and pretty and then change it up with the brighter peach shades or the pops of purple and green. I'm so glad I added it to my collection as I reach for it a lot and have used every single shade in the palette.

//Papa Don't Peach Peach Infused Blush

The Papa Don't Peach Blush was more of an impulse purchase but one that I am so glad I made! The shade is a light, shimmery peach that can be applied lightly for a slight flush or built up for a more intense peach glow! I've seen the blush applied on deeper skin tones to me and it also looks incredible - so it is quite versatile across different skin tones. It could also be used as a blush topper to add a bit of a glow! The shimmer is quite fine and doesn't look chunky or glittery at all when applied to the skin. I would also advise deeper skin tones to consider this blush over the Sweet Peach Highlighting palette as the shades in that palette are much lighter and less versatile.

Overall, as a blush lover I'm so glad to have Papa Don't Peach in my collection! However, if you're not makeup obsessed and already own shades like NARS Orgasm or Milani Luminoso, you might find the shades are quite similar.

I also wanted to quickly mention the fact that all the products in the Sweet Peach Collection are peach scented. The scent is definitely artificial and quite sweet and you can smell it as soon as you open the packaging. To be honest, the scent doesn't really appeal to me, it doesn't offend me but I would love the products just as much if they weren't scented. Also if you are usually quite sensitive to fragrance I would definitely recommend maybe checking out the products in store to make sure it doesn't bother you too much

Are you a fan of all things Sweet Peach?

xx Cat

Beauty Graveyard // Empties April 2017

Its been quite a while since my last empties post! I have a huge bag full of products I've finished up as well as some stuff I just wanted to get rid of and I knew it was time that all these empties found there way into the bin!  I've got more products than I would normally have for an empties post so I'm only going to give mini reviews on products that I haven't mentioned before and skip the boring stuff like deodorant!

I've also linked all the products mentioned for your convenience (unless I couldn't find them online)!

//Makeup

I've got a few little makeup bits that are heading to the bin this time around!

Firstly, I've finished up an Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer in the shade 'Fair Neutral'. I absolutely love this concealer and have already repurchased. I love the thin consistency of this product and how it sets to a velvety matte finish. I use this under my eyes because it doesn't crease at all for me and the colour is perfect for a highlighting effect that isn't too obvious or ashy. I am also getting rid of a Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer. I loved this product but it was getting old and since Laura Mercier isn't cruelty free I wanted it out of my collection. I did get a fair amount of use out of it though so not to sad to see it go.

I'm also throwing out a completely used and dried out Lancome Hypnose Mascara (also not cruelty free) and an empty pot of Mecca Cosmetica Lip de Luscious. Lip de Luscious is my absolute favourite lip balm ever and I have definitely repurchased!

//Tools

Following on from my makeup bits I'm getting rid of two sponges, two brush cleaners and an eyelash curler!

I'm throwing out a Real Techniques Complexion Sponge and a Beauty Blender - both well loved. I do prefer the original Beauty Blender over the Real Techniques counterpart so I have repurchased a few Beauty Blenders. I also loved the Beauty Blender Solid Cleanser which I completely used up. I would definitely repurchase but at the moment I am using their liquid cleanser which I also enjoy. Finally I finished up a Sephora Brand Daily Makeup Brush Cleaner. I wasn't a huge fan of this and have since tried the Mecca Cosmetica Brush With Success which I find to be more effective and also cruelty free - win-win! Also throwing out my Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler because its old and getting really stiff. Will not repurchase based on cruelty free status and I'm currently loving my Eyelash Curler from Eyeko which is also much more affordable!

//Skin

Lots of exciting skin stuff to talk about! I've been trying loads of skincare products lately which means sometimes it takes me longer to finish up products but I still have a lot to share with you this empties!

I'll start with cleansers and toners. I've been trying out a few different micellar waters since my old favourite from Garnier is not cruelty free. I tried the Swisse Micellar Makeup Remover as well as the Rosehip Micellar Water from Essano. Both worked really well as removing my makeup - including stubborn eye makeup. However, the Swisse one had a strange scent which was not too off putting but still not preferable. I've since repurchased the Essano.

I also finished up the No.1 Purity Cleansing Balm from Ren which is my favourite way to remove my makeup, especially when I'm wearing a full face! You apply this oil-based cleansing balm to dry since and massage to dissolve all the makeup and other dirt and oils on the skin. You do need a face cloth to remove this product though because it is too thick to remove with water alone. Absolutely love this product and have definitely repurchased!

Apart from my usual favourites - Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner and Clarisonic Sensitive Brush Head - I also finished a few little Kate Somerville minis. Firstly, the Nourish Hydrating Firming Mist was really beautiful and incredibly hydrating but something I don't necessarily need. I also tried the ExfoliKate Cleanser which was a fantastic cleanser for my oily/combination skin that gave a really good deep cleanse without drying out my skin. It worked well with my Clarisonic and left my skin feeling really smooth and looking bright and fresh! I'm not sure if I would repurchase yet. I'm not too fussed when it comes to cleansers (apart from my first step oil cleanse) and not sure I need something with exfoliation in it since I already do lots of exfoliation BUT! if you do like an all in one and have combo to oily skin would definitely recommend!

...and now onto creams and serums! I used up the Very Useful Face Cream by Go-To Skincare which was super lovely! I loved using this shea butter based moisturiser in the morning it kept my skin soft and hydrated all day. If I didn't already have a heap of unopened moisturisers at the moment I would 100% repurchase. I loved pairing the Very Useful Face Cream in the morning with the Bare Minerals Skinvongevity Vital Power Infusion underneath. This serum is really thin, almost like an essence and is hydrating and refreshing! A stand out ingredient in this serum is niacinamide which helps a lot with brightness and pore size. Again would repurchase in a second after I finish all my other serums!

Also finished a few little minis but nothing super exciting to say about these.

//Body

Nothing too exciting here - a few deodorants (Rexona Clinical Protection is my all time favourite) and my can't-live-without shaving cream which will change your life for $7!

//Hair

As usual I've used up a few Schwarzkopf Ultime Biotin Volume Dry Shampoo. However, I have a new favourite - the Klorane Dry Shampoo with Nettle for oily hair. This did such a fantastic job at really thoroughly cleansing my hair, especially after I've been to the gym, so once I finally finish my huge backup stash of Schwarzkopf, I'll repurchase the Klorane.

I'm very happy with how I wizzed through all those products so efficiently! Let me know if you use any of these products or if you have any recommendations for me :)

xx Catherine

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

Best of 2016: Skincare Finds

The end of the year is approaching... can you believe it?! It's been a pretty exciting year for beauty and for me I especially got excited about skincare and figuring out not only the best thing for my skin but also how different ingredients work and what is the best way to solve any skin problem. I wanted to share with you not just my regular favourites, but the products I have discovered this year that have made a huge difference to my skin and that I really, really enjoyed using.

My philosophy about skincare is that you should enjoy using it. Skincare should be part of a ritual of treating yourself every morning and night so you can feel super confident in your own skin.

For reference, I'm 21 years old and my skin is oily-combination, prone to blackheads. I don't experience many breakouts, mostly just congestion on my cheeks and chin. I also love my skin to look glowy and radiant and I am most concerned about unevenness in my skin tone. So these products are what I've found work best for me!

1//
Undoubtedly my favourite skincare find of the year was the Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Face Butter. I initially didn't think this product would be for me or suit my oily-combo skin but I was so wrong! Of course the hero ingredient is Argan Oil which features in all of Josie's products and in combination with aloe and shea butter my skin feels gloriously soft. I loved this during winter as it is intensely hydrating but not thick and absorbs into the skin really well. I just love how this feels on my face and I really enjoy applying it even though it doesn't have a particular scent. Overall, whether you're super dry and looking for a big hit of moisture or oily and want to keep your skin looking glowy and fresh I would definitely recommend trying out this moisturiser. I would buy again and again.

2//
I actually started using this product last year, but only here and there so I didn't really notice the difference. However, after using the Ren Wake Wonderful Night Time Facial consistently, I can easily say this is my absolute favourite chemical exfoliator I've tried. With both lactic and glycolic acids as well as a variety of hydrating ingredients, whenever I use this as night, I'll wake up the next morning and my skin is incredibly smooth and so radiant! I use this around 3 times a week in conjunction with a AHA/BHA toner once a day as well as a more intense physical exfoliator once a week in order to keep my skin consistently even and bright!

3//
A really surprising discovery for me this year was the Bare Minerals Skinlongevity Vital Power Infusion (basically its a serum!). I was super excited to try the Bare Minerals skin care range when it launched in Mecca earlier this year and out of all the products I have tried from the range this is the most impressive, becoming a staple in my AM skincare routine. I love that it is so thin in texture and absorbs into the skin super quickly as well as being really refreshing which is perfect for the morning. One of the top ingredients is niacinamide which is great for both brightening the skin and reducing the appearance of pores. When I apply this serum in the morning under my moisturiser, my skin looks bright and stays moisturised all day!

4//
Finally, this year I stepped away from my favourite Origins masks and found a new favourite, the Swisse Manuka Honey Detoxifying Mask. I absolutely love this mask, particularly for my oily-combo skin. Using once a week does wonders for helping remove congestion around my nose and chin and drawing out all those annoying blackheads. It is also fantastic for helping balance out any oil production in the t-zone. The main ingredients are charcoal and kaolin clay which are both very detoxifying but also quite drying. I would recommend prepping the skin with a hydrating mist toner before applying the mask. I find using a detoxifying mask once a week helps immensely with keeping my skin consistently clear.

That's it! As I mentioned before I didn't include everything I use in my everyday routine or boring stuff like my favourite cleanser etc. just products that make my skin feel AMAZING every time I use them.

What are some of your ultimate skincare products?

xx Cat

Combined Makeup Haul

There's been lots of skincare talk on the blog lately so I thought I would share same of the newest makeup bits I've added to my collection and who doesn't love a good haul! I've also been able to test out most of these products so I have given some mini reviews as well :)

I wanted to first talk about all the goodies I've recently picked up from NYX which is now being stocked in Priceline! The NYX Priceline displays have taken over Max Factor and Face of Australia I believe and are much bigger than the current displays in Target. Priceline also have a wider range of NYX products including a few exclusives. 

I was really excited to find the Liquid Suede Lipsticks stocked in Priceline and picked up the shade 'Cherry Skies' a beautiful deep red shade. I really like how comfortable these liquid lipsticks are and you can reapply/layer them without the formula going crumbly and gross. The formula wears really well too, but will definitely come off in the centre of the lips after eating. I would also recommend a lip liner or primer as it tends to bleed. The real downside however is how large the applicator is and with a dark red shade its pretty much impossible to apply without making a mess. I also noticed the Lip Lingerie Lipsticks have the same applicator, so be prepared to need a lip brush!

Probably my favourite purchase from NYX was the Roll On Shimmers in the shades 'Salmon' and 'Almond'. I can't believe I haven't seen these before and they are only $8.95!! Haven't yet had a chance to play with these on the eyes yet but I'm really impressed with how they swatched, hopefully if they work well I would be keen to pick up lots more shades!

L-R: Roll On Shimmer in Salmon and Almond, Liquid Suede Lipstick in Cherry Skies.

Finally, I picked up the Micro Brow Pencil in the shade 'Ash Brown'. I was really impressed with this brow pencil! I've heard lots of people saying its a dupe for the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz and to be honest, I prefer the NYX. The cool brown shade is perfect for me and the tiny tip of the pencil makes it really easy to fill in the brows to get a natural look. I would definitely recommend this brow pencil, there are eight different shades and is a great price point at $16.95.

Next, from Target I picked up the In theBalm of Your Hand palette from TheBalm. I was attracted to this palette because it has a collection of theBalm face and eye products (even a lipstick!) all in one palette. I haven't had a chance to play with this one yet but I'm really intrigued to try all these different products, especially the eyeshadows and of course the cult favourite Mary LouManizer. I wasn't able to find this palette online but I would check out your local Target stores if you're interested!

I made a sneaky trip to Sephora just to have a bit of a browse and came across the new IT Cosmetics Superhero Mascara. I picked this one up because I saw one of my favourite Youtubers, Coffee Break with Dani wearing it and it looked incredible! I've been using it for the last couple of weeks and I do like it, especially for adding volume to my lashes, but I do prefer my Chantecaille Faux Cils which gives me the length I want as well as volume. It also cost me $38 from Sephora Australia (not currently online) which I think is a little expensive. If you're after a mascara from Sephora I would recommend the Tarte Lights Camera Lashes, which is around $10 cheaper and does pretty much the same thing. Also the packaging is just insanely large for a mascara!

Finally, because I have such wonderful friends who also happen to be well travelled, I was lucky enough to add a few makeup bits from Soap and Glory into my collection. Firstly, is the One Heck of a Blot Translucent Powder which I already love and was very happy that my lovely friend Madi was so kind to bring me another compact back from her travels just in time considering I've hit pan on my first powder! This is my favourite powder for touch ups because it's so matte and smooth. Next up is the Solar Powder Bronzer which I've had on my wish list for ages. I've been using this quite a bit and it it absolutely gorgeous! So natural with just the right amount of sheen. Shout out to Olly for searching 4 Boots stores to find this one for me!

What new beauty bits have you picked up recently that you've really loved?

xx Cat

Tried & Tested // Go-To Skincare

A couple of months ago I purchased a few items from Go-To, the skin care line founded by the incredible Zoe Foster Blake. I was tempted to buy a few things mainly because they recently launched a new product - Pinky Nudey Lips! - a hydrating, tinted lip balm. While I was placing an order I also decided to try Very Useful Face Cream as well as Exceptionoil. After giving all three products a really good test I'm sharing with you my thoughts.

First off, Go-To is an Australian company that is also cruelty free and doesn't contain use any mineral oils, parabens, synthetic colours or fragrances, sulfates or silicones which gets a huge tick from me! Great for your skin, all the fluffy animals and you're supporting an Aussie business - yay!

I was so excited to try Pinky Nudey Lips! and was hoping it would be a replacement for my favourite lip balm, Mecca Lip de Luscious, because having to dig lip balm out of a pot is not super easy on the go. Whilst I absolutely loved the slight pink tint, unfortunately the lip balm itself is not as nourishing as I had hoped. The texture is quite thin and feels super comfortable on the lips and does give hydration, just not lasting nourishment. I love the scent and the squeezy tube packaging and it has definitely become a staple in my on-the-go makeup bag. I just still need something a little extra as well, particularly during the colder months.

The second product I've been using from Go-To is their Very Useful Face Cream. I absolutely love this moisturiser for a few different reasons. Firstly, it has a shea butter base which is super hydrating, blends really well and also works fantastically underneath makeup. Secondly, the scent is divine (fig and natural rose) without being too overpowering for the face. Thirdly, I just feel like my skin looks great all day when I apply this in the morning and it keeps my skin looking bright and hydrated throughout the day rather than just for a little bit. I have super oily skin so I was worried this will be a little too heavy for me (and it might be in summer) but so far I've been absolutely loving it as my day time face cream. The only downside for me is the packaging. Whilst the squeezy tube is convenient I find the tube a little too tall and clumsy so its hard to store without falling over.

The last product I tried from Go-To is their Exceptionoil which is basically a multipurpose oil-based balm that you can use on your body, face and hair. I've been using it mainly on my body and oh my goodness this stuff is absolutely heavenly! The product is mainly coconut oil as well as being packed with heaps of other delicious and hydrating oils. The scent is Monoi Tiare which is gardenias (i'm pretty sure) but mostly smells like you're frolicking around a tropical island. In terms of effectiveness, it has been really beneficial on my parched, dry winter skin and is great after shaving. Because it is mainly coconut oil, it becomes hard in the tube due to the colder weather, but if you run it under warm water for around 30 seconds it will soften and be all ready to use. Again, I have similar feelings about the packaging to the Very Useful Face Cream - I just think they could to better.

Overall, I'm pretty impressed by the three products I tried from Go-To. Exactly as they claimed, the products are simple and effective. I can't say that the products drastically changed my skin, I didn't try enough of the range and my skin was (thankfully) already in pretty good shape. However, I would definitely recommend the range for anyone who wants a great, natural based range to maintain healthy skin. The whole range is at a fantastic price point too!

Have you used anything from the Go-To skincare range?

xx Cat