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

Follow me!

Bloglovin' 

Instagram @_cat.mac

Twitter @cathsintents

Youtube

Beginners Guide to Makeup Brushes: Face

I absolutely think that makeup brushes are 100% necessary in everyone's makeup kit. Whether you're a makeup enthusiast, wear makeup everyday as part of your routine or just on special occasions brushes are a fantastic investment and there are so many affordable options. This post will take you through the basics of face brushes and an eye brush post will follow shortly!

//Buffing Brush:

For me a buffing brush is the perfect option for creating a flawless, airbrushed look with foundation. Can be used with liquids, creams and mineral powder foundations. Buffing brushes are usually dense with relatively short bristles and can be domed, flat, angled or pointed in shape.

To apply products with a buffing brush simply buff in the product using a circular motion.

My choices: Real Techniques Buffing Brush (from the Core Collection $18.00), Real Techniques Expert Face Brush ($9.00).

//Powder Brush:

Powder brushes, as the name suggests is for the application of powder products, including powder foundation, translucent setting powder and even for blush and bronzer. Powder brushes aren't as dense as buffing brushes and are usually more "fluffy" and have long, flexible hairs.

To apply products with a powder brush, simply pick up powder from the packaging and sweep over the face.

My choices: Furless Must Have Pro Powder Brush ($14.95), Models Prefer Large Powder Brush ($5.00)


//Blush Brush:

Blush Brushes are similar to powder brushes in the sense that their hairs are flexible and soft but can come in all different shapes - rounded, angled or tapered. They are great for the precise application of blush and bronzer.

To apply products with a blush brush, tap the blush into the product and then sweep up the cheek bones or over the apples of the cheeks.

My choices: Real Techniques Blush Brush ($9.00), Real Techniques Stippling Brush ($10.00)

//Contour Brush:

A contour brush is great for applying bronzer or even blush if you're going for a more precise application. Contour brushes come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and can be flat (think the NARS Ita Brush), angled or a tapered pointed brush.

To apply bronzer with a contour brush, dip the brush into the product and tap off excess. Start from the edge of the face, starting from the middle of the ear and follow the cheekbone for 2-3 cm applying the product in a straight line to create a contour. Blend upwards.

My choices: Real Techniques Contour Brush (from the Core Collection $18.00), Real Techniques Duo-Fibre Contour Brush (from Duo-Fibre Collection $20.00).

---

If you like to experiment with makeup, even if it's not that often, having just these four face brushes in your makeup collection will make a huge difference and you'll start to see how much more precise your makeup application can be. However, if you're just the everyday girl and tend to stick with the same makeup look, I think you could get away with just a powder brush.

Real Techniques brushes are amazing quality for a great price and come in sets as well which makes them fantastic value - as you can see most of my recommendations are for Real Techniques brushes. I recommend purchasing Real Techniques from ww.iherb.com however, you can buy the range at Priceline in Australia.

I hope you found this post helpful!

xx Catherine

Follow me!

Bloglovin' 

Instagram @cathsintents

Twitter @cathsintents

Youtube

Review and Comparison: Beauty Blender v Real Techniques Complexion Sponge

I was so excited to finally see the Real Techniques Complexion Sponge stocked at my local Priceline! I've been using the original Beauty Blender for a few months now and absolutely love it, so I thought I would do a comparison of the two most well known beauty sponges out there to see if the RT sponge is a good affordable version of the Beauty Blender.

For this post RT = Real Techniques Complexion Sponge and BB = Beauty Blender

Shape and Size:

The BB shape is what I would describe as a 'teardrop' shape, with one pointed end - perfect for dotting on concealer or blending under the eyes and around the nose - and the other end is rounded. The RT has a distinctly different shape. The overall shape looks more oval than round and whilst one end is pointed, the point isn't as defined as the BB. The RT sponge also has one flat edge which the BB does not. When they are both dry, the RT is slightly bigger than the BB, both in width and length.

Flat Surface of the RT sponge.

Texture:

On the surface, both sponges have the same sort of soft, porous texture. However the RT is much denser and not as soft and bouncy as than the BB when dry. When damp, the RT definitely does soften but is still much more firm than the BB

Soft, porous texture.

Application:

Overall both sponges are very similar in their application of foundation. Despite the RT sponge being much firmer you can get the same finish by using a bit more pressure. I definitely prefer how the BB 'bounces' and creates a really natural look in a small amount of time. The RT doesn't bounce so to get the same finish a pressing motion combined with a buffing motion is required. In my opinion the advantage of using a sponge over a brush for the application of foundation is that you can layer coverage much easier. With a brush, more product is picked up so its harder to apply thinner layers on top of each other.

I also prefer how the BB has a more pointed tip which is much easier for applying concealer over imperfections and for blending out around the nose.

However, sponges are not the best for all foundations. I mostly use either the RT or BB sponge to apply the Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 foundation and it gives the most flawless finish. Foundations or BB creams with thinner consistencies tend to be absorbed into the sponge result in quite a bit of product wastage. Both sponges are also really great for blending concealer.

Price and Availability: all prices are in Australian Dollars

Considering both sponges are pretty similar in the way they work, the most important point of comparison is the price. The BB isn't available in store in Australia but a number of online retailers stock them which means they are pretty easy to get a hold of. Two Australian online retailers I know which stock the BB are:

• Crush Cosmetics - $24.95
• Lipstick Republic - $19.95

Or you can purchase online from UK retailer beautybay.com where the BB retails for $24.20. BeautyBay has free shipping and both Crush Cosmetics and Lipstick republic charge for shipping unless you spend over a certain amount.

In comparison the RT is available in store at Priceline which also stocks other brushes from the Real Techniques brand for $15.99. The RT has just started to be stocked in store so it isn't available on the Priceline website just yet. Otherwise, the best online retailer for any Real Techniques products is iherb.com where the RT retails for around $6 depending on the exchange rate. iherb.com provides $4 flat rate shipping or DHL express shipping starting from $8.

Overall the RT is definitely the more affordable option with both sponges being easily accessible.

I think my favourite is the Beauty Blender but the RT sponge is very similar and a fantastic way to try a really great quality sponge at a cheaper price. Have you got either of these sponges in your collection? Let me know in the comments :)

xx Catherine

What's on My Face? #2

15 Minute Makeup

It seems like time is always of the essence these days and to have an hour to sit down and do your makeup seems like an impossible luxury . However, looking great doesn't have to take a super long time. With the right tools and products you can be glammed up in the smallest amount of time. This is a look I wore for a night out with friends.

Read on to see how I did this look 

Weekly Beauty Edit

I've put together five beauty and fashion favourites from the week so you can get your quick fix before the working week begins again!

1// Benefit Lollitint

I purchases this at the pre-launch and was so excited to use it as it is an absolutely gorgeous colour. So with high hopes painted it on my cheeks and well...there's nothing to really describe what I had done to my face - my cheeks were so purple I thought I may have started turning into a blueberry, Willy Wonka style. Luckily I read a couple of reviews and watched a few tutorials (as you should when you spend $55 for a product) and found that you could create a really natural, flushed look with this stain by first painting the product on a stippling brush and then dabbing it onto your cheeks. TA DA! It worked and I was so happy because it created a look which was everything I had hoped for in the product. As a stain it really lasts all day, so I wore it everyday to uni this week.

2// Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

I've really enjoyed using the Real Techniques Brushes but the Expert Face Brush has impressed me the most so far. I have used it with both my Kate Somerville CC Cream which is a very moisturising product as well as my MAC Matchmaster Foundation which is thicker and creates a very matte look. The brush worked so well with both these different products, blending them into the skin seamlessly and I was able to cover my entire face quickly.

3// Essence XXXL Shine Lipgloss 

This lipgloss claims to be ultra shiny, moisturising and non-sticky. It meets all these claims and for less than $3 exceeds all my expectations. So far I've picked up the shades Bright Side of Life - a beautiful coral with gold glitter and True Love - a berry shade with silver glitter. The glitter isn't chunky or gritty at all and these have amazing pigmentation. Although they don't have the staying power of the NYX Butter glosses I am so impressed with these especially for the price. If you don't have these, you need them!

4// Denim Jacket

I've done a bit of shopping lately picking up fashion staples going into autumn and winter. I got this Lee Cooper denim jacket from Big W for only $35 and I am in love with it! Its such good quality, especially for the price, feels comfortable on the skin, fits well and is nice and sturdy. I practically haven't taken it off this week wearing it with black skirts or colourful dresses and boots and I think these looks will be my staples throughout the colder months.

5// Oscars 2014

As the awards season comes to an end I was super excited to watch the red carpet of the Oscars. Although in my opinion there weren't any incredible fashion moments, a few of my favourite looks were, of course Lupita Nyong'o looking as stunning as ever, Angelina Jolie with an beautiful beauty look and finally Cate Blanchett who I am absolutely obsessed with - she is the epitome of class.
The popular beauty looks on the red carpet definitely reveal some of the hottest trends going in the spring/summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Peachy nude, matte lips and classic black liquid liner were very popular and lucky the weather in Australia is still warm enough for peach lips!

Hopefully the Weekly Beauty Edit will be a regular post every Sunday so please let me know if you liked this post. I've also added a Google Friend Connect button to my side bar so you can follow me on Google + if you don't have a Bloglovin' account.

See you soon,
xx Cat ^.^

Real Techniques Brush Haul!

Finally received my iherb order of Real Techniques brushes. I desperately needed to do a big update of my face brushes and thought the RT brushes were the most budget friendly option and I can add specialty brushes as I need but at least I know I have enough brushes to create a good base.

I purchases 2 sets - the core collection; which features 4 base brushes and a case as well as the limited edition duo fibre collection; which came with 3 duo fibre brushes for face and eyes.

I also purchased 3 single brushes - the blush brush, stippling brush and expert face brush.

In terms of ordering off iherb, it is definitely the cheapest option for buying these brushes - For a total of 10 brushes I paid around $60 and got free shipping. There is a faster shipping option which is extra and for some reason it was unavailable to my PO Box address. However, I would definitely recommend the faster shipping option because shipping took a lot longer than I expected.
If you haven't used iHerb before you can use this code GKT568 at the checkout or this link http://www.iherb.com/?rcode=GKT568 to save off your order.

I will let you know how I go and hopefully have a review soon!

xx Cat ^.^

Day 3 - New Year, New You: makeup wish list & spending ban update

It's officially been one month since I began my spending ban and I'm really excited because I reach my savings goal which is super exciting and during the Christmas period it was really nice to focus on buying gifts for others rather than buying things for myself when I felt sad or just on a whim. I didn't exclude skincare from my ban and I have probably over compensated a bit in the spending of skincare which I hope to cut down on a bit in the second month but since I didn't ban myself I'm not feeling terribly guilty. Not buying any makeup at all has been super hard, especially because I got $200 of gift vouchers for MAC and also some vouchers for Myer and when all the Christmas gifts went on sale I was finding it difficult to control myself. However, I decided to wait until the end of my ban to use my vouchers and I feel good about the decision. The month without spending has also been great to see what I really want to add to my collection and time to find reviews and watch so many videos of tutorials etc. so I have some sort of wish list which I will indulge myself with at the end of my ban period. The great thing about this is I have so many vouchers so I wont need to be dipping into my savings at all to treat myself!

My Wish List

• Benefit Hoola Bronzer 
• Benefit Benetint
• Real Techniques face brushes
• Stila In the Light palette 
• YSL Rouge Volute Lipstick in no.1 Nude Beige 
• From MAC - mostly face products; blushers, highlighters, setting powders/powder foundation as well as a few lipsticks

My goal for 2014 is to create better spending and saving habits. I made a good base for myself in 2013 by saving money for the first time ever and I'm really proud of myself for that. It was a year of experimentation of saving and earning money and balancing that all with studying, wanting to go out and wanting lots of clothes and makeup. So this year its time to refine my skills! I'm aiming to save $1000 more than I did last year which I don't think will be too difficult and regulate my spending so I can have things that I want but not going crazy.

See you for a new goal tomorrow!
<3 Cat ^.^