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

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

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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Review: L'Oreal Colour Riche Eyeshadow Monos

I had heard great reviews of these eyeshadow singles but it was only recently that I bit the bullet and picked up three shades.

Unfortunately, I have to start this review off on a sour note (don't worry it gets positive!). The reason I didn't buy into the hype as soon as they hit shelves, was because these eyeshadows come in at $19.95 each. I know L'Oreal is at the higher end of the drugstore market but I could never justify buying these full price. My rule of buying drugstore brands is to never pay full price so I recommend shopping around. If they aren't on sale at Priceline check out Target or Big W - do your research and you won't even have to wait long to get them on sale!

Now onto the actual product. These shadows are incredibly beautiful. From the shade range, texture and longevity I was incredibly impressed with their quality. I picked up the shades 106 Breaking Nude, 502 Quartz Fume and 201 Cafe St Germain and together they can create a simple everyday look or an intense smokey eye. The pigmentation of each shade was impressive and they blend  well. For those looking for an easy eyeshadow to work with but still looks great with minimal effort these monos are perfect.

Overall, while I do really like these eyeshadows I don't know if I would recommended them as my pick from the drugstore. There are so many great nude eyeshadow palettes on the market for around the same price as one shadow. However, my pick of the three shades would definitely be Cafe St Germain it is a very unique colour in my collection, a shimmery taupe that has a gorgeous reflex when worn on the eye.

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Winter Beauty Edit: Everyday Makeup Look and Eyeshadow Tutorial

It's day 3 of my WBE and I will be sharing with you my go-to everyday makeup look for winter. In the colder weather I prefer a medium coverage foundation that gives a velvety matte look paired with shimmery neutral eyeshadows and a bold lip. Check out my video tutorial on how to create my eyeshadow look as well as tips and tricks to remember when doing your eyeshadow.

Products Used

Face

• Laura Mercier Foundation Primer
• Laura Mercier Oil Free Supreme Foundation in Blush Ivory
• Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in no. 15
• Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Transparent
• The Body Shop Honey Bronzer in no. 1
• Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso

Eyes

• Elf Eyelid Primer
• Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze
• Chi Chi Nudes Eyeshadow Palette
• NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliner in Rue Bonaparte
• Maybelline The Falsies Mascara

Lips

• MAC Rebel Satin Lipstick

I hope you've all been enjoying my Winter Beauty Edit and make sure you come back tomorrow and Friday for the final instalments.

xx Catherine

Monthly Roundup: April

After a failed attempt at filming a favourites video at the end of March I have so many favourites to share with you this month! I've been trying lots of new products and this month's roundup will include some little reviews.

// Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

Such a fantastic affordable concealer. It is really creamy, easily blended out and provides great coverage under the eyes or over blemishes. I've been reaching for this everyday and much more than my high end concealers so it makes it into my favourites this month! Maybelline is almost always on sale at either Priceline or Target so you can definitely get this at a great price but normally retails for $14.95.

// NYX Love in Paris palette in 'Madeleines and Macarons'

I don't think I've used any other eyeshadow palette this month! This palette from NYX is absolutely gorgeous and had really beautiful matte and shimmery neutral shades. Whilst the shadows themselves aren't the most pigmented I've ever tried, they definitely blend well, have minimal fallout and are not chalky at all. They have a fantastic staying power that is even better with a primer underneath. Overall I think this is an amazing affordable eyeshadow palette with really cute packaging too. The fact that I've used it every time I've done an eye look this month speaks for itself. They retail for $16.95 from Target or $10 online from cherryculture.

// Sukin Hydrating Mist Toner

Hands down my favourite skincare product this month! My skin has recently become quite dry as the weather gets colder which I'm not used to at all. This has been so helpful adding moisture back into my skin after cleansing and it is also really refreshing. Recently repurchased and absolutely recommend! Probably my favourite from the Sukin range. Sukin is available at Priceline and selected chemists.

// New Lipstick Discoveries

R-L: Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm, Ulta3 Matte Lipstick, Sportsgirl Lipstick, Australis Colour Inject Lipstick.

I'm still on the hunt for the perfect everyday lipstick or just that one lipstick that I'll fall head over heels for. Unfortunately, April was not the month and I'm still looking for my one true lipstick love. However, here are a few fun ones I've recently discovered and definitely recommend:

• Sportsgirl 'Pout About It' Lipcolour in Berrylicious - I am beyond impressed with this lipstick from Sportsgirl. It is super matte while still being comfortable on the lips and really longlasting. The best thing is its really affordable at under $10. Berrylicious is probably the craziest lip colour I own, being a bright purple but I loved the formula so much I can really see myself pulling this one out quite a lot!
• Ulta3 Matte Lipstick in Harem Pink - Another fantastic affordable matte lipstick. The colour is definitely the defining feature of this lipstick though, its so beautiful and I've never seen anything like it! I wore it in my $20 Makeup challenge which you can check out here.
• Australis Colour Inject Mineral Lipstick in Ballet - I pull this lipstick out whenever I'm not sure what to wear on my lips and am never disappointed! Such a beautiful peachy pink with a really nice sheer, moisturising and build able formula.
• Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Elusive - My favourite of the Matte Balm colours. I go on about these enough and you can check out my full review here.

I've definitely made some progress with more of my beauty goals I set myself at the beginning of the year which is very exciting! I've officially mastered applying false lashes and have been shopping for all different types of lashes ever since. I've found a few great pairs from Ardell as well as really affordable ones from Daiso! I even picked up this adorable eyelash holder from Daiso, its so cute I couldn't not have it.

Thank you to all my new followers and everyone who reads and posts a comment! I love hearing all your feedback.
Wishing everyone a wonderful month of May <3

xx Catherine

$20 Makeup Challenge

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

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

Sleek iDivine Sunset Palette: Swatches + Demo

This is an absolutely gorgeous palette and I was so impressed with the quality of the all the colours, particularly because they were all shimmers or metallic shades. I also think the inclusion of the matte black shade is a fantastic addition to the palette and I used it to line my top lashes and well as the outer corner of my bottom lashes as an alternative to a liner pencil and to smoke out the look. Although when I first opened this palette the brightness of the colours made me wonder how and if I would ever use this palette but I was able to create a really wearable look that I would definitely recreate for a night out. The fact that the shadows were so easy to use and blend together I know I'll definitely be pulling out this palette a lot. I'm particularly obsessed with the rose, bronze and pink shades in the second photo of swatches.

Expand to see how I did the rest of my look!