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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Top 5 Lip Colours for Spring

While I have enjoyed experimenting with darker lip shades this past autumn and winter, I am beyond excited that the weather is warming up and I can bring out the corals again. There is nothing I love more than a bright coral lipstick! These are my top 5 lip colours for spring, ranging from super matte to glossy depending on your preferences. Unsurprisingly, most are coral shades!

// Maybelline Colour Sensational Vivids in 'Vibrant Mandarin' ($16.95)

Probably one of my favourite lipsticks ever! This is a orangy-coral shade that is so pigmented, super bright and a lot of fun to wear. The formula is really impressive for a drugstore lipstick and there is a reason these are marketed as 'vivid'. While this isn't a matte lipstick it is still really long wearing so it is perfect for the warmer weather.

Formula: Creamy formula with a satin finish.

// MAC Lipstick in 'Coral Bliss' ($36.00)

Coral Bliss is a beautiful peachy-coral shade that is perfect for both simple day looks and full-on night time looks. I love this shade on my pale skin tone and it is also one of those lipsticks that is really easy to wear and you can reapply without a mirror.

Formula: Cremesheen - medium opacity that can really be built up, beautifully glossy finish and moisturising on the lips.

// MAC Lipstick in 'Impassioned' ($36.00)

One of the latest additions to my MAC lipstick collection, Impassioned ticks all the boxes for a bright pink lipstick, mostly that it does lean somewhat into 'coral' territory. I have really been enjoying wearing pink shades lately but find that most pinks just do not agree with my skin tone and/or make my teeth look yellow. Impassioned has quickly become one of my favourite pink lipsticks because it suits me so well!

Formula: Amplified - super pigmented but still creamy and comfortable on the lips, slight glossy finish.

// Maybelline Colour Elixir in 'Petal Plush' ($17.95)

These new release glosses from Maybelline are so beautiful. This is such a perfect everyday shade because it is a perfect soft pink with shimmer through it and is so comfortable on the lips. I really wish these weren't so expensive because I think the price is really ridiculous - luckily Maybelline is always on sale somewhere and I would 100% recommend waiting until you can get these reduced.

Formula: Lip Gloss - a creamy, non-sticky gloss with high shine finish.

// Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in 'Pink Pong' ($24.00)

This is one for you matte lovers! Another pink shade that I think is really universal and looks great on all skin tones. I love this formula for a night out, not only because it is matte and bold but because it lasts so long even through eating and drinking.

Forumla: Matte Stain - a thin formula that dries super matte on the lips. Lasts a really long time on the lips and leaves a stain.

What colours will you be wearing for spring?

xx Catherine

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Lip Product Haul!

My absolute favourite makeup products to shop for are lip products! If I see a blogger or beauty youtuber talk about a lipstick and it catches my eye I will usually go out and buy it. My lipstick collection is something I'm really proud of and love adding to.

From Priceline I've picked up a few different lip products - from matte to glossy and lip balms.
Firstly, as a recommendation from Sarah at morethanadored.com I purchased the Savvy Long Lasting Matte Lipstick in 'Maui' ($6.99) as I cannot resist a bright orange coral! While the colour is beautiful and quite neon, I find the formula quite sheer and can be a little patchy once you try to build it up. Still I can't believe how affordable this range is from Savvy!

Next, I've been wanting to add to my collection of Australis Colour Inject Lipsticks ($12.95) and chose the shade 'Gangsta Rap' after seeing a swatch online. It reminded me of the Lime Crime shade 'Airborne Unicorn' which I was hesitant to pick up, especially if I didn't like how the light purple shade looked on my skin tone and this was a more affordable option. I love the formula of the Colour Inject Lipsticks too!

A lip product I had my eye on since their release is the L'Oreal Colour Riche Extraordinaire lip lacquers ($21.95), however, I waited until they went on sale to pick one up. I chose the shade 'Rouge Soprano' which is a beautiful watermelon red and it just melts onto the lips. As they are a lip lacquer, they have a lot more pigment than a gloss and last longer as well. This product is very similar to the Colour Elixirs from Maybelline - same texture, applicator and smell even!

And I just couldn't help buying the new Maybelline Baby Lips 'Electro Pop' balm ($3.95). These new additions to the Australian market look like the Baby Lips available in the US and I have the flavour 'Berry Bomb' which smells amazing. Unfortunately, these aren't available online yet, but I did purchase it from Priceline.

Target has also been on sale lately and with 30% of ChiChi I picked up two of their Stay on Lipliners, 'Lady in Red' and 'Status'. These are beautifully creamy and so insanely pigmented! I can't believe I got these for only $6.96. ChiChi is really fantastic value for great quality products and is often on sale at either Target or Myer. I also picked up the NYX lipliner in 'Natural' after I saw one of my fave Aussie Youtubers Katrina post on instagram saying it was a dupe for MAC's Velvet Teddy lipstick. NYX is rarely on sale in Target and unfortunately wasn't on this occasion but still a great price at only $9.95.

Finally, the last two items in my haul are from a brand I've been dying to try for so long. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it to IMATS this year where I was planning to pick up some lipsticks from Lime Crime. To make me feel better about missing the event I order a few lipsticks online anyway. I had also wanted 'Geradium' and I also ended up ordering 'Babette'. The price of the Lime Crime Lipsticks vary online, however, the cheapest I could find was on Australian online retailer Princess Polly. Each lipstick was AUD$22 and I only paid $5.00 for express shipping (it arrived the next day!)

L-R: Geradium, Babette, Rouge Soprano, Maui, Gangsta Rap, Lady in Red, Status, Natural.

I hope you enjoyed this lip product haul! I definitely have been loving playing with all these bright, fun colours :)

xx Catherine

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My 'Go-To' Lip

It's crazy to think that only a year ago I owned one lipstick (and went through my mum's collection whenever I needed a red!). Now with a collection of close to 70 lipsticks, lip glosses and liquid lipsticks (oops!) I still pull out that first lipstick I owned whenever I'm stuck for what to wear.

Preppy by Australis is part of their Go Long Longwear lipstick range and is a mauve-pink nude with a matte finish. I remember buying this shade because of the name but it is and absolutely gorgeous nude shade for my skin tone making it my go-to lipstick for everyday.

I also love layering the NYX Butter gloss in Creme Brulee on top when wearing Preppy at night for an extra glam look and creating the perfect nude lip for a smokey eye.

Australis is available from Priceline, KMart and Big W. The Go Long Longwear lipstick range retails for $12.95.

NYX is available at Target and the Buttergloss range retails for $9.95. I'm not 100% sure if Creme Brulee is a shade available in Australia, but you can also purchase NYX online from crushcosmetics.com, beautyjoint.com and cherryculture.com.

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*NEW* Australis Velour Lips

I've been following new beauty releases for about a year now and I remember one of the very first products I got super excited about was the Australis Velour Lips. For a drugstore brand, Australis did an awesome job at pushing these out into the market just as the liquid matte lipstick trend was skyrocketing and when they were first released it was almost impossible to find any in stock. In the last month Australis has released another five shades to Velour Lips range, this time the shades are more muted and wearable but still just as pigmented and long lasting. I own 4 out of the 10 shades available, 2 from the original collection and 2 from the new release shades.

L-R: PAR-EE, TOK-I-O, LUN-DUN, MI-A-MEE

While the formula itself does dry down VERY matte and tend to be super drying on the lips, I find applying a layer of lip balm first makes a huge difference to how comfortable these feel on the lips and doesn't jeopardise the pigmentation or wear. However, I do find because they do dry so matte, applying more than two layers can make the product go clumpy and ball up. This isn't much of a problem with most shades as they are very pigmented, however, I did have problems with TOK-I-O, which was the least pigmented and most patchy of the bunch. This shade in particular didn't last as long especially when eating or drinking which was not a problem with the other shades.

PAR-EE 

TOK-I-O

LUN-DUN

MI-A-MEE

For only $9.95 I definitely recommend the Australis Velour Lips - they are amazing value for money. I have been trying these out over the last week and have gotten compliments every time I've worn them!

Wearing MI-A-MEE

Australis is available from Priceline, KMart and Big W. The Velour Lips range is $9.95.

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Winter Beauty Edit: 50 Shades of Winter

Today's instalment of my WBE is all about the trending winter colours. From lips to nails its all about opposite ends of the spectrum - deep berry shades and sophisticated nudes.

In the nude

For nights out I've gravitated towards a dark brown smokey eye and the perfect pairing for that is a classic nude lip. My favourite nude lipstick is the Australis Go Long Lipstick in Preppy. This is a gorgeous, easy to wear nude shade in a matte finish and probably one of my most worn lipsticks. The Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick in Tantalizing Taupe from their Stripped Nudes collection is a another nude lipstick I've been gravitating towards because I absolutely love the formula. This is definitely more of a true nude than the Australis one but is surprisingly easy to pull off, even with my fair skin tone. I suggest checking out the Stripped Nudes collection from Maybelline if you're not sure what kind of nude will suit you. Finally for the lips is the NYX Butter Gloss in Creme Brulee. One of the best gloss formulas out there, Creme Brulee is perfect to layer on top of any nude lipstick to add that extra shine.

For the nails, I cannot go past a nude as they just look so sophisticated and elongate your hands. From the Rimmel London Salon Pro Range, Oh, Mr Darcey! is such a unique grey/taupe colour that is perfect for winter. You can't go past the formula of these polishes either - they are virtually indestructible. Finally, for a lighter, more girly nude I've been loving the Formula X for Sephora shade in Invincible. While you will need a couple of coats to get an opaque look, this is such a pretty shade again in a long wearing formula.

Berrylicious

Whilst keeping it subdued on the lips for night time looks I love wearing a bold lip during the day with flushed cheeks and a little bit of shimmer on the eyes. I've been leaning towards shades which are more red based with a purple undertone and with berry shades on the lips I prefer to keep in more on the matte side in terms of finish. Firstly, I have absolutely been loving the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvets for a bold, matte lip. The shade Ole flamingo! is a gorgeous bright magenta shade and the formula is unbelievably long wearing. For another more pinky shade, the Shanghai Suzy Miss Melissa lipstick is a great, wearable bright berry pink with a long wearing formula. Finally, for something a little bit darker and with a bit more shine, this wouldn't be a 'Shades of Winter' post without mentioning Rebel by MAC. In the MAC satin finish, it makes your lips look full and intense and is very on trend for winter. Check out how I created a ombre lip with Rebel here.

Top - Bottom: Miss Melissa, Rebel, Ole Flamingo!

• Check out how pigmented these lipsticks are - they still stained my hand even after scrubbing them off!

My favourite shade of nail polish of the winter has to be purple as it is my favourite colour. Because I've been loving the Rimmel Salon Pro polishes so much I picked up Urban Purple which is a beautiful dark red shade with purple undertones. However, my favourite purple nail polish has definitely been Essence Break Through. Essence have the best colour range for such an affordable brand and I absolutely love this one so much!

I hope you found some inspiration to warm up your winter looks and again, don't forget to check in tomorrow for a super exciting addition to my Winter Beauty Edit.

xx Catherine

Tutorial: Ombre Lips

Ombre lips have been a huge trend this autumn and winter season! Its such a fun way to add a little extra dimension to your lip look that is still super wearable. I decided to create a really fun vampy lip with an ombre effect by following this really easy tutorial from boohoo.com.

To create my look I lined my lips with Essence Lipliner in no.5 'Soft Berry'. Using a clean lip brush I carefully smudged the liner towards the centre of the lip. Then using the lip brush again I applied MAC's 'Rebel' lipstick to the middle of my lips. To finish, I used Creme Brulee Butter Gloss from NYX to highlight the very centre of my lips - simple!

My tips for creating an ombre lip are:

1. Choose a colour scheme: I went for dark berry shades, but pick a liner that is a darker colour than your lipstick. For reds, you might want to go for an orange or pink shade of lipstick.
2. Make sure your lip liner is sharp: blunt lipliner is going to get messy!
3. Use a lip brush: Using a lip brush to apply your lipstick will allow for much more precision and dabbing your lipstick on will add the the ombre effect.

I hope you enjoyed this post and let me know if you try the ombre lip as well!

- Also please excuse the faded foundation around my mouth - It is inevitable while doing lip swatches all afternoon!

xx Catherine

* This post was not sponsored.

The Lip Product Addict Tag

1// Favourite Balm/Treatment?

My favourite balm would definitely be the Maybelline Baby Lips. I prefer them to a Chapstick because I feel they are actually quite moisturising rather than just coating the lips. The 'Pink Glow' one is my favourite. As for treatment, I have to mention Lucas' PaPaw ointment. Especially when I'm sick and suffering from really dry skin around the mouth a good slathering of this is such a life saver. Such a classic all rounder product that I also use a lot for cuts and burns.

2// Best eye-catching red?

I love an orange based red and MAC Lady Danger takes the cake. Amazingly pigmented, super-long lasting (seriously, its not going anywhere through eating and drinking) and a perfect velvety matte finish. It was love at first application.

3// Best high-end and best drugstore?

Most of my lipstick collection is from the drugstore but I do own a YSL Rouge Volupte in no.1 and it is pure luxury. From the gold packaging to the way it glides on the lips like nothing else I've ever felt, the Rouge Volupte is what I imagine high-end lipsticks are all about.

For drugstore I love all the ranges from the Maybelline Colour Sensational Line including the vivids, mattes and nudes. I have never been disappointed with these and 'Vibrant Mandarin' is one of my favourite lipsticks ever! The formulation is fantastic - amazing pigmentation, long-lasting and they smell great too. Not to mention I really love the packaging and the shade range is incredible for the drugstore.

4// Best MAC Lipstick?

Apart from Lady Danger which I mentioned above I would have to say that Plumful is one favourite MAC lipstick out of my little collection. It is the perfect medium between a purple and a pink, looks gorgeous on my lips and I love the lustre finish.

5// The most disappointing?

The most disappointing products have definitely been the lipsticks I've bought from NYX. Firstly, their matte lipstick in Hippie Chic is the most unflattering shade and applies so unevenly there's nothing I can do to salvage this one. It was disappointing because when I swatched it I was really excited but unfortunately I am never going to use this one. Secondly are the round lipsticks and I have the shades 'Narcissus' and 'Rose'. Again the formula of these are so terrible and apply really unevenly. I've found with a lot of the NYX lipsticks they feel as if they are just sitting on top of the lips which makes them really uncomfortable to wear. 'Rose' looks slightly better on the lips because it is a darker shade but overall I was disappointed with these products because NYX has some really great stuff.

6// Liner - yes or no?

I have tried liner in the past but I usually prefer to go without. Even with bold colours, I'd prefer to take extra caution with my application or use a lip brush than use a liner. I just don't feel my liner skills are up to scratch and I also don't like how they tend to dry out the lips a bit more.

7// Best gloss?

This may come as a surprise as I've just slammed NYX above but their Butter glosses are hands down the most beautiful lip glosses I've ever tried. Before really getting into makeup and finding out about this product, I had no idea how amazing a lip gloss could be. The colour range is amazing, they are super pigmented, non-sticky, last ages and smell amazing. Ticks all the boxes. As a close runner up I have to mention the XXXL Shine glosses from Essence. They retail for something like $3 and are very comparable to the NYX glosses.

8// Something extra?

I thought I would include an extra question of oldest and newest lip product in your collection!

So the newest lip products in my collection are the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvets and I picked up three shades when they were on sale for $10 at Priceline. OMG I love these already and I can tell I am going to reach for them a lot.

The oldest lip product in my collection is this Napoleon Luminous Lip Veil in Sand which I've had since around 2007. I used to never wear lipstick because I hated it and was scared of what people would think so this was the only thing lip product (if any) I would wear when I did my makeup. I don't use it much any more because it smells really funky but I can't bear to get rid of it!

I hope you all enjoyed this tag! I tag everyone reading this to do this tag including the extra question I threw in at the end. Also let me know in the comments your latest lip product purchase and oldest in your stash :)

xx Catherine

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick: review and swatches

Rimmel have recently re-released their Moisture Renew lipstick range and when I they went on sale at Target I grabbed a few of the shades I had my eyes on! 

These lipsticks mainly interested me because I've been gravitating towards matte lipsticks a lot lately and wanted to try some bright lipsticks with a more glossy formula. The Rimmel website says these contain SPF 20 as well as Vitamins A, C and E for well cared for lips - impressive!

They feel absolutely gorgeous on the lips and practically melt on when applied. The pigmentation is amazing and with only one coat gives an intense colour that can be built up even more! The finish they give is beautiful and glossy, making the lips look plump and full. However, because they are a moisturising formula the staying power isn't overly impressive. They do last a few hours but if you're eating or drinking they will come off the lips.

As well as this, the packaging is really sleek, particularly for the price.

As You Want Victoria

A beautiful vibrant, blue based fuchsia!  

Sloane's Plum

A brown based plum shade. I had trouble with this one looking patchy so I prefer applying thinner layers using a lip brush.

In Love With Ginger

I absolutely love orange shades and this is a fantastic addition to my collection!

The Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipsticks retail for $13.95 but Rimmel is often on sale at Priceline at Target so there's a good chance you can get these at a better price. I definitely recommend these for the price, the pigmentation and fantastic colour range.

xx Catherine

MY NEW MAKEUP STORAGE

Welcome to my new vanity! I've been searching for the perfect storage solution for my makeup that was going to be practical, pretty and affordable and I've finally put together this set up which I am beyond happy with!

The vanity and matching stool were both purchased from Big W. I chose this vanity because the middle section lifts up and reveals a really large storage space as well as having a mirror on the lid! I knew it would be perfect for storing my makeup and also really convenient as a vanity as you can hide everything away in the desk, and when you need to do your makeup its all there - including a big mirror! While the stool is white and probably going to get really dirty, my grandma has been kind enough to make me a washable cover to put over it :)

On top of my vanity on one side I have my brushes in these iconic flower pots from Ikea. I absolutely love the design of these and I have one for my eye brushes and one for face brushes. I also have another one in my cupboard for brushes I don't use everyday. In the little glass jars I have cotton tips and cotton pads for cleaning up mistakes while I'm doing my makeup. I love this storage idea because it looks super cute and it really convenient. I got the jars from the Reject Shop for $1 each.

On the other side of my vanity is my little perspex lipstick holder from Hot Dollar that I bought ages ago for $8. I keep all my everyday lipsticks in there. I also have a candle from Glasshouse Candles and a little tray from Daiso where I keep my perfumes and a few of my favourite luxury products - I couldn't put them in a draw they a just too beautiful!

This is inside the middle compartment of the vanity where I store most of my makeup. I have put two perspex draw dividers also from Big W into this compartment so I could organise my makeup into sections. Starting from the left I have: primers & illuminators as well as a few face palettes, moving over to blushes and bronzers, then smaller eye palettes like quads as well as my cream shadows and down the front eye pencils and finally in the last compartment I have mascaras and all my brow products. In the rest of the compartment I have squeezed in all my other eyeshadow palettes and eyelashes.

In the drawers I keep my extra lip products and all my base products. I bought these little containers from KMart and they are fantastic because they are non-slip and don't move around in the drawers. For my base products I have sorted them into powders at the back and liquid foundation in the front with my concealers fitting down the side. I have similarly organised my lip products into glosses (down the back) and my spare lipsticks, including liquid lipsticks (at the front). I am so happy with these draw organisers and they were only $2 each!

Overall this entire storage solution - including the vanity, stool and all the containers cost around $200 which I am super happy with! The vanity was so easy to put together and I had so much fun re-organising all my makeup. Its crazy to think this time last year all my makeup could fit in a tiny makeup bag. This is definitely my favourite feature in my room now and I'm so excited to have this creative space. 

I hope you enjoyed this post and there were some helpful storage tips for you!

xx Catherine

FOTD: Bronze and Bright Lips

This look was inspired by my new lipstick from Shanghai Suzy "The Gossling Lippie" which is an amazing bright orange. I love orange shades and this was is such a nice glossy formula. 

I recently received a new bronzer to try and it was so shimmery I tried it on my cheeks inside and absolutely love the result! 

Read more to see the products I used :) 

Update & Favourite Autumn Trends

Last week at uni can only be described as the week from hell. With the end of semester comes so many assignments and to say I'm stressed out would be the biggest understatement of the year. But that's all the boring stuff... I've had some really exciting things happening beauty wise and in relation to my blog so I cannot wait to share these exciting things with you all...(maybe even a completely new makeup storage!!)

Today I really wanted to write about some of my favourite trends from Autumn as we end into winter in only a couple of weeks. Enjoy my top 5 Autumn trends which I will totally be wearing into winter as well !

1// Matte Lips

To be honest sometimes I can be a little lazy with my makeup, especially when I have to get to uni for a 9am class. This usually means basics - foundation, powder, a little bit of blush, mascara and of course lipstick. And if I'm going to be at uni all day I really don't want to have to worry about touch ups AT ALL. That's why I've been loving these matte lipsticks, put them on in the morning and they are going to stay on all day between eating and drinking and running around campus. I've especially been loving my new lipsticks from Shanghai Suzy and of course my ultimate favourite nude is Australis Go Long Lipstick in Preppy. For Autumn I've been mixing it up between bright berry/pink shades, my go-to nude pink or a peachy coral.

2// Cream Blushes and Cheek Stains

Because I prefer a matte base, I always like to add a little extra glow to my cheeks with a cream blush. I love that subtle pop of colour that gives the impression of watercolours or flower petals floating in water. I mentioned the Sportsgirl cream blush I'm loving in my last weekly beauty edit and my other favourites are the Stila Convertible Colour in Lillium and the Benefit Lollitint which I love on my lips as well.

3// 'Lit From Within'

Continuing the glowing cheeks theme I have absolutely been obsessed with highlighting, again particularly with liquid products. The Australis Mineral Highlighter in Pearl is so gorgeous, if you don't have this in your collection you definitely need to get on it ASAP! Super affordable and so beautiful.

4// Sculpted Cheeks

I've really been getting onto the contour bandwagon especially since I've got the hang of my Real Techniques contour brush. For an everyday contour (if I have the time) I love using the NYX blush in Taupe which is fabulous for creating a really natural shadow effect. For night time looks I can't go past my favourite bronzer, Hoola by Benefit. Combined with MAC blush in Melba and topped off with the Australis highlight is my ultimate go to 'dressed up' look. Check it out in my FOTD here.

5// False Lashes

Ever since I've figured out how to apply false lashes I can't get enough! I'm obsessed with long flirty lashes, corner lash accents and really full ones to add volume as well. Since i've always lacked a little bit in the lash department all my greatest lash dreams have come true. I can definitely see myself adding lashes to my looks all throughout winter.

I hope you enjoyed this post, hopefully things will get back to normal this week and here's a little sneak peek at my new makeup storage (eeek!!) - I'll be doing a makeup collection post in the very near future.

Have a beautiful week!

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

My Everyday Makeup Bag

//For Touch ups

• Benefit Hello Flawless Powder

I love this one because it is so finely milled and is the perfect colour for my skin tone, which I normally have difficulty finding in powders. It is perfect for touching up on the go and also super convenient because it comes with a little brush and sponge so there's no need for me to carry around another brush!

• Essence Tribal Summer Blotting Papers

I always like to use blotting papers before I re-powder my face as it makes sure product isn't building up on top of oil and create cakiness. These ones are very convenient and affordable. I'm sure Essence stock blotting papers in their normal range as well.

//On the Lips

• Maybelline Baby Lips

Lip balm is an absolute staple and I love the Baby Lips range from Maybelline. I always carry a tinted one as well as a regular one just in case I've forgotten to pop the lippy I'm wearing into my bag so I can still pull my look together with something on my lips.

• Revlon ColourBurst balms

I'm absolutely obsessed with these and have both the matte and lacquer balms in my collection. I like carrying these around because they are so easy to apply without a mirror and are also quite moisturising on the lips. At the moment I have the lacquer balm in 'Coquette', a gorgeous bright pink and my favourite matte balm in 'Elusive' which is one of my favourite everyday shade.

//Just in Case

• Garnier SOS Repairing Hand Balm with Shea Butter

Hand cream is an absolute must and this one is my favourite as it smells great and has the thickness and intensity I need. My hands often get very dry so I like to keep them moisturised a lot and it also helps keep my nails long and healthy.

• Nail File

I'm a bit obsessive with filing and shaping my nails, so of course I carry a file with me at all times! This is one I just picked up from the supermarket.

• Hair elastics and bobby pins

I'm one of those people that always has the hair tie you need in times of crisis. Mostly it makes me feel good and I like to be prepared.

p.s. How cute is this little makeup bag from Benefit?! It has one of the Benefit girls saying 'I know more about makeup than you because I grow the stuff!' I'm obsessed :)

What beauty items do you like to carry on a daily basis?

xx Catherine

Review and Swatches: Ulta3 Lip Paint

I recently picked up two shades of Ulta3's new lip release 'Lip Paint'. These retail for $5.95 and are available from selected pharmacies. After recently falling in love with there moisturising and matte lipstick formulas I was super excited to try these. I have the shades Expressive Fuchsia and Radical Red.

First of all I adore the packaging. I think its really cute and looks like a little paint tube. The lid screws on properly so you won't have any trouble throwing these in your handbag. The only thing is that the colour of the tube is not the true colour of the product so swatching is a must!

The formula is actually much less liquid-y than I was expecting which made application very easy. I was expecting something similar to the Rimmel Apocalips which I find gets quite messy, but along with the firm doe foot applicator the product was very easy and 'no-fuss' to apply to the lips. This is probably the best part of the product because with such bold colours and glossy finish you definitely want a perfect application. The product does have a minty smell, similar to the Revlon Balm range which I personally love but may not be for everyone.

Finally, both colours were absolutely gorgeous and bright. Expressive Fuchsia is a gorgeous blue-based pink and I think it would look fantastic on darker skin tones. Radical Red is again a blue-based shade and a red that I don't have anything similar to in my collection. I love the glossy finish of these as well and I recommend two layers for complete opacity.

Overall, very impressed with these liquid lipsticks and the fact that they are so easy to apply means I'll be reaching for them often. I also really want to get my hands on the other shade Manic Mauve.

Hope you enjoyed this review and let me know if you've tried any of the Ulta3 Lip Paints.

xx Catherine

p.s. I hope you all have a fantastic Easter and long weekend!

$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!

Weekly Beauty Edit #4

1// Sephora Comes To Australia!

Probably the most exciting news of the week, and if you've been living under a rock, makeup giant store Sephora is set to open a store in Sydney in 2015. This is very exciting for all beauty lovers and will hopefully allow Australians to access some cosmetics and skincare brands that are hard to get in Australian stores. The big question will be of course the mark up on prices and how much extra will Australians have to pay? This is also particularly interesting news following the news early in the year that Sephora opened its shipping option to the UK and although there seemed to a shipping option to Australia, it was a mistake. In any sense, the fact that Sephora could open a physical store in Australia by next year is very very exciting!

2// NYX Stand Opens in Target Rhodes

While NYX has been stocked in Target stores since last year, a stand has finally popped up in my most frequented Target shop - a moment I've been waiting for since the first release! The Rhodes store is one of the smaller Target stores so hopefully this means NYX stands will be rolling out to all stores. If you missed my post earlier this week, NYX is currently 3 for 2.

3// Essence Eyebrow Designer

I picked this up for an upcoming post and it's one of the best eyebrow pencil I've ever used. It is quite a firm, waxy pencil and not very creamy but I find that creamy eyebrow pencils are very difficult to work with to create a natural looking brow. I got the shade Blonde and is only $2.50 available from Priceline and Target - definitely to best value beauty item I have picked up in a while, I much prefer it over my Revlon eyebrow pencil which was ten times the price.

4// Lips Lips Lips

I have gone a little bit crazy this week on buying new lip products - the official count is 10...oops! All from the drugstore I'm excited to try some Ulta3 products as well as the new Essence lip glosses and a Sportsgirl lipstick.

5// Chi Chi Glamorous Colour Kit Nudes

Another absolute BARGAIN I recently picked up. This entire gift set comes with 2 Chi Chi eyeshadow palettes - including the Nudes palette which I've been dying to try - as well as a bronzer, blush and 2 lip glosses. It was on clearance for $15 and with another 25% off it came to $11. This is amazing value as the palettes alone are $22 RRP.

Catch up if you missed any of my posts this week:

• FOA Screen Siren Nail Polish Review
• Drugstore v High End
• Style Stories - an inside to my style

I hope you have a lovely week and don't forget to check for new posts on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

xx Catherine

NEW! Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm - Review and Swatches

Finally! These much anticipated new Colorburst Matte Balms from Revlon have hit the Australian market.

I am absolutely OBSESSED with these! They are the most comfortable matte lip products I have ever tried and so super easy to apply. Being a balm they are not the most opaque lip products but because they are quite thin, colour can be built up and I found that you could build them up without the product clumping or clinging to any dry patches. 

They are extremely long lasting and through a full day at uni I only had to reapply after I ate lunch. They are however quite drying on the lips after wear for a couple of hours. 

I love the crayon type packaging and pointed top which makes it very quick and easy to fill your lips in neatly which is usually an issue for me. They do have a mint scent and leave a slight tingling on the lips which some may dislike but personally I love the mint scent.

Complex

Elusive

Sultry

Unapologetic

Definitely a must have if you are a lipstick fanatic (like me!) or are looking for a comfortable matte lipstick. They retail for $17.95 and all Revlon lip products are 2 for 1 at Priceline until Monday 7 April so now is a fantastic time to try these out.

Have a beautiful day and remember how beautiful you are :)
xx Catherine