FRIEND LIKE ME

Beauty


I have to say I'm not much of a nail person. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love getting them done and having them look all pretty and groomed, but if I'm being completely honest... I kinda suck at painting nails and I totally don't always have the patience to wait for them to dry. I end up just smudging them and they look a total mess.

 While I was wasting time on a lunch break not long ago I came across this gorgeous colour! I don't have many blues in my some what small nail polish collection but I just had to pick this one up. Oh and guess what... it was only $4.95! I'm all for affordable makeup and saving money. This gorgeous number is from the Australis range and is in the shade, 'Friend Like Me.'

 As soon as I put one coat of this baby on my nails, I knew I would never want to take it off.  I don't know what they put in this magical bottle of colour goodness, but its super hardwearing and lasted I would say a good week. For the money and keeping in mind that I didn't use a base or top coat, this baby did well. I'm truly impressed!

-A.




OH SO SOFT AND GENTLE.

Beauty

Why it has taken me this long to jump on the highlighting hype I don't know, but I have finally joined the club and I'm loving it! I received this gorgeous MAC mineralised skin finish in 'Soft and Gentle' only recently and there has not been a day where it hasn't graced my cheeks. It's so incredibly beautiful!! Soft and Gentle is a shimmering gift from the gods, it's amazing.

MAC mineralise skin finish in 'Soft and Gentle' & Real Techniques setting brush.  
The product itself is very light and easy to build to your desired look. It's not overwhelmingly shimmery but contains gold and slightly silver toned glitter particles. This is a brilliant product if your wanting a subtle glow. Soft and Gentle in particular has some lovely warm tones which adds a radiant glow to your cheeks. I like to place this on the top of my cheek bones using the Real Techniques setting brush. Even though it's for setting under your eyes, I love it to apply my highlighter. It's just the perfect size and is really good for blending the product.

If you're on the look out for a new highlighter or are unsure what one to get as there are loads to choose from, I definitely recommend this one. If Soft and Gentle isn't your cup of tea, MAC has a great range in their mineralised skin finished powders, so there is bound to be one for you.

-A.

THE PERFECT PAIR.

Beauty




Photography By: April Williams (Me)

It's no secret that I have a little obsession with anything NARS... Well for those of you who know me well, that's an understatement. My very first purchase of any high end brand product, was the incredibly hyped NARS 'Laguna' bronzer- best decision I ever made. It was literally love at first swatch. Since then I have repurchased this bad boy of a bronzer, I mean how could I not?  I just can't seem to get enough of it. 

Another hyped and well loved product of NARS is from their blush ranged. This little number is called 'Orgasm'- a very unique name I know. Both products are said to be 'the perfect pair' and I was curious to see what all the fuss is about, and good thing I did. This gorgeous duo has made it's way into my everyday makeup look and I don't see it leaving any time soon. 

1. Laguna-  Where would I be without this little goodie? I literally wear this product everyday- or when I decide to wear makeup. It is a complete beauty must have for me, i'm obsessed with it! Laguna has such a silky soft texture and applying it to the face is a dream. It's incredibly easy to build, so great  for contouring of the cheek bones, along with and all over sun kissed glow. The finish of the product is more on the matte side but has traces of gold shimmer running through it, leaving a subtle warm glowing effect on the skin... I'm in love!


2. Orgasm-  The Orgasm blush is a great colour that flatters all skin types. Along with Laguna, Orgasm has accents of gold shimmer particles running through the products, creating a beautiful healthy, radiant glow to the cheeks. This gorgeous peachy, coral, pink flesh tone compliments the warmth of Laguna while acting as a highlighter, reflecting light and brightening the face. I'm in love with the ability to build the product and its lightness upon the skin. It's super easy to create a intense perky look while also being able to achieve a more subtle touch of colour. Both products are incredibly easy to work into the skin, leaving you in complete control in creating your desired look. 

I highly recommend this dynamic duo and if your not falling head over heels for these colours as I am, NARS have a great range and variety of tones for everyone. Let me know what your favourite blush, bronzer duo is at the moment. 

-A.

MOST LOVED PRODUCTS FOR 2014: MAKEUP EDITION.

Beauty
Wow guys it's 2015! Sorry for being MIA. I hope you all had a wonderful, happy New Years and enjoyed the remainder of 2014. It seems that last year flew by so quickly, I honestly don't know where the time has gone. So much has happened the past year, super crazy!

Anyhoo, as it is the start of a new year i believe it's the perfect time to reflect on the incredible year of 2014. This is me showcasing some of my favourite beauty products from 2014. I hope you guys enjoy and get some what inspired. Here is my favourite, most loved makeup products, enjoy!



FACE- The face to me, is one of the most important parts to a beautiful flawless look. I've been loving the Rimmel liquid foundations for a long while now and had to include one of them in my favourites. The 25 hour (yes i said 25 hour) lasting finish foundation in the colour 100 ivory, is amazing! It creates a lovely flawless and dewy finish on the skin and not only is it long lasting but it also has incredible coverage! For concealer i've recently been experimenting with the Maybelline 'Fit Me' line and I'm telling you now, I have myself a new found love. It has super pigmentation and excellent coverage with a beautiful creamy consistency. What I also love about this product is that a little goes a long way. 

I've talked about the amazing product before. The Rimmel 'Stay Matte' press powder is a winner in my eyes. I've been using this product for a long time and it never disappoints. It is wonderful for setting and fixing your foundation into place while creating a lovely matte finish on the skin. Love!

Over this past year I have loved and worn the hell out of my NARS 'Laguna Bronzer'. The packaging is stunning and the warm, bronzed, sun kiss finish is to die for! This product just adds that little special something to your makeup look. I know I will be getting my hands on another one of these babies.

EYES- This year I would say I've been the most indecisive about mascaras. I've struggled to love and stick with one and seem to be jumping from one brand to another. I finally found myself repurchasing an oldie but goodie. I've been loving the Maybelline 'Falsies' and 'Mega Plush' mascaras. I find they give me a really full and voluminous look. These mascaras make me feel super feminine while creating a lovely, fluttery effect. They are also great for building up the intensity and thickness of your lashes for a more fuller and false lash look. 

When it comes to the eyes, I'm one of those people who doesn't adventure much into the eyeshadow department. For me, 2014 was a year I was the most adventurous. I was gifted one of the most amazing loose powder eyeshadows from bairminerals. It's a light, shimmery bronze hue, just simply gorgeous! It has incredible pigmentation and holds really well on the lid. 

LIPS- It's all bout them lips, bout them lips.... I found that 2014 was the year of the lips for me, honestly could not get enough! A good lipstick pulls your overall look together, making it look like to put ten times the amount of effort into your makeup. (Really I'm just super lazy and have the tendency to fall back on the bright, bold lip trend.) Two of my favourite and most worn colours from the past year has to be 'Rebel' and 'Russian Red' form MAC. They are two beautiful and highly pigmented lipsticks that I have been wearing non stop. I'm a huge fan of a dark, bold, rich lip and these two colours never disappoint! 

More recently I'v been obsessed with the all nude and natural Kylie Jenner lip trend-to be honest who isn't  I had my eye out for the NARS velvet matte lip pencil in 'Bahama' for a good while and finally jumped on the hype and invested in one of the most gorgeous deep neutral shades. I love it so much and wear it any chance I get... aha jokes, all the time! 


TOOLS- You can never go wrong with 'The Real Techniques' brushes. They are just simply beautiful!  They have such a variety of tools and are super high quality. You definitely get your moneys worth. How can anyone turn away from their incredible blending ability along with their super and I mean super soft brush. They are to die for!

-A.x

NEW BEAUTY PURCHASES

Beauty


Hey everyone,
Recently i've been out and about doing the odd shop here and there and accumulated a few new beauty items. Some are repurchases, others are new found loves. Majority of the products are extremely affordable and amazing quality. These are some of my new beauty purchases along with a few mini reviews, enjoy. 
LEFT TO RIGHT: MAC Satin Lipstick in the shade Rebel, Nivea Invisible anti-perspirant, Rimmel London Stay matte powder shade 004 Sandstorm, Schwarzkopf Anti-Damage Mask for Very Damaged Hair and Nivea Daily Essentials Gentle Facial Cleansing Wipes for Dry and Sensitive Skin.

Schwarzkopf Ultimate Repair Mask (above) - I'm in love with this product. I have repurchased this hair care mask numerous times and honestly can't get enough! I see and feel a huge difference with the condition of my hair after one application. My hair feels incredibly soft and it creates this healthy glow. I think it's an incredible product that only set me back a small $9! You get so much product with a small affordable price tag. It's a definite must have. They have a range of products to suite many different hair types and hair care needs. Theres something for everyone.

Rimmel London Stay Matte Powder (above) - The Stay Matte powder is a highly raved about drugstore product and for good reason. This is another of my repurchases, I love the flawless skin effect and the matte finish. It provides a light natural coverage alone but it is amazing at setting liquid foundation, honestly stays on so well. Again this product is incredibly cheap, only $12 and it will last you. The Stay Matte Powder is a great and cheaper alternative in comparison to more high end brands. A must have beauty basic.

TOP TO BOTTOM- Kmart Nail Art in reflective metallic print and Rimmel London Apocalips Lip Lacquer shade 501 Stella.
Rimmel London Apocalips (above) - Rimmel seem to be getting so much right. The second product i recently purchased was one of their lip lacquers in the shade Stella. They are pretty amazing if you ask me. I don't seem to own much of Rimmel's lip products but I am truly glad I ventured out and indulged in the Apocalips line. (I'm a little late on the discovery). It has an awesome application wand, it is a thick highly pigmented consistency and a beautiful glossy finish. It's a lipstick and lipgloss in one. Their colours are amazing and extremely long lasting. There are so many more I'm wanting to try out. They have such a beautiful range of sophisticated nudes, fun girly pinks and berry red tones. I can't remember exactly but from what i can recall this product was under $15. It's honestly such a bargain for such incredible pigmentation, durability and easy application. 

I hope you enjoyed this mini beauty haul/product reviews. Talk soon, 
-A x

I'V GOT THAT SOFT SKIN FEELING

Beauty
Hey everyone,
I know, i know, i know. So much for the regular posting... I am honestly so sorry for being MIA, i've had quite a bit on my mind lately. It's hard to balance your life while working part time and finishing the last of uni exams. I have to admit, I'm super excited to spend some quality  time with friends and on my blog, hopefully. 

Something i've been super excited to post about is the Nivea Daily Essentials, cleansing cream wash. The colour of the product may be what caught my attention, but the effect it has on my skin is the reason I'm hooked. I love how the product has improved my skin over such a short amount of time. I truly am OBSESSED!
I have always been a huge fan of the Nivea products. Here in Australia it is currently winter and my skin is becoming quite dry and slightly irritated from the change in weather. Im finding that my usual cleaner, ( the Nivea Daily Essentials, wash and scrub) is rather harsh on my skin and is more of a summer cleaner for me. This gentle cleansing wash claims to be a lot of things and from what i've experienced, it speaks the truth.

I have been using the cleanser for three weeks now and it has improved my skin in so many ways. As it is a cream based cleanser, it provides a smooth and gentle texture witch is less harmful to the skin. It cleanses the pores leaving the skin smooth, silky soft and refreshed. A little goes a long way, so you definitely get your moneys worth. Honestly my skin has never felt so good! I love how affordable and accessible this product is. I bought it from my local Priceline store for a mere $11!

Just to let you know, everyones skin is different and the product may react completely different to you than it did with me. I stand by this product and genuinely love the effect it has and on my skin. I encourage you to at least try the product and see for yourself. Anyhoo, hope you all enjoyed this little review. If anyone has any suggestions for future posts, then please do leave a comment below. I promise ill try harder with the posting situation. Thank you my loves, talk soon.
-A x