5 HIGHLIGHTERS TO TRY (LEAP INTO THE WORLD OF CANDLE-LIT CHEEKBONES)

I always lust over those perfectly candlelit cheekbones you see at the Victoria's Secret show or on celebrities when they're walking the red carpet.

That little bit of shimmer and shine takes base makeup from average to amazing in one stroke. In this post we are talking highlighters and five of my personal favourites that achieve incredible results and are from a variety of different brands at a range of prices.   

2 NEW LOVES: LIME CRIME LIPSTICKS

My first Lime Crime lipstick was Geradium and it was love at first sight.

The stunning coral immediately attracted me towards their booth at IMATS and I was pleasantly surprised to find that the amazing colour wasn't the only great thing about these lipsticks. The formulation is incredibly smooth, providing lightweight opaque colour delivered by a silky and nourishing consistency.

CHANEL VS. ESTEE LAUDER FOUNDATION REVIEW

If you have been following my blogs or videos for a while now, you would be well aware of my love for the Chanel Mat Lumiere foundation. But how does Estee Lauder Double Wear compare? 

 

Chanel Mat Lumiere was actually the first high end foundation that I ever tried and I have repurchased it at least 10 times (yep at $72 per bottle that's a lot of moolah on foundation). So when I finally figured it was time to venture out into the many other options in high end foundation, Estee Lauder Double Wear immediately stuck out to me since I have heard so many bloggers rave about it. I was surprised to find that I loved Double Wear just as much as my Chanel Mat Lumiere and so today we're putting them to the test and comparing them to see which fairs as better.

 

 

URBAN DECAY RECOMMENDATIONS + WISH LIST

 



With the announcement of Urban Decay coming to a Mecca Maxima near you, I thought it was the perfect time to share my personal recommendations as well as a couple of products I plan on purchasing.

You better mark Friday the 27th of March in your calendars ladies, it's going to be a big day for Urban Decay fans and beauty addicts alike. Come armed with knowledge of my experiences with some Urban Decay products so that you don't feel overwhelmed at all the options and know a few products that are sure to be great. Keep on reading for more on my recommendations and wish list items.

CASUALCURL REVIEW AND HOW-TO

I’m introducing you to a new brand that’s going to revolutionise the way you curl your hair. I’m talking about Casualcurl and their lovely products that leave you with salon quality hair.

The premise of these Casualcurls is that they give you soft salon curls. It’s such an easy and fuss free way of curling your hair but it’s also really unique and I’ve never seen anything like it. 

A FASHION CLASSIC - CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTINS

I recently purchased my very first pair of red bottoms, an investment I have been wanting to make for years now. Personally, I love investing in designer items that I know will last a lifetime and stay classic throughout the years. 

They are an iconic fashion statement adorned by celebrities, models and fashionistas everywhere. Christian Louboutin has been tagged the man who made shoes sexy and with good reason, there is something about those soles and the designs that go with them that encompass everything feminine and luxury.

 

HOURGLASS AMBIENT LIGHTING POWDERS PALETTE {REVIEW}

I haven't seen this much hype since the Urban Decay Naked Palette and I couldn't click on a blog or watch a beauty video without hearing about that one.

Yes I'm talking about the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette that has been gracing our screens for the past six months or so. When I first heard about this palette I didn't think it was too special since I thought it was just a highlighting palette that so many products a quarter of the price could achieve, but I couldn't have been more wrong.

BECCA BEACH TINT - REVIEW + SWATCHES

Being a brand that only just became easily accessible to us Aussies with the arrival of Sephora in Sydney, I definitely wanted to give Becca a go.

They are notably well known for their Beach Tint which is a stain suitable for both lips and cheeks, said to work with all skin types.

REVIEW: MAKE UP STORE BLOTTING POWDER

With us Australians in the midst of Winter, blotting powder has become an essential for the oily skinned among us.

Essentially this product is a pressed version of translucent loose powder. This makes it much easier to work with and also more portable since you can use it on-the-go without spillage in your car or handbag.

NEW NARS PRODUCTS - WELCOME TO THE COLLECTION

NARS is a brand that has been popping up more and more in my collection and since I can never resist Mecca's beautiful displays.

I finally caved and made a big lot of purchases. Which let's face it, four products isn't a lot but it is considering their price. I picked up three duo eyeshadow compacts and one single eyeshadow, mainly because I think the duo eyeshadows are at a much better price point but I still wanted to give the other a go.

THE LOW DOWN - REAL TECHNIQUES BOLD METALS COLLECTION

You have more than likely heard of Real Techniques by now and you might even have some of their brushes in your collection! I posted on Instagram a couple of weeks back when the Pixiwoo girls announced the news of a Bold Metals collection, a luxury range to be released within their brush line.

What's so great about Real Techniques as a company is that they are amazing quality but aren't priced so expensive that they will break the bank.


Real Techniques is available in Australia from Priceline but unfortunately, and expectantly, the price is ridiculously inflated.That's the reason I buy all of my Real Techniques online from iHerb.com where they sell at US RRP and you can use the discount code QAB322 for;
- $10 off orders over $40
- $5 off orders under $40.

SPLURGE OR SAVE: SUMMER NAIL COLOURS

 

When it comes to nail polish it's unlikely someone is going to be able to tell the difference between a high end and drugstore varnish. 

 

That's why finding drugstore dupes for more expensive brands is so amazing and today I have two Summer nail polish colours to share with you; offering an OPI polish and an affordable Maybelline shade to choose between.