Review | Illamasqua VS. Maybelline Colour Sensational Bold Matte

When Priceline does a 40% off all cosmetics sale I can do very little to restrain myself from purchasing unnecessary items. This time was no different and whilst shopping solo I managed to whimsically purchase a lip colour I am known to be drawn towards. Bright coral colours always manage to draw me in. However, since purchase Illamasqua's lipstick in the shade Over I have been contented on the bright coral front. Maybelline New York's latest offering in Peach from the Colour Sensational Bold Matte collection was enough to draw me back in. 

I love a matte lip, no matter how drying and exposing of dry lips they may be. I also love a bright lip; again no matter how exposing they are. In a comparison of these colours I will say that the Illamasqua formula is more drying than the Maybelline New York Colour Sensational but wouldn't say that either offer an abundance of moisture. 

When I purchased the Illamasqua colour I also purchased a lip liner from them in the colour Spell which conveniently works slightly better with the Maybelline New York colour than the Illamasqua one. 

The Maybelline New York shade offers a more pink toned shade whereas Illasmasqua offers one more grounded in orange shades (if either of these are preferential for you skin tone). 

I love both of these colours and will continue to wear the Over by Illamasqua even though I have found a dupe for it. Have you tried either of these colours or have an obsession with bright coral? Let me know in the comments.

Erin xx

About Face | The 5 Product Face

Hi lovelies! I am a big lover of music festivals. Recently this has been my go-to face to last through the long and sweaty days. Personally I can't think of much worse than sitting in a camping chair trying to apply my usual routine with a tiny compact mirror. For festival days (and nights) I opt for a five product face that only uses one brush. 

OOTD | Never Never Land

 Shirt 'Never Get Real' Tee by UNIF / Skirt by Neon Blonde via Urban Outfitters / Shoes Converse via Urban Outfitters / Lipstick 'Scandal' by Illamasqua

Hi lovelies! Erin and I had a great day hiding from the heat in air conditioning on Sunday. We took some time to brave the heat and take some photos on the way home. I'm hoping you don't get sick of my simple summer dressing. It just gets way too hot in Brisbane to even contemplate layering. 

Seasonals | Bright and Bold

From L to R: Mac 'So Chaud', Revlon ColourBurst Lipstick 'Fuchsia', Illamasqua 'Scandal'

Hi lovelies! Today I have hijacked Erin's Seasonals series to chat about my favourite lipsticks for summer. It gets face-meltingly hot in Brisbane over the summer and my day to day makeup is reduced to eyebrows, lashes and a bright lip colour. If it isn't a bold colour chances are I won't be interested.

Nails | The Perfect Nude

Hi lovelies! I would just like to say that hands are really awkward things to photograph. And I guess you don't really notice that until you're looking through a mega-zoom lens. Anyways onto the nail polish. I don't know if any of you remember from my last nail post (handy link here) but my job allows me the extensive choice of red or nude nails. 

Ever since I started I was on the hunt for that elusive perfect nude. And it was harder to find than I anticipated. Some were too brown, some too nude, some too pink. It's amazing how many variations on skin tone are out there. When the Barry M Gelly Polishes were released last year I saw a shade that looked perfect. Sadly I live about 16, 000 kilometres away from purchasing the polishes in store. 

OOTD | A Comfortable Tale

Black Velvet Leggings - Mika and Gala / Navy Floral Shift - Vintage sourced via Ra Ra Superstar / Grey Hoodie - Table8 Activewear / Denim Chambray Shirt - Thrifted / Black 8-eye Dr. Martens - Thrifted / Lips - 'Over' by Illamasqua 

This weeks OOTD is another that practically represents everything I look for in an outfit to wear to work; comfortable but suitably reflecting my retro/vintage style. Before we start getting all technical about my jacket combination, I do not own a denim jacket and until recently have  not seen a huge reason to own one. Living in Brisbane it is not always denim jacket weather and so any denim over-clothing craving I've ever had has been pacified by this amazingly practical chambray shirt. However, after wearing this combination day-in-day-out I am desperately seeking out the perfectly oversized denim jacket (with Jess' snazzy eBay skills). 

The navy floral shift you see is one of my favourite vintage purchases with some wonderful memories attached to it. During the Summer after my last year at school I attended Woodford Folk Festival (for the first of many times) and after restraining from spending my hard earned pennies all week long, I splashed out on the last day on this beauty. It is so super practical to wear with leggings or stockings and bike short-shorts. 

Up until Winter last year I was an avid activist against leggings. I hated people wearing them and I loathed wearing them myself. This was until I realised that we have moved forward to a time where not all leggings are low-rise. Enter the perfectly priced pair of decent quality velvet leggings. I'm still yet to invest in another pair but I do love these dearly. They work perfectly with my Dr. Martens or Jeffery Campbell Litas. 

And thats my outfit for this week. You may have noticed in the last few posts that I have started adding brows to the morning makeup ritual. It isn't very complicated but if you'd like to see what products I use and how I do it, let me know in the comments.

Toodles,

Erin xx

Travel | Make Up

Hi lovelies! Just a quick one from me today. I am off to Melbourne this morning a weekend escape. I thought I'd give you all a nosey into my travel makeup bag. 

I recently bought this bag in the David Jones sale for a bargainous price. I love the travel print around the bag and the fact that it's water resistant. My last makeup bag was a very battered Clinique freebie which definitely had been worn out. 

Sick of rummaging through a bag for that one pesky product I chose a bag with separate compartments to keep everything organised. I will say thought that this is also the bag's detriment as larger containers are a bit of a hassle to pack. If you're a girl who can't survive without her whole vanity then this is not the bag for you.

I only have a few bits and bobs to take with me, including some bronzer and blush, an pair of eyeshadows and some mascara. And yes there are four lipsticks ...for three days ...I have a problem. Most of it is stuff you'll have seen on the blog before, apart from the new Hourglass concealer I am testing out. 

My favourite part about this bag is that is has a section for brushes. No longer will they get bent out of shape. I'm taking my usual bronzer and blush brushes as well as this super handy EcoTools travel set, which has everything I could ever need for my eyes. 

My tip for packing makeup, always try and do your makeup before you leave with what you've packed, that way you'll know if you've forgotten something. I very nearly forgot my eyebrow pencil. Whoops!

Jess xx

About Face | Number 5

Hi lovelies! In my last post I mentioned how I have been obsessed with my new Illamasqua Blush Duo in Beg/Bronzerella. I figured a post on how I wear it was in order. You can check out my review here for a close up view of the blushes, but for now... on with the makeup. 

Lately I have giving foundation a miss. Particularly when wearing heavier eye makeup I like keeping my skin fresh and clean. Just a swipe of concealer under the eyes and I'm good to go. 

It's always hard to show blusher in photographs however I'm wearing Beg from the duo and my usual Smashbox bronzer. As I mentioned in the review it's easy to go overboard with this blusher, proceed with caution unless you want to be sat blending for five minutes ...guilty. 

Review | Illamasqua Blush Duo

Swatched. Top - Bronzerella Bottom - Beg

Hi lovelies! Today's post is going to be a review (slash rave) about a new Illamasqua product. Definitely one of my favourite makeup brands. They're always releasing something a little bit different and everything I've tried from the brand has been fantastic quality. 

Today is no different. This is their Blush Duo in Beg/Bronzerella. Bronzerella is a frosted copper. I must confess I am a little terrified of putting this colour on my cheeks without having a serious tanning session first, but I have been loving wearing it as an eyeshadow. It makes for a quick, one-shadow smokey eye that I have been wearing everyday since I bought it. Bronzerella is exclusive to the duo, and can't be bought separately.

OOTD | Surprising Comfort

Oversized knit top - thrifted / Cuffed patterned pants - thrifted / Loafers - Shag Vintage / Amethyst pendant - Corky Saint Clair / Messenger bag - thrifted / 'Over' matte lipstick - Illamasqua / Sunglasses - Sportsgirl / Snake thumb ring - Tree of Life

As my wardrobe is developing as I age, I realise the high percentage of it that is second hand. Today's outfit is a darn good example of that. Jess and I recently went an op shopping trip and ended up with a haul of 20+ items between us. The knit top and pants are two of the items I found and I never thought I'd be making an outfit for the blog from them. I popped them on this morning out of a desire for extreme comfort and was pleasantly surprised with how nicely they complimented each other. 

Nailing It

Hi lovelies! Let me preface this post by saying I am not much of a nails girl. Whilst I love a coat of colour I was (and still am if I'm being honest) a nail biter. Gasp! My secret's out. Recently though I have been good and have been trying to show my nails the TLC they need to get back into shape. 

About Face #4

 Hi guys! I had hoped to post a haul up today, however my parcel has not arrived so that plan was quickly dashed. Instead here is my latest makeup obsession - plum eyeliner. I have been wearing it non-stop this week. I think it's an attempt to bring on the cooler weather with wintery hues. This particular eyeliner is 'Dark Diversion' by MAC. Unfortunately this is a limited-edition shade, but it is repromoted frequently during the autumn/winter time. There is also a fairly similar shade in the permanent line, but the name of it escapes me. 

Makeup #1: Staples

I've been going to a lot of job interviews lately and they require a certain style of makeup: clean, conservative and 'barely there'. It's also very handy that that is the easiest and my most preferred method of doing my face. In this post you will find the products that are my 'makeup staples', a bit of a review and a bit of a comparison with products I wish I had. 

This may not come as a surprise but in case you hadn't noticed already, I am a big, big fan of Clinique makeup and skin products. There is something about the brand that, initially, made me place my trust in their fine products. I've had problem skin since a young age and have always felt wary about straying away from what I know works and doesn't cause any unnecessary issues for me.  I think it was about two years ago that I converted to Clinique and it will take a heck of a lot of persuading for me to try anything different.

OOTD Life's More Fun in a Maxi

Pink Floral Maxi Dress - Thrifted, Green Socks - ASOS, Boots, R. M. Williams, Sunglasses - Sportsgirl, Lips - Over by Illamasqua and Raspberry (02) Superbalm Moisturising Gloss by Clinique

Wow! Two OOTD posts in a row! It probably (definitely) has something to do with being back in Brisbane near my photography-loving-friend Tara (she took all these photos by the way). Today we took up a trip up to Mount Cootha, near her home, for some lovely scenic shots at the look-out and in the Botanic Gardens.