Review | Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner

 Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner in Black

Hi lovelies! So recently I have been taking a break from my daily black liquid eyeliner. However after this purchase my love has been firmly rekindled. The problem I had with a lot of cheaper liner options was that they began to fade or flake throughout the day. 

Review | Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvets

Hi lovelies! So two lipstick reviews in very short succession from me... Well I thought it was best to get them out of the way. I am a big fan of liquid lipsticks, however my favourites are on the pricier side. When I saw the latest release from Bourjois I couldn't wait to pick them up on my recent trip to England. 

Review | NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder

Hi lovelies! I apologise for showing you such a well loved product but I completely forgot to take photos of this one before getting stuck into using. I discovered filling in my brows relatively late in the game. Looking back on photos of myself pre-brow now causes me to cringe slightly. 

Like lipsticks I am a bit of a hoarder when it comes to brow products, I tend to switch up what I use based on how much time I have and how much other makeup I am wearing. I always fill in my brows even if I am wearing no other makeup. However with the NYX eyebrow cake I tend to prefer wearing it when I have other makeup on my face. My preferred look recently has been a simple matte eyeshadow, strong brows and a strong lip. 

I originally bought this product on a whim, I was sceptical when it arrived that, although labelled as blonde, the colours would be a much too much. I was pleasantly surprised though. First I run the clear wax over my brows with the angled brush included. This has been great during the humid summer in Brisbane as it provides a base for the powder to stick to. It also keeps my unruly brows in place. 

I then run a mix of the two colours, although I tend to favour the upper colour through my brows with my own angled brush. After a quick brush through with a spoolie I am all done. I find the colour lasts until I am ready to take it off at the end of a long day. 

If you enjoy a well defined brow I would highly recommend this little kit, it makes travelling so simple as well. It is available from selected Target stores in Australia or online here for only $9.95. 

What are your favourite brow products?

Jess x 

Review | NYX Highlight & Contour Duo

Hi lovelies! So today is a review of a new NYX product that I have been testing out over the past couple of weeks. You may remember from this review that NYX have recently launched in Target stores Australia wide, so I have been keen to test out the range. 

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. 

Review | NYX Matte Lipsticks

 NYX Matte Lipsticks (From L to R) in Merlot, Shocking Pink, Alabama and Indie Flick

Hi lovelies! Another day, another lipstick review. I have resigned myself to a complete lack of control whenever the words matte and lipstick are combined. A website I used to shop on quite frequently was Cherry Culture, and when they sent me a code for 20% off my purchase, I couldn't resist.  

They stock a myriad of American drugstore beauty brands including Jordana, Milani and most excitingly NYX. Target have also recently started stocking the brand so for immediate gratification purposes I would head there. 

I picked up four shades from the Matte Lipstick range. I have heard many postive reviews for these lipsticks over the years and I'm glad to say that they live up to their reputation. Whilst they aren't quite as matte as my favourite Illamasqua or Mac formulas these are very similar in finish to the Kate Moss for Rimmel Matte Lipsticks. I find them very creamy and comfortable to wear, with a good lasting time of around 4 - 5 hours. 

I'm so pleased that NYX is now stocked in stores as I will be able to get a more accurate idea of the shade range. Swatches of these lipsticks can take a bit of searching and the swatches on Cherry Culture are not the most accurate. Hence why I ended up with two shades (Alabama and Merlot) that are very similar. I do wear shades like this a lot during the cooler months however so they wont be going to waste. 

My favourite picks were definitely Indie Flick and Shocking Pink. A vibrant orange-red Indie Flick definitely reminds me of So Chaud by Mac. And Shocking Pink is a great blue-based pink that is almost neon. 

I highly recommend checking out these lipsticks in person as for the price the quality is fantastic. 

NYX Matte lipsticks are available online at Cherry Culture or at selected Targets for $12.95. For a full list of NYX stockists in Australia check out this wonderful graph from Tried and Tested. 

Will you be picking up any of the shades?

Jess xx

Review | Benfit's Gimme Brow vs. Australis' Tint My Brow

 From L to R: Benefit's Gimme Brow in Light/Medium and Australis' Tint My Brow in Blonde

Hi lovelies! It's a double post from me today as unfortunately Erin has gone and caught tonsillitis for her 21st birthday. Whilst she's recovering you get the pleasure of reading about my addiction to all things eyebrow related. You may not know, but I work at a cafe which means horrifically early mornings. Whilst I don't usually bother with much makeup for work, I do feel a little bit naked without my eyebrows filled in. In order to gain a few extra minutes in bed I was on the hunt to a speedy brow routine that I could do whilst half asleep. 

Review | Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Stick vs Shadow Paint

 Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Stick in Bulletproof Beige, Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Paint in Golden Bronze

Hi lovelies! It's been awhile since my last beauty review. With the change in seasons my skin has not been too happy with me, so I have been sticking to mascara and concealer for the most part. To make up for the lack of beauty on the blog I am back with a double review on some new releases from Rimmel.

These have been out in the UK for quite awhile now, but are just now making it into Pricelines in Australia. For any of you who are tossing up between the two I though I would give you a quick rundown on the differences. 

Colour: Day to day I stick to neutral colours on my eyes. I picked up the most neutral in both lines. My one gripe with both products is that the shade range is very limited and features some very out there colours. Hopefully Rimmel will expand the shade selection in the future. 

Bulletproof Beige is very subtle on my eyelids as it is nearly the same shade as my skin. For this reason I prefer to use it as a base for powder eyeshadows, rather than on its own. 

Golden Bronze is a beautiful warm gold. It catches the light beautifully and lately I have been wearing on its own blended all over the lid. 

Application: Here is where the two products are very different. Bulletproof Beige is a chunky pencil which unfortunately is not self-sharpening. Once applied to the eye there is a short window of time to blend the product after which it sets. 

Golden Bronze is a housed in a tube with a doe-foot applicator. This leaves a really thick layer of product that needs to be blended out very quickly before it sets. It took a bit of getting used to as the product dries very quickly, but once you've got the knack of it it becomes very quick and easy. 

Staying Power: I think everyone wants their eyeshadow to stick around, and these two products are definitely great for that. As I mentioned I use Bulletproof Beige predominantly as an eyeshadow base, and I find it definitely extends the wear of my eyeshadow and liner. 

I haven't had any issues with Golden Bronze either and on its own there is no creasing or shifting throughout the day. 

Personally I prefer the colour and ease of Golden Bronze so if I had to pick just one of these products then it would be the Shadow Paint. 

If you fancy either of these products for yourself you can find them at Pricelines Australia wide. Otherwise they're currently on sale on Asos! 

What are your current eyeshadow favourites?

Jess xx

The Mix | Brow Hunting

Prestige Ultimate Brow Definer in 02 Toffee available here/ Maybelline New York Master Shape by Eye Studio in Soft Brown available here (pictured L - R)

You may recall a few weeks ago I posted a review of a random Japanese Brow Pencil that I found in Daiso. That delightful addition to my makeup routine ran out a lot quicker than I thought and when I went back to repurchase it was no longer on the shelf. Ever since I have been on the quest for it's replacement and it has been way more challenging than I thought.

Review | Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers

Rimmel Apocalips Lip Laquers (L-R) in Galaxy, Phenomenon, Stellar

Hi lovelies! So this is a bit of a first for us, but today we'll both be giving you our thoughts on the Rimmel Apocalips Lip Laquers. If you live in the UK then we're miles behind the times, but it takes a while for new products to work their way onto Australian shelves. Erin and I definitely enable each other when it comes to shopping so often we end up with the same products. We thought it'd be good to get two opinions on the one product. 

Erin: When Jess and I stumbled across these in our favourite Priceline a few weeks back I think we both fell a little in love. My love however was a little misguided as I selected a slightly awkward nude colour, Phenomenon. I loved the colour on the back of my hand but had no idea how it would appear on my face. My first application was too thick and I was instantly sad and slightly unimpressed with my impulsive purchase. 

However, after a few days of fiddling and colour mixing I discovered that a much lighter coverage was needed for a wearable look. It is also really lovely mixed with Rimmel's Lasting Finish lipstick in 103 for a muted but glossy nude. 

Considering my initial disappointment with the product it is quite humorous to think that I would go and buy another. Yet when it popped up on ASOS I couldn't resist and purchased it in a colour much easier to wear, Galaxy. 

Jess: Now it's no secret that I love a bright lip. So when I was tossing up between the shades Stellar leapt out at me. It's one of the strange shades that isn't quite coral and not quite red, but I love it. 

I also generally like my lip products matte. I knew what I was getting into with this product, but it was on special and I figured why not. I love the overall consistency and think it's a great product. That being said I wouldn't reach for this product over my matte lipsticks. 

I prefer being able to swipe on a lipstick and forget it's there. With this product I find myself needing to touch up more frequently and it's much easier to smudge. Like I said I think the product is fantastic quality, especially for the price it just isn't my cup of tea.

So a hit for Erin but a miss for me. Guess it shows how different people have different tastes. To sum up great product but make sure you pick the right colour and like a glossy finish.

Rimmel Apocalips can be bought from Pricelines or on ASOS with free shipping. 

Jess and Erin xx

Review | Rimmel Lash Accelerator

I know I'm a bit behind with this review but in all honesty, mascara is not the first product I lust over when it comes to black goop to apply to my eyes; liquid liner girl forever. However, I was recently in the need of a new mascara and the blogosphere (and Jess) sent me in this direction. 

About Face | Pretty in Pink

Hi lovelies! I don't think pink has ever been my favourite colour, yet here I am with a face of make up in entirely pink shades. Recently I have been skipping the smokey eyes and liner in favour of quick and long-lasting. For a girl who loves her eyeliner it's been a nice change, and I'm loving the extra time in bed. 

Erin and I were both slightly obsessed with tracking down the new shades of the 24 hour Colour Tattoo eyeshadows from Maybelline. I ended up in far too many Pricelines that day but the eyeshadow was worth it. It's a frosted pink (swatch far left) that makes for a quick fix in the mornings and pairs perfectly with my Sleek blusher in Pixie Pink (swatch in middle). Above I paired it with a warm brown in the crease for a look that's done in minutes. All it needs it a quick coat of mascara.

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.

Review | Hourglass Rouge Opaque in Raven

Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Raven

 I am in love. And not with a boy, but with a lipstick. My life is not at all sad... This is a purchase I have been contemplating for a long, long time, ever since I saw these lipsticks released overseas. 

Finally they've made their way to our stores and I couldn't wait to get my hands on one. If you've been reading the blog for a while then you'll know I'm no stranger to a red lip. However I have several requirements that any red must meet before being allowed into my ever-growing collection. It must be matte.  It must be pigmented. It must be long-wearing. This new formula from Hourglass passes with an A+ in every category. 

Review | Bourjois Volume Glamour MAX Mascara

 Unfortunately this is going to be the first negative review on the blog. I recently received this mascara as part of a gift with purchase from Priceline. I have tried several Bourjois mascaras in the past and loved them, particularly their Volumiser and Volume Glamour Ultra Curl Mascaras, unfortunately the same cannot be said for this one. 

It is not the formula that's the problem here, that's quite nice and once you get in on the eyes it's stays well all day. The brush is another story though. It's HUGE. It can be hard to accurately convey size over a computer screen so I photographed the wand next to the average sized Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara.