Urban Decay Backtalk Palette Review

Good Morning Beauties! Today I’m talking about my take on the Urban Decay Backtalk palette. I’ve had this for about 6 weeks now and I’ve been meaning to write a post about it for awhile but I keep pushing it aside for other posts so today it finally gets a turn.

I bought this from Mecca and it retails for $78AUD. It contains 8 eyeshadows and 4 cheek products. 3 of the eyeshadows are matte, 2 are satin and 3 metallics. The cheek products are broken up into 2 blushes and 2 highlighters.

(Image Source: http://www.mecca.com.au)

I’ve really been enjoying this palette for a more girly look. It’s a lot more cool toned than a lot of popular palettes at the moment and each look turns out very soft and pretty, in my opinion. The highlights work perfectly and the blushes are beautiful too. I’m more inclined to use Cheap Shot as an eyeshadow, mainly because I’m so fair and it’s quite a shimmery blush. I love that the palette can be used as an either or and it would be great for travel to have a few options if this colour scheme is up your alley.

Another thing I love about it, is the detachable mirror. I can have the palette flat on my vanity or makeup table and still hold the mirror at the angle and with the lighting I want. Also another bonus for travel. The shadows blend really well and the pigmentation is great. The shimmers and metallics aren’t as intense as other shadows I’ve used but they work well with a wet brush or applied using your finger. If you use a dry brush it makes a great everyday/work look. Below are a few looks I’ve created with this palette.

Have any of you tried the palette? What were your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below.

Until next time, Beauties xx

Inglot Freedom System Flexi Palette Review

Happy Tuesday, Beauties and welcome to another review. Today, as the title suggests I’m going to be reviewing the Inglot Freedom System Flexi Palette. Some of you might have read my previous wish list posts regarding this item and as my no Buy is now over I took the plunge.

The particular palette I bought retails for $28AUD. The magnetic base is black and the lid is a frosted glass with the Inglot name stamped across. It doesn’t contain any dividers so it’s a truly flexible palette. The small silver circles are also magnets and keep the lid secure but also allow you to connect it underneath when the palette is in use. It doesn’t contain a mirror, but I personally don’t use mirrors in palettes, so it isn’t a big deal. Something to consider though if you prefer a mirror. You can put face powders, eyeshadows, lip colours or whatever you choose into it and arrange it as you see fit.

The reason I wanted this particular style of palette is because I wanted to have something I could take at a moments notice and know I have everything I need within it. Travel, overnight trips or just being in a rush in the morning, I wanted the choice taken away in a sense and just have something I know works readily at hand. The beauty of this system is you can choose and customise all the colours, shades and undertones specifically for you and your skin type and colour preferences.

I haven’t filled the entire palette yet, I didn’t want to go overboard in the spending, but I have purchased a contour/bronzer, setting powder, blush, highlight and 4 eyeshadows. My intention is to fill the rest with eyeshadows. The four I’ve purchased are colours much further out of my comfort zone than I would normally use but as I have so many neutral palettes I wanted to experiment. I will definitely be adding some neutral shades though. It’ll fit about 12 eyeshadows in total, along with the face powders so I’ll eventually have a nice selection to choose from.

The powders themselves are absolutely gorgeous. They all blend well, are super pigmented and don’t have a lot of fall out. I was initially worried about the highlighter, in the pan it looks really glittery but once applied to the skin it’s actually a beautiful, almost wet looking, highlight.

Below I’ve included some pictures with swatches of each of the powders, along with the price and weight. They aren’t what I’d call affordable but they also aren’t the most expensive I’ve ever seen either. You’re definitely paying for quality, and to me, that’s worth it.

First up is the Freedom System HD Sculpting Powder in 503. This is what I use for my setting powder. It contains 5.5g and retails for $25AUD.

Next is the Freedom System Face Blush in 29. It contains 6g and retails for $18AUD.

Next is the Freedom SystemHD Sculpting Powder in 515. This is my contour/bronze shade. It’s also $25AUD for 5.5g.

Fourth is the Freedom System HD Highlighter in 151. I adore this highlighter. It’s $25AUD for 4.8g.

The eyeshadows all retail for $12AUD but contain different amounts of products. From left to right after the highlighter we have 296 (2g) from the What a Spice Line, 450 (2.7g) from the Freedom System Pearl Collection, 284 (2.8g) from the Italian Kiss line and 329 (3g) from the original line. Other than the Pearl eyeshadow they’re all mattes and blend to perfection.

Here’s another swatch of 284, due some indentations on my arm it swatched quite patchy and it really isn’t.

What do you guys think of these types of palettes? Would you be interested in seeing a full look using this palette? Let me know in the comments below.

Until next time, Beauties xx

Old Favourites

Hello Beauties and welcome to another post. Today I thought I’d write about “Old Favourites”. I haven’t been in the makeup game long, so to me some of these products still seem brand new, but they’re also some of the first products I ever purchased so they’re the oldest in my collection. I absolutely adore the products I’m mentioning today and am so glad I started my collection with these gems.

First up is the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette ($70 for 18.9g with 16 pans). In my second ever purchase at Mecca I bought this palette. I fell in love with the smell and the colour palette. It’s got a great range of neutral shades and I would purchase this again and again. It isn’t for everyone and I get that, it for me this palette is perfection for everyday wear.

In that same purchase I got the Too Faced Sweet Peach Palette ($70 for 17g with 18 pans). This, again, is one of my absolute favourites but I’m not entirely sure I would need to purchase this one again if I ever hit pan on it. The shades I seem to gravitate towards are similar to the Chocolate Bar, so it’s kind of redundant to own both. However, I am glad I bought this one as there are some shades in here I adore that aren’t in other palettes.

I also got the Mecca Cosmetica Enlightened Lit From Within Powder ($48 for 8g). This highlighter is my favourite of all the highlighters I’ve ever swatched or purchased. It gives that really wet look and seems to almost sink into the skin rather than sit on top of it. It isn’t glittery and just gives a really gorgeous glow.

Another product I bought was the Hourglass x Mecca Ambient Lighting Palette. This is an absolute staple for me and I’m equally in love with using it always and not touching it. It’s a limited edition product so once the blush is gone, that’s it. The other shades are available as singles and in other trio palettes thigh so I use them more frequently than the blush.

Lastly in that order I got the Mecca Max Brow Guru Control Gel ($16 for 4.6mL). I’m sure there are cheaper dupes for this, but I love this one. It’s fairly inexpensive when you compare other brow products from Mecca, it lasts forever if you use a small amount like I do and it does exactly what it suggests, controls your brows. It sets them and they are almost waterproof without feeling or looking hard/crunchy. I have a back up of this already for when my original runs out.

And those are some of my old favourites. What are some of the products you always return to? Let me know in the comments below.

Until next time, Beauties xx

Current Favourites

Happy Friday Beauties! Today I thought I’d write about, as the title suggests, my current favourites. I have done and will be doing quite a few reviews over the next couple of posts so I wanted to mix it up a bit. I also thought it might be interesting to see how my favourites change as the year progresses. As is my usual style this is a mix of drugstore and high end products.

First up is the L’Oréal Pro Glow Foundation. I did a review on this awhile ago that you can fine here. As it’s finally cooling down in Australia, I’m loving this foundation more and more. It’s a great drugstore option if you have drier skin and I highly recommend it.

Next I’ve been loving the MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation. It’s my perfect shade compared to every other foundation I’ve tried and I can’t say enough good things about it. As it’s coming into winter I’m finding I need less and less powder to set this foundation. You can find a full review on it here.

(Image Source: http://www.maccosmetics.com.au)

I’ve also been loving the MAC Prep + Prime Fix + Spray. It isn’t technically a setting spray but I find it definitely takes away the cakey look you can sometimes experience with setting your foundation and it’s great for making shimmer shadows really POP. I’m not telling you anything you haven’t already heard from any other person who has used it. Would definitely recommend if you haven’t tried it.

I’ve also been loving the Models Own Barely There eyeshadow palette. I love the quality and price point of this palette. It doesn’t have as many shades but I find it’s almost a dupe for the Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette. At least the more neutral/everyday colours.

Another Models Own product I’ve been loving is the Sculpt and Glow palette, I absolutely adore it. It’s also perfect coming into winter as it has a slight illumination in both the bronzer/contour shade and the blush. It’s a great drugstore option for a face palette, if you have fairer skin.

One thing I’ve been enjoying is the Maybelline Fit Me concealer in Fair. I’m able to get away with this shade now that I’ve got a foundation that matches me perfectly as it doesn’t have a yellow undertone like most lighter concealers do. My only issue with this is that it can feel a little drying under the eyes so I’ll have to revisit my opinion once winter has completely arrived.

Something I picked up a few days ago is the Face Halo Makeup Remover. It’s wonderful for removing makeup, gentle on the skin, really cost effective and eco friendly! I can’t say enough good things about it so far. A full review is coming soon.

And they’re the things I’ve been loving and reaching for over and over again. I really enjoy using them all and find the days I do use them I have a good makeup day. I hope you’ve liked this post. What are some of your current favourite products? Let me know in the comments below.

Until next time, Beauties xx

Models Own Sculpt and Glow Contour Palette Review

Hello Beauties, another Friday is upon us. It’s the last Friday of April and I’m struggling to come to terms with the fact that the year is almost halfway over. When I was a kid everything seemed like it was forever and a day away and my parents would be quietly exclaiming to themselves, “May already? How?!” I feel like this is the moment in life that I realise I may be 22 in my heart but I’m above and beyond my 32 years. I’ve reached adulthood. But enough on this tangent, it’s not what you clicked into this review for, after all.

Today I’m going to be reviewing the Models Own Sculpt and Glow Contour Palette in Medium Tan. I’d been eyeing this palette off for awhile but my local Priceline never had it in stock and rarely had it available online either. I took this as a sign that it must be good because generally the Models Own display is very well stocked. A friend of mine happened to purchase this palette during a 50% off sale back in October and tried it out a few times before asking me if I wanted it. After ensuring she really would be throwing it out if I didn’t take it, I jumped at the chance.

(Image Source: http://www.priceline.com.au)

The reason she wasn’t a fan was because it has quite an illuminating quality about it. While my dry, minimal pore size, slightly textured skin thrives off of illumination, my friends oilier, more textured skin does not. I ended up gifting her a colour correcting palette that she adores that I purchased on her recommendation, which unfortunately didn’t work out for me.

The palette is about the same size as their current eyeshadow palettes available in Australia and contains 3 pans; a contour, highlight and blush. The pans are huge and I think it’ll take quite a long time for me to actually use up a significant amount, which is a great quality as it is so inexpensive compared to higher end brands. It retails for AUD $24.95 for 14.9g of product and, in my opinion, it’s worth every cent. However, as per the above paragraph, this won’t be the case for everyone.

The powders are really creamy and pigmented. They blend easily and there’s little fall out when using them. The contour shade is really more of a bronzer, it’s a beautiful warm colour, it isn’t too orange but it’s definitely not on the cool side. The highlight is gorgeous, that kind of wet looking, inner glow type of highlight. Finally the blush is a pink with a slight peach undertone to it. I really enjoy this colour and usually I avoid pink blushes at all costs, but this one is beautiful.

The thing I like best about this palette (that my friend did not) was that each powder has a slight shimmer/glow to it. I find this to be an added bonus, it I can definitely see how others would not. As I’ve mentioned many times before, I have dry skin. It’s sun damaged and I’ve got fine lines. Outside of my t-zone anything I apply to my skin has the chance of looking dry, flaking or cakey. With this trio, however, it keeps me from looking anything but cakey or dry.

Those with oilier, more textured or with larger pores may not enjoy it for the exact same reasons I love it. Depending on other factors like mattifying primers and foundations or an excellent setting powder, I think it could definitely work for a range of skin types. The contour and highlight however I don’t think could work on a number of skin tones. I’m quite pale and use the Medium Tan palette, I just don’t think it’d work on anyone deeper than a medium skin tone. Which is a shame because it’s a wonderful formula.

As I mentioned, this was given to me so I can’t say if general use or something else occurred but the pans do seem to have some beading within them. This doesn’t effect the use or finish at all, just something to be mindful of. I usually keep all of my palettes in their unit cartons and retain the plastic slip that covers powders, however my friend doesn’t. So who knows if that makes a difference or not. My eyeshadow palette hasn’t shown this sort of reaction, so I’m inclined to think it’s a one off or that the packaging would help to protect it for longer.

Have any of you tried this palette? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time, Beauties xx

Project Pan?

Hello Beauties, welcome to another week and another post. One thing that I’ve come to realise during my self imposed no buy is that I actually have quite a bit of makeup that I either don’t use because I forgot I owned it or I just don’t enjoy it that much. So I’m planning on doing a project pan, of sorts. I’m going to aim to have used up these products by the end of the year. I don’t want to limit myself to one type of product to use for the next X amount of months, but I would like to see them gone as 2018 is ending. Which seems like a long time away, yet here we are almost into May. I can’t even.

The products I’m putting into the project do work as well as they can. My intention with this post isn’t to deter you from buying any of the products mentioned. Nothing I’m putting in is terrible or not worth the money, they’re just products I’ve found better versions of, for me personally, or things I just know I won’t gravitate towards in the future. I’m going to list them in the order I’d use them in my routine, there are some skincare as well as makeup. Without any further adieu, let’s get listing.

First up is the Artistry skincare products. I’ve already used up the Fresh Softening Lotion, so I’ll be concentrating on the Eye and Lip Makeup Remover, Fresh Foaming Cleanser, Refreshing Eye Gel Cream and the Replenishing Moisture Cream.

All of these products work well and do their job amazingly. Before using these products my skin was a train wreck and when I started my blog I actually said I wouldn’t be switching to anything else. Oh how naive I was. The reason I want to use these up is because I’ve since discovered a brand that uses natural, organic ingredients that cost quite a bit less and last longer and give me the same results.

Next up is a primer, the Stila One Step Correct Primer. This primer is actually really nice. It’s cooling on the skin, it moisturises and leaves a slightly tacky finish. However, it doesn’t provide any of the colour correcting benefits it claims, in my opinion. If I were to purchase another primer from this line I’d stick to one that provides nourishment, hydration or an illuminating finish. There are just other brands and formulas out there that I enjoy more.

Another primer is the Artistry Exact Fit Beauty Balm Perfecting Primer. This product, again works nicely, however there are other primers out there that are just as effective for less than the cost of this one. I actually like to use this one almost as a B.B. Cream as it has a slight tint to it, for the days I don’t feel like doing a full face, which is probably how I’ll use this up.

Moving onto foundation, specifically the Artistry Youth Xtend Lifting and Smoothing foundation in Natural. This Foundation was the first one I ever used that didn’t make me look cakey, didn’t cling to dry patches or make me look like an Oompa Loompa. The only reason I want to use it up is because I’ve found 2 other foundations that work just as well, if not better, for less money that I’ve really been enjoying.

Now onto concealers. I have 2 I’d like to use up, which hopefully won’t be as difficult as I think it’ll be. Firstly the Artistry Exact Fit Perfecting Concealer in Light/Medium and the Maybelline Fit Me concealer in Light. Both of these concealers work well enough for me and my skin type. They both crease and neither completely cover my dark circles, but they do enough. I have fine lines under my eyes, everything creases. I stay up way too late and get up early, I’ll always have dark circles. These aren’t the reasons I’m letting them go, my main issue with the both of them is that they have a yellow undertone and neither suit my complexion. I can make them work but I prefer something that suits my more rosy undertone.

Second to last I have the Artistry Exact Fit Perfecting Loose Powder in Light. This powder works well to set the face, however it also has a yellow undertone, in my opinion, and isn’t as finely milled as other powders on the market for a smaller price tag. I specifically can’t use this powder to “bake” as it leaves me looking extremely dry and cakey around the eyes. I mainly use a big fluffy brush in this powder to set my face. It will be a struggle to use up as it contains 25g, I’ve already owned it for 6 months and have barely made a dent.

Lastly is the Real Techniques Brush Cleansing Gel. Again, this product works well but it’s quite thick so I find I’m often using too much and because of this my brushes require quite a lot of rinsing. There are much more affordable ways to clean your brushes, using baby shampoo or even natural cleansers. The scent of this one is nice but for some it could be overpowering, especially as it lingers on the brush long after they’re cleaned.

Are any of you doing a project pan? What are some of the products you want to see gone? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time, Beauties xx

Current Wish List

Hello Beauties and Happy Friday! Today I’m taking a break from reviews and wanted to talk about what is on my current wish list. I thought it’d be interesting to see if what I’m lusting after right now will be different to what I’m wishing for when my self enforced no buy ends in June. A few products mentioned are ones I gave myself permission to purchase if they were brought to Australia as limited edition products but word on the street is that those particular items won’t ever be available in Australia. Because, you know, we don’t care for product launches as much as the rest of the world *giant eye roll*. Let’s get into it!

I’m breaking it up into two categories, makeup and skincare. Both contain a mix of high end and drug store products. Skincare was something I didn’t restrict myself from purchasing during my no buy, but the products I list today are the kind that aren’t essential to a daily skincare routine, or are more expensive than what I currently use and therefore aren’t a must have.

Makeup

• Too Faced Peachy Mattes Palette – This is one of the products I gave myself permission to buy but will not be available in Australia and nowhere that stocks it ships to Australia
• Urban decay Backtalk Palette – I love the look of this palette. It reminds me a little of the Naked 3 palette, which I do not own. Right now I’m really into the colour selection
• Models Own Barely There 2 Palette – I own the original and love it. For drugstore shadows the original performs brilliantly and this one has a warmer colour scheme so I think it’d work well alone and with the original
• Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter and Glow Liquid Eyeshadows – These are in the list but something that may stay on the list without every purchasing. I think they look beautiful, from the reviews I’ve read and watched they perform spectacularly and look really pretty
• Hourglass Ambient Metallic Strobe Lighting Palette – As you might have seen on previous posts I adore Hourglass. This palette is a limited edition one, however u don’t love it SO much that I have to have it now, therefore I’ll wait. If it’s still available in June I’ll be seriously considering it
• Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes – There are quite a few of these that I want. In particular the shades Luminous Flush and Ethereal Glow. I already own Mood Exposure and I love it
• Hourglass No. 28 Primer Serum – This is a product that I will definitely purchase, once I have finished all the other primers I currently own. It’s on the expensive side, hence why I’ll wait until I need it, but from the tester I tried it’s extremely hydrating and lightweight feeling
• Inglot Freedom System Palette – This is a ‘make your own’ palette. There are several types and sizes available, you can buy eyeshadows, bronzers, highlighters, pressed setting powder and contour shades to fit. I really want to eventually fill one of these palettes with a completely custom colour scheme which would be great for everyday use but also for travel

Skincare

• GlamGlow GravityMud Firming Treatment – This is a product that I may never purchase. It has great reviews and sounds like an ideal mask, however it’s extremely expensive for a mask and I’m not sure how many treatments I’d get out of a 50mL jar. I may purchase the smaller size to gauge how much product I use per application and see if it’ll be worth the money
• Mecca Cosmetica Bright Eyed Eye Mask – As named this is an eye mask. I’m a big fan of eye masks so I’m keen to see how these ones go
• Skin Republic Masks – This is a brand I really enjoy from what I’ve tried so far. The price is very fair and the products live up to their claims. The reason it’s a wish list product is one particular mask I want to try advises a twice a week application for 4 weeks to see results, which makes it on the expensive side. Definitely something I want to try when we get to June though

Have you tried any of the products mentioned? What were your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time, Beauties xx

Hourglass Brand Review

Good Morning, Beauties. Today I wanted to widen the umbrella of my reviews. Instead of focusing on one product I thought I would discuss one brand. I’ve done this before with the Too Faced products I own and today it’ll be Hourglass.

I discovered Hourglass on my very first trip to Mecca Maxima. I was looking for a primer suitable for dry skin and was recommended the No. 28 Primer Serum. Trying out the tester, it felt amazing on the skin. Super hydrating, light and smooth. Unfortunately, I felt that the $94 AUD price tag was way above budget and an amount I wasn’t willing to spend. I didn’t think it would be worth it. I believe the word you’re currently looking for is, naive. I ended up purchasing a Stila primer and away I went. I don’t regret this decision, I enjoy the primer I bought and it has lasted me months but I do wish I had have given the Hourglass one a chance.

My first Hourglass purchase was the MECCA x Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette. It is a limited edition palette and retailed for $90 AUD. It contains 2 current powders and 1 limited edition powder;

1. Finishing Powder, Luminous Light
2. Blush, Mecca Birthday Glow (LE)
3. Bronzer, Luminous Bronze Light

My second purchase was the Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure. It’s a single pan blush and retails for $55 AUD.

The third item I own was a Christmas gift, the Ambient Lighting Edit Volume 3. It retailed for $117 AUD. It is also a limited edition palette, containing 3 current powders and 3 limited edition powders;

1. Finishing Powder, Diffused Light
2. Strobe Powder, Hypnotic Strobe Light (LE)
3. Finishing Powder, Dim Light
4. Bronzer, Luminous Bronze Light
5. Blush, Surreal Halo (LE)
6. Blush, Pure Effect (LE)

Everything I have experienced with this brand is wonderful. The powders are blendable, pigmented and look beautiful on the skin. They can be blended out if too much product is applied but you don’t need to load your brush just to get a subtle colour. Due to the marbled effect, no one pan is exactly the same and therefore a slightly different colour is achieved with each application. The powders definitely have a reflect to them, not a big chunky glitter, but a subtle sheen/shimmer that allows for the perfect dewy finish. I can often use the palettes for entire looks as the bronze and blush shades look beautiful as a subtle sweep of colour over the eyes.

During summer I will usually only use the powders to set under the eyes, as it is so hot and humid here, a dewy look in the morning often ends up looking like a sweaty mess by lunch time. However, during winter, especially with my dry skin, these finishing powders all work wonderfully over the entire face. Yes, they are expensive, but with the amount of product you receive and how beautiful they look on the skin I feel like it’s worth it. My only criticism would be that the limited edition palettes don’t cater to all skin tones, in my opinion. Perhaps in their endeavour to be entirely vegan and cruelty free they could also endeavour to bring out multiple shade options in their limited edition palettes.

As my love for makeup grows I find myself adding more and more Hourglass items to my wish list. As it is, it currently contains the following;

• No 28 Primer Serum
• Ambient Lighting Powder, Diffused Light
• Ambient Lighting Powder, Dim light
• Ambient Lighting Blush, Dim Infusion
• Ambient Lighting Blush, Luminous Flush
• Veil Mineral Primer
• Ambient Lighting Brush

As you can see I enjoy some of the powders in the palettes so much I’d like to get them in full size pans. The brush I have only heard good things about, my sister owns it and adores it and it has really good reviews online. However, it’s double ended and as I store my brushes in jars I don’t think the life of this brush would last. Finding another home for it is of course a possibility but I’m the type of person that would forget it was there and never use it.

Have any of you tried Hourglass? What are your favourite products? Let me know in the comments below.

Until next time, Beauties xx

Travel Makeup Bag – What I packed vs. What I Used

Happy Friday Beauties! Today I wanted to sit down and write about makeup and travelling. As the title suggests, I pack a lot and usually end up using only half of what I take with me. This goes for everything in my suitcase, clothes, shoes, underwear. You get the picture. I overpack and curse myself every trip trying to Tetris everything back in at the end of my trip. Maybe one day I’ll learn that I don’t need so many options. Honestly though, I probably won’t learn. Ever.

So I started off with good intentions. I was gifted a beautiful Kikki.K bag by my best friend. It’s massive for what it is, contains 4 inside pockets and a lot of room inside, but still wouldn’t have fit all of my makeup plus skincare, so I also purchased 2 x 2 packs of travel sized bottles from Kmart to decant what I could to save on space. They were AUD$6 and a lifesaver.

(image source: Kmart.com.au)

As far as skincare went, I decanted my makeup remover, cleanser and toner into these 100mL bottles and they fit perfectly. I ended up packing;

• Makeup Wipes (generic brand)
• Cotton Pads (generic brand)
• Artistry Eye and Lip Makeup Remover (decanted)
• Artistry Hydra-V Fresh Foaming Cleanser (decanted)
• Artistry Hydra-V Softening Lotion (decanted)
• Urban Decay Quick Fix Hydra-Charged Complexion Prep Priming Spray
• Just A Dash Beauty Hyaluronic Acid Serum
• Artistry Hydra-V Refreshing Eye Gel Cream
• Artistry Hydra-V Replenishing Moisture Cream (deluxe sample sized pot)
• Mecca Cosmetica Lip De Luscious in Peach Shimmer

Next up was the makeup, I packed as lightly as I could and tried to incorporate products that were multi use to avoid excess;

• Mecca Cosmetica Lit From Within Illuminating Primer
• L’Oréal Infalliable Pro Glow Foundation in Nude Beige 203
• Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Light 10
• Artistry Exact Fit Perfecting Loose Powder in Light
• Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Vol. 3
• Too Faced Chocolate Chip Palette
• Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer
• Maybelline The Colossal Volum’Express Mascara in Black
• Mecca Max Brow Guru Control Gel
• NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Espresso
• Maybelline Brow Satin Duo in Medium Brown
• MAC Prep + Prime Fix +

I also needed to pack the tools of the trade;

• Nude By Nature Essential Collection Brush Set
• Sports girl Fan Brush
• ELF Small Tapered Brush
• ECO Tools Spoolie
• Makeup Sponge (generic brand)
• GlamO Tri Fold Mirror

By the end of these lists you’re probably wondering how the hell I fit everything into that bag. Let’s be honest, I didn’t. Due to the size of the skincare products I couldn’t decant, plus the usual suspects like toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash and deodorant, there was no way I was able to fit it all in. However I did have my previously loved makeup bag that I could use, which I did. I think it came free with a Harper’s Bazaar magazine about a year ago. The brush set also came in it’s own little carrying case.

You’re also probably wondering why I packed a mirror. I went away on a girls weekend with my Mama Bear and Sister, so 3 of us sharing a bathroom and trying to all get ready at the same time wasn’t ideal to me and I figured an additional mirror couldn’t hurt.

This time, for the first time in my life, I used everything that I had packed bar the foundation. That’s because while we were waiting for our flight my sister and I were browsing the MAC counter (before heading to the lounge for wine time) and our mother generously bought us a new foundation each. The girl at the counter suggested I get the Studio Sculpt foundation (NW20 if anyone is interested). So I used that while I was away and I think I’ll give it a good month before I review it. This also meant I had one extra product to try and jam into that bag on the way home.

I think the next time I go away I won’t pack an additional bronzer, the palette I took has one in it, it’s just a bit on the dewier side but it would have meant some precious room available had I left it behind. I also think that I could have probably done without so many brushes, or could have swapped out the ones in the set I don’t use daily with ones that I do. Overall, there were things I could have left behind in order to make space or to just limit the amount of products I took in general but I did like that I didn’t have to settle for a product or wish I’d brought something else.

I also think that I just have to accept the fact that skincare and dental hygiene take up a lot of space and therefore I’m going to need a makeup bag and a skincare bag. My husband is the lightest packer on the planet so at least I know there’ll always be room in his bag if I need it.

What are your travel essentials? Do you over or under pack? Let me know in the comments below.

Until Next Time, Beauties xx

High End Holy Grails

Last post we covered the diamonds I’ve found at the drugstore. Today we’re delving into my holy grails from high end brands. As many of you might remember, I don’t mind at all paying for quality makeup, especially if it lives up to its claims. Below are some of my favourites.

Mecca Cosmetica Lip Deluscious in Peach Shimmer. This lip product is absolutely amazing. It’s a cross between a balm and a gloss. It nourishes and hydrates the lips and leaves them feeling silky smooth while also having a shine and but of peachy colour. I absolutely love it and plan on getting more shades from this range in the future.

Mecca Cosmetica Lit From Within Enlightened Powder. This is my favourite, stand alone highlighter. It can be used as a subtle highlight or built up for that glow to the gods type of highlight. I’ve mentioned it quite a few times already so I won’t go on about it, just know that it’s worth the money.

Up next we have the Hourglass Luminous Bronze Light bronzer. A perfect shade for lighter skin tones that want a dewy, glowing bronzer. Again, I’ve mentioned this too many times to count so won’t go on, but in my opinion it’s a fantastic bronzer.

Onto eyeshadows. My personal favourite is the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette. Fill of chocolate browns, pinks and purples and beautiful shimmers, it’s my go to palette. It isn’t a crazy, intense colour scheme, but for the looks I wear, it’s beyond perfect and I will definitely repurchase, assuming it’s still for sale when I finally hit pan.

Let’s talk blush. My fluorite high end blushes all come from the one brand, Hourglass. You really can’t go wrong with their powdered products, they blend beautifully, have great pigmentation and look amazing on the skin. Pictured below is the Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure.

My favourite foundation at the moment, and the one that keeps my skin looking great all day is the Artistry Youth Xtend Lifting Smooth Foundation in shade Natural. It isn’t a Mecca or Sephora brand, it’s purchased through Amway, but is still a high end price so i feel like it’s justified on this list. My skin doesn’t react to this foundation, it looks beautiful and applies effortlessly. Something I have already repurchased in anticipation of of my current one running out soon.

Lastly, the Mecca Max Brow Guru Control Gel. This stuff is legit. It helps tame unruly brow hairs without feeling heavy or thick, locks in the colour of brow products you’ve applied underneath and helps to encourage hair growth (or so I’m told) in areas of the brows that normally are difficult to grow hair. It isn’t too expensive, but is sold at Mecca, hence its place on the list.

And there, you have it. My High End Holy Grails. What are some of yours? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time, Beauties xx