Inspirational Make Up Looks

 I really loved these beautiful cover make up looks from the InStyle and Shop Till You Drop July issues. Hope you like them too. Emily Blunt's eye make up looks so amazingly pretty!

Priceline Gift With Purchase Skincare Bag

There's something about a sale promotion or bargain that I just cannot resist. So naturally, I caved and went to Priceline today. I needed some products from the Yes To range, and my mother wanted an eye cream, so I knew what I wanted to buy. I decided to do a quick post for anyone who is thinking of getting the gift bag (hurry!). I will not be discussing the items in detail in this post.

Her eye cream made up $40 of the purchase so I only had to spend another $20 to receive the gift pack. I purchased the Yes To Carrots Exfoliating Cleanser, which is my holy grail cleanser, as well as the Yes To Tomatoes Skin Clearing Facial Mask. 

 First off are the items from the gift bag which I gave to my mum. Just because I didn't need it or didn't want to use if with my sensitive skin. 

Nude by Nature Facial Cleanser, Dove Body Lotion, Dr Lewinns Bio Oil, Biore Facial Cleanser, Nivea Lip Balm, Puretopia Facial Cleanser, Sorbolene Cream and a face mask.

Onto the items which I did keep. 

Yes To Blueberries Facial Towelettes (travel size) ; Swisspers Cucumber Cleansing Wipes

Avene Thermal Spring Water ; Aveeno Eye Illuminator (eye cream) ; Palmer's Cocoa Butter Facial Lotion (Sensitive skin)

Formula 10.0.6 Pore Strips ; Palmer's Cocoa Butter BB Cream (sample)

Chapstick SPF 30 ; Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lip Balm

Sanctuary Spa Body Scrub ; Vaseline Total Moisture Lotion ; Dermalex Eczema Cream

The gift bag is available if you spend $60 or more on the brands included, but available only while stocks last. I would definitely say it is worth the purchase if there are things you need to get. I was really happy to see the facial wipes and the Avene spray, as well as other essentials.

Review Sleek Face Contour Kit and Blush by 3

I recently stumbled across the official Sleek website and was intrigued, the prices are really affordable and shipping cost are low (only about $2 for 2 items). The face contour kit is what attracted me to the website. I was looking for a contour with more brown, less orange. This kit includes a pressed contour powder for creating shadows, and a shimmer powder for highlighting. I purchased the kit in light as I wanted a less dramatic contour.

What I really do love about both products is the big mirror in the packaging. As you can see from the swatches, the highlighter is a soft shimmery champagne colour and the contour is very wearable. My skin tone has a olive base but I am glad I bought the kit in light, as this is not too dramatic.

The contour kit comes in a small compact which can easily fit in your make up bag on the go. It comes with a instruction leaflet which indicates visually how to contour your face and nose.

On to the next product, the Blush by 3 palette. There are 5 shades available, from which I chose Lace. Each compact contains 3 fully pigmented matte and shimmer blushes. Lace has coral toned blushes from which 2 are matte and one shimmer.

This compact is larger than the contour and also contains a handy mirror.

The first colour, Chantilly (TOP), is an orange coral. It almost looks like a bronzer in the swatches. This is great for a vibrant summers look but not my favourite.

Guipure (MIDDLE), my favourite colour, is a shimmery pink with gold highlights. As soon as I swatched this colour on my fingertip I though - NARS orgasm. This colour is definitely a dupe.

Crochet (BOTTOM) is quite a hot pink coral and the most wearable.

Overall I am happy with the colour of the blushes, they can be easily built up to suit the intensity you want. One thing that I have noticed is that there is a big amount of fall-out from these blushes. The packaging is not going to stay looking this beautiful for long.

The face contour kit was $8.49, the blush by three was $12,49 and shipping and handling was $2.37.  Therefore I spent a grand total of $23.35 for a contour, highlight and three blushes.. Not bad!

Amazing M&M Birthday Cake Idea

Today I am straying from the usual beauty topic to talk about something a little sweeter. Last week was my boyfriend's birthday and I wanted to bake him something great! I really like baking and after many failed attempts (I always forgot some crucial ingredient), my baking is now usually successful. I have seen many images of kit kat/m&m cakes on Pinterest but didn't think I would be able to bake it. Thanks to Recipe Girl, I realised how easy this cake actually is!

I, unfortunately, did not think to take photos of my step by step process but I will try my best to explain how I baked it without visuals:

1. I bought 2 packet mix box cakes (whichever flavour you like, I used chocolate), and baked them each separately.
2. After both cakes have cooled, I cut the top of one of the cakes horizontally (to create an even surface on which the other cake can sit. 
3. I used a can of caramel to spread on top of the cake where I cut (you can use icing sugar or whatever your heart desires). Then place the second cake that is still intact on top of the first one. The reason I made two cakes is because I wanted a high standing cake.
4. I then used the rest of the caramel and spread it on top of the second cake as well as all around the sides of the cake (once again you can use icing sugar).
5. Break up the kit kats (I used about 5 slabs) and placed them all around the cake. They will stick to the caramel (or icing sugar). 
6. Next up just sprinkle the m&m's on the top of the cake (I used a whole packet).
7. Lastly, to make sure everything stays together and to add a nice touch, tie a ribbon around the cake.

As I mentioned, I was inspired by the cake that Recipe Girl made on her blog. 

July Freebie - Model Co. Fibre Lash Mascara (full size)

Just wanted to let all you Aussie girls know that Instyle magazine has a great freebie this month - a full size Model Co. Fibre Lash mascara. This is my current favourite everyday mascara so when I saw that there is a free one with the magazine I had to purchase it. It is actually a good issue as well to be honest, with some really beautiful make up looks!

More on this mascara coming soon!

My Perfume Collection

Smell is an intriguing sense.. We often associate people and objects by there scent, and you are remembered by your smell. I usually gravitate to the same perfume scents, I only have a small collection but I thought it was time to do a post on my perfumes.

My favourite perfume of all time, that I have repurchased and will keep repurchasing, is DKNY Be Delicious. I'm not the best at describing scents so bare with me. This perfume smells like crisp, green apples. It is on the sweet side, but not sickly so, it is quite fresh. The packaging is in the shape of an apple as well. This perfume is a EDP (eau de parfum), which is what I most commonly look for because the scent lasts and it is not overpowering when you first apply it.

 My second favourite perfume is Marc Jacobs Dot, I received this from my lovely boyfriend for our anniversary last year. The packaging is beautiful and so is the smell. This is how it is described on the internet:
"... incorporate red berries combined with dragon fruit. The juicy and exciting opening is followed by a floral trio composed of honeysuckle, jasmine and orange blossom, while a base closes with a trail of coconut water, vanilla, driftwood and sensual musk."
I would describe it as a fruity, light floral scent. I am not a big fan of strong floral scents but this is not one of those perfumes. This perfume is just beautiful!

I fell in love with Calvin Klein Sheer Beauty after receiving a sample. This new addition of Beauty is marketed towards a younger demographic. It has the same floral/fruity smell I love in perfumes. The bottle is also very beautiful and elegant. I made a mistake when purchasing this and bought it in EDD (eau de toilette - which has a lesser concentration of oil). This makes it very strong when you first apply and it also makes me sneeze A LOT! Which is a bit disappointing since I forked out the money for it, but I still wear it now and then.

Another gift from my boyfriend (he knows I love the Marc Jacobs perfumes) was the Marc Jacobs Lola. This is one that I wouldn't neccessarily have chosen for myself, as it is more of a FLORAL floral. Not really fruity at all.
"Lola includes pink pepper, pear, ruby red grapefruit, peony, rose, geranium, vanilla, creamy musk and tonka."
However, I do like it and it is nice to have something a little different to chose from.

 Last but not least, Nina Ricci 'Nina'. This was another gift from the boyfriend when we first started dating. He noticed my love for DKNY and I think that inspired this purchase as it is shaped like an apple. This is a EDD as well, so I can't always use it as my nose doesn't agree (sneezing constantly is not fun). But I do like the scent. It is a fruity-floral scent with fresh citrus undertones. The bottle is fun and reminds me of Snow White.

And that's my favourite perfumes. I fancy more expensive perfumes rather than having many cheaper ones. I think the scent that I like can clearly be seen in this post, so if you have any other suggestions to try I would love to hear them.

May Beauty Favourites

HOLY BEJIEBIES! We are half-way through 2013. Felt like it was just Christmas time.

I have been staring at my computer all day doing my design assignment and I am ready to go to bed. But first, my May favourites.

 1. Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream

I recently purchased this moisturiser after using a sample, and it has become my holy grail moisturiser. I have been meaning to do an in-depth review of this moisturiser. Please comment if you would like a review or have any specific questions.















2. Original Carmex lip balm

This is my life-saver during the winter (aka dry and flaky lips) months. I love the medical, VICKS-like smell. And I prefer this applicator to tubs where you have to use your fingers.






3. Real Techniques Contour brush

My favourite brush to use this month has been the Real Techniques contour brush. I haven't been using it for contour though - because of the tapered end, this brush works great to blend concealer under the eyes. It also works well in the creases around the nose.















4. Rimmel Lipstick 16
This has been my current go to lipstick. The colour is easy to wear and I think the pink compliments green eyes really well. It is not the longest lasting lipstick, but it is easy to apply on the go.

5. Mimco pouch with rose gold detail

Random favourite of the month is this Mimco purse. It was a gift from my boyfriend last Christmas and I have been using everyday this month. It holds my my necessary cards, carmex and car keys.Plus it compliments my rose gold Micheal Kors.











6. Random rings

Everything has been so hectic during May, therefore I loved these simple rings. They just add a little something. I think they were from Lovisa a few months back.












7. Kerastase Nectar Thermique

Love love love this stuff. This sample has lasted me all through May and there is still some left! Its a hair serum/heat protector that smells amazing and leaves hair feeling super soft. Does anyone know where I can purchase this in Australia?