Collective Haul & First Impressions

Despite my best efforts to save money, I purchased some beauty products last month of which I will be sharing my first impressions with you today. I also bought a few Hourglass products, but I want to save those for another post.

I made my first iHerb order and although I have been wary about ordering from them, everything went fine and I received my package within a week. The first beauty items which were included in my order are two Real Techniques brushes. I really wanted a makeup brush that I can keep in my handbag to touch up my base throughout the day and the Retractable Kabuki Brush is perfect for that. It is a super compact, angled kabuki brush that comes with a lid to keep the brush shape. I think this brush is a definite essential for makeup touch up's on the go and could be really handy for frequent travellers. I also purchased the Real Techniques Blush Brush as I wanted to try a different shape for applying blush. I do like this brush but it is nothing special. Randomly I also picked up an ELF Eye Shadow because it was too cheap to resist. I initially thought the shade Saddle would be a good crease colour, but I actually prefer the 'brown with a golden sheen' shade on my lid.

I was browsing Feelunique when they had a discount code and decided to finally try the Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush. I then impulsively bought the Watercolour Creme Bronzer too. The fluid blusher is in the shade Cherub; a peony-pink shade that I think would suit most people. This blusher is unlike any other due to its super watery formula. You have to shake it vigorously before squeezing a drop or two onto the back of your hand, which you can then apply with your fingers or a brush. Personally I prefer using a stippling blush as I found using my hand makes me apply the blush way too sheer. Once it has set it gives your cheeks a beautiful sheen of colour. For $28 you get 15ml of product that will no doubt last a very long time. The second product is a cream bronzer that comes in two colours, I got the lighest, Riviera. I am slightly disappointed with the packaging of the product. This bronzer is SUPER tiny (the same size as my ELF eyeshadow), $30 for 3.5g of product is not good value. Further the bronzer did not come in a box and neither was it sealed at all. The product itself is beautiful though, it is super creamy and applies really well (I use my fingers). It is a warm bronze (but not too orange) that works well as a bronzer or contour. The website also suggests you can mix it with your base product to add a tan-look to your face, but I am yet to try that.

I have clearly been loving blush & bronzer this month! The Balm recently had 30% off at David Jones and as a staff member I get an extra discount. Naturally, I could not resist that deal. I have a confession, I've never been much of a highlight fan. I feel like my face always ends up looking like a disco ball. With the discount I decided I had to try the very much raved about, The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer. This is a shimmery (but not glittery), champagne highlighter. Combined with the ELF fan brush (that I also got from iHerb) it applies really well and provides a beautiful glow. I have been searching for an 'Autumn' blush and though The Balm Instain Powder Blush in Pinstripe would be perfect. I adore the colour, a plum with (once again) a gold undertone. The problem I have had is that this product does not seem to last on my skin at all. I don't know whether maybe it doesn't work well with my base (a tinted moisturiser) because it is meant to be a long wearing, staining powder.

On first impression I was pleased with all these new purchases. They were products I wouldn't usually buy. For now, other than the Hourglass products I have purchased, I am trying not to buy any makeup until my Melbourne trip late-June… let's see if I can stick to that resolution.