My Top 7 Makeup Brushes

Hello beauties, happy Sunday! Being a beauty junkie, I have too many makeup brushes in my collection. But I know, because we aren't all shopaholics, that is not the case for everyone. Today I thought I would share my most essential makeup brushes.

Real Techniques Powder Brush

This is my favourite brush that I own! I often wear a mineral powder as my base and this big fluffy brush allows super easy and quick application. What I like most is the large surface that this brush covers and the density that allows good coverage. Anyone with small facial features might not like this brush due to its large surface. It retails for AU$27.99 at Priceline but you can find Real Techniques brushes cheaper at iHerb.com.

Zoeva 104 Buffer

A dense buffing brush is ideal for blending in liquid foundation. It ensures even application and no harsh lines. I have bought all my Zoeva brush from Luxola.com (direct link here).

Zoeva 127 Luxe Sheer Cheek

This curved brush works great to apply blush onto the apples of your cheeks but the shape fits perfectly into the hollows of your cheeks, making it ideal for applying bronzer too (direct link here).

Real Techniques Contour Brush (bought as part of the Core Collection Set)

This brush is sold in the 'Your Base Flawless Core Collection' containing four brushes and retailing for $AU47.50 at Priceline (once again, can be found cheaper at iHerb). I do not use this brush for contouring, but rather to apply concealer under my eyes. The domed shape fits perfectly in the inner corner between my eye and nose and works well to blend the concealer.

Zoeva 226 Smudger & Zoeva 227 Soft Definer

These two eyeshadow brushes can get you through various makeup looks. The Zoeva 226 Smudger (direct link here) has very short, stiff bristles and works best for packing eyeshadow onto the lid, it works especially well with pigments or shadows containing glitter. The Zoeva 227 Soft Definer (direct link here) is the brush I use for blending shadow through the crease. It has just the right consistency to evenly apply the eyeshadow but still blend well.

There are many more great brushes and tools for applying makeup but these are just a few of my essentials. Let me know if you own any of these brushes and what your most-used makeup brush is?

Mecca Cosmetica Jet Set Travel Bag

I first discovered the great invention that is a 'double-sided makeup bag' in a Lily Pebbles' video. After an online-hunt, I found the exact Omorovicza bag on Feel Unique. Unfortunately $150 is not in my budget, so imagine my excitement when I discovered the Mecca Cosmetica Jet Set Travel Bag.

The idea behind these 'double-sided makeup bags' (as I have dubbed it) is a clear panelled cosmetic bag with two compartments on opposite sides and a divider in between. It is transparent to meet regulations for taking liquids on a flight. From my measurements, the bag is about 22cm x 12cm with an overall depth of 9cm. The first compartment allows for larger products with a depth of 5cm, while the second compartment is for less bulky products at about a 3cm depth.

The Mecca Cosmetica Jet Set Travel Bag features black patent material with beautiful rose gold zips and detailing. The bag itself retails for AU$50, which is pricey for a beauty bag but is a great addition for beauty lovers who travel often. It would also make a beautiful gift.

I am looking forward to using this bag for my Melbourne trip next week. It is available for AU$50 online at Mecca Cosmetica (here) or you can ask at your local Mecca Maxima or Cosmetica (make sure to ask as it might be kept off the sale floor). Alternatively his bag also comes in a collection with a few Mecca Cosmetica travel skincare products for AU$110 which you can buy here.

Do you have any beauty or storage travel tips to share? To any Melbourne readers, I'd love some recommendations of places to see or where to eat in the CBD. Don't forget to follow @oniochalasiablog on Instagram to keep up with all things happening at https://instagram.com/oniochalasiablog/.

New Release L'Oreal Colour Riche Exclusive Reds

Welcome back beauties! Any regular readers here would have noticed that My Oniochalasia has been seriously lacking content the past month. A busy University and work schedule has caused a lack in both time and motivation for writing. Luckily a friend has recently reassured me that there is in fact someone out there who cares about these beauty ramblings. So here I am, back in action and ready to share so many new finds and loves with you all.

Today I have a really exciting review of the new L'Oreal limited edition collection. This collection of sophisticated matte red lipsticks has a shade to suit every women. As with the exclusive nudes collection, each shade is created to specifically complement the diverse skin tones of six L'Oreal ambassadors; Eva Longoria, Freida Pinto, Jennifer Lopez, Doutzen Kroes, Blake Lively and Laetitia Casta. Each lip colour is also released with a complimentary-colour nail lacquer. 

The packaging is gorgeous! The combination of a slightly textured leopard-print (on the black area) and gold detailing creates a luxurious feel. Despite being a matte texture, the lipsticks apply smoothly. I would recommend using a lip liner and lip brush for the application, as the shape of the lipstick's tip does not allow for perfect application. 

As with the previously released Nude collection, Eva's red is my favourite colour. L'Oreal describes this one as an 'urban chic brick-red'.  To me, it is a 'sexy' red which compliments well with an olive-skin undertone and green eyes. Paired with a leather jacket and jeans for a date night.

Freida's red is the most pink-toned in the collection, with a fuchsia undertone. The texture of this shade is more matte and not as creamy to apply, but very opaque. I am pleasantly surprised with how this shade translates the my lips.

JLo's shade is a dark ruby red. The very creamy texture makes this shade hard to apply out of the tube. This glam red will instantly transform your look from day to night. 

The poppiest of reds, Doutzen's shade is a blazing tangerine. This is a great lip colour for a pop of colour, but the formula is not as opaque as the other reds and requires a few coats reapplied. This shade is my least favourite as it does not compliment my skin tone.

L'Oreal describes this shade as a classic pure red, which Blake Lively is known for rocking on the red carpet. This shade is almost a mix between Eva's 'brick-red' and JLo's ruby tone. Although more matte and harder to apply than both those colours, Blake's red is very opaque. Despite how the swatches look, the nail lacquer compliments the lip colour very well!

Finally, Laetitia's red is the most 'vampy' out of the bunch. A beautiful garnet red, perfect for winter. This shade is definitely the hardest to pull off and apply, as it can apply patchy. Applied with a lip brush and a matching lip liner, this shade can look seriously seductive.

There are some great shades in this collection and I think everyone will be able to find a match. If you are unsure which shade would best suit you head in-store and swatch the colours or leave me a comment with your features and I'll try to recommend a shade.

This collection is set to be released in Australia in July this year, but has been spotted in stores now. The lipstick will retail for AU$21.95, with the nail lacquers retailing at AU$7.95. The collection will be available at selected pharmacies, supermarkets and department stores. Let me know which shade is your favourite!

I was sent these lipsticks by L'Oreal Paris but all opinions remain my own. This is not a paid advertorial.