Beauty heaven SEPHORA arrives in Queensland!

Queensland beauty lovers are in for a treat as SEPHORA opens its doors at Pacific Fair Shopping Centre.   

The wait is over, US beauty-mecca SEPHORA has finally arrived in Queensland. And while it's still over an hour's drive for Brisbane locals, it is worth the trip! If you are a beauty lover like me, walking into a SEPHORA store is like being a kid in a toy store... I didn't know where to look - it was equally amazing and overwhelming. 

The Broadbeach store opened on Friday, July 15th and the lineup of excited shoppers (a few arrived at midnight in anticipation) proved SEPHORA's success in Australia. This event marked the opening of SEPHORA's fourth Australian store and it was quite a celebration. There were thousands of beauty enthusiasts lined-up ahead of the midday opening with a live DJ and fun activities.

There are amazing brands on offer at SEPHORA Pacific Fair; everything from makeup and skincare to haircare and beauty tools. The most exciting part is having an array of International brands, which are usually hard to get ahold of in Australia, all in one place. Although I was on a budget, I picked up a few beauty products I have been dying to try - expect reviews soon!

Grab your girls (or boyfriend) and make a trip out of visiting SEPHORA, and the other luxury stores Pacific Fair has on offer - you won't regret it! 

My current beauty and lifestyle favourites

What better way to get back into the beauty reviews than with a 'favourites' post! Here is a collection of products that I have been absolutely loving over the past few months.

Previously I've always gravitated towards foundations that are dewy, light and natural looking. I shied away from anything claiming to be full coverage, that was until I came across the Too Faced Born This Way Foundation. I love how natural (non-cakey) the finish of this foundation looks whilst still providing great coverage. Too Faced have a wide range of shades so there is a colour to suit regardless of whether you need cool or warm toned foundation. I often struggle to find a foundation that is yellow based, so this is a winner for me.

When it comes to adorning my fingertips, I go through phases of either loving colour or sticking to neutrals. As you can see from my next favourite, the latter is currently winning. The Sally Hansen nail polish in Brown Rose has been my go to recently as it suits any outfit or occasion.

I have one new addition to my skincare regime; the Waterlily Marine Collagen Eye Infusion. I love so many of Waterlily's products but this eye gel stands out because it is amazing at depuffing. I love that the texture is a gel rather than cream as it creates a really soothing effect.

Makeup wise I recently changed up my eyebrow routine and put my beloved Brow Wiz aside to try out some brow products from Poni Cosmetics. I've found their brow powder in shade No. 2 Palomino to be a perfect colour match and sometimes it's nice to have a powder on hand for a more precise finish. The Too Faced Perfect Lips liner is your answer to a Kylie Jenner pout in one product. This liner makes it so easy to create a fuller look without that obviously overdrawn lip.

Finally, not beauty related but worth a mention none the less is Melissa Ambrosini's book Mastering Your Mean Girl. I might do a full book review soon but for now, all I will say is that it is a non-bullshit guide to getting your life back in order and a must-read!

Let me know what are some of your current favourite things in the comments.

The 10 commandments of dating a beauty junkie

As a self confessed beauty addict I will admit, I have some habits that some might consider strange. The following are 10 things all men should know when dating a girl that is overly obsessed with beauty.

1. Never question why we need “another pink lipstick”.
Unless you want to hear all about the various undertones in lipstick colours and the difference between a matte, cream or liquid formula... Yeah we didn't think so.

2. Accept that all international travel plans will include multiple stops at stores like Sephora, Ulta or French pharmacies.
No, all makeup is not the same. No we can’t get this back home.

3. We won’t give up, so just join our pamper nights.
Whether we want to share our face masks with you or pluck your eyebrows, you will eventually submit to being well groomed (and you'll be better for it!).

4. Travelling with hand luggage only is out of the question!
Most countries have restrictions on the amount of liquids you can carry onto the plane, and there is no way we are going to risk losing our stash at the security gates.

5. Buying a product just because our favourite YouTuber recommended it is totally acceptable.
If Amelia (yes, we are on first name terms) says we need it then we totally do!

6. Similarly, buying a product solely because of its pretty or unique packaging is a necessity.
We’re building a collection here okay...

7. Never comment about our skincare routine being excessive.
If you do, we will lecture you about the importance of double cleansing, exfoliating, serums, oils and the many more steps.

8. Makeup is an art, and we’d appreciate it if you appreciate it!
Want to make us weak at the knees? Just comment on how even our winged liner is!

9. We can easily spend a whole Sunday holed up in bed watching YouTube tutorials and reading beauty blogs.
Don’t judge our browser history!

10. If we ever move in together, you are taking on our beauty collection too.
Just like you don’t want to part with that weird soccer poster, there is no way we are reducing our beauty stash - deal with it.

*This post was originally published on www.fashionweekly.com.au and is written by Frances van Eeden.

August Beauty Wishlist

There are so many beauty products that I am dying to try this month! Hopefully my tax money will allow a bit of beauty-spending. The Tom Ford Cream & Powder Eye Colour in Naked Bronze is #1 on my list, with the YSL Blur Perfector a close second, thanks to Lily Pebbles. 

Since before its release in Australia I have wanted to try the Clinique Color Pop range. The lipstick formula is perfect for the spring weather and the blushes look to be really long-lasting. Getting a sample of the YSL Fusion Ink Foundation is also high on my priority list once my skin irritation clears up. After recently trying Clarins products for the first time I am loving the brand, I am lusting after the Instant Light lip perfectors and soon-to-be-released lip balm perfectors. Finally, I am on the hunt for my perfect summer base and really want to try the Shiseido Liquid Foundation with high UV protection.

Tom Ford cream eye shadow
96 AUD - selfridges.com

Yves Saint Laurent - Fusion Ink Foundation | MECCA
mecca.com.au

Yves Saint Laurent 'Le Teint Saharienne' Blur Perfector | Nordstrom
nordstrom.com

Liquid Foundation Uv Protection | David Jones
davidjones.com.au

Pop Lip Colour + Primer | David Jones
davidjones.com.au

Clinique Cheek Pop | David Jones
davidjones.com.au

Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector | David Jones
davidjones.com.au

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?

PRICELINE SKINCARE SALE - PRODUCT SUGGESTIONS

A little birdie informed me that Priceline's massive 40% off skincare sale is coming up on the 28th and 29th of January (Wednesday & Thursday). What better time for me to share my favourite 'drugstore' skincare picks, so that you can get it at 40% off!

The seven products listed in the top row are all current favourite products of mine (& products I will be stocking up on during the sale). First up are two serums; Hydraluron is amazing at hydrating dull and flaky skin and is a winter essential in my skincare routine (click here for more rambling on Hydraluron), the Joyous Protein-Rich Serum is my holy-grail skin product. I will keep repurchasing this product for years, it is a serious skin-saver and I notice a big difference in my skin when I am using this (read more about this serum). 

The Palmer's Daily Facial Lotion is no amazing product but it is a good daily moisturiser for sensitive skin, at a great price. If you are a frequent self-tanner, this Sanctuary Spa body scrub is a total life saver. It is great for a pre-tan scrub because it gets rid of all the dead skin cells without leaving a residue (which can affect the longevity of your tan). For cleansing purchases, I love both Bioderma Micellar water (to get rid of make up before a shower) and the Swisspers make-up removing wipes (for on-the-run make-up removal). Many brands have brought out their own versions of micellar water, but personally Bioderma is my the only product that really works for me (sorry to the Garnier lovers but that product just stung my eyes and did not remove any mascara!). My last personal recommendation is a bit of a random one - sunscreen. Living in Australia it is vital to take good care of your skin sun-wise and a facial sunscreen is actually needed on a daily basis. This one by La Roche-Posay is a rare facial sunscreen that does not make my face feel sticky or cause any sort of skin irritation - great for everyday wear. 

I thought I would also add two products that my mother recommends - she isn't really into beauty so when she wants to repurchase a product it says a lot. I have personally used the DR.LeWinn's peel and it is really great for when your skin is looking dull. The hand cream is a staple for my mother and she says it is the only hand cream from which she has seen visible results in creating firmer skin and the reduction of fine lines. 

The last three products are new things I am going to be picking up during this sale (along with my re-purchases). I have heard good things about both these masks, and I have always wanted to try the Nuxe lip balm - such a luxury item! 

P.S click the link next to the picture below to shop the item on Priceline*

PALMER'S - DAILY CALMING FACIAL LOTION 

INDEED LABORATORIES - HYDRALURON

SANCTUARY SPA - 5 MINUTE THERMAL DETOX MASK

NUXE - BAUME LEVRES LIP BALM

DR.LEWINN'S - REVERSADERM MICRO-CELLULAR AGE PEEL

PALMER'S - PURIFYING ENZYME MASK

SWISSPERS - UNSCENTED FACIAL CLEANSING WIPES

SANCTUARY SPA - BODY SCRUB

BIODERMA - SENSINIO H2O MICELLE SOLUTION

ANTIPODES - JOYOUS PROTEIN-RICH NIGHT REPLENISH SERUM

SKIN DOCTORS - YOUNGER HANDS

LA ROCHE-POSAY - ANTHELIOS XL SPF50+ FLUID

November Beauty Wish List (featuring Stila Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palettes & Nars Audacious Lipstick)

With the Christmas season right around the corner I am definitely feeling #spendy! Here is what I have on my current beauty wish list! Itching to purchase these beautiful Stila palettes! What's on your beauty wish list?

Click the links to take you directly to the product

Stila Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palette | Mind | $49.00

Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palette | Soul | $49.00

Bobby Brown Creamy Concealer Kit | $52

Bourjous Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation | $32

Bourjous Healthy Balance Compact Powder | $20

Nars - Audacious Lipstick | Catherine | $44

Nars - Audacious Lipstick | Rita | $44

Nars - Audacious Lipstick | Anita | $44

Beauty Body Products For Shower Time

When I go shopping, I almost always leave with some sort of body wash. I think I tell myself it doesn't count as 'shopping' because soap is an essential. Today I am going to show you guys the body-related contents of my shower.

I am cheating a bit because the very first product isn't actually used inside the shower - it's a body brush. In short - dry body brushing is a form of exfoliating, read more here. I like to do this when I remember on a regular basis before my nightly shower. The second 'tool' I couldn't go without is this exfoliating mitt - there is a rough side for your body and a softer side I use to wash my face. Both these items can be found at Priceline.

On the topic of exfoliating, I will start with body scrubs. Chances are by now you will know all about Frank body scrub and its benefits, however I do have a post reviewing it here. I am nearly out and decided I will be repurchasing Frank. Another product that I am nearly out of, Radox Revive shower gel. This gel has micro exfoliating beads, and smells so zingy and fresh - perfect for an early morning 'wake me up' shower. The Sanctuary Spa Body Scrub is a must have item which I have already repurchased- it is the perfect pre-tan scrub as it doesn't leave any residue on the skin. The newest addition to the shower is the Palmolive Coconut Scrub, which I bought purely based on the scent (I am a bit coco for coconuts right now). So far I really enjoy it as it is exfoliating, yet still moisturising.

As you can see with my shower gel, there is a very recurring scent (and colour) - pink berries! The I Love… body wash is my favourite, and sadly discontinued at Target (so if anyone knows where else to find this brand?). It smells good enough to eat! Plus the smell lingers on your skin, my boyfriend always comments after I've used this in the shower. A close second to the I Love… gel is the Original Source Vanilla & Raspberry shower gel. This smells like a milkshake, but sadly doesn't linger on the skin. At under $3 it is a winner though! The last one, although pink too, has a bit of a different scent. The Radox Uplifting shower gel is great for when you need… well to be uplifted. With grapefruit and basil, it is such a fresh, zingy scent.

This last product I have, I've only used once but I wanted to mention it anyway. I think it is quite a great idea for for summer. This Nivea In-Shower Conditioner is like a moisturiser you use in the shower. It leaves your skin soft and moisturised, without that lotion residue. As I said, perfect for the humid summer heat!

And thats the body related contents of my shower, maybe I'll do some haircare soon!

Review Rimmel London Apocalips Lip Lacquer Review

This week I have been in that 'week before Uni starts' slump. All I want to do is lazily watch Youtube videos. Today's post is on the new Rimmel London lip product, Apocolips Lip Lacquer. These new lip products are basically a lipstick in a liquid form. I believe there are 8 colours in total. What I like about these is that they aren't sticky, or as glossy as lip gloss (I am not a lip gloss fan!).

Celestial ; Nova

On the left we have Celestial, which is my very favourite! It doesn't look overly glossy, yet it's still not drying, and the colour is a beautiful natural lip colour. It's very similar to my Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey, which featured in my Revlon Favourites. On the right is Nova which is a bolder pink. Regarding the consistency, I think all the colours are different. The other swatches I did on my hand, with the darker colours, were much more glossy. In terms of wear, I don't think these are long wearing, however they leave a tint on the lips.

Celestial ; Nova

The lip lacquers have a doe foot applicator, a little bit different that the usual. The applicator has an indent in the middle which holds the product. This ensures really nice application. 

At the moment these are $7-something at Priceline but they are usually $15-something. However, they are available on Asos for around $7.00 permanently. If you wanted to see swatches of the full collection, check out Fleur De Force's blog post here. Overall I do like these two colours, but I still prefer my Revlon Balm Stains.