Monday 27 April 2015

REVIEW: Urban Decay Naked2 Basics Palette + Swatches

Confession time. 

I'm not an eyeshadow person. 

I know, I know - what kind of a beauty writer am I? But a few extra minutes in bed will always trump getting up early so I have time to add eyeshadow into my morning makeup routine. A bit of smudged pencil liner is basically the same thing, right? #lazygirlproblems

Well, that is about to change! 


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Monday 20 April 2015

HAUL: Mecca Maxima, Sportsgirl, Cotton On and more!

How has it been AUGUST since I last did a haul post?!

Well, then it's definitely about time that I did a little (or a lot of) shopping to make up for it!

These items all had me forking out the cash, and with good reason. There are some amazing pieces in this haul and I hope it helps you add a couple of things to your wishlist. And as usual, all of the items below are linked if available, just in case you want to make a sneaky little purchase yourself. Happy shopping!


Chic Cropped Shirt - $5.00 on sale, Cotton On Body


I have a thing for cropped t-shirts (but ones that cover my belly button!) because I love high-waisted bottoms, so shorter shirts and tees just tend to sit better on me than longer ones. And funny story; when I picked this up at Cotton On, I didn't even realise it's actually a pyjama top! I'll be wearing it out of the house though, don't you worry! And for five bucks, it was such a steal.


Urban Sport Cable Cardi - $49.99 on sale, Sportsgirl


On cold days, there's nothing better than rugging up in a knitted, oversized cardie. I love the varsity-style of this one and it's incredibly cosy! I can picture myself wearing this with a coloured, collared shirt, black skinny jeans and chunky boots. Just add a cup of tea!


Check Up On It Scarf - $16.96, Cotton On


There's something about the grid print that's going around lately - I just can't get enough! I originally wanted this scarf in white (with black stripes), but after going to a bunch of different stores and it being sold out in every one, I settled for the black. And I actually think I love it more! It's thick and super warm, plus it's massive so it can easily be used as a shawl or throw blanket if need be.


'M' Beanie - $2.00 on sale, Cotton On


I have a growing beanie collection - aside from flower crowns, they're the only type of headwear that suits me! This one was only two bucks and I love the wintery berry colour. I can only imagine the questions I'm going to get when I wear it; What does the M stand for? You tell me. Magnificent? Meow? Much beanie, such cosy? You. Tell. Me.


Peri Cut Out Flat - $69.95, Sportsgirl


You know when you walk into a store and fall in love with an item instantly? But you talk yourself out of buying it, and then can't stop thinking about it all night? That's what happened with these amazing lace-ups, and I went straight back into Sportsgirl the next day and bought a pair. I. CAN'T. STOP. STARING. AT. THEM. New shoes = a very happy Jess.


Urban Originals W15 Pagan Poetry Crossbody - $79.95, David Jones


I love a good bag, but I only ever buy one if I need it. I'm much more compulsive when it comes to makeup! So when my old faithful cross body bag admitted defeat after two years of use, I knew it was time to upgrade. This UO sling is the perfect size for carrying my wallet, phone, keys and a lipstick, which is all I really carry with me when I go out. And you can't see it in the photo below, but the inside is actually leopard print - I love a little design surprise!


Australis Fresh & Flawless Pressed Powder - $11.95, Priceline


In the colder months, I prefer my skin to have a more matte look. Normally I'd use a mattifying primer to get that effect because my skin used to be fairly dry, but now that my skin has started to behave itself and be a lot more even, I can get away with using a powder to set my makeup. I've already started using this and it provides just a little extra coverage to even out my complexion, and the finish is so soft and natural! Love, love, love it.


Urban Decay Naked2 Basics - $42.00, Mecca Maxima


I have a confession. On UD Day, I woke up at 4:30 in the morning to line up at Mecca Maxima for the Urban Decay launch. At FOUR. THIRTY. Granted, crazy behaviour aside, my best friend and I were second and third in line and it was such a great morning meeting other beauty obsessives! I picked up a bunch of items, including the Naked2 Basics. I have a review and a tutorial for this little cutie in the works, so stay tuned over the coming weeks for more details on this beauty!


Urban Decay Naked Palette - $78.00, Mecca Maxima


FINALLY. YOU. ARE. MINE. I'm quite aware that I sound like a crazy person, but can anyone relate!? Finally us Aussie beauties are able to get our hands on the Naked Palettes without having to organise overseas shipping services! I now have a complete trio of Naked Palettes and I cannot wait to start using this one. Both 2 and 3 don't 100% suit me, so I'm keen to create some looks with the original.


Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer - $36.00, Mecca Maxima


Embarrassing story; I dropped my Maybelline Fit Me Concealer down the side of the car seat. And it's lodged in there. ARGH, right?! But I used the opportunity to pick up the new Urban Decay Naked Concealer. I've heard so many good reviews of this gorgeous product, so I'm excited to see how it wears. For almost $40, it better be good!


Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray - $22.00, Mecca Maxima


I was so excited to finally get my hands on this cult product! A setting spray that keeps your makeup looking fresh for hours upon hours? YES. PLEASE. I picked up the smaller size because it's convenient for keeping in my bag for quick touch-ups throughout the day, but you can also get the full size bottle for $44.00 at Mecca.


Matte Nail It! in 'Pastel Blue' - $9.95, Sportsgirl

Kit Cosmetics Nail Polish in 'Dig Deep' - $15.95, Mecca Maxima


With a nail polish collection that's threatening to spill out of my bathroom drawer, I think it's safe to say that I really don't need any more! But alas... It is never enough! These two shades look gorgeously creamy and I love that they are both vibrant, yet soft. I've been eyeing both of them for ages, so I figured future Jess' bank account can worry about it.

 The Perfect Bun Kit - $7.99, Lovisa


I'm the kind of person that cannot perfect a topknot unless I have about half an hour. Which kind of defeats the purpose of the no-fuss bun! So I'm hoping that an actual bun maker will help make the process easier and a whole lot quicker. #Ijustwantanextradaywithoutwashingmyhair #realtalk


What are some new things you've bought lately? Let me know in the comments below!


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Monday 13 April 2015

REVIEW: Maybelline Dream Wonder Fluid-Touch Foundation

It's been a while since I've been really impressed with a drugstore foundation. And beauties, is the Maybelline New York Dream Wonder Foundation impressive!

If you're on the hunt for a new foundation that won't cost you a bomb (Maybelline is regularly on promotion too!), then add this to your shopping list. 


The Dream Wonder Fluid-Touch Foundation is a light-weight base product that gives your skin a matte finish. And for a foundation that feels only the tiniest bit thicker than water, the coverage is easily medium to full. With the exception of my under eyes, I very rarely need to use concealer when I wear this!

So, let's get to know this baby a little more, shall we?


Packaging


The glass bottle this liquid magic is housed in feels very luxurious and it really does look like a high end rather than a drugstore product. I also really love that the front and back sides are flat - I find fitting cylindrical bottles into my makeup bag really difficult, whereas this slick bottle just slots right in!

That aside, the most unique feature of the Dream Wonder Fluid-Touch Foundation is the tear-drop shaped applicator. It is easily the most unusual foundation applicator I've ever seen and it doesn't really do a whole lot in my opinion. But that said, because this foundation is so runny, it does come in handy to control the amount of product you want to use. 


Once your screw open the lid and pull the applicator out, it's already coated in more than a full-face's worth of foundation. From there, I usually just use my finger to swipe the product off of the 'tear drop' and the wand, then dot it onto my face before blending. It's a little unusual, but for a foundation this runny, a pump dispenser probably wouldn't work anyway!


Coverage


Even though this product is incredibly thin, the coverage is ridiculously good! Take a look at the swatches below - the Dream Wonder Fluid-Touch Foundation is very blendable, smooth and can easily be built up if you need a little extra coverage in places.


Let's do a little demo. In the image below I've just applied a few dots of the Dream Wonder Fluid-Touch Foundation to my cheek. You can see that there is quite a big difference between my skin tone and the foundation shade (which is 70 Pure Beige if you're wondering!), but this baby blends out so well that the end effect is very natural. Scroll down and see!


Take a look at the right side of my face - dare I say it, but my skin looks flawless! The coverage of the Dream Wonder Fluid-Touch Foundation is almost beyond belief, but if you compare the left and right sides of my face, you can really see the difference that this foundation makes. My skin tone is more even and looks smoother, while still giving a 'my skin but better' effect.



Close up, you can really see how flawlessly it applies. In the below image I've applied it to the rest of my face and apart from the area around my nose, my skin looks very even and soft. The finish of the Dream Wonder Fluid-Touch Foundation is a semi-matte, which looks gorgeously natural on the skin.



Just look at this before and after - the coverage is just unbelievable!



Wear and Longevity


I first tried this foundation in November just when I was about to go overseas to Japan, and even in their blisteringly cold winter, this foundation stayed put. Then when I came home to an Aussie summer, it also managed to last really well on hotter days. 

With a primer, this foundation can easily last a whole day without budging, oxidising or looking patchy, so it's a great choice if you wear makeup for long periods of time, like at work. Only thing is that if you have any dry areas on your face, the Dream Wonder Fluid-Touch Foundation does tend to emphasise those spots. 


Final Thoughts


I've heard a few stories from other beauty bloggers that this foundation can aggravate sensitive skin due to the Octoxinate ingredient (3%), but for me I've never experienced this. If you have sensitive skin, I would definitely test this product out before you buy it in case it affects you, but for me it was completely fine! 

And I'm not saying this lightly, but the Dream Wonder Fluid-Touch Foundation is easily my Holy Grail Foundation. The coverage is fantastic, the price point is great, the wear is incredibly smooth and comfortable and so if you're on the hunt for a new foundation, this is the one beauties!


Have you tried the Dream Wonder Fluid-Touch Foundation? What were your thoughts?

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Monday 6 April 2015

REVIEW: NYX Wicked Lippie in 'Betrayal'

PURPLE. LIPSTICK.

It's not as confronting and scary as it sounds, I promise! (Even though I put it in capital letters...)

A deep, enchanting violet lipstick is a must-have in any beauty collection for when you're feeling a little dark and daring - and NYX's new Wicked Lippies range of crazy colours did not disappoint with this stunning shade.


Boasting a wide range of metallic lipsticks (from cobalt blue to pale gold!), the Wicked Lippie collection is definitely not for the fainthearted, but the shades sure are a lot of fun.

I picked up the colour Betrayal at my local Target, which is a deep almost-black purple that has shimmering blue micro-glitters scattered throughout. AND GUYS, THIS IS GORGEOUS.


With just one layer, Betrayal can apply a little unevenly, but with a second coat it becomes fully opaque and super bold. The micro glitters are a little hard to see in the swatches, but on the lips they really give your pout a beautiful glimmering sheen. 


See what I mean? Betrayal has a stunning gleam to it, but it's not so overpowering that it makes the shade unwearable. On the contrary, while it's a bold colour for sure, it's actually quite flattering and easy to wear!

It feels extremely smooth and comfortable on the lips, which completely surprised me because I'm not a huge fan of the NYX Butter Lipsticks. But this baby is creamy and glossy! 


There's no need to worry about it wearing patchy or unevenly over time either. Instead, it leaves a really pretty magenta pink stain behind that is actually quite lovely on its own!


I'm really excited to try more from the range, especially Risque (a green that looks like an exact colour dupe for Lime Crime's Serpentina) and Cold Hearted (a metallic black). While they're not everyday colours, there's just something that I really love about them!

And even though Betrayal is a really standout shade, I can actually see myself wearing this a lot in the colder winter months. Paired with minimal eye makeup and an all-black outfit? Heck yes!


The NYX Wicked Lippies are available at most Targets for $12.95. I'd be quick too - there weren't that many left at my local store!


What's the most outrageous lipstick that you own? Let me know in the comments below!

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