Make-Up Haul

Pay day was the other day and it couldn't have arrived at a better time.  All of my make-up seemed to have ran out on my all at once, so this was a perfect time to go stock up.
I had to head back to MAC to re-purchase my Mineralize SkinFinish Natural and after my last experience I wasn't too keen on giving them my money.  The girl was nice but still didn't seem that interested. I made my purchase and made a swift exit back to Mecca Cosmetica.  
I love this place and feel so at home every time I go in there (cheesy I know but it's true)

The MUA's are gorgeous, insanely helpful and chatty and are more than happy to to help you with any products or suggest alternatives.

I was in desperate need of NARS Laguna bronzer as I was scraping around the edges and I wanted to give NARS blush Orgasm a try out after reading copious blog posts of how fan-freaking-tastic it is.

The packaging (as I have said in other posts) always makes me go 'Ahhh' on opening it.  It's so sleek and minimalistic with an almost velvet touch you wish it could stay that fresh looking forever.

At the moment with your purchases you make at Mecca you also get given a little sample box.  There is only a limited time left so make sure you dash in there, make your purchase and get your box of goodies.  Items vary from store to store and I was really surprised with what was in there.

* Eve Lom - Cleanser/treatment with muslin cloth

* By Terry - Baume De Rose

* Wei - Golden Root mud mask

* Stila - Tinted Moisturiser 

I have been wanting to get my hands on some By Terry products for ages but the price tag as always made me think twice.  But now I have and tried the By Terry multi protecting lip care I think it's fair to say it is love.  My lips feel so soft and the cream puts what feels like a protective layer over them.  This will be my savour for the winter time.

The other sample that caught my eye was the Eve Lom cleanser with muslin cloth.  It sounds amazing and will see how I get on with this sample and if it will leave my skin glowing like it promises.

Mineralize Skin finish Natural - Medium Deep

Last but not least is my MAC purchase.  I'm sure you have all seen these before so don't need to go into too much detail.  Best used to set your foundation and use throughout the day to lightly touch up if needed.

Let me know if you have any other make-up recommendations, I am always keen to try new products that are out there.

Dont forget to follow me on BLOGLOVIN and TWITTER for regular updates and  going ons. x

NARS Long-wear Eyeliner

For ages now I have been wanting an eye liner for my water line that's not a white (I find white a little too garish) but more of a nude/soft peach colour to brighten up my eyes.

I popped into MAC pretty confident I would find what I was looking for.  I was so disgusted with the service in there (well there was none) the MUA's were too busy gossiping at the counter and when I indicated for some help they both carried on.  So I dropped everything I had in my hands and walked straight out and headed for the NARS counter in Mecca Cosmetics.  

Straight away I found this gorgeous nude eyeliner.  The MUA came over and was so helpful and lovely.  Makes such a difference.

I ended up buying the Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in shade Rue Bonaparte 8056.  

The consistency is so creamy and it's waterproof. Hurrah!   

The MUA said that you may need a good make-up remover to get it off and it's defiantly a stayer, but as always found my baby lotion did the job just fine.

I did a few swatches when I was there the other week of some of the other colours (the green is just out of this world) and it was on my hand for the rest of the day. No smudging, nothing.

So I new this bad boy was going to be a worth while purchase.

The MUA also told me that at the other end of the pencil, if you twist it more will come out once your running low and if you pull the end off there is a tiny little pencil sharpener in there.  How fantastic is that.

All in all I am so impressed with this eyeliner and would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a bit of eye brighting.  Girls if your in Oz and there is a Mecca cosmetics near you go check it out.  The MUA's are always so helpful in there and I'm regularly seen at the NARS counter with endless amount of swatches all over me!

Lipstick love & shoes

I said in a previous post how A) I was going to stop spending and B) that I had another MAC lipstick that I was waiting to arrive.  So the lipstick turned up and I haven't stopped spending!

I am loving MACs Glitter & Ice collection that is out for Christmas and will defiantly be making some more purchases over the next few days/weeks.  I also have my eye on some pieces that will be great for Christmas pressies, just have to be strict and not keep them for myself!

As it's summer here and reasonably hot I don't really fancy too bold of a lipstick during the day.  While browsing I came across Whirls & Twirls.  It's a gorgeous rose pink with some shimmery sparkle.  

When applied it's not so pigmented but leaves a beautiful shimmer over your lips.  A perfect look for work during the day.  I have a feeling I will be getting a lot of usage of this over the summer.

This next one belongs to MaxFactor.  I have one or two pieces from there but I always think it's so over priced and I am never really wowed by the bits I purchased in the past.  That was until today.

There were four different shade sections to choose from and this one jumped out at me.  I was a bit worried about the shade to start.  I have never done a dark lipstick before but I though I would give it a go as the colour was superb.

The colour is Mulberry 685 and for once the colour swatch cap at the end of the lipstick is pretty much spot on with what is inside.

This is defiantly a shade that I would rock in the evenings and during the day once autumn arrives next year.  I was surprised at how it wasn't as dark on my lips once applied.  I did only do two light coats but you could layer up for a darker look.  It is such a beautiful shade and am very tempted to try others from this range.

Last but not least were these sandals that I have been eyeing up for a while.  I have seen them in every shoe shop I've gone into but I either didn't have the money or couldn't justify spending the amount they were.

I was having a snoop around Kmart on the hunt for some bargains and came across these in my size and only for $16.

I grabbed them from the shelf, tried them on then whisked them off to the cash register.  I was so happy with myself for finding these.  I know that these won't last me for years but if they can get me through this summer and autumn then I will be a very happy bunny.

This is what happens while I'm killing time waiting to meet someone.  I shop!

Week in pictures

1. November flowers

2. Sydney street art

3. Magazine advert

4. My favourite little beach virtually all to myself

5. Sydney Harbour Bridge

6. Beach packing

7. MAC glitter polish

8. Light tree in city mall

9. Missy

10. Evenings guilty pleasure

11. The biggest terroriser by me - the possum! 

12. Woolloomooloo

13. Beach days

14. Cockatoo Island sunset

15. Driving over Harbour Bridge.  Never get's old.
16. Me

Willpower

My new name is now Miss No Willpower!  I have none, it has officially left the building and ran away.  Today however was a good day.  I spent.  And it was money that I don't really have.  Do I feel guilty....not really! 

I decided to have a bit of a change and go into the city,  I haven't been in for a while and was due a visit to Zara.  Early morning is the best time to go, especially into Zara as it's heaps quieter.  

After a slow mooch around I was a little disappointed that I didn't really find anything that caught my eye, but of course as I'm leaving I stumble across a table with pretty things on them.  I grab two pairs of pants and then see some shorts.  I'm hop-skip into the fitting rooms.  The pants were awesome but I wasn't too sure how they looked (i needed a second opinion) the shorts however were even better.  I decided to leave the pants.

I mean I can always go back and get them next week right?!

While at the check out I get sidetracked and start smelling all the purfumes. Bam.  Another purchase.  As I am leave I am feeling quite content.  After about an hour I discover the TRF section of Zara that I completely forgot about, hidden downstairs.  It was so quiet in there I could properly look around which was great.  

Strike two.  I purchase a blue dress.  What is wrong with me!!

I then head back to Bondi to meet a friend for lunch.  Followed by another look around the shops.  She tired on some gorgeous things but said the one word I can't when it comes to clothes or make-up. No!

After she goes I cave again.  I blame it on the glorious sunshine we had today messing with my head.

I remembered that a new MAC store had opened and I did need to get something from there.

The new winter collection is gorgeous.  There are some fantastic eye shadows that come in a snow dome glitter compact which looked amazing.

 I ended up buying the above.  This is the best glitter nail polish I have ever had.  I hate the ones you have to paint about four/five coats on to get a good even glitter effect.  With this you could even paint one and be happy with it.  The sparkles are a nice size, not too big or too small. 

It's name: Unconditionally Fabulous.  And it certainly is.

Everyone has to go and buy this little gem.

The item I actually needed was this.  MAC's Brow Set to keep those pesky eyebrows in shape and not get any rebel hairs that want to break out.

Other purchases over the past few days include...

Benefit's Erase Paste - Medium 2

Revlon nail polish - Girly (the MAC polish looks amazing over this)

The Revlon polish is really pretty.  A silver/lilac metallic colour.  If I had to think of a colour to do with space and the moon, it would be this!  It dries to nearly a matte. 

Oh yes I almost forgot the Zara purchases.  So as followed, the Zara purfume.  Now I'm always a bit funny about buying shops own perfume.  I've never thought they smell that nice until today when I was put in my place.  This is Fresia.  It smells divine.  It's not too over powering and smells so fruity and a flirty fragrance, perfect for summer.

Also how beautiful is the illustration on the box.

Finally here is the dress and shorts.  Now I know they look silly hung up and on the bed but as soon as I can do an outfit of the day I will.  The shorts are a gorgeous tailored fit and I fell in love with the colour (The pants I was going to get were also a similar shade)  So much blue!

The dress is fitted on the bust with a tulip skirt.  It's so pretty on.  Gorgeous with a tan and great for casual days or a evening event.

I'm going to try and refrain to buy too much stuff for myself now and focus on getting Christmas presents ticked off.  That saying I did order a MAC lipstick the other day.  Someone take my cards away from me!

New leaf

I finally have a new wardrobe to hold all of my clothes after our last one gave up.  It is a little on the big side but I love having all the doors as mirrors compared to our last one which had the two narrowest mirrors ever, you could barely see what your outfit would look like.  Now I can see what clothes I have, storage for my bags, shoes...and new clothes of course!

Excuse the shoddy camera work....had just got in from the beach.

I also did a sneaky purchase during a quiet five minutes on my lunch break at work.  I bought a MAC lipstick, Shy Girl in cream sheen.  My lips do change colour but are usually a soft pink colour a majority of the time.  With a coat of Shy Girl it adds a nice pinky sheen to my lips.  The texture is perfect and it glides on without a hitch.  I'm not usually a huge lipstick wearer, only for big occasions I'll wear a muted pink here and there but I'll defiantly be checking out more of the MAC the cream sheen lipsticks again.

IMATS

This week, by chance, I found online that IMATS (International Make-Up Artist Trade Show) was in town for the weekend so I jumped at the chance to get myself a ticket and take myself along.  They hold the event in London, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto and Vancouver.  I thought I got there early enough at 10.30am but once I got inside there were gaggles of girls everywhere trying to get their hands on top products at a cheaper price.  Exhibitors such as MAC, Illamasqua, Inglot and Napoleon Perdis were there showing their ranges, even products that hadn't hit the shops yet.

I went there with one item in mind.  The Make-Up Forever HD Foundation.  I have heard so much hype about this product that when I was they had a stall there I had to get my hands on it.  To my disappointment the crowd around the stall was insane, with girls pushing and shoving trying to make purchases.  I went for a mingle around thinking if I go back in about ten minutes the crowd would have subsided, but I couldn't have been more wrong.

In the end I wasn't able to get the foundation but at least I now know what colour I am so I can make the purchase online.  As well as the stalls there were also make-up artists and students taking part in shows, talking about their work.

All in all it was a great event and I know that if I do go again next year to arrive earlier than mid morning in order to get the pieces I desire.  I purchased in the end a cute Mini Kabuki brush (which is so so soft), Smashbox Tinted Moisturiser, Brush cleaner and some disposable mascara wands.