Best of Beauty 2013: Makeup Part 1

Now we're on to the real good stuff. Makeup has always been my biggest weakness and I can already tell that this list is going to be huge.. so we're gonna have to make this Makeup - Part 1!

Face Primer: Benefit Porefessional

I have never been that big on face primers before as they've all either broken me out or just felt plain disgusting on the skin, but this has really changed my opinion on them. It feels silky and light on the face and really does create a smooth canvas for foundation. Applying this is now a regular step in my everyday routine, and I certainly notice on the days that I don't use it!

BB Cream: Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector for Oily/Combination Skin

Until I finally caved in and bought this, I had never had any luck with BB Creams. They always just looked weird on my skin, and never provided enough coverage. Some didn't even blend out nicely. This however is completely different, it blends effortlessly, has great coverage and lasts all day on the skin without looking weird or melting off. Definitely the best BB Cream I have tried thus far, and will no doubt be using it a lot this summer.

Foundation: Maybelline New York Fit Me Foundation Stick

Now I literally have only had this for a few weeks, but I am already hooked on this! I absolutely love the matte finish, which isn't actually too matte - it just looks like skin, but better! It also wears really well and lasts all day, and that's without even really setting it. The colour I have (115) will probably end up being too pale for me by the end of summer, but I can always warm it up with a bronzer. Otherwise though, this can do no wrong as far as I'm concerned!

Face Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte

I actually can't believe I waited so long before buying this, what was I thinking?? This stuff is amazing. Doesn't look cakey at all, and because I have it in the Translucent shade I don't have to worry about adding colour anytime I need to touch up - which to be honest, isn't very often with this! Definitely recommend buying it from ASOS if you are in New Zealand though, it's a fraction of the price.

Blush: Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in "Thankful"

This blush is absolutely beautiful! The colour is amazing, and the payoff is fantastic! It is so pigmented that a little goes a long way. And it really does last 12 hours, it seems to stay put right up until you want it to go away. I want to collect them all!

Bronzer: Bourjois Bronzing Powder

I now understand why this is such a popular bronzer, it's beautiful on the skin! I'm not a huge fan of the scent, but luckily for me it doesn't last long after applying it. It has a very subtle shimmer in it, so subtle in fact that it tends to look matte on the skin - which I prefer, especially since I use this predominantly for contouring. Love it as an all over bronzer too... I just love it in general!

Highlighter: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette

Hands up if you saw that one coming, hahaha. I'm pretty sure anyone who was lucky enough to get one of these palettes hasn't stopped using it since! I absolutely adore it and use mine everyday - whether it be to set my undereye concealer, as an actual cheekbone highlight, to add a bronze glow or as an all over setting powder. It's probably my favourite thing that I purchased this year to be honest. Love it!

Look out for part 2!
Thanks for viewing!
oxo

Review: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette

From left to right: Dim Light, Incandescent Light and Radiant Light.

A limited edition palette featuring three shades of Ambient Lighting Powder, the high-tech, soft-focus finishing powder that features state-of-the-art technology to recreate the most exquisitely flattering types of light. Palette includes one new limited edition shade, Incandescent Light, and two existing, Dim Light and Radiant Light. Includes a 5ml Veil Mineral Primer to create the perfect canvas for your look.

Every now and then a product comes on the market that is an absolute must have. The Ambient Lighting Palette is one of those things.

I first saw the Hourglass Ambient Light Powders on Youtube and fell in love. But I could never decide on what colour to buy, so when they released this palette, it was a no brainer. I had to have it!

The palette contains three beautiful shades, one that is limited edition and two permanent ones. The greatest thing about this palette is that it has multiple uses, which in my opinion makes it much more useful and far better value for money!

Dim light is a neutral peach beige powder than blurs imperfections and highlights a radiant complexion with the perfect balance of warm and cool tones.

This is the one I use all over my face in place of my usual setting powder to give an all over subtle glow. It's also great to use under the eyes to set concealer.

Incandescent light is the limited edition shade and is a pearlescent powder that highlights the cheekbones and brightens the complexion with a celestial glow.

This one I use as a straight out highlighter. It's great on the cheekbones and browbones, and even looks great in the inner corners of the eyes!

Radiant light is a sun-kissed golden beige that enhances the overall complexion with believable, subtle warmth, and also extends a summer glow.

I tend to use this one in place of my bronzer to warm up my complexion, it especially looks good when applied over top of blush. I probably wouldn't use this all over my face, just where the sun would naturally hit.

I managed to order mine off Sephora before it went out of stock, and used Youshop to get it to New Zealand. Doing it this way ended up saving me so much money, as it was a fraction of the cost that I would've paid for it here!

Honestly, this is amazing. If you can get your hands on it, then I urge you to buy it! You will not be disappointed.

Thanks for viewing!
oxo

Sephora Haul!!

Sephora Haul. Who would’ve thought that’s something I could do when I’m all the way here in little old New Zealand? Well thanks to Youshop, I can now shop at the most glorious place on earth – all from the comfort of my own home!

First is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette, which is possibly the one item I was lusting over the most. Having never used the very popular Ambient powders before, I quickly realised that this would be the best way for me to try them out! Keep an eye out for a review, which is coming up soon.

Next is the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette which I have been trying to get my hands on for ages! I have the original Naked Palette which I use almost daily, and adore, so I’ve known ever since Naked 2 came out that I absolutely had to have it! A review and swatches are on the way.

Lastly I decided to chuck in this awesome Tarte – The Tarte of Giving gift pack. Remember how I’ve been wanting those Amazonian Clay 12 hour blushes? Well it not only contains one of those, but it also has little deluxe sample sizes of Pure Maracuja Oil and a LipSurgence skintuitive lip tint! I have already used the LipSurgence and blush and am very impressed, detailed review to come.

Wanna know what makes Sephora even more amazing? With every order, you get free samples! How many places do that in New Zealand? Zilch? Yeah, I thought so. 

Anyway, at the time they were giving away these awesome little sample bags – and I got to choose which one I wanted, so I chose the Festive Cheery Endurance sample bag.

Inside it contains:
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion Anti-aging 3.7ml, Ojon Color Sustain PRO Fade-Fighter 30ml, Anastacia Lash Genius Clear Waterproof Topcoat 3.2g, Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara 4ml, Kat Von D Painted Love Lipstick in Celebutard  1.2g, Ren Hydra-Calm Cleansing Milk 5ml and Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream in Light/Medium 7ml.

It was also actually supposed to include a sample of Lancome Tresor Eau de Parfum – but perfumes are on Youshop’s forbidden list, so I’m assuming they confiscated it. But that’s ok, since I’d probably be allergic to it anyway, hahaha.

Overall, I am very impressed by Youshop’s service. It was expensive, but not actually as bad as I’d thought it might be – so that’s awesome. I will definitely be using them again in the future, I might even sign up for a UK address!

Thanks for viewing, don’t forget to check back for reviews of the above products!
oxo

Current Wish List - what am I lusting over??

The problem with being a beauty addict, is that you constantly discover new things that you become obsessed with. Unfortunately, living in New Zealand doesn't often make finding these things easy! In any case, here's what I'm lusting over lately:

LORAC Pro Palette

Who doesn't want one of these? They are all over youtube and the blogging world at the moment, and I seriously need to get my hands on one...  Does anyone know a NZ seller, or someone that ships to NZ??

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette

This looks seriously beautiful. I'm not usually much into highlighters, but I've heard so many good things about this, it makes it hard to resist!


Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in "Tipsy"

To be quite honest with you, it's not just Tipsy I want in this range - I want all of them! If however, I was to choose just one colour, this would be it. I am a huge fan of coral blushes, and I think this one in particular would be great for someone with my skintone.

Benefit Gimme Brow

I usually use brow powders or pencils to fill in my brows, but this product really has me intrigued! I would love to have something quick and easy to use on days when I'm short on time and don't feel like wearing much makeup - this looks promising!

Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup

I have heard nothing but good things about this foundation. I love sheer to medium coverage foundations, and this sounds like it would be perfect for me. Urban Decay has long been one of my favourite brands, but I have never had the chance to try their foundations.

So.. if anyone feels like getting me an early christmas prezzy, don't let me stop you! Hahaha
Thanks for viewing!
oxo