Stila Convertible Colour in Petunia

Stila is a brand I have often come across online, and for what seems like forever I have had my eyes on one of their Convertible Colours, and I finally picked one up in the colour Petunia. I have been warming towards cream blushes in the last few months, and I know I will be able to enjoy them a lot more once this horrible heat passes!

Petunia is a bright, warm toned pink. The formula blends out beautifully and does not unsettle my already applied foundation as other cream products have for me in the past. I usually apply this blush with the Real Techniques Stippling blush, however patting it onto my cheeks with my finger also gives a similar effect. I think the thing I enjoy the most about this cream blush is that the colour is amazing on my skin tone. It gives me a beautiful flush to my cheeks whilst not emphasizing redness. As someone who so often neglects blush for having that effect, Petunia is becoming a well loved shade.

Swatched Heavily, Blended Out

The overall effect is a dewy cheek without glitter or shimmer, a finish that is really flattering on my skin. I think one of the best things about this product is how it performs equally as well on cheeks as it does lips. It is not the most moisturising formula in the world but it's not uncomfortable either. 

Applied on the cheeks and lips

Applied on lips

The Stila Convertible Colours retail for $40 each from Mecca Cosmetica, or you can pick them up for a mere $22 from Beauty Bay, with free shipping to Australia. I may pick up a more nude shade of this cream blush in the future, if I feel the need to add another to my collection.

Mishelle

Bye Bye Bellabox!

So I have been subscribed to Bellabox since September and this will be my last box. I have enjoyed my subscription to Bellabox, however I have decided to cancel my subscription as I think the money could be better spent elsewhere. I always get my box after everyone else, so the products are never a surprise to me, which kind of ruins the fun if I'm honest! This months box was pretty darn disappointing too...

My last Bellabox

The goods

Now before we examine the contents of this box, let me remind you what Bellabox is marketing themselves as.

Bellabox is is a premium monthly beauty box of high-end cosmetic samples and beauty products sent directly to your door.

Face of Australia Purifying Cleansing Wipes - A pack of $5 wipes?

Mode Nail Polish in Rave'n - Again, a nail polish that costs $2.50...

Swisse Body wash with Vitamin B3 and Macrobiotic Sea Minerals - I didn't like the hand cream and this body wash smells the same.

You Me and Everybody Cool it Aloe Vera Gel - I have used Aloe Vera Gels in the past, they are amazing for sunburn.

Natio Pure Minerals Skin Perfecting BB cream in Medium - I got given a sample of this at Myer for free, so I wouldn't even count this as a product, plus it doesn't match my skin.

Please tell me what part of this box is high end?

Mode Nail Polish in Rave'n

Now for the review of last month's contents...

1. Savior Faire Palette in Winter - I'm not going to lie, I thought this palette was nothing special. The eye liner and mascara suck and the eye shadow composition is just not my taste at all.

2. Allegra Rhodes Hand and Nail Cream in Red Lychee - I loved this! I used the last of my bellabox points to buy a full size of this hand cream. I think the smell is so nice :)

3. Anumi Miracle Recovery - I loved this serum and I think I may get the full size, it seems to really work.

4. Zipettes - Great idea but I don't know when I will ever use these!

5. John Frieda Frizz Ease - Meh, this product didn't do that much for my hair, and I have the frizziest hair ever.

6. Reb'l Fleur by Rihanna - The perfume smelt nice but the sample sachets were ridiculous to use...

Bye bye Bellabox, it was fun while it lasted!

Mishelle

January Haul // Video Post!

So I finally got around to shooting a new video. I ordered a tripod in the mail so it's a bit easier from me to film now which is fantastic. I went to the day spa yesterday and I ended up doing a bit of shopping so I thought I would film my first ever haul.

Joico K-Pack Reconstruct Shampoo and Conditioner

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant and Intensive Eye Repair Cream

Sally Hansen Mega Shine Top Coat

Revlon Colorstay Nail Polishes in Bare Bones and Pale Cashmere

Revlon Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake

Sinful Colours Nail Polishes in Glass Pink, Cinderella, Let Me Go and Timbleberry

Concrete, Mazarati, Morning Glory, Periwinkle and Parfait

What do you guys think of video posts?

Mishelle

Back to Basics

Edward Bess is a brand I have only heard of in the past few months, and after being lucky enough to win one of their compact rouges, I was blown away by the quality and very interested in trying more. I decided to pick up his Back to Basic's Palette, and I completely in love with this amazing product.

In this palette there are one cheek and lip colour, one cream highlighter, four eye shadows and two lip glosses. Having both cream and powder products in the same palette has not been a problem so far. The colours included in the palette feel like they were curated specifically to create looks that enhance natural beauty and meld with the natural tones associated with shadows, highlights, blushing cheeks and lips. I love the formula of all of these shades, and the cream products smell like figs, which I adore.

Cheek and Lip Colour swatched heavily and blended, Cream Highlighter swatched heavily and blended

The Cheek and Lip colour formula is so smooth and blend-able, it's one of the best cream blush formulas I have ever tried, and very similar to that of the individual compact rouge. I thought initially that the colour would not suit me but when you sheer it out is a very natural plum/brown colour that is so flattering on my skintone. I will be wearing this one a lot in the winter time!

The Cream Highlighter is the only item in this palette that I dislike. It is much drier in formula, however it still blends out very easily. The only reason I dislike it is because it has quite a glittery finish, and you can see the glitter particles on the skin. As someone who prefers a highlighter with more of a glow or sheen this just isn't my cup of tea.

You can see much see what I am talking about here :)

(Please excuse the foundation on my nose, it looks jacked up here but fine irl haha)

The eye shadows, left to right top to bottom

The eye shadows in this palette are a gorgeous formula. They are such soft shadows yet they do not have a lot of fall out and the colours do not blend away into nothing! What is this magic? They are really great basic shades that can be used to create a basic day look or add more brown to make a smokey eye for the evening.

A basic eye look ;)

The lip glosses top to bottom

These lip glosses give only a hint of colour payoff, however they are smooth and have quite a balmy, moisturizing feeling on the lips. They have a thicker consistency than tubed lip gloss, and they give off a lovely shine. These lip glosses also smell like figs, as with the other cream products in this palette.

The completed look

This palette really does stand up to it's Back to Basics name. Edward Bess's makeup line has really impressed me, these are such fine quality products. It is an outstanding palette in terms of both composition of the shades, however, do you need it? I feel like you would probably already have a lot of similar items to this in your collection, individuality. But it is a great palette to travel with or to even keep in your handbag for touch ups.

Mishelle

January Wish List

I promised myself 2013 would be a year where I really thought about where I was spending my money in terms of makeup. Anytime I want to purchase something, I have to think about it for at least a week before I am allowing myself to buy it. In 2012 I definitely purchased quantity over quality, however, that process did help me to really figure out exactly what makeup items suited me and what I reach for on a regular basis. These items I have included I know I would get a lot of use out of :)

1. Sonia Kashuk Eye on Neutrals Palette - I have become such a huge fan of Matte Eye Shadows lately, and this palette came onto my radar because it is an all matte palette. The only downside is that this is only available from American Target.

2. Chanel Poudre Signee De Chanel - I really really want this highlighter, however I don't think I can justify this purchase as I only just got my amazing rose highlighter from Lancome...

3. Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette - Again with the matte eye shadows, I may get this if I can't get the Sonia Kashuk Palette. The thing I like about this palette is that it include 4 lighters matte neutrals, something that I reach for every day.

4. Mac Lipstick in Party Parrot - I am not missing out on this damn lipstick again! If I miss out on it in counters I will just pay the ebay price!

5. Illamasqua Blush in Naked Rose - This has been on my radar even since Kat mentioned it in her Decemeber Favourites, this looks like the perfect every day blush.

6. Loreal Colour Caresse Shine Stain - These have recently been hyped up online as a dupe for the YSL Glossy Stains, and I really want to try these out.

7. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter - This highlighter has been on my wish list forever and I vow to actually buy it sometime soon! I am after the colour pearl.

8. Burberry Pale Nude Eye Palette - Burberry Eye shadows get such amazing reviews and I am unlucky enough to not have a Burberry counter in Perth, so I think I will have to resort in ordering this online, eventually.

How are your spending habits going in 2013 so far?

Mishelle

Fancy Fingers

I attempted to try out some nail art a few days ago and I finally got around to sharing a picture. I was quite proud of it, and quite a few people at work commented on the design, score!

Totes inspired by summer y'all

The colours I used:

Blue - Australis Aqua

White - Manicare French White

Peach - Essence It's Peach Not Cherry

Yellow - Essence Fortune Cookie

Red - Essence Cherry Cherry Girl

Apologies if there aren't too many posts this week, I have been working a lot of hours but I should be back to normal next week :D

Mishelle

Cherry Blossom Girl

When I saw the product photos for Essence's Cherry Blossom Girl Collection, I knew there were a few items I had to have. Luckily I managed to pick every single item I wanted, which is a first!

The goodies!

First up we have an Dreaming Under a Cherry Tree Eyeshadow Quattro. First up, the colour combo is so lovely, and very unique! However, the colours aren't super pigmented and they blend into nothing very easily. I have never tried an eye shadow quad from Essence before, but these shades seem sheerer than their individual shadows that I have tried. These shades had okay wear time, a bit of fading after wearing about 6 hours, but hey it's in the middle of a humid summer here, all of my makeup is melting.

Burnt Orange, Soft Grey, Peach and Brownish Taupe

As you can see the shades don't come across super pigmented on the eye, but they still look okay.

How cute are these Hidden in Sakura Garden Paper Lashes? I will definitely be saving these for a special occasion, like a dress up party or a concert. Love love love love love.

Asian Sensation is a two toned blush in a bright coral and soft peach. These shades are very smooth upon application, they look beautiful separately, however when swirled together they make the ultimate peachy blush!

Coral, Soft Peach, Mixed

I am impressed.

Hello Glitty Shimmering Body Powder is such a cute product to have. It has a pretty sparkly finish so I don't think I would use this on the face, but I would however sweep this across my collarbones on a night out :)

Konnichiwa Girls, Hello Glitty

Konnichiwa Girls! Highlighting Pen definitely reminds me of a few other pinky, pearlescent liquid highlighting products I have seen around. When I swatched this I was super impressed with the colour, however upon application I came across some issues. The formula dries super quickly so whilst I tried to pat it out on top of my Nars Sheer Glow foundation, it started to make my foundation go patchy. The effect was similar to the effect you get when you try and apply a liquid product over a powder. I don't think I can recommend this product to you, this is one of my pet hates with products. I took a picture to show you what I mean.

Aint nobody got time for that

I got all of the nail polishes in this collection, which are called Fortune Cookie, My Little Kimono, Cherry Cherry Girl and It's Peach Not Cherry. The formula of these polishes is a dream, they all apply smoothly and look perfect in two coats.

Cherry Cherry Girl, My Little Kimono, It's Peach Not Cherry, Fortune Cookie

Do you think you will be picking up anything from this collection?

Mishelle

Face and Outfit of the Day: Summer Days

So I promised myself in the new year I would post some outfit of the days on my blog, and start including a few more fashion posts into the mix, so here's my first efforts at it.

I am actually wearing blush and bronzer, but they never show up on me in pictures :(

Products Used

Face: Nars Pro Prime, Nars Sheer Glow, Australis Fresh and Flawless Powder, Benefit Hervana Blush, Chanel Soliel Tan de Chanel, Maybelline Fit Me Concealer, Mac Cream Colour Base in Hush

Eyes: Face of Australia HD Brow Hit, Innoxa Naturally Nude Quad, Australis Liquid Eye Liner, Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes Mascara, Urban Decay Primer Potion

Lips: Face of Australia Lychee Crush Lipstick

Dress: Chicabooti, Belt: Cotton On, Shoes: Urban Outfitters, Necklace: Diva

I really like this white dress. I decided to add a brown belt to tie in the top half with my shoes. Most of the time in the summer here it's too hot to wear anything other than a dress! Sorry that the quality of this photo isn't that great, I am still considering investing in a better quality camera, they are just so expensive though :/ what cameras do you guys use for your blog? I really want a Nikon DSLR...

Mishelle

New Year, New Things

I went into the city yesterday to buy a new wallet and to look for the Essence Cherry Blossom Collection (check out the product photos here on Karina's blog). I did get my wallet, I did not find the Essence Collection, and I accidentally spent far more money than I should have.

The goodies!

I saw this Modalu Wallet at work and I instantly fell in love with it, but we sold the last one before I could pick it up. So I went into the city store and luckily they still had two left!

It was 50% off so it came to $49. The motif of the brand is seashells, I can't even. So pretty.

After debating on it for a while I finally picked up Nars Sheer Glow Foundation, and I also got the Nars Pro Primer. I went into Mecca Cosmetica to have a look at the colour range with the intention to order it online, but I ended up just saying oh well to the price and buying it in store. The girl serving me actually took the time to sit me down and match me to the shade Gobi, and she used the Pro Prime underneath. The combination looked so beautiful and felt so nice on my skin! Sheer glow was $68 and the Pro Prime was $52.

I actually bought this Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfecter from Wizard Warehouse Pharmacy yesterday for about $16. It is a rosy pink lip gloss that feels like a balm. Next at David Jones I picked up a Glasshouse Hand Cream in Bordeux.  I have recently fallen in love with Glasshouse candles, and they have now released some bath and body products featuring their candle's scents. Bordeaux is a strong vanilla scent which I love, but my boyfriend says it smells like medicine haha. Dermologica were having 20% off everything so I was going to pick up a full size of their Daily Microfoliant, but sadly they were out of stock :(. So instead I got a bottle of their Ultracalming Cleanser, which was around $40. I also found theBalm's Balm Jovi Palette on sale for $35, but when I took it to the till it was actually down to $30, what a bargain!

How do people take photos of clothes for their blog? It is seriously the most difficult thing ever. Anyway I also picked up two new clothing items from Chicabooti. I got this white dress above,

The detailing on the dress, how cute are the little stars?

And this bright, coral/pink skirt. I love the cut of this skirt, it is super flattering on.

I also got this new diary from Typo. It was on sale for $4, I think the pattern on the front is so cute!

(Image taken from Temptalia.com)

I also went to ask the Chanel counter about the spring collection, and she said it will be a couple more weeks until it hits Australia :( however, Chanel are hosting some makeup events in mid February where you can get an hour makeup application with a Chanel makeup artist and they'll showcase the collection to you. This makeup application will cost $50 which is entirely redeemable on product! I am going to book in me and a friend to go, I have my eye on a blush or a lippie!

What new things have you picked up so far this year?

Mishelle