June Favourites

If last month was anything to go by (echoing sentiments in my June 2014 Favourites), the middle of the year seems to be when I start becoming intensely more interested in clothing than makeup. I've blown my #treatyoself budget many times over on recent wardrobe additions, no thanks to relentless mid-year sales, re-obsessing over Gorman (what is it about that brand that makes me want everything?) and my inability to walk away from pale, lilacy-pink things. Still, there were some makeup and skin care favourites amid all the crazed clothing stalking and shopping. A few tried and tested products I dredged up, inexpensive new items I've been putting to good use, and an expensive (but worth it) perfume love.

Caudalie Divine Oil + water in spray bottle
I call this my DIY glowy finishing mist. This isn't the first time I've featured this lil invention of mine on the blog, but something inspired me to revisit it in June. Probably because I was regretting omitting the Tony Moly Luminous Goddess Aura Makeup Mist from my Korean makeup/skin care haul, so I had to make do with my own creation. I take my Daiso spray bottle, fill it up with tap water that's been boiled and cooled down (staple in any Asian household), then spritz some Caudalie Divine Oil into the water. It's a bit of trial and error how much Divine Oil I need to put in, but at least 7-8 sprays. Enough so that when I mist my face (shaking the bottle to combine the oil and water before each use), there is a distinct but subtle dewiness coming through. I honestly think the effect is very similar to something like Caudalie Beauty Elixir or MAC Fix+, though I haven't tried the latter personally. It's not going to set my makeup and make it last longer, but it brings some life back into my face if my makeup's looking a little heavy and cakey or over-powdered. Works great on bare skin as well for a pick me up and injection of radiance.

Rimmel Glam'Eyes Day 2 Night Mascara
Finally cracked open this mascara after it was sitting in my makeup drawer for an age. Surprisingly, it hadn't completely dried out. The opposite — the wand is loaded with product. This could be problematic if the brush didn't work as well as it does. It loads the mascara on so there's instant definition and volume, but then combs through the lashes to get rid of clumps and separate the lashes. This is one of those newfangled mascaras with dual functionality thanks to a "2-in-1 magic cap", where you have the choice of your mascara wand coming out of the "Volume" or "Length" section. I've photographed the "Volume" mascara — the "Length" one basically has a more defined, separated wand with much less mascara gloop on it. I'm not a fan of the "Length" (mainly because it seems devoid of product), but "Volume" is a winner. The only slight negative is that if you're thinking of multiple coats, do it while it's still wet. It will flake onto your face if you try another coat after the first has dried.

Narciso Rodriguez Narciso EDP
I caved and bought this after wanting it for half a year (interestingly, or perhaps not interestingly at all, the only other item on that wishlist I've bought is the Zoeva rose gold brush set). In my defence, the 50ml bottle was on sale in a set with a 75ml body lotion for $82.60. Not the bargain of the century, but acceptable considering the 50ml bottle on its own is $118. Despite my bloated perfume collection, I honestly don't have anything like Narciso. It's perfect for this time of year; the cold air, rugging up in knits, trying to keep cosy and warm. It smells rich, intoxicating, evocative of skin, musk, cleanness. Radiant and refined. It's woodsy, soapy, powdery, floral. Top notes of gardenia and rose, heart of musk, base notes of vetiver, black cedar and white cedar. I get why it might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I find myself increasingly drawn to powdery, soapy perfumes despite their potential granny factor. I had to even scour the internet to find a backup bottle of my beloved but tragically discontinued Chloé Love, Chloé. In the end, I paid a pretty penny to have one delivered to me, though the transaction wasn't entirely above board. (That's a totally different story, suffice it to say esavingsfreshscents.com.au sells perfumes with the serial number etched off and then insists it's standard industry practice to prevent fraud.)

Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes
Yes, I know. Shudder. Caroline Hirons and Sali Hughes would be horrified I'm including makeup wipes here, not that either know of my existence. But I can't help it, I've been using these wipes to remove my makeup when I get home from work, and they've probably knocked off Swisspers Cucumber Facial Cleansing Wipes as the best wipes I've used. I like that they're decently wet so it's not like you're scrubbing your face with a paper towel. Vitally, they don't sting or irritate my skin, despite some vigorous, repeated rubbing. They also get everything bar eye makeup off (still need Bioderma for that). I know, because when I start on the Bioderma for my eyes and then use the other side of the cotton pad for my face, not much comes off. I still follow up with a cleansing milk (trying out the Innoxa one that I scored from the Priceline skin care bag, not hating it, but definitely not loving it), and the end result is refreshed, clean-feeling, balanced skin.

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in Busy Signal + Ecotools Bamboo Angled Eyeliner Brush
Back to this old faithful and not entirely sure why I stopped. Busy Signal is truly one of the best makeup purchases I've made. It's been years and it shows zero signs of drying out, unlike pretty much every other cream shadow I have. It hasn't even slightly shrunk around the edges or changed texture in any way. It's still soft, smooth, emollient and ultra pigmented. The colour is complex and beautiful, it lasts all day and doesn't budge. I've used it consistently over the years and the surface is only mildly scratched. Not sure if I'll finish it in the next decade. If that isn't value, I'm not eating chocolate every day like it's good for me. I've been reaching for the Ecotools eyeliner brush to apply Busy Signal to my lower lash line every single day. Lately, I've also been playing around with a slightly longer, subtly flicked up shape for my liner using my Dolly Wink Liquid Eyeliner, and the precision of the Angled Eyeliner Brush is ideal for joining the lower lash line to the upper for an overall larger, more extended eye.

Rosebud Perfume Co. Rosebud Salve
I've actually had this lip balm since my trip to New York in late 2012, but only opened it recently. It's brought welcome relief to dry, chapped lips during winter. It's powerfully perfumed which I don't mind, though I can see why it would be off-putting to some. While it's basically fancy Vaseline, it does feel soothing and relieving on the lips, and I like that it imparts a fresh, easygoing shine to my naturally pigmented lips which makes it look like I'm wearing a tinted gloss.

And now ... I don't ever do this, but I simply had to include one non-beauty favourite. Because the joy it's brought me at least deserves a mention on this blog.

Gorman Pom Pom Pom Scarf in Grey
Words can't capture my love for this scarf. It is my dream. Because BALLZ. Look at those colourful spheres of fluff and tell me perfection doesn't exist. Whoever said money can't buy happiness hasn't bought this scarf. And I'd understand, since it was damn hard to acquire. Not to mention the kind of expensive that can only be justified in a crazed state. Bank balance says I'm poorer, heart says I am oh so richer.

Current Evening Skin Care Routine

I'm definitely no skin care expert, but the post-shower, pre-bed routine I've been diligently carrying out for the past couple of weeks appears to have paid off. Before, my skin was inexplicably dry, in that foundation didn't apply as smoothly, but rather emphasised flaky areas (particularly around my nose), even when I slathered on the moisturiser and face oils. Now, my skin looks to have gained back some suppleness and clarity, and become smoother in texture. I accept the number of products here may be overkill, but the combination and order seems to have worked for me. I'm also concentrating on using up old stuff I still have lying around, so really, it's win-win.

When I started this blog, I had minimal interest in skin care, dismissing fancy, expensive creams and seemingly hi-tech formulations as mostly hocus pocus and deceitful marketing. I believed that I could get by just fine with cheap supermarket cleansers and generic, no frills moisturisers like Nivea Soft. I barely knew what exfoliation was except something I did occasionally for the fun of it with a coarse, grainy scrub, and I didn't touch toner (what a waste of time and money!). Oh, how far we've come. I blame a large part of it on the influence of Caroline Hirons and my participation in the general blogging community. At the end of the day, I ain't getting any younger, and I'd like to think any measures I'm taking now will be incalculably beneficial in the long run. Prevention is better than cure, right? I do draw the line at elaborate daily facial massages, despite Lisa Eldridge being living proof of the rewards.

I'm the kind of person that doesn't care as much about what I use to take off makeup and cleanse my face as I do with what I put on after. Lately, I've been really lazy and relying on Swisspers Cucumber Facial Cleansing Wipes to get off face makeup and a soaked Daiso cotton puff with Bioderma to dissolve eye makeup. I then usually follow with a foaming cleanser in the shower. If I haven't pre-cleansed with a makeup towelette and/or Bioderma, I'll use Dove Foaming Make Up Remover or my DHC Deep Cleansing Oil, then do a second cleanse with a foaming cleanser.

The whole nighttime routine starts with Clarins Toning Lotion with Camomile on a Daiso cotton puff. This is a gentle, hydrating toner that restores some moisture into my face after relatively harsh cleansing while getting rid of any remnant product. It rebalances the skin and ensures a neutral, blank canvas ready for serums and creams. I also find the mere act of wiping a cotton pad all over my face is in itself exfoliating, even if the contents of the toner aren't.

I then liberally spritz Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist all over. And by liberally spritz, I mean a good dousing. Part of the reason for my exuberance is that I want to get rid of it ASAP (and I've been successful, in that there seems to only be about 20% left), since it technically expired a while ago. So long as I'm not breaking out because of it, I figured it shouldn't cause me any harm. It has a high alcohol content (it's the second ingredient), which I'm a bit iffy about. There's also lactic acid in there which always makes me think of it more as an exfoliating toner, though the amount probably isn't enough for it to be effective in that capacity. I find the mist to be fairly drying on its own, so the trick is to not wait until it's completely evaporated off the skin before going in with the next product.

Enter Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S. Thirst Quenching Serum. Once again, a case of mainly trying to use up a product I'm not crazy about. I know my indifference borders on sacrilege for a skin care item that I've not read a bad review about, but it never did much for me. If anything, I was paranoid for a long time it had a tendency to break me out. Having said that, I realised that I don't have many dedicated serums. Caroline Hirons rates serums as the #1 skin care product you should spend money on for those aged 20+, which essentially has granted me permission to treat myself to Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II or possibly Sunday Riley Good Genes Treatment (lottery win permitting) once the Caudalie runs out. The S.O.S. Thirst Quenching Serum is very thin, watery and lightweight. Applied straight after the two toners (and when the skin is still slightly damp from the second), it does provide immediate suppleness and sense of increased hydration.

Onto a face oil. I've been reaching for the Sanctuary Spa Therapist's Secret Facial Oil because it's one of the less heavy and greasy options I have. The oil feels relatively light and refined on the skin and absorbs well. I can't really tell apart the ingredients that go into different face oils, but I like the sound of the rose oils and extracts in this. I usually use about 4 drops all over my face, staying clear of the eye area. Any migration of this or any oil around the eyes is guaranteed unwanted irritation.

Finally, a dedicated nighttime moisturiser. This step after the layer of face oil is probably optional and perhaps entirely superfluous, but I do it anyway. The blurb on the box/jar of Grown Alchemist Regenerating Night Cream Neuro-Peptide & Violet Leaf tries valiantly to convince me the product is worth its $85 price tag, but luckily I only paid $12 for this. It's not too oily or thick despite being quite emollient and you need only a small amount for the entire face (though I apply a fairly generous dollop regardless).

Sometimes I'll skip the Clarins and go straight for the Jurlique (usually after I've already exfoliated in the shower), or use Iluka Hydrating Toner Mist instead. I'll also mix it up with the face oil, preferring Antipodes Divine Face Oil or NUXE Huile Prodigieuse. But the order and the essence of the products remains the same. I wake up the following morning to visibly rested, smoother, softer, and more evenly textured skin. The dry patches have for the most part been banished and active breakouts kept to a minimum.

It's Not Me, It's You

Time for another roundup of products that left me distinctly unimpressed. I feel these kinds of posts are some of the easiest to both read and write, because the sentiments expressed are so genuine and immediate. We all have certain hopes and expectations after handing over hard-earned money for products that are hyped or look promising. An initially rosy outlook can swiftly turn into disappointment and a sense of waste once reality enters the equation.

Revlon Parfumerie Scented Nail Enamel in Autumn Spice
When these range of nail polishes launched in Australia (for an eye-watering $15.95 each), I was dead set on getting Autumn Spice because of how incredible it looked on Scrangie's nails. Her swatches sold me 100%. The shade looked so rich, complex and unique, a smoky russet with fiery, coppery shimmer that gleamed in the light. I don't know if Scrangie just has a gift of photographing nail polishes in the most flattering way possible, but Autumn Spice was so underwhelming on me. I disliked the thin, runny formula immensely, the brown metallic colour looked extremely dated and unattractive, the shimmer was flat and almost grainy, the polish refused to dry, and the gimmicky scent was overwhelmingly cloying and artificial. Unpleasantness all around.

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat
I've previously ranted a bit about Seche Vite, but I feel it deserves another mention here. Since I discovered more about "3 Free" polishes, I was surprised to read that the second ingredient in Seche Vite is toluene. Because of that, the bottle has a disclaimer that reads, "WARNING! This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm." Hmmm. Not very confidence-inspiring. Even if the risk is low, which it probably is, I just don't like this top coat. It smells offensive, it slightly discolours certain polishes depending on the shade (it gave a dirty yellow tint to my OPI I Don't Give A Rotterdam!), but most problematically, it shrinks around the nail edges. I always have to consciously paint over the edge of my nail, onto the surrounding skin, so that the top coat will cover the whole nail when it dries. I don't have to deal with any of these issues with Sally Hansen Insta-Dri, in my opinion a far superior fast-drying top coat.

Sanctuary Spa Brightening Facial Polishing Hot Cloth Cleanser
I bought this to qualify for the Priceline skin care goodie bag last June, hoping it'd be similar to the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser which isn't available in Australia. Now that I've tried the Liz Earle, I can confidently say this Sanctuary Spa version is nothing like it. And not in a good way. Every time I've used this, it's mainly left my skin feeling more dry and slightly irritated. It has an almost lemony, herby, tea scent which isn't awful, but isn't my favourite either. It does have a thick, creamy texture which works into the skin nicely, but it's hard to wash off completely and leaves a balmy residue that doesn't feel hydrating.

Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S. Thirst Quenching Serum
This one is definitely the most heartbreaking of this current crop of product disappointments. An Essie Button favourite with a 4.5/5 rating on MakeupAlley to boot, I was more or less expecting that I would fall in love with this serum. I don't know if the problem is my skin type (probably not dehydrated, as it seems to be recommended for) or something else with my skin's chemistry, but it just does ... nothing. At best, nothing, at worst, it breaks me out. It has a very light, almost watery consistency that's easily spread and sinks into the skin quickly. I try to layer this underneath my moisturiser, both day and night, and I see and feel no noticeable difference than if I'd skipped it altogether. I love the refreshing scent and the packaging, and generally hold Caudalie products in high regard, so this was an extreme bummer.

Nivea In-Shower Body Lotion Skin Conditioner Normal to Dry Skin
I'd read about the dry skin version on milkteef and I Covet Thee in June last year, which was enough exposure to make me at least curious to try this newfangled product for myself. I'm guessing there isn't a huge difference between the normal to dry skin, and the dry skin versions, so I was puzzled at the good reviews. When I put this on, it feels like I'm putting Pantene hair conditioner on my skin. It's that same type of consistency. The first time I used it, I made the mistake of not washing the lotion off thoroughly enough. I dried myself off, and my legs were basically still covered in the lotion. My skin felt uncomfortably sticky and wet. The lotion just sat on top of my skin and didn't sink in properly whatsoever. The second time I used this, I actually applied it first, then used a BODY WASH in an attempt to avoid a repeat of the first experience. There was definitely less remnant lotion on my legs, but I strongly disliked the sensation of the product still physically lingering on my skin. Plainly put, it's not a good body moisturiser, at all. It's no better than sorbolene and it's very heavily perfumed. It's arguable whether there's any meaningful time saving using this in the shower compared with slapping on some body moisturiser post-shower, given you're still taking the time to apply this in the shower anyway, and not only that, you're taking extra time and effort to wash it off, lest you want unbearably greasy legs afterwards.

December Favourites

With the obligatory annual "best of" lists that pop up at the tail end of each year, I wasn't planning on posting a December Favourites. However, I came across a good number of products this month that I felt deserved their moment in the spotlight. Most were new acquisitions that I found myself genuinely pleased with, while others were rediscoveries of previously neglected products that I managed to put to good use.

Caudalie Make-Up Remover Cleansing Water Organic Grape Water & Camomile
My Bioderma Créaline H20 was leaving my skin feeling a little dry when I used it remove makeup from my face. Then I remembered this micellar water from Caudalie that came in the Must Have Set I purchased in March from Feel Unique. I find this cleansing water more refreshing and distinctly more moisturising than the more clinical, no-nonsense Bioderma, even if I still use Bioderma to get rid of more stubborn eye makeup. It has a "green" scent that reminds me of something vegetal but sweet. With a finishing spritz of Avene Thermal Spring Water all over, my skin feels hydrated and plump, like it can finally relax and breathe.

Topshop Blush in Head Over Heels
I've been putting off buying this cream blush for probably a couple of years and recently finally caved. It's a fairly affordable $12 and the packaging is compact, functional and adorable. I have no shortage of similar shades (or rather, I have no non-similar shades), but the texture is what impressed me. It reminds me a bit of the Chanel Le Blush Crème de Chanel cream blushes. It's not wet or emollient, it's more thin, dry and on the powdery side, but super easy to blend out, not patchy and very pigmented.

Napoleon Perdis Cream Blush
I was prepared to largely disregard this unnamed cream blush that was a freebie with the November issue of Australian InStyle magazine, dismissing it as generic and unexciting, but seeing it pop up in a couple of Monthly Favourites posts from Tashi and Kat made me revisit it. I was surprised at how this looked patted onto my cheeks after foundation — dewy, fresh and an instant complexion pick-me-up. Not too red, not too brown. A rare thing: a pink that I can pull off.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in Classic Beige (030)
I've heard good things about this concealer from Tanya Burr and I enjoy the Wake Me Up foundation (despite buying about 3 shades too dark), so this was another thing I picked up during Priceline's 40% off sale. As I mentioned in my outback packing post, I've had to tackle a lot of random dark spots on the lower half of my face from pimples that have diminished but left their mark. This concealer, while slightly lighter than my skin tone, works well to cover the spots so they're almost undetectable. It has a texture similar to Maybelline Fit Me concealer, except a bit more liquid, thinner and radiance-boosting. It also neutralises redness around the edges of the nose and brightens darker areas around the corners of the mouth.

Maybelline Volum' Express The Falsies in Blackest Black
I've been meaning to try this mascara for an age and finally picked up a tube from Chemist Warehouse when they had a 2 for $20 deal on Maybelline mascaras. I'm happy to report this mascara is a breeze to use and I've been reaching for it almost every day since I opened it. The wand isn't overly wet or overloaded with product and it provides good separation and length for a defined, natural look. I've experienced no noticeable issues with clumping, smudging or flaking. The curved wand helps lift the lashes upward from the roots and it's one of the best mascaras I've tried for the lower lashes, second only to Max Factor Masterpiece Max.

DKNY Be Delicious
I'd almost forgotten I owned this perfume but on a whim one morning decided to spritz it again. I don't know why I haven't worn this more because it's so much better than I remembered. It's comforting, sophisticated and warm, with top notes of grapefruit, cucumber and magnolia, middle notes of apple, tuberose, lily of the valley, rose and violet, and base notes of white amber and woods. Oddly, I don't detect that much green apple. It's a little sweet, a little tart, clean and mellow. Longevity and projection are excellent.

October Favourites

October saw a resurgence in my interest in fragrance, both perfume and scented candles. Well, the scented candles were a new thing altogether, but I was obsessed. I'm pretty sure I smelled every single candle at David Jones one Sunday while entertaining the idea of buying one, but ultimately walked home empty-handed (Glasshouse Oahu and Night Before Christmas were awfully tempting though). I also picked out the best of the skin care and nail polish I hauled in Europe, and a couple of cream eyeshadows on heavy rotation.

diptyque Roses candle
I thoroughly enjoyed burning this candle this month. It's become something of a bedside lamp substitute. The scent isn't that overpowering but it does fill the room for a few hours after it's blown out. I don't think the roses fragrance is anything amazing, it's a little bit generic in a pleasant but inoffensive way. It's not all that sweet, boozy or reminiscent of potpourri, it's gentler, cleaner and a bit more modern. I look forward to burning and finishing it only because I can't wait to be a sheep and use the empty jar as a brush holder.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser
I'd wanted to try this cleanser for the longest time and finally managed to get hold of one from John Lewis when I was in London. This has cocoa butter, rosemary, chamomile and hops extract, panthenol, and eucalyptus oil. My skin was in a gross state around in the middle of my European holiday and using this, along with Clarins moisturisers and NUXE Huile Prodigieuse was a godsend. I'd take a good 15 minutes to do the whole routine with the included muslin cloth, but back home I ditch the cloth and use one pump all over my face before washing it all off in the shower. I much prefer this to Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm. For one, you can use it around the eyes to remove mascara and eyeliner and it won't feel like oil is clouding your vision. The texture is closer to a moisturising, thick cream cleanser that just dissolves into the skin, rather than an oily balm that can't be completely washed off. I love the refreshing cool from the eucalyptus, the minty, soothing herbal scent, and how it leaves the skin feeling clean, soft and supple.

Caudalie Grape Water
I was surprised at how much I liked this, since I'm loyal to my Avene Thermal Spring Water (though my 300ml bottle inexplicably decided to stop spraying with about a third left). This is the first aerosol face mist I've encountered that isn't just water (Avene, La Roche-Posay Serozinc). This Caudalie one consists of grape water and grape juice, so it smells very sweet (a little bit like overripe fruit) and leaves a slight residue on the skin. It's more moisturising than plain water in a can, especially when it dries on the skin. I find it an effective, inexpensive hydrating toner that you can spray over the face before or after your moisturiser. I would definitely be stocking up if it were available here, but unfortunately it's not and I can't buy it online either because of shipping restrictions with the aerosol can. Guess I'll just have to savour it while it lasts.

Nails Inc. Porchester Square
I have Anna from ViviannaDoesMakeup to thank for this one. I immediately jotted down Porchester Square on my London shopping list after seeing it featured in her August Favourites. I absolutely love the colour, especially as my focus has increasingly shifted to office-friendly cremes. I'll always be partial to my glitters, brights, pastels and blues/greens/purples, but sometimes you just need an excellent safe bet with a more conservative environment in mind. Even if I didn't have to worry about whether my nail polish is adhering to a corporate dress code, I'd still enjoy wearing Porchester Square. It's a pitch perfect, elegant and feminine light mushroom with slight purple tones. I love that it's one of those chameleonic shades that leans more sandy beige or cloudy grey or hazy lilac depending on the light. The formulation is also stunning — ultra smooth, buttery, a true one coater with impressive wear time.

Jo Malone Orange Blossom Cologne
Already raved about here, so I'll keep it short. I think this is my favourite of my recent perfume acquisitions. I'm kind of wondering whether I should have heeded to the sales assistant's advice and purchased the bigger bottle. A friend complimented me on this fragrance while we were having dinner out, which only provided more positive reinforcement. What can I say ... it's a crowd-pleaser.

KIKO Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow in 06
Another product I've already written about before, this truly has set in motion a second wave of enthusiasm for cream eyeshadows (ideally in pencil form). What I love most about the KIKO is that not only is it an effortless all-over lid colour, but I've found that it works just as well on the lower lashline. If anything, I've been preferring to use it that way. It stays on longer than regular pencil eyeliners, it's richly metallic but still daytime-friendly and not too dark, and it's just so quick and easy to swipe on while in a rush.

l-r: Face of Australia Budge Proof Eyeshadow in Bronze Sphinx, KIKO Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow in 06

l-r: Becca Gilt, Essence Pas des Copper, Maybelline Bad to the Bronze, Face of Australia Bronze Sphinx, Benefit Busy Signal

Face of Australia Budge Proof Eyeshadow in Bronze Sphinx
Undoubtedly one of my favourite recent discoveries, Bronze Sphinx is one of those unanticipated, lucky finds. I was casually browsing Big W and came across the Face of Australia stand, where they had a blanket $3 off the entire range. I'd heard about the new Budge Proof Eyeshadows (evidently inspired by Maybelline Color Tattoos) from local bloggers, but I hadn't seen them in person at Priceline or anywhere else. I was interested in Tip Top Taupe as well (which reminded me so much of a toned down Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in Illusoire), but ultimately settled for just Bronze Sphinx, as I rationalised I'd get infinitely more wear out of it. Tip Top Taupe looked a bit too cool and grey, which I've found isn't the best with my skin tone. Bronze Sphinx, on the other hand, is just what I'm after in a cream eyeshadow.

Compared to similar shades, Becca Eye Tint in Gilt is closer to a warmer version of Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow/Liner in Busy Signal, with more gold shimmer but a difficult texture to work with (slides around, very patchy, a struggle to get even coverage). Essence Eye Soufflé in Pas des Copper (tragically limited edition) is lighter than Bronze Sphinx, with a touch more of a silvery overlay. Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze is cooler, more of an intensely metallic, medium frosty brown. Benefit Busy Signal is the darkest, a rich chocolate brown with fine gold shimmer. It's very pigmented and the tiniest amount goes a long way. Face of Australia Bronze Sphinx has more of a copper (red/orange) tone, and isn't as silvery as Pas des Copper or Bad to the Bronze, or with as much gold shimmer as Gilt or Busy Signal. Equally easy to apply with fingers or a brush, it's smooth, emollient, and not gritty or patchy in any way. Building up pigmentation in thin layers is a breeze. A bargain at $8.95, this is well on its way to being a much-loved staple.

Five Face Oils

I've been meaning to write this post for a long time, but have always slacked off on it because, simply put, these different face oils I use are practically indistinguishable to me. I use them in exactly the same way for exactly the same purpose with more or less the same results. Clearly, this is not going to be some verifiable scientific breakdown of each of them. None of these are miracle workers, but having converted to face oils roughly this time last year with the purchase of Josie Maran Argan Oil, I can say that generally, my bare face has become more presentable in public, and somewhat ironically, my skin is overall less oily now.

Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil
My first face oil, and in a way, my sentimental favourite. I bought this at Sephora in New York while on vacation. I started my foray into face oils by mixing 2-3 drops of this with Nivea Soft and applying it day and night for the 3 weeks I was in NYC. I don't know if it was the lack of stress or the increased exercise from walking around on holiday, but I swear, I look back on pictures from the trip and my skin has never looked better. I've rationed this 15ml travel size bottle for a good year, though I've almost finished it. What I love about the Josie Maran is that it's completely scentless and seems to be one of the more refined oils I've tried. The skin just drinks it up, and it softens and soothes. I've contemplated ordering another bottle from Sephora via the overpriced Tarazz multiple times, but eventually settled for the argan oil from Garden of Wisdom. I'm hoping it'll be exactly the same thing.

Sukin Certified Organic Rose Hip Oil
One of my most recent additions, after being convinced I needed a rosehip oil in my life after repeated exposure to Trilogy Rosehip Oil on beauty blogs. Never mind that I already had the Antipodes Divine Face Oil which has rosehip in it. I needed the unadulterated stuff. The scent of this oil always reminds me of fish oil capsules. Not my favourite, but the smell at least doesn't linger. I find this is quite rich in that if I apply 2-3 drops to bare skin in place of a regular moisturiser, my skin will have a slight greasy residue after a couple of hours. I'm not sure whether it's because it doesn't absorb as readily, or whether I just use too much. It's very hydrating and seems to work overnight to restore the skin and give it back some suppleness and smoothness. However, I don't think it did anything significant in reducing scarring from spots.

Antipodes Divine Face Oil Organic Avocado Oil & Rosehip
I do like this and find it very similar to the Sukin, in that it's a bit on the heavier side. I'm not a fan of the scent which I always think of as a little hippie and musty (almost like pee, dare I say?). It has avocado oil, macadamia nut oil, jojoba oil, rosehip oil, vitamin E and essential oil fragrances of ylang ylang, sandalwood and jasmine. I really love the packaging of this, with the patterned dark green label, amber bottle, quirky Antipodes font and contrasting gold ring at the top. I've used about half of the 30ml bottle, but given that it acts very much the same way as pure rosehip oil, the smell is off-putting to me and I'm a bit on the fence about the added essential oils, I'm not sure whether I'd repurchase. If I didn't have the Sukin though, I'd be content using this daily, either applied to a freshly cleansed face or mixed in with my regular moisturiser.

Sanctuary Spa Therapist's Secret Facial Oil
This one has a whole bunch of ingredients, including sunflower seed soil, rosehip oil, wheat germ oil, jojoba seed soil, rosa centifolia (cabbage rose) flower extract, frankincense and rosa damascena flower oil. I have no idea what half of those things are or what they're meant to do. The liquid is much paler than the Sukin (which is amber) and Antipodes (dark yellow). This one is much nicer on the nose with a faint sweet rose smell. I find the oil lighter and slightly more readily absorbed than the Sukin and Antipodes, closer to the Josie Maran in the way it feels on the skin.

Caudalie Divine Oil
This French multipurpose dry oil comes in a large 100ml cylinder with a pump dispenser and can be used for body, face and hair. The primary ingredient is grape seed oil, said to be high in omega-6 and vitamin E, but it also contains sesame seed oil, shea butter extract, sunflower seed oil, hibiscus seed oil, argan oil and tomato extract. This one is heavily, heavily perfumed, to the extent you could easily use it purely for the fragrance, especially if applied to the ends of the hair. Those sensitive to strong scents may not want this anywhere near their face. One squirt gives you a decent amount, I would say equivalent to at least 4-5 drops of the other oils. This one is the fastest absorbing and doesn't leave much of an oily residue, but it doesn't feel immediately hydrating or soothing either. I find the smell too rich for the day so I only use this as part of my nighttime routine, in combination with my Trilogy Very Gentle Moisturising Cream, or as a final layer of treatment/hydration over any moisturiser/oils I've already slapped on.

July Favourites

HOW is it August. I don't understand. July was mostly cold, which encouraged as much sleeping in as possible and lazy makeup practices. I was experimenting with the newly released CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation but the shade I bought, Buff Beige (825), proved too light, so I had to mix it with Rimmel Wake Me Up in Soft Beige (200), which kind of defeated the point. The rest of the time I was relying on Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation but I never felt completely satisfied with it. Near the end of the month, I crawled back to my Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum. There was a tonne of skin care experimentation going on in July, but nothing I found particularly revolutionary. All that cleansing, exfoliating, moisturising and treatment didn't seem to make any noticeable difference. If anything, I started to break out, mostly on the lower half of my face, which I tried to remedy with Formula 10.0.6 Overnight Success Spot Minimising Patches from Priceline's skin care goodie bag. It was quite the novelty to paste transparent oval stickers onto my spots and peel them off in the morning. Can't say they did much, but at least I half used up something.

Grown Mandarin and Rosemary Leaf Body Cream
There's a bit of a funny story with this one, and by funny, I mean sad, and by sad, I mean pathetic. I spotted this body cream at Priceline one day, slashed down to $20 (normally $50). The only problem was there were none left. I tried some of the cream from the tester, really liked it, and lamented not scoring such a bargain. That night, I did some research online, trying to find a similar price point, but failed. I then simply couldn't get this stupid body cream off my mind. I'm sure there's a psychological phenomenon that can account for my behaviour. I would've never looked twice at it had it not been so reduced in price (me? Body moisturisation?), but missing that opportunity, I now wanted it regardless. In the end, I purchased it from Myer when they had 25% off Grown. Nowhere near $20, but at least there was some discount. The cream reminds me a lot of Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Balm. I did a side-by-side ingredients comparison and there are a lot of commonalities (including sweet almond oil, macadamia seed oil, wheatgerm oil, mandarin orange and carrot root extract). The scent when I'm applying it to the skin is a bit more sharply herbal/leafy than the sweet-but-tart citrus I was hoping for, but it's a pleasure to use nonetheless and sinks into the skin quickly, leaving no greasy or sticky residue.

Caudalie Divine Oil
I've featured this in a previous favourites, but I've relied on it heavily this month as well. Once we get over the distinctive, rich scent (which I've warmed to considerably) and how it's a bit drier than other face oils, it manages to be a truly versatile, high performing product. The luxurious 100ml spray bottle is much easier to use than the mini 15ml cylinder from the Caudalie Must Have Set. I typically spritz one pump into my night cream and then rub my palms together to mix them, then massage it onto my face. I find the Divine Oil adds that much-needed boost to my regular moisturiser as I sleep. I wake up to generally smoother looking, well-hydrated skin that looks just that bit clearer, plumper and more well-rested. I've also really enjoyed adding it to purified water and making my own goodness-knows-what toner in a small, generic pump bottle. When I've slept in way too late on Saturday and can't be bothered washing my face, I do this 3 step routine of Avene Thermal Spring Water, Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist and my DIY water/Caudalie spray. For reasons that elude me, it leaves my skin feeling toned and looking softly polished and radiant.

Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Crème in Rose Gold
Another product that I've written about before, this was basically the only highlighter I used this whole month. I think my appreciation for my Dewy Glow has intensified threefold with the knowledge you can't get this anymore. As time goes on, I'm just so grateful that I bought it off BeautyBay back in the day. This is one of the more subtle highlighters that I have, which I find more suitable for everyday wear. I prefer the skin-tone peachiness of Rose Gold to more champagne (yellow) or pearly (pink/white) options. It glides onto the face without being overly emollient or slippery, barely requires any blending for a seamless finish and has surprisingly good wear time for a cream product. I've had it since February 2012 and haven't even hit pan yet, so hopefully it'll last me for some time to come.

Real Techniques Domed Shadow Brush
The Pixiwoo sisters are always using this brush and the Deluxe Crease Brush for their concealer, and with the breakouts I'd been having, I finally gave the Domed Shadow Brush a go for that purpose. Instant love. I use my Maybelline Fit Me concealer, dabbing it onto my spots directly with the applicator, then start feathering the edges of the blemish out with the brush, blending the concealer into the surrounding skin as delicately as possible, patting on the spot itself to smooth the surface without moving the concealer around too much. My technique still requires a bit of fine-tuning and practice, but the results aren't anything you can get using just your fingers (trust me, I've tried). This brush has become an absolute necessity if I'm applying concealer for the purpose of covering up spots. I've even made a makeshift cover for it with a discarded plastic tube and sticky tape so I can pop this in my makeup bag without worrying it'll become contaminated. I'm interested in finding something with a pointy tip for even more accurate concealing.

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24 Hour Eyeshadow in Bad to the Bronze
If we're keeping these favourites real, then this has to make an appearance. I've already mentioned Bad to the Bronze in countless other posts, so I'll try not to harp on. Basically, this stuff is the best. It's both a primer and a base, as well as a standalone eyeshadow. Ridiculous lasting power. Metallic finish without being overly chunky, shimmery or glittery. So easy to whack on. Ideal everyday colour, not too warm-toned or cool. Other shadows blend nicely with it. Not too soft so it slides all over the place and goes on patchy, not too dry so it's impossible to get any product and hard to blend. My brainless, automatic, go-to choice, time and time again.

l-r: Maybelline Bad to the Bronze, Jemma Kidd Rose Gold

5 Products I'm on the Fence About

I thought I would love each of these products, but for whatever reason, I haven't been feeling them. While none of the products are completely abysmal or things I actively despise, my opinion ranges from still undecided (with the potential to be swayed in the positive direction) to mild dislike and the certainty that I won't be repurchasing. It's not so much these products weren't "worth the hype", but rather I feel they're not suitable for me, or I had inaccurate expectations of how they'd perform. I don't necessarily regret purchasing them, but they simply didn't turn out to be the fabulous, must-have additions I envisaged.

l-r: Illamasqua Naked Rose, Sleek Rose Gold

Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Naked Rose
Since my full review in April this year, I haven't worn this blush once. Let that be indication of how inclined I am to reach for it. I just don't think the colour works on me, an issue compounded by the fact I find it nearly impossible to get the application right. It's so pigmented that I have to be super careful with the amount and placement, otherwise it looks ruddy and overdone. Basically, too much work for something that mainly makes my cheeks look red and patchy. It's such a shame that I don't get along with Naked Rose, because it looked so promising the first time I swatched it in person. I was so excited when I bought it and planned on getting a tonne of use out of it. For me, NARS Douceur is the closest to what I thought Naked Rose would be.

Sleek Blush in Rose Gold
Frequency of use even worse than Naked Rose. Since I bought this early last year, I don't recall ever using it. Maybe once or twice playing with my makeup at home, but to the best of my knowledge, never outside the house. Once again, it's a case of the colour simply not working for me, combined with unreal pigmentation making application a daunting task indeed. Rose Gold was one of those products that I absolutely needed and coveted with a burning, sleepless intensity back in the day. As soon as it arrived at my doorstep and I tried it on, I quickly realised we simply weren't meant to be. This is just way too red on me. The shimmer is also on a whole 'nother level, making it difficult to pull off unless you want to sport glistening, reflective cheeks packed with gold shimmer. The shimmer is what makes it special, but not suitable for the daytime, i.e. the majority of occasions that I wear makeup.

Nivea Lip Butter in Vanilla & Macadamia
It's true, these do smell scrumptious, this flavour particularly. But when I think of "lip butter", I think of the Korres ones, or even the Revlon ones, though they're closer to moisturising lipsticks. I expect a plush, cushiony, thick, comfortable and hydrating texture. These aren't like that at all, which honestly surprised me the first time I used them because I'd read so many glowing reviews about how amazing they were. They're more like Vaseline. White Vaseline. The product sits on top of the lip (rather than sinking in) and feels like a waxy coating. It also has a white cast which can look unsightly if you use too much. I will not be repurchasing.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo
Another product I purchased because I kept seeing this touted as some skin care wonder product and of course, I needed to get my greedy little hands on it. I honestly don't know what I was expecting when I bought this. This is recommended for "mild to moderate acne-prone skin", which doesn't really describe me. I get some pimples now and then, particularly after consuming whole packets of Kettle Chilli chips, but I wouldn't say I've ever had any acne issues. Regardless, I thought it might be a good treatment to keep spots at bay and refine my skin (minimise pores, even out texture). I first experimented using this as an all-over serum under my regular moisturiser before foundation. I didn't notice anything particularly different when I did this, so eventually I just couldn't be bothered. Then I started to use this more as a spot treatment over any breakouts I had. That was a bit more effective, as the next day the area had generally diminished and become less inflamed, but it hardly cured all, and it certainly didn't make everything disappear completely, even over the course of weeks. I think this is a nice, soothing, non-irritating lotion (though personally not moisturising enough to be used on its own), but I just haven't found any kind of noticeable success with it. I have no idea how to use it in a consistent enough manner that I would see results.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir
I do like this and it's undoubtedly in the "nice to have" camp, but at the same time, I'm a bit iffy about it. If we look past the absolutely gorgeous packaging and the hype it's received, what is it anyway? As far as the ingredients list reveals, it looks to be water, alcohol and a bunch of essential oils. Alcohol is the second ingredient. Perfume is the fourth! I can never spray this directly onto my face as invariably, a tiny amount will get into my eyes and sting like crazy. I have to adopt the Lisa Eldridge trick and spray it on my hands first, rub them together, then press my hands all over my face. The instructions on the bottle suggest to apply the Beauty Elixir before your moisturiser. Maybe I'm just a skin care ignoramus, but when I've remembered to do this, I couldn't see how it made any difference whatsoever. If anything, it made my skin feel a bit drier and tighter before I slapped on my moisturiser (unless that's a good thing?). I think it does fare a bit better as something to use over makeup to refresh it and inject a bit of glow back into the face, and also as an instant mood/sensory booster due to the invigorating herbal, menthol scent.

April Favourites

This month hasn't been the most adventurous in terms of makeup. I've reverted back to Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow for my base, relied on the most brainless and fuss-free options for eyeshadow, and tried to switch up my blush almost every day (as you do, when you have about 17 varieties of essentially the same thing). My favourite products for April are more about finding the right tools to be able to appreciate or better use what I already have. I also love the loud, bright lip for a night out, continue to happily dabble in face oils, and discover what it means to have a good-enough-to-eat shower experience.

philosophy Cinnamon Buns Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath
I was ecstatic when I found The Cookbook set of Old Fashioned Eggnog, Hot Buttered Rum, Cinnamon Buns and Peppermint Bark (120ml each) on sale at David Jones for $24. I was tempted to buy it at full price last Christmas, but wasn't prepared to spend $49 on four small bottles of shower gel. It did go on sale post-Christmas, but I still wasn't too keen on spending $34. But with a further 30% discount? I didn't hesitate. My favourite of the four would definitely be Cinnamon Buns. Every time I use this in the shower and lather it all over, I'm enveloped by deliciousness and I just want to take a bite out of my arm. Creamy and scrumptious.

Caudalie Divine Oil
I've been wanting to try Divine Oil for a while now (ever since Estée wrote about it in August last year), but it was this recent review by Emma that finally swayed me. I was determined to find out what the fuss was about. I didn't particularly want to splurge on the 100ml bottle in case I hated it, but stumbled across the Must Have Set on Feelunique and thought it would be an ideal way to test the waters (and also replenish my dwindling supply of the Beauty Elixir). I haven't been using it for too long, but I find that it delivers similar results to my Antipodes Divine Face Oil. I like mixing it with my moisturiser at night for a hydrating, nourishing boost to the skin. I also tried pouring a bit onto my hands, rubbing them together and gently patting my face with it after I'd already moisturised, but all that did was leave my skin feeling extremely greasy. Maybe I just put too much, but it's very hard to control the amount when the packaging comes without a pump. The floral scent is very strong, so those sensitive to fragrance might want to stay away.

Sigma F82 Round Top Kabuki
One morning, I realised my Real Techniques Buffing Brush was in desperate need of a thorough clean, to the extent that I wasn't all that comfortable with the idea of using it on my face. Hygiene was one factor, but application issues from a dirty brush was probably the main concern. I fished out my oft-neglected Sigma F82 from my brush holder and began using it, and continued to every day for almost the whole month.

I'm normally hesitant to use the Sigma F82 because it's hard and punishing labour to clean. But it's worth it. Because of the sheer density of the bristles, it's probably the closest thing to mimicking the effect of using your hands to smooth out foundation over your face. It results in a completely streak-free, second skin finish. It's a bit more work to use than the Real Techniques Buffing Brush because the brush itself is harder, denser, larger and heavier, but it really works a treat for liquid foundation. I've been using the Real Techniques Stippling Brush exclusively to apply my Make Up For Ever HD foundation, but I tried it with the Sigma F82, and the results were much better, only reinforcing my belief in the brilliance of this brush.

Models Prefer Mystique Angled Blush Brush
I picked this up from my recent Priceline haul, and I honestly didn't have high expectations about the quality or functionality. It was more for the novelty of finally having an angled blush brush in my collection. Despite initial concern when it shed a few hairs after I first washed it, I haven't been using anything else to apply my blush since I bought it. What I most like about this brush is that the softness and shape of the bristles make it ideal for more highly pigmented blushes. I don't have to worry about the brush picking up too much product. It strikes a seriously good balance between blendability and control, and the relative ease of application when I use it has encouraged me to rediscover blushes that I don't give a lot of love to.

Maybelline ColorSensational Vivids in Fuchsia Flash
I ended up buying 5 of the Vivids lipsticks, a fact that's slightly more horrifying to me than pleasing, given a) I don't even wear lipstick that much b) I easily have over 50 lipsticks. Of the Vivids I bought, Fuchsia Flash is my definite favourite. It's a lipstick I look forward to being able to wear for a casual dinner with friends or a girls' night out. I love that it's so similar to MAC Pink Pigeon and MAC Candy Yum Yum. That alone is super exciting to me. Intense colour payoff, not drying, wears evenly and doesn't stain too much. Consider me impressed.