Instant Mismatch

I've never been particularly interested in concealers, yet somehow I've ended up with 6 of them. Recently, I had a 10% off Myer voucher and decided to use it and buy the Clarins Instant Concealer. It's normally $38 so I saved a whopping $3.80 (/sarcasm). With Pixiwoo, Sali Hughes and ViviannaDoesMakeup raving about it, and the fact it's a very generous 15ml (basically half of a standard foundation), I thought it would be a purchase I wouldn't regret. At the store, I tried a bit of Light (01) and Medium (02) and figured I'd get more use out of the darker shade. Light would be ideal to brighten under the eyes and maybe cancel out redness around the nose and corners of the mouth, but would be too pale for the rest of my face. Medium looked like the wrong undertone, but I convinced myself I could make it work.

Believe the hype ... this is an incredible concealer, but with one caveat. The shade range is tragically limited. Medium on my skin tone is just wrong, wrong, wrong. The darkness is about the same as my foundations, but the undertone is completely incorrect. I've complained before about pinky/peachy-toned foundations and powders, and Medium is the exact same story. I need YELLOW. I can't do these warm, browny-peachy colours. My face just looks off.

Here, I've applied a little bit of the concealer on my chin and around my mouth. You can instantly see the stark contrast in undertone between my face and my neck.

Top to bottom: Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in 01, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard, Clarins Instant Concealer in 02, Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in Classic Beige, Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Sand, L.A. Girl Pro Conceal High Definition Concealer in Creamy Beige

I was very interested to see how the Clarins compared with my other concealers. In the swatch, it looks most similar to Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in 01, but that's only because the product weirdly oxidised on my hand. It's actually much lighter in person — without a doubt, the lightest concealer I own. The NARS and Maybelline are more yellow-toned and similar to each other. The Rimmel is lighter and more neutral/beige, L.A. Girl being a little more orange. I can immediately see why NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard is my clear favourite of the bunch, given it's the closest match to my complexion.

Clarins Instant Concealer feels weightless, has medium, buildable coverage (you only need a tiny amount each time), is kind on slightly dry skin and gives a blurred, airbrushed effect. The consistency is similar but slightly more liquid and blendable than NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. It's easy to work into the skin with either fingers or a brush like the Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush, and provides natural-looking coverage without being cakey. If I use it sparingly and really press the product into my skin in thin layers (like Karima taught me), I can kind of overlook the fact the colour doesn't match me. If Clarins released a more yellow-toned shade, I'd be inclined to put the Instant Concealer top of my concealer pile. But while we're working with reality, I can't love it as much as I want to.

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.

April Favourites

With April done and dusted, we're edging closer to the middle of the year. I feel that in no time at all, Christmas music will be playing over the speakers in shopping centres once again. As the Game of Thrones saying goes, winter is coming, a particularly apt premonition on this gloomily overcast day as icy wind howls outside and I'm rugged up in a hoodie and very unhip men's polar fleece jacket from Kmart. April was chugging along nicely (and more leisurely than normal, with two consecutive long weekends thanks to public holidays), my respiratory issues seemed to be clearing up after I was prescribed an inhaler, I was still trying to eat better, avoid junk food and move more, until we received some unexpected family news. Now and then, something abruptly awakens you from the autopilot of daily life, and forces you to take a step back and reassess what's important. Sudden loss can be a potent reminder of everything we take for granted and have to be grateful for.

Lucas' Papaw Ointment
I know I once described this as "upgraded Vaseline", but I have a much kinder take on it now. My interest was rekindled after I saw a large tub of this on the coffee table of my friend's place when I was visiting. She loves the stuff and always carries a smaller tube around in her handbag. I do find it provides relief to dry, chapped lips better than other petroleum-based lip balms like Nivea Lip Butter. One unconventional use I have for it is smoothing a generous layer over my lips after applying my foundation in the mornings, waiting a minute or so, then wiping it all off with a tissue. I always find remnant foundation gets on my lips as I'm applying and blending it all over my face, leaving them looking pale and chalky. The Lucas' Papaw Ointment, with its clear, slightly thick but smooth texture, sinks into my lips, manages to take away all traces of foundation after I remove it with a tissue, but also leaves my lips soft and hydrated after.

Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in 02 Apricot Shimmer
I could've easily included this in my recent Shop My Stash, since it's a product I neglected for no apparent reason. I have written a full review, and while it is probably a little overhyped for what it is (though mainly due to its elevated price tag and my existing excess of lip products), it's still a beautifully made lip gloss/balm that I enjoy using. I've been making a conscious effort to include it in my bag if I'm going out so I reach for it more. The elegant, feminine packaging is visually pleasing, the caramel/cupcake scent is delicious, and it feels luxuriously plush and comfortable on the lips. My only complaint is the colour (or lack of) — it's fairly pale and milky, and lighter than my natural lip colour, so not the most flattering look.

Essie Shine of the Times over Revlon Gumdrop

Essie Shine of the Times
I just raved about this, so at the risk of repeating myself, I could hardly take this off my nails the whole month. The only glitter top coat I'd rate as on par with Shine of the Times is China Glaze Snow Globe. Everything else can't quite compare.

Sukin Cream Cleanser
I finally used this 125ml pump bottle up after purchasing it during Priceline's 40% off skin care sale in late July last year. My skin has been acting up for inexplicable reasons, so I ditched my more drying, foaming Antipodes Juliet Skin-Brightening Gel Cleanser for something gentler. Apart from some mild paranoia about the shea butter in this potentially exacerbating my spots, I figured it's only going on temporarily and being washed off immediately after, so there shouldn't be any major issues. (Not to mention the actual moisturisers I use containing shea butter, which I don't seem to be as concerned about.) This feels really nourishing and nurturing on the skin and never leaves it feeling tight or craving moisture afterwards. I would say it's very comparable to more expensive cream cleansers from the likes of Trilogy or Antipodes, but at a much more affordable price point. I would repurchase, though preferably during another of Priceline's 40% off sales.

Archipelago Botanicals Caramel Soy Candle
My favourite discovery of April. I was casually browsing David Jones after a doctor's appointment and feeling prepared to treat myself to something. I was contemplating the new Glasshouse Birds of a Feather Pink Lemonade candle, or splurging on a Gascoigne & King Paddington candle, but then I turned around and saw the Archipelago stand. Not expecting anything, I gave their candles a cursory whiff and found myself pleasantly surprised. These were big, prominent scents that you could really smell. None of that subtle, faded, barely-there stuff. I was tempted by the unusual Wasabi Mint and the gloriously floral Peony, but in the end, it had to be Caramel. It hooked me instantly. Warm, inviting, full-bodied but not sickly. And there was a toastiness and slight popcorn note in there that made all the difference. It had the most significant throw of any candle I've tried and the scent lingered in my room the next day.

Inglot Freedom System Eyeshadow Pearl 402

l-r: L'Oréal Tender Caramel, Inglot 402, Maybelline Bad to the Bronze

Inglot Freedom System Eyeshadow Pearl 402
When Michelle of Eat Paint Sniff Glue declares she could be faithful to this one eyeshadow for the rest of her days, I pay attention. Naturally, when I stumbled across an Inglot counter on a rare trip to Bondi Junction Westfield, I couldn't leave without snapping Pearl 402 up. A single eyeshadow pan was $10, so I opted not to purchase the case it comes in for an additional $9. It makes storage a bit tricky, but until I get my hands on a Z Palette, I'm keeping it the right way up in its original box.

As for the shadow itself, it's one of those effortless, throw on, all-over lid neutrals, of which I have plenty, but another one in the mix never hurts. Especially not when it's as well-executed as this one is. My first experience with Inglot shadows doesn't disappoint — all the typical adjectives apply: smooth, buttery, highly pigmented. Minimal fallout. L'Oréal Infallible eyeshadow in Tender Caramel is more frosty and aggressively shimmery, cooler, with a lilac undertone. Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze is darker, more taupey and metallic in finish. 402 has more of a subdued satin finish and subtle rosy/mauve tones that give it extra warmth, though on my lids it still leans relatively grey/cool. It's probably everything I was hoping MAC Satin Taupe would be.

Perfecting Apricot

Another beauty buy from my trip to London last September came about with the help of an excellent gift with purchase I stumbled upon at House of Fraser. If you purchased any two Clarins products, you could select three deluxe size samples of some of their most popular skin care products. I was running out of my favourite Multi-Active Night Youth Recovery Cream and had been contemplating repurchasing it, but the cheapest price I could find online was around $58 for the 50ml jar. Already having a few products from Clarins that I was interested in buying, I figured why not score free 30ml tubes of Multi-Active Night, HydraQuench Cream and HydraQuench Cream-Mask in the process. While one of the items I had my eye on, the Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner, was sadly out of stock, I finally had an excuse to take home the Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector.

Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in 02 Apricot Shimmer

I selected Apricot Shimmer (02), though my first choice of a darker pink was out of stock. Admittedly, I was a little taken aback at the price — £17 or around $31. That's a heck of a lot for a lip gloss. The price in the UK is even more expensive than in Australia, where this retails for $26. I definitely wouldn't have purchased it without the incentive of the generous gift with purchase.

The gloss itself is very cushiony and plush, like a smoother, slightly more liquid version of the Korres Lip Butters. It's relatively thick but very moisturising and lightweight on the lips. Apricot Shimmer is on the pale side in that it's lighter than my natural lip colour. It's quite a milky peach that appears relatively pink on my lips, but remains mainly sheer. One of my favourite aspects of it is that it's glossy without having any shimmery particles. You could wear this paired with a darker lipstick or stain (like Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey) to make the darker shade less intense, or over a similar colour (like MAC Shy Girl) for a more "three-dimensional" effect. It does leave the lips looking fuller and more plump and I imagine it'd offer welcome relief for dry, peeling lips.

The sponge tip applicator doesn't bother me as much as I initially thought, though I always squeeze the product out onto my finger and then apply it to my lips. The vanilla scent is an added touch that makes it a pleasure to use. I love the sophisticated, attractive packaging, with the elongated shape, colour-coded exterior and gold cap. It's a high quality balm/gloss hybrid with a refined, comfortable-feeling formula, but at the same time, if you already have a lot of lip glosses and balms, you probably could do without it.

Best of 2013

And here we are at the end of 2013 and another year of blogging. This blog has steadily grown in its second year and I truly appreciate every single one of you who visits, reads and comments. Your support and the connections I've made with all the lovely people whose blogs I've had the pleasure of following throughout the year continually inspire and motivate me to not only keep this thing afloat, but carve out an evolving space where we can be brought together by a subject that is both our common weakness and happy place.

Here are 17 products that I count among the best of 2013:

Benefit Sugarbomb
If I'm after a little something on the cheeks, but nothing major, Sugarbomb is what I reach for. It reminds me of a toned down, less intense in colour NARS Luster, with a beautiful golden pearl that negates the need for a separate highlighter.

Stila Convertible Colour in Gerbera
Checks all the boxes and exceeded all expectations. What I love most about it, apart from being one of few pinks that isn't a flop on me, is the dewy, healthy-looking radiance it imparts when blended into the skin.

Clarins Eye Quartet Mineral Palette in Odyssey
Aside from the impeccable packaging and the inclusion of three classic neutrals, it's really the stunning gold leaf shade that is my everything. It is to the eyes what OPI GoldenEye is to the nails.

Real Techniques Buffing Brush
I want to sing it all the love songs. I can't live, if living is without you. No one else comes close. I can't imagine applying foundation without this brush. Well, I can, but why would I want to.

NARS Blush in Luster
This slightly bronzy tangerine with gold shimmer is simply purdy, goes with almost anything, and unlike most pink blushes that look attractive in the pan but not so much on my face, it works with my skin tone. It's almost like a bronzer, blush and highlighter in one, making it an ideal choice to sweep over the cheeks for an illuminating, sunkissed flush.

NARS Bronzing Powder in Laguna
There's a reason why this is a cult product. Somehow other bronzers just don't compare. Since I bought it in a blush/bronzer duo with Angelika, I've used almost nothing else when it comes to warming up the face for the illusion of a more summery glow (and incidental, mostly futile attempts at 'contouring').

Essence Eye Soufflé in Pas des Copper
Time to start penning those letters to Essence, imploring them to re-release this inexplicably limited edition gem. An innovative, spongy, creamy, glide-on texture does all the work for you and the shimmery champagne/coppery shade is near perfect. Also impressive is that almost two years in, this shows no sign of drying out or hardening.

Revlon Matte Lipstick in Strawberry Suede
I never thought I'd pick a red lipstick given my weakness for pinks and peach/corals (not to mention that major borderline vampy berry lip phase in winter), but this was something of a revelation to me. Each time I wear it, the vibrant, retro-ish, orangey-red just makes me happy. Isn't that what lipstick is all about?

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze
The love affair continues. Ultra metallic, pigmented and long-lasting with an eminently wearable shade to boot, this versatile cream shadow continues to be my go-to choice on countless mornings when nothing else comes close to offering up competition.

KIKO Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow in 06
Though only purchased in September, this cream eyeshadow stick has quickly risen to the top of my most reached-for eyeshadows. For an effortless, quick and flattering one-product look, it stands almost singular in my collection.

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Black
Despite a somewhat shaky start, this is my favourite eyeliner of 2013. The fine tip, though prone to slight fraying, delivers a precise, thin line, and with practice, the occasionally daunting task of eyeliner is sorted in about 10 seconds. Contrary to reports that this runs out quickly, mine lasted several months with near daily use.

NARS And God Created the Woman Eyeshadow Palette
I couldn't have orchestrated a better first foray into NARS eyeshadows than this gorgeous neutral palette. No other product this year incited manic, unrelenting pangs of desire in me that I simply could not ignore.

Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
Given my laziness and overarching disinterest when it comes to anything to do with hair, this is nothing short of a lifesaver. A can't-be-without-it miracle product that instantly revives greasy, weighed down, lifeless locks, making them appear soft, volumised, and practically newly washed. The best in its field that I've tried.

Caudalie Divine Oil
Used alone or mixed in with moisturiser, this luxurious multipurpose dry oil (with grape, sunflower, hibiscus, sesame and argan oils, as well as grape seed and tomato extract) helps improve the skin's texture and condition. I often supplement my regular night cream with a spritz of Divine Oil to ensure the extra goodness works its magic overnight.

Clarins Multi-Active Night Youth Recovery Cream for Normal to Dry Skin
My most favoured night cream. Comforts and hydrates the skin with a soothing, refreshing and non-cloying scent and combines nicely with a few drops of your chosen face oil for added moisture and nourishment.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser in Nude
HG. I can't say that about many foundations, if any. Works into properly moisturised skin effortlessly and provides the most natural, subtly illuminating, undetectable canvas.

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat
A manicure essential. Avoids those pesky morning-after bed sheet marks for those bored-at-home, late night paint jobs. No shrinkage around the edges and goes on absolutely clear. Makes every nail polish look richly glossy and smooth.

Perfect Palette Tag

I was tagged by Zoë to do this Perfect Palette Tag I've seen floating around lately (thanks for including me, Zoë!). I am absolutely palette crazy as you may have deduced from my latest wishlist, so I've thoroughly enjoyed reading and watching responses to this tag on blogs and YouTube. There's a certain irresistible quality to a beautifully executed palette, whether it be a standout shade or two that makes the whole thing a must-have, or how the different colours and finishes promise a world of possibilities and creative potential.

1. Best Packaging

Hands down, Clarins Eye Quartet Mineral Palette in Odyssey (09). I mean, just look at it. I think I like it better than the more masculine, architectural packaging of Tom Ford, which would've been second in the running. This is just one incredibly good-looking palette. The intricate pattern at the front, the gold case and interior, the classic neutral eyeshadows housed within, that to-die-for gold leaf shade. So much eye candy.

2. Best Colour Payoff

I'm giving this one to the LORAC Pro Palette. The metallic shades are uniformly vibrant and pigmented, but what sets the Pro Palette apart from other comparable palettes is the inclusion of the matte shades. The darker mattes in particular (Sable, Espresso) are some of the most impressively pigmented eyeshadows I have in my whole collection.

3. Most Versatile

Laura Mercier Lingerie Eye & Cheek Palette. We have light shades, dark shades, satin finish, mattes, a glitter/near duochrome and two blushes. If that's not versatile, I don't know what is. You can come up with anything from a barely there, daytime appropriate look (any combination of Buff Pearl, Tawny Apricot or Pale Pink), something with a bit more pizzazz (African Violet) or a smokey eye (Rich Cocoa or Black Plum). The two darker colours could easily double up as eyeliner. Buff Pearl is your standard inner corner/browbone highlighting shade. Pale Pink could be a transition/blending shade depending on your skin tone. The light and medium shades could be used on the lid alone, or the darker colours incorporated for added depth. And that's just the eyeshadows — wear the blushes separately or mixed together. The list goes on.

4. Best for Travel

When travelling, I have only one requirement. Small. What I bring needs to take up as little space as possible. At the back of my mind, it also has to be something I'm willing to lose (you never know with misplaced luggage, forgetful packing and any number of potential mishaps while on the go). In my last Shop My Stash, I unearthed this Lancome Color Design Sensational Effects Eyeshadow quad which I decided to bring along with me during my Europe trip. Along with Essence Eye Soufflé in Pas des Copper, it served me well.

5. Biggest Regret

Too Faced Naked Eye. The shades swatched so beautifully but the majority are complete fails on my lids. The three larger pans and Pillow Talk barely show up. Lap Dance and Unmentionables are too dark and cool for my colouring to sport all over the lid for the daytime. Satin Sheets is pretty, but what would I do with it? The matte black Stiletto is unremarkable. That leaves only Like A Virgin, which I do enjoy, but only with a shimmery purplish base like the one from Revlon Illuminance Crème Shadow in Wild Orchids. For the same amount of money, I could've taken home Stila In the Light which I'm sure I'd be infinitely happier with.

6. Best Colour Names

This one was tricky for me to answer since I'm ridiculously hard to please when it comes to names. I find the majority of shade names to be dull and unimaginative, or cringe-inducing (e.g. the whole of theBalm ShadyLady Vol. 2 — I mean, Just This Once Jamie, really?). I prefer shade names that don't try to incorporate the literal colour in the name, but rather, evoke certain images or moods that tie in with the colour and paint an overall picture of the palette. I picked the Urban Decay Naked palettes for that reason. The names suggest to me a kind of dangerous, on-the-edge, racy, femme fatale, outlaw vibe which I suppose is meant to emphasize how seductive and daring a suite of neutrals can be.

7. Least Used

This one was easy. Sleek i-Divine eyeshadow palette in Bad Girl. I never use this thing. I regret buying it as it just sits in my makeup drawer untouched. The colours are just way too dark, green and blue to be used on a regular basis. And by regular basis, I mean ever.

8. Most Used, Most Loved, Desert Island

NARS And God Created the Woman. I am so glad the makeup fanatic in me latched onto the idea of procuring this palette and didn't let go. No other palette has captured my affections the way this one has, with the possible exception of Urban Decay Naked2 (though the original Naked still holds a place in my heart as well). I was contemplating forking out an insane amount of money for the limited edition Chanel Ombres Matelassées palette in Charming, but talked myself out of it by focusing on how much superior And God Created the Woman is in every single way. Most palettes contain a bit of filler in the form of certain shades that you rarely touch or that simply don't appeal to you. I can say with confidence I love and use every single colour in And God Created the Woman. It also has the left shade in the Kalahari duo, one of the most stunning eyeshadows I've come across. I easily see myself using this palette for the rest of my makeup-loving life.

Shop My Stash #2

My first Shop My Stash post was a few months ago and in all honesty, I haven't really been making much progress in that endeavour. Partly because of my unending acquisition of new products, partly because I tend to stick with the same few things over and over again. In the morning rush to get ready, I grab reliable products that I know will do their best to transform my barely-awake face into a slightly more presentable form. It's not often a time to start experimenting with new eyeshadow combinations or to start mixing my own bases. But that doesn't mean I shouldn't attempt to switch up my current product rotation with several items that could easily substitute for what I'm already using. I had a dig around my makeup stash and picked out a few things that I hope to pay more attention to and make a concerted effort to use.

l-r: Daylight (matte), Gaze (shimmer), Color Du Jour (metallic), Lezard (matte)

This Lancome Color Design Sensational Effects Eyeshadow quad was been overlooked and neglected for a very long time. I bought it from Chemist Warehouse a while ago as it was super cheap for a high end product and the colours seemed appealing enough. The shadows are good quality, very nicely textured and decently pigmented. Color Du Jour reminds me of Laura Mercier African Violet, but warmer and more red (it's said to be similar to MAC Trax). The tiny size and inbuilt mirror makes it ideal for travelling with, especially as there's a good mix of finishes and light/dark shades.

Sportsgirl Time to Shine Bronze Cosmetic Palette is an old favourite. I never touch the lip gloss included in it, but the eyeshadows really surprised me in terms of quality. Sportsgirl is a bit hit and miss with their cosmetics and they're not exactly renowned for putting out incredible eyeshadows, but the ones in the Bronze Palette are without a doubt the best I've tried from the brand (miles superior than the Work of Heart eyeshadow palette). I've previously used the last two shades so much that there's a considerable dent in both pans. I remember being really happy with the performance and look of these eyeshadows, so I'm looking forward to getting some wear out of them soon. It's times like these I wish I knew how to depot eyeshadows so I could throw away the rest of the palette that just unnecessarily takes up space.

l-r: Face of Australia Sundae, Australis Screen Siren, Models Prefer Brown & Dirty, Maybelline Tough as Taupe

I wish I could find a way to make Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tough as Taupe work, because something tells me that it does have its purpose and value, I just haven't been able to tap into it yet. I mean, it's a matte, neutral cream eyeshadow — that in itself is exciting. As a base, it does increase the vibrancy and longevity of powder eyeshadows it's paired with. It also has the potential to effect subtle changes to the finish or colour. As Lau and Carolyn suggested in my post on L'Oréal Infallible eyeshadow in Tender Caramel, using a matte base like Tough as Taupe could be just the solution to tone down a super shimmery shade.

The Models Prefer Mineral Eyeshadow Duo in Brown & Dirty was something I purchased while trying to convince myself I didn't need Urban Decay Naked2 (needless to say, that plan backfired). The shadows aren't the most vibrant, richly pigmented or long-lasting, but the neutral colours and soft, satin finish are perfectly acceptable for a more low-key, daytime look. The peachy champagne gold and cool, slightly purplish, bark-brown taupe work well together.

In the blush department, I pulled out Australis Paparazzi Perfect High Definition Blush in Screen Siren. I honestly feel this blush is comparable in quality to MAC (though admittedly I don't have any MAC blushes — this is just from my experience swatching them in the store). It is super pigmented, finely milled, soft and blendable. This is a warm matte peach with some red tones, which makes it a bit tricky for me to apply without looking overdone or ruddy. I guess I'll just have to find the right brush and adopt a very light hand.

For lips, there's Face of Australia Sheer Gloss lip crayon in Sundae. This MLBB shade is extremely reminiscent of YSL Rouge Volupté Shine in 9 (Nude in Private). Back when Tiffany was tempting me with the YSL, I may even have placed a bit of Sundae on my hand and then headed to the shops to swatch Nude in Private next to it to compare. Seeing how similar they were side-by-side effectively put an end to that lemming, though I now have a new one for 19 (Fuchsia in Rage) thanks to Lisa Eldridge.

Speaking of YSL, my Touche Éclat barely ever gets used. It does make a powerful difference in terms of highlighting darker/discoloured areas of my face (including under the eyes), but not so much as a concealer for blemishes. I just never remember to use it because I'm reluctant and too time-poor to add another step to my base makeup after I've put on foundation. It's quite fiddly in that I have to be careful with the amount and placement, and sometimes I need to mix it with a tiny bit of moisturiser so it applies better to the skin. But maybe if I can be bothered to wake up a few minutes earlier one day, I'll give this pen a whirl.

Finally, we have the Clarins Toning Lotion with Camomile for normal or dry skin. This alcohol-free toner was in the unbelievably good value Renewing set that I mentioned I bought on Boxing Day in my January Favourites. I've seen similar value packs pop up at Myer and David Jones recently, though unfortunately none of them included a 30ml tube of the Multi-Active Night Youth Recovery Comfort Cream for Normal to Dry Skin that I'm now hooked on (only one had a 15ml tube which I thought was too small to warrant a purchase). I figured since I never use toner, I might as well try to regularly use this product and finish it up. I like that it's non-drying and doesn't leave my skin feeling tight or stripped of moisture, though I'd need to use it more consistently for a longer period of time to comment on any skin care benefits it has, if any.