Evil Eye Nails

I don't often attempt nail art (mainly due to lack of skill and imagination), but when I saw this picture on Katy Perry's Instagram, I loved it so much I immediately saved it to my phone for future reference. One night when I was particularly bored and had a lot of time on my hands, I attempted to recreate it. It seemed like a design that wasn't overly challenging to duplicate, or at the very least sloppily approximate.

(Source: @katyperry)

One of the advantages of having a stupidly large nail polish collection is that I generally don't struggle to find the colour I'm after. Even if I might not have the exact same shade, chances are I'll have something similar. For the neutral, sandy base, I opted for Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Café Au Lait, a polish I found intolerably dull painted on my nails alone, but in the context of this design, surprisingly works well. Of course, I had a white and black polish handy (NYC Nail Colour in Lili White and the glittery black Chi Chi Salon Formula in Wednesday respectively). The hardest part was trying to pick the kind of blue used on Katy Perry's toes. While I do love my blue polishes, I have mostly ice/baby blues, greenish/seafoamy blues or dark marine blues. I lack a medium, bright, Santorini-esque blue. Consulting good ol' Wikipedia for "shades of blue", I guess the closest to what I was looking for is Persian blue or Egyptian blue. In the end, I picked Essie Bikini So Teeny because it was the least wrong.

After Café Au Lait dried, I painted freehand the white half moon shape. Being right-handed, my left hand fared much better than the right, where things got a little outta control. If I was supposed to remain faithful to the original inspiration, I faltered since the white area was too large. It was also difficult to get an even curve without expanding the white half moon even more, a problem compounded by the fact three layers were needed to achieve full opacity. Painting over the white with Café Au Lait to correct any mistakes was out of the question since that would've resulted in a super uneven, patchwork job.

Pressing on nonetheless, I then dotted Essie Bikini So Teeny in the centre of the white with the nail polish brush (no nail art tools here) and made a smaller dot with the black polish. Once again, my left hand was much more uniform and presentable than my right, which was all over the place. Uneven sized black dots, wonky placement, out of proportion blue dots compared with the white crescent.

But that's the perfectionist in me talking. All in all, as William Hung said, I gave my best. I'm unlikely to attempt this again any time soon, but I do like the end result and have been enjoying something new and different on my nails. If only I had the accompanying Greek islands vacation to go with it.

Spliced Nails in the Bag

It's not every day that your nails unintentionally match your bag. A couple of people thought my manicure was a deliberate reference to my new Gorman Casato Splice Tote, but I assured them it wasn't planned. Perhaps it was entirely subconscious. Either way, pink/peach and pale gold is a foolproof combination that's equal parts girly and dressy, with a bit of pizzazz but nothing gaudy. I was considering painting just a single gold accent nail but decided I needed something more elaborate. I used Essie Van D'Go, China Glaze Stellar and trusty ol' sticky tape to achieve the look.

The same people that commented that my nails matched my bag also were stumped at how I painted the triangles. I was quick to point out I really didn't put in that much effort and the sharp edges certainly weren't freehand. Tape is the answer and it makes things super easy. Paint your nails with the pink/peach colour as you would normally, let that dry, get two pieces of sticky tape and place on either side of the nail to form a triangle shape in the middle, paint over that area with the gold, let the polish settle for a couple of minutes, remove tape. Apply a generous layer of top coat to lock it all in and ensure a smooth, glossy, even surface. Simple as that.

The Gorman obsession just won't let up. Since my Pom Pom Pom Scarf, I may have made some other sneaky purchases. The damage to my wallet is real. I saw the Casato Splice Tote a few months ago, but I couldn't bring myself to spend almost $200 on two flaps of leather, especially since the bag lacked any zips. One day, I noticed it disappeared from the Gorman website, so I figured it had sold out and it wasn't meant to be. To my surprise, I checked a couple of days later and it was there, plus on sale. If past experience had taught me anything, I knew I had to act quickly. There was no room for hesitation if I didn't want to miss out. Sure enough, after I bought mine, it once again sold out. The perfectionist in me could nitpick at a minor scratch and small dint in the gold leather when the bag arrived, but given it was probably the last one, I'll content myself at managing to secure it.

If I really did want to channel inspiration from my bag, I'd probably have picked a pale, slightly lavender pink like OPI Panda-monium Pink rather than the pastel peachy-pink of Essie Van D'Go. China Glaze Stellar is pretty close to the gold section of the bag, but a better match would be something brighter and more yellow (I thought about OPI GoldenEye but that's way too in-your-face and orange). Plus, I missed the black altogether. Maybe I could incorporate some additional texture similar to the pebbled leather by painting OPI Black Shatter over black nail polish. Manicure idea for next time.

May Favourites

May, like any other month, was more of the same old. At least for yours truly. My dad, on the other hand, embarked on 3 week solo trip around Italy jam-packed with tourist activity, fortunately managing to make it back home in one piece. While he was gone, I spent some more one-on-one time with my mum, including a super indulgent high tea buffet at the Swissotel for her birthday. In terms of beauty, May has been all about returning to my first love: perfumes. Favourites-wise, it's been a successful month with lots of products I'm genuinely excited to have discovered or put to good use.

Serge Lutens Un bois vanille
To describe this merely as a vanilla perfume as I've done in the past doesn't do it justice. It's so much more than that, and it was only this month when that finally clicked in my mind. This is actually a busy, complex fragrance with A LOT of notes. According to Fragrantica, sandalwood, black liquorice, coconut milk, beeswax, bitter almond, musk, vanilla, benzoin, guaiac wood and tonka bean. I don't know if my nose detects all of that, but I do get whiffs or bursts of certain ingredients coming to the fore when I'm smelling it. There's almost a risk of too much going on, but it's too well-blended to be overwhelming or dissonant. There's an unpredictability and depth about it that keeps things interesting, but overall, this potent, full-bodied, somewhat spicy/smoky but lusciously sweet concoction is simply addictive. The lasting power is phenomenal and it's one of few perfumes I can easily smell on myself after I've applied it.

Cacharel Amor Amor
ZOMG. I discovered Amor Amor only this month and it's like I've been living under a rock all this time. Bit of trivia ... the nose behind Serge Lutens Un bois vanille, Christopher Sheldrake, named Amor Amor as one of his favourite perfumes. If that's not a ringing endorsement, I don't know what is. This stuff is strong and very, very sweet. At first when I sprayed it on my wrist, I dismissed it as some generic, slightly chemical, overly sugary, youth-oriented frag that I'd quickly forget. How wrong I was. This developed and blossomed on my skin in a way that commanded my attention and soon, my wrist was glued to my nose. Someone on Fragrantica described it as smelling like an orange creamsicle and I'd have to agree. Fruity, sweet, creamy, edible, romantic, comforting. Call me utterly hooked.

Essie Cocktail Bling
Star polish of the month. You know it's a hit when it's on both my toes and fingers. Cocktail Bling is up there with Nails Inc. Porchester Square and OPI Tickle My France-y if we're talking unassuming, easy to wear, effortlessly cool neutrals. Eva Chen describes it as one of very few shades she repeats and it's not hard to see why.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream + Garden of Wisdom Argan Oil
Obsessing over this combo for my skin, day and night. Nothing else works as effectively in combating the winter dry spells. I wasn't a huge fan of the FAB on its own, and I'd completely forgotten I even had the Garden of Wisdom argan oil, but together, they're magic. As odd as it sounds, I find my skin responds really well to no-frills moisturiser mixed with a straightforward, one ingredient face oil. I was using rosehip oil (or rosehip oil with avocado oil) for a while, but I'm convinced argan oil is it for me. Nicest texture (not overly greasy or thick), largely scentless, great absorption, and noticeable, fast results. It's my favourite oil and I'll probably repurchase the Josie Maran travel size when I run out of the Garden of Wisdom.

Max Factor Creme Puff Blush in Lovely Pink + Real Techniques Blush Brush
These Creme Puff Blushes from Max Factor do remind me a lot of Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes, though they're not as long lasting. Still, I've been enjoying the sweet, girly, warm pink flush Lovely Pink gives. It's pink without being too earthy/ruddy or cool-toned. Texture-wise, it's smooth and soft but not powdery. The pigmentation is easy to work with as it's not too strong, but still gives good colour payoff. It leaves a glow to the skin due to the shimmer content, but it's not pore-emphasising or OTT. I've swatched it in a previous haul post here.

I've been relying heavily on my Real Techniques Blush Brush this month to apply Lovely Pink (and basically all my blushes). The fluffiness and large size is ideal to diffuse pigment and ensure a well-blended, natural-looking flush. It's so soft on the skin and the tapered shape helps to sculpt my cheeks when placing the colour. I love that I can also dab the round tip into my blush to concentrate the colour on the apples of my cheeks. In a way, I've always overlooked the Blush Brush for applying my blush, favouring other brushes like the Ecotools by Alicia Silverstone Blush Brush, or more recently, the Zoeva Luxe Sheer Cheek, but I've truly rediscovered it in May and realise the error of my ways.

Wet n Wild MegaLast Lip Color in Bare It All
I've finally managed to buy this darn lipstick, despite wanting it for more than 2 years after seeing it on clothesencounters in one of her tutorials. I tried to live without it, even going as far as attempting to replicate the colour by combining BYS Longwear Lipstick in Beautifully Bare with Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Ginger Rose. Now it's here, I wish I hadn't resisted for so long. The colour is spot on for me as a not too pale, reddish brown nude. A true "my lips but better" shade. The lip swatch doesn't even do it justice as it's coming off a bit too brown. The pigmentation is incredible and it's not especially drying for a fully matte lipstick. I also love that it's extremely versatile. Wear it lightly patted onto the lips for a barely there, fresh-looking stain, or built up to full opacity for a bolder, more done up look.

What ... No Eyeshadow?

Last Tuesday and Wednesday, Priceline held another one of their 40% off sales. These seem to be rolling around with increased regularity (though they have separate sales for skin care, cosmetics and hair care), so the buzz wasn't as frenzied as the first time a couple of years ago. That didn't stop me from buying more than ever. The density of Priceline stores, especially in the city, was inescapable. Even if I planned to visit just one, I'd find a better-stocked shop just around the corner with new treats to be tempted by.

I ended up buying:

• Essie Cocktail Bling (RRP $16.95, sale price $10.17)
• Australis K-Pop (backup of my existing bottle, rant on this later) (RRP $4.95, sale price $2.97)
• Australis Velourlips Matte Lip Cream in Hon-o-loo-loo (RRP $9.95, sale price $5.97)
• Maybelline Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil in In With Coral (RRP $9.95, sale price $5.97)
• Maybelline Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil in Fuchsia Desire (RRP $9.95, sale price $5.97)
• Maybelline Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil in Berry Much (RRP $9.95, sale price $5.97)
• Maybelline Express Nail Polish Remover (RRP $9.95, sale price $5.97)
• Max Factor Creme Puff Blush in Lovely Pink (RRP $21.95, sale price $13.17)
• Max Factor Creme Puff Blush in Nude Mauve (RRP $21.95, sale price $13.17)
• Essence Good Girl Bad Girl Blush in Good Girls Wear Peach (RRP $5.10, sale price $3.06)

Total: $72.39

Yikes. I didn't buy this all in one go but in a few separate trips across two days, so it all adds up in the end. I honestly could've done without the lip products (or maybe just one Maybelline lip crayon, rather than three) and probably could've skipped Australis K-Pop and Max Factor Nude Mauve. Had I only purchased the products I'm genuinely happy with (Essie nail polish, Essence blush, Maybelline nail polish remover pot and Max Factor Lovely Pink), the total would've been a much more reasonable $32.37.

I was hesitant to purchase this Essence Good Girl Bad Girl Blush in Good Girls Wear Peach (contender for worse shade name ever), since I'd already by this stage splurged on two of the new Max Factor blushes and didn't want to further clog up my blush collection with a super cheap addition that seemed fairly generic. But two things swayed me: 1) It was $3.06, people. I could forgo my daily coffee and buy this instead. 2) There wasn't a tester available, and considering it's limited edition, I didn't want to risk letting it go just in case it really was something special.

I'm glad I bought this because it's an amazing blush for the price. The thick, sturdy plastic packaging reminds me of the Clinique Cheek Pops, and the warm, soft, pinky-peach colour is flattering on the skin. It's not too intensely pigmented that you need an ultra light hand, but it can be built up to quite a strong colour. The most remarkable aspect of Good Girls Wear Peach is that the shimmer in it isn't silvery or frosty, but a very fine, pearly pink. My only complaint is that the texture has a tendency to cling onto dry patches, so it works best for smooth, properly exfoliated/moisturised skin.

I wasn't intending to buy these Max Factor Creme Puff Blushes at all, since baked blushes aren't really my thing and Max Factor as a brand hasn't excited me in a long time (if ever, to be honest). I do really like their Masterpiece Max mascara, but that's pretty much where it ends. A few years ago, one of their cream blushes in Soft Copper also interested me (mainly because it was a favourite of Zoe Foster, and featured in one of Queen Eldridge's videos), but it was always way too expensive to justify buying.

I was looking through Instagram at people's Priceline hauls and a recurring sight was the Creme Puff Blushes. I figured if my fellow beauty junkies were putting them in their shopping baskets, I needed to at least check them out in person. There's only 4 shades available in Australia, as opposed to 6 in the UK (we're missing Alluring Rose and Gorgeous Berries). I swatched all 4 on my hand and Lovely Pink was the one that appealed to me the most. Whacking a bit on my cheeks, I immediately liked the glowy, youthful, healthy effect it gave, so I bought it. That night, I was Googling the Creme Puff Blushes and reading all about how they've taken the UK beauty world by storm and have been touted as Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush dupes. Fully hooked now, I was determined to buy Nude Mauve the following day. I luckily managed to nab the last one at the Priceline I visited.

l-r: Max Factor Nude Mauve, Max Factor Lovely Pink, Essence Good Girls Wear Peach

Bottom to top: Max Factor Nude Mauve, Max Factor Lovely Pink, Essence Good Girls Wear Peach

I was surprised at how similar Max Factor Lovely Pink and Essence Good Girls Wear Peach are. They're almost the same blush, except the Essence is peachier and the Max Factor is more of a light warm pink. The texture of the Max Factor is also superior, in that it applies and sits more smoothly on the skin (which you'd expect, given it's four times the price).

I'm not as into Nude Mauve as I hoped I'd be, mainly because it's a bit confusing as a colour. When swatched, I can definitely see slight purple tones, but it's more a mix of brown and peach with an illuminating pearl. I've read that it's similar to Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure and other hybrid sculpting/contouring and blush products, but it seems too soft in colour to be really effective. (The Charlotte Tilbury Powder and Sculpt Brush goes a long way towards creating the illusion of cheekbones though.) The lasting power of these Creme Puff Blushes also isn't anything spectacular.

Essie Cocktail Bling

I've wanted Cocktail Bling for a long time, so I was both surprised and happy to see it stocked at Priceline. This shade reminds me a lot of one of my favourite nail polish colours of all time, the long discontinued Sportsgirl Storm. I adore these moody, sophisticated purply-greys and I've been enjoying wearing Cocktail Bling on my nails for the past few days. The formula was hard to fault and it had a revamped wider, flatter brush reminiscent of the OPI brushes which made application a lot easier.

Before painting on Cocktail Bling, I removed OPI Last Friday Night with the Maybelline Express Remover (Maybelline's answer to Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover). Given it was 4 coats of glitter polish, I think it did a decent job. Not amazing, but we can't expect miracles. I anticipate it to fare much better with removing ordinary creme polishes. Tip: don't tilt the tub. There is liquid remover in it that isn't completely absorbed by the surrounding sponge which will spill out.

I also bought a backup bottle of my beloved Australis K-Pop (featured in my 2014 Favourites), only to discover it's not the same shade. This new bottle, with the same name and ostensibly the same colour, is noticeably darker. Fail! I painted the old K-Pop and new one side by side on my toenail and the difference was undeniable. Makes me question their nail polish quality control when there's no consistency between batches.

Top to bottom: Australis Hon-o-loo-loo, Maybelline In With Coral, Maybelline Fuchsia Desire, Maybelline Berry Much

Finally, the lip products. I will likely dedicate individual posts on the new Maybelline crayons I bought and my mini Australis Velourlips collection (hope it helps, Emma!), so I won't go into too much detail here. But basically, I don't need any more lip products.

I bought a NARS pencil sharpener recently, which I took as permission to go all out on the Maybelline lip pencils. I had tested a few when they were first released and already decided I liked the coral and fuchsia shades the best (oh so typical of me if we're talking brights). I also had to get Berry Much because anything that graces Lisa Eldridge's lips I immediately covet. Yep, I'm sad like that.

The formula of both the Velourlips and Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencils is actually very good. I just can't appreciate them without berating myself for buying them unnecessarily.

Lips and Tips

Priceline had their legendary 40% off cosmetics sale last Tuesday and Wednesday. And you bet I ventured out in the morning to my local store to swatch, pick things up, put them down again, search for reviews on my phone and contemplate any purchases as if they were important life decisions. Aimless indecision made me almost want to walk out of the store empty-handed, but I finally committed to buying more lipstick and nail polish, the two things I have in greatest abundance. Even though this was the third time they've held such a sale (see here and here for previous hauls), somehow the prospect of scoring any cosmetics item for almost half price couldn't go ignored.

I was meant to stick to a list I made beforehand, but I only had one item on it: a base coat. I never believed in base coats before, but the absence of one has made me feel uneasy about my whole nail painting ritual. I was planning on picking up an el cheapo one but couldn't find one from Essence. I've tried the Sally Hansen Diamond Shine Base & Top Coat and was contemplating buying it again, but decided to go for something different with Essie First Base.

Speaking of Essie, can we take a moment to talk about the prices of their polishes in Australia? (OPI also isn't exempt from this conversation.) The First Base Base Coat retails for $17.95 when it's $8.50 in the US. The normal polishes are $16.95 each. Yes, products are marked up ridiculously in Australia and none of this is news, but still. I'm not understanding how there could be any justification. Rimmel, Maybelline, Max Factor and CoverGirl price their polishes around $5-$10 while brands like Essence and Ulta3 have polishes under $3. It's just nail polish.

The upside to Priceline stocking Essie is that you can occasionally take advantage of marked down stock being subject to further discounts. I spotted some polishes from the Encrusted Treasures Holiday 2013 Collection that were already discounted to $8.47. With a further 40% off, they were a bargain at $5.08 each. After much deliberation, I chose Hors D'oeuvres and Peak of Chic. Hors D'oeuvres could very well be the blingiest nail polish I've ever laid eyes on, while Peak of Chic has made me want to give up on bar glitter from here on out. Still, I love a challenge and am determined to try and make it work.

I also picked up Rimmel Salon Pro nail polish in Hip Hop, because my friend was wearing these juicy, slightly orange-leaning red nails the other day and it looked so classic and modern and Christmassy and feminine that I immediately set out to buy something similar. I almost never wear red nail polish, but Hip Hop looks like the kind of red I could get into.

Finally, the lip products. I felt out of the loop when it came to "drugstore" lip releases, especially whatever newfangled glosses or gloss/stain/balm/lipstick hybrids were being released, so I set to take a closer look. I wanted to purchase a Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick but they didn't have the shade I was after, Pink Pong. I happened to come across a L'Oréal Colour Riche Extraordinaire stand and after swatching all the shades on display, decided Nude Vibrato (600) was the one for me. (I did briefly contemplate buying the lone Nude Ballet (601) left, said to be worn by none other than Kim K on her wedding day, but it was not a good look on me.) I was interested in buying a Maybelline Color Sensational Color Elixir simply because I'd seen them everywhere on blogs. It was next to impossible to pick one, but in the end I played it safe with Rose Redefined (090). The other shades seemed inappropriate for the office (not that I shy away from brights, I just prefer them to be strongly pigmented and ideally, matte) or way too pale.

l-r: L'Oréal Nude Vibrato (600), Maybelline Rose Redefined (090)

l-r: Maybelline Rose Redefined, L'Oréal Nude Vibrato

l-r: Revlon Elusive, Maybelline Rose Redefined, L'Oréal Nude Vibrato, MAC Patisserie

Maybelline Rose Redefined reminded me of Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Elusive, and sure enough the two swatch similarly. Elusive is brighter in tone and obviously much more pigmented. I was trying to find the closest match I have to L'Oréal Nude Vibrato, but MAC Patisserie still has noticeable differences, mainly it's surprisingly sheerer, less peachy nude and more of a darker orange/redder in comparison. The L'Oréal can be very thick in terms of both texture and pigmentation, so I prefer to apply it to just my bottom lip then press my lips together to transfer it to my top lip and sheer it out. The Maybelline is a touch too glossy for my liking and the conservative rose colour doesn't excite me (no one to blame there but myself for that). It also seems to work better applied thinly with the fingers rather than layered with the applicator, which can cause unevenness on the lips. The texture however, is gloriously plush and cushiony, and almost redeems the ho-hum shade.

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.