Superfluous Seven

So ... more haulage. Evidently, I've been shopping too much. In my defence (not that there's any), Priceline was having another one of their 40% off cosmetics sales, and I did buy less than last time. I also did write down a list beforehand of products to get and largely stuck to the list, with a couple of exceptions. If anything, I also wrote down a few other products I didn't buy (Rimmel Exaggerate Automatic Lip Liner in East End Snob, Max Factor Excess Shimmer Eyeshadow in Copper, Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Pink Pong, Essence lip liners), so really, it could've been worse. (Or so I tell myself.)

But seriously, I should stop buying more makeup. I did recently reorganise my stash and threw out/donated some stuff (including finally binning both my Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundations in 52 and 53 which I'd stored in the bottom drawer of my Keji office organisers for more than a year, not using as I was acutely aware they were expired, but not wanting to throw away just in case they were still usable), and surprisingly didn't feel like my makeup collection was out of hand. Despite having a lot of makeup, I know what's there. And I'm happy with the majority of it. The part I'm not overly thrilled with, I'm comfortable keeping because I still see the merits in not getting rid of it. When said merits no longer justify keeping the product, it goes. I'm a lot more active in periodically editing my makeup than any other aspect of my life, despite the volume of items. I do feel lipstick is probably one area that I should exercise more ruthlessness over (Liz's Lipstick Survivor is the standard), but for now, I'm not overly concerned with having about 35 more pink lipsticks, all largely unused, than what's good for me.

Back to the Priceline haul. Here's what I purchased this time, with the discounted prices:

• Savvy by DB Soft Glide Eyeliner in Shimmering Slate ($4.79)
• Essence I Love Extreme Crazy Volume Mascara ($3.45)
• Models Prefer Customised Eye Shadow Quad in Hook Me Up ($6.59)
• Models Prefer Professional Airbrush Concealer Brush ($7.79)
• L'Oréal Brow Artist Plumper in Medium/Dark ($11.39)
• Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Sultry ($10.77)
• Rimmel Magnif'Eyes Mono Eyeshadow in Millionaire ($6.57)

Total: $51.35

Unlike the last Priceline 40% off cosmetics sale, I actually purchased some eyeshadows. I saw Rimmel Magnif'Eyes Mono Eyeshadow in Millionaire featured in this Pixiwoo video, and instantly it shot up my "to buy" list. The Models Prefer Customised Eye Shadow Quad in Hook Me Up was regularly featured on Oz Product Junkie's Instagram and I finally caved. I'd swatched the quad a long time ago and found it awfully tempting, but resisted because I had so many similar shades already. At $6.59 for 4 shades though, I was prepared to risk duplication in case it exceeded my expectations.

The L'Oréal Brow Artist Plumper in Medium/Dark was a total impulse buy, along with the Models Prefer Professional Airbrush Concealer Brush. If you've noticed, I rarely (if ever) feature brow products on the blog. Just like the hair on my head, I don't do the hair on my face (well, except plucking). I have relatively full brows already and can't be bothered putting any product in them on a daily basis. I did try the Light/Medium tester in the store and found it fascinating how it completely transformed the colour of my brows, and the effect that change had on my face and the way my makeup looked. It was an entirely wrong match for the natural colour of my brows (being a relatively warm, lightened yellow brown), so I opted for Medium/Dark instead, hoping it wouldn't be too severe. I can't put the product all over my brows since it makes them look too caterpillar-like, but just a light touch over select sparser areas (especially the tail end) works nicely to achieve a more consistent, polished and fuller brow. I'm guessing Brow Artist Plumper is the "drugstore" version of something like Benefit Gimme Brow, with its microfibres, small brush head, and almost hairspray-like finish. It's a little uncomfortable adjusting to the feeling of product through my brows since I'm not used to it, but after a while, it's not an issue.

I was mainly drawn to the Models Prefer brush due to its similarity in appearance to the Sephora Collection Pro brushes, namely the Airbrush Concealer Brush #57. The latter is $29 in Australia, so $7.79 for a close alternative seemed a good deal. I don't have anything quite like this brush, though the Zoeva Concealer Buffer from the Rose Golden Luxury Set is probably the most similar. The Models Prefer option is not as dense and flares out more than the Zoeva, which is significantly smaller and more a hard nub. I've tried the brush to blend out concealer under the eyes, around the nose, corners of the mouth and over blemishes, as well as for powder highlighter, and it worked brilliantly for both.

The Essence I Love Extreme Crazy Volume Mascara was another Oz Product Junkie-enabled purchase. I've never tried any Essence mascaras, but they're so cheap that I didn't think twice in buying one to test out. I need to finish one of my existing mascaras first before I crack open this one though. The Savvy by DB Soft Glide Eyeliner in Shimmering Slate was a repurchase of an absolute favourite pencil eyeliner. The Soft Glide liners look to be repackaged/renamed Luxury Liners, though they retained the original shade name. I truly haven't come across a better pencil liner from any brand. It's so black, so smooth, so pigmented, soft but not too melty, long lasting and doesn't move. I reach for it when I can't be bothered with the precision of liquid liner, which is literally almost every weekend and every holiday.

Finally, we have Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Sultry. I saw it on Daphne and kind of had it get it based on how good it looked on her. I've purchased 4 Matte Balms, but overlooked Sultry initially. These kinds of shades seem to be gaining popularity recently, so I thought I'd permit myself to purchase it (despite my informal lip product ban) since it at least wasn't pink or peach. On me, Sultry appears like a brightened brick red. It's not too purple or brown on me, but more a deep, vintage-looking, dusty rose. Think Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick in Soft Rose. I wish it were more distinctly purple-tinged on me, but it does lean more conventionally reddish pink. I see Sultry being paired with golden/bronzy eyeshadows and a nude blush for a striking (albeit typical) autumnal look. The Matte Balms have an excellent formula and aren't at all drying on the lips.

l-r: Revlon Sultry, Models Prefer Hook Me Up (Crease, Corner, Lid, Base), Rimmel Millionaire

Bottom to top: Revlon Sultry, Models Prefer Hook Me Up (Crease, Corner, Lid, Base), Rimmel Millionaire

Overall, at just over $50 for 7 products, I'm fairly happy with my new additions. It's hard to isolate my favourite purchases of the haul since they're all so superfluous and unnecessary, but if forced to pick, I'd say the Models Prefer brush and quad are the standouts in terms of value for money. Having said that, I'm sure I could easily find dupes of all the eyeshadows (including Rimmel Millionaire) in my existing collection (e.g. the Lid shade of the Hook Me Up quad is totally Makeup Geek Glamorous/Clinique At Dusk/Too Faced Caramel). Ditto Revlon Matte Balm in Sultry, which is just a slightly darker, more berry, less glossy Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick in Soft Rose. At least I restocked on the best pencil liner I know, tried out a tinted microfibre brow gel, and scored a mascara for less than the price of a coffee that I'm excited to try.

January Favourites

Monthly favourites posts can be a chore to write (mainly because my enthusiasm for something earlier in the month usually has diminished by the end of it), but I find them to be the best chronicle of my relationship with makeup over time. There's something inherently worthwhile in bringing together in one post what I consistently reached for, enjoyed and appreciated, discovered or re-discovered in the preceding month. Reading back on old favourites posts always evokes memories of that particular point in time and reminds me of products in my stash I previously loved but may have since forgotten. This month, I was focused on substituting things I wanted to buy with what I already owned, paying more attention to unloved high end products, and unearthing a couple of olfactory gems.

Savvy by DB Luxury Liner in Shimmering Slate
A theme I'm attempting to stick to this year is using up stuff. Sure, I completely failed at my no-buy list, but the main point is remaining conscious of reducing excess and appreciating/utilising what I have. This eyeliner has long been a favourite, and after a concerted effort to use it most mornings, I'm now half-way finished with the last of several backups I purchased 3 years ago. That actually makes me kind of sad, since it's a damn good pencil. Very smooth and creamy, very opaque, stays on and lasts the whole day. What more I could ask for.

Napoleon Perdis Ultimate Contour Palette
Well specifically, the highlight shade. How on earth did I forget or never properly notice in the first place how phenomenal it is? What I love about it: a) it is the smoothest, soft but not powdery, most finely milled powder that basically blends itself (seriously, one swipe with my Real Techniques Setting Brush and I have cheekbones) b) it's not too yellow/orange or too white/silvery, but a beautiful pink-tinged opal c) it's powerfully luminising, sits beautifully on the skin and isn't overly frosty or too subtle d) it doesn't fade or wear off completely by the end of the day. This is up, UP there with the best of the best, including Dior Amber Diamond, Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Crème in Rose Gold and theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer, and dare I say it, my current #1 out of them all.

Shay and Blue Salt Caramel
I was not intending to buy this, but so incredible was the smell, I was hopelessly hooked within minutes of first sniffing it at David Jones. It pained me to shell out $60 for 30ml, but I didn't want to be in the position of going home empty-handed and regretting it because in Kylie Minogue style, I couldn't get it out of my head. For those that follow me on Instagram, you may have already heard me wax lyrical about the smell. It's intensely buttery, almost popcorn/nutty, toffee-ish but somehow not cloying or artificial, with a sea salt note that cuts through and adds character and interest. Wear it and be a walking dessert.

MOZI Gardenia Hand Cream
Gardenia, you say? Sign me up. I love anything gardenia and am constantly seeking a good gardenia-scented product or perfume, so when I spotted this hand cream at Myer before Christmas, I had to try the sample. I adored both the delicate floral fragrance and the nourishing cream itself, but was hesitant to pay $30 for a 100ml tube. You can imagine just how thrilled I was then, to discover it on sale in early January. I believe this is a limited edition product (sob) and it was the very last one, so tell me that ain't fate.

Nude by Nature Soft Focus Illuminator
I've had this for an eternity but never used it, despite having opened the tube. I was contemplating just chucking it out (mainly because I was paranoid it would cause me to break out), but was primarily motivated to dig it out and give it a go after convincing myself of its similarities to Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow. It probably isn't anything like it, but a close enough substitution to satiate my immediate curiosity. I had fun experimenting with a multi-purpose, subtly glowing, golden liquid highlighter. I liked mixing it with my moisturiser, almost like a radiance-boosting primer, then using it again on the high points of my face before applying foundation.

Laura Mercier Mineral Powder
This is one of those products that I lament not reaching for more. There's nothing wrong with it, but I find it takes a bit longer to slap on than liquid foundation — not ideal when I'm in a rush in the mornings. It's also a tad unpredictable, in that I can never know when I'll apply it too thickly and appear oddly white in sunlight or under flash photography. It's also super fiddly and powder gets everywhere when I'm unscrewing the cap or tipping a bit of the powder into the lid so I don't overload my brush.

All those quibbles aside, this powder is top stuff. I can be assured it doesn't break me out, it has excellent coverage, the finish is radiant without being greasy or shiny, and it controls oil better than most foundations. Some days I simply don't want to bother with liquid foundation, BB creams or tinted moisturisers — generally just anything wet. That's when I'm glad I have this. I can use it all over my face, including over my eyelids, and it doesn't leave my skin tacky or damp. It truly feels weightless and blends seamlessly into the skin with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush (though I usually go over with my fingers to get rid of any remnant cakiness). I had reservations that the shade Real Sand was slightly too light for me, but the effect is moderated by applying a relatively thin layer and adding bronzer/blush. Failing that, there's always Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light to tone down any excess paleness.

Backup Worthy

You know you really like a product when you've bought it again before the one you're currently using has even run out. Sure, we have those ever-repurchased staples (mine include Avène Thermal Spring Water, Klorane dry shampoo with oat milk, Sally Hansen Insta-Dri, Daiso Cotton Puffs, Cutex Nourishing Nail Polish Remover, and of course, Bioderma Créaline H₂O), but every now and then, a product you've newly discovered feels so valuable and indispensable, you can't help but want to stock up.

The easiest way to ensure a routine shower becomes a pampering experience is to get your hands on a simply irresistible shower gel. As soon as I featured philosophy Cinnamon Buns Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath from the The Cookbook set in my April 2013 Favourites, I was already intent on restocking the full size bottle from StrawberryNET. And I wasn't even halfway done with my existing 120ml bottle. The creamy, sugary, slightly spicy, doughy goodness was like having dessert in the shower. On the other hand, LUSH Twilight Shower Gel is less food-like, but still intensely sweet, with a hefty dose of calming lavender. Unlike the philosophy, the relaxing, bedtime-priming scent stays close to your skin and lingers even after you've stepped out of the shower. Being limited edition, I rationed my first tiny 100g bottle for months, so naturally I pounced when I saw LUSH selling Twilight again last October.

Taking a couple of minutes to treat yourself to a good hand cream can be a simple but effective pick-me-up during a day at work staring endlessly at a computer screen. The distinctive, heady and bright scent of Crabtree & Evelyn Pomegranate, Argan & Grapeseed Hand Therapy lifts the spirits while providing relief to dry hands. Another fixture in my makeup bag are the Korres Lip Butters. Softening, hydrating, attractively packaged, not too intimidating in terms of colour payoff, as well as multipurpose (I've used Pomegranate many times as a cream blush), there's a reason why I've collected almost all the shades.

Occasionally, a deal will strike me as such good value that repurchasing not only seems prudent, but almost essential. When I calculated that the full size versions of the products contained in the Antipodes Anti-Ageing Minis set would have to be nearly half price to give me equivalent value, I rushed out to buy another box. (The threat of a 'limited edition' label probably played a role too.) Antipodes isn't the cheapest of brands, so on top of the satisfaction of scoring a good deal, I readily incorporated both the silky smooth, deeply hydrating Joyous Protein-Rich Night Replenish Serum and rich, thirst-quenching Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream into my evening skin care routine.

Daiso Detergent for Puff and Sponge was such a revelation the first time I used it, I had to secure myself a backup bottle ASAP. No more bending over the sink, scrubbing and scrubbing brushes using my open palm and baby shampoo. Make no mistake, this stuff is life-changing.

The final three repurchased items now seem questionable to me, given the likelihood I'd ever finish up the original product. More to the point, I've either cooled my enthusiasm, a once scarce product has now become widely available, or I've since found superior or equally excellent alternatives.

There was a time when the prospect of welcoming Revlon Whimsical into my nail polish collection seemed as elusive and dream-like as its name might suggest. The moment I stumbled across a bottle at Rite Aid while holidaying in New York City was one of quiet, triumphant joy mixed with disbelief. When Whimsical finally made its way to the shops here, I undid my regret at not buying another bottle when I had the chance in NYC. Despite needing to tediously paint about 4 coats for complete opacity, and wearing it more than any other polish I own, my current bottle shows no signs of being completely used up for quite some time. I may get to opening the backup in 2016.

Savvy by DB Luxury Liner in Shimmering Slate was one of my earliest eyeliner discoveries, and being super affordable at $3 on sale, I bought a bunch a couple of years back. Since then, I've moved on to the efficiency, precision and ease of use of felt tip eyeliners for my upper lash line. I also avoid black on my lower lash line where I'd normally use a pencil, preferring instead taupe or metallic browns.

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze still remains one of my most adored eyeshadows, but my existing pot has largely dried out, making the texture challenging to work with. While I have a backup right there, I'm hesitant to open the new one when the old one is only about 30% used up. Which really just makes me wonder under what circumstances I'd ever open the brand new one, given solid use over 2 years only diminished a third of the product, and I've put off 'fixing' my dried out cream eyeshadow for months. Time to utilise a backup for precisely its purpose, methinks.

Packing for the Outback

I'm headed for a short trip to Alice Springs and Uluru a few days after Christmas and a part of me is already anticipating scorching temperatures, rainfall, flies and sunburn. With my face melting in those conditions, makeup isn't exactly a top priority. Still, I figured packing a few items "just in case" wouldn't go astray. The only criteria the products needed to meet were to be able to withstand or assist in controlling heat.

Sun protection is vital so my La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Fluide Extrême SPF 50+ is the first thing I'll be packing. Not forgetting the lips, I've also included ChapStick Ultra SPF 30+. For my base, I picked Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector (Combination to Oily Skin) in Light, previously featured in my February Favourites and as one of the five products in my Go-To Low Key Makeup look. I could've opted for Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser instead, but I'm giving it a rest after taking it with me to Europe. The fluid-like Garnier is lightweight with decent coverage and a brightening finish, as well as excellent oil control. I've developed a somewhat alarming number of dark spots around my chin from pimples that have left scarring, which I've been attempting to selectively conceal where foundation hasn't provided enough coverage. Maybelline Fit Me concealer in Sand is a fairly good match for my skin tone which is especially important for camouflaging imperfections, and its creamy texture is easy to blend and doesn't cling to dry patches.

For eyes, I've decided on the absolute minimum (for me, at least). I doubt there'll be time for brushes or powder shadows or even cream shadow pots, so I've chosen Rimmel ScandalEyes Shadow Stick in Bad Girl Bronze for my lid and/or lower lash line, Savvy by DB Luxury Liner in Shimmering Slate for defining the upper or lower lash line, and Revlon CustomEyes mascara, which is just something I'm trying to use up. The Savvy by DB pencil is nicely black, has good staying power and is much easier to wield than a felt tip, gel or liquid eyeliner. The Rimmel eyeshadow crayon may be a bit too dark for the daytime, but used sparingly and blended with the fingers, it should be a quick and fuss-free way to add some depth to the eyes.

In summer heat, Avene Thermal Spring Water is a thing of beauty. This fine mist is refreshing, soothing and cooling. It's probably counterproductive to restoring the skin's hydration to have water evaporate off your face, but I don't care. The instant, calming relief this provides is addictive. It feels like the skin taking a drink of water from a pristine source. I use it for pretty much everything: when I can't be bothered washing my bare face, as a revitalising pick-me-up for dull or tired skin, after hair removal, after makeup removal, to cool down in hot weather, to dampen the skin in preparation for face masks or Bioré nose strips. It does it all. Another staple I'm planning on bringing with me is a mini bottle of Bioderma Créaline H20 to take my makeup off and refresh and cleanse the skin, short of properly washing it as I usually do in the shower before I head to bed.

I'm bound to get shiny no matter how oily/combination skin-targeted my foundation is, which is where The Face Shop Oil Control Film comes in. This is the proper, soft, ultra thin, filmy, blue facial blotting paper. None of that segments of baking paper that other brands manufacture. Finally, I thought to pop in Korres Lip Butter in the reddish-coral Pomegranate for an easygoing slick of colour on the lips. Pomegranate can also double up as a cheek tint, not that I imagine requiring any kind of blush when it's 40°C outside.

June Favourites

June was a month of indulgent spending and not one I care to repeat any time soon. I basically lost my mind trying to acquire one particular item of intense lust, bought an expensive lip balm for no reason (despite an acute awareness of the ridiculous number of lipsticks I own) and decided that I was now interested in skin care. It wasn't all about new acquisitions though — I did fall back in love with a phenomenally good brush and reverted to an old favourite after coming into possession of a backup thanks to a fellow blogger's generosity.

NARS And God Created the Woman Eye Palette
Let's begin with the most exciting favourite of June. The limited edition NARS And God Created the Woman Eye Kit (which includes a mini primer and #3 brush) first made an appearance on the Mecca Maxima Facebook for a mere $95 back in March. Even at that laughable price, it was sold out on their website. I thought I might be able to inspect it in person at Mecca Cosmetica, but one the assistants there swiftly put an end to that hope. After many nights spent trawling through blog/YouTube reviews and searching for places I could buy it online, I finally caved one night and ordered it from Sephora (where it retails for US$59) and had it shipped to me via Price USA. Incredibly, while waiting for my package to be delivered, I spotted just the palette on a local blog sale. A second palette for hoarding/potential gifting/insurance purposes wouldn't go astray...

Putting aside my mortification at how much I'd spent on it, this palette is everything I hoped it would be. Everything about its compact size, portability, shade selection and the quality of the eyeshadows delights me. While all the shades are delicious, I'm especially smitten with Kalahari. It's easily become one of my favourite eyeshadows ever, to the extent that I'm contemplating buying the original duo. I just needed to find the right brush to apply it as it can be a bit sheer and chunky. I'm using the Ecotools Petite Eye Shading Brush from the Bamboo 6 Piece Eye Brush Set to gently pat the colour on my lid. I've previously derided this brush for being too small to be useful, but it's come in handy recently so I take it all back.

Lancôme Baume in Love À La Folie, Cherry (130)
I confess I bought this for two reasons: a) the packaging b) it was on sale. I'd always wanted one of the Rouge in Love lipsticks but they were a little out of my price range. The Baume in Love comes in identical packaging but instead of a lipstick inside, it's a tinted lip balm. The colour that I bought (known as Midnight Rose in the US) seems to be the darkest of the four shades available. I thought the plummy, rosy pink might be similar to a very sheer MAC Plumful. It has a relatively thin texture and feels more like an balmy barrier on the lips than anything super hydrating, but it's comfortable enough, smells faintly of caramel, provides a subtle, flattering wash of colour to the lips, and did I mention it looks good in my purse?

Sukin Certified Organic Rose Hip Oil
One day, I was struck by an overwhelming need to buy a rose hip oil. I was originally going to get the Trilogy one, but I saw that Chemist Warehouse was having 30% off all Sukin products. I figured how different could the two possibly be? I ended up bringing the Sukin home and I've been really pleased with it. Next to Josie Maran Argan Oil (which I've almost run out of ... sob), I think this rose hip is my favourite face oil. I usually mix 2-3 drops in with my regular moisturiser, morning and/or night, and smooth it all over my face. In the mornings, it injects a subtle glow to my complexion and provides instant, soothing hydration. In the evenings before bed, this is a simple but effective serum/treatment to help improve the condition of my skin and leave it looking plumper, smoother and clearer in the morning.

Ecotools by Alicia Silverstone Finishing Brush
This gem came in a brush set that I purchased ages ago when I was first getting into makeup. It's a duofibre/stippling brush that is perfect for mineral powders or anything where you need to evenly buff powder all over your face. I use it to apply my Laura Mercier Mineral Powder — I think it works better than the Real Techniques Buffing Brush which is too dense and more suited to liquid foundation. It's also the only brush I have that can apply bronzer all over my face to darken my skin tone if the foundation I've put on is too light. It works amazingly well for a more soft, seamlessly blended contour along the cheekbones and sides of the face. It's also great for powdering in general, either to mattify the skin or to set your makeup with an illuminating finishing powder. It's one of the softest, if not the softest brush I own. I wish this brush was sold individually, but it came from a limited edition set so it's definitely one to treasure.

Savvy by DB Luxury Liner in Brilliant Bronze
When the very sweet Tram thoughtfully sent me a brand spankin' new one of these discontinued pencils (along with a Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Creamsicle and an adorable hand-written card!), I finally felt I could go back to using my existing one which I'd been saving and rationing so I wouldn't finish it up too quickly. I find it warmer and richer in colour than the Australis 10 Hour Waterproof Eye Pencil in Bombastic Bronze that was my previous go-to, and it just edges out the Australis in staying power as well.

Antipodes Reincarnation Pure Facial Exfoliator
I didn't touch this exfoliator for a long period of time after I initially bought it, but this month I made a concerted effort to pop this in my shower caddy and use it regularly. It's a truly gorgeous product. Since I always use this in the shower, it can lose its creaminess and get a bit watery if diluted, but it feels soothing, calming and nourishing, and leaves the skin cleaner and never tight or dry. Exfoliation is essential to any skin care routine, and without any chemical exfoliant to play around with at the moment, this Antipodes is serving me well. It's extremely gentle (you can barely feel the jojoba beads on your skin) so it can be used daily, though I prefer to use it every second day. The mild sweet orange scent is super nice and I love the fancy toothpaste packaging as well. Every time I use this, I think to myself ... would I pay $42 for this? I scored this as a gift with purchase for spending $39 or more on an Antipodes skin care set at David Jones late last year. It would've been absolutely crazy to me to spend that much on an exfoliator, but the more I use this, the more I entertain the prospect of repurchasing.

l-r: Lancôme Baume in Love in 130, Savvy by DB Brilliant Bronze, NARS Kalahari

Go-To Low-Key Makeup

I'm terrible at doing my makeup quickly. Every morning, I take at least 15 minutes. Sometimes, when I'm feeling especially sluggish or relaxed about the time, I can take up to half an hour. I don't like to be rushed. I've seen a friend do her whole face in a few minutes and it made me realise why that could never be me. She approached the act of putting on her makeup as I would doing the dishes or vacuuming the carpet — a necessary chore that yielded desirable results, but something preferably over and done with ASAP. On the days that I don't feel like doing my usual routine (normally on the weekends, holidays or on the rare weekday off), I've developed a go-to look utilising fewer products and a more minimal, easygoing approach. Can't say that it takes me any less time though.

The look is all about cream products, cutting out brushes and using the hands. Bronzy lids, softly defined eyes, peachy-pink cheeks and glowy skin. After cleansing and moisturising my face, I whip out my beloved Essence Eye Soufflé in Pas Des Copper and place a thin layer all over the eyelid. Lightly applied, the slightly peachy/coppery, light-to-medium bronze is almost what I imagine MAC Rubenesque Paint Pot would look like on me if I were very fair. This cream eyeshadow is amazing. It was dirt cheap (something like $3.50) and the best beauty bargain ever. I've had it for 15 months and it hasn't hardened in the slightest (the same cannot be said for my Maybelline Color Tattoos, as much as I adore Bad to the Bronze). The texture is still creamy, soft and so easy to blend. It has this understated metallic sheen without being exceedingly shimmery or gritty-looking and frosty. Pigmentation is excellent and it lasts all day.

Next, I line my upper lash line with the Savvy by DB Luxury Liner in Shimmering Slate, extending the line a little past the corner of my eye, but not too high up. When I first discovered the Luxury Liners early last year, I bought every colour in the range, then 3 backups of Shimmering Slate. That's how thrilled I was with them. I've tried a whole bunch of eyeliner pencils to mixed success, but the Luxury Liners have proven to be solid all-rounders. I just don't use Shimmering Slate on a daily basis because I prefer felt tip eyeliners for my upper lash line, and I find black too severe for my lower lash line (my usual choice is bronze). Here however, in the interest of simplification, I run Shimmering Slate very lightly along the lower lash line (stopping three-quarters of the way in), then lessen the intensity by smudging it with my fingers.

Then comes mascara. I normally curl my lashes beforehand, but if we were to stick to 5 products, I'd cut out that step. The wand of Max Factor Masterpiece Max really gets to all your lashes, holds curl, builds volume but doesn't clump. It's one of the few mascaras I've repurchased, and will continue to in the future.

Moving onto my base, squeezing a bit of the Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector (Combination to Oily Skin) onto the back of my hand, I start from the centre of my face and work outwards. So long as the skin has been decently moisturised first, this stuff sinks in and doesn't cling to any dry patches. What I like about it is that you can go back and apply more to specific areas where you want more coverage, without messing up the original application or having it look cakey. The consistency is almost like a liquidy moisturiser than a straight up foundation. It leaves a dewy, brightened, slightly airbrushed finish while still retaining the look of your natural skin. Perfect for low-key makeup when you still want to even out the skin and appear more fresh-faced and awake, but can't be bothered with full-on foundation.

Finally, now the skin's more uniform, it's time to add a bit of colour back in. Enter Stila Convertible Colour in Gerbera, the ultimate pastel-leaning peachy-pink. I cannot say enough good things about this blush. Love the colour, love the way it seamlessly applies to the skin without any harsh edges or unevenness, love the healthy radiance it imparts. Pop some on to both cheeks, blend with the fingers, and off you go.

Boldest Berry

I have no idea when I began obsessing over dark berry lips, but they seem to be all the rage. Once categorised as more appropriate for autumn/fall, they're now embraced year-round. There's something edgy and dramatic about a bold lip bordering on vampy. Paired with flawless, dewy skin and minimal eyes, it's positively fresh-faced and trendy as hell. (I may or may not be thinking of the Tom Ford lipstick Lara Bingle wore to her 25th birthday party.) Come to think of it, it took me a long time to come around, but it probably all started with this Lisa Eldridge video on four ways to wear Tom Ford Black Orchid. As usual, when gripped by a new makeup fixation, the first thing I do is pull out and explore all my existing options.

Unsurprisingly, there's a lot of Revlon. They do lip products like no other. My earliest foray into deeper shades came in the form of two limited edition Revlon palettes: a vivid, dark, blue-based red and an eggplant purple in the Illuminance All-over Palette in Passion Fusion (let's call them #3 and #4 respectively), and a plum lip colour in the Bordeaux in the Snow Lipgloss Palette. In my Revlon Lip Butter collection, I have two of the darkest shades, the brightened, dark pink fuchsia Raspberry Pie and the deep brownish-red Red Velvet. I recently added Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick in Black Cherry to the mix, because I wanted a full-on colour to play around with. Before Black Cherry, there was Savvy by DB in Bali that I picked up during Priceline's 40% off cosmetics sale, and much before that, I had the muted brownish-mauve of Australis Foxtrot.

The two lip shades in Revlon Passion Fusion are much more pigmented and creamier than the lip colour in Revlon Bordeaux in the Snow, which is sheer, terribly patchy and extremely dry in texture. It's so hard to pick up any colour and apply it smoothly and evenly to the lips that it's almost unusable. The third shade in Passion Fusion looks like a very dark maroon in the pan, but it's actually much brighter and pinky-red when applied. It could even potentially double up as a cheek tint if sheered out. The fourth shade in Passion Fusion is the most purple of the bunch and reminds me a lot of Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick in Va Va Violet.

Savvy by DB Long Lasting Matte Lipstick in Bali, first brought to my attention by Angela, isn't a lipstick that I anticipated buying. After a few underwhelming experiences with products from the brand, I hadn't given much thought to trying out anything else, except for repurchasing their stellar Luxury Liner eyeliners (now known as Soft Glide). But the deep, berry red colour was so on point, and it was so cheap on sale, that I had to. Being matte, it is a little drying, but nothing a lip balm can't fix. Australis Colour Inject Mineral Lipstick in Foxtrot is a less intimidating option — a desaturated plum with a brownish, rosy tone. I'm not a huge fan of the smell of the Colour Inject lipsticks, but my lips have always liked the formula. The two Revlon Lip Butters in Raspberry Pie and Red Velvet are a couple of my absolute favourite darker lip colours. Almost opaque in pigmentation, but hydrating and glossy, you can whack these on without having to worry about following exact lip lines or somehow messing up the application.

Finally, we have Revlon Black Cherry. I was almost going to devote a whole post to it because of my initial excitement in finally having it in my collection. Ever since I saw Estée feature it in her Beauty Products I Couldn't Live Without video, it's been on my to-get list. Black Cherry is the closest thing I'll have to Chanel Rouge Allure Rouge Noir or Tom Ford Black Orchid. It's a blackened maroon that absolutely needs a lip brush for optimal results. The texture isn't what I expected at all as it's nothing like the other Super Lustrous lipsticks I have, probably because of the difficulty in getting the formulation spot on due to the unusual colour. It can get patchy very quick, including if you rub the lips together or go over existing lipstick to deepen the colour, or just fix up any unevenness or imperfections with the first layer. Bizarrely, I can wipe this off my lips with a tissue and everything slides right off without leaving any kind of stain. I think it works best on well moisturised lips, using only one layer applied in a single, uninterrupted motion straight from the bullet. The edges might need to be cleaned up afterwards, and the colour spread with the fingers in a dabbing motion. I find it starts to feather and fade quite quickly, so constant reapplication and touching up is required. It's one high maintenance lipstick. But there's just something about it. It's a touch vampy, bold and chic. It's anything you want it to be, from the lightest berry stain to the heaviest, near black lipstick.

l-r: Revlon Raspberry Pie, Savvy by DB Bali, Revlon Passion Fusion #3, Revlon Red Velvet, Australis Foxtrot, Revlon Passion Fusion #4, Revlon Bordeaux in the Snow, Revlon Black Cherry

l-r: Revlon Raspberry Pie, Savvy by DB Bali, Revlon Passion Fusion #3, Revlon Red Velvet

l-r: Australis Foxtrot, Revlon Passion Fusion #4, Revlon Bordeaux in the Snow, Revlon Black Cherry

Pinks, reds, corals, MLBB shades, nudes, and now deep berry reds/burgundy/plums. Every imaginable lipstick need, covered. The frequency that I'd wear any of these shades doesn't warrant the number I have (I didn't even include my Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains), but clearly that's never stopped me. I think lipsticks are to me what shoes must be to some other girls. You might wear a fancy pair for fun around the house, or to a special occasion, but day to day you'll probably be in a boring pair of flats. Similarly, I usually don't even wear lipstick most of the time, but I'm all about having a multitude of choices for when I do feel like dressing up.