Favourite Lip Glosses!

Oops... It's been far too long since my last post! Life has gotten crazy busy recently as the uni semester is finishing up and I'm doing my last lot of assignments before the exam period. Other than that, I have no excuse for the lapse of time between posts! Anyway, I wanted to do a short post on my favourite lip glosses today :)

I'm not a big lipgloss fan at all and I'll normally skip over them when I'm shopping for makeup. However, on the odd occasion, one will catch my eye and no matter how much I try to resist buying it, I eventually cave. This has happened 3 times this year and I don't regret buying them at all :)

Top 3 lipglosses
Left to right: Clarins Eclat Minute, Bobbi Brown lip gloss and
Lancome Gloss in Love

I first heard about the Clarins Eclat Minute in 01 Rose Shimmer (approx AUD$25) through Essie Button on Youtube and I pretty much tracked it down immediately afterwards. This is a super smooth and only slightly sticky lip gloss that I use for a no fuss no-makeup look. However, I've recently realised that when it wears off, my lips get really dry and flakey so I always need to have a lip balm handy.

The second lip gloss is the Bobbi Brown lip gloss in Pink Coral. I believe this was a limited edition lip gloss from a few months back (but is still available) and I just couldn't get it out of my mind! Every time I walked past Bobbi Brown at David Jones and Myer, I would pick it up and almost buy it but then I'd put it back because of the price tag (AUD$42). I'm sometimes a little ditzy and I'll put lipstick on chapped lips and go "oh crap, I have all these dry patches now!" so I'll whip this out and put a coat of lip gloss over my lips to disguise any dry skin and patchy areas on my lips.

And the last lip gloss is a new addition, the new Lancome Gloss in Love in 312 Blink Pink (AUD$42). This is a pinkish nude lip gloss with shimmer that isn't sticky at all! It's really smooth and when it does wear off, my lips aren't flakey at all which is why I really love this! The formula is just so luxurious that I really want to go back and buy a few more colours.

The swatches below were taken under natural day time lighting in the bathroom. There has been no filtering or editing. For more swatches, see my August Favourites Post and my July Favourites Post :)

Left to Right: Clarins Eclat Minute, Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss
and Lancome Gloss in Love

Giorgio Armani Designer Lift Foundation and Luminous Silk Powder

I was at the Giorgio Armani counter at Myer a few weeks back and got chatting with a makeup artist (MUA) about the Luminous Silk foundation. He asked a bunch of questions about my skin type and the type of coverage that I wanted and he actually recommended the Designer Lift foundation instead. I'd said that I had combination skin and that I wanted a medium to full coverage foundation.

Products not true to colour. The powder is a tad lighter coloured in real life.
Filter applied.

I've been using both these products every day and I'm so impressed by them! It's definitely made me a lot more interested in the other things that Giorgio Armani has to offer like the lipsticks and lip glosses. I wouldn't say that my curiosity about the Luminous Silk Foundation has worn off so I'll probably go back for that one sometime but Designer Lift has knocked my socks off.

The foundation is quite runny and I find it really easy to put on using my fingers. The MUA said that the foundation could also be applied using a natural haired brush (not synthetic). I use one pump for my entire face and a little bit extra to bring the foundation down to my neck. I use number 5 (warm beige) in both the foundation and the powder, however, the powder is a tad too light. The foundation also looks like it's too light when I apply it but it does oxidise a bit so that it looks more natural about 15-20 minutes later. As reference, I sit between NC25-30 in MAC terms and use the following foundations:

• Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation in Bamboo Beige (closer to NC25) and Cashew Beige (closer to NC30)
• NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Punjab
• Maybelline BB Cream in Medium
• Hourglass Immaculate Foundation in Nude

The foundation and powder seriously lasts all day. I'm writing this review 12 hours after I applied both products in the morning and they're still going strong. I can also always see my blush and bronzer on my face after I come home from work. The only places that my foundation and concealer (Make Up For Ever Full Coverage Concealer in number 6 and 7) will rub off on is around my nose.

The picture below was taken about 3 hours after I applied the foundation and powder. It looks exactly like when I first applied it. This was taken indoors under natural light and there are no filters.

Please excuse the dead look. I have no eye makeup
or lip products on.

The next picture is what it looks like after it's been on for 8 hours. I did take the photo on a different day which explains the outfit change. This was taken outdoors, not facing the sun and there are no filters.

Giorgio Armani foundation and powder
after 8 hours.

I've also swatched the foundation beside other face products that I use quite often so that you can get a better idea of the colour. I think number 5 in both these products would be more suitable for people with skin tones leaning towards NC25 rather than NC30. I really like the medium coverage the foundation gives so I'll be repurchasing the foundation in a darker shade. I'd also repurchase the powder in a darker shade.

Swatches from left to right:

1. Giorgio Armani Designer Lift Foundation in number 5
2. Maybelline BB Cream in Medium
3. Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation in Bamboo Beige
4. Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer in number 7

Indoors under natural light

Indoors in the bathroom under natural light

The cons of this foundation is that it does have a tendency to cling to dry patches. I have lots of those around my jaw and forehead so it will sometimes cling to them. It doesn't do it really badly and to be honest, it doesn't really bother me as it's not super evident unless you're up close to my face. The other con is the price! It retails for AUD$90. And for people who are probably wondering if this foundation is good for photos or not, it will occasionally give you a white cast. I wore it out one night and my face looked ok in the majority of photos except maybe 2 (out of 30).

One of the cons about the powder is also the price. It retails for AUD$88. The other con (depending on the way you see it) is that there's nowhere to put a powder puff or sponge. The powder is in a small magnetic compact that's very travel friendly and I love that it has a mirror! I don't use powder puffs or sponges (I carry retractable powder brushes) so this aspect doesn't annoy me but I know that it's a deal breaker for some people.

If you have oily skin or an oily t-zone, it's better that you use the foundation with a mattifying primer like the Benefit Porefessional or the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. When I pair the foundation and powder with these two primers, I can get away with not powdering at lunchtime if I really needed to (on a busy day or something). A primer that I can't use these products with is the NARS Pro-Prime Pore Refining Primer as it makes my face look like a grease ball. I know of people who love that primer so I'd recommend that you don't pair it with these products.

Revlon Pink In The Afternoon Lipstick

I saw this lipstick on someone's blog a few months back and I'd been trying to track it down ever since. It was so hard to find and it seemed as if no one stocked it and I basically gave up on it. However, a few weeks back, I was killing time at Chemist Warehouse and found one tucked away in the Revlon stand. There was no official spot for it and no pricing. I grabbed it anyway and decided to buy it without even caring about the price as I wanted it that badly. Luckily for me, it rung up as $10 :D

Revlon Pink In The Afternoon Lipstick
(not true to colour. It was hard to capture the pink tones)

This is one of those 'my lips but better' lipsticks. It goes on so smoothly and it has that elusive lipstick formulation that is just so luxurious and it makes my heart beat every time I put it on. It makes my lips look absolutely perfect and it feels like its "second skin" if that makes sense. It reminds me of when I apply foundation and it looks like my natural skin... its kind of the same with this lipstick. It's not thick and it doesn't sit on the top of your lips. It kind of sinks in and makes people look at you and wonder whether you have lipstick on or if you just have really nice lips. Surprisingly, it's very pigmented and the swatch below was only one swipe of lipstick.

Left to Right: MAC Flamingo,
Revlon Pink In The Afternoon
Revlon Pink Lemonade Lip Butter

FOTD:
Giorgio Armani Designer Lift Foundation in 5
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Powder in 5
Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer in 6 and 7
NARS Laguna Bronzer
MAC Eyebrows in Lingering
Laura Mercier Mascara
Revlon Pink In The Afternoon Lipstick

It's perfect for people who don't normally wear lipstick much as it's not an "in your face colour" and it won't push you out of your comfort zone. It's also one of those lipsticks that you can pop on when you go out and you'll be having your photo taken as there's no chance of you looking back at the photos and going "what's with the clown lips?".

If I ever come across this lipstick again, I'd buy myself some backups. I think this lipstick is a 10 out of 10.

P.S. For the people who asked about the Giorgio Armani Designer Lift Foundation and Luminous Silk Powder that I purchased a few weeks back, I'm wearing it in the last photo. I'd already had it on for 8 hours when I took that photo (no filtering) and it still looks perfect!

My Mario Badescu Skincare Regime

Mario Badescu Skincare

I was introduced to the Mario Badescu range by Abigail from The Shrinking Wallet about 12 months ago and since then, I've really incorporated the products into my everyday skincare regime. She introduced the Drying Lotion and the Healing Cream to me because I was having a lot of problems with break outs and I'm a little embarrased to say that I went out and bought them but... I barely used them because I'm super lazy.

However, it really sparked my interest in the brand and I've since purchased 3 additional products. I went to Kit Cosmetics with the intention of only purchasing the toner but the sales assistants there are always so knowledgable and helpful that I couldn't help but buy the other 2 products as well.

Buttermilk Moisturizer ($28.95): I picked this up because it was blue! It really caught my eye and it's meant to be good for my combination/sensitive skin. I did put off using it for ages though because I couldn't get my head around the blue colour and it freaked me out a little. When I got around to using it though, I found out that it's not quite hydrating enough for me and it also smells like grass. The annoying thing about the packaging for this (and the toner) is that it has a bit of a... pull up spout(?) where moisturiser can sometimes get clogged up in and dry up.

Spout/opening on the toner and moisturiser

Aloe Vera Toner ($22.95): I've been using this every morning and night and I'm not sure if it really does anything for me. I just felt like I had to have a toner in my skincare regime. This has no fragrances or alcohol which ticked all the boxes for me (it's so hard trying to find a toner that doesn't have those 2 ingredients!). I pour this onto a cotton pad and wipe it all over my face. It does leave a bit of a tingling sensation.

Vitamin C Serum ($64.95): The sales assistant sold me on this when she said that all the staff at Kit Cosmetics swore by this. It's meant to brighten my complexion and I use it every other night. I've heard that Vitamin C serums are also good for fading acne scars but I'm not sure about this. It hasn't stopped me from slathering it on generously over acne scars though :P I've definitely seen an improvement in brightness on the days after I use the serum.

I've really enjoyed using the Aloe Vera Toner and the Vitamin C serum so I'll definitely repurchase those. I wouldn't repurchase the moisturiser as it's quite expensive and not moisturising enough.

What's your go to skincare item to help with breakouts and acne?

September Favourites!

I seriously can't believe that September is over and we're less than 3 months away from Christmas! I'm super excited for Christmas and I'm already planning a post about what to buy for the significant people in your life so keep an eye out for that around November/December. Feel free to leave a comment on this post if you'd like me to include ideas for specific people (e.g. boyfriend, best friend etc).

So for the whole of September, I reached for the same products over and over again. They've worked so well for me that I haven't felt the need to use anything else.

September Favourites!

1. Giorgio Armani Designer Lift Foundation SPF 20 in number 5 (warm beige) (AUD$90): I bought this a few weeks back and I've used it every day since. It's a very runny fluid that can be built up to a medium coverage. I was sold this as a "full coverage foundation" which it actually isn't and it doesn't cover my acne scarring. I like that even when you build it up, it still looks natural and not cakey. The colour is a perfect match for me too (I'm between NC25-30 in MAC terms).

2. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Powder in number 5 (AUD$88): I bought this at the same time as the foundation as I really need to set my foundations for them to last all day. It is a tad too light for me as I'm quite heavy handed when I use it so I'm on the hunt for another powder but this was a staple in September.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Powder and MAC Duo Lash Comb/Brow Brush

4. MAC Duo Lash Comb/Brow Brush (AUD$13): This is a travel friendly lash comb and brow brush.  I carry it everywhere with me as I always sleep in and end up doing my makeup on the train to work or to uni. I only use the brow brush end though and it's really efficient at combing my brows before and after shading them in.

5. MAC Eyebrows in Lingering (AUD$30): I've been using this brow pencil all year and I'm onto my third one as I seriously use it every day. A MAC sales assistant recommended this one for me and it's a tad too light but I can get away with it. It makes my eyebrows look more soft than sharp and defined (which I prefer) although I'm looking at buying a darker one soon.

Left to Right: MAC Eyebrows in Lingering
and Bourjois lip crayon in 

6. Bourjois Color Boost Lip Crayon in Peach on the Beach (AUD$15): I really put of buying this lip crayon as I already have SO MANY lip crayons and I rarely get a chance to use them. However, I bit the bullet when Bourjois went on sale at Priceline and I picked one up for 25% off. It's a gorgeous peach colour that pulls a bit pink on my lips. It's super glossy and really smooth. However, the one that I got was already a bit broken and the top part of the lip crayon completely snapped off and then I left it in the car last week and my boyfriend found it completely melted :( I was so devastated and I was freaking out that I wouldn't be able to replace it as I'd bought the last one from my local Priceline. I ended up running to the city Priceline store after uni and I luckily found another one!

I'd love to know what your September favourites were (link me your blogs if you posted about it!) or if you've tried any of the things I listed in this post :)