Makeup and Beauty Reviews. Lifestyle. Freedom.

My Preferred Foundations

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to say a few words about foundation. Foundation has got to be one of the most important beauty products that you should invest in. A good base makes you look tidy and put together. I personally feel more confident with a great base. That's not to say that you have to wear foundation, that's just my personal choice!

Below are some of my preferred foundations. I like to choose something that is long wearing (great for long days at uni) and doesn't make my face look like an oil slick. I like both matte and dewy finishes, but I'll pick and choose depending on what I'm doing that day. For example for a long day running errands or at uni I'll choose a matte foundation and for a night out I'll choose a dewy finish foundation.

I've put some examples below of the foundations I like. If you'd like a more in depth review please let me know and I'd be happy to do that for you!

Love. X.


SEPHORA MELBOURNE OPENING!!!

SEPHORA MELBOURNE OPENING!!!


Sephora have announced this morning that their Melbourne Store will be opening on Saturday 28th November at 12pm in Melbourne Central. 

There will be a pre-launch party starting at 8am which there will be goody bags, sweets and entertainment. The first 100 lucky people through the doors will receive a $50 Sephora voucher and the next 200 people will receive a free Sephora drink bottle.

I unfortunately can't be there (I'm seriously dying inside!) because I'll be interstate for my sister's engagement. But I hope that you all will get some great photos and products to show me. I'm seriously jealous of those of you who are lucky enough to attend!

Have fun! X.


Sephora Facebook Event http://on.fb.me/1OegInO

Morning Skincare Routine

Morning Skincare Routine

I usually start my day by drinking a glass of water when I wake up. I keep it on my beside table so I can grab it when I first wake up. This helps me to feel refreshed and rejuvenated (and able to trudge to the shower!). While I’m in the shower I start my skincare routine by cleansing my face with Garnier’s Pure Active 3 in 1 Wash, Scrub and Mask. This product contains salicylic acid and zinc which help to zap blemishes and mattify your face. As I have oily skin I find this helps prevent breakouts. This product has exfoliating beads in it so I don’t go crazy scrubbing my face every day (this WILL irritate your skin and make it look red raw and feel sensitive as you are removing the top layer of your skin) but I just gently rub in the product in circular motions over my face. I leave this on, like a mask, for a few minutes before I wash it off to absorb all excess oil.
Garnier Pure Active 3 in 1 Wash, Scrub and Mask
After I’ve finished with my shower I moisturize my face and body. For my face I’m currently using Garnier’s Moisture Match Shine Be Gone Moisturizer. I used to use The Skin Doctor’s T Zone No More Oil moisturizer and before that Innoxa’s Skin Clear Oil Free Moisturizer. Personally I felt the Innoxa moisturizer was the best for me, I never had a problem with oil or acne while using this product, but I found it to be discontinued which is disappointing in my opinion as this was truly a great product. I have tried some of their anti-aging moisturizers and these were great, moisturizing and plumping but as I have problem oily skin, I broke out while using this. The Skin Doctor’s and the Garnier products do the job, but for my skin, nothing will beat the Innoxa moisturizer. If anyone has any recommendations for a mattifying moisturizer please let me know!

So anyway, I moisturize my face and body straight out of the shower to trap the water still on my body and let it absorb into my skin. I don’t even dry my skin fully before moisturizing for this reason. This not only helps my skin feel moisturized and refreshed but is a product saver too, as the water helps the product go further. Even though my face is oily, my body, especially my hands, are super, super dry and prone to dermatitis (I feel like I have a lot of problems!). Because of this I just use plain Sorbelene Cream on my hands and body. It is very inexpensive, has no fragrances and contains Vitamin E so this is the best product for protecting my skin. I always moisturize my hands every time they are wet (after hand washing, cleaning etc) and I keep a dispenser next to the sink for this. Another great product for dry skin, especially if you are prone to eczema or dermatitis is the Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion and the Avene Cold Cream Body Lotion. The biggest enemy to eczema and dermatitis is dryness, but please check with your doctor first for a personal treatment plan! I also use the Clinique Superdefense for Eyes SPF 15 on my undereyes and eyelids.


After moisturizing I apply The Body Shop Tea Tree Blemish Gel to any pimples on my face and let it ‘soak in’ for a minute.  Then, if I’m just running errands for the day, I apply Garnier’s Oil-Free for Oily to Combination Skin BB Cream (which contains SPF 15!) and fix my eyebrows and mascara, then I’m good to go!

A final note, I cannot express enough how important it is to wear sunscreen, or at least products containing at least SPF 15. Skin cancer is not something to take lightly or disregard. There is no need to live your life in fear of skin cancer, but be proactive about protecting yourself by purchasing products containing SPF. Also I highly, highly recommend to use a fake tanner than baking in the sun for this reason. No matter what country you live in, no matter if it is summer or winter, rain or shine. Protect yourself every day. You won’t even notice you’re wearing SPF and your skin will thank you for it. Trust me, I’ve seen a lot of weird and disgusting skin cancers in the lab and I can assure you it’s not something you want to have…

I hope you enjoyed reading about my skincare. It is in no means final and I could change it tomorrow if I found this right products, but this is what is working for me right now and I’ll stick to it unless you guys can offer me some new suggestions?

Love. X.

Products Mentioned

Garnier’s Pure Active 3 in 1 Wash, Scrub and Mask http://bit.ly/1JJEyTg
Garnier’s Moisture Match Shine Be Gone Moisturizer http://bit.ly/1WY1GKs
The Skin Doctor’s T Zone No More Oil http://bit.ly/1SWUM2d
Innoxa Website www.innoxa.com.au
Sorbelene Cream http://bit.ly/1PNhl9J
Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion http://bit.ly/1QL8giq
Avene Cold Cream Body Lotion http://bit.ly/1Ml7rK6
Clinique Superdefense for Eyes SPF 15 http://bit.ly/1PNhx8V
The Body Shop Tea Tree Blemish Gel http://bit.ly/1X6388l
Garnier’s Oil-Free for Oily to Combination Skin BB Cream http://bit.ly/1O0Hlyn

My Favourite Liquid Lipsticks

Dose of Colors “Stone”

Photo: Instagram

The Dose of Colors “Stone” Liquid Lipstick has got to be my favourite out of all the liquid lipsticks in terms of colour. Stone is a beautiful pinky, brown mauve shade and is just stunning to wear with any look. It has been so popular in recent months, doing its’ fair share of rounds on YouTube. I would definitely recommend this for an everyday or a more glam type look. The consistency, I feel, is a little dry if anything but it is so versatile in colour that it will definitely be in my favourites for a long time to come!

Dose of Colors “Stone” http://bit.ly/20mm3QI

Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipsticks 

Photo: allintheblush.com

The Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipsticks collection is, in my opinion, the most popular brand of liquid lipsticks. ABH is well known for high quality products and the liquid lipsticks definitely live up to the name. The colors are beautiful and there is something for everyone. My personal favourites are “Pure Hollywood”, “Vintage” and “Heathers”. 

There has been some question as to the consistency of the ABH liquid lipsticks being too drying. I understand where the question is coming from as I sometimes have a small problem with them but I find if you apply some lip balm when you begin your makeup (I use Burt’s Bee’s Beeswax Lip Balm) by the time you get to your lips the liquid lipstick will go on and look much nicer.
 
ABH Liquid Lipsticks http://bit.ly/1IiT1qD
Burt’s Bee’s Beeswax Lip Balm http://bit.ly/1WszTfo

Stila Liquid Lipsticks

Photo: Instagram

The Stila Liquid Lipsticks are definitely at the top of my list in terms of quality as these ones have the consistency AND the colour right! The consistency is not so drying on the lips and it stays all day after applied. As with the ABH liquid lipsticks I would still recommend using a lip balm before applying for the best results.

The colours of this range are GORGEOUS. My favourites are Patina and Amore.

Stila Liquid Lipsticks http://bit.ly/1RnNeVg

Australis Velourlips Matte Cream

Photo: Instagram
For anyone on a budget, a good alternative is the Australia Velourlips Matte Cream. They have a wide range of colours and the cost is only $10.49 a pop! They are a bit drying (just follow what I mentioned previously about lip balms!) and you do need to a apply a few layers to achieve a good colour. But for the price these really are a great alternative! I wear them to uni or if I’m just doing some quick errands and I want a bit of colour on the lips.

Australis offer a 25% discount on orders for Australian students. I would definitely recommend these as a good drug store brand alternative to the more pricey options! My favourite colours are Par-ee and Doo-bai.

Australis Velourlips Matte Cream http://bit.ly/1ptQVu0

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

Photo: Instagram


Finally the time has come!

Make up addicts may want to sit down for this.

For the first time in Australia, Sephora Australia are offering an online shopping service! With FREE express shipping for orders over $55 (AUD).

Previously, Sephora had two stores, both in Sydney, for its Australian makeup following with a Melbourne store set to open in late November in Melbourne Central. Now all Australian makeup fanatics have access to previously inaccessible brands such as  Zoeva, Cover FX, Makeup Forever, BECCA Cosmetics, The Balm, Sigma and Sephora Collection. 

Personally, I am so excited to see so many products and brands that we've only dreamed about, or seen on YouTube. And I'm so excited that Australian's now have access to such a wide variety of products. I never thought I'd see the day where the biggest makeup stockist was Priceline! 

I hope you all go nuts over this and get to try out heaps of new stuff! The next big announcement will hopefully be the opening of the long-awaited Melbourne store, and I'll definitely be waiting impatiently for that!

See the links below for more makeup enjoyment!! X 

Photos: Instagram


Sephora Australia www.sephora.com.au
Sephora US www.sephora.com
Instagram sephoraaus
Twitter @sephoraaus