Gorgeous Cosmetics Perfect Palette

Hi all, 

Gorgeous Cosmetics is a brand that I discovered recently and have been trying to explore a little more. I'm the kind of person that likes to get to know a brand by trying a range of their products, in a short period of time (usually); this especially holds true when it is a brand that I am impressed with! I'll try not to overload you all though! 

I swatched a few Gorgeous Cosmetics eyeshadow and blush shades whilst in store, but couldn't decide on what shades to take home - a common predicament for beauty bloggers I"m sure! So, I just picked up this pre-made palette instead. Sometimes I make good choices, this palette is a winner! 

The Shades 

Top Row: Buttercup, Golden Kiss, Gem & Fudge

Bottom Row: Nude, Peach Glow, Marshmellow & Cheeky

The top row are eyeshadows, and the bottom are blushes/highlighters. 

What I Love 

- The palette is very well put together, and gives you a good taste of the brand. 

- Both the eyeshadow's and blushes are of great quality!

- Very pigmented, creamy and easily blendable.

- Long-lasting, even without a primer. 

- I haven't seen any eyeshadow creasing with a primer.  

- You get a large amount of product in each pan. 

- I love the sleek packaging, I am a giant sucker for some good packaging! 

What I Don't 

- It's a little on the pricey side! Even more so if you buy the shadows individually. 

- I believe this palette was limited edition, although most of the shades are still available. 

Where to Buy: Gorgeous Cosmetics stores & online. 

Price: $89.00 

Swatches

Without Flash

Buttercup, Golden Kiss, Gem, Fudge

Nude, Peach Glow, Marshmellow, Cheeky

With Flash 

It's pricey, yes, but it is also quite wonderful! I think that the depth of the neutral shades is great and have my eyes on their Everyday Palette. I can't help that I'm drawn to the 'boring'! If this palette doesn't tickle your fancy and you aren't ready to fess up the cash for it, I suggest trying a single shadow! They are quite lovely. 

On another note, I have an exciting idea to run by all of you! But, I think that I will give it a post of its very own! 

Hope you all have a great night! xx

Kit Duo Cheek & Lip Crème in Turn It On

Hey all, 

I know that I have apologised a few times to date, but sorry for the lack of posting in the past few days. Sadly, life sometimes gets in the way of blogging! At least I will be getting a large overtime bonus from work this week! 

I have been on a bit of a Kit kick recently, and on a bit of a cream blush kick as well. 

So, ta-dah!

What I Love 

- Gorgeous colour combination that would suit any skin tone. 

- Smooth and creamy product, that is not sticky at all. 

- Highly pigmented and blends easily. 

- Long lasting, especially when set with powder. 

- I adore Kit packaging, absolutely adore it! 

- For an added bonus, it is also made in Australia. 

Where to Buy: Mecca Cosmetica, Myer and Online. 

Price: $34.95 

Swatches

Without Flash 

With Flash 

All I have to say is, it's so purrrrdy! Haha! 

I haven't yet used it on my lips, as I have enough lipstick to get through as it is - but I am sure that it would work just swimmingly! They have another colour pair that I am eyeing off at the moment and I have a feeling that you will be seeing swatches of it very, very soon! 

What is your favourite cream blush? 

Hope you all are well! xx

Stila Custom Color Blush in Self-Adjusting Coral

Hey all, 

I have never been too sure about colour adjusting products. How do they do it? Do they even change that much between each person? I have always had my little suspicious. It's funny how we are always slightly suspicious of what we don't understand! Anyway, I'm not sure whether or not this Stila blush adjusts to my skin tone; but I do love the shade! 

Shade 

A gorgeous peach toned coral with slight shimmer. 

What I Love 

- Gorgeous colour, works wonders at brightening up my face. 

- Smooth, creamy and highly pigmented. 

- Easy to blend. 

- I love how light it feels on my skin! 

- Not too shimmery, and the shimmer fades alongside the colour (so you aren't left looking like a disco ball). 

- I adore all Stila packaging. 

Where to Buy: Mecca Cosmetica, Mecca Maxima. 

Price: $32.00

Swatches 

Without Flash 

With Flash 

Another very pretty coral blush! It's my new staple to compliment day-time looks and I think that it would suit all skin tones. I definitely want to try the Self-Adjusting Pink and Bronze - has anyone tried them? 

Also, what are your thoughts on "self-adjusting" products? Does anyone know the science behind it? 

Hope you all have a great night! xx

Gorgeous Cosmetics Lipstick in Eternal Bronze

Hey all, 

I walked past the opening of a Gorgeous Cosmetics store in Brisbane city a while back and as they were promising amazing deals, I just had to go inside. Before this point, I did not even know that Gorgeous Cosmetics existed! 

Well, I am glad that I do now! They have some snazzy looking products, and what seems to be an amazing and unique range of shades - just like this Eternal Bronze lipstick. 

The Shade 

A gorgeous red bronze, with slight shimmer. 

What I Love 

- I usually can't stand lipstick's with shimmer in them, but they seem to have got the balance just right. It isn't too overpowering at all. 

- Gorgeous shade that compliments almost any look. 

- Smooth and creamy - applies like a dream. 

- Long lasting, even through eating and drinking. 

What I Don't 

- Harder to locate, but products can be bought online. 

- Shimmer is left over after colour fades. 

Where to Buy: Instore at Gorgeous Cosmetics, or online  http://www.gorgeouscosmetics.com.au/

Price: $35.00

Swatches 

Without Flash 

With Flash 

On My Lips

Excuse my blemish! 

I usually don't appreciate shimmer in lip products at all, but somehow it seems to work in this this shade. This shade would especially work wonderfully on darker skin tones, but I am sure that the fairer ladies out there can pull it off too! 

Hope you all have a great night! xx

Kit Cosmetics Eyeshadow in That's Hot

Hey all, 

I hadn't tried many Kit Cosmetics products for a long while, but got drawn in by their bright, gorgeous lipstick's (review soon to come) and have been expanding my horizons ever since. It's a wonderful brand, with great shades, high quality and adorable packaging. 

I was shopping the other day, and just could not walk past this eyeshadow. It is such a gorgeous shade, and didn't look like anything else that I had in my collection. 

The Shade 

A gorgeous deep, shimmery and multi-dimensional purple.

What I Love 

- Highly pigmented, one swipe colour. 

- Creamy and blends easily. 

- Has shimmer, but is not overpowering. 

- Long lasting, especially with a primer. 

- I adore the packaging of all Kit products as well! 

Where to Buy: Mecca Cosmetica, Mecca Maxima, Myer and Online. 

Price: $19.95

Swatches 

Without Flash 

I though that I would put two pictures in, as I just couldn't capture the beauty of the colour as much as I wanted to. 

With Flash 

I'm a sucker for purple shadows (or anything purple for that matter), and am certain that this shade will become a favourite in my collection! 

Have you tried any Kit products? Which product is your favourite? 

Hope you all have a great night! xx

On My Cheeks: NARS Blush in Taj Mahal

Hey all, 

We all hear so much about NARS blushes and their high quality, and most of us know the 'famous' shades quite well. Shades like 'Orgasm', 'Deep Throat' and 'Exhibit A' are absolutely gorgeous, but they are not my favourite Nars blush shade. 

Taj Mahal is, and hopefully you shall soon see why! 

The Shade 

A gorgeous orange-bronze, that looks absolutely amazing on darker skin tones. 

It has slight shimmer. 

Isn't as scary as it looks in the pan, and blends out like a dream. 

What I Love 

- Absolutely stunning colour. 

- Highly pigmented, as all Nars blushes tend to be. 

- Smooth, creamy and east to blend. 

- Long lasting and fades out evenly. 

- Sleek and stylish packaging. 

What I Don't 

- The price of NARS products in Australia are quite a lot higher than overseas. I would recommend buying online from the USA; either from a site that ships internationally, or by using a parcel forwarding service. 

Where to Buy: Mecca Cosmetica, Mecca Maxima & Online. 

For online Nars purchases, I like to use - Kiss and Makeup

Price: In store - $45 AUD 

Online - $26 USD

Swatches 

Without Flash 

With Flash 

Blended

Quite a difference, huh? The terrifying aspect of the shade seems to just melt away when it is blended out. 

This is one of my favourite blushes. I have nothing else quite like it, and love it for that exact reason. If you are a darker skinned lady, I definitely recommend that you try it out! 

What is your favourite NARS blush shade? 

Hope you all have a great night! xx

MAC Lipstick Giveaway!

Hey all,

It's giveaway time!!

I have been planning to do another giveaway for a while now, but have just been held up time after time. But here it is, finally! 

I was a bit caught up on what to give away, but I decided that I would giveaway two of my favourite MAC lipstick shades - Lady Danger and Girl About Town.

I have two sets up for grabs, so two winners will be drawn. All products are brand new. 

This giveaway is also open internationally and will run for two weeks. Please only enter once, so that everyone can get a fair chance! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hope that you enjoy this giveaway & best of luck! xx

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips in Sunset Strip

Hey all, 

Although I have dark skin, I tend to start looking a little 'dead' in winter. My skin tone gets quite a bit lighter and my natural glow dulls a little as well. In summer I usually don't find the need to use a bronzer at all, but it is a completely different story in winter - bronzer becomes a daily staple in my face routine. 

This bronzer is one that I continue to love, and most of you have probably heard of it. Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips are famous amongst the beauty savvy and often compared to Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks. I do love my BB Shimmer Bricks, but I may like these just a little more. 

What I Love

- Enough shimmer to create a healthy glow, but not enough to turn you into a disco ball. 

- Shimmer doesn't clump together and applies evenly. 

- Highly pigmented (to the level you want for a bronzer). 

- Multi-purpose - can be used as a bronzer, highlighter (lighter shades), and even as eyeshadow. 

- Clean cut packaging. 

- Reasonably priced! 

What I Don't

- Hard to source in Australia. 

- Packaging is tight and I have broken a nail or two trying to open it! 

Where to Buy: I grab my Shimmer Strips off eBay. 

Price: $10-$15

Swatches

Without Flash 

Across top, shades mixed together. Bottom, individual shades from top to bottom. 

With Flash 

So, why do I like them a little bit more than BB Shimmer Bricks? 

I find that the shimmer isn't as overpowering, and that they create a much more natural/healthy look. These don't make you look like an overpowered disco ball at the end of the day! And of course, they are SO much cheaper. 

Hope you all have a great night! xx

On My Cheeks: Essence Marble Mania Blush in Swirlpool

Hey all, 

Another new, everyday favourite blush from me! It is from the new Marble Mania range from Essence; a range with a multitude of baked, marble effect shades. 

This blush caught my eye from across the Target beauty section, so I just had to pick it up. I love baked blushes, especially when they have a swirled effect to them (I am a sucker for pretty things) - so this blush was a welcome addition to my collection! 

Shade

A gorgeous range of pinks - from deep to champagne, all swirled together. 

Slight shimmer. 

What I Love

- I adore the shade, it is the perfect shade to create a healthy glow on my skin. 

- Highly pigmented. 

- Not overloaded with shimmer. 

- Blends seamlessly into my skin. 

- Very reasonably priced! 

What I Don't 

- I wish that they had more shades. 

- Hard to find, and always sold out! 

Where to Buy: Target

Price: $5.95

Swatches 

Without Flash 

With Flash 

Essence is a well priced brand that continues to impress me. Their products always exceed my expectations, and yet, they manage to keep their prices very low. It makes me wonder whether other brands can justify their mark-ups...but that is a post for another day!

Hope you all have a great night! xx

Covergirl Eye Enhancers Quad in Dream Eyes

Hey all,

This quad is a beauty guru and blogger favourite, and I have heard it spoken about time after time. So naturally, I had to try it for myself. I haven't tried very many Covergirl products before, as the brand has never really caught my attention. But saying that, I am glad that curiosity got the better of me and I picked this one up! 

What I Love 

- Highly pigmented - I was pleasantly surprised with the colour packed into this quad! 

- Well put together - all the shades compliment each other. 

- Creamy, smooth and easy to blend. 

- Long lasting with a primer. 

- Reasonably priced! 

What I Don't 

- I am not a fan of the packaging. I'm not sure why, but it doesn't do anything for me.

Where to Buy: Priceline, Target, Big W 

Price: $13.95

Swatches 

It is the perfect little quad for a simple smoky eye, is very versatile, and is a treat to take travelling! 

Have you tried any Covergirl eyeshadow quads? Which one is your favourite? 

Hope you all have a great night! xx

June Empties and Project 50 Pan Update

Hey all, 

I went through a lot of products this month, and I mean A LOT! Being on Project 50 Pan, I was very determined to get rid of all the products clogging up my shelves. I had a lot of products that were nearly  empty, but just didn't seem to make it over the line.

Well, they are gone now. 

I used a total of 28 products this month, bringing my Project 50 Pan total so far to 48. 2 months later and 2 more products to go? Well, this went a lot quicker than expected! I have been surprised at my willpower over the past couple of months, and have not bought anything at all (except replacements). I do have a wish list from here to the moon though! 

Here are the empties from this month! 

Face 

1. Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Acne Wash 

2. Models Prefer Mattyfying Primer

3. Neutrogena Rapid Clear 2-in-1 Fight and Fade Gel 

4. Swisspers Cucumber Facial Cleansing Wipes

Body

5. Lush Flying Fox Shower Gel 

6. Redwin Sorbolene Hand Wash 

7. Aldi White Lily + Lotus Flower Body Wash 

8. Billie Goat Soap Lavender Hand & Body Wash

9. Avon Foot Works Mojito Foot Scrub

10. Palmers Cocoa Butter SPF15

11. Vaseline Aloe Vera Moisturiser 

12. Redwin Organics Orange & Bergamot Moisturiser 

13. The Aromatherapy Company - My Little Tea Party Hand Cream in Strawberry Shortcake

14. Nivea Soft Intensive Moisturising Creme

15. Body Shop Coconut Body Butter

16. Lush Helping Hands 

Hair 

17. Schwarzkopf Extra Care Deep Nutrition Conditioner

18. Loreal Elvive Total Repair Conditioner 

19. Lush Big Shampoo

Makeup 

20. Kit Lip Gloss in Big Night Out 

21. Blistex Lip Conditioner SPF20

22. Lacura Volumising Mascara 

23. Australis Mega Lash Mascara 

Miscellaneous 

24. enVme Make-Up Remover Pads 

25. Priceline Round Cotton Pads 

26. Sensodyne Rapid Relief 

27. Brazillian Beauty Exfoliating Mitt

28. Dove Beauty Cream Bar 

Did you enjoy the many glimpses of my ever so exciting text books?

I think this shows that Project 50 Pan is a killer way to make room on your shelves, and to save a little money on the way. I will do a proper round up when I officially finish! 

Now that you realise it can be done in just over two months, who wants to give it a try?!

Hope you all have a great night! xx

On My Cheeks: Models Prefer Blush in Desk to Date

Hey all, 

I don’t usually post on the weekends, as I always try and keep them for ‘me’ time. But since I haven’t posted as much as I usually do this week, I thought that I would use this weekend to catch up! 

It seems as though I have been hit with everything at once - bronchitis, a job transition, house renovation issues, and a cat with a cold. To say the least, I have had issues keeping organised this week! The end is in sight though, as they say; and thankfully too - my nail polish is chipped beyond belie and my skin is definitely showing signs of stress. 

I have posted about Models Prefer products a few times now, always with positive reviews.  Their Mattifying Primer and Glitz & Glamour Highlighter are amongst my most reached for products. And with the addition of this blush, I have to say that the brand continues to impress me. 

Shade 

- A gorgeous medium pink that would compliment any skin tone. No shimmer, but has a sheen to it. 

What I Love 
- Gorgeous shade.
- Highly pigmented. 
Creamy, applies smoothly and is easily blend able. 
- Very reasonably priced. 

What I Don’t 
- Get quite a bit of product fallout, as you can see in the below picture. 

Where to Buy: Priceline 

Price: $9.99


Swatches 


Unblended 


Without Flash 

With Flash 

Blended


Without Flash

With Flash

Despite the fallout, this is a gorgeous blush that creates a healthy and natural glow. At $10 a piece, I definitely recommend that you give it a try! 


What do you think about Models Prefer? 


Hope you all have a great night! xx

On My Lips: FOA Sheer Gloss Lip Crayons

Hey all, 

Almost everyone in the Australian beauty blogging world would have heard about these by now; but I love them so much that I couldn't help but write my own post! I've been trying a lot of jumbo lip pencils lately and had to grab the FOA Lip Crayons the second they were available. They have had a lot of love since then! 

The Shades 

Macaron - A deep pink. 

Cupcake - A light and bright pink. 

Sundae - A brown-nude. 

What I Love 

- Most of all, I love how they look like actual crayons - I am a sucker for anything adorable 

- Great colours, reasonably pigmented for a tinted balm. 

- Highly moisturising. 

- Goes on smoothly and is easy to apply. 

What I Don't 

- Can't buy them individually. 

- Wish they had more shades! 

Where to Buy: Big W

Price: $14.95 for 3. 

Swatches 

Without Flash

On My Lips 

Macaron

Cupcake

Sundae 

I think that these are wonderful! Sundae is my personal favourite, as it's a great 'my lips, but better' shade for me.

 If you do decided to give these a try, remember that they are a 'sheer' lip product - so you won't get packed on colour. They are perfect for a more natural, muted look though. 

Have you tried these? Which one is your favourite? 

Hope you all have a great night! xx

I will leave you with this. 

My soul! It aches!