Yes it is finally here! How I store my makeup! I didn't want to go the traditional Alex drawer unit so I went for Muji acrylic drawers instead. I love being able to see everything I have, I think it helps me make sure I am using it all, because I clearly have more than enough makeup for one person. However, I think I will need to eventually get an Alex drawer set as I have already noticed I am running out of space, but I can cross that bridge when I get to it. For now, I am very happy with how everything looks set up inside the top four cubes in my IKEA Expedit (now Kallax) shelving unit.

Collective Haul

I've been feeling a bit spend these past couple of weeks, and I went a little bit crazy on the online shopping (what else is new?). Here are some of my favourite things that I picked up! *warning: lots of pretty pictures, could cause black out and mass online shopping spree*

Favourite Lip Product Swatches

I've recently be reading a lot of '5 Favourite Lip Products' blog posts and I thought it was such a good idea and wanted to do the same, so I started going through my collection to find my top 5 favourite products. I'm not quite sure how it happened but I pulled out 23 products and just couldn't bring myself to cut it down (#beautybloggerproblems?). So here are my favourite 23 lip products of the moment.

Mecca Haul

 

I tripped and fell into Mecca and spent too much money

Someone stole my card, spent all the money at Mecca and then gave me the makeup

I was celebrating a lovely Thursday

Rimmel Brow Products Review

Recently Rimmel came out with a new line of brow products, I am sure most of you would have seen them by now somewhere as they have been out for around a month. I was lucky enough to receive two sets complete with all shades (one anonymous and one from Coty) as PR gifts, so stick to the end to see what I am doing with the second set *wink wink*

Spotted at Priceline

As I ventured in to Priceline today, as one does on a casual Saturday morning shopping spree, I found a whole lot a new beauty products. Some of which I hadn't heard anything about! So naturally, the beauty blogger within me took over as I whipped out my phone to take a couple of sneaky snaps of the new product stalls.

Current Wishlist

Does anyone else go through stages of having money but not finding anything you want to buy, to not having money and finding lots of things you want to buy? I am going through the second one at the moment, I have lots of adult things to pay for at the moment aka a bedroom furniture and a car service *waves goodbye to hard earned money*, so naturally I have a huge wish list of makeup and other items I feel like I desperately need. Here's a few things I am lusting over at the moment, I would love to know whats on your wish list at the moment!

Too Faced 'Born This Way' Foundation - $54 (not certain) coming to Mecca on the 25th of August

Current Skincare Routine

I have never been big on skincare, but recently I was sent a few products, and I also bought a couple of things that sounded interesting. I thought I would try get a bit of a routine into my skincare, and this is what I came up with.

Go To Winter Base

Yes it is winter in Melbourne, and yes it is absolutely freezing. Lucky for me I love winter but my skin…not so much. I have found the perfect base products that really keep me hydrated throughout the day, and don’t cling to any tightness or dry patches that come with the winter territory.

'The Nudes' Maybelline Eye Shadow Palette Swatches

If you are an avid YouTuber watcher such as myself, then you will remember the 'Maybelline The Nudes' review dilemma that circled the beauty community. A large selection of beauty YouTuber's were sponsored by Maybelline to give a positive review on this palette, and when the viewers of those videos actually bought the palette it didn't live up to the expectations set by those girls and boys with their raving reviews. 

Shop and Box Review

I have always heard about shipping services, and especially beauty bloggers using them to get American makeup to Australia, but I had always palmed it off as being too expensive without really looking into it. But when Jaclyn Hill announced she was coming out with her Becca collaboration I knew I had to research it further. At the start it was only a Sephora exclusive (you can now pre order it from lipstick republic and ry) and I desperately wanted it. I didn’t really compare services, I just went with Shop and Box as I have heard good reviews about it.

Priceline Maybelline Haul

Yes that’s right. After months of waiting we finally have the new Maybelline products! Although I am still waiting for the Matte and Poreless powder, as well as the master studio primer and finishing spray, these have me quite content for the time being!

June Favourites

Up until now I have only be photographing my monthly favourites on Instagram, but to make my blog more user friendly and active I have decided to move it over here! I can't believe it is July already, it feels like a few weeks ago that I had gotten back from my holiday in January!

Covergirl: Ready Set Gorgeous Review

About two months ago I picked up Covergirl's dynamic duo and I can't seem to put them down! 

Chi Chi VS Urban Decay

We have all seen by now that the Chi Chi Cosmetics Nudes Eye Shadow Palette looks like an exact colour dupe for the Urban Decay Original Naked Palette. There are so many reviews online (here, here and here) so instead of adding to the pile I wanted to do something short, sweet and straight to the point.

Collective Haul!

As most of you may know over the past 2 weeks my boyfriend and I have been house sitting, and I collected quite a large amount of makeup over that time. Some was sent, but most was either bought online or in store, so I thought I would show you all what I got! It is also a good way for me to see what I have in my collection that is new so I can make sure I use it.

Affordable Clothing Haul

Yes you read the title right, this is my first fashion haul! I have been going through a couple of changes in my life right now, and thought it was time for some new clothes. But, I am also in the process of losing weight/getting fit, so didn't want to buy anything too pricey, that might not fit in a few months.

Australis Metallix Eye Shadow Review

Left: Pearl Jammin' and Right: Guns and Rose Petals

Australis have finally listened to our pleas and begs to release a permanent line of the metallic eyeshadows, hallelujah! 

Chi Chi Cosmetics Lipstick Swatches

Over the past few months my Chi Chi Cosmetics lipstick collection has grown dramatically! They can be found at Target, Myers, and on their official website for around $15. They always go on sale at Target for 30% off so I would definitely wait for the next sale if you want to try some.

Kmart E.L.F Haul

Definition of 'Going ham on E.L.F products' ^

If you haven't browsed your local Kmarts beauty section recently, they have just hugely expanded their Eyes Lips Face (E.L.F) range...about time!

They have brought a lot of products from the 'Studio' line, which retails for $3 in the US. In Kmart, the products average around the $8 mark, which is of course still more affordable than most of the usual drug store brands here in Australia.

When my local Kmart just started putting out a few of the new products I jumped on them, and posted a review and swatches here. I thought that was as good as it was going to get, and I was pretty happy with that. Well, I went back today and they had a whole other sectional in the beauty department full of E.L.F, so naturally I went a little bit ham.

So, let's get into what I bought!

Innoxa Full Colour Lip Creams Swatch and Review

I had never seen these before until they turned up in my letter box, and then suddenly they exploded all over Instagram and YouTube. Basically, they are Innoxa's version of a lip cream. 

New ELF Products

My local Kmart is always terribly understocked in the ELF section. So you can imagine my surprise when I found these goodies sitting there, still in their boxes, and in perfect condition!

A Beginners Guide to 'The Body Shop'

Have you ever wondered what the difference between a body milk, body cream and body puree is at The Body Shop? Keep on reading to find out, and more!

Everything About Media Kits

When your social media, blog or YouTube start to grow, sometimes you are lucky enough to have the chance to work with companies and PR agencies. From time to time, when new products are released, they might be sent out to you for a trial and review!

I have been lucky enough to work with a lot of amazing people from different PR agencies and companies, and recently a few bigger companies have been in contact with me, and asking for my media kit. I had no clue what a media kit was, or what it was even meant to look like. So, as any young adult would do, I googled it. I was overwhelmed with the amount of websites claiming to have the 'perfect' layout for a media kit, and after sifting through many of them I got a feel of what should and shouldn't be included in one.

Drugstore Beauty Haul

This haul is full of new drugstore beauty products. I picked up everything today so I haven't had the chance to try anything yet, but I am super excited to report back when I have formed an opinion on the items! I feel a few reviews coming on soon.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Book Swatches

As the title might let on, this post is me swatching the Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Book on my arm. A review will come after I have had the chance to use it a bit more, so for now, enjoy the swatches!

How To: Flawless Base

Something a bit different today, I am showcasing the products I have been using lately when I want to achieve a flawless base. I have got a drugstore and high end option, and I should also say this isn't what I wear on the daily, more for a special occasion/evening out ect. when I want my make up to last and look great the entire time!

Hourglass Modernist Eyeshadow Palette Review

Okay Hourglass, you have some explaining to do. When the 'Modernist' eye shadow palettes were released to Barney's, they were clearly marketed as a Barney's exclusive, and limited edition. Now I don't know if the limited edition part is correct or not, but these palettes are available everywhere now, including Net-a-Porter!

Barneys Haul

Yes, after two months of waiting it is finally here! I will go through what I ordered first, and then at the end for those who are interested I will be explaining why it took so long and why I have once again yelled at an Australia Post employee.

The parcel came very nicely packaged, it was tightly wrapped on the outside then when you opened it up there was heaps of tissue paper and bubble wrap, then inside that was two of these black boxes that say Barney's on top. The bigger one had my make up and the smaller one had an accessory. Inside the black boxes it was also tightly packed with tissue paper, nothing was moving an inch in this box!

The item that sparked this entire order was the Hourglass Modernist Eyeshadow Palette in 'Infinity'. At the time of this order (about mid December), this palette was advertised as a Barney's exclusive so of course I ordered it in fear of missing out. They had a free shipping deal for international orders over $100 so this palette. This palette converted to $74.30 aud.

Next up I bought a Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment in Tulip. I have wanted this ever since Estee (Essie Button on Youtube) raved about these in one of her favourites videos a while ago. I didn't know where I could buy them but I knew I needed at least one! This came a tiny bit melted (still in lip balm shape just leaning a bit) so I did chuck it in the fridge when I got home. I am unsure how it will stand in Melbourne heat in my room so we shall see, it could be a permanent resident of our fridge from now on! Again, this converted to $26.90 aud. 

Now, because of the prices when they were still in American dollars I literally missed the $100 mark by less than a dollar, so I had to order one more thing! I tried to stay away from makeup for my last item. I have been wanting a little card holder thing for a while now as I honestly have so many cards, it would be easier to have a couple of essential cards (bank card, drivers license, priceline membership, myer one, and boost juice because you never know when you are going to need a boost juice) in this handy little carry case that I can throw into a small bag, mimco pouch, or my pocket! You get the drift right?

I decided on this gorgeous Barney's own branded one in an ivory leather look material. It is so perfect and feels very well made and an overall good quality product.

BONUS RANT SECTION

Oh Australia Post. We basically have a love-hate relationship. Except there is no love, and only hate (strong words but unfortunately true). As I mentioned above I ordered this parcel mid-December and was guaranteed delivery before christmas. So naturally, it didn't arrive until the 7th of January. Of course by this time I was in England with no clue what to do about my parcel. I was getting it delivered to one of those 24 hour parcel lockers as it was convenient on the way home from work. I got my first email saying that it had arrived at a parcel locker, my second email saying that I hadn't picked it up and it was now at a local post office for over the counter pick up, and that was it. I didn't hear anything at all after that, nothing from Australia Post and nothing from Barney's, or Border Free who were involved in the shipping. 

I tried to get a friend to call up to see what was going on, and after being hung up on twice after waiting on hold for 20 minutes, they rudely told her they couldn't disclose anything as it wasn't under her name. They couldn't even tell her what to do in a hypothetical situation...lovely.

So when I returned home I called Australia Post, who advised me my parcel was still waiting at the Post Office. So off I went, 40 minutes away from home, and to my frustration and surprise there was no parcel at the Post Office. I called Australia Post again, and spoke to the same lady somehow, who said my parcel has actually been returned to America, and that next time I should consider getting a hold on my post so I don't mess them around. Well that set me off. I asked why I wasn't informed about my parcel being returned to America? They have my mobile and my email and nothing came through. I asked why I wasn't informed of cut off times, or why yesterday she told me it was waiting at the Post Office? 

The lady rudely cut me off and said she could see clear as day on her computer screen that it had been sent back to America and asked if she could help with anything else, I hung up.

I emailed Barney's in a frenzy basically stating everything that happened above, and 2 days later they replied with, in summary, 'Our records show it is in Australia and was delivered to a neighbours back door, please shop with us again this is the link. Thanks and goodbye'. Umm excuse me? Besides the fact that it was delivered to a parcel locker and there is no neighbours back door, why would they even thing it would be okay to deliver an expensive parcel to a random house that is next to the address I told them to deliver it to?!?

So of course, I waited on hold for another 20 minutes to Australia Post, and I got the same lady again (?!!?) who basically said they are wrong and need to check their records. I asked what would happen if they had lost my parcel and she replied in a very rude tone, 'If for some reason it was our mistake and not yours, but as I said you ought to have known to put on a post hold, it will take 3 months for us to open a case before we even consider a refund, or partial refund'.

Fan-flipping-tastic. By this point I was angry, frustrated, upset and over it. I emailed Barney's short and sweet and asked for a refund. To my surprise they did so without any further questions, they said it would take 3-5 days for the refund. That was about 2 days ago so I am still waiting for the money ($130 aud) to come through.

Well, yesterday I received a text and an email from Australia Post both stating 'Your parcel is now ready to pick up from ... Post Office'. I swear I nearly passed out in shock. I choked on my food and was frantically running around the place, what is this? Free products? A joke? A miracle? 

I called Australia Post, a different lady this time thank god, who was very helpful and apologetic and just lovely. She advised she wasn't sure why it has just been delivered a month later and should be at the Post Office in the morning. Low and behold, when I went to the Post Office MY PARCEL WAS THERE!! AND I'M GETTING A REFUND!!

All the stress and yelling at people who weren't directly responsible was worth it! If you're still here at the end of that essay, well done *clapping emoji* you deserve a pat on the back and a gold star!

Colour Pop Review

I am feeling like the girl in red dress dancing emoji right now, because Colour Pop ship to Australia!! woo!!

It may cost a small fortune but at least they ship here right? I have been waiting for this day for so long, after Youtubers had been dropping hints left, right and centre. The moment they announced they were shipping to Australia I quickly reposted the image on my Instagram and went online to order.

Rimmel Kate Moss and Scandal Eyes Review

Rimmel have gone crazy in the past few months releasing new products every which way! These 3 have caught my eye in the past week so I went into Priceline to pick them up. 

Loreal Colour Riche Collection Exclusive Lipsticks Review

I recently found these new Loreal Colour Riche Collection Excusive (and take a breath, such a long name) lipsticks and nail polishes. It is a range of five nude lipsticks and nail polishes made to complement the skin tones of the ambassadors; Doutzen, Eva, Freida, JLo and Julianne. I picked up 4 of the 5 shades, skipping Freida as it was just to brown for me to ever wear!