Rose Gold Love

The last two weeks have been insanely busy and I probably have experienced the best time in my life. I finished my degree at university, got offered a permanent teaching job and tomorrow I leave for an amazing trip to Malaysia. In the middle of all of this it was my birthday! I was lucky enough to get an exciting package of beautiful makeup brushes from my lovely boyfriend. I have been eyeing off the Zoeva Rose Gold Luxury Set for a while now and am happy to say that they are superb! 

This set comes with 8 essential brushes, for both face and eyes. The brushes are a combination of natural and synthetic hairs, making it easy to work with cream and powder products. This is a perfect starter kit for someone beginning their makeup collection. There is a range of brushes, each for an essential step in your makeup routine. 

The brushes come in a gorgeous brown clutch, which is a great bag to store your brushes or makeup for travelling. The rose gold design takes the cake. They are so stylish and looks great on my dressing table. 

My top three picks from the set are the...

102 // Silk Finish Brush - perfect for foundation application

110 // Face Shape - I love using this to apply concealer under the eyes

231 // Luxe Petit Crease - great for applying eyeshadow in the smaller areas of your eye

Have you tried any Zoeva brushes?

Summer Edit // Outfit #2

One thing that I am loving as I am getting older (turning 23 in 2 weeks eeeeek) is being able to dress in a more sophisticated way and start developing my own style. I have a very relaxed, casual style but I love to experiment and change up my look every now and again. One fashion piece that I am obsessed with at the moment is the mid-length skirt. I think they look uber sophisticated, stylish and relaxed. They are great for day wear and can also be dressed up with accessories and a classic pair of heels. As a teacher, I need to be able to wear appropriate length skirts, so these skirts will also work as an excellent piece for work. 

I am absolutely loving this monochrome mid-length skirt from Portmans. It is a gorgeous pleated cutout skirt with white panelling on the hem. As soon as I saw it and tried it on I fell in love. I love that it is monochrome as it is super easy to pair with a simple top and shoes. The skirt ends below my knees and has a comfortable elastic waistband. This is going to be a great piece I will wear all through Spring/Summer.

Do you have a favourite fashion item this season?

Top - Sportsgirl

Skirt - Portmans available here

Shoes - Urban Soul from Myer

Watch - Daniel Wellington

Bracelet - Swarovski

Summer Edit // Outfit #1

I have decided to do a series of Summer Edit posts, where I will feature a variety of outfits, beauty and lifestyle picks relating to my favourite season! I always think the best things happen in summer and some of the most memorable moments in my life are during the summertime.

It is Spring here in Australia at the moment, but it is definitely warming up quickly. This outfit is based around a casual night out and I have included a long sleeve tee as it usually gets cooler as the sun goes down. I think stripes are the bees-knees! It can be casual but uber sophisticated at the same time. I have way too many striped tops to count, but my favourite is always a simple black and white stripe. I love pairing this with a pair of simple denim shorts. Denim shorts are a staple here in Australia, as they can be worn to the beach or even be dressed up for a night out. To be honest, I am always on the hunt for the perfect denim short. I recently purchased a great pair from Myer, from their Miss Shop range. The key is for them to be super comfortable and not too short!

A simple strappy shoe is also an essential during this time of year. These shoes are from Windsor Smith and can be worn with just about anything. They also come in black and tan, which would also look great with this outfit.

To complete this outfit, a black leather bracelet from Pandora would be perfect, along with a simple white bag from Topshop. This keeps the monochrome pattern and gives it a finishing touch.

I love this minimal look at the moment and I think this is the best way to style during the Summer. Stay tuned for next week when I feature some great beauty products perfect for summer!

Can't Live Without...

Everyone has those items in their wardrobe, makeup collection or bathroom that they just cannot live without. Whether you are going out for the day or going camping for 5 nights, sometimes we need to use products to make us feel a bit more like ourselves. There are three items in my skincare collection that I am loving at the moment and I use on a daily basis!

The first product is the Natio 'Lift' Skin Firming Serum. This is the first serum I have used, as I have always opted for a Rosehip Oil in my evening skincare. This has honestly done wonders to my skin. It claims to soften fine lines on the face, which I am not too worried about at my age now, but hopefully this acts as a preventative! It has made my skin glow, making it feel super soft and supple. I use this after I cleanse and before I moisturise day and night, to give added nourishment to my skin. There was one day where I didn't use this and my skin felt so dehydrated and lacklustre. This is definitely a product that will be in my skincare regime for a long time.

The next product is deodorant, which is a product that is not commonly discussed in the beauty world. But hey, everyone wears it! For years I used to wear the Dove deodorants but recently I have switched over to the Rexona Biorythm Dry 48 hour deodorant. One word to encapsulate this deodorant is definitely 'dry'. It does exactly as it says and lasts the whole day. What more could you want?

The last 'can't live without' product is the Nuxe Reve de Miel lip balm. I know I have raved about this already in one of my previous posts, but I love it. It is ultra moisturising and nourishing on the lips. My lips are always dry and chapped, so this little guy never leaves my side!

What are your 'can't live without' products?

Lust List #3

If there is one thing I know how to do well, it is shopping. And of course I always have a few items that I have my eyes on. In the next few months I need to take is easy on my bank account, so this lust list will keep me dreaming!

The first item is a Ted Baker makeup bag. I have seen a few YouTubers, such as Tanya Burr and Gabbi from Velvet Ghost, sporting these makeup bags and they look beautiful. These bags are so stylish and they come in a range of colours and patterns. They look super durable and great for travelling. 

The Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette looks incredible. The colours in this 'golden goddess' palette can take you from a day time to an evening look, which makes it wearable and versatile. The packaging is adorable too. 

I have been dying to try the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer for ages, but haven't got around to buying one. I need to address the major under eye dark circles that I have going on. Hopefully I can buy this soon and let you know how it goes!

I have been seeing Daniel Wellington watches everywhere at the moment, and I am so excited because the store I work at will be selling these watches in a few weeks! This means I can add another watch to my collection (I may have an obsession!). I think I will opt for a sleek back band with the steel face, as I already have a rose gold watch. This seems like a great everyday watch, but it still has the oversized 'boyfriend' look. 

What items are on your lust list this month?

Review // Nuxe Reve De Miel Lip Balm

Chapped lips are the bane of my existence. I don't know if it is because I don't drink enough water or I am lacking some random vitamin, but I always seem to get dry, cracked lips. Through winter I am continually applying lip balm to give my lips the moisture they need. However, it never seems enough. My lips always absorb the moisture really quickly without making much of a difference. The only product that has helped my lips in the past is Lucas Paw Paw Ointment, which I continually apply over and over again. 

I have heard rave reviews about the Nuxe Reve De Miel ultra nourishing lip balm across the blogging and YouTube world, so I thought I would give it a whirl. I picked it up last week at Priceline for $15 and have already seen a difference in my lips. The first thing I noticed was the delicious smell, which is a mix between honey and orange. The listed ingredients include honey, plant oils, shea butter and grapefruit essence. These are the perfect ingredients for nourishing and smoothing dry lips. 

The product itself is very thick. This can make it difficult to apply, but a solution to this is swirling your finger in the pot a few times to warm up the balm and then apply to your lips. I don't mind the thickness of the formula, as it feels nourishing and gives an extra layer of protection against the elements. The balm acts as a great morning and night time treatment for my lips and I can still feel the product on my lips a few hours after application. The lip balm is also great for using as a base to other lipsticks or glosses, especially matte formulas. 

Overall, I am very impressed with the Reve De Miel lip balm, and I feel like this will be a staple in my makeup bag for years to come.

Have you tried the Reve Del Miel lip balm?

Mini Fashion Haul

I had a lovely visit to the city on my day off yesterday. I went to see the Archibald Prize at the Art Gallery, then went exploring the shops in the city. I am so happy that Australia has finally got Topshop and Zara, and I feel like we have been missing out for years and years. Whenever I visit these stores, I always leave with a new purchase in my hand. 

The new additions to my wardrobe from Topshop are two high neck crop tees. These will be great for the warmer months to wear with high waisted skirts and jeans. They were $22 each, plus I got a student discount. Next stop was Zara, where I picked up a pair of jeans from the 'Trafaluc' range. They are super soft and a deep blue colour. Zara jeans seem to fit me really well and are a great length for my legs! I also picked up a mini rollerball perfume in 'Black Peony' which smells delicious. I have way too many perfumes but I couldn't resist the compact size which will be great for my handbag. 

Have you got any top fashion picks?

Weekly Picks

Hair is something that bewilders me. The frizz, the flyaways and trying to perfect that effortless beach curl is something I can never manage. I am hopeless at doing my hair and I often neglect it! Last week I went to the hairdressers for a trim and I realised I hadn't had a cut for about 18 months. Crazy! So, I have made a conscious effort to start giving my hair some much needed attention. I bought the Toni & Guy Reconstruction Mask to nourish and the Heat Protection Mist to use before I use heat on my hair. These were also on sale for two for $20, which was a bonus. I also picked up the Detangler brush. Now I know this is a copy of the Tangle Teazer, but I saw it and thought I would give it a whirl. I have fairly knotty hair and it has brushed through the knots with ease. And it was only $10!

I also recently purchased the Elf matte lip colour in Neutral and have been loving it. It is a great nude shade that works well with any look. This is the first Elf product I have bought and am fairly impressed! I would love to know what your favourite Elf product is.

What's On My Face // 3

I can't believe the weekend is nearly over! These days are going by way too quickly. I have been so busy lately with my internship and also working my part-time job on the weekends. It really is a balancing act! 

For work today I wanted a neutral, effortless look with my makeup. I have been absolutely loving the Bourjois CC Cream, as it provides great coverage with a flawless base. The Models Prefer eyeshadow quad has been on my eyes all week. I love the neutral chocolate tones with a hint of shimmer. I like to pop on the top right shade, followed by the bottom right shade through the crease. I was always unsure about using a brown eyeliner, but the Maybelline kohl liner in Chocolate Chip is perfect for blending it out to create a more smokey look. I have always been a black liner girl (and always will be) but experimenting with a brown smokey eye has won me over!

Models Prefer Eyeshadow Quad // Expresso Yourself

MAC Studio Fix Powder // NC30

Bourjois Blush // Frosted Rose

Bourjois CC Cream // 32 Light Beige

Maybelline Kohl Pencil // Chocolate Chip

Sephora Lash Plumper Mascara // Black

Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick // Tantalizing Taupe

What products have you been reaching for this week?

Beauty Bits

Over the last few weeks I have picked up a few beauty bits to add to my collection. I really wanted to try the Maybelline gel nail polish and they had so many nice colours, it must have taken me about 15 minutes just to pick! 'Forevermore Green' is a bright, turquoise colour that would be perfect for summer. The colour 'Surreal' is a more toned down blue/purple which is currently on my nails. These polishes have an ok lasting power, but I do find they still chip quite easily, even with a top coat.

I have been super impressed with the Bourjois CC Cream. This has such a beautiful finish on my skin and really evens out my skin tone. It lasts throughout the day without any need to touch up which has been a bonus! I have been quite sick lately, so the Bourjois blush has been helping me look a bit more alive and healthy!

I think kohl eye pencils are a simple, easy way to make your eyes appear more dramatic. I have been using the brown colour on an everyday basis, then smudging it out with an eye pencil to create a more natural look.

Maybelline Super Stay Gel Nail Colour // Fovevermore Green

Maybelline Super Stay Gel Nail Colour // Surreal

Bourjois CC Cream // 32 Light Beige

Bourjois Blush // Rose Frisson

Maybelline Colour Show Crayon Kohl // Ultra Black

Maybelline Colour Show Crayon Kohl // Chocolate Chip

Have you tried any of these products?

Polished Perfection

I love the freedom that you have when wearing nail polish. The colours are endless and there is always a new colour that you can pop on your nails. I often become quite lazy with upkeep, but I love having perfect nails with a pop of colour! It always makes me feel better about myself. So here are some of my top picks in my nail polish collection. I have the perfect top coat, a sweet baby pink, an essential nude, a necessary red and a splash of colour. 

Cutex // Clearly Speeding

Nails Inc // Elizabeth Street

Mimco // Nude

Mecca Cosmetica // Virgilia

Rimmel // How Do You Lilac It?

What are your favourite nail polishes?

What's On My Face // 2

This week I have been reaching for quite a simple makeup look, but one that I know works well for me. I am currently on an internship at the moment, so my mornings generally consist of me gulping down a cup of tea and running out the door in a rush. 

I use NARS Sheer Glow as my base, which I know will last all day and keep me feeling confident. I have been using a touch of bronzer, just to warm up my face as I am feeling a bit pale in these winter months! I have starting using the BareMinerals all over face colour as a blush, as it has a subtle pink tone. I am not sure how this could be used as an all over face colour, but it works nicely as a blush to lightly colour the cheeks. 

On my eyes I have been loving the Chi Chi eyeshadow quad. The colours look quite shimmery, but once they are on the eyelid they look really pretty and subtle. I have been using the brown in the crease and lightly running the pink all over the lid. I love a liquid liner and honestly could not live without one. I just love the shape it gives my eyes and it looks so sleek and elegant. I have always worn a liquid liner and I think I am fairly confident applying it, as long as I have a steady hand!

I like to finish off my look with a few coats of mascara and a subtle pink lip to match my natural lip colour. Have you used any of these products?

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation // Mont Blanc

Rimmel Natural Bronzer // Sun Bronze

Bare Minerals All Over Face Colour // Love Radiance

Chi Chi Eyeshadow Quad // Paparazzi Princess

Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner // Black

Sephora Lash Plumper Mascara // Black

MaxFactor Colour Elixir Lipstick // Stardust Pink

Weekly Jewels

If there is one thing that I think completes an outfit, it is jewellery. I am jewellery obsessed and cannot take my eyes of sparkly, shiny things. I have worked in a jewellery shop for nearly 4 years while I have been studying and it has definitely contributed to my growing jewellery box.

Lately I have been interested in semi-precious and rough stones. I love amethyst, turquoise and rose quartz crystals and have been searching for one off items that are unique. There is nothing worse than buying something that is mass produced and seeing every second person wearing the same thing.

These are some of my jewellery items that I have been reaching for this week. You can definitely see that I have been loving the crystal theme.

Rose Quartz Necklace // Bought on holidays in Maastricht, Netherlands

Najo Ring // Sterling Silver and Chalcedony Ring

Toni May Bracelet // Assorted stones including amethyst, turquoise and aquamarine

What are your favourite jewellery items?

E x

Lust List #2

If there is one thing I am addicted to, it is definitely shopping. There is always some new item that I 'must have' and I always manage to convince myself that I NEED it (I must have been a billionaire in a past life). So here is my lust list for this month, which feeds my addiction and makes me really consider the items that I want to add to my collection. 

Zoeva // Rose Gold Luxury Set Brushes

Even though I have a set of MAC brushes, I can't take my eyes off these. The rose gold is to die for and there are a few brushes in this set that could definitely be useful in my collection. I love the bag it comes in aswell!

Bobbi Brown // Sand Eye Palette

I have seen this blogged about by Hello October and Vivianna Does Makeup and I am in love. It seems like a perfect day to night palette, with a mixture of everyday shades and shimmery golden tones. Definitely gives off a beach babe vibe.

Marc Jacobs // Daisy

Guilty... I have gone through about 3 bottles of this perfume and it will never get old. The black bottle is so stylish and sleek, which makes me want it even more!

MAC // Eye Kohl in Teddy

For some reason I struggle finding good quality eye kohls that apply easily from the drugstore. I can't stand it when I have to push hard on my eye for the colour to appear, and I have heard good things about this MAC product. Teddy seams like a great everyday colour, but I am not sure if I should stick with a classic black colour instead. What do you think?

What items are you lusting after this month?

E x

Weekly Pamper Products

We all work hard and are juggling so many things at once, which means it is important to relax and treat ourselves every now and again. Once a week, I love having a pamper night, where I light a candle, put on some music and treat my body! The weather and environment can be quite taxing on our skin, which is why it is important to keep it in excellent condition.

Step 1 - Scrub
Natio // Wellness Body Scrub
I love a good body scrub to buff away any dry skin. Exfoliating your body is an important step in your skincare routine, and I aim to do a whole body scrub at least once a week. I have tried a fair few body scrubs and this Natio one has to be my favourite. It comes in a huge jar and smells divine (infused with apricot seed and pomegranate...yum). It is really grainy, as it is a sugar polish, and really scrubs away the dull, dry skin. My skin genuinely feels invigorated and refreshed after using this.

Step 2 - Hair Treatment
Organix // Vanilla Silk Serum
My hair is often something I neglect in my routine. I hate washing, brushing, styling and generally feel like a failure with my hair! I have been trying to make a conscious effort to put some nourishment back into my hair and this serum definitely helps. I apply this to the ends after washing my hair. Not only does it make the ends feel soft, it helps to tackle any knots that are troublesome when brushing through the hair. You only need a small amount too, which means this bottle will last a long time.

Step 3 - Moisturise
Marc Jacobs // Daisy Body Lotion
I love moisturising my body. I don't know what it is, but I love it. Having silky soft skin is a top priority for me and I love using this lotion on my pamper night. Daisy is one of my favourite scents and it gives a lovely fragrance to the skin.

Step 4 - Face Treatment
Swisse // Rosehip Oil
I love using Rosehip Oil on my face, as it gives so much nourishment to my skin. I had previously used a rosehip oil on a daily basis a year or two ago, but lately I have found it is too much for my skin to use it that frequently. Now, I use it as a treat for my skin on a weekly basis. I always am amazed at how quickly my skin soaks up the oil (which makes me think my skin is thirsty for it!)

What are your favourite pamper products?

E x

What's On My Face // No. 1

On a day to day basis I like to keep my makeup fairly simple. I love a natural and fresh face, which is a look I am always trying to perfect. Since buying the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation, I feel as though I have found the perfect base for my face. Even though this is a high end foundation, I love wearing it on a daily basis, as my skin feels radiant and glowing. Who doesn't love that!

I like to keep my eyes quite natural and always apply a soft kohl eyeliner or liquid eyeliner to the upper lash line. Today I chose the Hema Kohl Pencil, along with the Models Prefer Infinite Colour Shadow Pencil. I recently purchased this pencil as a quick alternative to apply eyeshadow. It is easy to apply, with a simple swipe of the pencil and the look is complete. This is perfect when I am in a rush in the morning (happens a lot!).

To finish my face, I always use the Mac Studio Fix powder to set my face and apply an extra touch of coverage to my t-zone. This is also great for touch ups throughout the day. On my lips I popped on a BareMinerals gloss to bring some life to my lips!

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation // Mont Blanc

MAC Studio Fix Powder // NC30

Hema Kohl Pencil // Black 21

Models Prefer Infinite Colour Shadow Pencil // Down to Earth

BareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lip Gloss // Smooth Talker

Have you used any of these products?

E x

Study Beauty Essentials

University exams are taking over my life at the moment, making it very hard to have a social life! All i want to do is get dressed up and go out somewhere fancy, instead of sitting in trackies and a hoodie with my hair in a bun at home. The woes of a university student trying her best!

I have put together this post to give some tips on the essential beauty items when studying. I keep these items on my desk so I can use them throughout the day. Our skin and body definitely need some extra love during exam time and here are my tips while studying...

The Body Shop // Japanese Cherry Blossom Hand & Nail Cream

A hand cream is absolutely crucial during study time. We use our hands for everything (highlighting, drawing mind maps, typing...oh how wonderful!) and it is important to keep them moisturised. My hands typically dry out, especially in the cold, so keeping them hydrated is my number one priority! This Body Shop cream smells delicious aswell.

Trilogy // Eye Contour Cream

I have blogged about this product in my Everyday Essentials and it really is a god-send. Late nights and staring at a computer screen for long periods of time definitely takes it toll on your face. My eyes often become strained and tired, so having an eye cream really boosts my eyes. It helps to smooth those lines under the eyes and reduce puffiness. It is really refreshing and definitely makes a difference to those nasty bags under my eyes

H&M // Tea and Mint Chocolate Lip Balm

My lips are always drying out, so I always have a lip balm handy to pop on whenever I get a chance. This product isn't one I would recommend as a 'must have' product for lips, but I just love the smell. The minty chocolate smell is delicious and it almost makes me want to eat it. But i love popping this on while I am studying, mostly because the smell makes me feel happy!

Extra Tips

I always have a bottle of water next to me so I can take regular drinks. Water is so important and it really is a key to unlocking great skin, energy and numerous other health benefits. I struggle drinking the recommended amount of water per day, but I always try!

Try and eat lots of healthy snacks throughout the day, like fruit and nuts.

Make sure you take regular breaks to stretch out your body and rest your eyes. Sitting in front of a computer for too long can be very boring but also not great for your health. I always like to schedule my breaks and get some fresh air.

What beauty essentials do you use while studying?

E xx

Flawless Foundation

I have finally found a foundation that I am pretty content with. Finding the perfect foundation is never an easy task. You have find the perfect shade for your skin, decide on the type of coverage you want (light, medium or full) and the type of finish is provides (sheer, matte etc.) I have tried a fair few drugstore foundations and have never really found one that sits nicely on my face, as most products tend to cake or dry out my face. But here it is, my Holy Grail of foundations! Nars Sheer Glow is the newest addition to my collection and I can say that I am fairly impressed. I have read a lot of reviews about Sheer Glow and I did my research before I committed to buy it. 

I got the colour 'Mont Blanc', which was the perfect tone for my skin. It is basically a perfect match for my face, which gives it a natural finish. I always prefer a more natural finish that blends well on my face. The coverage is great, as it gives a sheer finish but is also buildable to provide a more full coverage. It definitely leaves my skin looking luminous and radiant, with an added bonus of evening out my skin tone and hiding any redness on my face. Even my boyfriend said that my face looked brighter!

I would definitely say that the Sheer Glow is suited more towards normal to dry skin types, as it does provide a radiant glow on the face. I am all about 'my skin but better' looks and this has really hit the mark for me. I would definitely recommend this, and I think it will be a firm staple in my makeup collection for a long time.

I apply my Nars Sheer Glow with a MAC 187 foundation brush.

What is your favourite foundation?

E x

Weekly Favourites

I can't believe it is already June! Before I have a freak out about how fast the year is going, here is my weekly favourites. I recently went on a little shopping trip and thought I better pick up some new items to add to my collection. 

Blackmores // Nails, Hair & Skin Vitamins

Rimmel //Apocalips Lip Lacquer in Nova

Rimmel // Apocalips Lip Lacquer in Big Bang

Max Factor // Lipstick in Star Dust Pink

Rimmel // 60 Seconds Nail Polish in How Do You Lilac It?

Rimmel // Lasting Finish Nail Polish in Black Cherries

Boe Beauty // Cushioned Nail Shapers

I have had this gorgeous colour on my nails on for 4 days now and they are still in perfect condition and are yet to chip. I was impressed at how fast the polish dried on my nails and it lived up to the fast drying claims (I am very impatient!). I love this lilac colour and it would suit most people.

My nails have always been quite weak and prone to breakage, so I thought it was time I took some vitamins to help. These vitamins claim 'stronger nails from 12 weeks' which I hope is true! It also supports healthy hair and skin, which is a bonus. I will report back in 12 weeks and let you know if my nails have improved!

I absolutely love the shades of the Rimmel Apocalips lip lacquers. I took forever to decide which colour I wanted but I settled on these two. They are highly pigmented and give such a lovely burst of colour on the lips. I am impressed by the formula, as they still give a nice shine to the lips. The Nova shade is great for everyday wear, while Big Bang would be great for a bold lip on an evening out.

The Max Factor lipstick is also a lovely nude/pink shade. I got this because I wanted a natural lipstick that would have the effect of 'my lips but better'. The lipstick is really moisturising and long lasting. It is also great for just dabbing on the lips to create a subtle colour. 

What are some of your weekly favourites and have you used any of these products?

E x