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?

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?

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

The Essential Brushes

One of my favourite things in my makeup collection is my brushes. There is nothing better than applying makeup with a set of good quality brushes to enhance the look and make you feel like a pro! I have quite a few brushes, but there are four that I couldn't live without in my makeup bag.

MAC // 187 Duo Fibre Face Brush
I love using this brush to apply my foundation. It applies seamlessly and blends really easily on the face. I always prefer to apply my foundation with a brush, and this provides perfect, flawless coverage.

Real Techniques // Blush Brush
This brush is perfect for bronzer, as the shape of the brush fit perfect allow the hollows of the cheek. It is wonderfully soft and I love the feel of it when I am applying and blending my bronzer.

MAC // 129 Powder Brush
This is the perfect face powder brush in my eyes, as it is a good size and not too big. I like to apply powder with this brush to set my foundation.

MAC // 217 Blending Brush
This brush has to be my favourite eyeshadow tool. It is fluffy and densely packed with fibres, which means perfect application and blending of eyeshadow. It is great for blending into the crease of the eye.

These brushes will always be a staple in my makeup collection. If I could pick four brushes that I couldn't live without, it would definitely be these guys!

What are your favourite brushes?

E x

Makeup Remover That Works

As much as I love wearing makeup, one of my favourite things to do is to come home, tie my hair up, get in my pyjamas and take my face off! I love the feeling of having clean and clear skin just before bed and I think I have found the right product for me. The last month I have been using the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water in my night time routine, and I can safely say I am impressed.

I always used to remove my makeup with an eye remover product, followed by a face cleanser. But now, I can use a product that efficiently removes all my makeup in a few wipes. It leaves a refreshed and cleansed feel to the skin. I use a cotton pad to apply, and normally use one cotton pad for my eyes, and one for the face, which usually does the job. However, if I am wearing heavier makeup I would use 3-4 cotton pads.

I find this product to be a great night time makeup remover and cleanser, which has left my skin looking clear and healthy.

Have you used the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water?

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

Everyday Skincare Routine

Ever since I was young I have always had a specific skincare routine. My Mum always taught me to look after my skin from a young age and I have had that ingrained in my life ever since. I always start the day with a cleanser, followed by a moisturiser with SPF 30+. These products are essential in your skincare routine and will help with the ageing process. 

On my face I use...

Neutrogena Naturals // Purifying Facial Cleanser

Ultraceuticals Profressional // Protective Daily Moisturiser SPF 30+

Trilogy // Eye Contour Cream

Garnier // BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector in Light

Neutrogena Naturals // Lip Balm

I use these products each morning during my skincare routine. Often I will leave out the BB Cream and instead apply foundation if I am going out and want a full coverage. 

On my body I use...

Vaseline // Total Moisture Cocoa Glow

Bondi Sands // Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk

I moisturise my body each day, which keeps my skin feeling soft and glowing. Each night (sometimes every second night) I like to apply the Bondi Sands gradual tanning milk, to build up a subtle golden colour. 

Do you use any of these products?

E x

Nail It!

I love changing my nail polish colour on a regular basis and experimenting with different colours. I think it gives a finished look and allows you to be creative. There are so many ways you can experiment with your nails, including nail art and different patterns of colour. 

Sometimes I prefer a bold colour, while at other times I opt for a nude/natural finish. There are always some guidelines I follow when doing my nail care routine.

It is essential to take off your old nail polish and start with a fresh base. I always try and take my nail polish off as soon as it starts to chip (which seems to happen so quickly), as chipped nail polish never looks great. 

Once there is a fresh base, I will trim my nails and file any rough edges. I prefer to keep my nails short, as they are very weak and often break. I like to keep the shape of my nails very natural by rounding off the edges. Remember to file in one direction, as it helps prevent the nail from splitting. 

I then apply a base coat. I have been using the Sally Hansen Hard as Nails nail hardener as a base coat. I find that my nails always break and this has been helping to build up the hardness in the nails. 

I then apply a colour once the base has dried. This week I used an orange shade from the brand Hema, which I bought when I was holidaying in Amsterdam. I normally apply 2 coats of the colour, followed by a top coat. I have been using the Cutex Quick N Go top coat, which dries very quickly. It also gives a lovely shine to the nail.

One of my favourite things to do is paint my nails while watching tv. I love to sit back, relax and watch a show while I paint my nails. This also gives me enough time to sit still and let my nails dry! I was watching Revenge while I painted my nails this week! 

Do you do the same thing when painting your nails?

E x

Brush-Tastic!

I have been dying to purchase some new makeup brushes after watching way too many YouTube makeup tutorials (mostly Tanya Burr). I have a set of MAC brushes that a good friend bought me when she was holidaying in America. They were apparently a lot cheaper than here in Australia, but MAC brushes definitely do not come cheap. I am happy with the MAC brushes in my collection, but wanted to add a blush/bronzer/contouring brush and one for applying concealer. 

I have seen the Real Techniques brushes everywhere on the blogosphere and was very happy to learn that Priceline stock them! A lot of the brushes were sold out but I picked up the 'Blush Brush'. This brush is the perfect shape for contouring and defining my cheeks! 

My eyes were then drawn to the display of the Eco Tools brushes. I love the look of these brushes, with a sleek, bamboo handle. The brushes are 100% cruelty free and come with amazingly soft bristles. I picked up the concealer brush, which will help me blend my concealer under my eyes to hide those dark circles. It gives a really lovely, seamless finish. 

It was so hard not to buy more brushes, but I really don't need anymore with the MAC collection and these new purchases!

E x

March Favourites

This month has brought a lot of happy moments, so I thought I would share my favourite things of this month!

A new item to my wardrobe this month is my Witchery ankle boots! I love these tan leather boots and feel they are a MUST for autumn/winter. The colour is something different than your usual black boots and tan is a colour that goes with a lot. I have been wearing these with my black skinny leg 'wet look' Zara jeans and a few dresses (I want it to be winter already!)

I have been wearing two perfumes a lot this month. These two are staples to my perfume collection and are always my favourite. 

Daisy by Marc Jacobs and Miss Dior

Due to the warm weather still lingering around, these scents have been perfect due to the floral fragrance. Who wouldn't want to smell like a flower?!

I went on a makeup shopping spree this month and picked up some new cosmetics to add to my collection. I started using a new MAC studio finish powder. I was lucky enough to have a spare of these in my cupboard, which was received as a present. I love this product and have been using it for about 4 years! It has a lovely flawless, matte, full coverage finish. This makes it easy to apply and always makes me feel good!

I found a new brand called Models Prefer, which was reasonably well-priced and had cute, compact packaging. I bought a cherry pink lipstick, four colour bronzer, four colour eyeshadow palette and a blush. I needed a new bronzer and wanted a few extra colours for eyeshadow. The eyeshadow colours are great, very earthy and natural tones. 

I am obsessed with bunnies at the moment! Easter is coming and there are bunnies everywhere in the shops. They are so adorable. So I was super surprised when my boyfriend bought me this adorable bunny backpack from Seed! It was such a sweet gesture and I was not expecting it. It made me so happy. Look how cute it is!



My favourite drink of this month is 'Charlie's Lemonade Quencher'. It tastes amazing! It really is like an old fashioned lemonade you would find at a homemade lemonade stand. 

I hope next month brings many more favourites!

E x

Weekend Joys

This weekend was actually an excellent weekend. Despite being a tough and mind numbing week, I was able to get out of that head space and enjoy myself. Sometimes in life, you have to appreciate the smallest things and not take everything for granted. Letting go of things is somewhat refreshing and I think I am beginning to learn how to do that. It is something I definitely need to work on in order to improve myself, but I think I finally understand it. 

The first would be the satisfying task of cleaning out my makeup and organising it! Some people might find this a mundane task but I absolutely love it. I bought some new makeup and decided I would reorganise my containers. I find having my makeup set out like this is a lot easier than storing it all in my makeup bag (which I used to do). 

Saturday was such a beautiful day it would have been a crime not to go on a picnic! The weather was amazing, the sun was shining and it made me feel very happy. I was excited to see Jordan and wanted to go do something different. So I packed a few goodies, like dip, crackers, strawberries and some homemade muffins into a bag and set out on a picnic. We went to Oatley park and sat down by the water. It was nice just to soak up some rays and spend some quality time together. And the food was delish. 

We had plans to go out for dinner on Saturday night, to a burger restaurant in Surry Hills. We have been meaning to go for a while and finally got the chance to go. The restaurant is called Chur Burger and I am definitely glad we went! The burgers were delicious and the atmosphere was excellent. I had a cheeseburger, Jordan had a pulled pork burger and we shared chilli flake chips. We also had milkshakes which was the perfect combination with our burgers. I had a Milo milkshake and Jordan had the salted caramel. So good.

Sunday I worked at the jewellery shop. Not a bad day, seeing as I bought a new Pandora ring to stack with my other rings. I purchased the ring on top of the other two and I think it compliments my stack nicely. I often like to buy small pieces, either just because I want it or just to reward myself. That is why we work isn't it!?

I am going to try and keep posting these parts of my life and sharing different moments on here. I hope I can keep this up and have something to look back on!

E x