Brand Favourites-Pharmacy (Drugstore)

Hey Readers,

Hope this post finds you well. Watching youTube this week, I watched a video from Mary (alovetart) on youTube who had collaborated with another youtuber Jen (JustJenMakeup) to produce videos of their favourite products from some of the pharmacy/drugstore brands. At the time I thought this would not only make a good blog post but I also as this weekend does include Anzac day, I thought it would be fun to include some Australian brands as well. While picking only one item from each brand was a little hard at first, there are definitely some brands where one product stands out from the others.

Brand Favourites

Australis Paparazzi Perfect High Definition Concealer light/medium.
This is one of the best concealers I have ever owned!!! Its not only pigmented, creamy, blends well but it also doesn't crease or cake. Its perfect for dark under eye circle, redness and imperfections. A little also goes a long way. This has to be the best thing that Australis has produced so far and sadly they discontinued this one last year :( I have one tube left which I usually only bring out when doing my makeup for special occasions.

Models Prefer Smooth Gel Liner in Cosmic Purple
I have always loved gel liners but at the same time have always had a love hate relationship with them particularly when it comes to their pot and brush application let alone trying to apply when you are travelling or need makeup applied fast. This liner is the answer to all that, an automatic pencil its ready to go and its smooth creamy formula allows it to be applied easily and quickly you also get all the benefits of a gel liner smooth, pigmented and long lasting.

Natio Sheer Delight Blush and Bronze
This is a multi purpose blush, bronzer and highlight. The perfect combination of peach, pink and bronze that individually give a perfect blush or bronze to the cheeks and mixed together give a perfect all over face glow. I have always loved a multi purpose product and this one is my most used out of all the Natio products I own. Its not only pigmented but is so easy to apply, it blends and builds perfectly as it is long lasting.  

Chi Chi Super BB Cream SPF30 shade Medium
Chi Chi is such a great Aussie brand and I love so many of their products so it was hard to choose just one. While I really love their glamorous eye shadow palettes and have used them a ton!! I have to say that I use this BB cream more!! This is just a really easy product for me, a real no brainer I guess is the only way to explain it. When it comes to weekends, plans usually involve being outside and usually sun, sand and water are involved somewhere and for me top priority is always sun protection. So the fact that this BB contains SPF 30 means that I don't have to think about putting on sunblock my face first or remembering which foundations work with sunblock the best. As a BB cream/foundation it has a medium coverage which is buildable, It buffs and blends into the skin flawlessly and it lasts all day long. Its a good all rounder that I can just pick up and go.

Bloom Cosmetics Eye Definer in Dark Brown
Now technically I am cheating including this product as the idea behind this is that you have used a lot of products from the brand and even though Bloom is an Australian brand it is no longer found in a lot of pharmacies where it once was. So I really have only used a few products to date BUT I just have to include this one!!! This pencil liner is just so pigmented, creamy and easy to apply and lasts all day. Its a deep dark brown so it gives the definition of a black without looking harsh its great as a simple every day liner but it also is easy to wing out for a more dramatic look. Its great with any eye look and it doesn't go patchy, slide, smudge or fade. I pretty much use it every day and its the first liner I have ever bought a back up of!!! 

Covergirl Lash Blast Clump Crusher
This was probably the easiest choice when choosing products for this post. I have loved this mascara from the first try and have used it in both the black and brown shades. Its the most easiest mascara to use it goes on smooth every time it's buildable, volumises and lengthens lashes all whilst being clump free. It also gives definition whilst still looking quite natural.

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in 05 Silky Beige.
To be honest I do not really love a lot of products from this brand my history with this cosmetic line is really hit and miss. But the one product that really stands out and has holy grail status for many is this powder. Originally I only used to use this to set makeup and for touch ups but I have also found its perfect buffed over a light foundation or BB for an all day flawless look. It gives a light to medium coverage, mattifies the skin and builds without looking cakey.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser Treatment Concealer in 10 Fair
This is a product that really took me by surprise. After seeing it used so many times on youTube and hearing good things via blog posts I just had to try. This is really great at hiding dark circles but also can double to highlight the face as well. The product itself is extremely light and creamy so blends easily but still gives decent coverage. For dark circles it hides darkness with ease and as a highlight its matte, creamy and blends perfectly. Personally fair is too light for my skin so on its own it can look like white under my eyes so I do blend over with foundation for a more natural look that really makes the darkness disappear.

Bourjois Delice de Sojeil Bronzing Powder 12 Fair/Medium Skin
I bought this when the popular chocolate bronzer from bourjois was unavailable but to be honest I have never looked back. From the first use this really has been a great all round bronzer as I use it for both contouring as well as sweeping it all over my face for a natural glow. Now this bronzer isn't completley matte in the pan it has a slight gold shimmer but I have never really seen it transfer to the face. Its just the perfect colour and I have never felt it too orange or muddy. It also pairs well with so many blushes. Another reason I love this bronzer is the mirror it comes with. This mirror moves around 360 degree mirror and is also a decent size which has been such a handy inclusion to my makeup bag. 

Essence Gel Eyeliner 
Now I know I have spoken a lot about the blushes from this range and I do enjoy using them a lot but my all time favourite from this range has to be their gel eyeliners. They are so smooth and even though it does require the help of an angled brush easy to apply they are also extremely pigmented and long lasting.  

Real Techniques Buffing Brush 
I own and love so many brushes from Real techniques and I knew eventually the day would come when I would have to choose a favourite but I feel bad because I really like them all just for different reasons. But as you know I love products that are all rounders and multipurpose brushes this on definitely wins hands down and its my most used brush out of all as I often apply foundation, concealer and powder all with this one brush!!!! For creams and liquids it buffs product into the skin so quickly and easily without streaking or smearing and leaving skin looking flawless. It also is great for powder whether it's buffing a loose powder all over the skin or using to touch up your makeup with pressed. I wish I had two of these and I am hoping that soon it will start being sold separately as the only way to get it at the moment is apart of a kit. 

So that ends my brand favourites would like to that Mary and Jen for coming up with this concept and allowing me to write this post inspired by their video. Go check out there youTube channels they both make great beauty inspired videos. I hope you have enjoyed this post and it inspires you to write/video your own version of this. Its been fun to write and I would love to see others versions of this one!! Until next time happy reading and happy shopping!!!

Everlynne. 

Addicted to Blush Tag!!

Hey Readers,
Hope the weekend finds you well. This week I thought I would finally write a post that I have been wanting to put up for the longest time. This tag was created back in February by Kat from Kitsch Snitch who like me is not only a self confessed blush hoarder but also lover.  At the time Kat posted both her blog post and video  I thought it would be a really great post to write but sadly life got in the way and I wasn't able to really focus on the questions and putting this together. But now some time has passed and I have been sorting through my blush collection I decided it was the perfect opportunity to write about my own blush favourites!!! So here we go!!

What colour blush suits you the most?
Despite the fact that I own more pink shades of blush than any other colour in my collection as I have gotten more into makeup, I am actually starting to feel that the peachy pink and coral tones suit me better. I find they look more natural and pair better with the eye looks I choose to wear and look perfect every time I apply them never feeling I look clownish or un natural. My two top favourites partcuarlly for a special event are  The Balms' Hot Mama and Mememe's Blush Me Coral. But the others you see in this pic Essence Be Loud in 01 Ap-ri(c)ot, NYX pinched and BYS Minerals Naturale in Pinch Me are also well used and are very similar in colour and tone as my top two.

Pressed/cream/loose blush? Pressed and Cream win this hands down. I travel with my makeup alot so I do prefer something that is a bit more stable and that doesn't have a risk of going every where should it be jiggled around in a bag!! I do however have to say that I favour pressed more though as I find I have a bit more control over the application and also it can be just put on and blended with a brush really quickly when on the go. 

Favourite shimmery blush?
This is between the afore mentioned the Balm's Hot Mama and Mememe Blush Me Coral I still cannot decide which I love more the both apply smoothly, blend well, last a long time and look great. Also being shimmery I like that they negate the need for a highlighter which is often a step I skip or a product that I have forgotten to pack in my makeup bag. 

Favourite matte blush?
Essence blush. Love love love the blushes from this brand their matte ones are so pigmented, blend well and last a long time on the cheeks. Which for their pricepoint is amazing. They also usually come in a pallette of two or more shades so you can customise your look. Sadly most of them are apart of their trend editions so are limited edition but hopefully Essence will one day add to their permanent line.  I also really love the cream blushes from Bourjois they are the first cream blushes I have found that are matte, they also are easy to apply blend and the two colours nude velvet and healthy glow that look so natural on the cheeks.  

Favourite cream blush?
Once again the Balm gets a mention here with their cheek and lip cream in Pie. This shade is one of six from their How bout them Apple's palette and it goes on so smooth and blends out so easily going from a cream to powder finish in seconds its so smooth, it doesn't disrupt your foundation when you apply and it gives a gorgeous flush to the cheeks. I really love this one particularly in the cooler months. 

Favourite drugstore blush?

Once again I have to say Essence here for the price they are of high quality, smooth, pigmented, blendable and long lasting. I also have to mention here a product that I don't hear about alot and one that completley took me by surprise is the Covergirl Cheekers. Now this is the only one of these blushes that I have tried so far. I have to say packaging wise and in the pan it doesn't look much but its so pigmented, smooth, soft easy to apply and lasts all day. Recommend giving a try next time your in Priceline.    

Favourite high end blush? 
Again would have to be my blushes from the Balm they not only are the second most expensive blushes that I own but you really get amazing quality for the price. They are easy to apply, pigmented, blendable, long lasting and have great packaging. 

Favourite bright blush?
I own bright blushes but I am too scared to wear them for fear of being to heavy handed and end up looking like a clown!!!

Biggest blush disappointment/regret?
Mirenesse Marble Mineral Blush. I acctually own two of these and while I longed to own them they soon became the biggest regret in my collection. The blushes themselves and their packaging look gorgeous. They are soft and easy to apply but the colours just don't suit me and the formula is a little too frosty and shimmery for my liking. I also find the shimmer goes everywhere once applied. I also had not owned them that long before one blushes glue holding it to the pan let go. This now means it rattles around in the packaging and usually product is everywhere when I open it. The other thing is while they look gorgeous the packaging is really bulky!!!

Best blush packaging?
This has to be the blushes from Physicans Formula and I will confess I buy most things from this brand based on cute packaging alone!!! The two most used blushes that I own from this brand are the Nude Wear Glowing Nude Blush in Natural and Sexy Booster Sexy Glow Blush in Natural. Both open at the front to reveal the blush itself but also at the back to reveal a mirror and brush so cute and so handy!! 

What's on your blush wish list?
This would have to be the blushes from Tarte cosmetics have seen them featured so many times in youTube videos and wish that they where a little bit more affordable let alone easier to get my hands on in Australia.


Number 1 holy grail blush?
This is the hardest question as I really don't feel I have one yet!! I have to say though after trying to clean out my collection and work out the blushes that I love versus those that are just ok most of the ones mentioned above are number ones and ones that will stay in my collection for a long time.


Ok so that ends the Addicted to Blush Tag. Would like to thank Kat from Kitsch Snitch for creating this one, it has been really fun to write. I hope you have enjoyed reading it and if you blog or make videos you too are inspired to try it!!! Until next post Happy reading and Happy shopping!!

Everlynne.

Foundations Purge or Purchase!!!

Hey Readers,
Hope this post finds you well. Today I am writing about foundations. I have always had mixed luck with foundation. Often I will buy the latest foundation to try or pick up on that promises me me perfect skin all day long. Sadly the products don't often meet expectations and often get put in the back of the draw for a later date. More often than not though I forget exactly why I put them away in the first place. So recently on a quest to find my most preferred foundation, clear some space in the foundation draw and rediscover why I put the foundation away in the first place. I pulled out all my foundations in order to work out those that will be purged and those that I would purchase again!!!


Now I know that foundation is an individual thing and what has worked or hasn't worked for me maybe perfect for you. So before I start I just wanted to give a little bit of an over view on my skin type, tone as well as the usual conditions in which I apply my makeup. My skin is generally combination, I have dry patches and my T zone is oily. I also have dark under eye circles, redness around my nose and in between my eye brows. My skin tone is also uneven particularly where my sunglasses sit on the bridge of my nose. I try and use primers every time I apply my makeup but often foundation is applied over moisturiser and sunblock only. On the days I am pressed for time, I generally don't set with powder till a couple of hours after I have applied my foundation.  I also live in Queensland so its often hot and humid.  I also work in air conditioning. Usually I am putting foundation on at 7am and taking it off at 7pm. As you can see my foundation has to with stand a lot to impress. 


Purchases 

Bourjois Happy Light Foundation #53 Light Beige 
I have spoken about my love hate relationship with this foundation before but this time around I really have fallen in love with it again. While it doesn't give me my preferred medium to full coverage. It is so easy to apply, blending flawlessly and when you build for a little extra coverage it doesn't get cakey. Now I know having combination skin dewy finish foundations are not recommended particularly for an oily T zone but it does last all day on my skin and while it doesn't keep me matte as such it doesn't slide and go patchy either. If I powder it also increases the wear time. I love using this foundation for a no makeup makeup look or when I need something that is quick to apply.

Revlon Nearly Naked in  150 Nude
This is a medium coverage foundation that while it does apply easily I do recommend working in light layers and using a buffing brush to really buff the product into the skin, for a seamless finish and reduce the chance of cakeyness. For me it does require primer and powder to the T zone to last all day. But I just love how light weight this foundation is on and that it looks natural. I am also hoping that in the future Revlon repackage this like they did their colourstay foundations and include a pump. The foundation is runny and its hard to get the perfect amount directly from the bottle without excess. 

Maybelline Super Stay 24 hour in the shade Natural Beige 
The claims on the back of the bottle is the reason I picked up this foundation. It reads: With stands heat, sweat and humidity. No transfer- wont rub off. Flexible breathable all day comfort. Oil free non pore clogging. I have enjoyed it from the first try and have already raved about it in a few posts last year but I just have to write a bit more. It goes on smooth, is medium coverage, buildable and blendable. It also withstands heat, humidity, changes in temp. It doesn't rub off and lasts from 7am to 7pm with minimal touch ups. Once again build in layers and buff well into the skin, it doesn't take much effort though to get a flawless finish. I also am amazed that on the hot days in early Jan it didn't go cakey, patchy or slide off my oily T zone completely. Even when I was going from heat outside to aircon inside. It feels light and looks natural. Only draw back is like the Revlon Nearly Naked it desperately needs a pump dispenser, it is the reason I stopped using it and travelling with it as its so hard to dispense the right amount and the top and lid are constantly clogged with excess foundation. 


Purge

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation
I remembered writing about this foundation ages ago and searching through old posts I found where I originally wrote about this foundation. Originally I loved it and wore it every day as I had found a foundation that gave me a nice glow, was reasonably long wearing even on my oily T zone and that required very little extra as it gives a good medium coverage but the down side is the glitter particles mixed into the foundation. I never saw it initially, it was only looking at myself in full sunlight that I saw it but from that first time I just noticed it more and more which just isn't attractive. I have find that as it wears particularly under the eyes and around the nose it just becomes more noticeable in any light and even people have commented on seeing glitter on my face.  As I said before I have had this foundation for a long time and mixing it with other foundations has helped reduced the glitter. But as I get further through the bottle I have found its more a more glittery. Its a purge for me.

Covergirl Tru Blend Liquid Makeup in m6 Perfect Beige
This medium coverage foundation applies and blends well it also wears reasonably during the day only really starting to show wear and patchiness towards the 6-8 hour wear mark. It also has a lockable pump perfect hmm not so much. The reason this foundation is getting ditched the colour. This foundation is simply too orange for me. Whenever I wear this one I get the comments that I am looking very tanned and to be honest never sure that its a good thing. I have swatched other shades but cannot find one that suits so I am just going to say good bye.  


Australis Stayput Longwear Foundation in the shade Natural Beige 
I picked this up during an online sale of Australis and I have to say for a foundation I bought online I managed to pick a shade that actually suit. This foundation claims to provide a natural, luminous finish and last up to 16 hours. This is where the foundation falls down on my skin it simple does not last without powder I barely get half a day before I see signs of wear with powder I get a little longer but I find I need multiple touch ups throughout the day in order to make it last.  

So that ends this edition of Foundation Purge or Purchase. I hope that you enjoyed reading this and if your in the market for a new foundation this review helps with your next choice. Until next post Happy reading and happy shopping. 

Everlynne.

March Favourites

Hey Readers,
I hope this post finds you well and that you are having a very Happy Easter!! I say this every time I start a favourites post but I truly cannot believe how quickly this month has gone March seems to have just disappeared. This month (and most of last month) I have been on a no buy as I made the decision to stop buying makeup for Lent. While my initial intention was to completely sort my makeup stash sorting what I really use from what has sat in the draw for the longest time, things have been so busy at work and at home that I really haven't gotten much of that done. This month in particular I really have also found myself picking up products in my collection that I know work all the time every time some are newer to my collection than others but nonetheless favourties.

Covergirl Lashblast Clump Crusher in Very Black
Love love love this mascara so much I always have one in my collection. I pulled this out at the end of last month when I was planning a trip away for a week to visit a sick family member. I just wanted/needed a mascara that I knew would work every time be suitable for everyday and night. It is a true black that layers and never flakes, smudges clumps. Perfect every time.

Eve Cosmetics Sheer Satin Eyeshadow
I cannot find the name for this shadow any where so I have a feeling it may have been discontinued but this shimmer shadow from Eve Cosmetics is the perfect all rounder. This neutral brown bronze shade is the perfect for on the go and as an anytime look. Put all over the lid, blended into the crease paired with liner and mascara has been my go to look of choice perfect for a work day or an afternoon/night event. I love how it blends so easily and lasts all day long. It also pairs well with most of the other shadows I own.

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream for Eyes.
This was a shop my stash purchase that I had honestly forgotten how good it was. The roller ball applicator is so cooling under the eyes and the product itself blends so easily but it really is a light coverage product that does require powder to set in order to get more coverage. I enjoy using it on the days where my dark circle don't seem so prominent and its also perfect when wanting a no makeup makeup look.

Face of Australia Face Primer 3 in 1 SPF 15
This is the most recent addition to my collection but one that I feel will stay for a while. Its perfect for on the go. I love how it moisturises my skin, absorbs quickly, doesn't smell like sunblock and increases the longevity of my makeup.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel SPF15
This has been another go to moisturier this month. Its light, absorbs quickly. The pump dispenses the perfect amount and it is easy to apply, cooling to the skin. Great for the warmer days we have been having and my skin definitely feels more hydrated.

Revlon Colourstay 24 hour Makeup for Combination/Oily skin in 250 Fresh Beige.
I have had a bit of an on off relationship with this foundation some days I really enjoy its longevity other days I look in the mirror and feel it looks too heavy. Recently though I have brought out all the foundations I own in order to sort my what really works and what doesn't I pulled this out with one other foundation and over the course of a week tried both the next week I turned to another foundation but found myself keeping the colourstay in the rotation it was not long till I realised I preferred using this one to many others. Its not only a reasonable colour match not making me look too pale or too bronzed but it lasts all day and with a buffing brush I find it does't look at heavy as with my usual foundation brush. It also gives me reasonable oil control and lasts all day.

Mineral Glow Loose Mineral Powder Foundation in Soft Beige.
This is not a product I usually find myself using that often as I travel I prefer not to use mineral products. But I pulled this out when wanting something a little different to add to the makeup routine it just gives a gorgeous glow to the skin all while still looking natural. The powder itself is light and easily buffs into the skin great to set makeup it doesn't make my oily T zone look to shinny too.

So that ends my favoutrites for this month I hope that you have enjoyed this post. Hopefully the month of April has started well and until next post happy reading and happy shopping!!!  

Everlynne.