Makeup/Skincare Haul

As a girl who is trying to save right now there are far more products in this haul than there should be but alas I can't resist a good sale and I usually know what I want and wait for it to be discounted before I give in. It's been months since my last haul and some of these are more recent and others are a bit older but all worth mentioning.

Starting with skincare the Origins Drink Up Intensive overnight mask has become my life saver. I spend a lot of time in air conditioning/heating at my work and I've found it completely dries out my skin. If I'm doing a real pamper I pair this with the Aesop Parsley Seed Mask to really cleanse my face of all the bad stuff and then use this to nourish it so it's not so stripped of moisture. It's not overly expensive in the scheme of things for skincare in Australia and you don't need a lot so I think it's a good price point, available through Kit Cosmetics or Mecca Cosmetica.

I believe this is my third pot of the Dirty Works Buttery Salt Scrub that I have going as I live in fear of it being discontinued, it's insanely affordable and a beautiful body scrub that leaves the skin feeling lovely and smooth. Follow with a really nice moisturiser or body butter and your skin will love you for it. I've only seen it at Coles supermarkets but a quick google found two places online that stock it for Australians, internationally I think this one will be a bit harder to access unfortunately.

Bioderma, Bioderma, Bioderma, this wonder product is so expensive in Australia by comparison to France it's ridiculous but fortunately my dad was in France last month and picked me up a 500ml bottle (we don't even have this size in Australia) for under 10 Euros which was a complete bargain and cheaper than a 250ml bottle here. If you know someone going to France get them to leave room in their suitcase to pick you up a bottle, it'll be well worth it.

Face wipes are such a hush hush topic in the beauty world but the reality is that when it's 11 o'clock at night and I've got a full face of make up, I just want it off so I can go to sleep already and I don't care how it happens as long as it doesn't make me drift to sleep standing up. I figure it's better for your skin to remove it rather than sleep with it still on no matter if it's a wipe or a whole skincare regime that does it and this is what inspired the Yes To Cucumber Soothing Towelettes (brownie points for those who get the Glee reference with towelettes) purchase. They're cheap, supposedly soothing which if you've been to a party is always a good idea and will hopefully just do what they say on the packet which is all I can ask for.

I've been in a bit of a nail polish funk of recent, I've become over my nail polish collection and no colour is the right colour but I don't want bare nails. I saw my lovely friend Phoebe wearing the Maybelline Color Show polish in Audacious Asphalt and it looked so good on her that I had to buy it for myself. I don't think I pull it off as well as her but I like it and I'm quite fond of the lighter shade compared to my usual grey polish go-to Essie's Master Plan.

If you haven't noticed, I really love nail polish and it's not often that I hear a formula raved on about as much as I've heard for the Maybelline Super Stay 7 days polishes. The range in my local Priceline was limited with about 8 shades and it's not even online yet but I picked up Surreal, a purply denim blue which I love and Eternal Lilac which is quite a bright pinky/purple and one I'm sure I'll be bringing out in Spring/Summer. The opacity is great, two coats with the really thick brush and your set, I can't speak for the lasting power yet but keep your eyes peeled for a full review.

I'm lucky in that I'm not self conscious about my skin so often I go without a base at all but sometimes a slight amount of coverage just brightens your complexion and this is where the Rimmel Wake Me Up concealer comes in. The shade range is basic but the yellow tones of ivory counteract my very rosy skin and covers The Vein, a dark blue annoyance under my left eye. I wear this most days under my eyes and sometimes on my cheeks if I'm over having rosy cheeks that day. It doesn't crease on me, it's brightening and it seems to last well but I'm very limited in my concealer testing so don't just listen to what I say.

As mentioned before my dad was in France last month and what kind of daughter would I be if I didn't at least try to get a present from Sephora? I sent him in search of the Sephora Cream Lip Stain in Always Red (Amelia Liana and Lily Pebbles are to blame for this) amongst the Parisian sales and he returned with this beauty and a story about the man who helped him find it. I will be doing a full review in a few weeks (there's a reason why it's postponed which you'll find out about) so look out for it but it's definitely going to be a rave.

I've been needing some eye brushes for far too long now, over a year at least and when the Real Techniques brushes were 25% off I decided it was time. The Your Eyes Enhanced starter set contains 5 brushes which cover your blending, packing on and lining requirements which high quality brushes and I picked up the single shading brush as well which is amazing. Having good eye make up brushes (and multiples of them too) really changes eye make up looks and is essential, more so than a lot of base brushes which are interchangeable with fingers. So glad I finally invested in a set and I'm thinking another shading brush needs to happen soon as well.

On the mascara front I've had two $10 bargains that I couldn't resist, the first is a repurchase of the Maybelline One by One mascara which is a daily mascara favourite for the past few months. One light layer and then another over the top once it's dried gives a really fluttery effect on my lashes, it's volumising and lengthening but not OTT and most definitely not clumpy. Mascara is quite dramatic on my mostly blonde lashes so during the day I don't like anything too intense and this fits the bill. 

The Maybelline The Falsies Big Eyes is a very recent launch in Australia and I ummed and ahhed about it until I bit the bullet and decided that worst comes to worst I get a bottom lash mascara out of it. I went for the waterproof formula for a change and it's most definitely waterproof let me tell you, bioderma didn't budge it and I needed an oil based cleanser to get it off and it still took a bit of effort. I've only tried it once but it held the curl really well for the few hours I had it on, it gave me volume, length and was truly black. It's quite a dry mascara and I found the application almost a little scratchy on my lashes but with two layers it wasn't clumpy which was good. A mascara round up post is due on here once I get my act together and I expect this one will be included for a dramatic mascara.

And I made it, that was a long one and was totally my own fault. What have you sneakily purchased recently? Or maybe don't tell me otherwise I'll want to buy more things..

The Want List

Part of the problem with being very active in the beauty/fashion blogger community is that the wants accumulate and for a girl who is trying to save her pennies, the temptation is painful. I try not to have too many impulse buys and go shopping with a plan to make the most of what I buy. The best way I've found to keep track is to have a running list and to check back on it so I only but what I really really want and have done for a while. What's on this list you may ask?

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask - This has been on my list for over six months now and after my first dabble into Origins with the charcoal mask I think this is the next progression. It's a no fuss mask that has rave reviews and just fits in with the budget. I see it as the more I invest in looking after my skin the less I have to in covering it.

Marc Jacobs Baker watch in gold - I almost caved for this at Christmas but just couldn't quite bring myself to spend so much money on a watch but I think it's going to happen as my gap year survival present to myself at the end of the year. My wrists are childlike so I can't even find a bracelet that fits nicely but I think this watch will be the best investment my wrist will ever have.

Urban Decay Naked 2 palette - I have mentioned this previously on my blog before and the want still stands. It's on the back burner right now because I'm quite content with my no fuss concealer, brows and mascara look that's my go to at the moment but I'm keeping an eye out for it to go on sale on Beauty Bay so I can snap it up.

See by Chloe - Spotted on the vlog channel of Estee from EssieButton, this perfume is most likely my next buy in the scent department. I've been wearing Dot by Marc Jacobs almost exclusively since I got it in December which I still adore but it's half gone and I think it's time for a switch up. I smelt this once and loved it (it even got the mum tick of approval), a few more swatches are in order for my final conclusion but it's looking hopeful.

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Hot Pepper- I swatched this on my hand and I kid you not it lasted two days of showers and handwashing before it was all gone. It's a perfect red and the formula has gotten the tick of approval from the bold lip goddess Anna from ViviannaDoesMakeup so I'm sold. In Australia it's not exactly cheap so I'm waiting for it to go on sale before I pick it up but expect a review on here soon after I do.

Black brogues - I did have my eye on some from Wittner but they are out of my price range so I am going to hunt through the end of financial year sales to find the perfect pair. I love the masculinity of the brogue, I think they definitely fall into the 'tom-boy chic' category and they are also really versatile, downplaying feminine cuts and can replace heels for the right occasion (my brown pair already do). Shoe shopping for me is quite hard and it's a godsend for me to find a pair I actually like.

What is on your want list? Actually, don't tell me. I don't need any more ideas.

February.

I was having a little fiddle around on my beloved polyvore the other day when this idea came to me - monthly mood boards sharing little tidbits that I have planned for the month/things I am loving. With February just around the corner I was excited to get this post up to share with you all.

The Products

A few beauty related products are mixed into this and they are most products I've wanted for a while and have intended on getting. Nails Inc. Porchester Square has been on my wish list for a while and I'm reminded frequently when it pops up on Anna's blog/youtube. I've finally found somewhere to source it from though which is a real nuisance with Australia because shipping restrictions stop the shipping of nail polish from overseas essentially but it is available through David Jones online (and potentially in store). Not that I really need a new polish but the heart wants what the heart wants.

Origins Clear Improvement Tube Active Charcoal Mask (wow that's a name) is quite a loved product online and has a lot of positive reviews. It's not overly pricey as far as skincare goes and I have found it in two stores so you can actually for once smell before you buy if you're like me and scent can be a deal breaker. Mecca Cosmetica and Kit Cosmetics (it's slightly cheaper through them) which has a counter in Myer both stock it as well as a load of other Origins products which I am very intrigued about.

Bioderma Crealine H2O Cleanser & Make Up Remover is another cult product which is missing from my collection, mainly because my interest in skin care has only developed very recently. Available from Priceline in Australia, this product was put off for a while for me because of the price tag. Although not extortionate, its appearance as a cleansing water made me hesitant but I am ready to bite the bullet for the sake of my blog.. and my skin.

It saddens me greatly but the Revlon Colourburst Matte Balms won't be released in Australia for the foreseeable future, I can't pinpoint why Australia gets left behind with product releases but it's all too frequent. I however will be pining over them until I can get my hands on some.

I ordered my Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Eyeliner from BeautyBay upon Estee's recommendation through twitter after it made an appearance in her Sephora Haul. She was absolutely lovely and sold it for me. This months project is to perfect my application method so I can start wearing it more and more.


Lifestyle

The job hunt has begun! Nothing too serious and I have accepted that I'll just have to tolerate something pretty dull until I gain experience or decide what career path I am taking but it's exciting all the more. I am super nervous about potential job interviews but I have to learn somehow.

The job hunt all ties in with my travel plans. Europe 2015 is a very real possibility if I can save sufficiently, I'm not exactly thrilled by the thought of youth hostels so I need to save as much as possible in the next year and a half so I can travel in a certain level of style (i.e. not with a backpack on my back). I am looking at Contiki trips and hopefully by the time I am raring to go I'll have a travel companion to keep me company.

The pictures will seem like a more obvious choice when I post the video from the shoot but I have been enlisted to help my best friend shoot a little music video for a cover she is doing. I am excited to have a go and we have been brainstorming ideas to make sure it is the best it can possibly be.

Recently I got a new camera in the form of the Canon Eos M and this month I want to learn more how to use it the best of its ability. Up until now I have been using it like a point and shoot with more automatic settings to ease me into my camera upgrade but with a bit of practice I think my photography skills will improve significantly if I learn what half the functions do.


Miscellaneous

Whilst on holiday recently I popped into a little vintage store and it was the kitchen wear and storage that got me. I am a vintage lover and I think old tins are amazing for storage but also are like an art form, being perfect expressions of the past. A lot of the glassware caught my eye as well which would look very sweet on my mantle or on my desk.

Winter seems like a distant dream away right now as the hot temperatures of the Australian summer have taken their toll but the spotting of Chelsea boots whilst shopping recently has gotten me excited for those winter months where you can wear more than one layer of clothing without self combusting. There are some really lovely designs coming out, both flat and heeled and I think they're the perfect winter shoe and completely versatile with whatever you're wearing.

The last part of my month is a childhood character costume party which I am very excited about since I have come up with the perfect costume which is comfortable/isn't slutty/doesn't look ridiculous/the demographic will understand. Australian 90's kids should know who Nannette Manoir from Angela Anaconda is but for others it's worth a google image search. My beret is on its way and I have to perfect my ringlets for the evening by playing around with rag curls until they're just right. I will definitely post my outfit on some form of social media/on this blog so keep an eye out towards the end of next month.


What are your most exciting moments for the month coming? Let me know in the comments below.