♡ August Favourites 2015 ♡

Hello again,

It’s that time of the month where I talk about my favourite things! Are you excited? Damn RIGHT you are.

August was a very makeup heavy month, with almost all my money going towards new products to try (and there is WAY more coming in the mail, whoopsie). That being said, I do have some nice hair and skincare products to show you as well! Let’s get into it!

First off, my beauty-booty.

Now this is going to sound incredibly privileged, but I have very long eyelashes naturally. Yes, I’m sorry, I can’t help it! Because of this, I have been an avid user of Covergirl Clump Crusher Extensions Mascara for as long as I can remember. It was the only mascara that enhanced my eyelashes without turning them into spidery daggers, but unfortunately was not cruelty free (wah). Chemist Warehouse did a beautiful thing and brought W7 to their shelves, and I found this bad boy amongst the spread:

I didn’t think it possible, but W7’s Absolute Lashes Mascara [x] not only adds that definition I received from Clump Crusher, but also gives my lashes NON-SPIDERY VOLUME.

Whaaaaaat?

I’ve heard that this mascara is a spot on dupe for Benefit’s They’re Real Mascara, if not even better! And the best part is, it’s only $4.99!
My wallet is happy, I am happy, what more could you ask for?

I can’t say whether this mascara has any lengthening properties, but I’m sure there are other bloggers who have tested whether this is the case.

I have definitely been lifting my lash game, so it goes without saying that I’d give a lash primer a whirl:

 

'scuse the dirt 

 Designer Brands is a very inexpensive Australian brand, with a vast selection of drugstore goodies to explore. I have been eyeing this lash primer [x] off for a very long time, and I finally gave in and spent all of my 12 dollars on it.

I feel like this primer does exactly what it should do, which is condition the lashes to prevent any damage from long-term mascara use (guilty). It not only does that, but keeps my lashes feeling soft even with mascara on! No more crusty eyelashes for this lady!

I buy my Designer Brands products from Terry Whites Chemists, but I think they are also stocked in Price Attack, Priceline, and a number of other Chemists within Australia.

Now, what is lash game without brow game?

Enter, Modelco More Brows [x]!

I have been using the same Natio eyeshadow to fill in my brows since I was 13 and, since it was discontinued years ago, I thought it was about time I branched out a bit.

I have always been intrigued by these magic tinted brow gels that effortlessly give you eyebrows on fleek, and I just had to buy this during their 50% off sale. I do naturally have very thick eyebrows (I know, I’m a genetic marvel), but because of my trichotillomania there tend to be gaps here and there. This eyebrow gel takes literally 30 seconds to apply, and makes my eyebrows look so full and lush I could cry. On days when I overdo it, a bit of clear brow gel on top softens out my mistakes and gives me the brows I’ve been dreaming of.

 I know a lot of people in Australia rave about this product and, although it’s bloody brilliant, I do have to agree with the complaint that the amount of product given does not seem to match up with the price. This brow gel is $14.95 for 3.5ml of product at Woolworths and $18 buckeroos online, which is still significantly cheaper than Benefit’s Gimme Brow, but I don’t think I would have taken the plunge if not for Woolworths' 50% off sale. However, I am so glad that I did!
I use the shade medium/dark, which I have a swatchy of next to the following babe of a product.

As I have mentioned, I have been using Natio products for years. We are best friends for life now, its just fact. When I switched to cruelty free products AND mineral foundation, I knew my Rimmel Stay Matte Cheek Tint wasn’t going to cut it anymore. I had only heard good things about Natio’s blushes [x], so I thought I’d give them a whirl.

 

A lil swatcheroo.

 I picked up the shade Peach Glow, and oh my GOD it is beautiful. It’s this really pretty peachy shade that compliments my pale skin tone, and also highlights my cheeks at the same time. I find that it is relatively easy to blend out any mistakes as it is very beginner friendly, but I would recommend putting less on and building up to avoid tears. I have experienced a bit of fallout on this blush, but I couldn’t care less. I love it too damn much.

This blush is $13.95 full price, which is pretty decent given the quality!

We have arrived at the last makeup product (phew)!

W7 is slowly becoming my bae, as their products are incredible for the price. I had been using the ELF setting spray, which is okay, but left a weird film on my face if I applied too much. This W7 Long-Lasting Makeup Fixer [x] makes me glow like a celestial being, and I am totally okay with it. Not that my MOMMA mineral base is overly powdery, but this setting spray also helps to make it look even more like skin and provides a beautiful finish. I don’t think I’ll have to trial any other sprays any time soon!

I bought this baby online for 5 dollars, but I really hope it comes to Chemist Warehouse (hear my prayers).

Now, I know I’ve mentioned my MOMMA Semi-Matte Mineral Base approximately 1 million times, but relax. We’re talking about their kabuki brushes today.

When I bought my full size containers of mineral makeup, I thought I’d buy their flat-top [x] and mini kabuki [x] brushes to make application a little easier for me. These brushes are so incredibly soft, like a little fluffy bunny nuzzling your face (these ARE cruelty free, though). I have found that the mini kabuki is really effective at covering my acne, and also is useful for applying mineral makeup under my eyes. The flat top also provides a really smooth base, so I am very happy with my purchase overall!

The flat top kabuki brush is only $8.00, and I bought my mini kabuki in their $22.00 makeup brush set.

Let’s move on to my favourite skincare product of the month!

In my previous post, I mentioned how awfully greasy my previous primer was making my skin. I can’t seem to find a decent mattifying primer that is also cruelty free (if you know of any, PLEASE comment below. I’ll love you forever). I settled for the next best thing, which was Simple’s Clear Skin Oil Balancing Moisturiser [x].

This has really helped keep the oilies at bay, and made my skin super soft! However, as the summertime is approaching, I think I will need a primer to compliment the effects of this moisturiser so I don’t end up a sweaty, oily, hot mess.

This moisturiser is only $9.99 full price, so it is definitely worth a try if you need some extra oil control!

Finally, some haircare products!

As you’ve seen, I’ve been swapping out a load of products for those that don’t test on animals. Unfortunately, Tresemme is not a cruelty-free company, so it was time to bid their Naturals Shampoo and Conditioner adieu.

Don’t despair, I have found love in a hopeless place with Organix Coconut Water Weightless Hydration Shampoo [x] and Conditioner [x] (what a mouthful!).

I am a sucker for anything coconut scented, and this shampoo and conditioner duo did not disappoint in that aspect. It’s like bathing on a tropical island, and I am its coconut princess.

The shampoo is sulfate free, which my artificially red hair is thankful for, yet it cleans my hair far more than a massive dollop of the Tresemme Naturals Shampoo ever did. Because of how heavily concentrated it is, it lasts AGES. I’m sure this could last me for a whole year without even trying, which is extremely economically friendly for poor university students like myself!

As for the conditioner, it too is very concentrated, and makes my hair very soft in a non-silicony way. It also seems to act as a barrier when I rinse my hair, as no red water runs in my shower after I use it. Bonus points!

These magical beauties are $17.99 each full price, but both Coles and Chemist Warehouse do regular 50% off sales on this brand, so no worries!

And that is the end of my August Favourites. If you would like a more in-depth review of any of these products, please let me know in the comments below! Also, do tell me if you know of any cruelty free mattifying primers and I’ll be your best friend!

♡ Until next time ♡

♡ Products That I've Been Loving ♡

Hello buds,

Long time no blog…Safe to say that I got swept up in the stress of exams, and I am now recovering from my wisdom teeth removal. So much fun!

This was meant to be a June favourites blog post, but I think we’re a little too far into July for me to get away with that. Therefore, this is a post about some stuff I think is pretty great.

DISCLAIMER: I bought all of these nice things with my own money. I’m not being sponsored by any of these companies and my glowing opinions are my own <3.

Let’s get started!

First off, let me just ogle over a life changing make up product for dark circles. I should point out that I have very, VERY dark circles that require four layers of makeup to cover, which is neither fun nor economical to endure.

The Savvy CC Powder [x] in the shade Brightening has literally changed my life.  It brightens my dark circles with or without makeup, which for me increases my comfort level so much for when I want to go outside but can’t be arsed putting my face on. It has teeny-weeny shimmer particles through it, which are barely noticeable unless you’re swinging your head back and forth. Even then you would be a sparkly goddess, so is that really a con? 
Unfortunately, I think this powder is only available in Australia (sorry international friends!). However, by Australian standards, it is extremely affordable at $9.99 RRP. 

Next, let’s talk about hair products. 

Do you have red hair? 
Does it fade like a bitch?
Then you need John Frieda's Colour Refreshing Gloss [x] in your life. 
(For reference, I use the shade Warm Reds)
I have been using this product for two months now and oh my god is it wonderful. Let me start by saying I dye my hair with Schwarzkopf Live Hair Dye ( [x] and [x] ), which is only supposed to last 8 washes. Over a month later, my hair is just as bright as when I dyed it! 
Because I’m so committed, I did a timeline of how my hair looked throughout a month of using this product.

This is the day I dyed it:

This is me halfway through the month:

And here we have me a month later:

Dat study glam tho.

Now, THAT, is magic.
John Frieda’s Colour Refreshing Gloss retails for $16.99 RRP, but is regularly on sale at Chemist Warehouse and Priceline. 


Let’s talk about hair-styling products. Anyone with a pixie cut will know the struggle of finding the right products to do your hair justice. I feel that I have now found a winning combination that equates to hair badassery.

Behold, Fudge Matt Hed Extra [x]:

And Cedel Extra Firm Hairspray for Hard to Hold Hair! [x]

Fudge Matt Hed Extra is literally glue for your hair. I like to use this to stick my hair in its standard punky position and then spray it like crazy with the Cedel Extra Firm Hairspray. If the right amount of product is used, your hair will not move for no man.
 I’m not even exaggerating. Forget the days where the wind is your worst enemy, you now can take on the damn world!
Now, Fudge Matt Hed Extra is quite pricey in Australia, retailing at $19.99 RRP. However, both Priceline and Chemist Warehouse regularly have Fudge sales, so I would take advantage of those wherever possible.
Cedel Extra Firm Hairspray is the high price of $3.99 RRP. I know, I know, you may feel like you’re breaking the bank, but it is definitely worth it. 


Moving on to skincare!

I have no idea why, but deodorants have never lived up to expectations. I have always ended up a sweaty, yucky mess at the end of the day, whether it is scorching hot or freezing cold outside. I decided to try Mitchum Women Clinical Odour Control Powder Fresh deodorant [x] (say that ten times fast…). I have to say that, without a doubt, this is the best deodorant ever. My armpits smell like lemons all day long, and I barely produce a drop of sweat. What more could you ask for?
Mitchum-long-ass-name-deodorant retails for $12.95 RRP. This is a little pricier than your bog standard deodorants such as Dove and Nivea, but this product is regularly on sale at stores like Priceline and Coles for under $10.00. 
I’m frugal, can you tell?

Someone forgot to take a picture~

Finally, the award for best exfoliating scrub on this earth goes to Sukin Super Greens Detoxifying Facial Scrub [x]. I started using this a week ago when my skin had a massive acne breakout in all the worst places. I’m talking mountains on my cheeks that no concealer could cover, which were also majorly owchy. This scrub has literally faded any signs that I ever had bad skin. I have not had skin this acne free since before my Lyme Disease treatment. Furthermore, it reduces my oil production, meaning my makeup doesn’t break up on my face for over 10 hours! I recommend every person give this one a go, it is so gentle and keeps your skin baby smooth! On top of that, it smells like lollies. Need I say more?
This scrub retails for $12.99 RRP, and is worth every single penny.

We have reached the end of my list of amazing products. I hope that these recommendations have helped you if you had been iffy about trying any of them!

                                                                                                                  ♡ Until next time ♡