TOM FORD LIP COLOR

I finally did it. I bought my very first Tom Ford lipsticks! Woohoo!!
I've wanted these for the longest time now, but had my reservations because they are RIDICULOUSLY expensive here in Australia (and in general all over the world I believe). I'm still recovering from the damage this purchase had on my bank account, but I'm so happy to finally get my hands on these. Now let's get ready for some lipstick loving!

First off, let's appreciate the packaging because it is simply gorgeous. I love the bold clean lines on the edges and the clash of black with the gold. The weight of the encasing is slightly heavy, especially for a lipstick, but I feel this adds to the value of the product. The overall look is super luxurious, chic and timeless.

Jump for swatches!

MY TOP 5 DRUGSTORE LIPSTICKS

I'm not sure if I'm going to start a whole series with these 'top 5' posts (see my top 5 foundations here), but I knew from the very start that I just had to do a lipstick edition. It was WAY too hard to do an overall for everything in my lipstick stash, so I'm going to split it into 2 categories - drugstore and high end - be on the look out for the high end post to come soon! It still took me a lot of going back and forth to make up the list, but here goes!

Again, these are in no particular order.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Creme in 680 Temptress
I've worn this lipstick to death, mainly to work, it's such a great 'it-goes-with-everything' shade! Despite the creamy formula, which sits very comfortably on my lips, Temptress does not apply too opaque, so my natural lip colour seeps through ever so slightly. I'm not generally drawn to soft pink lipsticks, but this one blends in well with my skin tone, so it gets a lot of love from me!

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in 027 Juicy Papaya
Continuing on with the Revlon love, is of course, the famous lip butters. I actually wasn't too drawn into the hype at the beginning, but have repeatedly reached for them overtime, much to my own surprise. It was a hard choice between Juicy Papaya and Tutti Frutti (because I love my corals and oranges), but Juicy Papaya wears a lot softer so it's something I can wear anytime of the week, and it goes with pretty much everything!

Jump for more!

MY ESSENTIAL MAKEUP BRUSHES

I've travelled quite a bit this year, and these brushes are the ones I seem to always have around with me - I know there's quite a few! I do switch it up between them when I'm at home, mainly because it means I don't have to wash each brush straightaway after every use. I think I have a good balance of less expensive to high end brushes, but I believe a good brush is worth a little investment as it should last years and years. What are some of your essential/favourite makeup brushes? ;)

(L-R: Sigma Flat Kabuki F80, Chanel Foundation Brush #6, Real Techniques Contour Brush, Sephora Pro Precision Blush Brush #73 and Zoeva Luxe Sheer Cheek Brush #127)

Sigma Flat Kabuki F80 & Chanel Foundation Brush #6

My 2 favourite foundation brushes - and I refuse to pick between the two! :P I find the Sigma kabuki great for everyday use because it spreads liquid foundation very evenly and does not require a lot of strokes to blend the product into the skin. I grab the Chanel foundation brush when I need to build up coverage, and it's great for manoeuvring around intricate areas on the face. I haven't had much luck with flat foundation brushes up until this point, the application tends to be streaky (this may vary with different foundations) but the Chanel foundation brush is so densely packed that it blends product very easily. Like most foundation brushes, I recommend washing them very thoroughly - I use the Sigma Spa Brush Cleaning Glove (which I know is a little excessive) but it gets the job done so much quicker!

Real Techniques Contour Brush

I've been quite impressed with Real Techniques, mainly with the brushes for the face, the bristles are really fine and they pick up makeup really well. I don't generally apply finishing powder all over my face, just around my t-zone and underneath the eyes, so this brush is the right size for getting the job done. Another great thing about Real Technique brushes is that they are a great choice for beginners or anyone who is on a budget.

Sephora Pro Precision Blush Brush #73

My go-to contour brush! The head of the brush is quite flat, so it is perfect for reaching in and around the hairline as well as the cheekbones. The bristles on this brush are probably the softest amongst the ones I've noted so far - which is really saying something about the quality of this brush. I really do wish Sephora was more readily available here down under, I would highly recommend checking out the Pro Series brushes.

Zoeva Luxe Sheer Cheek Brush #127

I'm still new to Zooeva brushes, but have been loving them so far - especially the price tag! This brush is pretty much the same as the Sigma F40 (or any angled contour/cheek brush) which I also have in my collection, but I find the bristles on the Zoeva brush to be softer and more gentle on the skin. Both brushes actually pick up powder blushes/bronzers quite well, but I would opt for the Zoeva one!

Jump for the eye brushes!

URBAN DECAY REVOLUTION LIPSTICKS

Urban Decay is one of few makeup brands that holds a dear place in my heart. I've swooned over many of their product releases (I can't wait to get my hands on Naked 3), so when I saw these Revolution Lipsticks I knew I had to try them out. 

The sleek metal encasing of these lipsticks is a much needed upgrade from the original line - the little dagger on the ends annoyed the crap out of me! I really like the gunmetal exterior and the contrast of the purple once you lift the cap, I think UD is right on the money with the packaging of these, it's minimal and very modern. 

I picked up 2 shades out of the 22 that are available. I opted for more natural/everyday colours this time around, still going back and forth on the brighter options, let me know if you have any recommendations! ;)

Jump for more info!

MY TOP 5 FOUNDATIONS

Finding the right foundation can be a big challenge. Despite reading into the reviews and doing the research, I find that I can never really predict how a product will wear on me until I've tested it out on my skin. I've been on a bit of a foundation kick lately - I've read through my fair share of 'favourites' and 'top 5s' in the blogging world, and as a result my stash has grown significantly in the last few months. 

I generally jump between various foundations depending on the condition of my skin and the weather, which means sometimes I will use up to 5 different foundations over the course of one week! It is an essential product in my makeup routine, so I thought I would share some of my absolute favorites in this post. I'm going to try to keep things short by pining it down to the key factors, but don't hesitate to leave a comment if you have any questions. Also, I would love to know what some of your current favourite foundations are! :D

In no particular order…

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation (53)
Coverage: Light to medium
Longevity: 6-7 hours
Shade Range: 5 shades available
SPF: None
Primer I use with this foundation: Various (It's worked with pretty much all my primers!)

My current favourite drugstore foundation. I usually reach for this when my skin is looking a little dry and tired - I find that it gives my skin the boost it needs without making my face too 'shiny', which is often the case for me when it comes to illuminating products. I do point out that this foundation is not the longest wearing product (I have combination skin), but it stays put for most of the workday, so it is a great choice for a day-to-day foundation.

Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation (5.5)
Coverage: Medium to full
Longevity: 9-10 hours
Shade Range: 26 shades available
SPF: None
Primer I use with this foundation: Illamasqua Hydra Veil

The wear of this foundation is fantastic, it lasts from day to night even around oilier areas of my face (mainly the T-zone area). The product blends seamlessly into the skin and is overall great to work with. This foundation can be easily built up to full coverage, but also wears quite natural if applied sparingly. Illamasqua Skin Base is a great choice for flash photography, it contains no SPF so there won't be any unwanted flash back.

Jump for more foundation love!

GIORGIO ARMANI ROUGE ECSTASY CC LIPSTICKS

Hello blog - I'm back! :)

There's something undeniably striking about the look of these Giorgio Armani Rouge Ecstasy CC lipsticks. Up until this point, I had not been sold on many of Giorgio Armani's lipstick releases, but the packaging alone of these had me hunting them down as soon as they were available. I absolutely adore the bold red magnetic encasing - it's sleek, luxurious and definitely an attention grabber when taken out in public. LOVE!!

Giorgio Armani Rouge Ecstasy CC lipsticks are formulated to give 'colour' and 'care', providing high colour payoff and hydration to keep those lips moisturised. Mine are generally quite dry so I can't really say that they feel particularly hydrated after application, but the formula sits very comfortably and does not dry out as the colour wears off.

These lipsticks apply very smooth, they glide on effortlessly without feeling too creamy or heavy on the lips. I find the pigmentation varies just slightly with different shades, but are very pigmented nonetheless. You can see micro shimmers in the bullet of the lipstick if you look closely, but this does not transfer when worn, leaving a very natural and lustrous finish.

Like many balm/lipstick hybrids, Giorgio Armani Rouge Ecstasy does not have a significantly long wear time. The colour lasted about 3-4 hours, though darker shades like 400 will leave a stain that eventually fades out at the end of the day. However, the longevity of these lipsticks is something I'm willing to sacrifice for the smooth texture, so no complaints here.

Jump for the swatches!

THE MAKEUP EDITION IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION

And will be back very soon! :)

I'm sorry for being on hiatus for so long...I've had quite an eventful year - both good and bad - but everything is back on track now and I'm ready to get things rolling again!

I'm still working through a few kinks here and there with the new layout, but I'm aiming to have it all finalised before the end of the week.

So please bear with me a little longer! Thank you so much to those who are still here!

<3

EMPTIES & REJECTS

It's time for another round of empties and rejects! I threw out a whole lot of stuff before Christmas (which I didn't photograph), hoping to organize the mess that is my makeup collection. I still have a few drawers to go through, but my goal this year is to keep my collection within reasonable control and hopefully rediscover all those things I've neglected for so long. Now let's get into it! ;)

Firstly, the EMPTIES!

Lancome Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover
I really like this, it wipes away even the toughest mascara and compares closely with my all time favorite - Chanel Gentle Biphase Eye Makeup Remover. I'm still on the look out for a drugstore alternative, I go through at least 3-4 bottles of remover a year so it's something I'm willing to cheap out on!
Repurchase? Maybe.

Origins Plantscription Anti-aging Serum
Despite getting through the bottle, I'm unsure if this serum really did anything for my skin. I know serums work best over prolong use (possibly years?), but Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair and Lancome Visionnaire definitely gave me visible results after the first few months of use, so I expected a little more after finishing this.
Repurchase? No.

Schwarzkopf Instant Volume Powder
This stuff gives my hair instant lift, but it also makes it impossible to brush through, even with fingers! Every time I sprinkle this product onto my scalp, it would leave my hair very knotted and chalky, and it took a whole lot of shampoo to get out too. I get the same result with Batiste dry shampoo, so I would recommend that instead if you are looking for some volume.
Repurchase? No.

AND in all its glory...

Laura Mercier Satin Lip Colour Duchess Rose
I know this is a teeny tiny sample, but I got through it - a lipstick!! Duchess Rose is a lovely peachy-rose, and the sample size makes it perfect to throw into a small clutch when there's no room to spare. I don't like the shade enough to purchase the full size though, but will probably think about this again later on. 
Repurchase? Not at this moment.

Bobbi Brown Lip Balm SPF 15
This little thing took forever to finish. It's a really moisturizing balm, but just falls short in comparison to my longtime HG Jack Black. This wears really well under lipstick too.
Repurchase? No.

Jump for the REJECTS!

TOO FACED LA CREME COLOR DRENCHED LIP CREAM

I know I'm very behind, but happy Lunar New Year and Valentines Day! I didn't realise it's been 3 weeks since my last post, I've been a little swamped with work stuff, but I'm back with more lipstick love to spread! ;)

Too Faced La Creme lip creams have been around for quite some time now, but I've only very recently discovered them. They boast of being pigmented, rich and creamy, and the formula contains lotus flower extract and peptides to condition and soothe the lips. I'm a huge fan of Too Faced Shadow Insurance, and after reading nothing but good things about these lippies, I knew I had to get my hands on them. They are my very first lipstick purchase for 2013, and despite vowing to spend a little less on makeup this year, these are absolutely worth it!

I think Too Faced did an awesome job on the box packaging of these lip creams, I love the floral design, though I've yet to be convinced on the frosted gold encasing of the actual lipstick. The metal is rather fragile - I accidentally dropped it the other day and already made a big dent, and it landed on carpet! However, at the end of the day it's the product that really matters and the formula is amazing! 

Naughty Nude; a soft beige with pink/peach undertones.

 Juicy Melons; a coral with strong pink undertones.

KOH GEN DO AQUA FOUNDATION

I was pretty much hell-bent on getting my hands on Koh Gen Do when I was in Japan last year. Their foundations have been much raved about and though I was uncertain about where to find KGD in Japan, it is widely available and seems to be very popular with locals.

For those who have purchased this exact foundation from Sephora, you may noticed my bottle looks a little odd (the Sephora version has a black cap), but I do believe this is purely packaged differently for the Japanese market and the formula should be the same, I think. 

I purchased this Aqua Foundation for 4830 yen (around $50 AUD) - this is sold on Sephora for $62 USD - which really isn't too bad compared to mark ups here in Australia. I was a little disappointed with the limited shade range - there were only 4 shades at the counters I visited, but Sephora has 8 shades available. This shade I have is PK-1, designed for pink undertones, which I wasn't too sure about but it somehow manages to fit my skintone quite well. The formula applies on the sheerer side, so there is a bit of leeway if you can't get an exact match. It's also very buildable, and I can get what I consider to be full coverage with 2-3 layers of this foundation.

Before and after application. I have to say I'm having quite a good run with my skin at the moment (i.e. no major blemishes), though my eye bags, freckles and redness still need a bit of cover up. As you can see with after application, my skin looks visibly smoother, brighter and the finish is very natural. I only applied one layer of foundation, and with a little concealer underneath the eyes I'm pretty much good to go. Note: I used KGD Makeup Colour Base (the yellow one) as my primer.

THE FASHION EDITION: WEEKEND WARDROBE

My first outfit post for 2013! And still posing awkwardly lol.

It's a long weekend for those of us down under (happy Australia Day!), hence the three looks. I've been obsessing over my Phillip Lim Pashli, which I bought around Christmas last year through shopbop. It's actually quite an uncomfortable bag to carry - it's incredibly heavy, but also amazingly gorgeous, so I'm not letting go until my arm breaks off! :P 

Top: ASOS, Pants: Random Boutique in Hong Kong, Shoes: Topshop

I think this outfit also works for an office environment, even with the mustard pants. They're great for a pop of colour and are super comfortable!

 Top: ASOS, Pants: Zara, Shoes: Topshop

I wish the floral print on these pants would show up better in the photo, it totally makes the look. As you can see, on top of the bag, I'm also obsessing over these perspex heels from Topshop!

Jump for the last OOTD!

ADDICTION EYESHADOWS + FOTD

I've been thinking long and hard about these ADDICTION eyeshadows, and I still don't really have the words to sum it all up. Even long before I purchased these, I knew they had very high expectations to live up to. Word around the blogosphere is that the ADDICTION eyeshadow formula is one of the best out there, and all I can say is that I completely agree! Pigmented, buttery, long-wearing, easy-to-blend - ADDICTION gets top marks for all those things, and so much more. It pains me that ADDICTION cosmetics are only available in Japan, but if you ever get the chance to go there, don't miss out on these eyeshadows because they are amazing!

Top left: Magic Flute 010P (Pearl), Top right: Fudge 017ME (Metallic), Bottom left: Safari Mode 048P (Pearl) and Bottom right: Ice Wall 008ME (Metallic).

Despite owning about 9084573 earthy eyeshadows, I went for the same scheme to build my own 4 pan palette. And true to those shades, my EOTD is relatively simple, but I think the eyeshadows pair really nicely together. I'm also using the ADDICTION Cheek Stick in Tea Rose on my cheeks and my lips!

ADDICTION HAUL!

Many of you may have already seen some reviews and blog posts about Japanese makeup brand ADDICTION by Ayako. For something that is (sadly) only available in Japan, it sure has gotten a whole lot of attention from the blogging world - and it so rightfully deserves it!

When I finally found ADDICTION makeup on my trip to Japan, I practically threw myself at the counter. Before I knew it I was dabbing my fingers into the shadows, swatching the lipsticks as well as jumping up and down in excitement. I had the poor MUA, who spoke no English, running around the place because I wanted try a bit of everything. After spending almost an hour trying on different products, I walked out of there with 4 eyeshadows, 2 lipsticks, 1 lipgloss and 1 nail polish (which was a GWP). And now all I want is MOREEEE!! 

Mind you, ADDICTION makeup is quite $$$, and if it didn't mean living off breadcrumbs for the rest of my trip I probably would have poured all my expenses into buying as much as I could. I definitely came back from Japan a major ADDICTION convert, and I'm here to spread the love!

Note: I'll be reviewing the eyeshadows in another post.

Words cannot describe the love I feel towards these ADDICTION cheek sticks. As the name suggests these are suitable for application on both the cheeks and on the lips. I purchased #11 Tea Rose and #14 Damask Rose, see below for swatches!

On the cheeks, these are super creamy and incredibly easy to blend. On the lips, they are unbelievably moisturizing, and despite the balm-like texture, the colour payoff is incredible. Now I can't say this for all the different shades, but Tea Rose and Damask Rose wears nicely both as blush and as a lipstick against my skintone, though Tea Rose is slightly fainter and requires more product. As a lipstick, both shades do rub off when I eat, but it's nothing compared to how amazing the formula is as a whole. If I'm ever back in Japan again, I'll probably be grabbing 10 more of these Cheek Sticks!

BEST OF 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! I hope 2013 will be filled with nothing but happiness and adventure for everyone, and of course, lots of new makeup! In retrospect, 2012 was quite good for me, I got to go to Japan, Hong Kong AND Thailand all in one year. Travel was definitely a big part of my 2012 resolutions, and I'm hoping to keep that ball rolling right into 2013! What are some of your new year resolutions?

So I know I'm a little behind (like always), but it's time to make a mention to those favorites of favorites, best of the best makeup products of 2012. Let's get right into it! :) 

Favorite Base & Foundation: Koh Gen Do Makeup Color Base & Aqua Foundation
Koh Gen Do didn't get on my radar till well into 2012. I only bought this base and foundation duo in October when I was in Japan, but these babies have since lived up to, and beyond, my expectations. Before KGD entered my life, Lancome Teint Idole Ultra would have taken the crown hands down, and they are both great long-wearing foundations, but KGD matches my skintone TO A TEE. Lancome Teint Idole Ultra also has a tendency to make me look ghostly in flash photography, whereas KGD wears natural on me all round. Definitely a WINNER.

Favorite Concealer: Lancome Long-Lasting Softening Concealer
I've used this concealer for quite some time now because it's absolute gold in terms of covering up those pesky dark circles. I've come across many concealers that work fine underneath the eyes, but on those days where I'm really deprived of sleep, most of them are just not enough. This Lancome concealer has yet to fail me on any occasion, and I'm praying that it won't, ever!

Favorite Finishing Powder: MAC MSF Natural
One of the things that keeps me going back to my MAC MSFN is how lightweight and natural it sits on top of my foundation. I only usually apply finishing powder on my T-zone area as oppose to my entire face, and MAC MSFN is tough against those zones - it's stays on me a good 4-5 hours before I have to blot away the oiliness, which is the longest wearing powder on me so far!

Favorite Highlighter: MAC MSF in Lightscapade
I've never been much into highlighters, I've always found it hard to get right and have had a tendency to turn myself into a shiny disco ball when applied carelessly. Lightscapade is very subtle and not at all shimmery, it gives me a natural glow and the finish is very soft - even when you tend to be a little heavy handed like me.

Favorite Blush: Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed
This one was kind of a no-brainer. Tarte Exposed took the blogosphere by storm in 2012, and there's really no question to why this little blush is so still popular. It is simply THE everyday go-to, and wears nicely across many, many different skintones. You just can't go wrong with this gorgeous neutral blush!

Favorite Eyeshadow Primer: Too Faced Shadow Insurance
I have quite a few go-to eyeshadow primers, and Too Faced Shadow Insurance has been THE ONE for me in 2012. It does all it promises - my eyeshadow does not crease, morning till night!

Favorite Eyeshadow Palette: Urban Decay Naked 2
I have to admit I was skeptical when I first got Naked 2, my opinion of it was that it didn't really differ that much from the original palette. But sure enough, I've proved myself wrong again. I've since used my Naked 2 a whole lot more than the original palette, it's an essential item in my morning before work routine!