Recently Chloe Morello announced her collaboration with Ciate London - the Pretty, Fun & Fearless Beauty Haul Makeup Set (which retails for AUD$70). I had never tried anything from Ciate, I understood them to be a nail polish company and had not even tried their polish, but I am a big fan of Chloe Morello and knew I had to have her collaboration, especially after having watched her swatch video. 

Basically, this beauty haul is a selection of hand-picked (by Chloe) products by Ciate. Chloe selected a number of existing shades that she adores and are obviously best-sellers for Ciate, together with a number of shadows that she had the pleasure of curating. It also includes a best-selling mascara and liquid lipstick that really compliment the shades of the palette itself. 

image courtesy of www.sephora.com

The palette is gorgeous, deep purple, shiny, thin & travel friendly and has 15 shades enclosed with a magnetic-close function. It comes with a mini liquid lipstick, a mini womderwand mascara and is housed in a beautiful rose gold, deep purple/navy makeup bag! 

The mascara is the Wonderwand Mascara in Black Magic, it is not too wet and not too dry and coats your lashes evenly, leaving them blackest black and full of volume. I usually apply two different mascaras to my lashes to get a really full effect, but this mascara is perfect for every day as I only need to use two coats to really volumize my lashes. 

The liquid lipstick is the "Liquid Velvet Moisturising Matte Liquid Lipstick" in Pin Up which is a soft, nude pink. This does not dry matte, and does not last as long as your typical liquid lipstick. It does however last longer than your typical lipstick. It is very moisturising and does feel velvety which is where the name comes from. If you can push past the 'matte' part, this is a lip product I think compliments the palette very well. 

image courtesy of sephora.com

There are fifteen shades in the palette, and this is absolutely a warm-lovers' palette dream! The colours are extremely warm with soft browns, deep browns, light purples and deep purples with beautiful shimmer shades. The colours all compliment each other and if you watch Chloe Morello as much as I do, you'll know this palette absolutely screams her! I will list the colours below with some swatches of them as well.

Skinny Dip - light brown matte
Unconditional - soft terracotta matte
On Fire - burnt brown matte
Queen Bee - deep chocolate brown matte
Shine Bright - bronze/brown shimmer
Vaycay - golden shimmer
My Tribe - linen matte
Be Sassy - soft pink matte
Jet Setter - light rose/mauve matte
Happy - deep taupe shimmer
Dainty - pale peachy shimmer
Fierce - cranberry shimmer
Flirt - cranberry matte
Day Dream - deep wine matte
Own It - deep purple shimmer

The shadows themselves are very pigmented, quite comparable to the Too Faced Original Chocolate Bar Palette (which is my all time favourite palette) and are very buttery. They blend into each other extremely well and have a great staying power, even with my oily eyelids. You can make a tonne of different looks using this palette and it is perfect for travel as it is so slim and well packaged.

Have you used this palette? What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!


Where to Buy?

Australia
Mecca Cosmetica $70.00

USA
Sephora $49.00

The Shaaanxo palette by BHcosmetics was one of those products that every person who follows/ed Shannon Harris, just had to have. Shannon is one of the top youtube beauty bloggers currently out there, she is warm, funny, genuine and down to earth with content to boot. When the palette was first shown on her youtube channel, the excitement from her followers was obvious, myself included. 

BHcosmetics is known for its affordability and decent product; this collaboration was for everyone - not just those who had money spare to purchase one of these sought-after products. The best thing? Australians and Americans could purchase the product at the same time at the same price (bar the exchange rate) and the shipping was so, so prompt considering they were probably inundated with orders! 

I've split this review into two parts - eyeshadows and lipsticks. 

The eyeshadows are highly pigmented, blend so easily and are creamy, considering this product is 'drugstore' and affordable, the product within is definitely up there. The best thing about this palette is that the colours are so wearable, but also a little out-there too depending on your general look. Shannon and BH definitely combined the best colours within this palette, and it just screams for use. There are a few 'highlight' shades, beautiful transition colours, and some darker colours to really amp up a look for the night-time (or day, you do you!). 

At first glance, I was a little worried about a couple of the colours, I am very neutral and don't tend to really deviate from neutral, warm colours, but once swatched I realised these colours were not scary at all and could really make a look. I often go straight for the reddish / teracotta colour and wear it alone which really makes for a different look, but totally wearable. 

The best thing?

You have the best travel palette, as it comes with beautiful eyeshadow shades, AND lipsticks for every occasion! 

There are a variety of lipstick shades to choose from, from neutral nudes to dark plums and cherry red/pink. I have not yet dared to try the brilliant pink or orange shades, but am very fond of the nudes, light pinks and berry tones. The best part of this palette, is depending on your mood and overall makeup look, you can choose from 9 different lip colours to really finish your look, and is (as I said above) perfect for travelling for this very reason - I never carry 9 lipsticks with me when travelling and only pack my 3 favourite nudes and pinks, until now! 

 

Shannon and BHcosmetics have absolutely out-done themselves with this palette. The eyeshadows are pigmented, the lipsticks are pigmented, each shade compliments another and really complete a look for the most affordable price. This is my new travel companion and an absolute go-to for me. Anything that has Shannon's name against it, is well worth the money and hype. Outstanding.

Where to buy?

Online
BHcosmetics Shaaanxo Palette $22.00 shop here 

After hearing a lot of positive comments about this little beauty, I forked out the money, bit the bullet and purchased it from my local David Jones store. The Soleil Tan De Chanel is a creamy, light and airy gel formula that glides onto the skin effortlessly for a natural, sunkissed bronze-glow. You can use under foundation, over foundation or alone for a natural finish. 

Upon opening it, you expect a beautiful chocolate-y scent (I mean, look at that swirl, it looks like melted chocolate!) however (and slightly disappointing to me, since I am in love with the Too-Faced chocolate range) you are left with a soft, gentle perfume-y scent. Swatching this product was so hard, because I didn't want to ruin the swirl. 

The product is a natural, bronze colour with a creamy-gel radiance. Paired with a dense brush the finish is amazing, whether alone on bare skin or on top of foundation, it truly looks as though you have just been in the sun during the summertime and have natural, radiant colour to your face. 

The product packaging itself feels so luxurious, of course it's Chanel so you couldn't expect any less, with its iconic Chanel logo. 

I do think this product is very pricey and I do think there are other products out there which probably do the same thing, but sometimes high-end products just cannot be beat, and this in my opinion, is one of those products. 

Where to buy?

Australia
David Jones Soleil Tan De Chanel $69.00 shop here 

Amercia
Nordstrom Soleil Tan De Chanel $50.00 shop here 

The much hyped about Jaclyn Hill x Becca Cosmetics face palette finally reached Australian shores and I knew I just had to have it. I already had the original Champagne Pop highlighter compact and use it on the regular, it leaves a beautiful highlight wherever it is placed, and after having seen so many US customers rave about the face palette, I was always going to get it. Unfortunately this collaboration was marred with negativity due to the eyeshadow palette of which I cannot weigh in due to not having had the chance to purchase or try it - Australia never got this palette at all. 

The one (and only) negative to this whole collaboration is the fact that America gets all releases first, despite this company starting in Australia - it often feels as though the company's Australian roots are long forgotten in the overall success of their business. Especially when it comes to the price, it is almost 70% more expensive in Australia compared to America. Needless to say, I can be a proud Australian knowing that this hugely successful company came about from another Australian, not to mention that it means anybodies dream can be a reality just as long as the effort and desire is there.   

The moment you pick up the product, it feels high-end and luxurious. The packaging is heavy and a beautiful golden colour - of course a reflection of the product inside! Once you open the packaging and slip the well packed palette out into your hands, the luxuriousness absolutely increases. The palette itself is heavy, it's got a beautiful clasp, and it is clean and crisp. When you open it, the mirror is huge and the palette itself is golden and reflective. It truly is a well-made, well-thought out product, just screaming for you to swatch it. 

The palette has three blushes and two highlighters - although the first blush has a beautiful shimmer to it as well and would be called a luminous blush. The colours in the swatches above are listed from Top-Bottom, Left-Right: Rose-Spritz, Amaretto, Pamplemousse. Champagne Pop, Prosecco Pop. The colours all scream summer, and are just absolutely beautiful. They are highly pigmented, glide onto the skin and look so gorgeous when layered on your skin. Each product compliments each other and works so well with one another.

Amaretto is definitely one of my favourites, it is so earthy and neutral and is all that I want in a blush. Whilst in some cases I love a pinky bright blush, lately I have been all about the bronze, neutral and earthy colours. It is winter at the moment, and I think I am just craving the warmth of a bronze, earthy blush. When applying, definitely tap your brush and only apply the smallest amount (unless you are after a strong blush, then you do you) - as I said above, these are highly pigmented which is absolutely what you want in a high-end product. There is nothing worse than a product that lacks any pigmentation and is a pain to blend. 

This palette is limited edition, so if you want to add it to your collection, you best be quick before it sells out! 

Where to buy?

Australia
Sephora Becca x Jaclyn Hill Face Palette AU$89.00

America
Sephora Becca x Jaclyn Hill Face Palette US$52.00  (sold out :( sorry)


If you have this product or can weigh in on the eyeshadow palette, I'd love to hear from you - leave a comment below xo

Clockwise - Back Applicator, 2Hr Express Deluxe Bronzing Mousse, Applicator Mitt.

This little product is the number one tanning product in the industry. Loving Tan appeals to its market, not just for the beautiful packaging, great deals and discounts, but because of that beautiful, glowing, natural tan it gives. Some sunless tanners really leave a terrible colour on your skin, it looks unnatural, sometimes yellow and sometimes even a gross kind of green.

I bought this product based on a number of recommendations by people who self-tan regularly and had tried many products. It was affordable, and arrived very quickly. This product can now be bought from many different online stores, including their own, and that's what makes it so ideal - it's availability! As well as the self-tanner, I got the applicator mitt and the back applicator (which, if you have long arms, or a boyfriend/girlfriend/friend handy, you won't need!).

  I have a boyfriend handy, and he comes in great use when it comes to applying my tan - it's actually quite possible my back and shoulders look 99% better than the rest of my body which would definitely come down to his application of it - he's a natural!

I bought the 2 HR Express Deluxe Bronzing Mousse in the shade Medium. The 2 HR Express comes in two shades, Medium and Dark - I am not a regular self-tanner and as I am generally quite fair, I did not want to go all-out with the dark shade! Loving Tan also comes in a standard, 6 HR Deluxe Bronzing Mousse, which comes in Medium, Dark and Ultra Dark (they also do other products which look amazing but I have not yet tried).

I apply the tan as would any other person, and there are a million and one tips and tricks out there which you can find on youtube and other blogs, so I won't write about my technique except to say that I moisturise the heck out of my hands, knees, ankles, elbows and feet before applying. I also put a very tiny amount of tan on my hands and feet so that it doesn't look funny. 

This tan leaves a beautiful, natural, olive-bronze look to my skin and lasts about a week on me and my skin. It's a definite favourite, and one I always reach for when I want a bronzed look in winter, or, of course, summer. 

Knobby Knees - Moon Tan / Loving Tan comparison.

Where to buy?

Australia
Loving Tan 

Everywhere else
Loving Tan 

image source: www.catsthemusical.com

Last month I went with my mum to see CATS the amazing show based on T.S Eliot's "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats" the tickets were a gift and I am not sure we would have gone otherwise which would have been a total loss. I used to go to musicals a lot during high school because I was studying drama and that was part of our course (a perk of our course actually!) - any kind of stage production was a total dream to me and I enjoyed every single one I went to, particularly "The Man from Muckinupin" which coincidentally (or not) was a production we actually performed at school in my final year and of which I had a major role. 

The Tickets!

We were lucky to have the seats we had as we had an incredible view of the stage, which was dressed with a set that was absolutely purfect and was designed in such a way that it consistently surprised us throughout the show with new additions or amazing stage entrances! Whoever did the set design really did an amazing job and it added tenfold to the performance itself. The musical was held at a common place for stage performances and productions - Burswood Theatre at the Crown Casino. I have gone to many shows at this location and have enjoyed them all, but none surprisingly as much as this one. I had no idea what I was in for, so seeing the stage dressed the way it was was meant nothing to me and I was excited from the get-go. 

Terrible quality photo, but our seats were great & the set design was incredible.

The set is a larger-than-life junkyard that the cats all come to play at. The cats are actually Jellicle Cats and they all come out to play at a particular time of the year for something that is known as the "Jellicle Ball" - different cats have different stories and each story is crazier than the next, with singing (musical score by Andrew Lloyd Webber) and absolutely awe-striking costumes and dancing their voices ring out and make music in your ears while their beautiful, catty costumes really enhance the performance. Each cat performs for their leader, the wise Old Deuteronomy and there is some hilarious wit and jokes throughout the entire performance. 

Image source: www.catsthemusical.com 

 Delta Goodrem had been confirmed to play the Australian shows, however it was not Goordrem who played the role of Grizabella in Perth, it was in fact Delia Hannah and she was absolutely amazing. I had thought I would have preferred Goodrem purely because I enjoy her music and voice outside of musicals, but I was pleasantly surprised at the way Hannah portrayed Grizabella and sang her heart out. Hannah's performance of Memory was the only part of the entire production which I was expecting as I had heard about it many times, and even knew the song prior to the show, however her performance was above my expectations and really swept me away with the intensity and rawness of the entire song, it really left me quite emotional.

While all the cats and performances were incredible, including that of Grizabella it was none other than Mr Mistoffelees, played by Christoper Favaloro, who took my heart and impressed me the most. Mr Mistoffelees performed a magical conjuring act, he is an illusionist cat who dazzles the rest of the Jellicle Cats and absolutely enchanted me with his surreal tricks. I was awe-struck watching him dance, with absolutely insane choreography, and Favaloro made it look so easy! When I left the show I was in love with Mr Mistofelees and his song was stuck in my head for days afterwards. There was never a cat so clever as Magiacl Mr Mistoffelees!

Image source: www.catsthemusical.com

If you hadn't seen the show, I feel sorry for you, because it was incredible and if you still have the chance to see it, I highly, highly recommend it. I give it 4/5 stars!

Now, I leave you with Goodrem's performance of Memory, the most iconic of all songs.

Sunset by the pool, over the beach.

It was a nice surprise when we got to go to Bali earlier in March, however much I am afraid of flying. I suffer severe flight anxiety so even the short trip (3 or so hours) was terrifying for me and the thought of being in Bali and away from home was also a cause for my anxiety to rise and lodge itself in my throat. Instead of the build-up to my trip being exciting, I was not counting down the days, instead I was panicking about the flight ahead. When I arrived I had a great time, until I realised to get home I'd have to board a plane again! Despite my flight anxiety, it was a really great trip albeit seriously humid. 

The climate in Bali is tropical and the weather was incredibly humid - the wet, sticky kind of humid. It was beautiful except for the fact I felt like my lungs were full of water and my hair was frizzy (which never happens??) but since I spent most of the time in the pool, this did not matter a great deal. Makeup and nice clothes were definitely optional due to the humidity but I was not out to impress, just relax! 

Below are some photos of my time away, it was beautiful!

View of the beach from the hotel restaurant

Hello waterfall! 

I had to take a photo of this little boat.

Why so Koi? 

Obligatory "Legs in Shot" by the pool!

Eyebrows are a thing. They never used to be a thing, and they definitely never used to be a thing to me! Now they are a big thing, and since I have started caring for my brows and using products on them, they have never looked better & I have never felt better about my brows and my overall facial shape! I use several different products depending on different factors; am I late? do I want bushy brows? do I want perfectly done brows? do I want both of the above? I am also a bit of a brow-product fiend, I love trying new things on them, because they are easy to fix if something doesn't look right! 

 My go-to for my brows on an every day basis is my trusty pencil! This is my favourite brow product, ever. It is so quick, it is so easy, it defines perfectly and I can use it and be done in a matter of seconds if not minutes. The colour is perfect for me, and as long as the tip is sharp (unlike my photo...) the application is flawless! I find it defines my brows really well, creating a beautiful shape. I have fairly bushy brows, and I have grown them out for years, so the pencil really helps to define and shape them, whilst still keeping them bushy! I set my brows with a clear gel to keep them in place all day (more on that below).

My next favourite product is my Dip-Brow by ABH. This product I bought recently when I was in Sydney, it was a cult favourite, so I just had to have it, because I knew I would love it, and I do love it!

I use this on days that I want sharper, more defined brows than what my pencil can produce. This application takes me a little bit longer than my pencil, so I use it when I have more time (namely, not when I'm running late for work..) it is not difficult to apply with the right tools, and it brushes out really well with my favourite Sigma spooly. I also find that it holds my brows in place really well, gives a natural, beautiful wash of colour and I always set it with a clear gel (more on that below) to make it last all day and all night long! This is a holy grail eye brow product, and I should use it more often, but that is all to do with my time management skills, and less to do with my ability to use the product! (Sleep is important, what can I say..)

 Next up are a few of my favourite brow gels, there are a few brands there, but hands down my gimme-brow is my favourite product. I am not sure this has much to do with the formula of the product (although, the formula is amaaaaaazing) but more to do with the size of the brush! The brush is so itty-bitty, teeny-tiny! The other gels are great products, but the brushes are so large for an eyebrow, that the product clings to each little hair, so any bushy brows become even bushier and less 'done' - this can look good on certain occasions (particularly on a daily basis because application is so quick!) but on others, just isn't what I'm going for. I love the Rimmel clear brow gel for when I use my pencil / dip-brow because it sets my brows without adding any more colour. I love the tinted gel by Rimmel for every day use when I am in a rush and want to get out the door with brows on my face and I use the Maybelline Brow Drama gel when I feel like it, which is rarely as I can't get my head around the brush, maybe I'm not using it properly, but I am so confused as to why there is a big ball on the end of it?? I L O V E brow gels for every day use because they are so easy to use, I would highly recommend these, but I will definitely be repurchasing my gimme-brow because nothing, nothing beats the little brush!

Have you used any of these products? What do you think? Let me know in the comments below! I'd love to know what your favourite brow products are, as I mentioned above, I love brow products, so am happy to try out any others!

xoxo

I am a pale girl.. I basically have a "moon tan" (it's a sweet description?!) all year round, no matter if it is summer or winter, which is both unfortunate but also not that big-a-deal. I love my pale skin, even if it is slightly red and blotchy when I have been out in the sunshine. Occasionally you may have a special event coming up, or you just want to have some bronzed up skin to make yourself feel fresh and summer-y and that's where sunless tanning comes in! I highly recommend never going out in the sunshine without suncream slathered all over you, it's just not good for you or your skin and the pain when you're burnt is just not worth it, I've done it enough times to learn this!! If you're the lucky type who still tans even when slathered in suncream, well, I am just so jealous and you should let me know in the comments below just to rub it in (pardon the pun)!! 

There are so many sunless tanners out there; I was a bit overwhelmed when looking for one to be honest, the shelf was packed full and they all claim the exact same thing, if you're stuck just ask someone for assistance - it's their job to help after-all! Otherwise, before you even head to the store (or buy online) just google the brands because there are so many reviews/videos out there! I decided to go through with buying "St Tropez" in the white bottle, not the black bottle. I am not used to being super dark and don't want THAT much of a change, so I wanted something lighter and more 'natural' for me! 

First things first, as basically every review and / or video about how to apply fake tan mentions, skin preparation is the most important step in this process - and confidence if you're a first-timer! I suggest starting a few days before you want to apply the tan, so you can exfoliate and moisturise your skin as much as possible before tanning which means you have a soft, supple canvas for the tan to glide on and sink into seamlessly! I also suggest shaving your legs the day beforehand so the pores can close back up so the tan doesn't go spotty! Okay, having said that, let's say, one day before, exfoliate, shave and moisturise your entire body, I love using this "Clean Slate" coffee scrub (which you can purchase here) I got this for my birthday from one of my best friends, and it's similar to the Frank Body Scrub. It also has the best coffee smell (if you like that sort of thing!) and leaves your skin so, so smooth! I then shave with any regular razor, and I shower as normal. Then, before I get dressed I put on some moisturiser, I love this Vaseline spray, it is so easy to use and has no scent (this is important!) and really sinks into your skin rather than leaving a 'film' ontop of your skin. 

The day of tanning, I get back in the shower first, wash off any perfume, soaps, moisturisers etc with water - this will help the tan stick better on your skin, and not be patchy or blotchy. You can also exfoliate again if you feel like it! Then, hop out the shower, pat your skin dry and let it air dry for a little bit. Grab your moisturiser, put some on your hands, knuckles, wrists, elbows, knees, feet, ankles and anywhere else you don't want the tan to be too 'strong'. Once you've done that, you're ready to go! Take your tanner bottle, shake it up slightly and spray some onto your mitt (this is something that I think is an absolute must to get a seamless finish!). Make sure you use the same number of pumps / amount of product each time you spray it out, otherwise you could look uneven. Then, just buff (or rub / spread) it into your skin in circular motions - this tanner has a colour, so you can see where you have put it, ensuring you don't miss any spots. You can also let it dry and then apply some more if you feel like you want to be darker in any areas, like your legs for example. 

Then, the waiting begins. Depending on the product, you may have to wait 4-8 hours or if it's an express, just 2 hours. This means you shouldn't do anything that will make you sweat, you also shouldn't get in a pool or a shower or go in the rain until the tan has developed, otherwise you could end up with a streaky finish. The best time to do a tan is in the evening, before bed, that way it can develop overnight and you can jump in the shower in the morning and be ready for the day! You don't have to wait for the full 8 hours either and if you go slightly over the timing that's totally fine too! It's basically just a guide-line and you do you, as always! 

I am not a huge fan of the smell of this product, so I wouldn't go out in public without having washed off the guide colour first and getting rid of the smell. I applied my tan in the early afternoon as I was just lazing around the house and had a shower before bed and when I woke up my skin was bronzed, radiant and I felt super summer-y! 

Have you used St Tropez? What do you think? What sunless tanners do you recommend? Let me know in the comments below!