August Roundup
8/31/2014

August Roundup


Another month draws to a close and August may have just been the best month of 2014 yet. Not only was it my birthday month, but I also achieved some goals I've been working towards for a long time which was quite awesome. There was also a bit of clothing and book hauling, assignments (less cool) and a fast approaching semester break. Here's a little roundup of some of my favourite Nana Wintour posts from August. If you ever want to stay updated with my posts, feel free to follow me on Bloglovin or come on over and like my Facebook page..

New From The Body Shop-Lately I've been loving The Body Shop's products, both makeup and body. If there's one thing you pick up for yourself from this post I'd go for the Instablur primer. It feels like a gel when you apply it, but it leaves you with a smooth, perfected base to apply makeup over the top of.

Life In Pictures-In a continual quest to use my camera more I've been taking more photos of life's happenings. You all seemed to like this style of post so I've already started compiling another selection of images for you.

Hey Lolita Hey-Marc Jacobs eyeshadow offering made its way into the stash and it is awesome. The Lolita palette is neutral lover's heaven essentially. All that's missing is an inner corner highlight shade but if you're an eyeshadow fiend like me, you're bound to already have one of those lying around.

A Swap With Tamira-The lovely Tamira and I did a swap this month and she spoilt me! Seriously, I was so lucky. Check out this post to see what she picked up for me.

Another Skincare Update-Exactly as the name would suggest. Some new skincare additions that I've loved and been using a lot lately. That mask is fantastic if your skin's looking a little dull or congested.
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The Week #120
8/29/2014

The Week #120


The Hairdresser's Trio-For the last few weeks I've been using the new Invisible Oil Primer from Bumble & Bumble, more on that Monday. Spoiler alert: I'm rather smitten with it. Well the good folk over at B&B packaged up this mini set of their Invisible Oil products recently. You get the primer, a shampoo and a conditioner, perfect for any holidays you may have coming up. This is sitting in my faux Sephora cart...

Good Old Fashioned Dessert-Last week Ellen and I took ourselves off to Ponsonby for a bit of a wander and dessert, at The Dairy in Ponsonby Central. We opted for icecream and icecream soda respectively. That soda was amazing-chocolate, raspberry, candyfloss and nerds, and a paper straw. My tastebuds went to heaven that day.

Violet Lovin'-Lisa Eldridge and Sophie Dahl. You can't really go wrong with that duo. Lisa creates such wearable makeup looks. There's never anything too ridiculous about them and they're always flawless. I love this violet smokey eye she created on Sophie. If you're like me and not keen on bright, vivid eyeshadows then you'll like this. It's not neutral, but it's not too far away from my comfort zone. Love

New Week, New Reads-Like I said on Wednesday, getting back into reading has been high on my agenda lately. Book Depository is my go-to for their insane range of books at affordable prices+free shipping. Win, win. Anyway, these three arrived on Friday and it made my day. Kindles be damned..

Treat. Yo. Self-Well on Tuesday I got some rather exciting news as something I've been working towards for a while finally came to fruition. I also got my invite to use the new Flossie Concierge app so to celebrate I booked myself in for a styling+treatment session next week at Dry and Tea. I like my hair colour so that's staying untouched but it'll be nice to have something lightweight with a bit more texture to it. As always I'm dreaming of beachy Alexa hair but we shall see..

*This week's been quite fast. I handed in my first essay of the semester on Tuesday but then it was straight back into it with something due next week and then another on the first day of my break. On to more exciting things though, last night I attended the Lush Christmas launch at Tyler St Garage. There was a whole lot of delicious looking products to be seen but more on that in September. Tomorrow I'm off to the Mac Technique seminar at Fashion Weekend with the lovely Tara & Ellen from Shop Style Conquer which'll be fun. You'll hear+see more of that no doubt soon too. Have an amazing weekend everyone! xo
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August Favourites
8/27/2014

August Favourites


I'll spare y'all the generic 'end of the month' introduction and get straight into the lack of products this month. I was certainly trying a lot of new things, more on that next month and many of these are in fact new and also well-loved. There just didn't seem to be as many products that sprung to mind when I was making this list. Anyway, I digress, here's what was on my radar during August...

Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Wash, a gift-Who doesn't want to smell good? Sure, it'd be nice to have some Jo Malone body products if funds allowed but in the meantime this is pretty delicious. Scent aside, this is also rather moisturising on dry limbs, especially when combined with a body scrub.

L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Mono Eyeshadow in Cafe Saint Germain, a gift-This picture really isn't doing this justice but if you like eyeshadows that have more of a sheen than a shimmer you'll like this. That was such a terrible description but you know what I mean. The dewy sheen that runway models often have to their eye makeup. Go on Style.com if this is not making any sense. These eyeshadows really are stunning-the matte formulas rock too. Hopefully they'll be released here eventually.

Origins Zero Oil Purifying Toner-My old toner ran out at the beginning of the month so I went to DFS in search of an Origins alternative. Now as the name would suggest, this toner is pretty intensive. It's possibly a touch too intensive for my skin but it's still doing the job. If you don't have extremely oily skin though then I'd steer clear of this. It removes every scrap of makeup+dirt from your face and my skin's been noticeably blemish free which could be down to this. Only time will tell..

The Wildwood Chronicles by Colin Meloy-Lately I've been really getting back into reading. It's one of my favourite ways to pass time and has been often neglected so I'm trying to get back into it again. Anyway, these books have been on my to-read list for a long time and they're so good. Yes, it's children's fiction but they're really not written in a simplistic way so grown ups (like me, ha) can enjoy them as well. The story is unlike anything else and the beautiful illustrations really just enhance the books. I'm currently reading the third and most recent novel and I cannot put it down. 

By Terry Ombre Blackstar Cream Eyeshadows-Swoon.These eyeshadows are more on the pricy side, but these are similar, and cheaper. If you are feeling spendy though then these are well worth the splurge. There's such stunning, unique colours in the range. Seen here are Misty Rock and Bronze Moon, two offerings that veer more on the neutral side of things. They certainly add an extra ounce of pizzazz to makeup looks and the lasting power is incredible.

Tommy Hilfiger 'Tommy Girl' Body Spray*-This isn't coming up online but if you're in New Zealand, I imagine this'd be in most major department stores and also at Farmers. Body Sprays aren't for everyone but this blend of lime blossom, lilac and honeysuckle has been my go-to in place of perfume this month. It's one of those scents that doesn't fade super fast and is great to spritz if you need a bit of a refresh. 

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick in Ole Flamingo, a gift-A matte lip product that is not drying? Say it isn't so! These lipsticks dry down to more of a satin finish, hence their wearability and comfort on the lips. This vibrant fuschia would suit anyone. If you're less brave, there's a new nude shade that has that whole Kylie Jenner nude lip vibe about it. Adding to the wishlist as we speak...


-What have you been loving during August?

*PR Sample
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A Swap With Tamira
8/25/2014

A Swap With Tamira


So a couple of months back Tamira of lipstickwithsomesunshine and myself decided to do a swap. If you're new to these parts, swaps typically involve the exchange of beauty products and whatever else you'd want to send really, for instance I also sent some stationery, candy and the current issue of Frankie magazine in my parcel. This is the second formal swap I've done and it's so much fun putting things together for someone else and then wrapping them up all pretty. Well Tamira's lovely parcel for me turned up last week, beautifully wrapped in brown paper and twine-none of which you are seeing because I got too excited and opened it all. Here's a look at the beauty loot she sent me but there was also candy (nom!) and stationery for me too, some of which you'll see over on Facebook. 

As with Anna's parcel, I'll do an update on the products I'm yet to try from this swap so keep an eye out for that..

Marc Jacobs Kiss Pop Lip Color Stick in Wham-Whenever I see this lip product's name I'm torn between saying "Wham bam thank you Ma'am" or starting to sing this little number. How gorgeous is that packaging too!? Marc has that aesthetically pleasing side of beauty down. I've worn this once and on the lips it's more of a coral rose. Beautiful in other words and I think it's going to be perfect going into Spring and Summer.

Jouer Moisturising Lip Gloss in Pink Glace-Tamira must be psychic or something because she clearly knows about my love for lip products. Jouer is another brand we can't get in New Zealand and I've always wanted to try their Moisture Tints. Anyway, this lipgloss is so pretty! I wore it on Saturday on its own and loved it, largely because it was not sticky or gloopy in the slightest. This shade would also look great over nude lipsticks or lipliner if you're that way inclined.

Hourglass 1.5mm Mechanical Gel Eyeliner-Oh Hourglass, you've done it again. This liner is said to be simple and mess-free. According to Tamira's blog, the fine tip means you can get in ridiculously close to the lashline and create flicks a lot easier. It looks a lot less awkward to hold than some other gel pen-liners as well. Maybe my days of cotton buds lining my rubbish bin are over.. 

L'Oreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions Mascara-Another L'Oreal mascara! *insert heart-eyed cat emojis*. I've not tried this before but I've only heard and read good things about it so I'm looking forward to giving it a go.

Sephora Cream Lip Stain in 01-After seeing countless beauty bloggers, including Tamira singing this little beauty's praises I knew I had to have one in my possession. In person it's reminding me of the Mac Maleficent Lipglass without the shine, but I haven't actually worn it yet so will keep you updated.

LAVANILA Deodorant in Pure Vanilla-I have no idea why this has appealed to me but I've often seen it in Sephora hauls so obviously other beauty lovers are curious about this one too. What we have here is essentially a one hundred per cent natural, roll on deodorant. I'm not gonna lie it smells pretty darn good. I was scared it'd smell like hemp seeds or something. Moving on to something less awkward to write about....

Almay Color + Care Liquid Lip Balm in Apricot-This sounds intriguing and again, according to Tamira's blog (good old point of reference...), these are comparable to the Clarins Lip Perfecters. This colour looks so pretty too. 

*Have you tried any of these products before? Let me know what you thought of them!
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The Week #119
8/22/2014

The Week #119


The New Read-Well new to me, perhaps not new to the rest of you. I've been venturing out of my Frankie comfort zone and getting into Kinfolk magazine. Kinfolk concerns itself with coming together and finding new things to make and do. Each issue has a theme, the one I've been reading is all about weekends (my fave). If you're a fan of Frankie then I think you'd love this. It has gorgeous photography throughout as well. Lurve. 

Mecca's Treat To You-And by treat I mean, #feelingspendy offering. Mecca have announced a price drop across many of their brands in store. Can I get an amen!? It's one mighty good thing, whichever way you look at it. Perhaps other standalone brands and beauty counters will follow suit. Fingers crossed! 

Wild Berry Iced Tea-The best alcoholic cocktail in the world. My friend A tells me the non-alcoholic version is pretty darn spectacular too. Vanilla infused vodka, some other alcohol I cannot recall and a whole lotta iced tea goodness. It's as amazing as it looks. Want one? Hit up Miss Clawdy.

Matte Pink Lips-Never not loving pink lipstick. If I look through my lipstick stash fuschias are popular along with of course the more pinky nudes. Lately though it's been all about the bright, matte pink lip and I'm not set to get off that train anytime soon, and neither are the Nouvelle Daily girls. I love this one from Bourjois for something cheap and cheerful but if you're feeling a bit more spendy, Nars' Schiap is fabulous also.

It's Like I've Got This Music In My Mind-Sayin' it's gonna be alright...Before I get carried away with turning this into a lyrical ode to one T Swift  and 'Shake It Off', I'll just cut to the chase and say I am obsessed with this song. Not many songs get me having a dance sesh or two but this one has. It's fun, it's sassy. I love it. 

-Have the most amazing weekend peeps! I've had such a good week. Sure at times it's been a bit meh but hey, that's life. I'm writing an essay this weekend on Anna and Vogue-life is rough ;) and in between I am going to try to film a video. I wish I could get into a regular schedule with blogging and videos but Uni is just making that a bit hard at the moment. I'm also struggling with ideas for videos too so if anyone has ideas then sing out! x
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Life In Pictures | An Update
8/20/2014

Life In Pictures | An Update

I really want to get back in the habit of using my camera for purposes other than blog photos. The main reason I don't take it out all that often is it is quite bulky, especially with the lens on-motivation to buy a pancake lens/50mm lens (are they the same thing...). Anyway, over the last couple of months I have begun to get back into taking more photos out and about+also of life's happenings. Some you may have seen already, as I like to use SLR photos on my Instagram where I can (personal preference) but many you won't have. Enjoy this little look at life recently..









*Sick days in bed back in July. *The makeup selection from Saturday night. I love the Lolita palette. It's a one stop shop for eyeshadow looks. *Dessert at Miss Clawdy on Saturday-a cookie sandwich with chocolate milk. SO GOOD. *The drink I had from Miss Clawdy-Wild Berry Iced Tea. The nicest cocktail ever, I'm sure many of my friends are sick about hearing of this now. *My little kitty cat. She's just too adorbs. *My wall, pardon the blu tack marks. It's such a real mishmash of things from my pinboard to magazine+calendar tears but I love it. My pinboard needs a real update though-it's been months! 

-I hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know if you'd like to see more of this type of thing in future! x
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Mail From Anna!
8/18/2014

Mail From Anna!


It was one rather exciting day last week when this parcel from Anna of Vivianna Does Makeup turned up for me. Anna and I have been exchanging emails and tweets back and forth for a while now so it was really awesome to get mail from her+also put together some things to send over to her as well. There were a couple of products I had requested, sadly Royal Mail destroyed the Barry M polishes, but the rest survived, along with some UK drugstore products that Anna threw in. It's safe to say I was feeling rather spoilt basically! I'll give you the scoop on what I was sent and also some mini reviews. I've not had time to try everything yet but I'll give you an update next month..

Martha Stewart Home Notebook-The bloggers essential basically. As you can see I've divided this up into all the various sections so I can better organise my blog posts and videos, keep track of what products I have to try and want to review etc. Maybe once I start using this properly I'll do a post on blog organisation or something.

Real Techniques Complexion Sponge-You can't really see this, as it's hiding away in the bottom corner of this photo but I was excited to see this as I nearly bought one at a pharmacy here the other day. Dubbed an alternative to the ever-popular Beauty Blender and great for days when you want a light but flawless coverage. 

Indeed Labs Minis-Who can resist mini things!? They're just so cute. I've actually tried Hydraluron before, review here but nothing else from Indeed Labs, as it's only recently launched here so I am looking forward to trying these. 

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipsticks-Well I gotta buy a vowel because oh my god. I wore the vibrant fuschia, Ole Flamingo last week and it's a beaut. Think Mac's Show Orchid, but less metallic. I love pink lipsticks and the formula of these don't disappoint. They dry matte but don't flake or dry your lips out. You will need an oil based remover to get this off your pout but other than that you can't fault 'em.

L'Oreal Miss Manga Waterproof Mascara-I have heard such good things about this mascara, both the original and waterproof formulas. I am a bit of a mascara fiend so I asked Anna to pick this one up for me. There's a few mascaras on the go in my stash at the moment but once they expire I'll be reaching for this one.

No.7 Precision Lip Pencil in Nude-Again, I'm not 100 per cent on the shade name. Sorry guys! I'm writing this post from Uni as I have no internet at home. I've not actually opened this pencil yet but nude lip liners are often my go-to for accentuating my cupid's bow when I wear one of my daily nude lipsticks. 

Super Facialist by Una Brennan Anti-Blemish Clay Mask-I'm pretty sure we can't get Super Facialist products here but I know a lot of beauty bloggers are fans of this line of skincare so again I'm looking forward to trying this. I love clay masks as well because they really clear your skin of any dirt and nastiness. 

L'Oreal Colour Riche Mono Eyeshadows in Cafe Saint Germain (201) and Breaking Nude (106)- There seems to be both matte and shimmer shades in this range. I love the taupe above all over the lid and then the matte brown for a bit of subtle definition in the crease. Gorgeous combination! If you love the L'Oreal Infallible eyeshadows then you should check these out as well. 

Max Factor Miracle Touch Creamy Blush in Soft Pink-Now I thought this was in my collection, as it has been on the blog before but I must've misplaced it. Nonetheless I'm glad to have it in my stash again. If you've been watching Anna's videos for a while then you'll know this is a favourite of hers.

Thank you so much Anna for sending over all these UK gems! I felt so ridiculously spoilt opening up this parcel last week and it totally made my day year xx.


*Have you tried any of these products before? 
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The Week #118
8/15/2014

The Week #118


Every Day I'm Flat Layin'-Definitely not as well as the lovely Tamira but as Siri would say, "I try my best". Anyway, if you want to learn how to create Instagram-worthy, flat layed works of art then you need to check out this post. There's something just so aesthetically pleasing about images like this.

Mail From Abroad-My poor courier driver must've been stunned into submission to see me looking so lively when I opened the front door on Wednesday. The reason? My swap package from Anna arrived. Here's just a small taster but I'll give you all the 'deets on Monday.

Let's Hear It For Tavi-I'm not gonna lie, Tavi was one of my main inspirations when it came to starting a blog. I also have her to thank for The Virgin Suicides being one of my favourite novels and also my fondness for Rodarte and Stevie Nicks.Well now she's all grown up and off to live a fabulous life in NYC! The Cut caught up with her recently and this interview is the result. It is definitely one to enjoy over your morning coffee or smoothie.

The App Every Photo Lover Needs-Dare I say it, but I think Afterlight may now be my favourite editing tool. Don't tell Photoshop... I run all of my Instagram pictures, taken with either my phone or camera through it now because I think the filters on there are just so much better. I also like how you can add light effects and adjust the brightness and contrast among other things. It's just over a dollar if you're in NZ and I highly recommend you get it because it is the best

Cat-Tastic-Cats are still in Vogue. Perhaps it's Grace Coddington's doing? Well now Typo have got on the bandwagon. I may or may not have shrieked at the sight of the cat paraphernalia. Cat bags? Cat purses? Even cat eye masks. I managed to escape with just this fridge magnet but it took a lot of willpower and a rather heavy handbag to stop me from going wild.

*Have an amazing weekend everyone! This week's been great compared to last week which was just awful in all honesty. I've been working on an essay all about The September Issue and Anna Wintour which I'm not gonna lie has actually been really fun. It's also probably the most motivated I have been by an assignment ever. What else..oh there's been a little bit of book shopping happening. If anyone wants to see a mini book haul then holler. This weekend I'm hoping to film another video for y'all and I'm having a belated birthday dinner with some friends which should be loverly. Yeeah. x
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The Handbag Edit | Lost But Not Found
8/13/2014

The Handbag Edit | Lost But Not Found


I love scoping out other blogs, particularly ones a bit further afield. There's just something exciting to me about seeing other places, seeing what fashion is trending overseas and just what life looks like elsewhere. You may remember I had a little nosy through Tamira's bag a couple of months back. This time I bring you Isabelle of Lost But Not Found blog. She takes gorgeous pictures, always has on-point style and she's got a way with words. Anyway, here's what's in Isabelle's Shop Tobi bucket bag...

"While I usually carry a fancier, multi-occasion type bag, summer calls for a more relaxed feel, with a grab and go practicality. Lately, I've been carrying this Shop Tobi bucket bag, which fits the minimal things I require during summer. While my version is rather ancient, Zara and Topshop have also been carrying leather and suede equivalents. More importantly, lets discuss what's in my bag. Clockwise from the left; As with any teenager or blogger, I of course have my phone, which is sporting a donut phone case from Paper Source. It is safe to say I get hungry more often due to this accessory, haha. Moving on, I *always* have to have gum with me as I get bored quite quickly. The 5 gum 'Beta' flavor is quite good, although very very strong. Next I have my Wildfox Couture 'Classic Fox' sunnies, which have survived a lot over the years while still remaining intact. Following, I try to always have hand sanitizer from Bath and Body Works with me at all times because you never know when you'll need it. A beauty junkie, I also always have my Lush 'Honey Trap' lip balm and my lip product of the day which was 'Rebel' by MAC this day. Another small product I keep that could seem strange is an anti-friction heel roll on balm by Band-Aid. I sometimes get the worst blisters from shoes, heels or not, and this product always saves the day. Lastly, I have a pen and a small pouch from a trip to China filled with money for 'out the door moments' and business cards for when the opportunity arises. I hope you guys enjoyed seeing what I keep in my summer bag!"

-What are your handbag staples? Who's bag should I look inside next?? 


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Another Skincare Update
8/11/2014

Another Skincare Update


I've always been a bit of a skincare skeptic, having dealt with some rather awful acne during high school and then being recommended products by beauticians that just wreaked havoc. It wasn't until I really started to do my own research (with a little help from Ms Hirons) and figured out what works best for my skin that I really began to see the benefits. Lately my skin's been throwing a bit of a tantrum, as it does every Winter so I've been incorporating new products into the mix and also replacing some old ones...

Skinfood Mud Masque*-Skinfood is a local brand that I remember using way, way back when I was a fresh-faced teen. Since then it's had a bit of a makeover and a rather extensive range of products now exist in its lineup. Now I'll be honest, I was a little skeptical about this mud mask but I ended up being quite surprised by it. The mask itself didn't leave my skin with that overly tight feeling and it really calmed down any red patches. It also seemed to soothe angry blemishes as well. I love using this when my skin's looking below average.

Origins Zero Oil Purifying Toner-My Ren toner ran out earlier in the week so it was off to DFS I went in search of toners, and an excuse to check out the perfume shelves. Now the majority of Origins toners are $60 here which I wasn't keen to fork out so I picked this one up instead at almost half the price. Zero oil is especially formulated for oily and blemish prone skin. It does leave your skin feeling matte afterwards, so dry skin types should steer clear. I've only used this a handful of times though and am already noticing a difference. Perhaps it'll become an August Favourite? Hmm..

Antipodes Anti-Ageing Minis, Night Replenish Serum pictured*-Antipodes have added another exclusive mini set to their collection. The moisturiser is a bit too thick for my liking, so that was passed along to a family member. The serum on the other hand is awesome. It contains goji berry, red raspberry seed and blackcurrent oils which all help to restore and revitalise skin. If your complexion's looking a bit dull or feeling a touch dehydrated then this is for you. In fact, this set would be perfect for travel with its mini size.

-Have you tried any of these products before? What were your thoughts?

*Have a fabulous week everybody! Sorry for the quietness on the social media front. We had a family matter to attend to last week so I was in and out of Auckland a bit and in between that I was at University as well. Today I have classes, an assignment meeting & that's probably about it really. I have a presentation and essay due next week so I'm kinda in nerd mode and half in 'can I have all of the sleeps' mode. I'll be back Wednesday with a guest post x.

*PR Sample

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Products I Have Used Up | The Video Edition
8/10/2014

Products I Have Used Up | The Video Edition



I'm back, complete with my husky Adele-esque (perhaps not so much Adele..) voice and a whole lotta empty products to offer up mini reviews and repurchasing verdicts for. It's been a long time between videos, and I do apologise! With interning and Uni the last few weeks were quite hectic and I've had to put videos aside for the time being. Never fear, there'll be another one coming your way soon. I promise! PS-I'll update the description box later with all the links and whatnot.

Now blogger is being silly and won't let me embed this for you right now but you can watch it here. Enjoy! 
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The Week #117
8/07/2014

The Week #117



The Chronicles of Anna's Wardrobe-Can you tell I'm in a literary mood? Note the alliteration further down this post...Anyway, over on VDM  it is Wardrobe Week. What does that entail? Well, a closet reshuffle to start things off. You know the drill, if you love organisation or like me, need a bit of a nudge in the wardrobe de-cluttering department then you should head on over to these videos.


A Rediscovered Blush-Confession time: I was actually getting ready to sell this blush but I am so glad I didn't! Seen here is Rockateur from Benefit. Dubbed a "provocative rose gold cheek powder" this blush perks up and awakens your complexion. I'm not so sure it's provocative, and while I can't say I like the packaging, this blush is a beaut for fairer complexions, especially in the Winter months.



SPF Spree-Over the past year or so I've become increasingly conscious of taking care of my skin and one area where I am rather slack is facial SPF's. I know they're good, but having combo-oily skin the ones I've used in the past have broken me out something chronic. Yesterday I received the Clinique one you see above to try and Benefit's Dream Screen is on my radar too, although it's a lot harder to come by in New Zealand. Watch this space..



Essays In Vogue-I'm sure I have been not so secretly looking for the opportunity to reference Anna Wintour and Vogue in an academic context for years. Well, now I finally get the opportunity to do just that. I'll spare you the details but I basically get to analyse the September Issue and the role of Anna as a leader and the way in which her creative team is portrayed at Vogue. Of course I'm doing background reading too because #nerd.



Christmas Brushes-You know the year's going way too fast when beauty brands are already getting ready to promote their Christmas launches. October time sees a new limited edition set from Real Techniques being launched. Aptly named Nic's Picks to recognise Nic Chapman's involvement with the brush line the limited edition, metallic five-piece set will make the perfect gift. It features three new brushes for the brand and two staples from the existing lineup. While I certainly don't need any more brushes anytime soon, I'll definitely be keeping this in mind for some of my makeup lovin' pals.



Sophie Star Pants-So it was my birthday on Sunday. Side note: Thanks everyone for all the lovely birthday wishes! Anyway, I wasn't really sure what I wanted this year but last week I spied Harry Potter pyjamas in Peter Alexander and my heart skipped a beat. These star print pants were from that collection and aside from giving off magical vibes, they also remind me of Chanel. LOVE. I'm reading Across The Universe at the moment too which is well outside my reading comfort zone, but I am enjoying it so far.



-Have an amazing end of the week and weekend guys! I decided to put this post up slightly earlier than usual, partly because I want to upload another video for you all at some point in the next few days, and partly because I am heading out of town for a family matter soon so I'm trying to get organised with blog posts before I leave. This week's been uneventful but busy nonetheless. Assignment deadlines are beginning to approach and I finished up my internship this week as the magazine I was at goes to print tomorrow, I think. That's probably the wrong lingo but yeah. Talk soon! x
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Hey Lolita Hey
8/05/2014

Hey Lolita Hey



Oh my, if ever there was an excuse to describe something as a thing of beauty, now would be the perfect opportunity. I'd heard Marc Jacobs Beauty products were beautiful but this is something else. The palette has a sleek, slimline design, comes in a cute little pouch and is just gorgeous. In case the title didn't give the game away, this is the Lolita palette. It's a neutral lovers paradise, but I'll let my review do the talking..

I've been wanting to try Marc Jacobs beauty products for ages. They all look so gorgeous and seeing them on other blogger's blogs and YouTube channels just makes them all the more enticing. On first impressions this palette certainly didn't disappoint. The design is beautiful. It's what is on the inside that counts though right? In this treasure chest palette you will find seven eyeshadows, three mattes and four shimmers. 

All the shades are ones I'd wear, although I have to say that middle shade, fourth from the left in the bottom photo is ridiculously glittery! It works well layered over the other colours but on its own, not a good idea. There was glitter in my #217 for days afterwards... I particularly love the two shades on the end which remind me a bit of All That Glitters and Sable from Mac but the matte shades are perfect too. I kinda wish there was a warmer-toned crease colour in here but it isn't a major. 

These shadows are pigmented, easy to blend and of course incredibly long-wearing. I'm so glad I took the plunge and added this to a recent Sephora order.

-Have you tried anything from Marc Jacobs Beauty? What did you think of it?

*I hope you're all having a fabulous week! I've been quite busy admittedly with Uni and the like, all the usual stuff really. I'm counting down to the weekend already. Hopefully a new video will be up over the weekend too-all going well xx.
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New From The Body Shop
8/04/2014

New From The Body Shop


The Body Shop has always been one of my favourite places to receive gifts from, or visit if I'm feeling like a bit of a spendy sesh in the pamper department. They've been on top of their game recently too with their fruit-themed body product collections but also their makeup it seems. Now I don't think I have ever tried any of their beauty products before, aside from a cream blush a couple of years back but I'll give you a heads up, it's actually really good! Recently I've been trying out some new bits & pieces from the Body Shop and here's what I thought...

Colour Crush Shine Lipsticks in Fuschia Flirt and Sunset Romance*-These lipsticks, wow. I first spied them on Nouvelle Daily and was sold from the get-go. These shades are both such Sophie colours too which helps things along. Anyway, these lipsticks apply creamily, much like a cremesheen lipstick from Mac. The colours are quite sheer initially, but you can always layer these up and keep doing so until you're happy with the colour. They're also pretty long-wearing too which is rare in such a creamy lip product. Love, love love.

Raspberry Harvest Scrub, limited edition-I'm hoping this photo gets across just how delectable this scrub is. The whole time I was shooting these photos I could smell this and had to remind myself it wasn't edible. Aside from its utterly delicious scent. this scrub is such a great companion for Winter skin. Say goodbye to dry, scaly limbs and hello to smoother skin. I'm not gonna lie, the matching body butter is also tempting me whenever I walk past the store in town...

Instablur*-If that name doesn't conjure up thoughts of picture perfect skin then I don't know what will. Instablur is essentially a primer, designed to control shine and extend the wear time of your makeup. Now I'm pretty devoted to my Hourglass and Laura Mercier primers but I was pleasantly surprised by this. It feels smoothing on the skin and has more of a satin finish. It doesn't feel siliconey which I love and worked just as well as the aforementioned primers. I'm impressed so far!

Colour Crush Eyeshadow in Coco Deluxe*-This comes up a lot darker on camera for some reason, but in reality it's a bronze shade with a touch of shimmer. I found this colour veers more on the matte side of things so as well as an all over lid colour, it works great in the crease too. 

-Have you tried any of these new products from The Body Shop?

*PR Sample
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