While I feel like I don't write about beauty as much these days, it is still a pivotal part of this blog and I couldn't let the opportunity to write about my favourite products pass me by. These are all beauty items that were new to me in 2017 and were ones I continually reached for and returned to. They're also what I opt to take if I'm away and are fail-safe options if I am time pressed. The latter, an often likely occurrence. Whoops. Anyway, 2017 beauty favourites incoming...

Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow: I'm sure these have had several mentions on the blog this year. In fact I know they have. Yes they're incredibly sparkly and I do like to wear them with abandon to brighten my mood. That and they look simply stunning on the eyelids. The longevity is fantastic and they're so easy to apply. Lovelovelove. 

NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer: So much to love about this concealer. It's long wearing and conceals (ha) a multitude of sins. Dark circles? Check. Blemishes? Check, check. Some days I just throw this and a bit of setting powder on and be done. I don't think I'm going to run out of it, ever but if that day should come, I will definitely repurchase it.

Glossier Cloud Paint: The cream blush that I can actually work with. Success! The shade Dusk works as a blush+contour colour on my pale mug and I love it. For a cream product it's surprisingly long lasting and it blends out seamlessly. If you do go overboard, it's easily fixed with a foundation brush. I might have to get the peachy shade this year because I love this formula. 

Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara: If it's good enough for Zoe Foster Blake, it's good enough for me. This mascara is brilliant. Due to the fibres it lengthens your lashes like nothing else and holds a curl so well. It doesn't smudge or flake and is so easy to remove with a bit of warm water. I'll definitely be grabbing myself another of these soon as mine is on its way out.

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion: Yes, I really only knew about this product from Kylie Jenner's Snapchat story. No shame though because this is such a lifesaver. You dab a cotton bud into the solution, apply to blemishes overnight and hey presto. Your blemish is either gone completely or way less angry in the morning. If there was a Fairy Godmother in a bottle, this would be it.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette: After months of deliberating, I finally grabbed myself this palette and honestly, it's what I use 95% of the time I wear powder eyeshadows. The colours are amazing, adaptable and blend like a dream. As you can see I get a fair bit of wear from the first six shades but the whole palette is divine. Worth the splurge and the hype.

Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser: I'm sure my inclusion of this over the Oskia Renaissance Gel will shock some people. Or perhaps not. Either way, I've preferred this lighter cleanser in 2017. Again a little goes a long way. Maybe I'm too sparing with my products because I swear some beauty bloggers do empties every five minutes. If you're from NZ and wondering how I got Glossier without entering the States or the Big Apple, YouShop. You're welcome.

Too Faced Love Light Prismatic Highlighter: To be honest, highlighting isn't really my jam. I love it but I'm not going to feel lost without it. When I do reach for a highlighter though, it is usually this. It gives the dewy effect without looking too insane or unflattering. Not gonna lie, that heart shaped compact is pretty dang cute too.

MAC Next To Nothing Face Colour*: Honestly, none of the bases I've used this year have totally wowed me but the one I find myself returning to most frequently is this one from MAC. It's definitely not something that'll give you a ton of coverage, as the name would suggest but I kinda like that about it. I love lightweight bases. I have the shade Medium so it's spot on for Summer but I wore it in Winter and it didn't look too dark so maybe it's a good all-rounder. Either way, I like it. 

Hourglass Girl Lip Stylo: I love this vibrant, watermelon pink. I have the shade Leader. It's so easy to swipe on, doesn't feather and fades out to a stain of colour on the lips. So if you're like me and cannot be bothered to reapply sometimes, this is for you. I always feel confident with a bold lip on and this colour is no exception. 

-What beauty products did you love in 2017?

*PR Sample

Ever since starting my new job I've kinda shaken things up beauty-wise. I'm not suddenly wearing smokey eyes on the regular, or bold lipstick for days but I am keeping things a lot more pared back. That's partly because I am not an early morning person but also because sometimes I just can't be bothered. Now I feel like a fraudulent beauty blogger. Anyway, today I thought I'd talk you through some of my essentials for workplace makeup. Note: a lot of what's pictured has been in and out of my makeup bag all month and has been used and enjoyed, for the most part...

Lightweight Base: I don't think I've ever been one for the heavy, full coverage foundation, unless it's something I have completely blanked from my memory. Lately I've been using and loving the MAC Next To Nothing Face Colour*. It evens out the complexion and just leaves things looking like you've at least made a bit of an effort. It won't conceal but hey, there's this revolutionary product you mightn't know about called concealer for that. It's lightweight, lovely and super quick to apply. 

Concealer: Aka the love of my makeup life. Some days I actually just throw concealer on as a base. Wasteful I am sure but *insert shrug emoji here*. My go-to's are the Maybelline Age Rewind concealer-sadly not ranged in NZ but amazing for under eyes, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard-I've repurchased this countless times and keep the mini, which I think was limited edition in my bag and the YSL Touche Eclat* for brightening-nonessential but it does make a difference. I use the shade 1.5.

Powder: Now this is one area where there's a few products used. I alternate between the Bourjois powder above-side note, if anyone knows where I can get the shade Vanilla in NZ please sing out and an Hourglass one in a palette I have for setting makeup down. The Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder in Medium-I use this every day to make my face look like it's got something at least slightly resembling cheekbones. Blush-wise, if I'm not time pressed I use this-it's amazingly long lasting too. Otherwise I often reach for this Too Faced Gem in the shade I Will Always Love You. Lately I've been using bronzer too, Sunlit Skin Bronzing Powder x Mecca Max is my current favourite. It's showing up much darker online, I have the shade light so don't let that photo fool you. When I feel like it, I've been loving Blinded By The Light x Too Faced for highlighter. 

Eyes: Mascara I tend to rotate so I won't go into great detail other than to say the Wet N Wild mascara above really disappointed me. Mascaras smudging is not usually an issue for me but this one smudges like crazy. I regularly come home to find I look like Taylor Momsen at the height of her grunge phase. As for eyeshadow, I'm all about the light shimmers. I alternate between some Colourpop shadows, my By Terry Ombre Blackstars and this ride or die palette. 

Lips: Last but not least, as you can see from the above photo, I like my lip products. I mainly wear either Balm Dotcom-which also doubles as a quick glossy eyelid product, or nude lipsticks. Modesty x Mac or Brave (also Mac) are my favourites. When I'm after something a touch bolder, I love the Lancome Matte Shaker* in Pink or the L'Absolu Rouge lipstick in Idole. The latter is a shade Lisa Eldridge designed for herself and you know if Lisa's behind it, it will not disappoint.

So I think that covers everything for the makeup I gravitate towards for work. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments and what your work makeup essentials are. Enable/inspire me.

*PR Sample

May, a month of goodness (Auckland Writers Fest, full license acquiring, sparkly brogues) and also some less than great things. In the interest of keeping things positive and upbeat, today I'm focusing on some of the things I loved in May. There's quite a bit of beauty, including another mascara dalliance as well as a revisited book and the album I'm a bit obsessed with...

An Extraordinary Theory of Objects by Stephanie LaCava: Why it has taken me so long to revisit this book, I have no idea. Objects, their associations and their stories have always fascinated me. I am that person who will want to know where items of interest are from in people's houses and find the mini curations we display and collect so interesting. Naturally this book was always going to appeal to me, and the way in which it discusses anxiety and outsiderness is so refreshing. LaCava's writing is fantastic.

Texturizing Hair Spray x Ouai: This was a buy from Sephora Melbourne last year and I love it. It also acts as a dry shampoo in part which is a major bonus for me too. I spritz it liberally through my hair and it just adds a bit of oomph. Basically it makes me look like I've at least attempted to style my thick, unruly hair. It also helps that it's scented beautifully too. 

Modern Renaissance Eyeshadow Palette x Anastasia Beverly Hills: It's probably no surprise this palette is making an appearance this month. I've really only used this when I've been wearing eyeshadows. They're beautifully pigmented, versatile and easy to blend. Honestly the colours are perfect. This palette's getting a lot of attention but it is so worth it.

Brow Definer* x Mellow Cosmetics: Mellow Cosmetics have only come to my attention recently and it's their brow products I've been loving. Pictured is their brow definer pencil, I have the shade Chocolate. It's not too crazy pigmented but it's just enough to add a bit of something-something to the brows. I love the angled pencils like this too as they're so quick to swipe through, brush with the spoolie and be done. Lazy makeup ftw. 

Harry Styles: Possibly cheating a bit by including this album, given it only came out just over two weeks ago. It's pretty much been in my car's stereo ever since. What I love most is the distinct story the album takes you on from start to finish. The way the tracks are arranged works perfectly and there's a mix of softer ballads with rock and some slight country+alt-pop influences. The songs are catchy as anything too. If you're skeptical because Styles started out in a boy band, put your cynicism aside and give this a listen, you may well be surprised. Standout tracks for me are; Carolina, Only Angel, Ever Since New York and From The Dining Table. 

The Volume Mascara x Kevyn Aucoin: So I feel like a bit of a mascara traitor, having endless flirtations with various formulas and brands. I do feel like in Kevyn Aucoin's Volume mascara though that I've found the one. Now that is a bold, bold claim. For now though I can see why this mascara is so highly regarded. The secret is in the lash fibres, they take things next level. As it's a tubing formula it's super easy to remove at the end of the day as well. I lovelovelove it. 

Pure Clay Mask* x L'Oreal: You know that time in between seasons when your skin packs a sad? That is my skin currently. When I feel like things are looking a bit red or congested I've been reaching for the charcoal clay mask. It's gentle, but it leaves things looking a lot smoother and clearer. 

-What were your May Favourites?

*PR Sample

I do love me a good eyeshadow palette. Firstly there's the convenience of all the shades you need in one handy place and then there's the array of colours and finishes. The best in my opinion combine standout mattes with some shimmer. There are definitely plenty of neutral palettes out there now but when I saw this Anastasia palette getting a lot of love from the likes of Louise and my friend Emma, I was officially interested. Flash forward a few months and it'd been in and out of my virtual cart a bit. So on a day where my heart was feeling heavy, I decided the Modern Renaissance palette needed to be in my life...

Now I feel like a bit of a mean girl because this palette seems to be out of stock again. It's proving to be an incredibly popular one, that is for sure. I am so glad I waited it out and got it though because it's fast becoming a firm favourite. Chances are, if you've asked me what eyeshadow I am wearing lately, it's more than likely a combination of these shadows.

What makes these shadows more exciting, for me at least, than your standard neutral palette is the addition of the berry tones and apricot-y mattes. Great descriptive language use there Sophie... You get the gist. There's only a smattering of shimmer which I don't mind because they are beautiful but it is the mattes that are the true stars here. They're insanely pigmented and I learnt that the hard way. See that brown shade on the top right hand corner? I went for far too much the first time and had to blend it right out. Even though these shades are pigmented they're super easy to blend out so you can dial up or down the intensity as desired. I've actually been loving the shade Realgar, bottom right, paired with Primavera. I find golden hued eyeshadows tend to not suit me, especially if they are too yellow but this combination works a treat. Do not be daunted by the colours here, they're a lot more workable than you might think.

The Modern Renaissance palette is definitely worth the love it's getting. If like me you don't own eyeshadows in these sort of hues, you'll love it and it will be a welcome addition to your makeup wardrobe. If you're looking for some other options, Morgan did a great post on eyeshadows similar to those found in this palette here. I've used the bronzier shadows in this photo but I'll try to take some more as I experiment with the other colours.

As far as I know, none of the Anastasia stockists in NZ sell this palette but you can find it on Sephora NZ as well of course as Cult Beauty.

-What do you think of Anastasia's Modern Renaissance palette?

I'm in the midst of one of my makeup loving sprees. I think with Summer I tend to get a bit lazy and just apply what I like and rely on, out of ease and effortlessness. Come February though, all the new launches start coming out to play and my enthusiasm and love of makeup comes back. Today I thought I'd talk you through some new releases and products that are new to me that I think deserve a bit of attention. There's quite a bit more in my testing pile that I need to try out too so you'll probably see more of these posts in the coming months...

L'Oreal La Palette Nude in Rose*-I remember spying these palettes on Amelia's blog and got excited. L'Oreal is a brand I've only really started getting into since I've been blogging about beauty and they don't tend to disappoint me. Some people will compare these to the Naked palettes but if I'm honest, I think Urban Decay are in a league of their own, particularly with their shimmer shadows. This is the more pink-toned palette of the two released here. The matte shades are a bit disappointing but the shimmer shades more than make up for it. This colour palette would be perfect for somebody just getting into eyeshadow because they're all colours which really complement each other. At $36 this is so much more budget friendly than some of the more cult eyeshadow palettes out there. 

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in L.U.V-Sephora NZ, I think I speak for everyone when I say restock your site! Okay, rants aside. I've been wanting to try the Kat Von D liquid lipsticks for an age and while a lot of the shades aren't accessible on the Sephora site right now, this one was. I seem to really enjoy wearing purple lipstick, possibly more than reds so this one took my fancy. It's a vibrant purple, but with fuschia undertones to it. I feel like that combination of hues make it less confronting to wear. One thing about this lipstick is it's a mission to apply. The applicator is not amazing so I recommend lining your lips first with a pencil and then filling in with the lipstick. These last incredibly well though so if you want something to stay put that isn't drying, you'll like this.

L'Oreal Super Liner Superstar*-There's only one or two liquid liners that I have loved and this is one of them. If you're like me and find eyeliner a bit of a mission, you'll love this. The fact it has an elongated, pointed tip makes it so much easier to apply. I barely ever have to get the cotton buds out to tidy this up when I'm using this. My other favourite liquid liner is a lot trickier to get so when this dries out I can definitely see myself picking up another one.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer in Soft Brown-Anastasia's brow pencils are my favourite. I used to be a longtime devotee of their Dipbrow Pomade but over time I decided it was just a bit too intense for my liking. Anyway, after hearing they'd launched a new brow pencil, I was intrigued. This one has a much thicker pencil that is angled. It's similar to the Hourglass Arch Brow pencil in that sense. It is thick, but not so thick that you end up applying a block of colour to your brows. I have the colour soft brown because darker pencils never seem to look right on my already dark brows. I like this, but dare I say it, I think I prefer Brow Wiz. 

Maybelline Colorblur in I Like To Mauve It*-First things first, I'm possibly using this wrong but I didn't see the point of the white, blur side of this pencil. Maybe it'd work better with the bolder colours but for this nude it didn't seem to do the whole blurred lip thing. Aside from that, I love this colour. It's your standard, nude-pink shade and applies very creamily. It dries down to more of a satin finish so its lasting power is pretty spot on.  I have a few more of these to try so I'll let you know my thoughts on those at some stage.

MAC Pigment in Melon-This pigment has been in my stash for a while now but I'd never really used it. I know my friend Fiona is a fan of it though so I did want to revisit it. I love this colour. It looks amazing if you apply it with a slightly dampened brush. There's something about makeup mist and Mac's pigment that creates magic. I love this mini size too because Mac pigments are the kind of product you can't use up easily and it's a lot friendlier on the wallet.

L'Oreal Infallible Matte FX Lip Colours in Oops I Pink It Again, Silencio & Virgin*-These are an intriguing one. When I first got these I assumed they'd be liquid lipsticks but that couldn't be further from what they are. What you have is a sponge applicator, almost like those applicators that come with eyeshadows sometimes, but larger and 3D. The sponge absorbs the lip product from inside the lid and the idea here is you swipe the sponge onto your lips for instant colour. They sound gimmicky but they actually work. You're left with velvety smooth lips and pigmented colour payoff. You can build these up nicely as well. One thing I will say is a bit off-putting is despite their matte name they don't stick around for ages. They're easy enough to touchup but if you're picky that may be something to be mindful of. 

Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Creamy Beige*-Maybelline's colour tattoos are a cult product and I've always found them overrated, until now. I'm not sure what's different about the Leather effect ones, maybe the formula's changed but they seem so much creamier than the originals. Creamy Beige is your standard base shade. It has a hint of brown to it though which gives it more warmth but it's not overpowering. I've been applying this under my powder shadows recently to help them stay put and I love it. It reminds me a lot of Groundwork from Mac which is one of my favourite paint pots to use. 

-Have you tried these products out? What did you think of them?

*PR Sample

Well it's that time of the month and I've just realised things are looking a little sparse. That may be because I forgot to mention a couple of my favourites. Inside Out, here's looking at you. Anyway, I sat myself back down in front of the MacBook and waxed lyrical on all the beauty bits+the book I couldn't get enough of this month. The result is down below for your perusal. Enjoy!

-What have you loved during July?

Max Factor Glamorous Extensions Mascara*-Mascaras are one of my favourite products to try and as a result I usually have high hopes. The last I really loved was Roller Lash but my tube sadly ran out. The newest Max Factor mascara is certainly giving it a run for its money though. It definitely makes your lashes look so much more lengthened and holds a curl really well. It's not the greatest for volume but I do have thicker lashes so that doesn't bother me too much. Psst NZ readers, Max Factor mascaras are $20 at the moment if you're in need of a new one.

Topshop Beauty Glow Pot in Polished-The arrival of the new Topshop store in Auckland meant we could finally get our hands on their beauty range. Can I get an amen? I picked up this cream highlighter over the weekend as I know it's one of their most popular products and it's a lot cheaper than the RMS Beauty alternative which I've coveted for a while. It's also housed in their limited-edition packaging which is a bonus. 

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel*-This moisturiser *insert rays of light here*. I can see why Morgan sung its praises over on her blog. Lightweight, cooling and ridiculously moisturising. It might be similar to the Hydraluron Moisture Jelly which is a tad more pricey. I've even got a few friends hooked on this moisturiser. It's hydrating, but not excessive. It's also often on offer at the supermarkets, or Farmers which is never a bad thing.

Clinique Turnaround Revitalising Serum*-2015 seems to be the year I've really begun to appreciate the goodness that is a well-formulated serum. The Turnaround serum is designed to encourage 'natural cell-renewal leaving you with smooth, glowy skin'. My skin's been a bit uneven in texture lately and this has really helped to sort that out. It really does leave your skin feeling much smoother too. PS-Combo/oily skinned girls and guys: it's oil free too which is a bonus.

-Have you tried any of these beauty products? What do you think of them?

*PR Sample/Gifted product.

The month may not quite be over but I was pretty dead set on what was going to make its way into the favourites lineup early on this month. There's some beauty staples, a few Sephora bits and even a couple of non-beauty favourites in there. You'll also get to hear me say "I like it/love it" more times than I can count and even see a little lip-syncing interlude. Enjoy, and be sure to let me know what you've loved throughout November in the comments.

  

It's been a while since I've done a 'what's on my face' style post and also something fashion related around these parts. The occasion? Amber Whitecliffe's launch of her Mrs Pinto collection, more on that later in the week. I wanted to wear a red lip and also quite glittery eyes. Any excuse to dress up! 

Base wise I opted for the Hourglass Primer with a bit of coverage c/o Chanel's Perfection Lumiere Velvet . I wear the shade B20 and it seems to be a pretty darn good match for my skin, but I want a matte base that's lighter for Summer. Leave me your suggestions down below! Tired eyes and blemish scars were sorted thanks to Bobbi and Nars, a quick dusting of powders from the Ambient Lighting Wardrobe and a touch of Tipsy on the cheeks and my base is done.

For polished brows you can't beat DipBrow Pomade and it's waterproof so if you encounter any rain you don't have to worry about your eyebrows ending up on your cheeks. I then opted for the new Hourglass liner. A few cotton buds later and I had a subtle bit of definition on my lashline that didn't look too Taylor Momsen-esque. Lashes were curled with these beauties from Kevyn Aucoin. Side note: These lash curlers are made in the same factory as Shu Uemura's and Chanel's and they're all sorts of amazing so get them. I used a mix of All That Glitters on my lids and also this pretty foil from Stila. For lips I felt like a bit of Cruella and it stayed put all night. Gotta love that Nars goodness. A quick spritz of setting spray and I was out the door.

*What are your special occasion 'face' essentials?

I'm very picky when it comes to my eyebrows. They can't be too obviously drawn on, they must look natural and not too thick. I've had many a makeover or brow tidy where I've come away with graphic, cartoon-esque brows that have had me rushing to find makeup wipes*. In short, I like my brows to still resemble eyebrows, but with a more polished, tidy look. When the Anastasia DipBrow Pomade was first released a few months ago it promptly sold out everywhere. So I joined the waitlist over on Cult Beauty and waited for it to return. Y'know how this goes...