It's April Favourites time! You'll notice the beauty offerings are slim, that's because I've gone many a day this month with no makeup. Honestly though I've not really changed things up a bunch anyway so most of the products I am using+loving are ones that have appeared around these parts many a time already. The newbies though, they're top notch. We also have a book I loved, an album I've had on repeat all month and even some pens. April Favourites, let's go...**

Velvet Teddy x MAC: This lippy made an appearance in my January Favourites too. Actually this bb one is nearly all used up so I may need to think about investing in the full-sized version sometime soon. I'm not sure what to say about this colour other than it's a one-swipe, long lasting wonder. I know we're spoilt for choice when it comes to lipsticks nowadays. Formulas, prices, shades and the rest but I still think MAC's lipsticks are among the best. 

Molten Bronze x Bobbi Brown: I've tried a few different things from Bobbi Brown over the years and for the most part have liked them. They have a cute little boutique, one of the first in Australasia I believe, right near where the train station is and I saw these and was like *magpie eyes*. Anyway, they've recently launched these long-wear sparkle sticks. Formula-wise they remind me a lot of the Marc Jacobs Beauty twinkle pop eyeshadow sticks. When you apply these you feel a cooling sensation as they adhere to the lids. The colours are beautiful and perfect for everyday wear. I love the ease and convenience of eyeshadow crayons too. 

L'Eau Rosee x Miu Miu*: I've been cramming this in my bag and carting it all over the place all month because I'm that obsessed with it. I mean yes, the design is a winner but the fragrance itself is floral and fresh and easy to layer. I cannot get enough. NZ readers-you can find this in select department stores, I know Smith & Caughey's here in Auckland have it. 

Secrets For The Mad x Dodie Clark: Y'know when a book comes along at the perfect time? This would be the book for April. I borrowed it from the library but it's on my wishlist because it's something I know I will want to refer back to. It's full with Dodie's brilliant writing and words and stories and wisdom and art and apparently I've forgotten how to write cohesive sentences. In seriousness, just read it if you've been meaning to. It's a gem. 

Lust For Life x Lana Del Rey: Going back through my diary the other day, I stumbled upon an entry from January where I declared 2018 the year of Lana. So prophetic *ahem*. Anyway, I love this album and I like to play it back-to-back with Honeymoon. The titular song is one of my favourites but I also love Beautiful People, Beautiful Problems w/ Stevie Nicks, Tomorrow Never Came w/ Sean Lennon and Groupie Love w/ ASAP Rocky. The whole thing tho is a good time. 

0.38 Gel Ink Pens x Muji: Another product I'm sure I've mentioned here before. I feel like it's a bit nerdy to fangirl over pens but y'know what, these are my favourite and I am unapologetic in my enthusiasm for them. Thankfully one of my stationery-loving friends keeps me well stocked. If you're near a Muji and haven't tried these ones. Do it. They make your writing look all spidery and are a dream to write with. 

-What have you liked during April?

*PR Sample

Hello, happy Friday (TGIF) and yay for a hopefully relaxing, restful weekend. Today we have another installment of The Beauty Files. It's been a little while since the last beauty files post, three months in fact. Today the focus is a bit luxe, a bit sparkly and a bit treat yo'self-y. Let's be real...

It's that time of the month again and I've got quite the favourites lineup here. There could have easily been about five or six more things included but I managed to edit it down to the true staples. Okay the music inclusion may be cheating a bit as I only acquired it five days ago but it deserves a mention. As well as music there's a book I'm recommending to everyone, some beauty+body bits and even a fashion item...

H&M Bag-New Zealand, Auckland specifically acquired its first H&M store at the beginning of this month, as well as Zara. Finally. This was one of my buys as I wanted a smaller bag to take out and about that wasn't a tote. It's nothing fancy, just a black bag with gold zip detailing and some tassels. I love it though and it fits all the essentials; my wallet, keys, phone and a little makeup bag I carry around. 

Lush Sugar Plum Fairy Lip Scrub-The kings and queens of Christmas body+pamper gifts, Lush in other words, dropped their Christmas releases into stores at the beginning of this month and they are not disappointing. More on that some other time. Today though I have to mention this new lip scrub. It smells like The Comforter and jelly lollies. Delicious in other words. Aside from its scent blessing properties, it also does a good jobs of restoring my Winter damaged, read; dry, cracked and gross lips to tip-top condition. 

Joanne x Lady Gaga-It's possibly cheating a bit to include this as it was only released last week but I'm justifying it because I know it's just as likely to have been in November's favourites too. I have to confess, I wasn't a fan of ARTPOP, not in its entirety at least. This album however is like Gaga's revival. She's collaborated with producer Mark Ronson on many of the tracks, Ronson is famous for working with the late, great Amy Winehouse among other artists. It's a match made in music heaven basically. I'd say it has some country influences in the mix and also pop+rock vibes throughout. Oh and there's a track with Florence Welch and Lady Gaga which my eighteen year old self would have been crying tears of excitement over. Heck, my twenty-something self loves it. My favourite tracks right now are; John Wayne, Million Reasons, Hey Girl, Joanne and Grigio Girls. It's all fantastic though. Give it a listen.

Korres Santorini Vine Showergel-Whilst I was away housesitting earlier in the month this came with me and it's become my new favourite showergel. Move aside, The Comforter. It's kinda tropical, kinda fruity but not overpowering. It's a bit lighter than something like the shower creams from Lush but I like that about it, it's more suited to the Summer months. I'll definitely be investing in the full sized soon. I like it that much. 

Bobbi Brown Retouching Wand*-The unexpected favourite, without a doubt is this product. It has not left my bag(s) at all this month. The shade Light is perfect for me and doesn't contrast wildly with any other base product I might use. It's super easy to blend, with either a brush or fingers and is great for on the go touchups. It's going to get a lot of use come Summertime when makeup just seems to evaporate. 

Where Am I Now? by Mara Wilson-If the fact this book has made its way into another blog post this month isn't stressing just how much I love it, I don't know what will. Perhaps the fact I read it twice this month further reiterates it. It's beautifully written and is the kind of book I can imagine myself returning to again and again. There's something special about it that I cannot quite articulate in words. Just go read it and let me know what you think about it.

Aesop Rejuvenate Intensive Body Balm-Super hydrating, super luxurious, super lush and vanilla+sandalwood-y. That sentence summarises this balm really. I lovelovelove it and will pray that Aesop never discontinue it. If you want to read less condensed ramblings about it, head here. 

It's becoming quite a busy time of year for beauty launches, especially with the approaching holiday season. Perhaps it is the changing of the seasons that inspires a bevvy of new beauty releases. Either way, I am not complaining. Today I have a few new products that I've bought and liked myself to share, as well as some new releases that I've received myself. There's some scents to love, the body range that smells good enough to drink, a complexion fixer and more. Read on if you're intrigued...

Hourglass Modernist Eyeshadow Palette in Obscura**-These eyeshadow palettes have been out for a little while now but I haven't read or seen very much about them online. When I had the opportunity to grab this one I could not resist. When free Hourglass is on offer, how could you? The idea behind these palettes is they're designed to offer new twists on the smokey eye, although honestly you could use these colours for a range of looks. You don't have to take things to dramatic lengths if that's not what you are after. My favourite colour is that rose gold hue, smack bang in the middle. It's a gem. These eyeshadows are all beautifully pigmented too. They do have a fair bit of product that comes up when you place your brush into them but it's nothing a tap off of the brush can't fix. Go give these a swatch when you're next near somewhere selling Hourglass. They're stunning.

Bobbi Brown Retouching Wand in Light*-Touching up makeup on the go has never really been a priority for me. I might powder and touch up my lipstick but anything beyond that I usually cannot be bothered with. That being said, when a product like this, designed for touch-ups comes along and makes everything very easy I am swayed. This is one of those twist-up pens and the brush is designed to quickly swipe on the product. I wouldn't say it's the best brush for blending necessarily so I have a concealer brush in my bag to apply it, or you could just use fingers. I love that there's a range of colours for all skintones too. That's something Bobbi Brown really do well with their base products. 

Aesop Rejuvenate Intensive Body Balm-New Zealand, well Auckland specifically is getting with the times and has finally opened its first Aesop store. While it is in no way the biggest retail space, it is well stocked and beautifully designed so when I paid it a visit there was no way I was going to leave empty handed. I was intrigued by this product after seeing it on Chloe's blog and while it was a bit of a luxe buy, it's going to last forever. That tube is huge. Obviously if you have drier skin than me you will appreciate this more than I do but even for me I find it so nourishing and hydrating. My hands are prone to getting dry as are my elbows so I've been slathering it on there to keep them looking top-notch. It sinks in so quickly and doesn't feel tacky or heavy on the skin, which I love. It is scented with vanilla, cedarwood and tangerine so it smells divine. I'm so glad I picked this up.

Stella McCartney POP**-Two perfumes in one post? What can I say, I am a fragrance fiend. This is my first Stella McCartney perfume, as her scents seem to always be a bit difficult to track down here in NZ and I am loving it. It contains notes of; Tomato leaves, Violet leaves, Green mandarin, Violet, Tuberose, Plumeria, Sandalwood, Cedarwood and Musks. It definitely has a youthful, fresher edge compared to the original Stella fragrance and something more floral like L.I.LY. Its lightness is refreshing, especially after a Winter spent wearing typically more heavier, muskier scents. 

YSL Mon Paris*, available October 17th-Like Stella, this is my first foray into YSL fragrances. I remember their Baby Doll fragrances being particularly popular back in high school but they never seemed to have won me over. Anyway, YSL's newest fragrance, Mon Paris is inspired by the city of love and the dizzying heights and feelings we experience in love. It combines fruity notes with florals and has a white musk and cedarwood base. Now I am rubbish at writing about scents so I am not going to attempt anything prolific here but it definitely does have a sense of comfort to it. What I mean by that is it reminds me of fragrances I have been drawn to previously, yet it still remains unique. It is a beautiful scent and is really long-wearing too. Definitely go give this a spritz and prepare to be entranced when it lands on counters.

Real Techniques Mini Eraser Sponge-Sam and Nic have been bringing it with their new launches this year, as well as revamping their original brushes so they are much more vibrant. These new sponges are a miniature version of their popular complexion sponge and are much cheaper than the higher-end alternatives. I love this for patting in under-eye concealer and concealer in general actually. I prefer the finish from using a sponge to blending with a brush these days, although I do still use both. The flattened side is great for getting into the contours of the face as well. 

Pinita Colada* x The Body Shop-TBS are back again with another tempting, luxurious range for the Southern Hemisphere Summer. When I saw this popping up on Anna's Instagram it immediately caught my eye. I love tropical scents, especially at this time of year. The standout product for me has to be the body sorbet, pictured. Pro tip: Stick it in the fridge for an extra cooling effect. I have to give mention to their scrub as well because you all know how much I love their scrubs. 

Mecca Cosmetica Sunbrella Invisible Superspray-If this were an episode of Friends it would be the one where Sophie sees something on Instagram, reads the praise and then seeks it out in Mecca. That's more or less what happened in a nutshell. Now this is a product I'm still rather unsure about. In theory it sounds fantastic. Sunbrella is a spray that you spritz onto the hands and then pat onto your face and body, offering four hour sun protection. What I am not liking so much is how chemical it smells. Honestly it's quite potent and products like that can wreak havoc on my skin if I am not careful. I will keep you posted as to whether or not this product exceeds expectations or is just a bit of a gimmick. 

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?

October, the month of Halloween, sunshine, strawberries and Summer. It also appears to have been the month of shimmer and sparkle. Maybe it's because the end of the semester is approaching and I feel like I no longer need to tone down the glitter eyeshadow for university classes or maybe it's because I want lighter eyeshadows. Who knows. What I do know though is that all these products have consistently delivered for me all month and will no doubt remain stash staples... 

Marc Jacobs Style Icon Eyeshadow Palette in Lolita-Look at all that neutral goodness. Look at it. I am a bit obsessed with this palette at the moment and have been using it most of the month when makeup has made an appearance. If you're time poor, this one has you set for a quick eye look. There's a light pink shade which tends to get ignored by me but the rest are well loved. Its sleek, compact nature means it is perfect for traveling with and won't weigh down your handbag or makeup bag.

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipgloss in Cashmere Rose-These glosses have never been released in NZ so when I saw this colour on FeelUnique, a YouTube vlogger favourite, it had to be added to my basket. This peachy pink, fruity scented gloss is pretty darn pigmented and this looks stunning over similar hued lipsticks and also on its own. I love wearing lipgloss in Spring and Summer so this one is going to be on high rotation no doubt.

Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder in Medium-Cheekbones in one handy little compact sums this gem of a product up. This cool-toned powder won't leave you looking like you've gone a bit wild with bronzer. Instead you'll find yourself with a more sculpted, natural looking shadow. It is a bit on the pricey side of things but you barely need any per use so I can see this one lasting quite a while yet.

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge-The whole idea of using a sponge to apply makeup has always perplexed me so when Anna sent this to me it sat unloved for a little while. One day I decided to give this a go with concealer and within seconds I could see what the fuss was about. Now I've never tried the Beauty Blender so I can't compare but I was really impressed with this. It didn't soak up too much product and as I was tapping the product in, it left a more seamless finish. The shape of the Real Techniques sponge is particularly good for getting into the contours of the face and also under the eyes.

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Eye Pencil in Bronze*, limited edition-This is the closest I've come to owning a rose-gold hued eyeliner and for that reason alone it is ruling the eyeliner kingdom this month. It's long-wearing, easy to blend and even easy enough to line your upper lashes with and not make a big mess of things. I love this and it kinda sucks that it's limited edition. Hopefully it'll be back on the shelves again soon.

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso-I wasn't expecting to like this blush as much as I did because sheeny blushers just aren't my thing. Applied with a stippling brush though it looks beautiful. It reminds me a bit of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders which is never a bad thing. The packaging could be nicer, I'm not a fan of the flip-out insert which stores a brush, but other than that you can't really fault this one.

Sally Hansen Triple Shine Nail Polish in Dream Sequins-These colours have been out for a while and this one had been singing out to** me from the shelves. It's essentially a coppery, rose-gold glitter that isn't too gritty. In fact, it has more of a gel finish than anything else. It was super easy to remove too and we all know glitters usually are the total opposite. I'm impressed!

-What beauty products have you been loving during October?

*PR Sample

**Nail polishes sing, who knew.

It's Spring one of my favourite times of the year due to the fact that; a) it's starting to get warmer, b) new flowers are in bloom+my favourite fruits come back in season and c) I can justify wearing summery dresses and lighter layers again without getting the "you'll catch a chill" lecture. Today's post, funnily enough is not about any of the above, as I'm sure the title will have suggested. This time of year calls for a rotation of the stash and a lightening of the eye makeup, and perhaps lip if you're that way inclined. It's time to embrace the fresh fragrances, the peaches, pinks and the glow-givers...

The Floral and Fruity Fragrance-This may have been in my Spring-themed post last year but it deserves a mention again. Marc Jacobs Daisy fragrances are all so light and fresh. If you've spritzed them before you'll know these are perfect for Spring. Check out the new Daisy Dream fragrance if you haven't already. It's like Daisy's sophisticated older sister. 

Peachy and Bronzed Cheeks-Winter is all about the minimal blush look for me, Tarte's Exposed was on high rotation this year. By the time Spring rolls around the peaches and the bronzes come back out to play. Seen here are the  Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Tipsy and the Bobbi Brown Bronze Brightening Blush*. The latter is perhaps a tad too warm toned for my porcelain complexion at the moment but it's certainly going to get a lot of wear in the warmer months. Tipsy is one of those blushes that seems to brighten up your complexion-great if you're having an off day. 

Pink Pout-In an effort to step away from my trio of Mac Nudes, I've started embracing the new pink lip products Tamira sent me. That Jouer Lipgloss in Pink Glace is lovely on its own or layered over the aforementioned nudes (I just can't get enough of them...). Marc Jacobs Kiss Pop Lip Color Stick in Wham is the perfect raspberry pink. It has a matte-velvet texture, is ridiculously long-wearing and is not drying in the slightest. Lurve.

Sheeny Lids-First things first**, I am rather smitten with the Marc Jacobs Twinkle Pop Eye Stick in Honey Bunny as you will know if you saw my video yesterday. I'll save the raves for now because this will be in my September Favourites-go check out the Sephora reviews in the meantime. A slightly less spendy favourite is the L'Oreal Colour Infallible Eyeshadow in Amber Rush. It's a sheenier version of All That Glitters from Mac and looks beautiful worn alone or over most neutral shadows. Last but not least we have my current liner love, Bobbi Brown's Long Wear Liner Pencil in Bronze*. It's the closest thing to a bronze, rose-gold hued eyeliner that I have seen. As the name would suggest, this stays put all day long and looks so subtle once blended out. 

Radiant Complexion-The photo above really does not show you just how worn out my Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette is, given it's in use every time I wear makeup. Subtle powders that disguise shine and add the subtlest veil of powder to your complexion. They reduce the appearance of uneven texture and just leave things looking a lot more flawless. Another product that is great for low key days or fans of a light base is Estee Lauder's new Clear Difference BB Cream*. Not too matte, not too dewy and with enough coverage that leaves me skipping concealer and just reaching for the above powders. 

-What are your Spring beauty essentials?

**I'm the realest. Sorry couldn't resist using and abusing that reference.

*PR Sample

Another month, another bag to showcase. This time I'm shining the spotlight on Katia of BEAUTYMINDED and she's kindly given us a look inside her well-stocked makeup bag. Belgium-based Katia has exquisite makeup taste, although I may be ever so slightly biased. After all, I did spot more than one of my favourite products in the photos above. Sit back, relax and grab that pen and paper because you will be wanting to draw up a wishlist right about now..

"My makeup bag is filled to the brim with all the essentials for a daytime look. For my base, I usually stick with the Laura Mercier Oil-Free Primer as shown or the Clinique Superprimer. They both make my favourite foundation, CHANEL Perfection Lumiere Velvet last that little bit longer. I've learned from several makeup artists that primer is very useful for girls with oily skin like me.

When I've got my base covered, I fill in my brows with the Chanel trio "Les Sourcils de Chanel". I've had this for over a year now and even though I use this daily, it's nowhere near empty-think of it as a good investment. You can use the powder with an angled brush but I just use the tools that come with the palette. They do a nice job. If you want to see it in action you can check out my video here.

After that I concentrate on the eyes. I prime my oily lids with the Nars Pro Prime Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base and then I reach for one of my favourite eyeshadows of the moment: By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Brown Perfection as a smokey option or the Marc Jacobs Twinkle Pop Eye Stick in Honey Bunny combined with the L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Mono shadow in Cafe Saint Germain. Sometimes I also use the Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad To The Bronze all over the lid.  A little tight-lining with Bobbi Brown's Perfectly Defined Eyeliner in Pitch Black creates a bit more depth before I move on to mascara.

In the mascara department, I'm hooked on Marc Jacobs' new O!Mega Lash Volumizing Mascara, as it's all my lashes need for dramatic black colour and volume. When that's all done, I apply a little of the Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer under my eyes. I love the formula as I find it to be more like a tinted eye cream than a concealer. 

Eyes done, I then apply the Clinique Chubby Stick for Cheeks in Roly Poly Rosy or the Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed if I'm after a subtler look. My go-to lip options at the moment are rather colourful.  I love By Terry Baume De Rose Nutri Couleur in Cherry Bomb or my two picks from the Chanel Fall Collection, Rouge Coco Shine in #96 and the Levres Scintillantes Gloss in Songe. After applying the Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream Rollerball I am good to go!"

-What are your current makeup bag essentials?

One of my favourite parts about doing my makeup is working on the eyes. Etching out precise eyebrows, attempting cat flicks with eyeliner, choosing eyeshadows and pigment to work with. I love it all! Bobbi Brown clearly know that many of us feel the same way as they have recently released a new book dedicated to eye makeup. They've also added a new mascara to their lineup which I was sent a couple of months back. Being the eye enthusiast that I am I thought I'd review them alongside one another so if you're obsessed with dressing up your peepers then read on...

March, where have you gone!? This month I've been really getting on board with all things pink. You'll notice that trend carrying on into next month's posts as well. It's a bold claim, but many of these products have earned staple status in the beauty lineup this month, and I can imagine myself repurchasing many of these products. There's even some non-beauty favourites for a change too, just to mix things up a bit. So without further ado, here are March's favourites..

Benefit Gimme Brow*-We've seen the hype surrounding this product and I'm here to sell you that Gimme Brow deserves all the love that it gets. A brow gel/brow mascara hybrid, this product leaves you with fuller, defined brows. The tint is incredibly subtle which I love and it stays put until you're ready to take your makeup off. Impressive stuff.

Tanya Burr Lipgloss in Afternoon Tea-If you're a fan of glosses without shimmer then you're bound to love Afternoon Tea. This creamy pink is pigmented, long-wearing and has only the slightest amount of stickiness. Once the gloss wears off the colour leaves a stain behind. These lipglosses also smell amazing too. You can't really go wrong with these.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure-This blush combines everything we love from the Ambient Lighting powders with stunning blush pigments. Mood Exposure has been on high rotation this month. I've had to start reminding myself I have other blushes(!). This shade adds warmth to the face, a touch of highlight and subtle sculpting. It's a stunner.

Mac Eyeshadows-I'm sure this inclusion will come as such a surprise (ahem..) but in the last few weeks since creating my Mac palette I've just found myself using these colours a lot more. Sable is my go-to shade for lazy makeup days but I've also been loving Trax which in my eyes is more of an Autumnal colour. Mac eyeshadows are definitely some of my favourites. The colours are pigmented, easy to blend and have less fallout than some other brands. 

It's February favourites time! This month I gave my makeup bag a good old reshuffle and even did a bit of a cull in the packaging, perfume and lip product departments. In fact, every month from here on in I've decided to shuffle products around a lot more-variety is the spice of life after all! Anyway, here's what I've been loving during February..

NYX Powder Blush, pictured are Mocha, Summer Peach and Taupe-These blushers are great quality given how inexpensive they are. They're pigmented, long-wearing and such flattering shades. All of these haven't left my makeup bag this month-Summer Peach is my current favourite and Taupe is great for contouring if you've got a fairer complexion.

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara-Mascaras don't tend to smudge on my lashes but during the day mascara on my bottom lashes tends to which is frustrating if like me you don't carry mascara around with you. Bottom Lash will solve your problems. It has a tiny mascara wand, perfect for getting in close to the root of your lower lashes. It stays put and there's no black spots under my eyes by the end of the day. 

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream*-I love this eye cream from Bobbi Brown. It has a lightweight, gel-like formula but it is still incredibly creamy so you know it's going to be hydrating. I'm prone to getting dark circles, more so if I've not been sleeping. Using this nightly makes those much less obvious. You can also wear this underneath makeup as well because it is so lightweight. Love.

When it comes to my skincare, once I get comfortable with my routine I tend to not change it up too much. Repetition is boring though, let's be honest so I welcomed these new products in to the daily regime with open arms..

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream*-Don't let the lightweight feel of this eye cream put you off, it is incredibly hydrating. The area under my eyes is prone to being dry so I love how moisturising this eye cream is whilst not being overly heavy. My dark circles are less noticeable in the mornings as well. What's great about this eye cream is that you can use it underneath correctors and concealers so those apply a lot more smoothly and don't settle in any fine lines. While this may be a luxe purchase it is so worth it. I use the smallest amount per application so this pot seems like it's going to last a rather long time.

Dior Creme De Rose Lip Balm, a gift-There are probably far more enticing things at the Dior counters than a pot of lip balm, but believe it or not that is often what I have been drawn to on browsing sessions. I've also looked at Baume De Rose from By Terry in Mecca but that is crazy expensive stuff. Anyway, this lip balm is very lightweight. It's not a particularly heavy formula and it feels super moisturising and smoothing on the lips. It claims to be plumping as well but to be honest I haven't noticed much of a difference in that regard. I've used this a few times now in the last week and it has been great for clearing up some dry patches on my lips. So far, so good.

It's that time of the month again! During December I've been loving colour, glitter, and everything in between. Sit back, relax, grab a cup of tea or a cold drink and have a read of this month's edit..

Bobbi Brown Nail Polish in Chrome, limited edition*-It's no secret that I love glittery things and this gold nail polish is no exception. This glitter is easy to apply and the fine glitter pieces mean you can layer this over other nail colours, super festive. It dries fast and is super easy to remove, unlike most glitters. I'm quite tempted to go pick up the other gold shade from this collection as well.

Bourjois Color Boost Lip Crayons in Peach on the Beach and Orange Punch-I love the simplicity and ease of application that comes with lip crayons. These Bourjois offerings are pigmented, creamy and pretty darn long lasting. 

Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub-My skin's been a little bit scaly lately, particularly around my elbows and ankles. This zesty lime, lemon and smashed brown sugar scrub solves that problem though. Using a scrub like this one in conjunction with a body butter leaves your skin incredibly moisturised. It also helps that this scrub happens to smell delicious!

Illamasqua Pure Pigment in Ore-Pigments are perfect for jazzing up eye makeup, particularly during the festive season. Ore is a stunning bronze with flecks of gold glitter throughout. I like wearing this by itself or layered over other eyeshadows with lots of mascara.

I'm currently in Melbourne as you read this which means I am probably doing a combination of shopping, drinking amazing coffee, taking loads of pictures and behaving like a lovestruck tourist. Today I thought I'd talk you through what is in my travel makeup bag. Believe it or not this is quite minimal for me. Aside from some skincare bits and my eye brushes this will be it. On holidays I tend to wear less makeup anyhow. This is a more streamlined version of what I use daily in other words. 

Palettes and Powders With palettes I try to take ones that are relatively flat so that they fit into my makeup bag more easily. The Hourglass palette and my Mac quad are multi-use. My favourite Benefit blush Coralista is coming even though it's not so travel friendly, it's my go-to Summer blush right now.

Eyeshadows While I have my eyeshadow quad I also packed my two favourite neutrals, All That Glitters and A Natural Flirt. Eyeshadow is something I don't fuss as much with on holidays so these blendable, subtle wash of colour shades are perfect.

Primers Standard. My travel-sized Hourglass primer is coming because it has the best lasting-power and my Benefit one is close to running out. I may be eyeing up the Laura Mercier counter looking for a replacement primer. Watch this space..

Pencils My two Rimmel pencils are so easy for everyday makeup, a quick swipe along the lashline and a little bit of smudging with a brush or finger has you sorted. The flesh-toned pencil is for the waterline and my pink-lip pencil is what I pair with my brighter lipstick. 

Benefit Boxed Blushes Admittedly I don't wear an awful lot of blush but this month I've been alternating between Coralista and Rockateur quite a bit. Both these shades are very wearable. They are quite glittery in the pan but don't let that intimidate you. Once applied these leave you with a sun kissed, radiant glow. 

Tarte 'Lights, Camera, Flashes' Mascara This is the first Tarte product I've tried and it's safe to say I am impressed. One thing I love about this mascara is that it is formulated without parabens or phthalates   and instead contains vitamin derivatives which help thicken the appearance of lashes. This mascara has an almost cat-eye effect once on the lashes which is stunning. If you're after a long-lasting, smudge proof mascara then you will love this. PS-Tarte if you're reading, please start shipping to New Zealand. 

Mac Eyeshadows in Woodwinked and A Natural Flirt (limited edition) I've shelved my bronze eyeshadows for now and replaced them with light golds and sheer champagne shades. Both these colours are gorgeous. If you're after neutral eyeshadows you really cannot beat Mac's.

Bobbi Brown Corrector in Porcelain Bisque The creamy, dark circle banisher. No matter how tired you look this will always make it a little less obvious. This one also works well on discolouration and scars that just don't seem to fade too.

Mac Eye Pencil in Coffee If you're wary of black liner then you will like this. This is subtler than jet black liner and is the perfect shade for adding definition to the lashline.  

Bobbi Brown Corrector in Porcelain Bisque Regardless of whether or not I have dark circles, this corrector gets used every day. It's partly self consciousness but also just a habit for me now. The pink undertones help to counteract the appearance of fine blue lines under the eyes. This is also something I like to use on discolouration and any scarring that may be fading. The corrector is very thick so you only need to use the smallest amount. I lightly press this in with my ring finger which helps warm up the product and lets it sink in more easily. This lasts all day without creasing and works wonders on dark circles. I'll definitely be repurchasing this.

Origins Plantscription Concealer #2 This concealer is creamy but it is lightweight so it works well under the eyes. After applying corrector I place this under the eyes and blend it in with this brush. As this shade is a little bit warmer than the corrector it blends in well once the rest of my makeup is applied. Once set with powder this and the corrector don't budge.

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla You've heard the hype and the raves about this concealer-they're all true! The shade range of this concealer is spot on. It's hardly surprising that Nars keep selling out of this one. This concealer is incredibly creamy (as the name suggests) which makes it super easy to blend. It also is really long lasting once applied and is great for covering blemishes, scarring, anything really. This is another concealer I'd repurchase.

*What are your favourite concealers?

Benefit Blush in Rockateur This is Benefit's newest boxed blush and it doesn't disappoint. Admittedly the packaging really isn't my favourite but the blush itself is fantastic so that's all that matters. Rockateur is a rose-gold shade. It isn't as shimmery as some of Benefit's other boxed blushes so if you aren't a fan of glittery face powders then you may like this one. The colour itself is quite subtle but it really gives you the most gorgeous glow. I love it!

Mac Eyeshadow in A Natural Flirt (limited edition) This shade is like a lighter version of All That Glitters. Shimmery champagne shadows like this look so pretty swept across the eye with a little bit of mascara. Perfect for low key makeup days.

Daisy Eau So Fresh by Marc Jacobs A floral, fruity fragrance, how cliched of me. I love all of Marc Jacobs' fragrances though. Any of his Daisy perfumes are great to wear in Spring and Summer. I often find myself adding this to my bag when I'm holidaying during those two seasons. It's so lightweight and  it smells amazing.