Another month, another lot of beauty newness. While my beauty magpie tendencies seem to be somewhat on the backburner these days, I do still love a new addition to the lineup and especially with the changing of the seasons, I enjoy mixing it up a bit. In saying that, I had a few days last week where I just threw concealer on because leaving for work an hour earlier than usual=less care factor about makeup. Sorry not sorry. Anyway, if you want to hear me wax lyrical on the new, fantastic foursome, keep reading...

Majolica Majorca Mascara: A makeup-loving friend of mine bought this back for me from her travels and I'm not one hundred percent certain if you can buy it in New Zealand. I'll update this if you can. Anyway, I have a feeling Anna may have tried this too, maybe. Either way it was new to me and I love it. The brush is quite unusual, being more like a comb you'd use in your hair with bristles of differing thickness. The mascara itself has a tubing formula I believe which lengthen your lashes like nothing else. The beauty (ha) in this mascara though is really in the wand. At first I was rather perplexed by it because it is so unusual but whatever it is, works. Again I feel mean showing y'all this because I'm not sure how accessible it is but I will do some investigating. 

Soap and Glory Rushower Dry Shampoo: My friend and fellow blogger Cass loves this dry shampoo. In fact I know it often makes an appearance in her empties posts because she's repurchased it a few times. Anyway, it's cheap as chips, I love dry shampoo (don't tell my hair stylist) and there's not much more to it than that. I'm yet to use it-but I have high hopes. 

Glossier Cloud Paint in Beam: I am not a cream blush person usually but these ones I am totally here for. Pigmented, yet easy to blend away to something less intense, long-lasting and flattering on the cheeks. As someone who deals with adult acne, bane of my freakin' existence, cream products that don't draw attention to uneven texture are the best. You can even use these on the lips too, with a bit of balm and I know Fiona's experimented with them on the eyes as well. 

Stila Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow in Twig: My love for the glitter and glow shadows is well documented around these parts so when I saw that Stila had new additions to the family, well, I did not hesitate. These are definitely less glittery and more metallic in finish, you'll understand if you swatch them. Still absolutely stunning though. This deep bronze reminds me of a limited edition paint pot I used to own called Eclair. It's going to get a thrashing in Winter when I decide to make my eye makeup dark like my soul and the weather perhaps. 

-Have you tried any new beauty bits 'n pieces lately?

Aka the ride or dies, the ones I would pretty much never be without. It's been an age since I did a post like this, curating a bunch of the beauty bits 'n bobs I have repurchased and will continue to do so. I honestly don't try a ton of new things now and don't feel obligated to follow all the new launches as much as I did so I am gravitating towards what I know and love nowadays. I get by with a little help from my makeup friends or something like that hey...

Bourjois Healthy Mix Powder: Ah interesting, this has been repackaged, possibly reformulated too. I am not entirely certain. This is my go-to setting powder and has been for ages. It gets the job done in terms of mattifying without being too matte. My only qualm is the shade I use, #1 seems to be near-impossible to find here in NZ. I only ever see the darker shades which is disappointing. Otherwise I like this and its relative inexpensiveness.

Fairydrops Scandal Queen Waterproof Mascara: I seem to go through phases with mascaras but I know what I like and this mascara ticks many of those boxes. This must be my third or fourth tube of this mascara now and I honestly love it. Lengthening, volumising, holds a curl and stays well put. It really puts those Western mascaras to shame. 

Glossier Balm Dotcom: I love Balm Dotcom, I use it every morning to prep my lips and also always have one in my bag. I use it during the day at work, when I remember, ahem chapped lips central. It's also great to use as an eye gloss when you can't be bothered faffing around with beauty. Oh and it smells divine. My favourite is this birthday cake scented one pictured. 

Too Faced Hangover Primer: I'm not sure why this primer earnt its name but one isn't fussy when it's this brilliant. Packed with a load of friendly skin ingredients, it's also moisturising and keeps your base looking top notch all day long. I've tried a few primers over the years and this is definitely my favourite of the bunch. 

Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer: I have it on good (ish) authority that this is finally coming to NZ soon! I don't know when exactly, Maybelline tends to drop a ton of products here all at once so I'm guessing it won't be far off. Anyway, under-eye concealer of choice to cover up sleep deprivation and tired, tired eyes. Whoops. Again, I've been through so many of these that I've lost count but it's a fan favourite for a reason. 

By Terry Ombre Blackstar: So I received a Mecca voucher for Christmas and recently repurchased my beloved Misty Rock. My original was quite old and to be fair probably wasn't really fit to be used on my eyes anymore. These eyeshadows are stunning and do not budge all day. Seriously, I've been wearing this in the midst of Auckland's...unusual heat wave, occasionally in a building with broken air conditioning and it's stayed put. 

NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base: If this primer ever gets discontinued I will buy up every last one. Well, perhaps not but it is the only thing that stops eyeshadow becoming a line in my crease come morning tea time. I like that it is clear so it doesn't interfere with the colours of eyeshadow either. I've been using this for five or six years now too-cripes! 

Coco Mademoiselle x Chanel: I haven't had to repurchase this yet as both times I've received it as a gift, thanks 'rents. That being said it is one of the few perfumes I own that I would buy over and over. We all know I am not fond of describing perfumes because I tend to slaughter them. Chanel perfumes are iconic so I am sure you'd recognise this upon spritz. 

-What are your beauty mainstays? 

Two beauty posts in a week? What is this sorcery?! The Beauty Files is another series I started in 2017 and it's back for the New Year. Today we have a tanning product that is pale-face friendly, some rediscovered gems, some I think are worth not spending dollars on and of course some that are top of the lust list. Side note: To those of you who have asked, I finished my declutter, for now. Posts and things are coming-I just need to work out how I want to cover them...

Something New: Eco Tan Face Tan Water, this was one hundred per cent an enabled purchase after asking someone what they were using to make themselves so bronzed and radiant. Basically she said "Sophie, you need to have this in your life." and after hunting around for it for what felt like an age, I finally found it. The fact that it was so hard to acquire in the shops due to it regularly being out of stock probably says it all. It is very early days, I've only applied it twice because I still have bad flashbacks to the Clinique mousse tan for my school ball, circa '09 and thus approach anything tan related with caution. Tangents aside, I am loving it and the fact it is so skin-friendly too. Just look at that ingredients list. Now if I can find something as equally friendly for the body I'd be so satisfied. Recommendations welcome. 

Something Loved: The Dolce Vita Palette x Charlotte Tilbury. I've owned this one for a little while and I've probably mentioned it in one of these posts before. Anyway, lately I've been enjoying palettes again-if only for the effortlessness of being able to combine colours without much faffing around. This one though is a stunner. Yes that pressed glitter is the main drawcard but I just love these reddy, bronzey shades. 

Something Rediscovered: Boy Brow x Glossier. As I noted on Instagram I thought I didn't like this product but I'm not too sure why. Anyway, as I am sure the Internet knows by now, Glossier prides itself on its minimal approach. So Boy Brow will give you a bit of colour and brow maintenance but won't be packing in a ton of pigment. As someone with naturally thick eyebrows that's really all I'm after. I've been through a couple of these now and love the stuff. 

Something(s) Unconvincing: Bad Gal Bang x Benefit. First things first I need to preface this by saying I was sent this mascara as part of a blind review, from Farmers NZ, a local department store here. As with all things, I feel like mascara is incredibly subjective and I know for one I am extremely fussy with mascaras. Anyway, I'm not a fan. I just felt like this did nothing for my lashes and it smudged. There's certainly better mascaras out there. Another product I haven't tried but I'm just not overly swayed by, the Glossier Solution. I'm not a skincare genius but Caroline's post paints a pretty decent picture as to why your toner/acid in skincare funds are better invested elsewhere. I use this and have repurchased it a few times because it works. 

Something Lustworthy: After thinking about this a bit, the only thing I really want at the moment is a Bella Freud candle but I feel like that doesn't count. I dunno, none of the new launches are really calling my name right now. My wallet's probably thankful haha.

-What's on your beauty radar at the moment?

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

November is one of my favourite times of the year. Seasonally, the peonies are out in full force-although let's not talk about my unsuccessful bunch and the sky+water are bedecked in shades of blue. That and blueberries+strawberries make a reappearance. This month beauty-wise I've sticked to tried+true staples and haven't really switched it up a whole lot. We also have some non-beauty favourites in there too just to balance it all out. Here's what has taken my fancy this month...

Chanel Ombre Premiere in Undertone: That trip I took to the Chanel boutique on a whim proved successful. I love this cream shadow and find myself reaching for it most days. It just gives the lids a little something-something if you're time pressed as I am most mornings when it comes to makeup. I like how it can be worn underneath other colours without interfering with them too much as well. 

Glossier Balm Dotcom: This lives in my bag 24/7, I love it that much. As a primer for lipstick, on its own in place of lipstick (are you sensing a theme here with my lack of makeup?), even as an eye gloss. 

Girl Interrupted x Susanna Kaysen: This book was recommended on a Buzzfeed post of books about mental health and because I've been wanting to see the movie, I decided to give it a read first. In it Kaysen recounts her experience with mental health at eighteen and entering an institution in the late sixties. It's intense at times but it's beautifully written. I found the reports from her therapists that are scattered throughout particularly fascinating as well. 

NARS Love Triangle: One of the products from the Man Ray collaboration are these duo blush+lipstick sets from NARS. I grabbed the set with the Deep Throat blush and Barbara lipstick. They're both beautiful pinky nudes, incredibly wearable and perfect for everyday wear. I love the mini size too-ideal for the overpacked handbag *ahem, talking about myself here, ahem*. 

Stevie Nicks: Thanks to the babe that is Lucie, I got to see Stevie last Monday night and it was amazing. She was otherworldly, brilliant and everything I expected her to be. Honestly I feel so grateful I was able to see her and of course hear her stories about her music, songs and the people in her life. The gold dust woman certainly shone and I'll be listening to her music on repeat for a while yet. 

Lonely Lingerie: I freakin' love Lonely and their campaigns, message and of course range of lacy, luxe, exquisite lingerie. At the beginning of the month I treated myself to a couple of new bras and they're amazing. Comfortable, gorgeously designed. I'm sorry if this is an overshare but y'know when you find something great you just have to discuss it? This is one of those times. Also props to the Newmarket store because I entered intimidated and left feeling confident and empowered af. 

-What have you loved during November?

It's been a long time since I've done one of these posts so inspired by Cass, I decided to do one this month. That and I've had this mini vase of these products on my bookshelf staring at me for months. Whoops. Anyway, here's some makeup items I've used up...

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla: This has been my go-to, ride or die concealer for years. I want to say four years but it might even be longer than that. So surely I've been through a fair few of these now. I've recently switched shades to Custard but will probably be closer to this colour again next Autumn and Winter. Repurchase? Until the day it is discontinued.

Lancome Grandiose Liner*: I'm notoriously terrible when it comes to eyeliner of the liquid variety. We just don't mesh well. That being said, this liner is the first I've used where I can actually apply it properly and have things looking half decent. That probably comes down to the incredibly fine nib but also the way you can angle the actual eyeliner pen to suit you. Genius move, Ms. Eldridge. Repurchase? One day, when my wallet is in "treat yo'self" mode.

Glossier Boy Brow: One of Glossier's cult products is this brow gel. I had the shade brown, but they have since expanded the shade range to include a clear variety and also a black. Compared to other brow gels I've tried, I find the fact it isn't so thick makes it easier to work with and it looks more natural. Especially for someone like me with dark eyebrows anyhow, I don't want something that'll make my brows look cartoony or starkly different coloured. This delivers and keeps them in place. Repurchase? I did get a backup in an order with a friend which I'm currently using. 

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara: Another cult product, with a somewhat questionable name. Seriously this one perplexes me. Anyway, this mascara really makes your lashes look a lot thicker and fuller. It's been quite a while since I finished this so apologies if my review skills are a bit rusty. I remember liking this but not loving it. Repurchase? No because I like other mascaras more than this. Like anything beauty, this is just personal preference and I know a lot of people do love this mascara.

NARS Pro Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base: Another NARS staple for me and one I have Ingrid to thank for bringing to my attention a good while ago. As someone with oily eyelids, bane of my existence, if I am not wearing primer, eyeshadow will just disappear into my crease. As much as I love my glitter eyeshadow, finding a thin line of it where my eyelid starts is not a good look. This prevents that and then some. I've tried a couple of other primers; Too Faced's Shadow Insurance and Primer Potion+others I'm probably forgetting and liked none of them or found them ineffective. Highly, highly recommend this. Repurchase? Until the day this is discontinued and I've sent NARS an extremely emotional letter.

Lancome Grandiose Extreme Mascara*: Lancome's iconic, swan neck mascara had a makeover last year with a more matte, more dramatic formula. This was one of the first Lancome mascaras I tried and along with Monsieur Big, it's another of my favourites. They do mascaras so much justice and I find they're at their best after they've dried out a little bit. Repurchase? Perhaps one day. I tend to flit between mascaras I like quite a bit and I like trying new ones so it may be a while but it'll be an inevitable occurrence.

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

*PR Sample

The end of August signals the end of Winter and the beginnings of Spring. Groundbreaking florals, brighter skies, higher temperatures. Yes please. Before September truly gets underway though it's time to reflect on the favourites from the month that was. I certainly found some beauty gems this month along with some extra favourites. In all honesty this post could easily have been much longer. Today though, here are seven things, from music to a pale-skin friendly bronzer I am smitten with...

Mecca Max Sunlit Skin Bronzer in Light: Do not look too closely at the imagery for this online. It is deceiving and nowhere near as orange so I'm not sure why it was photographed as being warmer. Photography qualms aside, I LOVE this bronzer from the new Mecca Maxima, or Mecca Max if we're being overly technical, range. This light shade gives just the right amount of warmth and a hint of radiance to the complexion. 

Zoeva Buffer Brush: After hearing Anna declaring her love for this brush many a time I had to grab it a few months back when Sephora NZ had a sale going on. It does not disappoint and is so luxe and soft. Despite being denser, it doesn't soak up your foundation like it's going out of fashion and makes blending so fast. I don't know what goes in to the making of Zoeva's brushes, magic possibly but whatever it is, it is wondrous. 

Glamour Magazine (UK Edition): Where has Glamour been all my glossy loving life? After grabbing an issue to take on a mini weekend jaunt back in July, I've kept an eye out for the upcoming issues. Great stories, inspiring women, a column with Dawn O'Porter. You have me sold Glamour goddesses. Their podcast is really worth a listen to as well. 

Zoe and Morgan New Moon Necklace: Last month I turned 25 and this was one of my presents. I've loved Zoe and Morgan for a long time and the fact this was for my 25th birthday makes it feel doubly special. That and I get to feel like Stevie Nicks and Florence Welch whenever I wear it. I don't know, I just like to pretend it has some kind of magic encased inside it. Moreover I love it and wear it most days now. It's like my ritualistic talisman. 

Too Faced Love Light Prismatic Highlighter in Blinded By The Light: This is a thing of absolute beauty, in every sense of the world. I'm not one to apply highlighter with reckless abandon so I can appreciate something like this which does the whole wet look, somewhat subtler glow kind of thing. By all means you can dial up the intensity if that's how you like things, but armed with my duo fibre fan brush and an extremely light hand is how I prefer it to be. I like that there are also deeper colours, rose gold and a golden highlighter so there's something for every skintone. Well played Too Faced. 

Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser: I know there's some whisperings about the politics and perhaps problematic nature of this brand online and I am certainly mindful of that. Some is just a bit outlandish, I don't think any beauty brand expects their products to only be used by people who are whatever society's version of flawless is. That'd skew the whole way in which the beauty industry works. Anyway, back to the product at hand. From the first time I used this lightweight, delight of a cleanser I could see why everyone loved it. Aside from being an absolute treat to use, it agrees with my skin and its refreshing, cooling texture goes down well after a long day. 

How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful x Florence and the Machine: By no means a new album now, I think it's been three years almost since HBHBHB made its way into my life. Perhaps I am biased because Florence and the Machine are one of my all time favourite bands but it still holds up. Her lyrics are mesmerising, the orchestration is always theatrical and has such a cinematic, escapist quality to it. Queen of Peace is still undoubtedly my favourite song on the record but I love the whole thing. I often listen to it at work actually and have to resist the temptation to sing often. The struggle is sometimes real.

-What have you loved during August?

Disclaimer time: I am no skincare expert. I am just a mere mortal with an above average level of enthusiasm for beauty products. Any knowledge I have has been self-obtained or absorbed from the likes of Sali Hughes' books and countless other sources. These products might not necessarily work for you and as with anything, try to trial something new first before purchasing it and/or assess what will work for you. Disclaimers aside, this is my current skincare lineup. I'm going off what I use at night more than anything else and there are some extras which might be missing. Either because I'm not satisfied with what I've tried or I'm still trialling things. I try to keep things as simple as possible, complex routines are less likely to motivate me to maintain a skincare regime but I do try to use treatments and whatnot where necessary. For context; my skin is combination-oily, the latter more so in Summer than any other time of year. 

Super Pure Serum x Glossier: Before anyone asks, here is how I get my Glossier fix. Super Pure is one of Glossier's three serums, this one aimed at blemish prone skin. It contains niacinamide and zinc, designed to soothe the skin, calm down redness and sort those angry blemishes out. It feels incredibly cooling to apply, which I like and is fast absorbing. Wins all round.

Stress Positive Eye Lift* x Dermalogica: The copywriting for this product is a bit perplexing so I'll just talk about what I use it for. I apply this under my eyes, pat in with my fingers and wake up with things around the eye area looking a lot more hydrated. It actually absorbs too, you aren't left with product sitting under the eyes in the morning which I love. 

Clarifying Toning Lotion x Ren: After discovering the Pixi Glow Tonic didn't agree with my skin-boo, hiss, I went back to this toner which I'd used in the past and forgotten about. It's alcohol free and not loaded with parabens or sulfates. Yass Ren. As it's designed with combination/oily skin in mind, I feel like it's a bit gentler for an exfoliating toner. It definitely does what it says on the bottle, but it feels a bit less intensive than something like Glow Tonic. 

Pep Start HydroRush * x Clinique: Clinique's moisturiser has been in my routine for most of the year now and I still love it. The lightweight, bouncy texture totally sells it for me. I love that it's oil free too. Clinique recently sent me another of their moisturisers, more on that later in the week, so I'll be interested to see how they compare. 

Milky Jelly Cleanser x Glossier: What's not to like with this one? Like the serum above, it's got a lovely cooling feeling. The texture as the name would suggest is somewhere between a cream and a gel. My skin loves it and it definitely leaves things looking a lot better, without feeling stripping. I can see why so many people use and rate this cleanser, Anna probably has a whole backup shelf devoted to it now. It's a beaut. 

Drying Lotion x Mario Badescu: My first introduction to this product was c/o Kylie Jenner on Snapchat when she talked us through her skincare routine. Yes I watched the whole thing. Anyway, it was this product she applied to a cotton bud that intrigued me. Mario Badescu are known for their facial sprays but I hear just as many people raving about this product too. The blend of calamine and salicylic acid are magic. Obviously I don't use this daily, just when I have blemishes that I want to be less visible pronto. It really works fast and if you have an emergency, planet-sized crater on your face you want to banish, this is the product. 

-What skincare products do you use?

*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

"No post on Sundays" cries Vernon Dursley enthusiastically in Harry Potter. He obviously wasn't thinking about blogs though. The form of "post" if you will that never sleeps. July has vanished in a flourish and it's been quite the month. That aside, there's been some absolute beauty and non-beauty gems that I've loved all month long. From the cream blush that has me converted, through to a book that left me on the verge of cry-laughing. July Favourites, you rock...

Glossier Cloud Paint in Dusk: I'm copying this from my Instagram post so apologies if you've read it already. When it comes to cream blush, I'm the first to run in the opposite direction. It's fiddly, usually results in Clown makeup and subsequent, self-inflicted tantrums. Cloud Paint however is as dreamlike as you would expect. I use a stippling brush to apply this and it leaves the most natural, flattering tint to the cheeks. You can even use the shade Dusk to contour, which I've not tried but Arden does in her video and it looks beautiful. 

MAC Painterly Paint Pot: Why I let my makeup routine go so long without a paint pot to keep eyeshadow in place and swipe on for "can't be bothered but want to make an effort-ish" days, I do not know. They're the perfect primer/base for any colour applied over the top and dry down quickly.  One thing I will say is if you're super pale, make sure you apply a crease colour if you're wearing this on its own because it can look a tad...strange all on its lonesome. I learnt that the hard way and thankfully overpack so I could remove it with wipes. Otherwise, you cannot go wrong.

Made Earrings: These were an Instagram find, after spying them on Fiona's Instagram story. These starry earrings have been my go-to all month. They're individually made from resin and can be customised to suit you. Mine for instance hang longer because that was something I requested. The custom-order shop is closed at the moment but I am totally eyeing up some of the stars. They'd make lovely gifts too. 

Go-To Super Handy*: When it comes to hand creams, I will dabble with them and think how luxurious and lovely they are for a while. Then they'll inevitably stay in my handbag and I will only think about them occasionally, when riffling around trying to find a lip product in my bag. So it goes without saying that for a hand cream to make it into my bag daily, and then end up on my desk at work, it's left a lasting impression. I probably should have expected no less from skincare sorceress Zoe Foster Blake. It contains a host of hand-loving ingredients like cocoa butter and jojoba esters, among other things and it smells lush. Not to mention it's fast absorbing, you aren't left with greasy mitts and it protects your hands from the pitfalls of air conditioning. I even like to use it when my hands are feeling a bit knackered and paper cut by the stickering and keyboard typing I do on the regular. Go buy this tube of goodness. You won't regret it. 

Is It Just Me? by Miranda Hart: Miranda's debut book was recommended to me by my cousin and I really freakin' enjoyed it. It shifted between dialogue of Miranda in the present day and her eighteen year old self interjecting which made it all the more entertaining. That and so many parts I was like "yep, can relate." See: awkward banter at the doctors. What is it about that place that brings me to unleash every single thought on the poor professionals? Honestly though if you want a book that will brighten your day, make you laugh out loud and up the feel-good factor, this is it.

Byredo 'Mojave Ghost' Eau De Parfum: If Daisy Marc Jacobs had an older, sophisticated sister, this would be it. Floral and woody with a touch of musk, it's just exquisite and I cannot get enough of it. Byredo's fragrances are pricey but they're all unique and you can tell a lot of thought and love has gone into their creation. If you want to read more odes to this edp, head here.

Headspace: I'm sure many of you have heard of this app. It's designed to be a guided meditation tool that is simple and well laid out. You go through basic, usually ten minute exercises through to more advanced techniques and can follow courses tailored to more specific needs. For instance there's some on self esteem and anxiety. If you're motivated by being able to visually see how you're doing, each day it shows you how many minutes you've meditated in total. I've been a bit inconsistent the last couple of weeks with it but I do notice such a difference to my days and overall mindset when I have set aside time to do it. 

-What were your July Favourites?

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I seem to have acquired a few new beauty products recently; some repurchases, some beauty vices and just some other rather fabulous things. How does this happen? Treat yo'self 2017 or something like that? Anyway, if you're also excited by beauty, keep reading...

Birthday Balm Dotcom: Ahh Glossier, my vice. My utter favourite beauty vice. This is the latest addition to the Balm Dotcom lineup, in collaboration with Milk Bar. It smells like vanilla cake, delicious and is clear but has slight glitter reflects throughout. These multipurpose salves if you will can be used on your lips but I also like to throw them on my eyes for a bit of the glossy lid look without the thick, uncomfortable texture. 

Milky Jelly Cleanser: This is one of Glossier's hero products and I have heard mostly good things about it. Heck, Anna even cut hers open to get the last of it out and bought several backups. It's a lightweight, gel-like textured cleanser that is incredibly gentle and soothing. I've not used this yet but have tried my friend's and was impressed by it. If I end up loving it, this will not be the last time you hear about it.

Dusk Cloud Paint: Cloud Paints were all over the Golden Globes and Oscars red carpets I believe. It was around that time they launched anyway because I remember seeing some of my favourite starlets and muses, cough Alexa cough, having them used on their complexions. Lisa Eldridge is a fan too so if it's good enough for Lisa... I do not typically go for cream blush but these shades just look so lovely and easy to work with. I could not pass them up. Dusk, a nude-pink is right up my street. Again, if this is love in a painter's style tube, you will hear.

NARS True Story Cheek and Lip Palette, limited edition: This was part of the NARS Christmas 2016 collection featuring Sarah Moon's imagery that sadly isn't available anymore. One of my lovely friends is moving house soon and was having a clear-out of product she'd accumulated so I took this beauty. I am loving these blush colours at the moment and they're all shades I wear fairly regularly. My favourite is Outlaw, the far right. It's actually a permanent colour too which is great if it takes your fancy as well. 

MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Painterly: During one of my ruthless culls, my MAC paint pots were looking worse for wear, i.e. expired. I've been without my ride or die eyeshadow base for months and have missed having a Paint Pot so badly. They just can't be beaten when it comes to priming the eyelids, creating a neutral canvas for whatever's layered on top and even for lazy, slapdash makeup days. I love this colour and won't ever be without one again now.

Simple Kind To Eyes, Eye Makeup Remover Pads: I usually always have some kind of eye makeup remover pads in my bag. It sounds bizarre but they're perfect if you're like me and love to swatch products when you're out beauty browsing and shopping. Or you're like me and forget moments before an interview that there's a bright coral-red lipstick on your hand. Anyway, I grabbed these in Farmers on Friday and they were on special (thank goodness) because full price I think they're a bit expensive for what they are. $10 for reference. Anyway, I like them, they feel incredibly gentle on hands and eyes plus they're a lot friendlier on the ingredient front.

-Have you purchased any new beauty odds and ends recently?

There's certainly no shortage of beauty launches at the moment. It was made all the more clear when I was thinking about what to include in this post. Sometimes it almost feels like there's too many launches. In fact, I read an article the other day saying that MAC releases on average fifty new collections a year. A remarkable achievement for sure but one that makes me wonder if it's absolutely necessary to have that many new collections, products and vice versa on the market. I call myself a beauty blogger eh? Cynicisms aside, there are plenty of fantastic new launches around if you're feeling spendy... 

Something(s) New: Face Case* by Go-To. I'm a keen supporter of anything Zoe Foster Blake does so I was really excited to receive this through my mailbox recently. Insulting box, chocolate sleeping 'pills' and all. Silk pillowcases have a range of benefits; less static hair i.e. no more waking up looking like Hagrid, less wrinkly faces and they won't absorb your moisturiser like it's a decadent dessert. Score! I am yet to try this, as it's being saved for something special** but will keep you all updated on how it goes in silktown. Another newbie is the L'Oreal Colorista* range. Now I have to confess, I'm a bit of a scaredy cat when it comes to colours like these. I like them, but half the time I think they'll either not translate to my hair or end up looking like I've coated my head in a fluorescent pen. Irrational dye fears perhaps? Anyway, I've always wanted to add a touch of ginger to my hair so I'm hoping to try this wash-out colour very soon. I've never DIY dyed before so if anyone has any tips, leave them in the comments please.

Something Rediscovered: Exposed Blush x Tarte. In my opinion the best blush ever. It's a nude-pink that flatters my complexion like nothing else. It seems to really complement paler skin tones well but I have friends with deeper skin tones than me who can work with this colour too. I know some people think the Tarte blushers are overrated but I have no issue with them and find them really long-wearing. 

Something Unconvincing: I know one of the key things the beauty world obsesses over is solving a problem. Sometimes however I think they take things a bit too far. As is the case with these. I can't speak for the formula etc of these but I have seen them at a friend's house and they just seem unnecessary. Are women really in need of a product that essentially assumes they do not know how to apply eyeshadow? I also think the way the colours are split would end up making things messier and maybe in a sense more difficult to blend. This is just me speculating but they seem kinda pointless. 

Something(s) Lustworthy: As previously stated, there's certainly a fair few new releases around at the moment. I'm currently getting all heart-eyed over; Pillow Talk lipstick by Charlotte Tilbury. I love me a good nude and Charlotte's Matte Revolution lipsticks are one of my favourite formulas. Seriously they are so comfortable and long lasting for a matte it's kind of ridiculous, in a good way. Cloud Paint by Glossier. I'm definitely not the hugest cream blush advocate, I find them difficult to work with and oftentimes unflattering but Dusk looks absolutely exquisite. It also seems like this product leaves you a bit more time to work with it which I love as well. Now for something a bit more local, Loose Eyeshadow x Nude by Nature. Annoyingly I can't remember which of these colours I liked and this is by no means an essential, but they are cheaper than some similar products on the market and seemed pretty impressive on swatching. Don't be intimidated by the fact they're not a pressed shadow. I found on swatching that they didn't make too much of a mess and wouldn't be too difficult to work with on the lids. Lastly, less of something I'm lusting over but more a PSA. Oskia's beloved Renaissance Cleanser is now available in a larger size. Now they just need to release a mini for traveling and we'll all be set. 

-What are your current beauty go-to's?

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**Semi fake news/clickbait lol. 

As the year is now in full swing, the beauty launches are coming through thick and fast. Today I have some new products from local beauty brands to share with you all, as well as some from the indie brands like MAC Cosmetics, L'Oreal, y'know those underground ones...

Antipodes  'Moisture Boost Natural Lipsticks' in South Pacific Coral and Queenstown Hot Chocolate*-I must admit, when I first saw these lipsticks I wasn't immediately taken aback but once I tried these two shades in particular I was sold. Queenstown Hot Chocolate reminds me a touch of Whirl x MAC and I can see why it's a beauty blogger favourite. It's a darker, natural nude and I feel like this would flatter a wide range of skintones. South Pacific Coral is a soft, pastel coral pink and I love it. Now these lipsticks are moisturising but they're not so creamy that they're going to glide right off your lips. I'd say they have more of a satiny finish because they're not overly matte but they aren't the creamiest formula around. They're made with natural ingredients too such as avocado oil and shea butter so you know your lips are being well looked after. At $34, they're hardly going to put a dent in your wallet either. 

Mellow Cosmetics Brow Pomade in Chocolate*-Mellow Cosmetics is one of those brands I've seen all over Instagram but only recently worked out they're from New Zealand. Anyway, brow pomades are one of those products that can make your brows look tidier than they are, in my experience at least. This one is just as creamy as others I've tried and it's so easy to apply to your brows and then brush through the colour. Don't be intimidated by these types of products. They're much easier to use than you would think. 

MAC Cosmetics 'Next To Nothing Face Colour' in Medium*-It's very early days with this product so I won't wax lyrical on it too much yet but the name says it all. This is definitely one of those 'no makeup, makeup' bases. It still gives you a hint of coverage, but in a way that it veils your skin in the lightest amount of colour. Think the oft used cliche, 'your skin, but better'. I've only used this once as I literally received it less than a week ago but found it wore really well throughout the day. So far, so good. I've got a full review on this coming next month though so keep an eye out.

Glossier Balm Dotcom in Coconut-Another Glossier newbie, well new to me. I'm pretty sure Balm Dotcom was the first product they launched. Is there anything overly special about this lip salve? Probably not but I find it sits a lot nicer on the lips for a balm that's on the thicker side. It's also much easier to blend in as well. Okay so maybe it is a bit special. The coconut scent reminds me of popcorn, I'm not sure why but I'm not going to complain about it. Beautifully designed too if aesthetics are your jam.

L'Oreal Extraordinary Clay range*-Not pictured, the empty shampoo and conditioner bottles because I've used this religiously since I received it in March/April. It's been in my shower ever since. Designed for oily roots and drier ends aka, my hair. It feels lightweight and not 'heavy'. Oily haired gals, you know when you have product that just sinks into your hair and doesn't leave? This is not like that in the slightest. The dry shampoo, pictured, is pretty top notch too. There's also a hair mask in this range but I'm honestly not one for hair masks so I can't tell you how it performs. If you struggle to find shampoo+conditioner for you though, this range should be your new hair BFF. I can't find it linked online but it's available from supermarkets and most Farmers stores in NZ now.

-What beauty products are you putting to the test this Autumn?

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