Well it's been a while since beauty blogging has made any sort of an appearance around these parts. I feel like I say that every time now when I share anything remotely beauty-related but it's true. Beauty and all its goodness are definitely still things I love, but it's just not what I want to write about all the time. Anyway, this month I have some new things to show you-actually this whole post is essentially about newness. If you're feeling indulgent, or in the mood for a good ol' #treatyoself2018 sesh, keep reading...

Something new: L'Occitane x Rifle Paper Co*. When one of my favourite stationery+designer paper brands gets their floral goodness all over L'Occitane delights, it's bound to be dreamy. I was kindly sent the two hand creams; Shea Butter and Rose Shea Butter and they smell so good. I always have hand cream on me at work because the sanitiser I use can be a tad drying so these'll be put to good use. I kinda have my eye on the mini set too-I can't help myself! I think there'll be more products in this collaboration launching in the coming months so stay tuned. 

Something loved: Miu Miu L'Eau Rosee*. A new extension to the Miu Miu family is this delightful offering. Forget what you expect of rose scents as this is far from the heavy, overpowering kind of thing I was anticipating. Instead we have something softer, with notes of blackcurrant, lily of the valley and musk. So really it's far from your standard rose scent. It reminds me a lot of the Baies candle scent from Diptyque, albeit slightly softer and I love that about it. It's very wearable and not too intoxicating. 

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?

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...

Aloha, happy Monday and welcome to another installment of The Beauty Files. This month we have a few beauty gems; Lisa Eldridge and Alexa Chung made me do it, some rediscovered products, a collection I'm really quite excited for and of course a product that has me a bit perplexed. 

Something(s) New: This month I got a new job, more on that later in the week, and to celebrate I treated myself to a couple of new beauty bits from Cult Beauty. First up I finally grabbed one of the Jade Facial Rollers by Yu Ling. This was absolutely, one hundred percent inspired after watching this Lisa Eldridge video. Designed for facial massage, the healing properties of jade are said to be transformative to the skin. I will keep you updated once I've had a chance to use this properly. Also from Cult Beauty I grabbed another of Charlotte Tilbury's matte revolution lipsticks. This time in the shade Pillow Talk. Inspired by her loved liner of the same name, this lipstick is stunning. I also think the matte revolutions are easily some of the nicest matte lipsticks to wear. Not drying, long lasting and gorgeous, even colour payoff. Pillow Talk is a pinky nude that is a favourite among the red carpet lovers. Alexa wore it to the Met Gala and that sold it for me. If it's good enough for Ms Chung... I've only worn this once, it arrived on Friday but I loved it and know it'll become a fast favourite.

Something(s) Rediscovered: MAC Prep+Prime Fix Plus Spray. This mini size is in the limited edition coconut scent that was rereleased earlier in the year, as part of a collection I have completely blanked on the name of. I think it was possibly workout/eighties inspired. Anyway, I'm not sure if the formulation of this has been tweaked slightly but the mist certainly seems to be finer and less..tacky for lack of a better word. Maybe nothing's changed but I am loving it as a setting spray again. The coconut scent helps too. I am also re-loving Roller Lash by Benefit. I was never a fan of They're Real but I have a lot of time for this one. Lengthening, curling and just straight up lash magic. I think the real magic is in the brush more than anything but whatever it is, it works. My only gripe is it seems to smudge a little on me now so if you're prone to mascara smudging, be careful. 

Something Unconvincing: I feel like this product will excite a few people but I'm not totally wowed by it. Maybelline's Brow Tattoo* is a peel off, temporary brow tint enriched with a host of nourishing ingredients and of course temporary colour. For context I naturally have dark eyebrows so tint in them is perhaps not going to show up as effectively. I've used this a couple of times and felt like it really did nothing in the way of colour. I wasn't expecting dramatic results and I'm well aware my brows are already pretty pigmented on their own but I was disappointed by this and feel like it may potentially be a bit gimmicky. Not sold sorry Maybelline. I'll stick to my pencils and pomades for now.

Something Lustworthy: The Lancome x Olympia Le Tan collaboration looks incredibly dreamy. Case in point. There are also lipsticks, shaped like lips. I cannot deal with this level of whimsy and pinkness. I'm trying to not get too excited in case NZ misses out on this collection. We didn't get the Sonia Rykiel one last year, much to my dismay but my bank account's delight. I will keep you posted if I find out any more information about this collaboration.

-What beauty bits 'n bobs have you been loving lately?

*PR Sample

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?

*PR Sample

**Semi fake news/clickbait lol. 

It's time for another installment of the Beauty Files. Compiling last month's was so much fun and this month's was equally as exciting. It's a great way for me to get through new products a bit more consistently and also think about what I already have, use and perhaps don't mention as often as I should. Today we have the new body range I'm rather smitten with, a barely there powder to love, some luxury delights that are on my unnecessary necessary wishlist and more...

Something(s) New: Almond Milk & Honey Shower Cream* x The Body Shop & Daily Superfoliant* x Dermalogica. I saw one of the UK bloggers absolutely raving about the Almond Milk & Honey range and lo and behold it turned up on my doorstep a couple of days later. Much to my delight, naturally. I am trying to be frugal with beauty products I keep for review+use so I have only held onto this shower cream and the hand cream but I love them. The scent as I said on Instagram is like fresh linen, in the best way. It's very comforting and lovely. Designed for sensitive skin, it doesn't overwhelm you in fragrance or texture either. I'm definitely going to have to grab another of the hand creams and I might be eyeing up this as well.

Another product of note is Dermalogica's new superfoliant. Admittedly I don't use it daily because I don't think my skin would appreciate that but I do like to use it at least once or twice a week. Infused with Active Binchotan Charcoal, Niacinamide, Red Algae and Tara Fruit Extract, it packs a powerful punch. For something that is more of a scrub it feels pretty non-abrasive and gentle which is a huge bonus. I love that it is also available in a mini size too so you can trial it before investing in the larger size.

Something Loved: Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder, not pictured. When it come to face powders, I want something that is going to be light and provide just enough mattifying without leaving things looking statuesque. I'm having images of my face looking marbled and frozen. Don't ask. This does the trick. According to Amelia it is a good dupe for the Giorgio Armani powders which I conveniently can't find online. It is scented so if that is something that irritates your skin, maybe steer clear of this but otherwise it's a pretty inexpensive, decent face powder. I would be lost without it.

Something Rediscovered: Soba Eyeshadow x MAC. I'm pretty sure every time I pick this up again, it's because of Anna who introduced me to it. In the photos and in the pan it doesn't look particularly special. It's that shade on the top left. On the lids however, it's light golden-bronze goodness that gives your lids a little oomph. It also brings some definition to the crease too without having to reach for an extra colour-a bonus if you're time pressed. Long story short, next time you're near MAC, go give this a swatch and prepare to be wowed. 

Something Unconvincing: The abundance of new highlighters. You might argue that no highlighter is alike but you cannot deny that highlighters have certainly had their day in the sun. It seems like every five minutes a new palette is launched, a rainbow-hued powder is unveiled or a duochrome oddity unleashed. Not to mention the abundance of creams, powders, liquids and whatever other forms highlighters come in. Call me a luminescence scrooge but I am sick of seeing new highlighters. It's like that scene in La La Land where all the girls look and dress identical at auditions. Boring and repetitive. Moving right along..

Something Lustworthy: Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss & Re(cover) Perfecting Coconut Setting Mist x Marc Jacobs Beauty. If you scroll back in the archives far enough I reviewed a Chanel Glossimer that I used to own and loved. Admittedly I've been veering away from the matte liquid lip lately and glosses have been on the brain. These newbies sound ideal. Reformulated to be like a gloss-balm hybrid and in an array of colours, including some topcoats which have me intrigued. I might have to pay a visit to the Chanel beauty+eyewear boutique soon. Also on the wishlist, the Marc Jacobs Coconut Setting Mist. I've only heard brilliant things about their primer and am in the market for a new setting spray. It may seem an unnecessary step to some but all the ones I've tried do make a noticeable difference. They just keep your makeup around that much longer. I'm hoping this makes its way on to Sephora NZ soon. 

-What beauty bits are on your radar at the moment?

*PR Sample