Beauty favourites so far!

Okay so here are my favourites for 2014/2015. Not pictured are facial wipes, lip pencil and perfume because I forgot to add them in like an idiot.

So here we go:

Concealer: Ready Set Gorgeous by Covergirl
Runner up: Mac Prolong wear concealer

Foundation: Estee Lauder Double Wear
Runner up: Hello Flawless by Benefit

Cleanser: Perfecly Clean by Estee Lauder
Runner up: Essentials Self-foaming facial wash by Clean and Clear

BB cream: Fresh Effects by Olay
Runner up: Dream Pure by Maybelline

Paw paw ointment: Pure paw paw
Runner up: None.

Travel Essential: Eyes, Face, Blush and Applicator set by Givenchy
Runner up: Sephora palette (the one shaped like a bag, I can't remember its name)

Travel Lipstick: Mini lipstick in Nudie Run by Savvy
Runner up: Blastflipstick by Covergirl

Moisturiser: Hydra Beauty Creme by Chanel
Runner up: Moisture match in Dry to very dry skin by Garnier

Facial Primer: Porefessional by Benefit
Runner up: Base magique by Loreal

Contouring: Contour Kit by Anastsia Beverly Hills
Runner up: Hoola by Benefit (too dark to be a bronzer for me)

Duo Eyeshadow: Poseidon by Smooch
Runner Up: Any by Nars but I am yet to own one... yet.

Lip Balm: Christmas Fun Lip Gloss by Avon (I know it says lip gloss but its really a lip balm)
Runner Up: Nourishing Lip Balm with Mango Butter by Burt's Bees

Lip Scrub: Sugar Lip Scrub in Watermelon by Ombra
Runner Up: Eight Hour Cream Intensive Lip Repair Balm by Elizabeth Arden

Pigment: Reflects Pearl by Mac in the cinderella collection
Runner Up: Seedling by Savvy

Single Eyeshadow: Shimmer Powder in Peach by Aphrodite Cosmetics
Runner Up: Metal Glam eyeshadow in Sparkling Orchids by Essence

Pressed Powder: Boe Cosmetics
Runner Up: Advanced Radiance by Covergirl

Translucent Powder: BYS
Runner up: Physicians Formula

Brow Gel: Makeup Forever
Runner up: Anastsia Beverly Hills (I am yet to own it)

Eye pencil: Kajal pencil in Feel the Mari-time by Essence
Runner Up: Masterliner by Maybelline

Other eye product: Jumbo eye pencil in Milk by Nyx
Runner Up: Liquid Eyeliner in Blue Milk by Lime crime

Mascara: They're Real by Benefit
Runner Up: Great Lash by Maybelline

Eyeshadow Palette: Electric Palette by Urban Decay
Runner Up: Wicked Dreams by Nyx

Highlighter: Girl Meets Pearl by Benefit
Runner up: Watts Up by Benefit

Liquid Lipstick: Istanbul by Nyx
Runner Up: Cashmere by Limecrime (it would be first but Istanbul is a more wearable shade)

Eye Primer: Primer Potion by Urban Decay
Runner Up: Stay Don't Stray by Benefit

Lipstick: Brave by Mac
Runner Up: Scarlet Empress by Nars

Blush: Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush in Candy Glow by Too Faced
Runner up: Hervana by Benefit

Bronzer: Rockateur by Benefit
Runner Up: Hoola by Benefit

Lip Crayon: Syrah by Bite Beauty
Runner Up: Beezlebub by Laqa and Co

Lip Gloss: Candy by Be Youself
Runner Up: Atomic by Makeup Store

Facial Wipes: Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes in Night Calming by Neutrogena
Runner Up: Natural Organic Facial Wipes by Wotnot

Lip Pencil: Fly Girl by Chi Chi
Runner Up: Soar by Mac

Perfume: Black Opium by Yves Saint Laurent
Runner Up: Rock Princess by Vera Wang

Bellabox!

My new Bellabox has arrived today and I'm so happy with it. Here is a photo from my instagram:

I was a little bit disappointed when I saw two sachets but one was a 60ml sachets so I was pretty happy.

Things I got in the box:

- 3 cardboard cards, one telling me about the pouch that I got. Another was a special bellabox offer for the Wen Deluxe Pack. The last one is the little card that tells you whats inside the box and what the retail prices are, etc.

- A sample size of the Chinta Sland, Body and Sun Oil, SPF 4 in coconut and lime.
I must say this is a fantastic sample size and its perfect for travelling, say maybe going up to the Gold Coast. I was a little, I guess weirded out by the SPF 4, like wtf is SPF 4? Although it is a hydrating spray which I love because mum initially thought it was a tanning spray.

- The next thing is a sample size of the Brauer Calm everyday stress homeopathic medicine. I must say again, great sample size and I was really happy to see a medicine in here. Plus I am a walking disaster for stress and anxiety, so to see something like this made me really happy.

- Next up is my favourite of the bunch! Its the Laqa and Co Lip Lube (full size), mine was in the shade Beezlebub, it wasn't the shade that I wanted from Bellaboxes instagram which was Menatour but I have to say this was a really good second best. After looking at all the shades I decided that I liked this one second best and its a really great summer shade.

- The next item isn't per say a beauty product but I am loving it, its the bellabox exclusive pouch, bag thing. I've seen numerous photos of what people use it for but I haven't decided yet, maybe manicure set of my own.

- The last one is a sachet but quite a big generously sized one. Its the Wen Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner. It's 60mls and advertised as a 5-1 hair product. Meaning it takes place of Shampoo, Conditioner, Deep Conditioner, De-Tangler and Leave-in conditioner. I didn't even know people used 5 products, I only use two so I was a little baffled when I saw that but still I look forward to using it.

- The bonus product was a 1.5ml sample of Garnier's Moisture Match for dry to very dry skin. I can't wait to try this as the skin around my nose has been quite dry and my other moisturises haven't been up for the challenge.

Products I'm happy with:
6/6

3 Questions Every Beauty Guru Should Be Able To Answer

First Question: Are you sponsered?

When watching a video or reading a blog post, I want to know if that person is sponsered. I think it really matters if someone is getting paid to say that they like the item or if they genuinely like the item enough to say they like it without actually wanting anything in return. I want someone's authentic opinion on certain makeup when I'm watching their content, not something that they have been paid to say is great, however I don't mind if they say they got sent something and then review it for an honest answer.

Second Question: Where did you buy it from/ Where did you order it from?

I hate it when people don't say where the thing they got it is from because here in Australia, it's really, extremely, difficult to find products that are say limited edition, we don't stock the brand here, the website only ships to USA or it's a product that legally can not be shipped (perfume, nail polish, deoderant etc.) I want to know where they got their product from and I want to know where, what and how.

Third Question: How much did it cost?
Come on isn't this one pretty simple and self-explainitory? I want to know how much the product costs, I mean sure I could look it up and it would take a mere two more seconds but isn't it just easier if you tell me? Is that laziness? Tell me in the comments below what you think and what other questions a beauty guru should be able to answer.

Things I've learnt While Using Makeup

As a beginner, I know how hard it can be to distinguish what brush to use for what or will this match this? Well here are some things I've learnt whilst using makeup over the past few months.

1) Pick either lips or eyes.

If you want to go for a bold lip look, like I do most of the time, but if you do cut back on the eyes. Having bright blue eye shadow mixed with bright orange lipstick, isn't going to get you on the cover of vogue let alone a date. Not that you need to get a date but it doesn't make for a good look none the less.

For example I will be going to a wedding in April and I'm stepping out of my safe zone by going for a bold eye look mixed with neutral lips.
I'll be using Makeup Resolutions Eat Sleep Makeup Repeat palette.

For my neutral lips I will be using Lime Crime's Velvetine in Cashmere

If you guys want photos I will be more than happy to take them and post them.

2) Organisation is key.

How are you going to see all the beautiful products you have purchased if you just chuck them in a drawer. In the end you just pick up whatever product is a the top or whichever is your go-to makeup. It doesn't allow full access to your whole collection and then there's no variety in your routine and makeup ends up expiring because you've opened it once and now it's been left at the bottom of your drawer.

I recommend Ikea furniture and in the land of beauty guru's, the Ikea Alex 9 Drawers are quite popular but find what works for you. Be unique and be original.

If you're after some of the more acrylic desk top organiser's or some makeup displays, I have found a couple online sites for Australia and New Zealand.

For Australian's

For New Zealander's

3) Use both natural lighting and artificial lighting.

This is something that everyone needs to do when applying makeup because under different lighting your makeup can look different also it might help you spot some places that you might've missed when blending.