The Review: Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in 'Dark Night Water-Loops'

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This is a formula of lipsticks I had heard countless rave reviews on, but every time I approached the Rimmel stand I could never find a shade that I was completely head over heels with. That was until I saw Amelia over at Amelia Liana use 'Dark Night Water-Loops' in a day-to-night tutorial. As a big fan of a dark, bold lip I was instantly obsessed and knew I had to pick it up for myself. Unfortunately, this shade hadn't been released yet in Australia so I did some hunting around and found it on Feel Unique, which is what spurred me on to make my NUXE Rêve De Miel purchase a few posts ago.
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Tumblr Inspo #10

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For anyone who hasn't seen the first nine instalments of my 'Tumblr Inspo' feature, I am completely addicted to Tumblr and love to collect the images I've been loving and inspired by over the month and share them in this space - usually accompanied by a random babble/update type piece!
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The Perfect Spring Flush

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When NYX first launched in Australia about a year and a half ago I went a little crazy and did a massive NYX haul. At the time I was a blush-phobe so I don't know what drew me to such a vivid colour, but something about this shade changed my entire blush related outlook. I am now obsessed and my makeup doesn't feel complete without it!
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What's in my Makeup Bag?

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One of my greater achievements lately has been downsizing my makeup bag and only including my essentials. For awhile I had a colossal thing that contained at least half of my makeup collection and a ton of "to try" type products. I'm making a conscious effort to swap out things rather than simply create a giant pile of products that I don't use. This makeup bag fits in one hand and I have the best of the best for my daily use! So here's a look into my makeup bag...
  • Revlon Lash Potion by Grow Luscious in 'Blackest Black'
  • NYX Matte Bronzer in 'Light'
  • Rimmel Scandaleyes Liner in 'Nude'
  • NYX Blush in 'Peach'
  • Maybelline Brow Drama in 'Dark Brown'
  • LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Primer
  • Rimmel Wonder'Full Mascara in 'Black'
  • Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser in 'Light'
  • Maybelline Super Stay 24 Concealer in 'Ivory'
  • Revlon Bold Lacquer by Grow Luscious in 'Blackest Black'
  • MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in 'NW20'
  • bareMinerals Prime Time Primer in 'Original'
  • Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner 
  • Essence Eyebrow Kit 
  • Face of Australia Translucent Loose Setting Powder
Looking at the list I'm actually quite surprised at how much fits in such a tiny bag! As you can see, I really love Maybelline and they make up a bulk of my daily favourites. I also don't include a base in my bag as I don't always wear when and I change it almost every day depending on what I'm looking for!

Do you have a daily makeup kit and if so, what size is it?
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The Review: Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain

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I think it's clear to everyone right now that I don't really apply seasonal colours to my makeup looks. I have been rocking a dark lip more this spring and near-summer than I did in the fall and winter, and while I'm okay with that, I'm not okay with how many of these colours I have been buying lately - it's an addiction!

I picked up the Revlon Moisture Stain in 'Parisian Passion' purely because it was the darkest colour available. I really enjoy the formulation of these stains as they don't fade in an unpleasant way and are not at all high maintenance, which is rare for dark lips. They apply quite opaque with a super glossy finish, and once the gloss wears off you're left with quite a strong staining effect with no patchiness or mess.

The applicator really makes applying this a dream as it's very tapered and as darker shades aren't so forgiving, this is essential. I think applying a deeper lip liner under this product would also work really well, however I think this would make the staining property quite redundant but I still like the idea. I really do recommend this for people who like no-fuss makeup or people who simply can't check their makeup throughout the day.

Have you tried these? If so, what is your favourite colour?
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The Review: Nuxe Rêve De Miel

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I can't believe that this is my very first pot of this highly coveted and raved about product. NUXE Rêve De Miel is so, so talked about and I'd been eyeing it up and looking at my options for awhile. It isn't the cheapest of lip balms, especially in Australia, but one day when eyeing up a lipstick on Feel Unique and needing to break the twenty dollar free shipping mark, I decided to just take the plunge and pick it up. Plus, who could resist the cute pink 20th anniversary packaging?

I had one of those angels singing type moments when I opened the box and held this weighty little pot in my hand. It felt luxurious, heavy packaging always does to me, and when I screwed off the cap it was definitely not when I expected. I had never heard anyone mention the strong citrus scent before, and I knew it was meant to be thick, but the texture truly is different to anything I've tried in the past.

The scent definitely did make me cringe at first as my migraines are usually triggered by strong scents, especially citrus, so my brain just thinks "nope" every time I catch the smell of lemon or orange. However, after application I realised that I couldn't actually smell it anymore and felt completely relieved. As per every review on this balm, it's incredibly nourishing, weightless on the lips regardless of it's thickness, and doesn't leave a shiny look to the lips - but I wouldn't go as far as calling it a "matte" balm. I am most excited to try this as a lipstick base because everything about it suggests that it would be perfect! I really do recommend this to anyone who has been eyeing it up forever, it really does live up to the hype!

Have you tried the NUXE Rêve De Miel, and if so, what did you think?
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Confessions of a Concealer Fiend: My Daily Duo

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It was not my intention to make it look as though the concealers were sunbathing on a beach alongside a model, I just loved the texture of the sand and water, but I guess that's the visual we're going with today. As a self proclaimed "concealer fiend" you can imagine that I take concealers very seriously. I weigh up which ones I want to buy with care and anything proclaimed "holy grail" by another blogger I instantly lust after like crazy.

While I haven't dubbed anything holy grail as of yet, these two are what have come the closest for me and what I use on a daily basis. They are both products you have probably seen a million times before and are rolling your eyes looking at them now, but trust me, they're hyped for a reason!

Maybelline's Age Rewind is so light and blends into the under eye area seamlessly, yet provides such a nice coverage. It doesn't make sense to me, but I'm not complaining. If I'm applying makeup this will be a part of it without fail. I actually "shopped my stash" and pulled this out again a few months ago and I don't know how I had been without it for so long! If you've been putting off trying this I highly recommend taking the plunge because you won't be disappointed.

MAC's Pro Longwear (NW20) is a perfect match for me, so I tend to use it more for areas that don't need brightening. This is the perfect concealer for the "spot treating" method of foundation application, where you apply a super light base and simply add a high-coverage product to the areas that need it. This blends into the skin beautifully so you can use it in larger areas without fear it will look cakey, yet it still has such a high coverage!

Do you have a holy grail concealer and if not what comes closest?
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My Favourite Liquid Liner

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If my memory doesn't fail me, which it so often does, I haven't written a post in reverence of this product before (which is utterly sinful). Winged liner à la Lana Del Rey was one of the huge contributors to my eighteen-year-old self wanting to dabble in makeup and thus the trial and error of finding the liner that is "just right" commenced. Liquid liner is my weapon of choice and at the rate I go through them I'm not on board to invest, which is where the incredible Maybelline Master Precise comes into play.

This liner has an ultra thin, tapered nib that is perfect for getting into the inner corner, but with a little added pressure also creates quite a thick line. This means that with some practice you can do the lining portion of your eye in a matter of a sweep or two. The wing, however, still remains a little tricky even with a product as great as this, but the style of the applicator definitely helps with getting a sharp and fine point.

The formulation is amazing. It's super black with one coat, but not as liquid as other super-opaque formulas so a sudden blink will not ruin your hard work. Once this liner sets it's not going to crack or budge from oily lids alone (especially when paired with a primer), however it is not waterproof and I have lost my wings before from tears. This might be down to eye shape and my wings beginning quite close to my outer corner, however it is not messy and seems to fade rather than run.

I highly recommend this liner to beginners or lovers of the liquid format. What liquid eyeliner would you recommend to me?
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The Not-So-Sexy Cream

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In class we often talk about the "sexy" side of psychology. The things that look great and are new and intriguing to people are ultimately what get the spotlight, and this can be applied in a lot of ways to a lot of different things. It definitely got me thinking about beauty products (naturally) and I realised that a lot of my products that I love don't really get the time of day on here because they are not immaculately packaged or fun to photograph - and I'm sure we've all done this.

One thing that definitely deserves the spotlight is my Palmer's cream. It isn't in pretty packaging, it says in big letters on the front that it's for rough and dry elbows and feet and definitely falls into the un-sexy side of beauty. Regardless of all of this it's one of the best hand creams I've tried, especially if you get sore, cracked cuticles. It works amazingly on any areas that tend to get quite rough as well, such as the feet or elbows as per the packagings suggestion.

This is a very rich formula that does take awhile to sink in, but it really is to be expected with something so moisturising. It also has the classic Palmer's scent which I am completely obsessed with, which is a bonus. If you don't have anything that needs intense moisture, they have lighter creams on the market which would sink in much faster and be better for everyday hand cream needs. I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking to fix any products listed on the tube, as this most certainly will do the trick.

What is your not-so-sexy beauty favourite?

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The Sunday Post: Degree Troubles

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While it technically isn't going to be Sunday when this post goes live, I'm writing it on Sunday evening so I believe it counts! This weekend has been pretty hectic, especially since I'd been planning on a relaxing one before my summer classes start on Monday. I'm excited to get back into school and chip away a few more subjects over the summer to lighten my workload over the next year, regardless.

I've had a lot of stress regarding my degree lately and mixed in with me wanting to study abroad as well the whole thing just seemed impossible and overwhelming. I was in a double degree that I didn't want to be in anymore, so I had to attempt a transfer into a straight psychology course to get back on track. Luckily my university had a lot of options and I secured a place in a straight psychology course. What does this mean for me? Basically that I'm as far along in my psychology degree as I was before, but now because I don't have to complete the double degree I have much more room open to study abroad - eep! Everything falling into place so well has given me a big burst of "you can make things happen for yourself!" motivation that I definitely needed.

How was your weekend and what has been motivating you lately?
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The Sister of my Holy Grail Mascara

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If you are a regular around these parts there is one thing you would have picked up on, and that's my love for the Revlon 'Lash Potion' by Grow Luscious mascara. It is my holy grail for a reason, but I have near-hysterically raved about it one too many times to warrant anymore talk on it. It's needless to say that when I received it's sister product with this months issue of Cosmo Australia I was excited to see how it would weigh up.

One of the Bold Lacquer's major claims is that it is a smudge and flake proof formula that can least through sweat and tears. This is a particularly interesting blanket claim considering that it comes in both a regular and waterproof version. I wore this standalone on a no-makeup day around the house just to test it out for blogging purposes. Because I wasn't wearing any other makeup I was constantly touching and rubbing my eye area forgetting that I had this mascara on. It flaked a little just from the touching, but overall it stuck firmly and was very reminiscent of the few waterproof mascaras I've tried in the past, regardless of me having the regular version of the product. I think this makes it clear that the waterproof version would be extremely waterproof, however I can not entirely vouch for that as I haven't tried it first hand.

When discussing the longevity of this formula and the feel of it on the lashes only one thing comes to mind and that's Benefit's 'They're Real'. The world lacquer from the name really sticks in my head because this is kind of how it coats the lashes in a very hard, non-budging kind of way. As for removal, this comes off as easily as my regular mascaras, so I really recommend this for anyone who has trouble removing waterproof formulas yet feels they need them.

This product also appears to have fibres in it to aid with lengthening, yet I do not find it any more lengthening than the original, if anything less so. One of the biggest differences I notice is that this formula is more separating and less thickening which isn't a bad thing by any means, but if you're looking for a super thickening mascara I would go with the Lash Potion. Due to its separating nature this is much more buildable than the Lash Potion, which does tend to clump after the second coat.

The Lash Potion hasn't been pushed from holy grail status by its sister, but I will say that they are indeed very similar. The few key differences between them simply makes them suitable for different occasions and different people, so if you are in the market just decide which factors are more important to you. Bold Lacquer is so much more appropriate for the impending summer months in Australia, so I feel I will get a lot of use out of it regardless!

Have you tried any Revlon mascaras and if so what did you think?
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Stress Less

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Due to a number of things going on at the moment I have found myself feeling very stressed and overwhelmed. Sometimes things are out of our control so we can't take away the stressful factor. In these cases the only thing we can do is push through and try to stay as calm as possible. These are a few things I have found have helped me and just things to remember in general...

1. Look After Yourself
Self-care can take the back burner when things are hectic or overwhelming. I am someone who forgets to eat when they are busy, which is not good. I also sacrifice sleep, be it through working late or not being able to sleep due to overthinking. Eating and sleeping are two vital parts of our health and should be put before anything. I am still someone who skips lunch when they are doing a lot, but I really am working on it.

2. Take A Moment
When you are on the edge of panic, you need to learn drop what you're doing and take a moment to calm down. You are not going to do anything productive in this time and you are doing more harm than good, so it is crucial to just lay down or do something relaxing for a few minutes. If I'm at my desk I will often open a YouTube video and after the ten minutes have passed I will often feel more level headed and ready to continue with the task at hand. Any activity you enjoy where there is no room to think will help in the very same way.

3. Write It Down
There is nothing that soothes my overwhelmed soul like a list. Breaking big tasks down into bite-sized portions is a tip I have always stuck by and truly believe in. Not only does the task seem more manageable this way, but you have more things to cross off your list, giving you a motivational boost. A big ten page long to-do list can also induce panic, so breaking your lists up on a day-by-day basis so you delegate X tasks to this day and Y tasks to this day makes everything seem so much more manageable. I really love the app "Todoist" as you can do just that and even plan to-dos months in advanced and set notifications if necessary. It's a great way to feel on top of your week and you can access it at any given time through apps and their web version!

4. Say No
There are some instances where saying no comes easily and others where it doesn't seem like an option at all. This is highly subjective, but if you are feeling overwhelmed do not volunteer to do something because you feel guilty. Sometimes you have to put yourself and your tasks first, and while it can be hard, it is necessary.

5. Reward Yourself
During exam periods I tend to not leave enough room to wind down and have me-time as I see it as time not spent studying. It is so important to set aside time in every day just to do something for you, even if it's just taking a bath. These are the times where we relax and let go off what it building up anxiety wise, so it is crucial and should be prioritised.

What do you do when you seem to be reaching the point of panic and how do you wind yourself down?

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Transition into Summer: Eyes

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The look I am coveting most for the S/S time is a shimmery, almost metallic, white to champagne toned shadow all over the lid. I was never a fan of this super brightening look before and steered more towards browns and coppers, however my tastes have changed and luckily I already have a fair few of these kinds of shadows in my stash that were previously reserved for highlights!

1. Maybelline Eye Studio Quad in 'Copper Chic'
These quads are quite a favourite in the beauty community and for good reason! They are insanely buttery and very, very shimmery. I picked this up on a whim because it was on sale and I am a sucker for copper shadows. I never really thought of the first, bright, white colour had too much potential as anything but a highlight - but I was wrong. It is stunning all over the lid and doesn't leave the dreaded shimmery fallout all over your cheeks.

2. Lorac Pro Palette
There is one shadow in particular from the Lorac Pro that I love to use all over the lid to achieve this look and it is "nude". As the name suggests, it is a very natural shade but has that luminosity that I've been loving! The shade "champagne" next to it is also nice, but does have some larger glitter chunks that are more night appropriate.

3. Maybelline Colour Tattoos in 'Tough as Taupe' and 'Bad to the Bronze'
Okay, I know I said that I was avoiding bronzes, but these two are key when it comes to the summer. They stick around all day and make the perfect base to avoid creasing! Champagne shades on top of "Bad to the Bronze" also look stunning, and "Tough as Taupe" is a great one-colour-lid kind of shade.

4. NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils in 'Yoghurt' and 'Mocha'
These are amazing, but need to be paired with a primer for longevity. Yoghurt is the perfect shimmery base or standalone shade and Mocha when sheered out looks beautiful as well. They are a dream to apply and are such an easy way to create an eye look.

5. Smooch Eye Duo
This was a product I picked up in a sale bin solely because it resembled a NARS product. I had never heard of the brand before and was pleasantly surprised when I swatched these shadows and realised they were super buttery! The lightest shade in this is so, so stunning on the eyes, and while a little more chunky than some of the other shades, very workable.

What is your favourite eye look for the summer time?
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Transition into Summer: Lips

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A lot of you will be kind of confused after reading the title of this post, but here in Australia we are in the middle of spring and the days are only getting hotter and hotter meaning summer is just around the corner. Living in Melbourne means that today is actually kind of rainy, but yesterday when I got thinking about these summer-ready lip shades it was a scorcher!

1. Revlon Colourburst Matte Balm in 'Unapologetic'
This colour screams "summer" to me and was the very first thing that came to mind when I was brainstorming for this post. It is probably the most vivd lipstick I own that isn't a red and almost has a fluorescent quality to it. Although it is matte, which isn't my first preference for a summer lip, the colour definitely weighs it out!

2. Revlon Colourburst Lip Butter in 'Juicy Papaya'
I picked this up on a whim after seeing Tanya Burr use it in the most stunning makeup tutorial. Everything about it appeals to the warmer months from the colour to the finish to the fruity name! It is on the sheerer side so it's perfect as an everyday lip as well!

3. Revlon Colourburst Lip Butter in 'Sweet Tart'
This seems to be a cult favourite when it comes to the lip butters and for a good reason! It is super pigmented considering the formulation and is the most flattering, bright pink shade. This was my favourite lipstick for months on end when I first picked it up.

4. Lasting Finish by Kate Moss for Rimmel in '16'
As much as I dislike the lack of creativity when it comes to the naming of these lipsticks, the formula is on pointe. While I am a huge, huge lover of '103' this comes in close second. It is a stunning coral shade that is on the creamy side, so it applies like a dream.

5. Cover Girl Jumbo Gloss Balm in '220'
There is no other descriptive word that comes to mind except 'hot pink' and a very true shade of hot pink it is. This is very blue toned and is not the most complimentary colour, but I really do love it. Worn more sheerly you can definitely get away with it!

What is your favourite summer lip?
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