August Favourites

Hello everyone!

In today's post, I'll be doing my first monthly favourites!! I can't believe August is about to end, and so is Winter already! It's been a month with a lot of interesting new discoveries, and also some "re-discoveries", you know, the kinda product that for some reason you stopped using some time ago (probably because you had to try something new) and now you end up going back to it and remember how much you used to love it. So let's just get into it!

| CONCEALER | Anastasia Beverly Hills Concealer

I have definitely talked about this concealer before (in my makeup essentials post, which you can read here), and I just can't stop loving it. It is so creamy, so smooth, has such a nice coverage, not cakey, not drying, doesn't crease... I don't know why not everyone is obsessed with it at the moment! Lol, well I guess there are SO many different products out there, and we are all different, so what works for me might not work for you. But seriously, this stuff is one of the best high-end concealers I've ever tried. 

It is $39 and you can get it here

| LIQUID HIGHLIGHTER | Rimmel Good To Glow Highlighter

Certainly mentioned this one before too, but ever since I got it, I cannot stop using it. It's become one of my essentials every time I put makeup on, no matter how natural or bold it is. And that's exactly one of the things I love about it: it's versatile and it adapts to any look. You can build it up or go for a more natural finish. You could probably even mix it with your foundation to get that sun-kissed kinda glow (which I haven't really tried yet). It is super affordable and you really do need the tiniest amount, so it'll last forever! 

It retails for $12.95 and you can find it here

| FACE PALETTE | Rimmel by Kate Sculpting Palette

I'd had my eye on this for a while, and I'm SO glad I finally got it. I was a bit scared at first, because I swatched it on my hand when I got home and it didn't really have much pigmentation, but then when I actually tried it on my face, it was just perfect. The bronzer (which is usually the trickiest part, especially if you're super fair-skinned) is an awesome colour, cuz it enhances you bone structure, without leaving an actual brown line that makes it extra obvious. It just gives the perfect amount of definition. The blush is a beautiful soft pink and the highlighter is very natural, but you can surely build it up or use a bit of Fix + on your brush if you're not happy with the first swipe. 

It is $16.95 and available here

| FOUNDATION | NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

I'm so into glowy foundations at the moment, and this one I've owned for a while. I love it, but unfortunately the shade I have is a tiny TINY bit dark for me, so I tend to use it a lot more in summer. I really like its finish and coverage though, it's a very nice foundation that is worth the price, plus I've found that I don't really need a lot of it to even out my skin tone and give a healthy effect. 

It's $68 and you can find it here.

| EYEBROW GEL | NYX Control Freak Eyebrow Gel

I'm so happy with this. It is literally perfect if you are a control freak (which I AM about my eyebrows, and well, maybe another few things) because when it sets, it keeps every hair in place and they stay RIGHT THERE where you left them, all day. I had been using one by Maybelline before this one, and it never really convinced me, because a couple of hours later it was like I hadn't put anything on my brows, because the hairs were doing whatever the hell they wanted. Well, that is NOT the case with this one by NYX, which makes me really happy and satisfied, so great job, NYX!! 

It retails for $9.95, and it's available here

| CONCEALER | Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

I'm so impressed with the quality of this concealer. To be honest, I think the quality is just like any other high-end concealer. It covers REALLY well, it brightens, it's weightless and doesn't crease. Like, seriously, you're getting an AMAZING quality concealer for $15! It is especially good for under your eyes, because like I mentioned before, it's quite brightening, but it can also work really well for imperfections if the shade matches your foundation nicely. Link here

Hope you enjoyed this post! Thanks for reading me, xo

*Disclaimer: All these opinions are my own. I wasn't paid by any of the brands featured above or anyone to share this. These are just genuinely this month's favourites.*

L'oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Review

Hello everyone!

I found this new hair oil that I've been absolutely loving recently, so of course I wanna tell you guys all about it, and for that, I'll do a review. 
Once I saw it on the shelf, it instantly reminded me of other products like Elixir Ultime or Mythic Oil, which are really good, but also a lot more expensive, so I figured that this could be a dupe, and it would be amazing if it actually DID deliver results, so I decided to give it a try. I actually have been loving the whole Extraordinary Oil range since it came out - I think it's one of the lines that goes best with my hair, and it's been great to see how they've expanded the range in the last few years, adding products like this one that can actually really nourish your hair without having to spend extra on luxurious brands.




So, what are its promises?

It says it's "a precious blend of 6 flower extracts with nourishing properties for luminous colour and sumptuous softness."
"Inspired by the extraordinary power of 6 precious flower oils, the laboratories at L'Oreal have created a perfectly balanced oil with a texture so absorbing that it instantly penetrates and adjusts to the specific needs of each hair type to nourish and provide perfect care."
"The perfect alchemy of 6 precious flower oils: Lotus Oil gives an intense nutrition, Camomile Oil boosts shine and radiance, Tiare flower oil protects from dryness, Matricaria oil softens and relaxes hair texture, Rose Oil protects from external agressors and Flax Oil intensely hydrates."

It says you can use it:
- to reduce frizz after washing (applying to towel dried hair)
- to protect during styling  (against heat damage)
- as daily nourishing care (focusing on the lengths of the hair)
- to protect from humidity  (frizz caused by humidity)
- to nourish before washing (10 min before shampooing to restore the hair's texture)

Are they true?

Definitely yes. To be honest, I never doubted that this would be a good product, but now I'm a strong believer that you can get the same results for a fraction of the cost.  I haven't tried it before washing my hair, but I think I certainly will, especially on those days where my hair is feeling a bit thirsty. 

My only objection here is that I wouldn't be 100% sure that an oil based product would protect your hair from heat damage. I mean, it's awesome if it actually does, but to me oil sizzles when you heat it up, so I've been using a heat protecting spray before applying the oil anyway.

I really, really love its scent. It leaves my hair smelling delicious all day, so besides nourishing and smoothing it, it acts as a perfume for your hair!

 

Would I recommend it?

For sure!! I am very impressed with how good it is, not to mention how stunning and luxurious the glass bottle is. It certainly is a very strong competitor for the pricier ones I mentioned before. It is SO versatile and is just such a good product. It gives your hair that extra smoothness and shine that we all need, plus you really don't need a lot to make a difference (actually you might get opposite results if you apply too much), because I've found that if you want to get that extra glow after styling your hair, you just need one pump.

I think this product can seriously make a dramatic difference in your hair, and it actually does what it claims to do, so I would definitely give it a try.

They also have a complete Extraordinary Oil range, including shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, leave-in-conditioner. etc.

RATING: 9/10

It is honestly one of the best affordable hair products I've tried. I used to think that if you wanted something that actually delivered results, you had to spend a fortune. But this is here to prove me wrong, because you get amazing results for a very convenient price.

It retails for $19.99 and you can get it in your local drugstore or supermarket. Link here.

Hope you enjoyed this post! Thanks for reading me, xo

*Disclaimer: All these opinions are my own. I wasn't paid by L'Oreal or anyone to share this. This is just genuinely an amazing and affordable hair product.*

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream Review

Hello everyone!

In today's post, I'll be telling you all about this new VERY AFFORDABLE discovery of mine. If you have read some of my older posts, you should know that my current morning routine includes a different face cream (by Clinique), but a couple of weeks ago, I found myself at Priceline (I swear I DO NOT know how I got there, it was completely against my will lol), and saw that the whole Neutrogena (and skincare) range was on special, so I got it 40% cheaper. I had been wanting to try it for a while, but I was scared, because I had tried lots of gel formulas before, and they barely even hydrated my face, and now that my skin has been feeling a bit dryer than usual, I had zero expectations, as I was almost starting to think I would need to spend thousands of dollars in very expensive 50+ face creams, because pretty much nothing was working for me.

So, what are its promises? 

It says it "has a refreshing, silky gel formula that doubles your skin's moisture in just 1 hour. With innovative Progressive Release System, this intense moisturiser continuously releases moisture for a full 24 hours. Its light-weight gel-cream formula with Hyaluronic Acid and Olive Extract doubles your moisture levels in just 1 hour, for soft and supple skin with a healthy looking, radiant glow."

Is it true?

Honestly? YES! I don't know about the part where it says that is "doubles the moisture in just 1 hour" (how do you even measure the levels of moisture in your skin, scientifically?) BUT it seriously makes my skin SO much less thirsty. During winter, it just gets so dehydrated so quickly, and it's taken me so long to find something that actually works. I do believe the part that says it keeps your skin hydrated for 24 hours, because the next day, when I wash my face, I can still feel the cream on my face, and I've also noticed that all those fine lines that were getting a bit more obvious because of the dryness have diminished considerably. It makes my skin look very healthy and glowy.

Would I recommend it?

Definitely! I think it's an amazing product. I'm very impressed with the formula, because as I mentioned before, I didn't really like how gel formulas left my skin. This one is different to everything else you've tried, and if you're a bit like me and your skin is very dry and thirsty, this will change it 100%. I also think the hyaluronic acid is very helpful, as it's noticeably helped with those lines. I've tried other creams with "hyaluronic acid" before and it's like they're lying to you, because there is absolutely no difference after using it. I even recommend it for oily skin, because I've heard people who also love it. It is great for sensitive skin (like mine) as well, because it contains no fragrance or any agressive chemicals, it's pretty much just like water!

They also have a very complete Hydro-Boost range, including face masks, eye cream, night cream, etc.



RATING: 9.5/10
Honestly, one of the best affordable products I've ever tried. I think it's even better than LOTS of very expensive high-end products, so if you're looking for a good moisturiser that won't break the bank, this is one of the best alternatives. Plus it is SO affordable and does an amazing job!



It retails for $24.99, but you can easily get it for less at Priceline, as it goes on sale quite often. Link here

Hope you enjoyed this post! Thanks for reading me, xo

*Disclaimer: All these opinions are my own. I wasn't paid by Neutrogena or anyone to share this. This is just genuinely an amazing and affordable cream.*

My all time favourite Urban Decay products

Hello everyone!

Today's post is about one of my favourite brands in the whole world: Urban Decay. What I really like about this brand is that every single product I've tried has met my expectations, not like other brands, where you might find that they have a really good foundation, but their eyeshadows suck, or their concealers are awesome, but their mascaras are mega clumpy and dry. UD is one of the most consistent brands I know, and I love their quality.

| EYESHADOW PALETTE | Naked 1, 2 and 3 Palette

Well, technically the first one is just 'Naked', not 'Naked 1'. This one was my first ever "high-end" palette, and I still have it and love it. I love its quality, I love how well it blends and the pigmentation. I also love that the quality has been awesome with their two following palettes. I also think that one of the things that makes them so versatile is the mix of shimmery and matte shades, so you can achieve pretty much ANY look you feel like. 
In Australia, they are around $83 and you can find them at Mecca.

| FOUNDATION | Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup

I was completely captivated when I first tried this foundation. I remember leaving the shop after I got it put on, and I loved the feel of it. It was the first foundation that wasn't drying on my skin, but wasn't so wet that I couldn't even come close to my boyfriend's clothes when hugging him, because it would transfer all over them. You pretty much don't even need to set it, and it has an amazing duration, along with amazing coverage and finish. You can definitely make it as matte or glowy as you want/need, depending on how you highlight it or set it. 
It retails for $65.

| FACE PALETTE | Naked Flushed Palette

If you've read my previous posts, or follow me on Instagram, you probably know how important this palette is in my life. First of all, you get 3 products in one, so it's ideal if you're getting started or even just to save room, which also makes it perfect for travelling. The highlighter is SO beautiful, it makes my skin look so glowy and pretty, and you can build it up, so it goes from quite subtle to whatever level you wanna take it. The bronzer can be quite pigmented, because the first time I used it I ended up looking like an Oompa-Loompa (lol), but then I tried it with a different brush and it was a lot better. Same with the blush, it can be very pigmented or subtle, depending on the brush you use and how much you pack on. 
Its price is $52.

| CONCEALER | Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer

This concealer is certainly one of my favourites. I remember that before the Tarte Shape Tape, everyone was obsessed with it. It is seriously so brightening and lightweight. It is perfect for under your eyes, because it will make you look a lot more awake, covering those dark circles, and it's also really good for imperfections. It can crease a little bit, but if you set it properly, you should have no problems at all. Plus now they have the colour-correcting shades, so they have orange, violet and green tones, which make achieving a perfect complexion a thousand times easier. 
It retails for $46.

| SETTING SPRAY | All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray

In my opinion, this is one of the best setting sprays out there. It can make your makeup last for up to 16 hours! So if you wanna go clubbing, you know who'll have your back tonight! It is so cool, that it's even meant to regulate the temperature on your skin, so it doesn't matter what weather you're in, this spray is perfect for you. I like how it doesn't make my skin feel like cardboard after spraying it, which is something other alternatives definitely do. It also makes the foundation on my nose last a thousand times better, which is awesome, because my nose is always where my foundation disappears first, so it's kind of a problem area for me. 
It's around $49.

| LIQUID EYELINER | Perversion Waterproof Fine-Point Eye Pen

You know how some eyeliners claim to be 'waterproof' but in reality they're not? Well, that is NOT the case with this one. This stuff stays put for REALLY long. It's also probably one of the blackest eyeliners out there (nothing more annoying than an eyeliner that looks grey after it dries, unless it's meant to), it is easy to apply, it has a thin tip and it dries quickly, so no need to worry about it transferring once you open your eyes. It is quite honestly one of the best ones out there. 
It's $36.

| PENCIL EYELINER | 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil

Another huuuuge favourite of mine, this eyeliner is everything you would expect it to be. It's pigmented, it's longlasting, it's waterproof, it is good for you waterline (it doesn't go everywhere and it actually shows). Plus they have SO many colours available, so it's perfect for a pop of colour, and you're almost guaranteed to find the shade you're looking for. I have this one in the shade 'Electric' (featured below) and even though it's not the colour you'd wear every day, it is perfect for a bit of a more colourful look. 
It retails for $33.

Hope you enjoyed this post! Thanks for reading me, xo

*Disclaimer: All these opinions are my own. I wasn't paid by Urban Decay or anyone to share this. These are just genuinely my favourite products by this brand.*

My 5 Makeup Essentials

Hello everyone!

If somebody told me to pick 5 makeup products to take with me to a deserted island, it would be SO difficult, because my makeup bag has so much more makeup than that, and I like to change and not use the same stuff all the time, but if I HAD TO, it would probably be something like this:

| FOUNDATION | Shiseido Synchro Skin Lasting Liquid Foundation

I did a post reviewing this foundation last month (which you can check out here) because it is my favourite foundation at the moment. I love how it blends with my skin, how well it lasts, how perfectly it matches my skin tone, how it blurs out pores and fine lines, the finish... I think I'm pretty much in love with every aspect, so I would certainly be taking it with me to a deserted island.

| CONCEALER | Anastasia Beverly Hills Concealer

I need concealer in my life - it is an absolute must, because if it's not for under your eyes, it's awesome for imperfections. I got this concealer back in December, and I really, really like it. It has a really nice formula, and what I really like about it is that despite being solid, it is very creamy and easy to blend, which doesn't mean it'll crease all over, because once you set it with powder, it won't. It also covers awesomely well, no matter where you use it.

| MASCARA | Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes Mascara

Another definite essential has to be mascara. I feel like no makeup look is complete without it. I can wear no eyeshadow or eyeliner at all, but mascara certainly does make a difference, especially because my lashes are see through lol. This one by Tarte has been my favourite for years. It makes my lashes very long and volumised, plus the waterproof formula holds the curl really well and doesn't go anywhere.

| BLUSH | Urban Decay Naked Flushed

This one is something I use pretty much every single time I put makeup on, even if it's just for the mirror. The good news is that it's a 3-in-1 palette, so it counts as one product (yay!) but, in reality, you have three. The one I own is in the shade Native, and I love how pigmented it is. The highlighter is very pretty, the blush gives you a healthy glow and the bronzer gives you just the right amount of warmth. They are all buildable and amazing quality.

| BROWS | Anastasia Beverly Hills Tinted Brow Gel

Anyone who knows me, knows that I need to have my brows under control. I hate having weird hairs and the best way to deal with it is by applying a brow gel. I normally use the ABH Dipbrow Pomade and then set it with a clear gel, but since I only have room for one product, I picked this tinted brow gel. It is especially good for when you're running a bit low on time, because it saves you one step. This stuff fills them in and keeps them in place perfectly, until you decide to take it off.

| BONUS: LIPS | BURT'S BEES TINTED LIP OIL

So I don't really wear lipstick religiously. I feel like I'm more of a lip balm kinda girl, unless it's a very special event or something, BUT I do wear lip balm all the time. So in order to give my lips that bit of moisture and hydration, I would pick this lip oil as my essential. It's a bit more than a lip balm, but a bit less than a lipstick, and that's why it works perfectly for me.

Hope you enjoyed this post! Thanks for reading me, xo

*Disclaimer: All these opinions are my own. I wasn't paid by any of the brands featured above or anyone to share this. These are just genuinely my makeup essentials.*

The Prettiest Highlighters (and cheapest too!)

Hello everyone!

I am here to prove to you once more that you can get amazing makeup products for less! If you've seen my latest Instagram post (@lovinggirlylife), then you'll know that the star of my Friday Favourites today is an awesome drugstore highlighter that I got a week ago. So if you wanna see that one and others, just keep on reading! :)




| MAYBELLINE | Facestudio Master Strobing Liquid

Available in 3 shades, you can get a highlight that's lighter/pinker or one that's darker/more gold-toned. You need to swatch it in-store, because it can very easily be darker than you think. It is very lightweight and quite pigmented for its price, and it's perfect for a sun-kissed glow! It's $15.95 and available here.

| SLEEK MAKEUP | Solstice Highlighting Palette

I absolutely LOVE this brand. I feel like none of the products I've purchased have ever let me down. They are amazing quality and such a great price! So of course, I had to include one of their gorgeous palettes, which is ideal if you like both powder and cream formulas, because it includes 3 powders (2 baked) and 1 cream. There's also cool and warm tones which ensure they'll work for anyone, and you can mix and match them as you please! It's $25 and you can get it here.

| RIMMEL LONDON | Good To Glow Highlighter

I bought this highlighter without any expectations at all, kinda running the risk because I didn't check any reviews online beforehand, but I absolutely loved it!! You definitely need a very little bit, but you can build it up as much as you want (which is lots in my case lol). It's super blendable and lightweight, and it certainly gives your skin the prettiest and healthiest glow. It's $12.95 and available here.

| NYX | Born To Glow Highlighter

This one is available in two shades: a pink-toned one and a peachy-toned one. It might be a bit subtle, especially if your skin is a bit darker, but it gives a nice glow. It's a liquid formula, so it's also really good in case you wanna mix it into your foundation and make it a bit more glowy. It's $14.95 and available in this link.

| E.L.F | Illuminating Palette

Another one that won't be your perfect match if your skin is a bit darker, but seriously, it's $16 (and even cheaper in the U.S) and you get 4 shades! I don't think you can get more bang for your buck. It also comes with a yellow shade that is perfect for setting your under-eye concealer. The highlighters are not dramatically pigmented, but you can get a gorgeous daytime glow. Available here.

Hope you enjoyed this post! Thanks for reading me, xo

*Disclaimer: All these opinions are my own. I wasn't paid by any of the brands featured above or anyone to share this. I just genuinely think these are great affordable options.*