Inside my travel makeup bag

Hey guys, sorry I haven't posted for awhile (but it's within good reason I swear!) Over the last week and a half I've been traveling up and down Australia, first an unexpected visit to Brisbane to see family and then straight to Melbourne to celebrate my 21st birthday! So, with all the traveling I have been doing as of late I thought what would be better than to share a peek inside my travel make up bag. I will also have some pictures my trip to come as well so keep a look out for those if it interests you!

I used to be the worst traveler in regards to make up and would end up taking quite a large amount of my stash with me and not end up using half of it. For my latest travels, I decided to finally cut that down a bit (if I'm being honest, this is probably actually a quarter of what I would previously take) to the essentials that would get me through a weekend or just a couple of days. And yes, it was bloody hard to choose only a few items. At one point I gave up and tried to add a few more bits and pieces (read: numerous items I don't need), but I soldiered on and came up with this little collection. I might as well add that I didn't die with only less than 10 products to choose from a day, but I was very, very happy to come home to my extensive stash of make up.

I decided to go with MAC Face and Body Foundation as my base of choice as I wanted to have something that was light and easy to apply during the day that still offered a reasonable amount of coverage and dewiness but could still also be layered at night. My primer of choice ended up being Laura Mercier foundation primer in Radiance, that added just the right amount of glow and staying power. I also went with Stila Convertabile Colour in Gerbera as a blush and Benefit Hoola Bronzer to add some life and definition to my face. As usual I went with Benefit Gimmebrow for my eyebrows and Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette as it is easy to carry around and can be used to create a neutral look for day and a smokey eye for night. I also brought my favourite liquid eye liner at the moment, Maybelline Master Precise for nights out as well. It was such a hard decision to choose one lipstick (but I did it ladies!) and went with MAC lipstick in Angel, great for the day and great for a nude lip to pair with smokey eyes at night. And last but not least, YSL Shocking mascara that adds great definition for day and can be built up for a more dramatic look for night (I think I may do a review on it in the near future too!)

So that's what my travel make up bag currently consists of. What do you think of its contents? What do you have in yours?

Chantalle x

Inglot Freedom System | Review

Lately I've heard so much about Inglot products and how great the colour pay off of their eye shadows are that I decided (and rather spontaneouly might I add) to give some of their products a try. I am prone to be quite indecisive and usually make carefully thought out purchases, so this was definitely a first for me! It is quite amazing actually that I didn't take hours to decide. But for my first Inglot purchase I decided to create my own freedom palette (because I can never have too many eye shadow palettes, righttttt?)

Inglot boasts a variety of customisable freedom palettes, from trios and quads to palettes that can hold 10, 20 or even 40 eye shadows. Let me just say that their colour range is extraordinary - there are so many colours of varying shades and finishes that I was completely overwhelmed with choice (not in a bad way though).

I decided on a quad palette with four neutral shades that I thought complimented each other quite well but also still looked quite lovely on their own. I also tried to choose shades that were slightly different to what I already have in other palettes (heavy emphasis on try though). In the end I chose the shades 393, 09, 43, and 402. 393 is lovely peal peach shade that can be used for highlighting the browbone or even as a shimmery neutral all over the lid. 09 was a shade that stood out to me from the start, I love bronzey type eye shadows on their own and this one was so lovely I couldn't look past it. 43 is a warm gold tone brown and pairs well with 393. 402 is more of a cool toned taupe and so very pretty.

Inglot Freedom System palettes can be bought on their online site, however I would recommend buying them in store purely for swatching purposes (I am not fond of buying eye shadows without swatching). I also found their labeling system/lack of eyeshadow names overwhelming and a bit harder to choose. For girls living in Sydney, the only place I have ever seen Inglot products (other than at IMATS and where I bought mine) is at Bondi Junction Westfield as a pop up shop.

I haven't used my palette much yet but I can say without a doubt that these babies deserve every bit of praise that they get. For only $10 a piece and $13 for the palette (quite a reasonable for Australia), these eye shadows are worth every cent. They are of extremely high quality, the pigmentation is amazing, and the texture is unbelievable. I will definitely be making a larger palette or creating more quads - whichever really, as long as I get more of these in my life!

Have you tried any Inglot eye shadows?

Chantalle X

Mecca Cosmetica Mini Haul & Beauty Loop Bonus

I swear for me, (and for many other gals on here I'm sure) there is nothing better than a lil beauty haul. Nothing is as satisfying as finally buying a product that you've had your eye on for ages, and I mean nothing. If you're trying to think of something better, don't even go there. Is there really, truly something better than the thrill of opening a package or going in store to get your hands on that one product (whatever it may be) that you have been coveting? No, no there isn't.

I'm kidding guys, but seriously you cannot be a beauty lover/addict/devotee/aficionado if you don't enjoy buying the stuff (don't even deny it!)

Dramatics aside, I do really love a good old haul and my recent little haul was from Mecca Cosmetica. I guess Mecca Cosmetica and Mecca Maxima would be the Australian equivalent of Sephora, and when they call themselves mecca, it is truly a mecca for make up and skincare - I could spend hours in there alone not gonna lie. However, I decided to buy some bits and pieces I have been meaning to get on their online store instead of actually going in. I had received an email about their exclusive gift with purchase for being apart of the 'beauty loop' - their version of a loyalty program, and thought to myself, what better reason to go shopping than to receive some more goodies in the process. So naturally, off I went.

I am apparently a Level 2 Beauty Devote on the Beauty Loop program, I think you need to spend more than $600 a year to get there (that's a lot of money when you add it up like that... I may have a problem guys). But I think it's a nice way to accumulate points and be rewarded with a sample box. My two packages arrived within 2 days of my ordering, which is always great. It also came quite nicely packaged, and I must say I am a sucker for neat packaging (anyone with me?) I ordered the Origins Out of Trouble 10 minute mask to rescue problem skin, Origins GinZing eye cream, Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo, and Clinique Anti-blemish solutions liquid foundation - so expect some reviews on them in the near future.

I was actually quite pleased with the sample box as it include some things that I have been wanting to try out, as well some other things that looked quite good as well. The Beauty Loop box included a decent size sample of Clinique Even Better dark spot correcter which I have been meaning to try out with my acne prone skin history and all, Bare Minerals Stroke of Light eye brightener, NARS Light Optimizing Primer, and Lancome CILS Booster XL Mascara. I'm quite excited to try these all out, if you would like to see a review drop me a line! And to top it off I also received the usual samples that come with a Mecca purchase, some Stila Colour Balm lipstick samples and the infamous By Terry Baume de Rose (I've been dying to try this but I just can't justify $84 on a lip balm!!?)

Have any of you Aussies been to Mecca Cosmetica? Or have you tried any of these products? I would love to hear your thoughts!

Chantalle X

*note: I was not endorsed for this post, it is simply my own thoughts on their brand, products and their reward/loyalty system

Wednesday Wishlist #3 | 21st Birthday Edition

 

I've probably mentioned countless times about how I am turning 21 this year. And while I have both dreaded and anxiously awaited this day for probably a year now, it is finally a little under 2 weeks away (cue getting old/becoming an adult/time to become responsible jokes here). While my 20th year wasn't too flashy, I am having high hopes for this one, well I like to think it will be a bloody good year. To celebrate I'm going to Melbourne for the weekend, so stay tuned for some posts about that! But here a couple of trinkets that I'd die to receive (read: buy for myself) for my birthday. They are on the pricey side, but that's what a wish list is for right? Wishing ...

001. Michael Kors Large Selma Top Zip Satchel - I've being trying to find an everyday black bag that is timeless, versatile but still simple. Enter the Selma satchel. If someone got me this I would love them foreverrrrrr and everrrrr.

002. Tiffany & Co. Crown Key Pendant and Heart Tag Charm Necklace- I received a Tiffany & Co. mini heart key pendant necklace for my 18th birthday, so it seemed fitting to get a larger key pendant necklace for my 21st birthday. Plus, getting something with a key is a 21st tradition somewhere right? But honestly, I'd be happy with anything Tiffany's. 

003. Pandora February Birthstone Ring- This little gem will probably end up being something I gift myself. I've had my eye on it for a couple of months and buying it for my birthday just seems quite fitting don't you think?

004. Pandora 21st Bracelet Charm- Just to go with my other charms on my Pandora bracelet.

005. Karen Walker Eyewear Northern Lights Sunglasses- I've been lusting over these for months, and I mean months. The hefty price tag has always stopped me from buying them but a 21st birthday is great reason to splurge I'm thinking.

006. Jo Malone Peony and Blush Suede perfume- because it's about time I had some Jo Malone in my life, I'm becoming a young woman after all...

007. The Penguin Complete Jane Austen- It's cliche I know, but I've been a Jane Austen fan since I fell in love with books. I have enjoyed everything that she has written and it would be lovely to have them all together on my shelf like this looking pretty.

008. Nars Narcissist Palette- I think everyone with a beauty blog wants this palette, but as usual Australia is pretty much last to get the good stuff. It is said to be released in Australia around February 23rd (a week after my birthday) but I consider it birthday 'month' so I'm going to go ahead and purchase it anyway (if I can get my hands on it that is!)

Currently Loving #1 | January Faves

I've decided to do things a little different this month instead of the good ole 'Monthly Favorites' posts. To switch it up for something a bit more regular and slightly informal, and thus giving me a bit more freedom, I'm going to include currently loving posts. These posts will include a small round up of things that I'm (you guessed it) currently loving at this moment. I may also include some non-beauty related items, my other obsessions (but not limited to) include TV shows and books (I'm not just a gloss loving gal ya know). So let's take a look at what's floating my boat at the mo...

These are just a few beauty products that I'm currently digging. All month long I have found myself reaching for these products, and for most days in combination (except the face mask that is). I'm really loving the Revlon Photoready BB Cream, especially on hot Australian summer days. It's light on the skin while still packing a decent amount of coverage, plus it's SPF 30. I've also been using Benefit Gimme Brow to fill in my eyebrows, Clinique High Impact Mascara for quick application that packs a punch, and Elizabeth Arden Colour Intrigue Effects Lipstick in the shade Sun Blush Sheer for a nice swipe of sheer coral peach colour on the lips. My face this month has been all about light, natural and quick application.

For any problem skin days, I've been using Aesop Chamomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Mask. Anna over at Vivianna Does Makeup has been raving about this lately and I have to also sing my praises. This baby is great for clearing up blemishes and congested skin. It leaves my skin feeling so fresh and so very clean afterwards.

As a TV show devotee my new favourite series has to be Reign. If you're not watching it, go download or something! It's loosely based on Mary Queen of Scots, with a slight modern twist. I absolutely love this show, if you liked the Tudors, Downton Abbey or even Gossip Girl, I recommend you to watch this show like right now.
(Side note: yes, that is my reflection on my laptop screen, no matter what I did my reflection was unavoidable). 

I've also recently started reading magazines again after stopping over the holidays. At the moment I have found myself buying ELLE, a new addition to the Australian magazine world. How beautiful is the February cover guys?

What are you currently loving?

Chantalle X