February Favourites

Hi everyone :)

So this is my first ever monthly favourites! I see these posts all over the blogging and YouTube world, and as I enjoy reading and watching them I thought I would jump on the bandwagon and show you mine.

To vary it up a bit I also included my favourite perfume of the month, food of the month and song of the month together with my favourite beauty products of the month.

Too Faced Natural Eye Shadow Collection

I've already raved about this product this month, but this has definitely been my go to eye shadow palette of the month. It’s a gorgeous neutral palette with 3 matte shades and 6 shimmer shades.

Check out my full review of this palette here.

Too Faced Amazing Face Liquid Foundation

This has been my most reached for foundation this month. I love the fact that it has more of a dewy finish, and that it's oil-free and paraben-free.

At first I was worried about using a foundation that wasn't matte because of my oily t-zone, but this doesn't seem to look oily on my skin at all!

The bottle is made of glass and is absolutely gorgeous, which makes me love it even more (yes, I am one of those people who get sucked in by cute packaging!)

The shade I currently wear is 'Perfect Nude', and there's a photo of me with this foundation on in my last FOTD post here.

Revlon ColorStay Liquid Pen Eyeliner in ‘Blackest Black’

I haven’t actually seen many reviews of this on blogs, but I absolutely love it! If I am wearing liner on my upper lash line there is a 90% chance it’s this one. It has a felt tip which makes it super easy to control, it’s extremely black and doesn’t budge on me all day. You can create a thin, precise line, or a thicker line with ease. I love it so much that I’ve already got a backup waiting in my stash!

I also used this in my last FOTD post here.

Jordana Brow Shadow Powder

I purchased this from CherryCulture for $1.99 and can't tell you how happy I am. Previously, I had never used a powder for my eyebrows, just a pencil. I got this in the colour '04 Brown' and it looks so natural and blends in with my natural eyebrows perfectly.

I used this on my eyebrows in my last FOTD post here.

If you haven't seen my CherryCulture haul you can read it here.

Skindinavia ‘No More Shine’ Makeup Setting Spray

This is the first makeup setting spray I have ever used, and it has not disappointed! I bought this in both the original and the ‘no more shine’ version. Both work so well, however because I have combination skin with an oily t-zone I have decided to purchase the full size bottle in the ‘no more shine’ version. It’s also oil-free and paraben-free which is a bonus.

You can purchase this off the Australian Skindinavia website for $14 for the smallest bottle or $39.95 for the larger bottle.

Tangle Teaser

I picked this up in a recent order I made from BeautyBay for $12.88 and I’m so glad I added it to my shopping bag. I’m not going to talk too much about it as I’m sure you’ve read loads about them already, but I agree with everything I’ve read. They glide through my long hair easily and don’t tug or rip out half of my hair. Love it.

Perfume of the Month: YSL Baby Doll Perfume

I originally got this as a birthday gift two years ago, and told myself when it ran out I’ll be purchasing another bottle. As I finally began to run out last month, I was picking up something in Chemist Warehouse where I noticed they had the 100ml bottle on sale for $40 down from $150 and didn't think twice about picking it up!

I’m horrible at describing fragrances, but to me it smells fresh, youthful, elegant, fruity and floral all in one – if that’s even possible!

All I can say is stop and smell this if you get the chance, it’s so beautiful and the bottle is absolutely stunning.

Food of the Month: Nestle Cookies N’ Cream Chocolate

Hi, I'm Samantha and I'm addicted to chocolate.

This month my brother bought about 30 blocks of this home and I ate it every single day until it was all gone! If it’s in my house I just can’t help myself! It’s a creamy white chocolate with cookie chunks throughout – delicious chocolaty goodness.

Song of the Month: Shades of Love by Empty Trash

I'm not usually one for listening to old songs - but this month I watched a childhood favourite of mine - Holiday in the Sun by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (yep I'm 20 and still watch kiddie movies). During the movie this song is played and I fell in love with it all over again! Totally not my standard music choice, but I thought I'd share it as I've had it on repeat ever since. Give it a listen and let me know what you think!

The Beauty Blogger TAG

1. Is your hair naturally curly or straight?

It’s quite curly if I don’t straighten it often.

2. What it your natural hair colour?

Dark brown. My hair is completely natural at the moment however I am contemplating dip dying it to a blonde/caramel– thoughts?

3. Do you dye it yourself or do you go to a salon?

I don’t dye my hair but if I end up dip dying it I will go to a salon.

4. How often do you wash your hair?

I usually wash it every 2-3 days, and just use dry shampoo or tie it up when it’s not looking so great.

5. Do you wear the same hair style everyday or do you change it up?

I change it up. Middle part, side part, all pulled to one side, ponytail, bun. The possibilities are endless.

6. Do you do your own nails or do you go to a salon?

I used to go to a salon weekly but they got too damaged; now I paint my own nails.

7. How often do you change your nail varnish?

As little as possible. I hate painting my nails.

8. Do you always wear nail varnish on your toes?

Always. I hate bare toenails.

9. How long does it take you to put on your makeup?

Anywhere from 15-30 minutes on a normal day.

10. What do you do first, your face or your eyes?

Face.

11. Do you collect makeup or just buy it when your need to?

Collect. It’s an addiction.

12. How often do you wear false eyelashes?

I’m rubbish at applying them so I never wear them.

13. Do you wear a full face of makeup everyday?

No. I won’t put on a full face of makeup unless I’m going out for most of the day.

14. Do you wear makeup just around the house?

No. As soon as I get home I’ll take my makeup off.

15. Will you leave the house without makeup on?

Yes, or I’ll just throw on a bit of powder & mascara on.

16. How many high end products do you have? 

I wouldn’t even know.

17. How often do you wash your makeup brushes?

Not as regularly as I probably should.

18. Do you plan what you will wear the next day, or when you are getting dressed?

I usually throw something together in the morning. If I have to be up super early I might get some clothes together the night before.

19. How often do you change your handbag?

Once a week or so.

20. What time do you get up and go to sleep?

I get up between 6:30-9:30 – depending on what time I have work.

I go to sleep anywhere between 11-2 on a standard night.

21. How often and when do you workout?

I don’t anymore! Naughty.

22. Left or Right handed?

Right.

23. How tall are you?

174cm – 5’7 or 5’8ish.

24. Do you speak a foreign language?

No.

25. How many pets do you have?

Two cats and a dog.

26. How often are you on blogger?

I'm on blogger everyday.

27. Do you read the comments posted?

I read every comment and try to reply to them all.

28. Do you keep a list of products to try as you see other posts?

I don’t keep a list but that would be a good idea.

If you've done this TAG please leave me a comment below and I'll check it out :)

My Bucket List

I've seen bucket lists on other blogs and thought it could be fun to create my own.
I will be updating this as often as possible.

Anyway, in no particular order, here are the things I'd like to accomplish during my life:

1. Ride an elephant.
2. Go pole dancing.
3. Get a tattoo.
4. Reach & maintain my goal weight.
5. Swim in crystal clear water.
6. Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef.
7. Swim to & stand behind a waterfall.
8. Eat kangaroo meat.
9. Swim with sharks.
10. Graduate from University.
11. Visit the Colosseum.
12. Go to Thailand's Full Moon Party.
13. Attend an event at the Olympics.
14. Visit the pyramids in Egypt.
15. Spend a day in a rainforest.
16. Swim with dolphins.
17. Influence someone's life in a positive way.
18. Travel to a country that speaks a different language.
19. Get a boob job.
20. Move out of my parent's home.
21. Travel overseas.
22. Go ice skating.
23. Be in Times Square at midnight on New Years.
24. Go a month without buying makeup.
25. Own a home.
26. Repay my HECS fees.
27. Donate blood.
28. Create a blog.
29. Shoot a gun.
30. Complete a makeup course.
31. Raise money for charity or volunteer.
32. Go on a cruise.
33. Visit the Bahamas.
34. Learn to drive a manual car.
35. Decide on a career.
36. Go to Disneyland.
37. Skydive.
38. Go parasailing.
39. Visit Pompeii.
40. Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Do you have a bucket list? Leave me a link below, I'd love to read yours!

Review: Too Faced Natural Eye Shadow Collection

Lately I've been absolutely loving the brand Too Faced after discovering it last year. This eye palette in particular has been my go-to eyeshadow palette for a quick and versatile everyday look.

I find these eyeshadows blend with ease and the colour stays perfectly all day long. It's also a great palette for packing into your makeup bag as it is quite lightweight and sturdy so it doesn't feel like it's going to break on you. The packaging itself is also really cute which is a bonus!

It also comes with three 'how-to' cards - which I've actually never used - but I'm sure could be handy for some people!

The palette includes 9 shades - 3 matte & 6 shimmer:

Heaven -  a cream matte

Velvet Revolver - a matte taupe

Sexpresso - a matte deep brown

Silk Teddy - a peach champagne shimmer

Push Up - a light bronze shimmer

Erotica - a soft charcoal shimmer

Nude Beach - a champagne shimmer with gold glitter

Honey Pot - a gold shimmer

Cocoa Puff - a warm chocolate brown shimmer

The range of colours is great! You can create toned down 'barely there' eyeshadow looks or more dramatic looks using the darker colours in the palette.

This is how Too Faced describes the palette:

The Natural Eye, Neutral Eye Shadow Collection, contains everything you need to create the pretty, soft, and slightly sexy "natural eyes" you've seen on super models and celebrities and have always wanted to perfect for yourself. The three easy-to-follow, step-by-step Glamour Guides lead you through every fun step to insure a professional looking application every time! 

(taken from here).

If you are on the lookout for a new 'neutral' eyeshadow palette I's definitely recommend you checking this one out.

You can pick it up from Kit Cosmetics in Australia for $53.95 or from BeautyBay for $36.09 with free shipping.

You can see a natural eye look I created with this palette in my last post.

I hope you're all having a wonderful weekend.

Face of the Day 22/02/13

Hi, I hope everyone is having a lovely day.

Today I thought I'd do a post that I might do every now and then - a FOTD.

I'll just jump straight into it :)

Products used:

Base:

• Skindinavia 'No More Shine' Makeup Finishing Spray
• Smashbox Photo Finish Light Primer

Face:

• Too Faced Amazing Face Liquid Foundation in the shade 'Perfect Nude'
• Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in the shade '1 - Light'
• Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer in the shade '010 - Ivory'
• Face of Australia Translucent Loose Powder (to set concealer)
• Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder in the shade 'Light'

Eyes:

• Jordana Eyebrow Powder in the shade 'Medium'
• Too Faced 'Natural Eye Palette'
• 'Nude Beach' all over lid
• 'Cocoa Puff' in outer corner
• 'Erotica' under lower lash line
• NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in 'Sparkle Nude' in the inner corner and on the waterline
• Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen
• Jordana Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara in 'Black'

Cheeks:

• Elizabeth Arden Color Intrigue Bronzing Powder Duo
• NYX Blush in the shade 'Dusty Rose'
• MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in the shade 'Soft and Gentle'

Lips:

• NYX Round Lipstick in 'Paris' (oops - I forgot to include this in the photo above)

And there we have it. My FOTD for the 22nd February 2013. Now that I look at it I feel like I use soooo many products! Hopefully I'm not the only one!

If you'd like to see these posts regularly please let me know!

CherryCulture Haul: NYX and Jordana

Hi everyone :)

I recently made an order on CherryCulture! After hearing good things about the website and wanting to try NYX and Jordana products I finally gave in and purchased a few products.

I made my order while there was a 20% sale on, which saved me around $22, bonus!

The shipping was also reasonable, costing just under $30 for the 32 items, and it was wrapped and packaged tightly so no items were broken, which I was quite worried about...

I'm not going to include every single item in this haul, but this is most of the stuff I brought.

Date Ordered - 29th January

Date Received - 15th February

(2 weeks & 3 days)

Items:

Please note, the prices listed below are the original price, not the discounted price.

NYX Round Lip Gloss - $1.99

Colour: Pinky Natural

NYX Powder Blush - $4.50each

Colours L to R: Dusty Rose, Angel, Peach, Terra Cotta, Spice, Pinched

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil - $3.40each

Colours L to R: Milk, Yogurt, Gold, Rust, Bronze, Sparkle Nude, Sparkle Leopard

NYX Sharpener - $4.00

NYX HD Eye Shadow Base - $5.25

NYX Slim Eye Pencil - $1.75

Colour: White Pearl

NYX Matte Black Liner - Collection Noir - $4.50

NYX Kohl Kajal Black Liner - Collection Noir - $4.50

NYX Matte Bronzer - $6.80

Colour: Medium

NYX Round Lipstick - $2.99each

Colours L to R: Pure Nude, Iconic, Paris, Rose, Thalia

Jordana Powder Blush - $2.49

Colour: Coral Sandy Beach

Jordana Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara - $2.99

Colour: Black

See my review here.

Jordana Brow Powder Single - $1.99

Colour: Brown

Jordana Incolour Squeeze n Shine Super Shiny Tasty Lip Gloss - $1.99

Colour: Clear (smells so yummy!)

Previously I had never tried any NYX or Jordana products as they aren't in Australian stores, but the quality of the products I've tried so far have blown me away, especially considering the price I paid! I will definitely be making another purchase off CherryCulture again!

If there is any products you would like me to review separately, please leave me a comment below :)

Have a great day!

Have you tried any of these products before? Any recommendations for me to try?