February Haul: Mac, Cherry Culture, Forever New and more

This month my goal was to keep my shopping to a minimum but for the life of me I just couldn't resist going to the stores and online shops. One minute I was only doing a little swatch here and there, just perusing like a normal window shopper would.. and the next thing you know I'm walking out with 1, 2, 3 shopping bags full of goodies in my hands!! Oh dear.! So needless to say I failed miserably in keeping my promise. And my wallet?? Well.. it's pretty much hurting and screaming at me with anger right now and consequently, we are not in speaking terms at the moment. *sigh*

First stop was at Mac. As soon as the Naturally collection was released here in Australia, I went to hit the stores with one particular product in mind. "Redhead". And I have to say, it was love at first sight lol :)

above pic: MSF Redhead and swatches

I also played around with the Naturally eyeshadows and lipsticks, the swatches were really nice but as I'm not a big fan of mineralised eyeshadows and Mac lipsticks in general, I managed to resist temptation and just picked up the one thing I came there for. But a few days later, I saw a workmate of mine wearing two of the eyeshadows and one of the lipsticks from the collection and it looked so good on her that I regretted not buying any. So I went back to Mac and got Twilight Falls and In the Sun eyeshadows. Sadly they were already sold out of the Perfect Day lipstick so I just went ahead and picked up Subtle Breeze mineralise blush (also limited edition) just so I could satisfy my Mac fix. Yes, I am sooo bad! LOL

Left (above pic and swatch below): Twilight Falls 

Right (above pic and swatch below): In the Sun

below: Subtle Breeze blush and swatch

About a month ago whilst I was out with friends, I accidentally dropped my purse onto the concrete floor, along with it's contents including my makeup. And to my horror, my favourite 'The Body Shop' blusher broke :"( Of course I wanted to get a replacement but after waiting a couple of weeks for it to come back in stock, I finally got it. 

I was also hanging about in Kmart one day and I ended up buying two Sally Hansen nail polishes.

above pics: my old broken one and new stash of The Body Shop Blush in Coral including swatches

below pic: Sally Hansen nail polishes I bought from Kmart

I regularly go to this fashion store called "Melrose Ave" at my local shopping centre, I love their clothes as they are not only in style but reasonably priced too.

Next stop was at Forever New. Been eyeing this bag since Christmas and was able to resist paying for it at the counter, but when I came back and saw the very last one on display, I didn't want to miss out so I caved and bought it. It's like as if it was calling my name and waiting for me to take it home haha

Marco Gianni had these shoes up on sale and since winter is not that far away, I've decided to invest early on a new pair of boots so I could take advantage of the discount.

Couple of purchases from ebay. I re-purchased my all-time favourite lipgloss, Smashbox's Wicked Lovely in Coy. I was over the moon when I found these advertised for half price so I purchased two more for back-ups. 

I also bought a Reptile Flap over Sling Bag from the Kardashian Kollection from the same seller for a pretty good discounted price. Gotta love good ol' ebay!

Last stop was at Cherry Culture website. I purchased a number of Nyx Round and Mega Shine lip glosses. And since I adore my buddies, Corallina and Luminoso from the Milani baked blush collection, I've decided to also pick up Dolce Pink to join the team. 

 above from left to right: Nyx Round lip glosses in Doll Pink, Natural, Pinky Natural and Real Nude 

 above from left to right: Nyx Mega Shine lip glosses in Beige, Beige Pearl, Candy Shop, Dolly Pink,   French Kiss, Lala and Smokey Look

above pic: Milani baked blush in Dolce Pink 

If you'd like me to do a tutorial or review on any of these products, please let me know in the comments section below.

Thanks ladies.

Natural Glam to Soft Smokey Eyes for Valentines Day

Hey there beauties :) I'm back with another makeup tutorial and this time I put together the final two looks of my 'Valentines Day makeup look series'. 

First off is a sweet, "all naturale" look to suit those who are going for a really simple yet glamorous look. But if 'simple' is not your cup of tea and you're looking for something a little bit more sexy, I transformed the first look and jazzed it up with a soft smokey eye and nude lip. These are so simple and super easy, it literally took no more than ten minutes to do each look. 


So without further ado, let's get down to business and on with the tutorial.. 

Natural Glam Look

EYES

1. Mac Painterly Paint pot - apply all over the lid using ring finger and blend out. This will act as a base for the eyeshadow.

2. Mac Naked Pigment - using Mac 239 brush or any eye shader brush, dip it in the pigment and tap off any excess before applying all over the lid and up to the crease and in the tear duct. Grab a blending brush (I used Mac 217), and use it to soften the edges.

3. Wet N Wild Brulee - using Sigma E60 large shader brush, highlight the brow bone.

4. Mac Smolder Eye Pencil - line upper and lower lid and smudge it out a bit using a short shader brush (Sigma E20).

5. Curl lashes. I'm wearing natural false lashes (but this is optional) then I applied two coats of Dior Diorshow Mascara in Black out.

6. Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light Peach - use ring finger and dab it under the eye to cover dark circles 

For the face: as I was aiming to make it as 'natural looking' as possible, I wanted to wear a light weight foundation, something that doesn't cover all the imperfections but enough to cover redness on my face and give it a nice healthy glow. I used Covergirl's Natureluxe Silk Foundation in Sandstone, but depending on how much you apply, you may choose to build it up to a medium coverage as well. I then used Mac's MSF Natural in Medium Dark to set the foundation and I applied Nyx Cream blush in Natural to the apples of my cheeks. Then I finished off the look with Urban Decay's lip junkie lip gloss in Naked (travel size that came with the Naked2 palette).

Soft Smokey Look

EYES

So basically, I just sexified the first look by smoking out the eyes with a darker eyeshadow to my outer lid and blending it really well, up to the crease. But I didn't want it to be too dark, with like a black eyeshadow, so I chose to use Mac's 'Contrast', it's like a dark blue greyish colour, it's really gorgeous, and for me, it's perfect for a softer smokey eye. I then applied more eyeliner to my upper and lower lash line using Stila's kajal eyeliner in Onyx, and using an eyeliner brush (Sigme E05), I smudged out the liner and set it with a dark brown eyeshadow (from my Clinique palette.. sorry don't know the name of it). But of course you guys don't have to use the same products, use whatever shades u have or like, depending on how intense and dramatic you want your eyes to look :)

For the face, I contoured my cheeks using my Sleek contour kit and then I applied Milani's baked blush in Dolce Pink on top of the cream blush I put on earlier. Highlighted the centre of my cheeks, forehead, chin and nose of my bridge with Mac's MSF in Redhead. Put concealer on my lips and applied Nyx lip gloss in Real Nude to finish off the look. 

Have a good weekend everyone and Happy Valentine's Day to all of you who celebrate it! And to those who don't, well hope you guys have a great day anyway (",)

Much love

Rina xoxo

AFFORDABLE PURPLE SMOKEY EYES VDAY LOOK #4

*WARNING: CAMWHORING GALORE AHEAD!! Sorry girls lol*


Hi lovely ladies. If you have been following my posts, you'd already know that I'm doing a 'Valentines Day' makeup look series until Feb 14. Well today, I'd like to share with you another look - it's a sexy purple smokey eye, and since I've been using mostly higher end brands in my recent posts, I decided to only use inexpensive, very affordable but high quality drugstore products in this look.  I gotta say, this is my favourite Vday look so far.. hence why the abundance of pics hehe... YEP, VAIN!! lol.. I adore purple eyeshadows as it suits my dark brown eyes the best, and makes my eyes pop (: 

(lol excuse my improperly glued falsies on my lashes ahahaha)

PRODUCTS USED

(Above pic: Sleek i-Divine palette in Storm. Sorry if it's dirty.. it's old! This palette is the best, great pigmentation and it's my go-to numero uno low end brand palette)

*EYES*

1. Elf eyelid primer - prime the eyes to make eyeshadows last longer and avoid creasing.

2. Nyx Jumbo pencil in Milk (oops, I forgot to put it in the photo.. oh well, it's looking old and run down anyways haha) - apply minimal amount on the lid and use fingers to blend out. This serves as a base to help keep the eyeshadows more vibrant on the lids.

3. Sleek i-Divine Storm Palette, matte nude shade (top row third from left) - using a fluffy brush, apply above the crease with a 'back and forth windshield wiper motion'. 

4. L'oreal Infallible eyeshadows in Purple Obsession - dab it all over the lid using fingers. Grab the same fluffy brush used in Step 3 and blend out harsh lines and edges. Get a short shader brush and use it to line the lower lashline as well. Smudge it out to create that smokey look under the eye.

5. L'oreal Infallible eyeshadows in Burning Black - using a pencil brush, draw a line on the outer v and gently blend out the edges.

6. Sleek i-Divine Storm Palette, blue shimmery shade (bottom row, third on the right) - using a blending brush, lightly dip it on to the eyeshadow and apply to the outer corners extending the colour up to the crease and blend. Make sure to use a light hand and only add a little amount of eyeshadow at a time. Take time in blending!

7. Sleek i-Divine Storm Palette, matte black shade (bottom row, first one on the right) - using a clean pencil brush, apply to the outer half of the lid. Blend, blend and blend..!!

8. Wet n Wild icon single eyeshadow in Brulee - using a large flat shader brush, highlight brow bone and also working it down on to the crease to soften and eliminate any harsh edges.

9. Sleek i-Divine Storm Palette, shimmery champagne shade (top row, second on the left) - using the same flat shader brush, dip the tips of the brush on the eyeshadow and apply to the inner corners of the eye.

10. Revlon ColorStay under eye concealer in Medium - dab under the eyes and blend out to cover dark circles

11. Milani Liquif'eye eyeliner in Black - tightline, upper lids and waterline

12. Maybelline Line Stiletto liquid liner in Blackest black - upper lash line 

13. Maybelline Falsies Mascara in Blackest black - applied two coats to top and bottom lashes

14. Ardell false lashes (not in photo)

*Brows*

Revlon Colorstay Brow Enhancer in Taupe

*FACE*

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB cream in Medium

Revlon Colorstay Foundation in True Beige

Revlon Colorstay Blemish Corrector in Medium

Maybelline Mineral Power Powder in Sandy Beige

Nyx Bronzer

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso

*LIPS*

L'oreal Color Riche in Nude

Nyx Lip gloss in Whipped

(again, please ignore the lashes lol)

Really hope you girls like this and you can use it as an inspiration for your next look. 

Much love, 

Rina xoxo