STILA - ONE STEP CORRECT

Every now and then my skin becomes a little redder than usual due to many different factors, and the only thing that seems to prevent it from becoming as visible  through my foundation as a lighthouse on a dark night is a redness corrector.

Thank goodness I've just finished up my current Clinique Redness Corrector and Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, both of which I was sorely disappointed with, and am now able to check out what other products are on the market to target my redness and primer needs. 

After trolling Mecca looking for brilliant reviews for both primers and colour corrector, I decided to try out Stila's One Colour Correct as it promised to prime my face and offered to colour correct not just redness but sallowness and increase brightness. Win, right? One Step Correct contains a green tone to reduce redness and cover blemishes, a purple tone to correct sallowness, and a peach tone to reduce the appearance of dark spots. 

 

'This innovative, all-in-one serum instantly colour corrects, brightens and covers skin imperfections for a flawless complexion'.

Packaging

I really like the packaging that Stila have chosen for this product. The cardboard packaging lets the colourful product do all of the talking, through the peep hole that allows you to see the full product. It's pretty eye-grabbing in a store full of cosmetics, particularly how they've managed to make the red, green and yellow colour correcting products swirl around one another.

The bottle itself is a pump which allows you to distribute product straight into your hand or onto your brush, to allow for quick application. All-in-all, I really like the packaging.

'This weightless, gel formula blends seamlessly into skin and won't clog pores or settle into fine lines, leaving skin smooth and ready for an even makeup application'.

Texture & Finish

I found One Step Correct to apply smoothly to my skin and that it had some sheen to it prior to foundation application. As for texture, it felt like most primers that I've used: just like silicon. If you don't like the feeling of silicon on your skin then avoid this product.

Formula & Pigmentation

Unfortunately I didn't get an opportunity to check out the product formula and pigmentation. While I was applying my foundation my face became heated and broke out into something resembling a red rash. I was instantly on the phone to Mecca customer service who arranged for me to return the product for a refund and offered advice on how to treat and care for my skin following my reaction to the product. On a positive note, I did find Mecca customer service to be extremely helpful in coming to my aid and arranging a refund on my behalf since I literally could not use the product. 

Affordability & Retailers

You can purchase One Step Correct from Mecca in either a 15ml bottle for $32.00 AUD or 30ml for $54.00 AUD.

Final Verdict

I really wanted to like One Step Correct and give it the chance that it deserved, however there's something in that particular product that my skin doesn't like. I think that having a product that is both a primer and a colour corrector is such a great buy, if your skin agrees with it, and I imagine would cut down on the amount of time spent getting ready.

Proceed with caution if you want to try out One Step Correct and remember to try out products in an inconspicuous area before lathering it on your face!

Stay Updated

New product reviews are uploaded every Saturday in Australia, while Pro Tips are uploaded on the first Sunday of each month. 

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NUDE BY NATURE - VIRGIN BLUSH

Over the past eighteen months I've steered clear of "drug store cosmetics" and opted for high end brands instead. This series of events was triggered by my big move from a small town, with only a Priceline to its name, to a much bigger town, which has both a Mecca and Mac. 

Every now and then I'm tempted back into Priceline, usually because I'm feeling a wee bit home sick, and just wander around. I don't often purchase from Priceline anymore. But over the past six months I've developed an interest in the Nude By Nature cosmetics range. 

The Virgin Blush by Nude By Nature is a loose mineral powder blush that provides a universal flattering colour to your cheeks and is extremely affordable. 

'The Virgin Blush is concentrated with highly pigmented light-reflecting micro particles that blend naturally into the skin, leaving a soft sheen finish' - NUDE BY NATURE

Packaging

Virgin Blush is packages in a regular loose powder dispenser, with the brands name printed on the top of the lid. The container itself is see-through, allowing you to see the colour of the blush inside. 

I have never been so disappointed with a blush packaging. The blush is so fine, that all of the product seems to push past the filter so when you open it there's too much product at the top of the filter which unfortunately leads to getting too much powder on your brush. Second to that, the lid on this particular product is not air tight and never quite feels that it's been tightened all the way so of course you end up with blush coming out from the lid. Babes, this blush is great but make sure that it sits on its base at all times because it is an extremely messy product.

'A loose mineral powder blush ideal to help define cheekbones and provide a healthy glow' - NUDE BY NATURE

Shade & Finishes 

I personally, would describe this colour at best as a pinky nude with some shimmer which gives a beautiful glow to your cheekbones.

Formula & Pigmentation

This blush is very lightweight and extremely pigmented. A little product goes a long way, so don't forget to tap off that excess beauties. 

Vigin Blush blends beautifully, as long as yyou haven't applied too much product. This can be tricky to avoid due to the flaws mentioned earlier in the packaging design. Only a small amount of product need be applied to your brush and then swept along your cheekbones.

'A feather-light formula brings a touch of colour while maintaining its low throughout the day. The powder is composed of performing active natural ingredients including Jojoba Esters known for their nourishing properties' - NUDE BY NATURE

Ingredients & Accolades

Nude By Natures Virgin Blush is fragrance free and also includes Jojoba which adds nourishing and moisturising properties into the blush

Nude By Nature pride themselves on not using the following ingredients:

• Talc 
• Silicon
• Phthalates
• Sulphates
• PEGS
• Siloxanes
• Triclosans
• Phenoxyethanol
• Parabens

Affordability & Retailers

You can purchase your own Virgin Blush from Nude By Nature for $19.95 AUD, or from Priceline for the same price.

Final Verdict

Virgin Blush is a really beautiful universal colour that I think would suit most to all skin tones, providing a perfect flushed look.

Stay Updated

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LIME CRIME - VENUS II PALETTE

Lime Crimes follow up to the original VENUS palette, VENUS2, is notoriously sold out. So much so, that I figured it would be worth reviewing this sequel to find out what all of the fuss is about and if it holds up against the original

'A follow up to the cult-favourite that spearheaded the reddish-brown eye trend of 2015 year' - LIME CRIME

Packaging

VENUS2's palette ccomes with the same artwork as the original VENUS palette, featuring an except of 'The Birth of Venus', however with more of a grungy twist. 

The palette itself is made of cardboard and features a flip top with a full sized mirror for beauties on the go.

'VENUS2 is the darker sister who slays with 8 ful-size, recklessly pigmented eyeshadows that will take your makeup game to the next level' - LIME CRIME

Shades & Finishes

VENUS2 contains eight beautiful shades consisting of mattes and pearls. The shades include:

PIGEON - brown/green shift (pearl)

FILTER - luminous cornflower blue (glow matte)

MARSH - mossy grey-green (glow matte)

MUSTARD - the colour of corduroy (creamy matte)

FLY - Ivory/green shift, like the wing of a fly (pearl)

JAM - pumpkin spice creamy matte (creamy matte)

MUD - rich burgundy-brown, the colour of spoiled fruit (creamy matte)

BOOT - nebula black with multi-colour sparkle (sparkle matte)

Top Row: Pigeon, Filter, Marsh, Mustard
Bottom Row: Fly, Jam, Mud, Boot

'VENUS2 boasts a variety of distinct shades that create equally distinct looks.

Formula & Pigmentation

The formula for the eyeshadows in this palette can be best described as 'buttery smooth'; they apply and blend out with ease. A little product goes a long way with these eyeshadows.

There is plenty of pigment in each shade, however I did experience some fallout during application. With this particulat palette make sure that you complete your eye look before completing your base.

Affordability & Retailers

You can purchase your own VENUS2 palette from Lime Crime for $34.00 USD, or from PepperMayo for $49.00 AUD.

Final Verdict

These shades catch the eye and pull you in but honestly, this palette consists of  bunch of mismatched shades that can't be used without another palette. The colours are stunning, but I'd argue that they don't really compliment each other and there is a limited amount of looks that can be created with just this one palette on it's own.

If you're creative and feel like playing with multiple palettes at anyone time, then go ahead and purchase VENUS2 otherwise you can probably give this palette a miss.

Stay Updated

New product reviews are uploaded each Saturday, while ProTips are uploaded on the first Sunday of each month.

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SPECTRUM COLLECTIONS - ATTENTION SEEKER BRUSH SET

I've been eyeing off some of the brush ranges by Spectrum Collections for about a year now, and finally decided to take the plunge and buy a basic 10 piece set, from the Attention Seeker range, to try out the quality before I commit to buying my very own Glam Clam - they're expensive!

From L - R: Large Domed Powder, Flat Top Buffer, Small Angled Blush, Large Fluffy Shader, Buffing Concealer, Tall Tapered Blender, Small Angled Blender, Angled Brow, Lip Liner & Angled Liner

Brushes in this set include:

B01 - Flat Top Buffer

A01 - Large Domed Powder

A05 - Small Angled Blush

B03 - Buffing Concealer

A06 - Large Fluffy Shader

B06 - Tall Tapered Blender

B04 - Small Angled Blender

A17 - Angled Brow

A15 - Lip Liner

A09 - Angled Eyeliner

'For creating beautiful looks, beautiful brushes are essential. Our best setting Essential Set has 10 must-have brushes which combined, are the perfect starting point to creating flawless make-up' - SPECTRUM COLLECTIONS

User Friendly

These brushes come with easy to grip, lightweight handles and the bristles are very dense on each brush head.

My only complaint about these brushes is that they display their product code rather than the name of the brush. I believe that beauties who are just beginning to learn what brush does what would benefit from having the name of the brush on the handle as opposed to a product code which they would need to look up online each time.

Accolades

The Attention Seeker brush set was the winner of the 2016 Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards. Fancy!

Affordability & Retailers

You can purchase your own ten-piece Attention Seeker brush set directly through Spectrum Collections for $39.99 GB. Also, check out Pretty Little Thing for regular discounts on Spectrum brushes and sets.

Final Verdict

These brushes are very cute and appealed to me straight away. I really enjoyed using the eyeshadow brushes, I though they were bomb af and great for blending, but the larger brushes didn't exactly blow my mind. I enjoy using them, but for the price tag they just aren't doing anything special for me.

Other than that I think these brushes would make a super cute addition to any beauty enthusiasts collection.

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NARS - PURE RADIANT TINTED MOISTURISER

I'm an awful traveller. I'm one of those girls who generally packs everything just in case I might need it. I'm that girl that gives all other girls a bad rep when it comes to packing. I've been trying to change that habit bit by bit by pre-planning with lists and choosing objects based on whether or not they are multi-functional.

Enter the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser. Earlier this year I was headed to South Africa and wanted to take a no-fuss SPF BB Cream, as opposed to my regular foundation. My one big concern ws making sure that my skin w as given the SPF protection that it needed, with any other benefits being an added bonus. I had decided against taking my foundation due to the glass packaging and the various other products that I would need to take to work with it (e.g. my Mac Fix +, my setting spray, beauty blender, baking powder etc). I figured if I really wanted to make an effort to cut down then my best bet would be using a BB Cream and a buffing brush.

After much trial and error I decided on the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser.

This stuff is heavy duty in the sense that it lasts all day long without the use of a setting spray and minimal to no touch-ups. Humidity, rain, hail, shine this beauty pulled through and gave me the coverage that I needed everyday I was away. As for sunburn? Nothing. My face and neck were sunburn free. Although I don't know the SPF rating on the Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser I can tell you that it did exactly what I needed it to.

'Your skin - almost bare, but better' - NARS

Packaging

Like all NARS packaging, the Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser came in that same black cardboard box that all of their products are packaged in. Nothing special here folks.

What I like about the bottle is the clear strip that allows you to see the colour of the product within. This squeeze bottle evenly dispursed small amounts of product as I required it. What I loved most though was how securely that lid closed and how it managed to stay closed after several flights. No spills or messes here.

'Designed to hydrate and even skin-tone, oil-free tinted moisturiser reduces the appearance of dark spots and discolouration. Light-diffusing pigments blur and soften the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, pores and other imperfections and skin appears brighter and clearer' - Mecca

Formula & Pigmentation

There are currently twelve different skin available in the tinted moisturiser. 

I found the coverage to be sheer to medium, with product easily built up to ones desirability. It covered all redness and even small scars on my cheek. Winner, winner.

The product does have a barely there chemical smell to it which quickly disperses. 

 'This advanced oil-free formula provides a translucent veil of colour and sun protection while helping to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots in just four weeks' - NARS

Ingredients & Accolades

The Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser offers SPF protection as well as naturally derived botanicals and ingredients, such as kopara and mineral rich seawater,  to intensely moisturise skin. 

It is also free from:

- Oils

- Synthetic fragrance 

And dermatologist tested.

'An award-winning tinted moisturiser that hydrates and immediately brightens the look of skin' - Mecca

Affordability & Retailers

You can pick up your own tinted moisturiser from Mecca for $63.00 AUD or from NARS directly for $44.00 USD.

Final Verdict

For an effortless, everyday flawless base this is my new go to. I absolutely loved having this product in my makeup bag when I was travelling overseas as I found it far less bulky than a traditional glass foundation bottle, and I found that this product required far less touch up's throughout the day when compared to my foundation. 

If you're after a low maintenance product that feels and looks good on your skin then I highly recommend trying this out.

Stay Updated

New product reviews are uploaded every Saturday in Australia, while Pro Tips are uploaded on the first Sunday of each month. 

- B xo

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS - LIMITED EDITION GLEAM GLOW KIT

Someday's I give serious consideration to buying shares in Anastasia Beverly Hills. I feel like I'm forever buying new products from the range or in awe over new products that have dropped.

Having never really plaayed with highlighters before, I decided to be impulsive and purchase my very first highlighter kit from Anastasia Beverly Hills and picked up the limited edition Gleam Glow Kit.

As you can see from the pictures below, I couldn't really resist. Those shades are calling out to my pale skin.

 Packaging

The Gleam Glow Kit has a reflective cardboard sleeve, with the name of the product and brand etched into  it. The sleeve also which hugs the palette tight when applied, offering your highlighters some protection from being dropped. Having dropped mine, I can attest to the sleeve offering some protection - no breakages, heck yes!

The actual palette mimicks the look of the sleeve and carries on with the reflective cardboard theme and etched lettering, while the back of the palette features the colours and names of the highlighters within the palette.

The palette has a flip top lid, however whats missing from this packaging is an oversized mirror. On a positive note though, all of the highlighters can be removed from the packaging and placed into a z-palette. Who would really want to take apart this beauty though?

 Shades & Finishes

The Gleam Glow kit contains four beautiful shades of highlight:

• Hard Candy - peach with pink pearl
• Mimosa - peachy highlighter with pearl
• Starburst - soft pink with gold pearl
• Crushed Pearl - nude with pearl

Formula & Pigmentation

I've found the highlighters in my palette difficult to apply when compared to how easily they seem to apply to Youtubers. Comparison to Youtubers aside, they do apply well and give off a beautiful glow. 

Depending on how much highlighter you like to use, you can be as light or heavy handed as you please to achieve your desired effect. I prefer to be light handed as I feel these highlighters can carry a lot of pigment in just one swipe of my fan brush.

Affordability & Retailers

While the Gleam Glow Kit is no longer available, you can purchase other glow kits directly from Anastasia Beverly Hills for $40 USD here.

Final Verdict

This was one-hundered percent an impulse buy for me, and although its beautiful and although i's beautiful when applied, I find the palette to be too big and too bulky in size for it to be pulled out and put away again every morning. Anastasia, I love you but I would love you even more if you were to make individual highlighters so I could glow everyday of the week. Until then, this baby is reserved for the weekends.

Stay Updated

New product reviews are uploaded each Saturday, while ProTips are uploaded on the first Sunday of each month.

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- beautyreporterb

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS - MODERN RENAISSANCE PALETTE

Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance palette has, arguably, been the biggest cosmetics sensation to come out of 2016. This permanent palette baffled beauties for some time as it was difficult to come across, with stock selling out almost instantly with each release. 

I managed to score my own Modern Renaissance palette through Beautylish and took the time to trial and test it out before writing this review. Here are my thoughts, and pictures, on the latest palette by Anastasia.

'A present-day take on Renaissance colours' - SEPHORA

Packaging

The Modern Renaissance palette is a made of a dense cardboard and is covered in a velvet material; how very 2016! Unfortunately the velvet packaging tends to attract heaps of makeup to it and can become quiet dirty so keep your micella water handy to give it a quick wipe down as needed. 

Inside the palette is a mirror that spans the length of the lid and 14 delectable eyeshadow shades.

The palette comes in an identical cardboard sleeve, which also displays the shades in the palette on the back of the packaging.

A dual-ended eyeshadow brush is included in the palette,with one end for application and the other for blending out eyeshadows.

'Use Anastasia Beverly Hills first permanent palette, Modern Renaissance to create endless looks for daytime and evening' - ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS

Shades & Finishes

The Modern Renaissance palette contains fourteen beautiful shades ranging from neutral to berry tones in either matte or metallic finishes. The shades in this palette, as described by ABH, include:

TOP ROW: Tempera, Golden Ochre, Vermeer, Buon Fresco, Antique Bronze, Love Letter & Cyprus Umber
BOTTOM ROW: Raw Sienna, Burnt Orange, Primavera, Red Ochre, Venetian Red, Warm Taupe, & Realgar

• Tempera - Velvety beige with an ultra-matte finish
• Golden Ochre - Erthy yellow with an ultra-matte finish
• Vermeer - Iridescent shell with a metallic finish
• Buon Fresco - Antique lavender with an ultra-matte finish
• Antique Bronze - Metallic sable with a satin finish
• Love Letter - Raspberry with an ultra-matte finish
• Cyprus Umber - Dark coffee with an ultra-matte finish
• Realgar - Brick with an ultra-matte finish
• Warm Taupe - Earthy gray with an ultra-matte finish
• Venetian Red - Crimson with an ultra-matte finish
• Red Ochre - Sienna with an ultra-matte finish
• Primvera - Shimmery gold dust with a metallic finish
• Burnt Orange - Deep Orange with an ultra-matte finish
• Raw Sienna - neutral amber with an ultra-matte finish

 'An essential eye shadow collection featuring 14 shades, including neutral and berry tones' - ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS

Formula & Pigmentation

The eyeshadows in this palette are buttery smooth to touch and apply. A little goes a long way so remember to tap the excess off of those brushes! My only complaint is that I found Cyprus Umber to appear a bit chalky when sswatched, otherwise all of the other colours in this palette swatched beautifully.

I found that when paired with my Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, these shadows lasted all day on my eyelid and in the crease. 

'Each highly pigmented eyeshadow resists fading and creasing, bringing long-lasting modern elegance to your eye looks' - SEPHORA

Ingredients & Accolades

This paletts is free from parabens, sulfates and phlthalates.

Affordability & Retailers

You can buy your own Modern Renaissance palette directly from Anastasia Beverly Hills for $42.00 USD, or alternatively you can purchase one from Sephora AU for $75.00 AUD, or better yet from Beautylish (who offer free international shipping for all orders over $50 USD)  for $42.00 USD. 

Psst, Beautylish works out to be the better deal but be ready to have your trigger finger ready as they sell out of this palette quick!

Final Verdict

While I'll admit that this palette does put me a little out of my comfort zone with the reds and pinks, I don't regret this purchase at all. All of the shades shouw up on my skin exactly as they present in the palette, and the formula is the best that I've tried in a long time - yes it's better than Tarte and Urban Decay.

If you're wanting to get out of your comfort zone then this is a product to invest in. It still provides those lovable neutral colours for those tame work days, but also has that pop of outlandish colour perfect for the weekend.

And although it's often sold out quickly, just remember beauties that this palette is a permanent part of the ABH range so you'll have plenty of chances to try and snap one up for yourself.

Stay Updated

New product reviews are uploaded every Saturday, while Pro Tips are uploaded on the first Sunday of each month.

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- beautyreporterb

PROTIPS - SEARCHING FOR NEW FOUNDATION SHADES

At some stage in our beauty journey we've all either been unsatisfied with our current foundation or wanted to venture out and try something new. Once we find a new foundation to try out, it can be difficult to be re-colour matched. Why can't the cosmetic companies keep it simple for us?

To make your colour-matching life so much easier, I introduce to you Findation.

What is Findation?

Findation is a website specifically made to colour match you to other brands of foundation based on the foundations that you have previous used. They have a bank of over 22,000 foundations that you can potentially be matched with! 

Just make sure that you input previous foundation shades that have been good colour-matches. This website is all about colour matching, not coverage matching. You'll have to manually do that yourself.

Who can use Findation?

Findation is super easy to use and can be accessed by anyone! Findations primary aim is to help beauties who are shopping for foundations online as they are not readily able to access them in stores.

It's that easy beauties. Enjoy getting colour matched online with Findation this weekend 

Stay Updated

New Product reviews are uploaded each Saturday, while new ProTips are uploaded on the first Sunday of every month.

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LIME CRIME - VENUS PALETTE

Years ago, Lime Crime released the beautiful Venus palette. Venus was a social media sensation and was everywhere you looked online; Instagram included!

The buzz has long since died down, but I thought I'd pull out this oldie and give it a review since it is still flying off of shelves and more often than not sold out everywhere. 

'In a sea of nude palettes, VENUS emerges with 8 game changing shades: rust red, brick brown, burgundy and unconventional neutrals' - LIME CRIME

Packaging

The Venus palette comes completes with beautiful packaging which features an except of Botticelli's classical painting, 'The Birth of Venus'.

The palette is made of cardboard and features a slip top with a full sized mirror for beauties on the go.

Shades & Finishes

The Venus palette contains eight shades, with a mixture of mattes and glows. The shades in this palette and their finishes include:

VENUS - the colour of bruised fruit (velvet matte)

SHELL - opalescent shell-pink (glow)

AURA - golden ivory (glow)

CREATION - rust brown (matte)

ICON - dirt brown (matte)

REBIRTH - the colour of an over-ripe nectarine (matte)

DIVINE - dusty stone (matte)

MUSE -deep burgundy red (matte)

Top Row: Venus, Shell, Aura, Creation
Bottom Row: Icon, Rebirth, Divine, Muse


'Create a wide range of grunge-meets-renaissance modern looks, from daytime wash of colour to night-on-the-town smokey eye' - LIME CRIME

Formula & Pigmentation

The formula for the eyeshadows in this palette is buttery smooth; they apply and blend out with ease. A little product goes a long way with these eyeshadows.

There is plenty of pigment in each shade, however I did experience some fallout during application. With this particular palette make sure you complete your eye look before completing your base.

'Recklessly pigmented eyeshadows can be worn alone or mesh flawlessly for a nu-grunge look with a soft, painterly finish' - LIME CRIME

Affordability & Retailers

You can purchase your own Venus palette directly from Lime Crime for $34.00 USD or from PepperMayo for $49.00 AUD

Final Verdict

In my humble opinion, the Venus palette is a luxury not a necessity.I find that the colours can be difficult to pair together and I'll often use another palette in to complete the look. 

Pale skinned beauties: beware that some of these colours can look very, very dark on us. I'm an NW10 for reference and I find colours such as Divine to give the illusion that I have a black eye.  

If you enjoy wearing red tones often then this is a palette for you, otherwise save your pretty pennies and purchase this one when there is a sale on. It's nice to play around with from time-to-time, but I don't reach for it often.

Stay Updated

New product reviews are uploaded each Saturday, and ProTips are uploaded on the first Sunday of each month. 

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- beautyreporterb