October Empties

I can't believe October is officially over and we're already in November! Already my weekends are becoming full of birthdays and pre- christmas activities. October felt like it went forever for me, I managed to get through a good chunk of products too!

1. Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Boosting Mask: This was my first time using a sheet mask and I really liked it! I looked ridiculous with it on but my skin was super hydrated afterwards so It was worth it.

2. Neotrogena Hyrdo Boost: This is the second sample of this moisturiser I have used up and I don't really have anything bad to say about it. I really like the cooling sensation it gives when you first apply it. I wouldn't repurchase just yet as I have so many moisturisers to use up.

3. Hydro Silk Razor: Definitely my favourite razor, I have already opened up a new one and I still have two more backups stored away (oops!).

4. Vagisil Wipe: Kinda just used this for the sake of using it, I was a bit on the fence about using this anywhere near sensitive areas. I wouldn't use these for anything other than that fun time of the month.

5. Nuxe Oil: Gosh this oil smelt amazing, I need a full bottle in my life asap!

6. Sex In The City Body Lotion: An ordinary body lotion that I received in a perfume set ages ago, I'm glad to finally use this one up and chuck it in the bin.

7. Maybelline Clear Lash Mascara: I have been using this clear gel to set my brows for quite some time. I finished about 90% of it up and decided it was time to open a new product, It just looks gross now and every time I use it the germ-a-fobe in me thinks about the bacteria that must be in it.

8. Schwarzkopf Ultime BB Cream: This is the first time I have tried out a hair BB cream and honestly it was just like an average leave in hair treatment. Didn't notice any difference to my hair but I quite liked the smell of it.

9. Colgate Optic White Toothpaste: I enjoyed using this toothpaste, not necessarily for the whitening qualities but I felt it gave my teeth a really good clean.

10. Benefit They're Real Mascara: A cult favourite mascara, I love using it on my top lashes but for some weird reason If I wear this on my bottom lashes it smudges everywhere. 

11. L.A Girl Pearl Eyeliner: I was seriously impressed with this liquid liner considering it cost me $2 or so from CherryCulture, It didn't smudge or flake off throughout the day and has the best tip for winged liner. The pearlescent finish was nice for day to day use as it wasn't as harsh as a straight up black. It lasted me forever so I would happily repurchase!

Thats everything I got through this month, let me know if you have tried any of these products and what you think!

Monique xx

EOTD: Dramatic Teal Smokey Eye

Back in July I posted a simple teal smokey eye look using the same gorgeous 'Aquarius' shadow in the Urban Decay Feminine palette, but last night I decided to try out a more dramatic look for a 21st party. As I knew we were eating there I avoided dark lips and opted for a nude, so I couldn't think of a better opportunity to play with some colour on the eyes.

I purchased the Urban Decay Feminine palette from Allcosmeticswholesale.com and I'm so glad I did, the bright purple and teal shade make the palette worthwhile alone. The Sleek 'oh so special' palette has been another constant reach for me lately, for this look I used the matte warm taupe and black shadows. I patted the matte black from the Sleek palette on the outer corner and with whatever excess was on my brush I would put lightly in the inner corner, leaving a small blank space in the middle of my lid for the gorgeous teal shade.

I love how the teal looked against the black and think this look would be so amazing on brown eyes. Sadly not even the amazing Nars eyeshadow primer was able to stand the warmer weather and my shadow creased after a couple of hours, damn you oily skin. Anyway thanks so much for stopping by my blog!

Monique xx

Mo's Lowdown: Bondi Sands Gradual Tan Range

With the hotter weather approaching tanning seems to be all the talk at the moment, being quite fair myself I have naturally avoided fake tanning as it always seems to be too much of a hassle. I have recently decided to break out of my comfort zone and try some gradual tan, I figured if I wanted to ease slowly into tanning this would be the way to do it. I read some great reviews on the Bondi Sands Gradual Tanning Milk range and decided it would be worth a shot in hope of achieving some bronzed skin.

I started applying the Bondi Sands Gradual Tanning Body Moisturiser to my skin after showering at night, as well as applying the Bondi Sands Gradual Tanning Face Milk to avoid a noticeable difference in my skin colour when not wearing foundation. I found both products super easy to use and just applied them like I would a normal moisturiser, they absorb quickly so I didn't find myself waiting around to get dressed which was great. I love the cocoa butter scent of the body moisturiser and the large pump makes it super easy to dispense, the face tanner seems to have no fragrance and the squeeze tube is great for applying small amounts to the face. They both receive 10 stars for packaging and not having an unpleasant tan smell, but now onto the actual results!

L-R: No Tan, One Application, Three Applications

I'm so glad that I haven't turned into an oompa loompa from using these products. The great thing is about the gradual tan is I'm able to pick a desired result. After three applications I was quite happy with the colour turnout and stopped applying the moisturiser daily and instead I will apply every second or third day to top up the colour. The only mistake I have made using this product is once I forgot to wash my hands after applying and woke up with some orange streaks in-between my fingers, whoops! Overall I found the colour is very natural which is great for someone as naturally pale as myself, I haven't had anyone tell me I look orange which is my biggest fear with tanning! If you want to try fake tanning but are a bit on the fence about it I definitely recommend these products, they're inexpensive and are fool proof (coming from tan newbie myself!).

Let me know your thoughts on fake tanning or if you have any product recommendations!

Monique xx

FOTD: Spring Clubbing Look

I posted my go - to clubbing look back in July, which is dark and vampy. And now I'm sharing what I would consider a spring edition. Heres the makeup mess!

Of course I forgot to photograph one of the new products I'm testing out- the Mac Prep and Prime Skin Refined zone, a raved about primer for oily skin. I've only used it twice so far and I'm not sure what to think of it just yet but I'm sure I'll do a review on it eventually! I have been lusting after the new Velourlips matte lip creme range ever since they announced the new colours (actually I've been desperate to buy the original colours too but I must not give in to my lip product addiction). As I didn't have any colour like it I picked up the shade 'Lun- Dun' which is a vibrant pinky purple, I absolutely love it! Anddd besides that I'm still sticking too my favourite products for clubbing, including Benefits 'Hoola' bronzer, Mac Studio Fix foundation and Nars 'Orgasm' blush. I think its time to try out some new products!

I think the look is suitable for spring and the smokey warmed toned eye makes it a little more dramatic for hitting the town. Let me know if you change your makeup up to suit the weather or if you just like the same look all year round (you'll still see me rocking a vampy lip in summer of course). Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Monique xx

Come Play With Me: Futuristic love

I have recently been loving joining in on the Come Play With Me Series, so when the gorgeous Gemma from Lady Sapphire Blog chose the theme 'Futuristic Love' I was super excited! Especially after seeing Gemma's and Indie's amazing looks. I had some fun trying out some colours and jewels, something I image will be rocked a lot in the future!

I tried a sort of opposite/cut crease liner by first winging out some orange shadow mixed with Mac Fix Plus from the Australis Neautrals and Neons palette (thanks Kats!) and then tracing above it carefully with my Maybelline Master Precise Liner. The star of the look is definitely the jewels, I used some Urban Decay orange toned jewels in the corners of my eyes and some false lashes that also have jewels embedded into the lash line. I finally got to use some of the blues from my custom Stila palette and now I want to wear blue eyeshadow for the rest of my life (oh gawd). 

I really like the mix of orange and blue tones and although I wouldn't be brave enough to wear this out currently, hopefully its in trend in the future because I absolutely love it! Thanks for checking out my blog and make sure you check out the other girls looks, as they're absolutely amazing! 

Monique xx

September Empties

It's that time of the month where I collect up all my beauty rubbish and talk about what I was able to use up! Funnily enough I'm finding myself using the things I need (deodorant, hair dye etc) and not enough of the products that have multiple backups (body/face lotions, conditioner and perfumes). Oh well, at least I'm getting through of some of them!

1. Nivea Stress Protect Deodorant: I used up two of these samples (yes I smell okay) and I found that they just weren't strong enough for me. I found myself having to reapply after a few hours and thats just not ideal for everyday.

2. Kmart Makeup Remover Pads: Love these pads, they're $2 for a pack of 200, they remove makeup and nail polish well without falling apart as soon as they come into contact with liquids.

3. Ardell Lahes: I forget which style these lashes were in but I really loved them, they were super easy to apply and gave me the volume I desire. Sadly they have been used one too many times and its time to hit the bin.

4. Catalinageo Mascara: This is the second time I have finished up this mascara (I received the original plus a refill from a subscription box) and to be honest I'm not going to miss it now its gone. An alright mascara for everyday, it just didn't give me the volume that I like my lashes to have.

5. Goldwell Rich Repair Shampoo and Conditioner: I would repurchase this shampoo and conditioner purely on the gorgeous scent alone. I didn't notice much difference in the damage of my hair but that being said I did only use a small sample. 

6. Loreal Paris Preference P01 Metallic Silver Blonde: I used the exact same hair dye back in June and I wasn't a fan of it at all. While it developed it turned my hair a slight greyish colour, which freaked me out so I washed it out earlier than the recommend dye time. This resulted in my roots not being lifted at all. This time I persisted and kept the dye on despite turning grey and thankfully it turned out better, my root colour was lifted so I'm a happy chappy.

7. Neotrogena Hydro Boost: I liked testing out this product, it didn't make me break out and has a slight cooling sensation when you first apply it. I wouldn't repurchase it though as I just have so many face creams to use up.

8. Seacret Products: I had a bit of a pamper session at a lovely ladies house named Karren a few weeks ago trying out some Seacret products. She gave me some samples to take home and I finished up the Salt and Oil Scrub as well as the Ocean Mist body butter. Funnily enough while I was walking through the shops one day I was handed a sample of the Seacret hand cream which I finished up too. They were all really lovely products that contain amazing ingredients from the dead sea. If you have wanted to try the Seacret brand but without the high price tag make sure you check out Karren's Facebook page, there is some awesome before and after shots on there!

Well thats everything I managed to get through in September, I'm really excited for October to begin! Let me know if you were able to get through some of your beauty stash this month.

Monique xx

FOTD: Breakfast Date

Let's just all stare at this eggs benedict for a minute and drool shall we? This morning my partner was kind enough to take me out to breakfast and I thought hey might as well do a blog post on my makeup while I'm at it. So if you want to see the makeup I used to create the following look, please keep reading!

I wanted to wear a dark smokey eye with matching lips but I had to restrain myself as after all I was just going out for breakfast, and with the lovely weather it's time to start embracing some lighter and brighter colours. I received a sample of the Bare minerals 'Bare Skin' foundation yesterday so I thought I would try it out. Its formula is essentially a liquid, although the coverage is lovely and it doesn't feel like you have a thing on your skin, so far so good! Of course I'm the lightest shade in the range, no surprise there...

I also used my Mac See Thru lip colour in the shade 'Secret Crush' for the first time, it's a sheer lip colour that gives off the nicest berry flush to the lips. I wore this as I was eating and didn't want to worry about fixing my lipstick, reviews I read on the product stated it stains the lips, and I wouldn't say it stains but It does wear off nicely. The eyeshadow palette I used is the Sleek 'Oh So Special' palette, I have been absolutely loving the purple tones in this and that's what I used on my eyes today. The only thing that annoys me about the sleek palette is that it is so hard to open! In fact when I had acrylic nails on I didn't even try to open it, they're lucky the shadows are worth the hassle!

Quite a simple look that I enjoyed wearing out, I am now currently nestling my food baby and trying not to think about the calories I just consumed. Let me know if you have any exciting weekend plans, and thanks so much for reading!

Monique xx