New In

Despite telling myself that this year is a budget year, occasionally I just can't stop myself from spending. This was one of these times. I actually picked these up about two or three months ago now but, after taking all of the photos, I completely forgot to actually post anything (Lazy blogger, I know). This does, however, mean that I can give you a small review on some of the stand out products!

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Mont Blanc and Pump

Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzer

Colourpop Lippy Stix in Cookie

Rimmel Idol Eyes by Kate Moss in 04 Black

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in 15 Fair

Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector

Without a doubt, my favourite products above are the Nars Sheer Glow Foundation (which I am nearly out of! *cries*), the Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzer and the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer. The Nars foundation is lovely and the shade Mont Blanc matches my pale face perfectly. My only complaint would be the lasting power of this. With an exceptional primer (I'm looking at you Hourglass Veil Primer) this will last me the whole day but without it it doesn't quite do the job. The Too Faced bronzer is lovely and works perfectly on my aforementioned pale skin. It meant to smell like chocolate and, whilst I don't particularly dislike the smell, I'm not sure that's how I would describe the scent. Lastly, I finally managed to get my hands on the Fit Me concealer in Fair - no small feat might I add. This was a repurchase so I already knew I wouldn't be disappointed. If you haven't tried the Fit Me concealer yet you definitely need to.

Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

Clarins Extra-Firming Body Lotion

Clarins Renew-Plus Body Serum

Clarins Total Cleansing Oil

Clarins Extra-Comfort Anti-Pollution Cleansing Cream

Clarins HydraQuench Cream

The majority of these products are actually samples that I got when I purchased the Renew-Plus Body Serum and the Total Cleansing Oil. Whilst I haven't had a proper chance to try out the samples yet the cleansing oil and body serum have not disappointed. I first heard about the body serum from Caroline Hirans (possibly from Sali Hugh's "In The Bathroom" with her which, incidentally, if you haven't seen you need to) who said it was perfect for getting rid of keratosis pilaris or "chicken skin" - something that I've been trying to do for as long as I can remember. I've been using it everyday since I got it and, although my chicken skin isn't completely gone, the difference is incredible. Similarly, the cleansing oil is great. This stuff will remove all makeup in about two seconds flat - yes even waterproof mascara - and I can't express my love for it enough.

The Mindfulness Colouring Book

Simple Kind To Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes

Simple Kind To Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser

Zara Black Perfume 

I will sing the simple moisturiser' praises for all eternity and I don't want to tell you what to do but you need this in your life. I am planning on devoting a whole post to its awesomeness so expect that sometime in the near future. I first bought Zara Black in Germany and as soon as I ran out I had to repurchase it. It is a beautiful floral scent and, for only $20, is a perfume I don't feel guilty about being obsessed with.

Recent Makeup Buys

As I am currently saving for my trip to Germany (Less than two months way! I'm so excited) I have restricted my spending a lot however I have managed to sneak a few necessities in over the past month or so. 

From Lush I have picked up the Tea Tree Water toner (full review here) and I am in love! I also got my hands on Grease Lightning and, whilst I thankfully have not needed to use it too often, am very impressed.

From Rimmel I picked up the Scandal'Eyes Waterproof Mascara in black. I usually opt for a waterproof mascara as I cry more than is socially acceptable and this one seems to manage to not make me look like a panda which is always a plus! I also grabbed the Scandal'Eyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in nude because every blogger that I follow seems to own this and, despite what I would like to think, I am not immune to their enabling. Whilst I do like this for my waterline I don't think it is particularly long lasting, at least on me, and I do need to reapply throughout the day. I also feel that the colour is a little too shiny and metallic for a nude but aside from that I am really enjoying using it. Lastly from Rimmel I picked up the 60 Seconds Colour Rush Nail Enamel in the shade Breakfast In Bed (Is that not the cutest name?) I absolutely adore this nail polish! Everything from the fast drying formula to the gorgeous  colour has my completely head over heels!

After giving up on my Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream I decided to try the Revlon Colorstay Makeup for Normal to Dry Skin in the shade Buff. My opinion on this one is a little all over the place at the moment (some days I love it, some days I can't wait to get it off my face) so I plan on making a full review with all of the pros and cons.

I also picked up an eyelash curler (from the home brand at the supermarket because I am a truly classy girl), a Covergirl Eye Enhancers 4-Kit Eye Shadow in Pure Romance which is nice enough but nothing to write home about, a Neutrogena Naturals Lip Balm which I love - great moisture without the sticky residue? Yes please! - and the Bourjois Happy Light Luminous Serum Primer. Whilst this gets the job done, Bourjois is a slightly more expensive drugstore brand (I'm saving remember!) and I think that, for the $21 that I paid, it would be nice to get a little more product. Aside from the size I really like this primer and can definitely see the difference when I use it as opposed to when I don't.

xx Gemma

A Mini Haul

Recently I have stopped buying things as I am saving up for my trip to Germany at the end of the year. However, when I realised yesterday that I was nearly completely out of both foundation and concealer I had to break my little saving streak.

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer - 15 Fair I have actually bought this concealer before but in a tone that was slightly too dark for me and made me look very orange. From memory, aside from the orange tint that it added to my skin, I liked this concealer and I think almost every single blog that I follow has recommended this so hopefully with the right colour I will enjoy this.

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush I have a small confession to make on this one; from the moment I started to read beauty blogs I have heard the real techniques brushes talked about so much and for some unknown reason I assumed that you could not buy them in Australia. Thankfully, when I decided to google it finally last week, i discovered that this was not the case and they can easily be found at priceline! So, as real techniques are brushes I have wanted for so long I decided to pick up the Expert Face Brush. Originally I was planning on buying the Buffing Brush but I read this comparison of the two brushes and decided that the Expert Face Brush would probably work best for me. I can't wait to use this!

L'Oreal Lumi Magiue Light Infusing Foundation - Pure Pearl I had planned on buying a Borjois foundation today but all of the ones at the store were too dark for my pale winter skin. As I had read a good review of this a little while ago I decided to get this instead (and even managed to get a discount!). As soon as I got home I realised that the seal has actually been broken so I am going to return it tomorrow and get an untouched bottle instead but fingers crossed I will love it!

Topshop yay!

Hello! The other day I went to Topshop for the first time! It was amazing, although perhaps a little too expensive for my budget. I am actually in love. As I knew that it was going to be very expensive I set myself a spending limit. This helped my bank account but sadly meant I could not buy as much as I would possiby have liked. So here are the chosen few!

xx Gem