SEPHORA HAUL | PART THREE | NARS, JOSIE MARAN

Rounding up my New York Sephora Haul trilogy today with Part Three... it already feels like such a long time ago that I was actually in New York City. It is certainly a place that is really so captivating, and like most people that I know who have visited her, I just can't wait to go back. I am planning to do a little post on the blog about my New York City experience in the new year!

Anyway, on with some Josie Maran and Nars show and tell eh?

The following items were most definitely on my list to purchase. Josie Maran had recently launched in Mecca Cosmetica here in Australia just prior to our departure, however I knew that I could save a few dollars by waiting for the US prices. Like many other Aussie beauty girls, I have watched our US girls raving about the beautiful Josie Maran products for a long time, and was very happy to find two great little value sets. In the basket they went!

JOSIE MARAN WINTER DREAMS - ARGAN COLOUR COLLECTION

L-R Coconut Watercolour Eye Shadow in Rio de Rose Gold, Argan Illuminizer
Argan Infinity Lip and Cheek Creamy Oil in Limitless Pink

Please excuse my rather rushed swatches, but gosh these are gorgeous products! I have only had a brief play with this Argan Colour set, so you will no doubt hear more about these in upcoming favourites posts or in my face of the day posts on Instagram. I'm not sure how the Lip and Cheek oil will go on my acne prone/oily skin, but I will give it a good crack, and if not then it is most certainly a stunning lip shade. There is a great deal of beauty in both the textures, and the finishes of these products. I think Josie and I are going to friends...

JOSIE MARAN WINTER DREAMS WHIPPED ARGAN OIL BODY BUTTER DUO

I have indeed been enjoying the Vanilla Apricot Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter. It smells divine. Completely just vanilla and apricots. I adore it. The body butter is rich and luxurious, and you really feel like you are treating yourself when you use it. This is not a sink into your skin and disappear body cream, it really does form a protective layer on your skin, and you will notice quite a sheen for some time after application. This is definitely a 'before bed' body butter for me, and a deliciously gorgeous one at that.

This two pack also contains the scent Sweet Citrus, which I have not opened as yet, but let's face it, it's going to be good...

NARS AUDACIOUS LIPSTICK 

NARS AUDACIOUS LIPSTICK   AUDREY & ANNA

NARS Audacious Lipstick L -Audrey,  R -Anna

Allow me to introduce Audrey and Anna...aren't they lovely? The lipsticks that everybody is talking about and everybody loves. The swatches above are one easy swipe of colour. I have worn both, and do love them, though I'm not sure that they will change your life. Some may disagree with me, and believe me I do love a good lippy, I'm just not sure they are worth such a phenomenal amount of hype. Now if they could throw a few loads on washing on, cook dinner, and get my children to tidy their rooms then I may just have to reconsider... 

Have you purchased any of the NARS Audacious Lipsticks? Do you have a favourite shade?

Do they knock your socks off?...or at least wash them for you?

Do you have a favourite Josie Maran product? I would love to hear any recommendations!





Thanks so much for stopping by!



Blessings,



Lou xo

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Sephora Haul | Part Two | Urban Decay, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Benefit Cosmetics

So I did promise to not bore you all again with the thrilling description of my Sephora New York shopping experience, as seen in part one of my Sephora haul. So I won't.

 Safe to say, it was gloriously glorious.

Today, in part two, I have some purchases from Urban Decay, Anastasia Beverly Hills, and Benefit Cosmetics to share with you.

Some of these products have been swiftly elevated to daily must haves, and one product I am yet to try on my eyeballs...still! Not enough makeup hours in the day!

Let's start with Urban Decay...

Urban Decay Naked Basics 2
Swatched as the shades appear in the palette, in natural light.

I own only one other Urban Decay palette, the rosey toned Naked 3. When the Naked Basics 2 was released a few months ago, I was very keen to make it mine, and managed to convince myself that I needed it even more because I did not own the original Naked Basics.

Touted as the cool toned sister of the original, I have been reaching for this on an almost daily basis. It is beautiful. All of the shadows are soft, creamy, and blend like a dream. It will give you the most beautiful natural eye look, and the darker shades add depth and definition perfectly if you wish to intensify the look. I really love it... really really...

Benefit Gimme Brow Light/Medium,   ABH Brow Wiz Medium Brown,   Benefit fakeup Concealer

One newby from Benefit, and one repurchase! If you have seen any of my 'face of the day' posts on Instagram you may have noticed that Benefit's fakeup concealer is in almost every one. I have reviewed it in full here. In short,  this is my go-to daily undereye concealer.  It gives me medium coverage with added lightweight hydration. A quick swipe under each eye, pat it in with my finger and I'm done. I purchased my first Benefit fakeup in January of this year, and am only now coming to the end of my first tube. Impressed.

Benefit Gimme Brow was on my list of things to purchase on this trip, and it has not disappointed. Absolutely worth the hype in my opinion, it is now the daily second step in my brow routine. The light/medium shade is perfect for my brows. I like how it has very little warmth in it. I love that it adds a little extra fullness, whilst holding my brows in shape all day. Bloody good.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz was another product I was determined to take home. I chose the shade medium brown (previously medium ash) and it is now the first step in my brow routine. The shade is perfectly ashy, the fine tip is so easy to use, and allows me to add definition to my brows without them looking too muddy, or overfilled. The combination of the Brow Wiz  and Gimme Brow is outstanding. The Bees Knees of brows...highly recommend this combination!!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Tamanna Eye Shadow Palette
Swatched as shades appear in the palette, in natural light.

The purchase of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Tamanna eye shadow palette was not at all planned, but it somehow found its way into my little basket. Such pretty shades, and as you can see from the above photograph, they are all very nicely pigmented.
It was definitely calling my name, and I was certainly swayed by the $29.00 US price tag.
I am looking forward to having a good play with this one!

If you would like to check out Part One of my Sephora Haul, you can find it here.

Coming up shortly will be the final Sephora Haul post...yes, there are a few more things to share (gulp) and then a little Duane Reade reveal...cos I just had to do some drugstore haulin'!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Blessings,

Lou xo

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Sephora Haul | Part One | Bite Beauty & Too Faced

I will admit to feeling a sudden increase in heart rate, and became aware of small beads of perspiration forming on my upper lip as I caught site of the unmistakable black and white framed mothership of beauty that is Sephora. 

My spirits soared as the escalator swiftly delivered me to the top floor of the building at No.10 Columbus Circle. With trembling limbs, I managed to deftly navigate my way through a stream of busy New Yorker's... I was focused...I was driven...I was going shopping.

I was going to Sephora.

I was greeted by smiling, friendly staff, who were consistently helpful and attentive. I think I may have met them all twice. Though I would have loved to have been colour matched, and spend some time with the MUA's, what I really wanted to do was just explore. Pick up, feel, look, touch and swatch many of the products that I had only ever previously seen through my computer screen.

I did try to be careful, and quite a few things that were placed into my little silver basket were hence removed and put back on the shelf. My aim was to try and get a little of everything, makeup, body care and skincare, though to my surprise I actually managed to leave without purchasing one nail polish. There might have been a certain Marc Jacobs shade in my basket for a spell, but he was returned in favour of what I am about to share with you today...well, one of them anyway!

I thought I would spread my show and tell over a couple of posts, otherwise things might get a little picture heavy, and I may run out of places on my body to swatch!

Today's part one features the brands Bite Beauty, and Too Faced lip products. Luscious lip pencils and lacquers to make the beauty lover swoon...both brands were on my list to explore.

  Come and see what I chose...

Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick   Top - Melted Candy   Bottom - Melted Berry
RRP $21.00 US

A fairly recent release in Australia, the Too Faced Melted Liquified Lipsticks have received many positive reviews online. I was actually looking for the holiday set which featured four of the shades, but was unable to find it. These two shades were the ones that appealed to me initially, so in the basket they went. Melted Fig was a front runner but alas was sold out. They are both ridiculously pigmented, Melted Candy was almost too intense to capture in a photograph. On swatching the formula reminds me of the Rimmel London Apocalypse Lip Laquers. I will keep you posted on my thoughts.

Bite Beauty-  Best Bite Remix Holiday Set   RRP $25.00 US

This little set of mini's represents great value in my opinion, and I could not walk past it. I have always wanted to try Bite Beauty products, and this set gives me four shades to play with, and an opportunity to gather my thoughts on the all natural, food grade ingredients that the brand is famous for. I have to say I am excited to try all four of them. I think the set has a brilliant range of shades, from nude to neutral, cool toned red to deep berry... there is definitely something for everyone. I think I may struggle to choose a favourite...

Bite Beauty High Pigment Lip Pencils L-R  Sable, Rhubarb, Pomegranate, Winterberry

LEFT - Bite Beauty, Sable, Rhubarb,  Pomegranate, Winterberry       RIGHT - Too Faced Melted Candy, Melted Berry
Photographed in direct natural light

Shades as above photographed in indirect natural light

Bite Beauty High Pigment Lip Pencil
L-R  Sable, Rhubarb, Pomegranate, Winterberry

I have included this third photograph of swatches above, because I believe that it represents the truest colour/shade representation.

I am so excited to get these on my lips! Have you tried any Bite Beauty Lip products? I did toy with the idea of trying to visit the Bite Beauty Lab whilst in New York, but I just ran out of time! Do you have any favourite Too Faced Melted Lipstick shades? I would love to hear from you!

Do stay tuned for the next instalment of Lou's Sephora Shenanigans...I promise I'll spare you the overly dramatic introduction next time. 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Blessings,

Lou xo

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MAC New York Haul

A visit to the MAC store was high on my list on my recent trip to New York. As we only had a short time in the city, and believe me there is so much to see and do, I knew I had to be decisive and focused! Although I would have loved to be colour matched for base products, and filled my basket with a million goodies, I just didn't have time, so it was lipsticks and eyeshadows that came home with me. The MUA that helped me was lovely...seriously could have played in there for hours...

So a little show and tell today, 4 new lippies and an eyeshadow quad that I put together. I love everything, and am very happy with my purchases...come and have a look!

The Loot...

L-R   TWIG,  BRICK-O-LA,  CRAVING,  LUSTERING

I was really keen to try a couple of different finishes in the lipsticks. Both Brick-O-La and Craving are Amplified, and are both stunning! Gorgeous saturated colour, Craving leans a little more plum, and Brick-O-La a warmer, muted, very wearable red. Twig is a Satin, and has a comfortable, satin/matte finish on the lips. I have worn this quite a few times...it is an absolutely gorgeous, deep neutral and it fits the nineties lip trend very nicely!! Lustering was calling to me...such a beautiful shade, and it is a Lustre finish. These types of shades can be a little intimidating in an opaque formula, but this is sheer, moisturising and just really pretty for spring/summer!

L-R  TWIG,  BRICK-O-LA,  CRAVING,  LUSTERING

As I mentioned, the MUA that helped me was lovely ( so sorry I can't remember her name ), and helped me put together these four gorgeous shadows. My aim was to have lovely warm shades, and I am so happy with my choices. On a side note, these are my first MAC eyeshadows...

Both Woodwinked and Mythology are perfect lid shades that I will happily blend up into the crease. I have wanted Woodwinked for the longest time, and Mythology has the most beautiful rose gold tone. Love them both! Rice Paper is a beautiful highlight shade for me...it is a soft, pale gold that gives a gorgeous, subtle glow to the inner corner and brow bone. Brown Script was my choice for a deeper toned matte shade. I love its warm, reddish undertones...I have been loving this on my top lash line instead of liner. 

L-R   RICE PAPER,  WOODWINKED,  MYTHOLOGY,  BROWN SCRIPT

Slightly out of focus...but gosh it shows the gorgeous glow of Woodwinked and Mythology!

I am very happy with my new lovelies! Do you have any of these shades? I would love to know your favourite MAC eyeshadows and lipsticks, please feel free to leave a comment below!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Blessings,

Lou xo

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