My blogspiration

Monday, July 7, 2014

June favourites: what I'm LOVING this month!

This month I thought I'd do something a little different to a haul, because well, I guess hauls can get a bit boring and showy, so I thought I'd show you some of my favourites instead of what I'm just buying!



MAC MORANGE (lipstick) & TEMPERATURE RISING (lip pencil)
I don't know what it is, maybe the fact that it's now cold here in Australia and I'm subtlety trying to get those summer feels, but I'm really into my bright lipsticks. I just don't feel right with nudes. Dark colours aren't really doing it for me either. But brights are where it's at for me. Reds, oranges, neon pinks, I'm right there! This month Morange is my go-to shade! I seriously can't get enough of this shade! I find it so strange that as a pink based skin tone, this colour should look like shit on me. Maybe it does, I don't really care. I'm in love. I team this with another favourite (and honestly my favourite lip liner, Temperature Rising). Unfortunately, Temperature Rising is pretty old, from the To The Beach collection from 2010.

TOO FACED SWEETHEART BRONZING BEADS.  (Bronzer/ highlighter)
I've heard so many not-so-good reviews on these but I love them! I think I actually prefer these over my usual MAC Natural skinfinish. I am definitely a fan of a subtle glitter/ highlight/ sheen thing going on over my whole face, and these definitely give me that. It might be a little too much for some people, or not quite the look they're going for, so I probably would skip them if that's not for you. I like that these aren't powdery or build up product heaps so that it looks cakey. I wouldn't call them bronzing either, but they do have a mix of bronze, pink, white and peach hearts so it's a mixed bronzing highlight situation, which is perfect for my face (NW20 for reference). I think the main reason that people aren't so crash hot for these is the amount of product you get. In the pictures, the container looks full to the top but you get maybe half that in reality. Even though the quantity is a little disappointing, these last forever. I've had these for about 6 months now, using them pretty much every day and I feel like I've barely used them. I highly recommend these, unless, as I said, you're not a fan of subtle shimmer, glimmer, glitter, facial highlight. Whew! (Soz for the novel).

MAC CANDY YUM YUM. (Lipstick)
Oh my, this lipstick is definitely yum yum! My fave pink lipstick. I'm sure everyone on this planet (well the beauty planet, that is), has heard of this phenomenal, stunning, coveted lipstick. If you haven't, then you need to get on the candy train. This is definitely for the brave hearted, however, it is MUCH more wearable than you might think. I seriously think every girl needs this shade in their life. Not. Even. Kidding! Thankfully this shade is now permanent!

MAC SOUL SERENADE. (eyeshadow)
Wowwwwww! What a stunning shade. I do not understand why this shade wasn't one of the first to be sold out. It's a stunning (there's that word again, haha) deep, almost gunmetal, brown with amazing pigmentation. I only own 3 of the extra dimension eyeshadows and I seriously want more. These eyeshadows are highly pigmented (as I said), buttery soft and easy to blend. These eyeshadows alone make me wanna board the MAC train again in a BIG way. They might be smaller in size for the price vs the original eyeshadows but they are worth every cent. Next time they're released do yourself a favour and go buy them (all).

FRANK. (body scrub)
Holy moly this scrub is great. It smells like jaffas (coffee and orange) and works a treat. What I especially love is the almond oil making your skin softer than baby's bums and kittens at Christmas time afterwards. Perverted, but I seriously can't stop feeling myself up once I'm dry. They've also come out with a Coconut and Chocolate versions too. Only down side: it's a bit messy. It's also apparently good to do selfies with too.
Go buy it here: frankbody.com
$14.99 (with free shipping!)

The Body Shop HONEY lip balm
If you've ever had braces you'll understand how a good lip balm is SO important. Especially at times when you're getting them on, or through each brace tightening. I received this lip balm as a gift for my birthday last week, and it has been a godsend! I also had a new wire put on my bottle teeth so it's rubbing and my lips are dry. I already had the chocolate and cocoa butter Body Shop lip balms, but they're creamy vs waxy, like the honey one is, which I feel like it suits my dry lips better. Very moisturising with a subtle honey scent.

Swatches of Soul Serenade, Temperature Rising, Morange & Candy Yum Yum.












A couple of extras faves for the past month!
I very rarely hear new tracks and get excited, I'm "sorry not sorry" stuck in the 90s. I love my Spice Girls, Britney, Christina, N*SYNC etc, however, my man played this and I.FELL.IN.LOVE! You know when you hear something SO good, you get goosebumps? Yeah, this is it for me.
Robot Koch ~ Happy People
Check it out here: soundcloud.com/robot-koch
Or YouTube it! ;)

A really random love this month. PESTO. Yes that delicious smashed basil dip. I've been mixing pesto with Mayo to make "pestonaise". It is DELICIOUS! I'm having it as a salad dressing or on crackers. I first discovered it on pizza, and since then, I've been hooked! Haha.


What I'm not loving:
This weather. Totally not beauty/ makeup related, but I hate the cold. I get cold easily and it stays with me. My birthday was also this month and it's miserable because no one wants to go out, because, suprise, suprise, it's too damn cold! Rarrrr!!!! However, I do like my warm drinks, so that's something positive... Also, bed....

What are you loving this month? What are your all time faves? Do you prefer hauls vs favourites?


Are your feet happy?



Not everyone has zillions of dollars to get pedicures every week, or even every month, but taking care, and pampering your feet is SO important. Not only does it make you feel good, and a foot massage is heaven in a rub, but the majority of us spend all day on our feet, and not always in comfy shoes, and our feet very often get neglected. I know most peoples feet are not the most attractive, but they definitely deserve better than they fare as they are one of the most hardworking and constantly used parts of our body. It really doesn't take much to keep your feet in tip top shape without spending heaps at your local salon (except maybe half an hr - 45 mins). These are some of the things I do when I have a foot pampering session...

You will need:
A foot spa
Pumice or some kind of skin remover thing
Foot soak (crystals or powder)
Foot cream or moisuriser
A nail polish of your choice

Set the mood:
I put on some incense, or a nice candle, and pour myself a cup of green tea to really relax and get myself in the mood to wind down.

A great investment is a foot spa! They're much cheaper these days than they used to be, and can really relax you and really set the "spa" mood!
You don't need something super expensive, something from Target or Big W will do the trick!
Target has one that comes with all your extras like foot cream, foot soak, skin scraper thingy etc for $60. Big W has just the foot spa for roughly $25...

IMPORTANT: Do NOT use a foot spa with the vibrational settings on for more than 20 minutes as it can disrupt your heart!!!!!!! If you have a heart condition to begin with, I STRONGLY suggest talking to your doctor first! 

Take off your old nail polish and trim those nails.
Now that you have your foot spa running with warm water, add some salts or powder and get that baby vibrating and get those feet relaxing.
After about 5 minutes and your feet have softened, I like to use a gel exfoliating scrub with a pumice stone and buff that icky dead skin off.
Let feet soak for another 15 mins or however long you like NOT EXCEEDING 20 MINS.
Dry off and turn off your foot spa.
Paint your toe nails and let dry.
Moisturise these feet, or better yet, get your partner or whoever, to give you a foot massage and pop on some socks.
Mmmmm good morning soft feet!

Now repeat every 2 weeks or so, depending on what you like and when you have time to relax!

My foot faves:
~ Planet Earth foot spa from Target (my amazing partner bought this for me for my birthday a few years back!)
~ The Body Shop pumice stone
I actually loved The Body Shop Lemongrass foot products, but alas, it's discontinued. I bought in bulk when it discontinued so I'm still using it, and I don't know what I'll be trying out when I run out but these seem well received and will be what I might look into:
~ The Body Shop Peppermint Reviving Foot Soak or Foot fizzies
~ The Body Shop Peppermint Smoothing Pumice foot scrub
~ Lush Volcano foot mask
For moisturiser, I use The Body Shop body butters. On rotation is: Satsuma and Shea.



I clearly use a LOT of body shop products don't I? I honestly haven't found anything else that I really like... Can you recommend me something, or a new brand?


Little extras to help aid your feet day-to-day:
* Wear comfy shoes. I know it sounds obvious, but seriously, how many times have you worn shoes because they look hot vs comfort. Ok, I do understand when you go out for a night on the town, but day to day, on your job? Seriously, do your feet a favour and just get something comfortable!
* Gel cushions for your shoes. These are amazing and definitely buffer against wearing heels for a long period. Most shoe places sell them.