Where there's smoke, there's By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Bronze Moon

By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Bronze Moon

I had an 'ohhh, that's how' moment a few months back while watching vlogger, Anna, do her makeup, and thought 'I want try that.' In a flash I found myself in Mecca picking up yet another Ombre Blackstar, but this time I grabbed Bronze Moon. One of the many #goodexcuses to buy makeup.

Bronze Moon swatched on the inside of my arm

For a lazy, smoky brown eye I messily applied bronze moon (a shimmery, warm golden brown) all over the eye lid one eye at a time to prevent bronze moon from setting, and went in with Zoeva's 228 Luxe Crease Eyeshadow brush and blended the crap out of the rough edges for a softer, sultry look. I finished the rest of the look with Urban Decay's Sunburn (neon red/orange), Marc Jacob's Ro(Cocoa), my go-to brown eyeliner, and smudged a small amount of bronze moon along the outer corner of the lower lash line.

The thing I love the most about bronze moon is its ability to intensify the green in my hazel eyes.

Wearing Bronze Moon on my eyes

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for By Terry Ombre Backstair in Bronze Moon:

• $56.00 AUS / $43.50 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 10 out of 10 bags — Tattoo like hold (the temporary kind), with amazing colour payoff.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• This palette.

Sensory moment: Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream Forever

Daisy Dream Forever

There's something artificial about Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream Forever, and I couldn't quite put my finger on what bothered me the most about it. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad scent, but it's something I certainly wouldn't choose for myself.

Daisy Dream Forever as defined by Sephora:

Notes: Blackberry, Grapefruit, Pear, Jasmine, Lychee, Blue Wisteria, White Woods, Musks, Coconut Water. 

Style: Airy. Deep. Eternal.

My nose is horrible at deciphering scents, yet in the simplest of terms Daisy Dream Forever is a juicy fruit bomb, highlighted with icy berries that burn off to a whimper within two hours. Unfortunately for me, Marc Jacobs latest release is an upmarket Britney Spears' imposter, slapped with lucite flowers to ooze, no force, innocence. 

These sorts of perfumes I liken to moments, and believe me I've had many moments.

1999-2000

Candie's Fragrance, I convinced my mom to me buy me this fruity/smoky/amber perfume for Christmas. It smelled amazing on Megan during Señor Souza's first period Spanish class, so it'd work for me, right? 

Clinique Happy was a gift from my brother, Rich, in ninth grade. I was a happy little Starburst.

2001-2003

Bath and Body Works Imagine...Love another bottle dressed in daisies.  Swaddled in young love, fleeting, followed by the too slow fizzle.

Victoria's Secret Very Sexy, a gift from my ex. I never really wore it, yet I recall smelling it on my roommate, Jen, who happily pinched my stuff, but I was never allowed to go on her side of the room. It's funny that we never ended up becoming friends.

2004

Burberry Brit, another amber with notes of vanilla and even cinnamon -- I was exercising my inner Charlotte York in the midst of university.

2007-2008

Fruits & Passion Pink, this love affair lasted just as long as their brick and mortar shops did in the US. The same goes for Martin & Osa, remember them?

Each of these perfumes celebrated a time in my life, but now that I'm older I want something classic, memorable without being overpowering, and refined.

What are some of your sensory moments?

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream Forever:

• $120.00 AUS / $88.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 3 out of 10 bags — Daisy Dream Forever is as awwe-inducing as the 'best friend' charm split with your childhood neighbour that was eventually buried in a time capsule which will never see the light of day. Sorry, Marc.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• I'll just stick with his makeup. 

*PR sample provided –  Thoughts and ramblings written here are completely my own.

This duo does not disappoint: Victoria, Victoria Beckham for Nails Inc. Duo Collection

Nails Inc Bamboo White (left) and Judo Red (right)

Favourite Spice Girl.

Lover of polished nails.

A nail polish formula that doesn't quit.

This stuff is seriously bottled magic and a lemming in the making. Let's start with the anatomy of the bottle -- removable false cap for looks (think Butter London), matte black and white porcelain exteriors for a sleeker look and feel, complete with viewfinder-like sides serving as windows into the souls of these two opposing nail colours.

From the side

These polarising brushes are chubby and contoured to speed the nail painting process along, and promote control to assist with staying inside the lines. Reduced clean up, FTW!

Typical drying time is to be expected, but the wait is so worth it. This polish lasts. By day four expect to see the unavoidable tip wear from shuffling paper about, typing and dish washing. And by day 7, nary a chip in sight. 

The boxed packaging, while nice, is a bit of a gimmick to get you to spend more money. Originally I intended to have Scott purchase Bamboo White, but the Sephora gods in Sydney wouldn't have it -- Judo Red and Bamboo White were a package deal with an eye popping price tag of $60.00! Is this duo really worth it? 

Yes. Individually, I suspect a LE bottle would set you back $27.50 at least. So, if you love all things Victoria, pale pink and coral red, scoop these up while you can.

Nails Inc is onto something with their revamped formula and packaging. Now, here's some food for though, NailKale. Anyone?

Nails Inc Bamboo White (nude)

Nails Inc Judo Red (tomato red)

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Victoria, Victoria Beckham for Nails Inc. Duo Collection:

• $60.00 AUS / $45.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 9 out of 10 bags — Next to CND's Vinylux, Nails Inc is hands down my second favourite nail polish brand.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

•   Pale Perfect.

Feeling nostalgic: MAC's Real Doll

Wearing MAC's Real Doll while getting my best Barbie/Skipper/Stacie face on

*sets scene*

When: April 2007

En route to Vegas with the latest issue of In Style magazine -- these were the days when blogging pretty much only existed on Live Journal, Makeup and Beauty Blog wasn't yet a part of my life, and reading magazines was a necessity in order to learn about upcoming seasonal makeup releases.

Tucked in the last quarter of the magazine (somewhere between healthy recipe ideas and diet ads I undoubtedly flicked past) laid a makeup editorial featuring a model whose hair and skin were true glow-y perfection, and those lips, well, they were sporting MAC's Real Doll. As our Jet Blue flight flew 30,000 feet over Lake Michigan I earmarked the corner of the page, shut off my overhead light, and envisioned Real Doll adorning my very own lips.

News Flash, pervs: Get your mind out of the gutter!

My latest lemming eluded me. The hunt from Las Vegas' Town Square with P-Cakes and Grammy, all the way back to Braintree's South Shore Plaza left me weary, and eventually forced me to throw in the towel. In a last ditch effort I even went as far as calling the indexed telephone number for MAC in the back of In Style with the hope Real Doll would turn up somewhere, alas.

Eight years later and a world away from my humble beginnings, Real Doll popped back on the scene as part of the MAC is Beauty campaign. The lengthy wait didn't kill me, it only helped to fuel my obsession with makeup. This creamy baby pink/lilac lippie will forever hold my heart. 

MAC's Real Doll

Swatch of MAC's Real Doll

Wearing Mac's Real Doll

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for MAC's Lipstick in Real Doll:

• $36.00 AUS / $16.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 10 out of 10 bags — Despite my darkish features Real Doll refuses to wash my out complexion. Tho, it does little to brighten your teeth.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• Sadly Real Doll is limited edition. That said I better track down a back up, fast!

Love my dress? I know I do! I'm wearing Gorman's Wing It Dress. It's got pockets, it conceals the presence of food baby, and it's made in the softest corduroy.