August 25, 2015

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

August 25, 2015/ Nicole McIntyre

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.

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.

August 16, 2015

Living proof. Perfect Hair Day set

August 16, 2015/ Nicole McIntyre

You've been saving your points for months for Sephora's second instalment of #epicrewardsday, and instead was greeted with SOLD OUT and generic customer service tweets in response to your repeated cries for being hoodwinked. Despite my best efforts in refreshing my web browser, sleep reigned supreme, and I figured waking at 5:30 last Tuesday morning would suffice -- surely something would be left, right?

And then the stories trickled in about shopping carts being emptied as you shopped; clearly your mouse clicking skills were not up to par, that, or the Sephora 'bots preyed on the responsible consumer who deleted their credit card details from their account after a random purchase at Homegoods last year resulted in having their identity stolen. You get the gist.

Back to the banked points. You could complain (which I whole-heartedly think you should), and then cash 500 of them in for Living Proof's Perfect Hair Day set.

This five piece set, complete with Jen's lovely mug, is the prescription you'd be willing to forge a signature for -- the shampoo, conditioner and 5-in-1 Styling Treatment work together to smooth, volumise, condition, strengthen and polish every strand of hair. The Prime Style Extender Spray, created specifically for people with fine hair (hallelujah), promises to extend any style two times longer thanks to its hidden shield (technical term: the reverse Pig Pen) that repels dirt and oil from your freshly styled tresses. Then there's the wicked cute (sorry, recovering Mass-hole here) shower cap which you can use between hair washing.

J.A. has the MIT scientists and Chris McMillian on speed dial; as for the meer mortals, myself included, will have to continue to work hard on our P.h.D. at home.

Still licking your wounds from Sephora's #epicrewards #epicfail? Living Proof's online store carries the Perfect Hair Day travel kit for $29 USD or you could always hit up Nordies.

February 22, 2015

Three reasons to love Maybelline's Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil

February 22, 2015/ Nicole McIntyre

Maybelline's Color Drama Intense Lip Velvet Lip Pencil in Fab Orange, Pink So Chic, and Fuchsia Desire

Instead of saving the drama for your Momma, how about serving it up to your lips. After all, they do all the talking, convey the most emotion, and will stop a lover's quarrel with a kiss to end all kisses.

Maybelline's Color Drama Intense Lip Velvet Pencils pack a wallop of a punch -- color payoff, price, and longevity, all tied up with a delightful fruity scent. Sign me up, please!

The pencil (in this case) is mightier than the sword

Swatches from left to right: Fab Orange, Fuchsia Desire, and Pink So Chic

Why should you love these? Well, I'm so glad you asked!

Way cheaper than its counterparts. NARS, Nudestix, Bite Beauty each have insanely amazing formulas, and yet Maybelline performs just as well, and refuses to break the bank.
It lasts. Through cocktails, intense conversations, dinner, a little wine, people watching, singing in the back of the cab, you name it! Your lips are covered.
Ten shades to mull over, to wear, to get to know, to love.

Rosa over at Lipstick 'n' Linguine is the sole enabler behind this latest purchase, and for that I thank you.

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Maybelline's Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil:

$9.95 AUS

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

10 out of 10 bags — it's the lippie you need in your life right now.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

So snapping up Minimalist as soon as it's back in stock.

January 25, 2015

tl;dr: Tom Ford's Lips & Boys Lipstick in Jack and William

January 25, 2015/ Nicole McIntyre

Lips & Boys: Jack (left) and William (right)

Lips & Boys: William (right) and Jack (left)

Swatches of William (right) and Jack (left)

Wearing William (could I look anymore miserable?)

So many boys -- baddies, goodies, loners, exhibitionists, simpletons, nerds, freaks, hotties, cuties, narcissists, liars, heartbreakers, flirts.. the list goes on. Jack and William, they both wooed me during an intense swatch session so much that I smuggled them home in my suitcase.

Do you know Jack?