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Makeup Summer 2019

All The Newest Additions To My Makeup Bag

Here’s another quick one sharing all the newest additions to my makeup bag that I’ve been using on a loop. After being on a no-buy for a bit, I wanted to add in items that made sense and filled in some of the ‘blanks’ in my stash. The additions cover everything from lipstick to nail lacquer and while the items aren’t all new releases, they definitely appeal to me because so many brands have proven items in their back catalogue that are worth looking into.

ysl instant matte pore refiner

YSL Instant Matte Pore Refiner is part of the brand’s highly regarded Top Secrets line. The formula has salicylic acid along with walnut leaf extract to combat shine. Even though my skin is dry, this has been very easy to use because it applies similarly to a light cream. I apply it all over my face or occasionally just on my cheeks, forehead and bridge of my nose as I tend to get a bit more ‘glowy’ there during the warmer months.

Plus, it can also be applied over foundation to freshen it up or worn alone if you want to reduce the appearance of your pores. I absolutely appreciate the fact that YSL’s Instant Matte Pore Refiner comes two sizes and I have the smaller of the two which is plenty at 0.5 0zs/15ml. If all brands could offer primers and foundation in two sizes, it would make so much more sense..fingers crossed.

Another new addition to my makeup bag is an eyeliner. I love good ones, especially a smooth, easy to apply one that adds depth and can be built up. Chanel Le Crayon Yeux Precision Eye Definer in Brun Teak has claimed my heart because it’s long-wearing, I can whack it on easily, smudge it out, wear it alone with mascara or use it as a base before my eyeshadow for added intensity. I already know I should have bought a back up as this is so versatile and helps to keep my eyes from disappearing in my face while bringing them forward.

Brun-Teak is a dual-ended, deep, smoky chocolate shade that’s accompanied by a sharpener and a smudger on the other end. Before getting this, I tried to hack a similar effect by using my Chanel Ombre Première Single Eyeshadow in 24 Chocolate Brown. However, it wasn’t quite the same as using powdered eyeshadow as a liner requires more time, precision and the right brush etc. This is certainly a great staple, makes an excellent travel companion and is especially good for brown eyes.

chanel bleached mauve
Chanel Le Vernis Longwearing Nail Colour: Bleached Mauve


Finding neutral nail lacquer shades that work with my skin tone is an ongoing hunt and Bleached Mauve turned out to be quite the score. Released by Chanel for their Spring 2019 makeup collection, it took me a while to come around to it. It’s a salmon-y shade that elongates your fingers because it offers the illusion of an unbroken line. So if you need something for an interview, or to meet ‘the parents’ or if you simply prefer neutrals instead of bold nail lacquers, consider this one.

This season, my makeup bag also benefitted by the fact that I got heavily into pink-toned lipsticks and happened upon this one on a whim. Meet Ami (486), a glossy, buildable, somewhat transparent lip colour from the Rouge Coco line. At first glance, it appears pink but I’ve come to realise it’s more of a part coral, part salmon shade. Wear time if you don’t eat or drink is quite good and it’s a ‘safe’ shade that can work for several skin tones in any season.

armani beauty eye tint 8 flannel

I’m a handful of years late to the party with Armani’s Eye Tint in 8 Flannel. This is a liquid eyeshadow that originally came in larger sized tubes but are now available in mini sizes.

Featuring crease-proof pigments that can last up to sixteen hours, I totally got this on a whim because I wanted to experience this type of formula. This can be worn on its own for a transparent wash of colour or layered over powder eyeshadows as I’ve done to add extra light and shine.

armani eye tint 8 flannel

True to its description, it doesn’t budge, doesn’t crease and doesn’t fade, making it quite tempting to ditch powder eye shadows altogether.  Some caution is required when applying this because it’s easy to keep tapping it on to intensify it. However, a quick wash using a shading brush delivers the right amount and you’ll also need to give it a beat or two to dry down.

Afterwards, the true colour comes through, delivering a stunning finish. Armani Eye Tints come in twenty-four shades and four finishes, with 8 Flannel having a silky finish.

chanel le volume ultra noir de chanelThe last addition to my makeup bag features what Chanel describes as the ‘blackest of black’ mascara. Le Volume Ultra-Noir de Chanel is a mascara formulated with carbon-black pigments, the darkest kind that can be used in a mascara formula.

Deeper than Chanel’s regular Le Volume de Chanel mascara, this has become a fast favourite that while listed as limited-edition, I hope they keep making.

Ultra-Noir de Chanel is part of their Fall/Winter 2019 makeup collection which has vampire-y, snow-queen vibes with its black and white colour theme. This is another product I think I should buy again as a backup because I couldn’t ask for more in the impact it gives, the fact that it never crumbles or falls out and it keeps my lashes lifted during the entire day.

New products make me extremely happy and I’m glad to share the newest additions to my makeup bag with you. Hopefully, there’s something here that makes sense for your collection and I hope this helps.

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gucci luxe finishing powder
Powders Summer 2019

A Brief Tale Of How I Fixed A Smashed Powder

gucci luxe finishing powder

It’s the hazy, lazy, middle of the summer so I’m popping in to share a brief tale of how I fixed a smashed powder. I have butterfingers and drop things all the time, so I suppose it was inevitable that I’d smash a powder as they seem to like competing with eye shadows for smash status. After lots and lots of searching for a solution, I came away knowing a few things.

Powders get smashed, a lot. And thankfully, hordes of people have devised ways to fix them. Using rubbing alcohol is a very popular solution, which involves re-pressing the powder back into its pan then spraying it. On the other hand, many people also prefer to fix smashed powders without using alcohol and instead opt for things like pressing a makeup wipe over the powder while fitting it back into the pan.

gucci luxe finishing powder

After I gathered enough intel, I fixed my smashed powder using the steps below:

  • Wash your hands. Putting on a pair of disposable gloves if you have them is good but if not, clean hands will suffice.
  • Take a piece of plastic wrap big enough to be firmly wrapped around the entire compact.
  • Place the plastic wrap on a flat surface then place your compact on the plastic wrap.
  • Use a clean instrument such as a makeup spatula, toothpicks, or a small scoop.
  • Gently and slowly use your instrument of choice to press the powder back into the pan and ensure to break up any chunks.
  • As the compact is sitting on the plastic wrap, fold the ends of the plastic wrap over the opened powder compact and use the palm of your hand to press the powder back into the pan.
  • Once you’re satisfied the powder is flattened enough, spitz the powder with makeup setting spray or rubbing alcohol. I used my Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray
  • Keep the powder compact on the plastic wrap and let it sit there, opened. Ensure it’s on a surface that you don’t use much in order to avoid another ‘episode’.
  • Allow it to dry for at least 24 hours.
  • The powder should no longer feel damp from the spray and you can use a cotton bud or a bit of tissue wrapped around your finger to clean the edges of the pan.

how i fixed a smashed powder

So therein lies the tale of how I fixed a smashed powder. If you can imagine, a good thing to come from this was the chance to see how finely milled the powder is. It ties into the fact that finely milled powders tend to be easier to apply and look better on the skin.

Plus a smashed powder allows you to see if the price you paid was worth the amount of product in the compact.

Lastly, this method may work to fix a smashed eyeshadow but I’d still do research specific to that. Have you had to fix a smashed powder in the past? I’d love to know if you have and I hope this helps.


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lisa eldridge
Makeup Summer 2019

Lisa Eldridge Love Of My Life Lipstick for National Lipstick Day

Lisa Eldridge Love of My Life Lipstick is one of four Summer Pinks she released for Summer 2019. The shades are: Go Lightly Love of My Life Rainbow Spill Skyscraper Rose As I purchased two lipsticks (same shade), they were accompanied by the sweetest zippered pouch in cerulean blue featuring gold piping and embossed with …

duo bronze et lumiere
Makeup Summer 2019

Chanel Duo Bronze et Lumière Bronzer and Highlighter Duo Review

Duo Bronze et Lumière is Chanel’s updated version of bronzer and it’s part of the brand’s Summer makeup catalogue. With two colour harmonies, Clair and Medium, it’s one of the most exciting items in this year’s Cruise Collection. I chose Medium because it would be more complimentary to my skin tone (Clair is lighter), so after …

dermaquest sheer zinc
Acne Skincare Summer 2019

Sun’s Out, Sunscreen On: Dermaquest Sheer Zinc SPF 30

Now that the sun’s out, I hope you’re getting your sunscreen on every day, without excuses. Luckily, I found Dermaquest Sheer Zinc SPF 30, a mineral/physical sunscreen that draws on the power of zinc oxide to minimise skin damage. Nod if you agree that when searching for sunscreen, the following attributes are key: Fast absorbing …