What's in my makeup bag: Hawaiian edition

Some of the items in my makeup bag

In the weeks leading up to our holiday Hawaii-vention Scott teasingly asked me to start packing; being the makeup addict that I am, I of course started with selecting my makeup first. In an attempt to spend less time in front of the mirror, I reached for things that could A.) be applied with my fingers, and would B.) enhance/fake a bronze-y glow.

Taking inspiration from the sand and the sea, here are my picks.. 

Giorgio Armani's Acqua Di Gioia, $21.00 USD for .34 oz. - Peace of mind and convenience rings true for this travel-friendly, small-ish rollerball. Aramni's 'water of joy' delivers a crisp, light scent for those moments when you need to getaway, but can't. Top notes: warmed brown sugar, lemon, and mint.

Bobbi Brown's Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Golden Pink, $30.00 USD (full length review here)* - Brushes not required. This multi-tasking stick gilds the lids, highlights the cheekbones, and illuminates my Cupid's bow. Wipe on, blend like a fiend, and sparkle like the sea.

NARS' Blush in Luster, $30.00 USD (full length review here)  - Skip the bronzer and gently dust Luster on your cheeks for a sun-kissed, and natural looking glow. Dani and Angie both know what's up.

NARS' Lip Gloss in Greek Holiday, $26.00 USD - Translucent, tanned pink gloss infused with golden micro glitter delicately dances across the lips. Wear it alone or layer Greek Holiday over another lippie for something a tad more dynamic.

Becca's Beach Tint in Watermelon, $25.00 USD (full length review here)* - On the days I don't want to look like a bronzed goddess (I use that term loosely), I'll reach for something a bit cherub-like. Fingers will most certainly do - simply dab, tap, and buff with the pads of your fingers.

It goes with out saying, but I'll be toting around my SPF and will certainly reapply it on the regular in an effort to stay sun safe, and sunburn-free.

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

Beauty in a tick: Becca's Beach Tint Shimmer Souffle in Raspberry/Opal

Becca's Beach Tint Shimmer Souffle

A blush hybrid combining the pigmentation from Becca's Beach Tint, a glint of sparkle imparted by the Shimmering Skin Perfector and loads of pearls to give this blush its squishy-like consistency.

Raspberry/Opal

Swatch of Becca's Beach Tint Shimmer Souffle in Raspberry/Opal

This blush is scent-sational (smells like raspberries), and aims to be goof-proof in the application department for blush noobs and expert makeup mavens alike. Personally, I prefer to apply Becca's Beach Tint Shimmer Souffle with a proper blush brush as my fingers have a tendency to deposit too much product in random spots. Nobody likes a patchy/splotchy blush situation.

The soft wash of colour across my cheeks is natural and effortless. An easy like Sunday morning kind of thing.

There are five other shades available for your smelling pleasure if Raspberry/Opal doesn't really float your boat.

Wearing Raspberry/Opal on my cheeks

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Becca's Beach Tint Souffle:

• $45.00 AUS / $27.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 8 out of 10 bags — Solid, but I think I was too safe with my colour choice. Until next time, Papaya/Topaz.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• Absolutely kicking myself for not picking up the Shimmering Skin Perfector Spotlights. Totes passes the Gift Giving Guidelines.

Red-y for the holidays?

Red, red, red.

Lots of things scare the crap out of me, like curling wands without clamps, crying babies and flying over the Pacific Ocean on my own. Red lipstick was once on the 'scary list' and occasionally lumped in the 'too hard basket'. Red lipstick is tricky, but when it's executed beautifully all bets are off.

It's December, so let's throw caution to the wind just this once. Dust off that tube of red lipstick and scrub those lips smooth for your best pout yet.

Without further ado, here are a few of my favourite red lipsticks working from wicked cheap to super luxe.

Rimmel's Kiss of Life ($12.95 AUS / $4.97 USD) - a rich, matte formula that'll last 'til the end of time.

MAC's Ruby Woo ($16.00 USD / $36.00 USD) - the lip pencil version of this classic red is my personal fave. Be sure to pick up the Keepsake Red Lip Bag before it sells out!

Illamasqua's Maneater ($25.00 AUS / $24.00 USD) - A red you have to work hard for, but it's totally worth it.

Burberry's Fuschia Pink ($30.00 USD / $50.00 AUS) - the motley crew of reds. Pink sentimentality with a cherry red twist.

Which shade of red lipstick do you like to reach for?

My pit stop at Sephora in Sydney, Australia

Sephora in Sydney 

Hello! Jeanne here, sorry for my absence, uni has been crazy this year. Anyways now that I'm done, I'm doing a bit of traveling on the east coast of Australia, and had the opportunity to visit Sydney's brand new Sephora! 

Sephora is located on the Pitt Street Mall, a bustling pedestrian mall in Sydney's CBD. I visited on 10 December, and they still had the queue-dividers up to help keep people lined up in an orderly fashion. When I walked past at around 2pm, there was a moderate queue of about 25 people, so I decided to come back later. It had calmed down a bit around 4pm and there were only 6 people in line, so I decided to join them. I didn't have to wait long, no more than 5 minutes, and I was in the store. The floor space is not very large, but there are two stories. Most of the makeup is located on the lower level, while skincare and the cash registers are on the upper level (there were some sales assistants with EFTPOS machines in a corner on the lower level, but I recommend going upstairs because near the cash registers is where the very tempting small/travel sized items are located!). Even though it was still pretty busy, the staff were friendly and efficient, and I never felt crowded, rushed, or uncomfortable.  

My mini Sephora haul

Since I am still traveling, I had to control myself and only picked up two small items (even though the OCC Lip Tar and Tarte Lipsurgence sets kept calling out to me!). I purchased Kat Von D's Lock-It Tattoo Concealer in Light 18 and a pack of Sephora's brand of Targeted Eye Makeup Remover Swabs. I have been on the hunt for years for an opaque, liquid, cruelty-free concealer and I hope Kat Von D's lives up to my expectations! The lovely lady at the cash register said that she loved it because it's highly pigmented, long-lasting and doesn't crease. I forgot to pack eye makeup remover with me and I haven't seen cotton swabs that contain eye makeup remover in them in Australia yet, fingers crossed that Sephora's brand don't sting my eyes!      

Kat Von D's Lock-It Concealer in Light 18

Sephora's Targeted Eye Makeup Remover Swabs

Have you been to Sydney's Sephora? What have you hauled?