Clair / Noir

(source: Harper Smith via Studded Hearts)

ManeNocte

For a few months now Skincare brand ManeNocte keeps popping up on my radar so I decided to look into it a little bit more. Its safe to say I am now in desperate need to try their duo product at any costs ($240 cost to be exact!).

ManeNocte boasts to be a definitive skincare nutrition system full of natural ingredients, vitamins, proteins and antioxidants to create vitality, clarity and luminosity. I got so excited whilst looking at the website I didn't hesitate to 'buy duo'. Now im left with the final, crucial action...checking out.

Ode to September

September seems to be going on forever. Well that's what it feels like to me. I think its because besides the odd warm day here and there, winter has well and truly continued right throughout the first month of spring. I'm trying to adjust my makeup to make the transition into spring but the deep reds and berry lipsticks are constantly on my mind. So alas, I give you my perfect makeup routine for this in-between season.

Nars Sheer Glow (Punjab)
I think I really love this foundation. It is not a sheer coverage as the name suggests but is actually quite a medium coverage which can easily be built up to full. My biggest problem with foundation at the moment is finding the perfect colour match and this Nars foundation hits the mark. It's perfect! It really does give you a dewy/glowy finish which I adore yet remain a little bit fearful as my skin is combination to oily. But so far so good.

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer (Medium 3)
Ive seen so many glowing reviews on this concealer and I think Im about to jump on the bandwagon. When I first received this I was a little bit worried as it was probably a little bit lighter than what I would have liked and the smell was sort of...paint like. But after a few goes I think this is perfect for my under eye concealer as it brightens under my eye (unintentionally) and definitely makes me look more awake and covers my under eye darkness!

Nyx Blush (Amber) 
This is the great pigmented blush to give you a natural flush. I once read on my favourite blog the beauty department that amber coloured blushes are great for my skin tone. Such a good quality blush for cheap.

Laura Mercier Brow Pencil (Blonde)
Im not the one for overdrawn brows or brows that are coloured in so dark that they look like black boxes above the eyes, so this brow pencil suits me wonderfully. I naturally have dark brows to the point they are black but I think this works perfectly to fill them in without making them over powering.

Chanel Rouge Allure (Fatale)
I've had this lipstick sitting in my collection for almost 4 years now (I know, thats gross! But it's Chanel and I refused to chuck it out). I am glad I have it because only now am I starting to realise how amazing it is. I don't think I ever had the confidence to pull off deep berry shades or red shades but this rouge allure is so versatile. With a light hand it can be quite a natural colour and with a bit of patting on the lips, it almost could pass as a stain. With multiple applications this lipstick can be quite rich and luxurious and perfect for a night out. I love it. I wish I had more opportunities to wear it.

Le Reve

trying to get back in the game...

Love/Hate

Ive been watching too many youtube beauty "guru" videos. Yes, I have become one of those people. After going through a month of horrendous skin troubles (a mole specialist on a visit ACTUALLY asked me if I was ok with my acne) I decided I needed not only to take better care of my skin but find makeup products that are just right for me. Ive become a little bit like Goldilocks looking for makeup that is just right.

I've always been a foundation person. Let me rephrase that I didn't think it was humanly possible to a) not own a foundation or b) prefer not to wear foundation but with reflection I think its time to let my skin breathe. I am now on the hunt for a great tinted moisturiser. Let the record show I actually don't have bad skin. I have the monthly break out when it's, well, that time of the month, and it only gets worse if I decide that I have to (and i really really just have to) play around with my face. My skin is also combination to oily so with that I have always had the additional fear that the more moisture I put in to my face, the more oily it would become. I am so glad I have seen the light and know that this is not the case. And just because my face isn't dry on appearance doesn't mean it is not thirsty.

But enough babbling. I am a HUGE Nars lover. I think it has definitely earned its cult status and believe they produce some of the best and lust-worthy makeup products out there (thank you Mecca Cosmetica for literally stealing all my money for their products). Knowing I wanted to try something different I got recommended the Nars Oil Free tinted moisturiser in St Moritz.

I have tried it for a month now and I think the jury is still out. It is one of those products I love to hate and hate to love (I have found this is a particularly common problem in the youtube world). One day I love it and the next I think Ive made a horrible choice which is surprising because I have never regretted a Nars purchase. For me, I think the colour may be too yellow for my skin type. I have olive skin with already yellow colouring. But once I apply more of the moisturiser I feel the yellowness dissipates. Hang on, isn't the point of tinted moisturiser to have light coverage? I guess one of the positives is that it is completely buildable for those days you want something more than a sheer glow but nothing full on as a heavy foundation. I also find on my initial application the moisturiser has a tendency to feel a bit greasy or shiny. But then again, with a little more it gives my face a duty glow (this I have discovered is quite a wonderful thing!)

So im still deciding if it is one of the better Nars purchases I haveve made or something I will constantly regret. I continue to hear amazing things about the Laura Mercier oil free tinted moisturiser as well. So I think next pay day it is on my list of products to get. I have become a little, probably more than just a little, obsessed with Laura Mercier.

If anyone has any horror/love stories with either of these moisturisers I would love to hear them. But til then I guess i'll continue to love/hate.

Morning sunshine

Waiting for the university day to begin.

(source:tumblr)

Cats Eye

New Le Specs sunglasses.

Rainbow

Love Moschino

Welcome to my wardrobe.

MBFWA

cue copious amounts of envy!!

pictures by Tommy Ton for Style.com

 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Sydney

Denimspiration

It's coming into autumn/winter (unfortunately) and it's time I start thinking about jeans. Ive never been a fan of jeans nor winter for that matter as I'm usually a layer my summer clothes kind of gal. 

Looking at some denim inspiration to put me in the mood.

(source: Le fashion, Fashion Gone Rogue, unknown)

Kate Moss

Kate Moss for UK Vogue June 2012