Her Beauty Days

This is my first update for the Spending Ban/Project Pan I've started back in mid January.

I had this mindset prepared to achieve a successful outcome but I've come to realise that it's very difficult to hit pan on anything. I didn't select certain products that I wished to use up, nor segregate anything for usage during Project Pan. I've been using a bit of everything from my collection - I don't like to stick to one product only as I dislike repetitive routines and enjoy random selections and variation. Maybe I should allocate myself to certain products only, perhaps starting from next month.

Surprisingly, I found it easier to neglect my enthusiasm for the release of new products. However, the sales have been very tempting. Guilty as charged, I finally caved in and purchased myself a few items I couldn't say no to! Don't even start with me about the justification for purchasing these products; I'll have a detailed post about my "guilty haul" soon enough. I'm disappointed with myself but hey, I got myself some very good deals! (trying to make light of the situation haha).

In an attempt to assess the amount of makeup I have, I've reorganised my collection and discovered some new favourites (hello old friend!).

Honestly, I think I need another spending pan/Project Pan once this one finishes. There's this satisfaction involved with finishing up a beauty product, that I rarely achieve. Being fairly new to the beauty world and acquiring a lot of products at an exponential rate, I have never hit pan on any product before.

This Spending Ban/Project Pan ends on the 1st April 2014.

I hope everyone had a great day yesterday, filled with the love from family and friends!
For Valentine's Day this year, I decided to create a makeup look that utilises a majority of drugstore products. Dissatisfied with the number of Valentine's Day makeup tutorials I've encountered that encompassed a pink theme, I had a play around with my makeup collection. I wanted a look that promotes healthy radiance, simplicity and wearable for younger beauty enthusiasts. Additionally, this combo is suitable for a natural and effortless everyday look.

I've recently discovered some new readers of my blog who aren't familiar with the basics of makeup, so this one's for you! Furthermore, I'd like to share with you how I put it all together, ready to face the day.

I applied the Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector (Combination to Oily Skin) in Light on random areas on my face with my fingers. I then used my Real Techniques Buffing Brush from the Core Collection to blend the BB cream into my skin. I found that the BB cream's finish was dewy so I omitted a highlighter in this look.
To conceal my dark circles, I used the Benefit fakeup concealer in Medium, patting the product in gently with my fingers.
I dusted the Australis Ready Set Go Finishing Powder in True Translucent all over my face with my Real Techniques Powder Brush, to mattify and set my base.
For a romantic flush of colour, I applied the Essence Silky Touch blush in 20 Babydoll with my Real Techniques Blush Brush.

Eyes
I like to start my eyebrows off first; I combed the Essence Lash & Brow Gel Mascara in, to make my eyebrows more defined and in place. This is a great staple, a transparent gel mascara that is very natural looking on the brows.
For my eyelid primer, I used the Makeup Academy (MUA) Pro-Base Eye Primer. I was actually surprised at how well this product worked considering it is very inexpensive. For my eyeshadow base, I used the EcoTools Large Eye Brush from the Essential Eye Set to apply the lighter, "3D" shade from the Essence 3D Eyeshadow in 09 Irresistible Chocolates. I then blended the Benefit Hoola bronzing powder  into my crease with the Emily 217 Blending Brush (purchased from eBay), for a nice transition colour and added definition. For a bit of a highlight under my brows and inner eye corners, I used the same light shade from the Essence 3D Eyeshadow in 09 Irresistible Chocolates in conjunction with the EcoTools Highlighting Brush from the Essential Eye Set.
For long luscious lashes, I curled mine with the Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler and applied two coats of the Australis Lash Length Extensions Mascara, a smudge-free fibre mascara that promotes elongated lashes!

To finish off the look, I opted for soft red lips that aren't too dramatic using the Face of Australia Glossy Lip Crayon in Apple Crumble. These are the new limited edition lip crayons on the market; affordable (only $4.95) and reliable products, infused with a vanilla scent.

All of the Real Techniques and EcoTools brushes were purchased off iherb.com. You can use the code PCW095 to get $5 off your first order under $40 or $10 off your first order over $40.

I hope you enjoyed this post! If you would like future FOTD posts composed in a similar nature to this one, do let me know in the comments below!
So tell me, how do you do your "special occasion" makeup?

Currently there are two variants of the coffee scrub available on the Frank Body website (frankbody.com), original ($14.95/200g bag) and the coconut & grapeseed ($17.95/200g bag).
The packaging is a resealable, paper bag.


I purchased the coconut & grape seed variant, which claims to
- target cellulite, stretch marks, psoriasis, varicose veins, eczema and acne with roasted, ground arabica coffee beans
- moisturise, tone and repair the skin with grape seed oil
- hydrate the skin and tend to imperfections with coconut oil
- gently smooth lumps and bumps with coconut flakes, brown sugar, jojoba beads and sea salt
- work wonders from the outside in with the added vitamins and minerals.

A lot of claims said, I was very excited to try the product out.

The product is a dry type of scrub; I used two fistfuls of the product (for entire body). Fresh from the shower and while in it, I massaged the scrub in circular motions, concentrating on the problem areas. For coffee lovers, the scent will send you in pure bliss; I admit, on the days I use Frank, my showers have been much more enjoyable (indulging in that lovely coffee aroma!). It is recommended to leave the scrub on to dry for 5-10 minutes.


After washing the scrub off, my skin felt so soft, smooth and well exfoliated, a feeling I've never encountered before. Believe me, I've had my fair share of body scrubs. Since I have combination skin, I used a body wash after to remove the excess oil (as recommended for combo-oily skin types). In the instance of not using a body wash, there will be a slight oily finish to the skin and a lingering scent of coffee (yum!).

I do believe using Frank on a weekly basis yielded improvements in the texture and appearance of my skin. The whole experience is personally pure luxury.
I highly recommend this product for those who seek a great moisturising and exfoliating body scrub, additionally, those who seek an experience like no other!

Aussie residents can purchase Frank Body scrubs from the website and get free shipping to their door!

So what are you waiting for?
Get naked.
Get dirty.
Get rough.
Get clean.

It's a bit ironic how I'm constructing today's feature on last month's haul after I posted up my announcement of a spending ban/Project Pan.

Isn't it cool how that rhymed?!

Unscrewing the lid you get a nail polish applicator to transfer the product onto the cheeks and lips.
The product itself is of a milky nature similar to the consistency of Benefit's Posietint. After applying the thin layer to my cheeks, I blend everything in immediately with my fingers and the result is sheer (lilac/pink) yet buildable to an intense purple/fuschia shade.
The product blends in seamlessly on the cheeks in comparison to Benefit's Benetint. The tint is surprisingly very wearable and would look beautiful on all skin tones.
Application on the lips however, is a bit disappointing. I did not achieve a even stain and had to apply many layers, which is expected as I don't fare well with lip stains. Additionally, my lips looked dried out - not a pretty sight!
Despite the negative attributes, wear time was quite good depending on the base. Over a BB cream base, the stain lasts around 8 hours. Over bare cheeks, I presume the wear time would be greater.





Overall I love this product more than Benetint! If you found Posietint to be too light for your liking you might enjoy Lollitint. Additionally, if you've enjoyed using Benefit's Hervana you might also like Lollitint. The aforementioned stain could easily be the liquid version of Hervana - a great pairing if you ask me!

Lollitint retails for $30 (12.5 mL/0.42 fl. oz.) on the Benefit website and is available in Australia sometime NEXT MONTH at the usual Benefit cosmetics stockists.

So, beauties will you be embracing the new year with Benefit's Lollitint? I mean, for the prettiest (flirtiest) flush that's right in season (BANG ON TREND), why not?