Covergirl Nature Luxe Gloss Balm

Covergirl Nature Luxe Gloss Balm

Cost: $6-7
Purchase From: Most pharmacy's, Supermarkets and Department Stores.
Available Colours: Tulip 205, Peony 220, Grenache 235, Cabernet 250, Sandstone 265, Clove 280, Thistle 210, Anemone 225, Muscat 240, Marble 255, Spice 270, Hibiscus 215, Coral 230, Pinot 245, Clay 260, Cinnamon 275.

I bought three in the shades; 270, 255, 235 and if I had to give this product a score out of 10 it would be generous to give them a two! one point for the nice packaging and the other for it having an SPF15. When you look at the product you think, oh the colours are pretty but when you apply it you quickly realise that looks can be deceiving.... You apply and apply and apply with little results. I don't know what happened to the colour but I do know it's NOT on my lips.

Won't be re-purchasing nor recommending. And to boot, the smell is yuk!
This product will suit people who want a lip balm (as the name suggests) and expect little to no colour on your lips, please don't expect it to moisturise your lips, it dried mine out. If you like the taste of a chap stick then this will work for you as it leaves a bad taste in your mouth just like a chap stick.

The Body Shop - Shimmer Waves - Bronze

Cost: $39.95 (cheaper alternative also mentioned)
Available Colours: Bronze, Blush
Purchase From: The body shop either online or in store
http://www.thebodyshop.com.au/

This would be my favourite product out of everything I own. you can use this for not only contouring your cheeks, giving you skin a healthy glow but use each colour individually as an eye shadow. It's light on the skin and if you need a darker tone just apply a bit more. I enjoy the waves more than a single colour because you can give your eyes dimension by using at least three different shades and not just one flat colour.

This is not as cheap as I'd like it to be, but if your able to save up for it then please do. If you do purchase this product I recommend that you go into the store, talk to the staff and get them to show you which colour would suit your skin tone. you won't regret this purchase! This product is long lasting and easy to apply.

The packaging is simple and compact. I like the clear case so you can see the product.
As I mentioned above, this is not the cheapest so I thought I'd find an alternative...
NYX Tango with Bronzer Powder which costs $8 on http://www.cherryculture.com/ and $10 http://www.nyxcosmetics.com/. NYX offers five different choice of colours.

Covergirl Lash Blast Length

Covergirl Lash Blast Length - Very Black
Cost: $12-$18
Purchase from: Just about any supermarket, pharmacy or department store.

Available Colours: Very Black 800, Black 805, Black Brown 810, Brown 815
So far, this has been the best mascara I have used. The brush is plastic and clean. This mascara does not clump nor does it sting my eyes (until it starts to age of course). It does go on thin but it gives your lashes a longer and separated look. This mascara is easy to apply because the brush isn't at an angle to your eye. I have, as many others have, poked myself in the eye with other mascaras mostly because of the shape of the brush.

You do not need to re-apply this but if you want a thicker look, put some on just after you have finished your eye shadow and then again once you have finished your make-up routine.
I like this mascara so much that I purchased a spare. I don't do that sort of thing but seeing as how it was also on clearance, it didn't break the budget.

Please don't keep your old mascaras because when they age, their bacteria level increases which can lead to sties or cysts. (not saying that you will get them) but the risk increases.
Please don't leave your make-up on overnight, take it off and have a good cleansing routine.

NYX Mosaic Powder - Rosey 06

Cost: Cherry Culture sells for $8, NYX sells for $7
Purchase From:
http://www.cherryculture.com/index.php
http://www.nyxcosmetics.com/
Colours available: Dare, Highlighter, Latte, Plummy, Peachy, Champagne, Rosey, Cafe, Spice, Paradise, Love, Truth.

This was my second blush purchase. I bought this from Cherry Culture because I had bought more than one item from them and the shipping worked out cheaper.
I enjoy this blush and I use it most days. It has a small amount of shimmer to it but the pigment is prominent and you don't need to use as much. This is a long wearing blush and I haven't had to re-apply it during the day.

The blush goes on smooth and has no visible streaks. To apply I use a small/medium Kabuki brush.
Make sure to tap off the excess product from the brush before applying it to your face.

Small/Medium Kabuki Brush
Coast: $7
Purchase From: Cosmetics Plus

I use this brush to apply my blush. This is a nice soft and easy to use brush.
I only had one problem with it, and this will help you choose your Kabuki....

When you're looking for a make-up brush be sure to pick it up and play with it. Rub it along your forearm and if it's rough then put it back and find another one. If it's soft, it has promise....Lightly tug on the bristles, I failed to do this and when I got home I found that I was pulling out quite a few 'cough' a lot of bristles. I's assuming that when it was made, not all of the fibbers stuck and they just came out. This hasn't affected the brush but I don't want you to buy something that once you get it home it falls apart.

As well as feeling soft, look for thickness and I nice even curve, sort of dome shape. The thicker the brush the better the application of your make-up.

To care for this brush, please don't lay this brush or any brush on its side. You will need to purchase yourself a brush cleaner. I bought a bottle of Bare Minerals brush cleaner to care for my brushes. You should be cleaning your brushes on a regular basis and after each colour change. I will do a more
in-depth post on how to clean your brushes soon.

Getting Started

Getting Started:
When buying make-up, I find the most important part is knowing which colours suit you. Just because you like a colour and that it looks great on someone else, it may not look so great on you....
Here are a few examples; If you have blue eyes, the best colours for you are Orange Bronze and Gold tones.
If you have Brown/Hazel eyes then Violet and pinks are going to work well for you.
And if you have Green eyes then you should try using eye shadows that have a Red base to it. I know that Red sounds a bit over the top BUT, try mixing some brown into the red to warm the colour a bit.

BYS Blusher: Pretty In Pink

BYS Blusher: Pretty In Pink
Cost: around $5
Purchase From: Kmart
Colours available: Coral, Candyfloss, Fierce Fuchsia, Peach Sundae, Perfectly Peachy, Pink Velvet, Pretty In Pink.

This was the first blush I bought myself. For the price, it's ok, however...You can't tell from just looking at it but it's not a matte blush, it has a high shimmer to it. I use a bronzer as well as blush and as the bronzer already has shimmer in it, you don't need more. It's also not very pigmented which means that if you apply more, you won't get a deeper colour but you will get more shimmer....
The product doesn't last all day, and you may need to re-apply around lunch time.
To apply this I use a small/medium Kabuki brush. The blush does go on evenly without leaving streaky lines.