You decide: NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Cythere

NARS Cythere

NARS Cythere

Call it intrigue, curiosity or whatever you want. NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Cythere spoke to me in the store; I immediately thought of champagne and bubbles when I swatched it on my hand. Now that I have it on my lips I'm starting to have regrets about my latest purchase.

Wearing Cythere on my lips

Wearing Cythere on my lips

Face of Australia Liquid Eyeliners

While researching popular Australian beauty products, I found that most Aussie beauty bloggers and YouTubers love Face of Australia's Liquid Eyeliners. I first purchased the Black Liquid Eyeliner (because one can never have too much black eyeliner!) to see if I liked the formula, and after I wore it a couple of times, I went back and bought the remaining three colours.

FOA Liquid Eyeliner

FOA Liquid Eyeliner

Face of Australia Liquid Eyeliners front

Face of Australia Liquid Eyeliners front

Face of Australia Liquid Eyeliners back

Face of Australia Liquid Eyeliners back

Face of Australia Liquid Eyeliner Swatches in direct sunlight. L-R Navy, Brown, Charcoal & Black

Face of Australia Liquid Eyeliner Swatches in direct sunlight. L-R Navy, Brown, Charcoal & Black

Face of Australia Liquid Eyeliner Swatches under indirect sunlight. L-R Navy, Brown, Charcoal & Black

Face of Australia Liquid Eyeliner Swatches under indirect sunlight. L-R Navy, Brown, Charcoal & Black

The Face of Australia Liquid Eyeliner comes with a small brush, which I found relatively easy to use. It's faster and easier to use than a gel eyeliner with a brush, however I think felt-tip liquid eyeliners are a bit easier to use than ones with brushes. Since my eyes are bit hooded, it took me a bit of practise to find the best way to draw the most flattering line. For me I find it easiest to lie the brush flat, running parallel to my lash line and drag it across my upper eyelid so the sides of the bristles keep the line straight. I start in the middle of my eyelid, then drag the line to the outer corner, do a flick/wing and then try and get a thinner line connecting from the inner corner to the middle of my eye. As with any liquid eyeliner, I wouldn't recommend this for the waterline as it can cause irritation.

Wearing Face of Australia's Liquid Eyeliner in brown

Wearing Face of Australia's Liquid Eyeliner in brown

Wearing FOA Liquid Eyeliner (top to bottom): Charcoal, Black & Navy

Wearing FOA Liquid Eyeliner (top to bottom): Charcoal, Black & Navy

It goes on wet and glossy but dries to a matte finish. I found Brown, Navy, and Black to be opaque in one swipe but Charcoal took a bit of re-applying to achieve full opacity. I haven't had any problems with smudging or fading, it lasts all day and washes off easily with water (it's not waterproof). I love how it comes in colours other than black which is great for days when I don't want something as harsh and severe as black eyeliner.

You can purchase these for $8.95 from PricelineBigWKmart and selected pharmacies. Priceline currently has a 3 for 2 offer on Face of Australia products.

 Face of Australia is cruelty-free :)

Eyes to Mesmerize: Burberry's Sheer Eyeshadow in Gold Pearl No. 26

sheer /SHi(ə)r/

Noun

1. A very fine or diaphanous fabric or article.

When Burberry defines a shade as being sheer, they mean it; if you're expecting more than that, well my friend you'll be sorely disappointed. Think about it this way: you've hung curtain sheers in your bedroom window and expect not to be seen. Yesterday, your neighbour Frank called to tell me he knows you sometimes turn the music up in your bedroom and dance nude during a moment of solitude, freedom and whimsy.

Burberry's Sheer Eyeshadow in Gold Pearl is like those sheer curtains, you can see something, but it's subtle. It doesn't give you that level of opacity/coverage you were looking for, yet it still serves a purpose.

Pair those sheers with blockout curtains, have your moment of freedom and as for Frank, well, you've just shut the creep down.

IMG_9881

IMG_9881

Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow in Gold Pearl No. 26

Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow in Gold Pearl No. 26

Swatch of Gold Pearl without flash (left) and with flash (right)

Swatch of Gold Pearl without flash (left) and with flash (right)

Gold Pearl comes to life all on its own and when paired with other colours. If you're looking for an easy everyday look for work, swipe a bit of Gold Pearl all over your lids, line your eyes with lilac eye liner (check out this new tip I learned from the ladies over at The Beauty Dept., it works!) and finish with mascara. For a bit more colour payoff, apply Gold Pearl over any colour of your choosing; I'm looking forward to all the potential permutations out there!

Sparkle, sparkle

Sparkle, sparkle

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Burberry's Sheer Eyeshadow in Gold Pearl No. 26:

  • $29.00 USD - purchased from Nordstrom.

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

  • 10 out of 10 bags – I love the simplicity of Gold Pearl and the fact that it's goof proof.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?: