A glimpse at the lips: MAC's lipstick in Lady Bug

MAC's Lady Bug

To date I've only come across a few beauty-related items that have never ceased to amaze me, and NARS' Flamenco was a lipstick to behold, cherish, and stop other women in their tracks to ask precisely, "what are you wearing on your lips?" My hopes of replacing such a special candied red were dashed when NARS stopped manufacturing Flamenco, or so I thought.

A few weeks ago I was tinkering about at my local MAC counter when my eyes haphazardly locked on Lady Bug, "a juiced yellow tomato" -- better yet, Flamenco's doppelgänger.

Swatch of Lady Bug

Lady Bug's boldness is tempered by its lustre finish -- sheer, and subtly glossy.

Wearing Lady Bug

When I was a kid I wholeheartedly believed in the luck all lady bugs possessed. Here's hoping this tube comes with a bit of it.

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for MAC's Lady Bug:

• $36.00 AUS / $16.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 10 out of 10 bags — Wear it alone, or layer it over an even more intense red liner. <3

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• I recently built my own blush/eyeshadow palette during our Hawaiian holiday. I'll share my picks with you really soon.

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.

Last-minute gift ideas for some of the people in your life

The Body Shop Holiday 2014

I realise I really don't need to tell you how to shop or even what to buy, but just think of this as the 'Cover Your Bum' list for the time poor in need of a few ideas for Christmas shopping.

The Summer Beach Bag - ($39.95 AUS / $9.00 USD similar) - chock full of Summery/Coconut/Mango goodness. Did I mention the bag is plastered with the iconic Brighton Beach boxes? Heck, I might grab this when I get back from Hawaii to let the holiday times roll on.

Modern Gent's Shaving Kit ($49.95 AUS / $24.00 USD) - I have a thing for buying Scott shaving product, especially stuff that'll leave his face feeling softer than usual. Bonus points if the scent plays well with his cologne.

Keepin' it clean - Vanessa Megan's Lemon & Eucalyptus Foaming Hand Wash

Vanessa Megan's Lemon & Eucalyptus Foaming Hand Wash* ($54.95 AUS) - Tis expensive, however if or when this bottle starts riding side saddle to your dish detergent, I can guarantee a line forming at the kitchen sink for the ultimate hand washing experience.

Aesop's Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash ($40.00 AUS / $39.00 USD) - Another good one for recreating the spa experience.

Other Body Stuffs

The Body Shop's Body Sorbet* in Strawberry or Mango or Moringa or Satsuma or Pink Grapefruit ($19.95 AUS / $14.00 USD) -  The scents are amazing, but don't count on this formula to bring the moisture at the height of Winter. Stow this bottle away for hot Summer days or warm getaways.

Anara Spa's Coco Mango Body Lotion ($20.00 USD for 8 fl oz. / $54.00 USD for 34 fl oz.)  - If you can't make it to Hawaii, bring Hawaii to her.

Holiday Candles

Byredo Parfum's Cotton Poplin Candle ($90.00 AUS / $80.00 USD) - Give me a warm summer breeze over Caramel Nutcracker Hot Toddy any day of the year. I recently splurged on the smaller sized candle (retails for $44.00 AUS), because the shocking price tag of the larger version made my eyes bulge in the most unflattering way. I think I had to scoop my eyes off of the floor before leaving the shop.

Bath & Body Works Wallflowers ($4.95 for the cheap and cheerful plug-in unit and 6 for $24.00 for the oil filled pods) - Fire not required. I picked these up last month in a fit of excitement, but soon remembered the electrickery would not work here in Australia without a converter. Back they went.

Finally, here are a couple of tips from a former retail girl who busted her butt during the height of the holiday shopping season:

• Asking for my favourite colour won't help your situation when you're told her favourite colour is sold out.
• The stack of sweaters those old ladies are riffling through might not be the thing to keep her warm.
• Britney Spears and my Nana like velour. Enough said.
• If I see your face on the 24th, run like the Dickens to your nearest Tiffany or liquor store to grab a bottle of Veuve, Moet or Ballatore (if you're budget-conscious).
• In January forgo saving up for presents and agree to put that money toward an amazing holiday instead. I'd gladly exchange all of the things for memories with my loved ones.

*PR sample 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.