For the longlasting combo...
Rimmels "lasting finish" foundation and the Urban Decay "makeup setting spray" were the dream team. Being a nurse means that majority of my shifts are 8 hrs so therefore finding something that lasts all day is a struggle. These two together are incredible: my makeup lasts all day and hardly fades. This has become my go-to duo for days when I need my makeup to stay put.
 For the fresh face...
Lancomes "teint visionaire" foundation has made its way back into my daily routine again. I mentioned this foundation in My Beauty Essentials post back in 2014 and it has made its way back into my everyday stash. I tend not to wear this to work (as my rimmel one has better longevity) but I like to wear this for going shopping, catching up for coffee, running errands etc. It just gives me that flawless base which looks healthy and glowy.
 For the bronzed face..
This "Rachel & Ross Bronzer and Blush" by Too Faced is responsible for bringing some life back into my face. Somehow my face has paled out massively so i've been adding this to add a bit more colour. Very impressed with how nicely this goes on.

For the 'DAMN I'M SO LATE' saga..
NYX butter gloss is where it's at. (Colour is vanilla cream pie). This is permanently in my handbag now. Not really a lipgloss girl but this is barely sticky and gives a nice soft pink colour to my lips. Really want to go check out some more of the NYX glosses.
For the comfortable yet cool footwear..
New Balance sneakers are the bomb diggity. And I don't use the phrase "bomb diggity" lightly. I wear these usually with cropped/rolled up jeans and a loose t-shirt. I don't consider myself 'cool' in the slightest but when I pop these bad boys on I feel on-trend  which is a noice feeling.

"Try your first Bellabox beauty subscription box for only $10!". *INSTANTLY CLICKS*.

On my way home from a mediocre day of placement (well, the day was alright but in the last few hours I somehow managed to get something in my eye which made it not only sting but leak fluid and go bloodshot red) I was looking forward to going home and seeing what was inside my Bellabox.

It cost me $12.95 ($10, plus $2.95 postage) which is pretty decent, but usually it's about $17.95 a month. Here's how it came and what was inside..


SO. It came with 5 items.

BUT.

To be completely honest: I wasn't overly impressed by what was inside. It contained: a body scrub, a soap, nivea anti-wrinke pearls, a sukin hydrating masque, a rimmel mascara, and a tiny lotion.

For the $12.95 I think it was alright but if I had to pay the usual price of $17.95 I don't think I would have been so happy. Perhaps I got a bad month but there isn't anything in the box that I went "OOOH CAN'T WAIT TO TRY THAT". I don't think it was terrible and I will give all of the things a try but I wasn't ecstatic upon seeing what I got.

At this point I won't be getting another Bellabox but I would be tempted to try some other subscription boxes that are out there.

Whenever I write a life update I can hear the mum off mean girls saying "sooo what's the 4-1-1, what has-everybody-been up to?!"

WELL

It's 12pm on a Monday and i'm lazing about because 1) i'm exhausted 2) i'm not in an 'assignment' mood and 3) IT'S A PUBLIC HOLIDAY. Really ecstatic that i'm currently in bed writing a blog post rather than being at work *happy dance*

On the weekend my two best friends and I drove down to Brisbane for our friends 21st - the theme was "i'm not supposed to be here". Kind of a genius theme if you ask me! I ended up going as "a girl who should be at her salsa class". Was originally thinking of going as a prisoner but then decided against it as it may be a little tricky to look chic as a prisoner. Was a great party though!

Because I knew I was going as a salsa dancer I knew I needed to have a red lipstick that was a classic red shade and longlasting. I nipped into mac and got a liquid lipstick in the shade "feels so grand" and while I was at it got the Fix+ too. Really didn't need the Fix+ but I got lost in the moment. Will swatch the lipstick in my upcoming updated mac lipstick collection post.

And finally *sighs* today is a duvet kinda day. It's finally getting a bit cooler so a cozy blanket is accompanying me allllll around the house. Watching tv on the couch? Blanket. Sitting on computer writing? Blanket. In the kitchen cooking? Wearing my Marks & Spencer cosy dressing gown. I bought my brothers some Harrods tea back from England and they've FINALLY cracked them open so i'm enjoying an earl grey (why do I sound like such a granny?!). Hey - a girls gotta have her down days every once in awhile ;)

After years of storing my makeup in various "gift-with-purchase" makeup bags I decided it was time to have a sleek makeup desk of my own. When I went to IKEA I was certain I was going to purchase the malm dressing table but after some pondering (and a facetime to my sister) I decided i'd prefer a little more storage.
I don't think I own a ton of make-up but I think I may own slightly more than the regular person? Honestly I really don't know haha.

First drawer: Face. Foundation, concealer, bronzer, highlighter & blush.
Second drawer: Eyes. Mascara, eyelash curler, eyebrow pencils, eyeliners, gel eyeshadows & most used make-up palettes.
Third drawer: Lips. Lipstick, lipgloss, lipbalms, liquid lipsticks & lipliners.
Fourth drawer (not photographed): Excess. Make-up products I don't use regularly but I don't have the heart to throw them out.
Fifth drawer (not photographed): Hair and Nails. Various hair products and nailpolishes etc.
Fun fact: As i'm a super sentimental person I like to collect things which remind me of nice memories. The "La Dolce Vita" picture reminds me of 2013 when my family did a houseswap in the UK and my bedroom had this on the wall. The "Chat Noir" reminds me of my first time visiting Paris.



 If you're wanting a nice makeup setup but you don't want to be paying the big bucks (..I have seen some for like $500!) then I think IKEA is the best place to go. You can customize it to however you like and there is a wide range of options. I am super duper happy with how mine turned out.

Why is it always the week you vow to yourself that you're on a makeup spending ban for the entire month that your local drugstore goes "SOZ GURL HERE'S A 40% OFF SALE".

Yes.

That happened.

And yes...I couldn't hold myself back.

So here is a haul so I can pass it off as "buying products for blog content" rather than the fact that I have zero self control when it comes to sales.

1. Rimmel - Lasting Finish foundation in the shade "Ivory"
I didn't exactly need a new foundation but I wanted to try this one due to the positive reviews. I don't exactly own any foundations that claim to last for 25 hours so I kinda wanted to test out the longevity compared to my old favourites like Nars sheer glow and Mac mineralize.

2. Maybelline - Lash Sensational Mascara
Took this as a good opportunity to re-purchase my favourite mascara. It has featured in various posts like my 2015 favourites and favourite mascaras.

3. Australis - Velourlips Matte Lip Cream in "Hon-o-loo-loo"
I reviewed the shade Pa-ree a few months ago (here), and because I liked it so much I thought I may try out a new shade. Unfortunately, for some reason, this particular shade goes crackly on my lips. Will try exfoliating them to the max but so far I aint loving it.

4. Maybelline - Color Tattoo in "Chocolate Suede" 
Okay, BUT SINCE WHEN DID PRICELINE STOCK CHOCOLATE SUEDE?! After seeing this on one of KathleenLights videos I have been lusting over it ever since. It's a beautiful shimmery chocolate colour which is verrrry similar to Urban Decays "Busted".

5&6. Essence lipliners in 'Satin mauve' and 'Wish me a rose'
Essence lipliners are the equivalent of a small chocolate bar. Ridiculously cheap. They came to be $1.20 so I picked up the two shades left. If you haven't given them a go - just try them. They're great bang for buck.

This is what happens when you leave makeup in your dogs reach hahaha. Luckily I was able to pry the lipliner out of his mouth!

 Hey guys!

So it dawned on me: I haven't done a monthly favourites since October. OCTOBER.

I mean it isn't exactly the biggest deal seeing as I haven't changed make-up products for months and months (gosh i'm a sad excuse for a beauty blogger) BUT I have recently mixed it up quite a bit. So therefore I think it's only reasonable to give you the 4-1-1 on what I am loving.
1. Urban Decay - Naked 3 Palette
I'm sure no one is gasping in surprise at this having a lil feature in my favourites. I like this palette in particular as i'm able to get a bunch of different looks out of it (soft pink eye? check. bronzey eye? check. smokey eye? check). With these eyeshadows being high quality it's no surprise why everyone and their dog has heard about these.
2. Bourjois - 'Jasper Rose' blush
Anyone else not really a blush girl? I've never been into blushes as my cheeks go pink at anything (the cold, the hot, when i'm embarrassed etc). This is pretty much the only blush I wear. It's just a subtle pink which adds a healthy colour to my cheeks.
3. Priori Mineral Powder Foundation
Trust me I never thought i'd be a mineral power person but this stuff is amazing. Looks natural, has great coverage, quick to apply, and so longlasting. I've had this for years and everytime I go back to it i'm like "how did I forget how good this is?!".
4. Soap & Glory - Archery 2-in-1 brow
This handy product has been my go-to brow product ever since i've purchased it. I use both the pencil and setting gel everyday and my brows have never looked better. 
5. Too Faced - Better than sex mascara
Not shocked that this mascara is so highly talked about, it's probably the best volumising one i've ever used. I use this in conjunction with a curling mascara as on it's own it doesn't really give a curl to my lashes. Really liking it though.
6. Maybelline - Eyestudio gel liner
Ever since I have started using a gel liner my winged liner game has leveled up. I put it down to using this product though - it's so easy to apply. Most times I use sticky tape to help get that crisp line - it works a treat.
7. My 21st ring
A bit random, but eh, why not add this in. I got this for my 21st birthday and am so fond of it. My fingers are on the stubbier side so this is the perfect size that doesn't draw attention to them.
8. Cactus iPhone case
Best $1.50 i've ever spent on ebay! I got it from this place. I just think it's cute.

"OH WOW THANK-YOU" was the first thing I said after being gifted a voucher a Champagne Afternoon Tea at the Ritz. Then it dawned on me: what the hell am I going to wear?!

I went straight to google.
Always go straight to google. 

After looking through multiple blogs I kinda got an idea of what would be appropriate and what wouldn't be. While I was in Paris I picked up this cute little number from Zara.
Seeing as it was Winter I kinda had to wear tights and a big ole coat but I think it all tied in together nicely.

ALSO want me to let you in on a secret?......my heels are from Primark! I bet if staff got word that I was wearing Primark heels I wouldn't have been allowed in. I mean, it is The Ritz after all. 
After hopping off the tube at Green Park we made our way to The Ritz. Upon entrance we had lovely
concierge that guided us to the main hall where the afternoon tea would take place. We put our coats in the coat room and then were lead to our seats in the dining area.

My eyes were like the heart eyed emoji. I was trying to keep my cool but everything was so grand and pretty. There was also a woman playing the piano beautifully. On top of that the waiters were mostly Italian and had gorgeous accents that made me swoon. Don't worry guys, I kept my cool.

They promptly brought over the high tea stand which was littered with sandwiches, scones, and my favourite: desserts. They also brought over silver tea pots filled with our tea of choice (Earl Grey, mmm). In the photo above I am seen pouring my own tea but in reality 9 times out of 10 they would come over and top it up for me. OH and not to forget they also gave us our champagne which was ace.
After eating multiple sandwiches, scones and desserts I was done.
........well, that's what I thought. 
A waiter came around with a trolley filled with various cakes. He recommended we try the chocolate hazelnut cake. Um..yeah..a girl can't say no to that. It was delicious and I sighed relief at the fact that I wasn't wearing a pair of tight jeans.

After we finished up our slices of cake we got up, thanked our waiters, collected our coats and were on our way. It was a beautiful experience but I probably wouldn't do again, but was glad to have done it to say "I have had afternoon tea at The Ritz".