Brunette Beauty

So I am heading away to America the start of June for a month, now while I want to spend each day exploring, I still want to look decent and somewhat photo ready. I don't want my whole suitcase to be heavy from makeup but I'd like more then just the basics. Here's a breakdown of what I'm taking; Face Primer - Smashbox Photofinish Foundation - MUFE HD in shade #117. This has perfect coverage, pump dispenser, great longevity and is lightweight on the skin. Great for long day wear. Concealer - Maybelline Instant Age Dark Circle Eraser #1. For blemishes and under eyes.                    YSL Touche Ecalt #1. Perfect for face luminous in the early hours. Powder - Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder Diffused Light. New powder obsession. Under Eye Powder - Bare Minerals Well Rested. Brighten under the eyes and set this area. Contour - Benefit Hoola [deluxe sample from Bronze Of Champions Kit]. Great size. Great opport...

Packaging: Palm sized glass jar with a shiny black lid. If you're not careful the cream can catch on the sides and cause the lid to not screw on tightly. Smell/Taste: None. Colour: Beige. This sheers out when applied and I don't see any tint being added to the skin. I do notice very fine gold shimmer particles in the cream. In sunlight you can actually see this under your eyes. Werid and different. Formula/ Texture: This is a thin and smooth cream. It feels lightweight and refreshing on the eyes. I find it to be non greasy, tacky and easily absorbed.  The formula contains glycerin, citric acid & cucumber extract - from which I know are great properties to have in boosting the cells under the skin around the eye to help with fine lines and puffiness. As with Olay's Total Effects line, this does claim to fight the 7 signs of ageing; fine lines and wrinkles (little), dark circles (no), crows feet (not applicable), puffiness (yes), uneven ...

Packaging: Palm sized shiny, plastic maroon compact. The lid features a mirror on the inside and the bottom a domed powder. It easily picks up fingerprints so those who like their items mark free will have trouble with this packaging. Smell/Taste: None. Colour: Diffused Light - light beige with yellow (warm) undertones. Sheer pigmentation and semi matte finish. I swear there is ultra fine shimmer right up close that is undetectable on the face. Conceals redness and gives skin clarity like a soft ray of morning light. Available in 6 shades. Formula/ Texture: This is a fine milled, smooth powder. It feels lightweight on the skin, doesn't create a white cast in photos and is very easily removed with a basic makeup wipe. I haven't experience any irritation or breakouts from using this. A special thin powder brush is sold individually to be used with the powder but I have found any size of powder brush works perfectly. I do find better results using...

Packaging: Oval plastic clear bottle with light grey pump and white and grey accents. The pump is easy to use but due to the larger opening it does dispense the right to perfect amount of product depending if you pump all the way down. I like how you can see how much product is remaining. Smell/Taste: Clean soap. Colour: Sheer blue. Formula/ Texture: This is a thick, smooth gel. It is easily dispensed from the pump but if pumped to fast it does leave behind a string of gel from the opening to where you dispensed it. I do like how this is non comedogenic and dermatologist tested. It does foam up well with little product. This is the first cleanser I have tried from memory that isn't oil free. This is a Alpha and Beta Hydroxy formula. This does increase the skins sensitivity to the sun so extra precaution has to be used which I've never experienced. This means that it penetrates both the skins surface but into the pores. It does also contain sali...

Packaging: Thin black round tube with a removable sturdy cap. There is white text on the tube and with a fine brush tip. Smell/Taste: None. Colour: Blackest black. Very pigmented with a natural finish. Only colour available. Formula/ Texture: This is a thin liquid that dries easily. There is a little time to smudge before it dries but is long lasting of 8-9hrs. The brush tip is different to the normal felt tip I have but delivers a very fine line. Apply a little pressure and you can get a thicker line. I've had no transferring or creasing with this. The tip is quite flexible meaning you have the ability to make the line wavy and create fluid lines, circles etc. I feel that you do have to be careful to get a line if the same thickness across the eye. In short  I think beginners will find it harder to get used to it as it's more fiddily due to the precise tip. Available: From Priceline, pharmacies and discount department stores for $1...

Packaging: Smooth baby blue metal can with a clear cap. The nozzle hasn't clogged on me but sprays a narrow but fine mist. Smell: Citrus. Colour: Clear. Formula/ Texture: I do feel as though this spray is wet when it hits the hair so I do leave it to 'set' or dry for a minute before rubbing it in. It's easy to apply from the can, not needing to adjust to it, holding it out the natural arms width away. It does an awesome job at a dry shampoo. From a little grease to an oil slick, this dry shampoo fixes it all. Use it on second day hair and I've found the same refreshed and mattify look to last through all throughout third day hair!! I'm seriously impressed. As the product name suggests, it actually does gives your hair volume. Not massive blowout look but a noticeable difference. It's great to add texture for up dos. The hair doesn't feel gritty like the Tigi Rockaholic Dry Shampoo which is due to the fine mist. I do f...

Packaging: Plastic rectangle compact. The lid is fully clear with bronzed text. The bottom portion of the bronzer is a bronze colour. A brush is included that fits into the space next to the powder but at the time of this review I have thrown it away. Smell/Taste: None. Colour: 200 Medium bronze - light tan with shimmer and a warm/orange undertone. Sheer pigmentation with a satin finish. Available in 3 shades. Formula/ Texture: This bronzer is a thin, lightweight, smooth powder. I wouldn't say it's as buttery and fine as Too Faced Chocolate Soleil. Like with the whole FIT Me Line, these bronzers are meant to adjust to your skin tone and colour balance. I don't quite get how the bronzer would do this. Does it give more of a smoother, even colour? Of course I don't use the brush that was provided with this to apply the bronzer, but it is easy to apply and somewhat easy to blend with a brush. It did only last 6 hours on my skin before I ...

Packaging: Heavy, palm sized round, smooth metal jar with a plastic screw on lid with a metal embellishment. The jar has a white and silver/ grey colour scheme. The lid features a silver star to match the silver text. There is a product stopper that lifts out which can be either thrown away or kept. It feels considerably heavy compared to a moisturiser jar but the packaging is thick when you see how much product it holds. This could have something to do with keeping the natural ingredients/ acids fresh. It comes in this octagon shaped white cardboard box matching the jar. The lid is a sleeve that lifts off, revealing the jar in a cradle from the cardboard, covered by a 'Hello Sexy' flap. I thought this was a unique way to present the jar and it was nice to have my sexiness reaffirmed! Smell/Taste: Faint liquorice that is quite powerful. Colour: Dark grey and dries white. Formula/ Texture: It's a thick and slightly smooth consistency. It...

Packaging: Black plastic compact with bronze text on the lid. Inside the lid has a full width mirror. Smell/Taste: None. Colour: Golden- Muted golden tan-beige with golden shimmer and warm undertones. Sheer pigmentation with a frost finish. Available in 4 shades. Formula/ Texture: Fine, smooth and lightweight powder. I was surprised when I swatched it to see how light in pigmentation this is compared to the pan. This is a good thing meaning the colour can be built up and the shimmer won't be as glitter ball as I imagined but a nice natural effect and adding some warmth to the skin. It applies smoothly and with ease. I feel like this shade will suit more medium to dark skin tones or add to your summer tanned skin. I don't think you could use this year round. Honestly for the price I do know there are other cheaper bronzers available that you would be able to make work year round by adjusting how much you apply. Available: Myer & D...

Welcome to this months obsessions! New Running Shoes I mentioned in my April haul post that I got new running shoes. Running is my portal. I pop in some music and head off. Pounding away at any stress or worries. I've never been a running person, it's something that I've had to get into. But I find it so soothing and refreshing. So with my new shoes it's made me work harder to bet Personal Bests and do for runs over the weekends as well. I thought it's either that or get fat cause I don't know a way to get fit that doesn't cost anything where you can really feel the sweat drip. I love it and these shoes make all the difference. They have so much more support and cushioning I don't get burning feet anymore. It's amazing how much they show wear! Yellow Blazers Last month I mentioned I was obsessed with white blazers and in searching outfit ideas on Pinterest I come across yellow ones. Yellow isn't a colour I wear at all. Not e...