Glitter Injections: Honest review

L-R: Love Letter, Copper Crush, Rose Gold, Insta Love 

I saw this brand floating around Insta for a long time, and finally took the plunge. You've probably seen mixed reviews and if you're not new to the scene, you have heard the drama over this brand (see Hannah Schroder's video here, along with her update). There are more in depth stories, just Google it,  I won't get into it, but I agree with the pros and cons. Basically they are aesthetically impactful, but some people have experienced issues over the last couple of years.

I believe they have updated their formula in recent times - and I have had mine for 8+ months and have not experienced any issues at all. I purposefully waited this long to post a review or any pics in the interest of fairness, just to see the longevity of the product and find out if those issues arose. They didn't - all my glitters still look and smell as they did on original purchase (in the pics shown).

T-B: Insta Love, Rose Gold, Copper Crush, Love Letter, [discontinued duo Moonlight Melody]

Personally, I think it's a fun product to play with, they are really cute and great for dramatic effect - but I haven't (and won't) use regularly as there are other glitter formulas that arguably stay put longer + are arguably safer. Honestly, Glitter Injections are pretty pricey, and there are other brands similar which have not had the drama involved, which I feel a bit better about (If you're interested in my faves, send me a message, let's chat about them). Glitter Injections might be good for one-time costume makeup or even if you don't use them on the eyes, and use for other areas of the face or body?

To each their own, and like I said they are still pretty fun and I haven't had any issues yet, so if you do want to try Glitter Injections, you can do so at your own discretion. Click here for the store.

J x

Rose Gold Paddle Brushes

[this is a sponsored post]

Ok, paddle brushes have been making the rounds for a few months now, and I was stoked when Jamie from Simple Glam Girls sent these bad boys my way.

THE softest bristles ever - I didn't expect them to be so soft and easy to use. And hello, rose gold?! I am hooked.

If you've never tried paddle brushes before, now's your chance - you can get 20% off the entire store by using my promo code Seren14dipity at the check-out.

The team have also launched an insanely cute Unicorn range so go ahead and check them out right here.

Let me know what goodies you end up getting. You go girl!

J x

Koko Kollection

Ask and you shall receive!

By popular request from you guys, here are my lip swatches of the Koko Kollection from Kylie Cosmetics.

I love every single colour and this pack would be a great start for anyone wanting to try our her stuff - though it is limited edition (Christmas). I daresay she'll be back with them though! TOO GOOD.

Y'all know how I feel about Kylie Cosmetics, so without further ado...

KHLO$

OKURR

DAMN GINA (gloss)

GORG

(TBH probably should have used a liner under this but it worked okay)

Can you guess which was my fave?

Sparkles, naturally 😜

If you managed to get your hands on this beautiful collection, let me know your favourite!

And as always, thank you for your requests, keep them coming.

J x

NYX in Australia

NYX opened its first flagship store in Aus in December last year at Pacific Fair.

 

Among the cult favourites, the loose Pigments are coveted. We don't get a lot of choice for pigments in brands across Aus, so this is a great addition to the mix. 

Meet my first NYX pigment, PIG16 Potion

 

 

I chose this shade to add more selection to my purple collection, and so far I love the colour payoff.

NYX don't make a liquid or base formula to mix with but I've used MAC Fix+ and it glides like a dream. Have yet to try but I'm guessing a sticky primer would work as well. 

Love this colour! It's a blue-brown based purple with a white-blue shimmer through it. Not exactly glitter, more iridescent shine.

Here it is (top) swatched with UD Moondust palette shade in Magnetic for comparison:

 

I'm not in need of any other pigments at the moment but at $11.95 a pop I won't hesitate to get more should any catch my eye. Super affordable and pigmented (duh, Jen it would want to be as a Pigment lol). 

Tell me your favourite shades and I might add to my collection!

J x

Mascara Game Changer

With a sleek, bristle-free design, Hourglass Curator Lash Instrument is a beauty game-changer.

This collection eliminates traditional, plastic mascara wand and replaces with a stainless steel (shiny, sexy) tool. Mind = blown.

Experience increased flexibility and control over the Instrument (aka get product right down to the lash line without inadvertently poking yourself in the eye) and precision application with the luxury 40° angled, double-cut tip (aka not emptying half a tube of mascara in one go).

Two formulas exist to use with the Lash Instrument - Ascent Extended Wear Lash Primer (fancy name for something that will help the product stay put all day) and Realist Defining Mascara Formula (pot of proverbial gold. Except it's black).

But take note - even though the idea is to be able to clean off the Instrument after each use (makeup artists I'm looking at you), this can get pretty annoying. If you're going to get the entire Curator Collection, invest in an extra Instrument (aka one for the primer and one for the actual mascara product).

If you're not rolling in moolah however (aka me. This collection was a gift of utmost perfection), you could probably bypass the primer and just get one Instrument + Mascara Formula.

Applying mascara will never be the same again.

Find the Curator Collection sold separately, or as one, limited edition pack here.

J x

Ellis Faas Liquid Gold

You've all seen Chloe Morello lose her sh** over these Ellis Faas products, but here's a better look at the E303 Metallic EyeLight she couldn't quite get to work.

I had this used on me for the first time during a makeup lesson and I have to say I also lost my sh** - albeit for a different reason.

This stuff is legit. It's like pouring liquid gold over your eyelids, and once dry, it will not budge.

Opening up the lid, you're greeted with the brush applicator.

You've got to twist the end to get the product up to the brush, and this is where all hell breaks loose. I've only used mine three times, but on all occasions I had the same problem as Chloe (and I know many others). It's like waiting for the cork on a champagne bottle to pop, and it never does. Sad times.

I was told on purchase to be patient, that a few twists was enough and the product would spout from the brush in due time. Idk about you, but I'm impatient af, and even moreso when I'm applying makeup in a rush. Just. Get. The. Damn. Eyeshadow. Out. Please.

When it does finally appear (I'm gonna say at least 3-5 mins) it's like a surprise, explosive volcano and you've got quite a lot to work with. Somewhat good, at least it's not stingey. But somewhat bad, seems wasteful to have that much come out at once.

Nevertheless, if you can look past this packaging flaw, the results are worth it.

This shadow glides on, you hardly need a primer, it's quick to dry and the liquid is heavily pigmented. You will not want to touch any other gold eyeshadow after this, it's that good.

It's definitely on the luxury high-end scale price-wise, so this isn't something you're going to be purchasing all the time, but it's a unlike anything I've ever used before. I'd definitely say it's a must-try for hardcore makeup lovers, only because of the quality and colour payoff. It's so low fuss in those departments, it kind of makes you forget it took you half an hour to get it working ;)

So: get it if you can afford it + are looking for something new & amazing to try. But I wouldn't say it's an essential part of your beauty life.

Aussies, you can find it here at Mecca Cosmetica, along with the four other metallic shades.

Ellis Faas E303 in action with Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette.

J x

Kylie Lip Kits

Are they worth the hype?

Honestly, they're awesome, long-wearing products and I have no regrets, but if you're after something comparable + cheaper, you will probably find it elsewhere.

I started with 'Kristen' and liked it, and decided to take the plunge with other colours. My favourite part? The smell of these are LEGIT. I feel like a crack addict sniffing these when I open them #SorryNotSorry.

The nitty gritty - each lip kit comes with a 0.03oz/1.0g lip liner crayon, which Kylie is known to wear on its own (not pictured because let's face it, you've seen them 100 times by now) and a 0.11 fl.oz/3.25ml matte liquid lipstick with doe-foot applicator. The liner reminds me of NARS packaging, but without the retractable mechanism, which is kinda annoying. But the matching liner system just makes sense and convenient for those too lazy to source compatible bases (like Jen).

Of the other liquid lipstick brands I own, I find the closest resemblance in texture, wearabilty & longevity is Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick. Though arguably, Kat has a much lighter, barely-there feel to it.

The glosses come in the same packaging as the lipsticks, with 0.09fl.oz/2.60ml in product and brush applicator.

I stupidly left 'Kristen' on my makeup table and forgot to add it to my swatches, but leave me a comment or tweet me @seren14dipity if you want to see that added in. Enjoy :)

MATTE LIQUID LIPSTICKS

No Flash:

Flash:

GLOSSES 

No Flash:

Flash:

J x

Deluxe Samples, Mecca Maxima Beauty Loop, & Newbies

Life is short, Buy the shoes!!! (Get this rose gold & white polka dot quote card from Kikki K here)

Happy Sunday!

Incidentally, it's also Mother's Day! In my adventures purchasing a few of my favourite beauty products for my Mum, I managed to score a few freebie deluxe samples from Revlon and Mecca Maxima.

I'll get into the samples in a sec! But first, pictured above are a few new acquisitions:

Essie Buy Me A Cameo - a metallic nude shade that I've been eyeing for a while;

NARS Audacious Lipstick Natalie - you all already know how much I fell in love with Grace, so this was on my hit list this week! Beautiful rosy pink, and super pigmented;

Colette Off Duty Blogger clutch - gonna use this for travelling, probably put my vlogging camera & Macbook charger etc. in there :)

REVLON BEAUTY BAG

I believe it was a AU$39.95 spend to receive the beauty bag at Myer with 5 full sized samples.

I haven't included the free eyeshadow quad & nail polish in the photo, as I gave them to my Mum along with the makeup bag it all came in!

I did purchase a creme lipstick in Pink Velvet (one of my staples which I gifted to Mumma Bear also), and my daily Colorstay pressed powder, so I was well over the minimum to receive the beauty bag.

I kept the Photoready Skinlights Face Illuminator, Ultra HD Lipstick 830 HD Rose, and Colorstay Brow Fantasy crayon/gel duo in Brunette. Will post an update on how these products go in weeks to come - I already love the Lipstick shade, but it does have a scent to it which I don't know if I love or hate yet! Ha!

You can shop Revlon at Myer here! Hurry in to get your freebie beauty bag, I'm not for sure when the promotion ends.

MECCA MAXMIA BEAUTY LOOP SAMPLE BOX

This is what I love about member rewards at beauty and cosmetics stores! 

I've not tried any of these products before, but super excited to crack them open:

NARS Light Optimising Primer

Ren Micro Polish Cleanser

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Terry Hyaluronic Hydra Powder 

The last one is especially intriguing! Hyaluronic acid finishing powder for brushing over night cream or over makeup. Will for sure be updating you guys on that one.

Head on over to Mecca Maxima and join the Beauty Loop - There are 4 sample boxes per year, and a ton of other cool perks.

Last but not least, a sneaky purchase from Forever New, how cool is this! The glitter moves all around - and we know how much I love my sparkles. 

Countess Sophia Fits iPhone 6, and you can find it here.

Let me know if you see any cool promos happening at the moment that I should be jumping on, or any stores doing awesome loyalty perks! 

And as always, I'll be sharing any I see with you guys on here :)

J x

Massive Beauty Haul! - Mecca Maxima, Kiehls, Sephora

The stash pre-unpackaging!

The wait is finally over - I checked out Mecca Maxima's Urban Decay launch!

(Did not get first 100 freebies - devastated!!!)

Also took a trip to Kiehl's, and been saving my Sephora Sydney mini haul for this blog post.
Check out what I've picked up this month:

-The Line Up-

We were treated with free water, museli bars and reading material.
First 100 in the line got a makeup bag with deluxe samples - I was number 106! Cue frustration.
I ended up with 2 deluxe samples with purchase, though - Perversion mascara, and the usual eye primer that comes with Naked purchase.

 -The Haul-

I deliberated whether to get Naked or Naked 2 (already own Naked 3), but the colours in the original swayed me.
I feel like I will probably get Naked 2 at some point in time though (who could resist). Same deal with the Naked Basics range, I loved the matte shades in Naked Basics 2.

No swatches of the Naked palettes, as I'm sure there are a hundred on the internet somewhere.
I did swatch my lip products though (sneaky Too Faced purchase happened), photo below!

The original Urban Decay Naked Palette

Urban Decay Naked Basics 2

Urban Decay Sheer Revolution Lipstick Sheer Streak

 This UD lipstick colour caught my attention and I could not say no! So. damn. pretty.
Texture reminds me of Maybelline Whisper range, or the Revlon Lip Butters but more durable. So, it does have that gloss factor to it.

Seems like a hydrating flush of colour - pretty keen to take it for a test run! Standard packaging, but I'm loving the signature UD purple.

Also picked up Too Faced Melted liquid lippy in Melted Velvet.
Have been wanting to try this for A G E S.

So many tempting colours, but I picked a Winter shade so I can play with it in coming months.

The squeezable, doe foot applicator could get messy, but I'll give it a go!

I'll keep you posted on the outcome of these two lip products, as I'm sure you're intrigued about the hype as much as I am.

Oh - got two lip liners on a whim as well. Nothing exciting, just for staple purposes - details in the swatch below:

L-R: UD Sheer Streak, Too Faced Melted Velvet, Rimmel Lip Liners in 004 Indian Pink & 049 Natural.

 -Kiehl's-

Wanted to try out two skincare products I cannot stop hearing about (Zoella, I'm looking at you)!

Midnight Recovery Eye gel, and Blemish Control Daily Skin-Clearing Treatment.

Sales woman also threw in samples of the Creme de Corps moisturizer, and Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleanser.

Again, will keep you posted on the outcome!

 

-Sephora, Sydney-

Obsessed with masks lately, picked up a Honey Mask from Sephora.

Got overwhelmed with the product range, panicked, and ended up picking up Sephora blush Pink Flush, and Sephora cheeks & lips Brilliant Jumbo 04 Vintage Pink.

Not really sure if I love them, but I'll see how they go haha!!!
Was super overwhelmed, and had a friend waiting so didn't take my usual time swatching, etc.
When in doubt, go for the subtle, neutral tones!

 

Did you check out the Urban Decay launch today?
Or got any favourites from Sephora Australia?

Let me know :)

J x