Coming Back to Blogging

I've had numerous thoughts about this post, and have never been entirely sure how to start it.

I'm back in the UK.

There. I said it. I'm back in the UK after two and a half years of travelling around Asia and Australia. There has been very little on here in this time, for various reasons. Most of it coming down to time and very little patience with the small laptop I had with me.

I had an amazing time during my travels, and made some great friends along the way. I would 100% do it again, without hesitation. And, to any people out there who are wondering if they should take the risk and go travelling, I would say: Do It. I don't think you'll ever regret going travelling, but you are more than likely going to regret not going travelling. 

I came back to the UK a couple of days before Christmas to surprise my Mum, who I hadn't seen since I left back in July 2013. Since then, I have been trying to get my head around being back (which in all honesty I haven't fully managed yet), settle back into the swing of things and look for a job. So far the job hunt isn't going so well, but here's hoping something will turn up soon.

I'd like to start writing here again regularly now I've done this post. I think I just need to work out what I want to blog about, as in all honesty I don't think I want this to be purely make up reviews like it once was. So, fingers crossed there will be more to come from me starting from now. I mean, I'm already beating my number of posts for 2015 just by posting this...

Kate x

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Models Prefer Nude Eyeshadow Palette

Much to my dismay Urban Decay isn't sold in Australia - it doesn't mean that it's impossible to get hold of over here (hello BeautyBay) but I have found myself considering making an order once or twice before stopping myself. Beauty Bay orders quickly went to the back of my mind when I saw tweets about a Naked Palette dupe in Priceline from a brand called Models Prefer.

I popped into my local Priceline to check it out as I have a Naked 2 Palette shaped hole in makeup bag. I decided not to buy it then and there, and instead to think about it as I am limited on space (life of a backpacker). Naturally want overpowered reason and I went back to buy it a few days later to find that it was on offer - it was a bargain anyway at $10, but it was reduced to $8.

Opening the box and I was really surprised that even the packaging was a dupe for the Naked 2 palette. Inside there are twelve nude shades with two matte shades and ten shimmers. I will admit that I was a little disappointed that the only two matte shades are the lightest shade Bare and the darkest Cocoa. I haven't given all the colours in this palette a go yet but I already have a couple of favourites - Glow, Taupe and Hazel. I've been wearing Glow all over my lid, Taupe in the crease and then Hazel in the outer corners and blended into my lower lash line. I've found these colours last pretty well, and I haven't experienced too much creasing even in an office environment where my skin tends to eat my make up by lunch time.

I would say the tone of this palette is quite warm but despite preferring cooler tones I'm really liking it, especially for the price. The palette also comes with a double ended brush, one end for application and the other end to blend.

While I wouldn't say this palette is an exact dupe, it is a very good attempt and I know it has been selling fast in Priceline. I would definitely recommend this palette as a Christmas present, for younger beauty lovers who can't afford the Naked Palette's $80 pricetag, or even for someone who has their eye on the original but isn't sure if they want to splurge - give this a go first.

Models Prefer Nude Eyeshadow Palette can be found in Priceline stores with the Christmas beauty gift selections. There is also a Day to Night Palette and another with brighter colours (but I don't know the name).

Have you bought this? What did you think?

Kate

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Sephora is Coming to Sydney

All beauty lovers in rejoiced at the news that Sephora would be coming to Australia, and finally they have set the date! We already knew their flagship store would be opening in Sydney's Pitt Street Mall but until the other day it was still a question of when? It has been confirmed that the store will be opening on the 5th December at 12pm. 

While I won't be in Sydney then, I am very excited indeed as I will be going in February so there will be time for some of the craziness to die down (I hope) before I drag my boyfriend in there. There are a couple of reasons that Sephora coming to Australia is a big deal - they are bringing exclusive brands with them and they will be price matching some brands to the US.

My main excitement doesn't really come from the price, although it's good news as cosmetics in Australia ain't cheap, but in the ranges they are bringing with them. The ones that stand out for me are Dr.Jart, Tarte, Kat Von D, Formula X, Sephora Collection as well as Marc Jacobs and Make Up Forever.

Dr Jart Water Fuse BB Cream - I brought a bottle of this travelling with me, and I thought it was good stuff. When we went out in the evening in Thailand and I wanted to make an effort, I put a little bit of this on with some mascara and lipstick and I was sorted. It felt very light and blended in like a dream. I was very sad to find out that you couldn't buy this in Australia when I got here.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush, Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Full Coverage Foundation and Gifted Mascara - I've heard so many good things about Tarte's blushers that I really want to give them a go. From what I've seen of the Tarte Gifted Mascara it looks lovely, but I am intrigued to see if it runs on me, like most formulas seem to.

Sephora Cream Lip Stain in 01- I've seen Lily Pebbles wear this in quite a few of her videos, and it looks like such a lovely shade of red. I'm still to try any matte lip products and I have my eye on this one!

Formula X Nail Polish - So far I've found Essie nail polishes to be the longest lasting on my nails, so I'm curious to see how I'd get on with one of these, plus they have some great looking shades!

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner - I used to be a big fan of watching Miami Ink where I first knew who Kat Von D was, I think it's pretty cool she's brought out her own make up range. I really want to get back into wearing liquid eyeliner and I've heard good things about this.

I'm also looking forward to seeing Marc Jacobs Beauty and Make Up Forever but there's nothing high up on a wishlist, yet.

What does everyone else have on their Sephora wishlist ahead of their opening?

Kate

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Face of The Day #5

It's been a long time since I've done a Face of the Day, but recently I did my make up to go out for dinner with my boyfriend and one of our friends so I thought I'd take a few snaps. 

My make up bag is quite limited at the moment, so my day time look and night time look only differ with what's on my lips and quite possibly the addition to eyeliner on my upper lash line.

Base: Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream

Concealer: Australis Go Camo Full On Coverafw Concealer in Medium

Powder: L'Oreal Nude Magique BB Powder in Medium Skin

Eyeshadow: - Rimmel Glam Eyes Mono Eyeshadow in Smokey Quartz

Mascara: - Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara (Black) 

Eyeliner: - Topshop Waterproof Eyeliner

Blusher: - Benefit Coralista

Lips: - Rimmel Apocalips in 402 Across the Universe

I got the Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream as part of the Clinique Bonus Time gift set in August, and although I think the shade is one shade too dark for me (but I've been wearing it anyway!) I really like the level of coverage it gives. 

I don't really own much Topshop make up - I have a cream blush back home, but I bought this eyeliner when I was in Malaysia and I am so impressed at it's staying power - it doesn't budge. 

Kate x

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