REVIEW AND SWATCHES: LORAC PRO Palette 3

ITEM: LORAC PRO Palette 3 (U.S. Link and Price HERE)
PRICE: $82.99AUD (Price at myqt.com.au)

So... with Christmas around the corner, I thought that doing a review on this little gem was a perfect idea! And with the differing views that are available out there on this little guy, I would like to put in my little two cents about the palette! And as you can see, the palette is the Lorac Pro Palette 3!

I have had it for a while. But if you follow me on social media (Instagram: @mnh.beauty and Snapchat: @mnhwangg) you would know that FT work has been killing me and just don't have time to play around with makeup much. So despite having had it for ages, this blog post is going up super late. I didn't want to give you a half decent review, but wanted to make sure it was one that was well-informed and after at least a couple of uses. So here goes nothing!

REVIEW AND SWATCHES: Jaclyn Hill X BECCA Cosmetics Champagne Glow

ITEMS: Jaclyn Hill x BECCA Cosmetics Champagne Glow Collection

PRICES: As below

U.S. Second Release date: 16 June 2016

Australia Release date: 7 July 2016

I am finally reviewing the BECCA x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Glow Collection! I was fortunate enough to have it sent to me (which I posted live on snapchat @mnhwanggg). But I would like you all the note that this is not sponsored, this is honest and genuine to the fullest.

Okay, so knowing that the second release is tomorrow for the U.S., I decided to quickly get this up in the nick of time to give you guys full swatches and reviews of the products.

SO LET’S GET STARTED.

But before I do, sorry that some of the products have no photos, and sorry that some are poor quality. I have had some technical difficulties. Luckily I have all the reviews and swatches ready for the LIMITED EDITION products in the launch. I am working on the others to fix them! I have posted this because I wanted it up before/during the U.S. second launch. APOLOGIES. Thanks for understanding.

REVIEW AND SWATCHES: Morphe 35O & 35K Palette

ITEM: Morphe 35O Palette & 35K Palette (Links are to the actual Morphe Website. For Australian retailers, please see below).
PRICE: $22.99USD (Price on the Morphe Website)

So I am sure everybody knows that one of the most hyped about brands these days is undoubtedly Morphe Brushes. And of course one of the most popular items from them is the 35O Palette. (And I mean, the popularity is so justifiable considering the gorgeous shades and the hype!) With all of this said, you know that I would have to do a review on something that is so raved about.

I have had the palette for a while now, but it took me so long to get on the review wagon because I didn't want to write about something that is sold out. But since this palette gets sold out within hours of getting released, I realised (finally) that it will be impossible to time this perfectly. That aiming to get this post up while the product is in stock will be close to impossible. So I decided to finally just review it! It is constantly restocked so don't fret! If you keep a close eye on their instagram, they are always updating you on when the palette is about to be restocked (and it does happen on the regular)! So just keep your eyes peeled. 

I know that they have the newer versions of the 35O (with the all matte and all shimmer versions), but I think this palette is still more popular so I think the review is warranted. I am doing the review with the 35K palette (because you know, 2 in 1 is always good)! They are somewhat similar and somewhat different palettes so I thought I would kill two birds with one stone in this post. So I hope you enjoy! 

REVIEW AND SWATCHES: BECCA Colour Correctors & Concealer Creme

ITEM: BECCA Cosmetics Backlight Targeted Colour Correctors and Ultimate Coverage Concealing Creme (U.S. Price and Link - Concealer HERE & Corrector HERE)
PRICE: $50AUD - same for both Concealer & Corrector (Price on sephora.com.au)

So I was lucky enough to get a gorgeous delivery from BECCA Cosmetics. This time round they sent me their new pot concealers and correctors. I have been super busy doing full time work, so I haven't had the chance to write my blog post on the products. However! Since I have been super busy, I haven't frequently sported full face of makeup, but instead concealed areas and VOILA! I would walk out the door. I have also been getting a fair amount of redness on my face in various places so I needed to conceal those suckers well. And inevitably, full time work plus full time study plus 100 other commitments will always end in dark circles that need the assistance of a good corrector. So this season in my life has been perfect to test out these products.

REVIEW AND SWATCHES: Becca Aqua Luminous Perfecting Foundation

ITEM: Becca Aqua Luminous Perfecting Foundation (U.S. Link and Price HERE)

PRICE: $68AUD (Price at sephora.com.au)

Last year, I was lucky enough to receive the entire colour selection of the new Becca Aqua Luminous Perfecting Foundation prior to it's launch to the general public. I remember walking downstairs, seeing a big box, opening it and literally screaming!

Becca is known for the amazing glow that their products can provide (from the backlight primer to the shimmering skin perfectors). Plus I have dry dull skin. SO.... you can only imagine the excitement and anticipation that I felt when I saw the package and the name of the product!

I have now tried and tested the product so I feel confident enough to give you all a thorough, honest and in depth review. So keep on reading guys!

REVIEW: Too Faced Born This Way Foundation

ITEM: Too Faced Born This Way Foundation (U.S. link and price HERE) 
PRICE: $58AUD (Price at Mecca)

You knew I had to review this next.

The hype around this foundation was insane. Absolutely everybody not only tested the foundation, but LOVED it. This quickly became holy grail status for so many people, and all the Youtubers were putting this into their favourites. So when they launched this in Australia, I woke up at 6.30am and snagged two shades. (Yes, I got two because I did not know what shade I was in and I did not want to miss out on finding my perfect match).

I have now tested this out and am bringing you my opinions on the product!

SPEND OR SAVE?: Australis AC ON TOUR vs Anastasia Contour Kit

HIGH END ITEM: Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit
RRP: $40USD (excl. shipping)

DRUGSTORE ITEM: Australis AC ON TOUR (Unfortunately, unavailable in the U.S.)
RRP: $16.95AUD 

So the next instalment of my "Spend or Save" Series will be to compare the Australis AC ON TOUR with the ABH Contour Kit. I am sad to say that those in the U.S. or the U.K. (the bulk of my readers) will not be able to get their hands on this kit.

However, I have done posts reviewing the Kat Von D Shade and Light Palette (link HERE) and the Too Faced Contour Kit (link HERE). So you can check those out instead. I will be following this post up with an ultimate decision on which kit I think is the best, so keep an eye out for it.

Top: AC ON TOUR Kit
Bottom: ABH Original Contour Kit

Left: AC ON TOUR Kit
Right: ABH Original Contour Kit

As you can see from the pictures, they look almost identical. So I did think this was extremely appropriate for this kind of a post. Keep reading to find out whether I think you should save your pennies and purchase the "drugstore item", or whether you're better of forking out the dollars for the "high-end item".

REVIEW & SWATCHES: Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette

ITEM: Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette
PRICE: $46USD (U.S. Sephora. For my fellow Aussies, this can only be purchased from Sydney Sephora in Australia for the time being)

Every single company in the beauty industry has come out with a contour palette. But one of the most raved about is the Kat Von D Shade + Light Palette. So this is a review and swatches of this coveted palette.

I will also be doing some comparisons with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Palette and other contour palettes in the future for those that are curious. So remember to follow this blog for more in the future! 

If you would like to see my review and swatches of every single colour of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Powder Contours please click HERE. For a review and swatches of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Contour Kit please click HERE. 

REVIEW & SWATCHES: Makeup Geek Products

ITEM: Makeup Geek Eyeshadows
PRICE: $5.99USD 

ITEM: Makeup Geek Foiled Eyeshadows
PRICE: $9.99USD 

ITEM: Makeup Geek Blushes
PRICE: $9.99USD 

So I have expanded and grown my Makeup Geek collection recently and I thought that it would be good to share my thoughts and swatches of the product. I will preface by establishing that I have no affiliation with the company, so all my opinions are my own personal opinions that are completely honest and true.

REVIEW & SWATCHES: Colourpop Highlighters

ITEM: Colourpop Highlighters

PRICE: $8USD each

Application tips: Fingertips will provide the highest amount of coverage. Brush suggestions: Use a flat synthetic cheek/foundation brush or a duo fibre brush; flat synthetic brush will give more coverage and the duo fibre brush will give a more sheer, air brushed effect. 

Other tips & info: When finished, close that sucker up tight! Don't leave the jar opened for long periods of time; you may lose some of the magic that makes the Super Shock Cheek Pearlised so amazzzing. Colour builds from natural to a more intense look...Build to your heart's desire!

There has been a lot of hype over Colourpop products all over the beauty sphere. Their innovative formulas, standardised (and extremely affordable) pricing, their cute packaging and their collaborations with various Youtubers & beauty gurus inevitably attracts a lot of attention. However, I decided to purchase a bunch of the eye, cheek and lip products to put the products to the test. (I am a sceptic, so I need to see if things are truly worth the hype)! So the first thing I received & decided to do a review on are the highlighters. 

REVIEW & SWATCHES: Gerard Cosmetics Lipsticks

ITEM: Gerard Cosmetics Lipsticks
RRP: $19USD + shipping (However there are always discount codes available for packages and/or free shipping). 

There is overwhelming social media attention channeled into the Gerard Cosmetics lipsticks and I decided that it would be good to do a review and swatches since I had so many of the colours (both new and old). I don't have every single colour, but I feel that I have enough colours and have tested them out enough to be able to write a meaningful review.

REVIEW & SWATCHES: Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Contour Kit

ITEM: Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Contour Kit
RRP: $40USD

Thanks to the popular demand of my review on the ABH powder contours (link is HERE) and the ABH liquid lipsticks (link is HERE), I found that the Cream Contour Kit was inevitable.

After testing this extremely popular product - the Anastasia Cream Contour Kit, I have decided to do a complete review and swatches of it for everyone. I only purchased the Medium Kit because that is what I thought would be my shade. However, there is also a Light Kit and a Deep Kit. They are also in the process of releasing a Fair Kit but have yet to do so.

For my fellow Aussies out there, this is available on the Anastasia Beverly Hills website (as linked above) - which ships internationally. For others, Macy's also stock this product. If you shop through Ebates (link is here) you can also get cashback on your purchase (making the product even cheaper than through the direct website)!

So now that we have gone through all the logistical things, we will jump straight into the review and swatches! 

REVIEW & SWATCHES: Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick

ITEM: Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick
RRP: $20 (USD)

So I bought these beautiful looking Anastasia Liquid Lipsticks because the colours looked absolutely divine and because there was so much hype surrounding it. I was a little reluctant at first because shipping to Australia was $17.95 (U.S.) and the exchange rate was so ridiculous that it converted to an absurdly high amount. But… the more people that posted about them on Youtube, Instagram and Blogs made it impossible for me to resist. Eventually, I took the plunge and decided the shipping was only worth it if I bought a number of them so I bought 8 of them.

REVIEW & SWATCHES: Tartelette Palette

ITEM: Tarte Tartelette Palette (Aus: Buy at Sydney Sephora. U.S. link HERE)
RRP: $68AUD (Sydney Price) $44USD (U.S. Price)

So there is obviously a lot of hype circulating around this product so... you know I had to go out and get my hands on it. As soon as I saw it in Sephora (Sydney), I grabbed it and was at the register. I have used it a couple of times and feel I can sufficiently review the product now!

REVIEW & SWATCHES: Anastasia Beverly Hills Powder Contours

ITEM: Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Book (link) & Kit (link) & Refill (link)
RRP: Book - $150; Kit - $40; Refill - $14 each (all prices are USD)

Claims: Sculpt and define your features with up to 29 powders designed to contour and highlight.

So I have had the Anastasia Contour Kit for a long time. However, I was dying to get my hands on this Contour Book so... I did! This was something I wanted so that I can provide people with swatches of all the colours whilst also giving my personal review on the product. I have the Original Kit but these are now available with greater flexibility.

For review and swatches of the ABH Cream Contour Kit please CLICK HERE.

REVIEW & SWATCHES: Too Faced Soul Mates Blushing Bronzer (LIMITED EDITION)

ITEM: Too Faced Soul Mate Blushing Bronzer (U.S. link HERE)
RRP: $46 (Aust. Price) & $34 (U.S. Price)

Claims: Bronzer and Blush: the power couple of beauty. A duo made in makeup heaven to add warmth, contour and a pop of colour for the radiant look of true love. Soul Mates Blushing Bronzer combines a shimmering, sun-kissed bronze and a brightening pop of blush that can be used separately or blended together for a healthy beautiful glow. Carrie & Big: Light to medium bronzer with slight shimmer combined with the perfect pop of coral blush. Ross & Rachel: Medium to deep bronzer with slight shimmer combined with the perfect pop of pink blush. Gorgeous cominbation of blush and bronzer takes the guesswork out of creating the perfect, all-over, natural-looking finish. It is paraben free, gluten free, and vegan friendly.

When I first saw this product in Myer, I simply thought it was cute and was about to walk away. Since I had time to kill however, I decided to pick it up and just see what it looked like. I then flipped the product over and saw the names of the shades: Ross & Rachel; Carrie & Big. Then I was SOLD. Friends and Sex and the City. My two absolute favourites. How could I resist? So I kept my eye on these and made sure that I got them (before they're gone!)

REVIEW: Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask - Champagne

ITEM: Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask (Champagne)
RRP: $30 (Sydney Sephora Price) 

Claims: This lip mask improves the texture of lips so that they're more hydrated, healthier-looking, soothed, and softer feeling. Infused with organic agave nectar, jojoba oil, and triple the amount of trans-resveratrol - the miracle antioxidant found in red wine - this formula heals an soothes lips.

Now, one thing to note about me is I am a huge sceptic when it comes to hydrating products - be it skincare, makeup or lip balm. I have eczema so... things that most people find hydrating does very little for me. So when purchasing this product, I had low expectations (despite all the hype around it). But wow! I was completely blown away... Like... completely. 

REVIEW: Chi Chi Gel Eyeliner Gift Set

ITEM: Chi Chi Gel Eyeliner Gift Set
INCLUDES: 10 Gel Eyeliners in an array of colours

RRP: $30 (AUD)

Claims: This collection of fashionable, highly pigmented and waterproof Gel Eyeliners are in a long wearing smudge-proof formula that allows you to create bold lines of intense colour in one easy stroke.

So for my first review I will kick start with an affordable product. I bought this on clearance for $21 at Myer after having eyed it for a little while.