This Week In Shopping

These posts are always going to be dangerous!

At the moment, my digital camera’s USB cord (which I use to charge the battery/camera) has gone AWOL. I ordered a new battery charger off eBay last night, so here’s to hoping I can start getting some reviews and swatches done for my lovely readers!

In these “This Week In Shopping” posts, I like to tell you guys what I’ve been spending my money on! This is probably going to be the most extensive list that you will see for a while – I really need to start saving as my family and I are going overseas to Germany, Paris and Abu Dhabi in September and at the moment, I’ve got $50 saved… I need to save at least $3000 by September, which is roughly $170 per week. I’ve almost reached it this week, which is good! I am still on probation at work (I’ve started working in software support in February, and all employees have to go through a 3 month probation), so hopefully my pay will increase once this is over. I’m not the best at budgeting – I love to buy my boyfriend little gifts here and there. Next month will be our 6 month “anniversary”, where I’m taking him to Rockpool in The Rocks for dinner, as well as getting him a gift (I’m thinking an electric razor. I was going to get him one for his birthday last month, but I had already spent way too much money). We were going to stay in a hotel nearby, but we both really need to save money!

Hopefully by doing these posts, I can see how much I’ve been spending (and then feel excessively guilty about it). Now, this list is going to be from the last 3 weeks, but most of this has been purchased over the last week.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation in NW10 – $49 for 30mL/1.0 fl ozfrom the MAC counter at David Jones

I went to a MAC counter for the very first time to get properly colour-matched and to pick up a high-end foundation (I consider MAC high-end as it’s so darn expensive in Australia). I have their Studio Fix Powder Plus in NC15, which wasn’t a great match for my skintone. Not to mention, I didn’t really like it as it made me look ridiculously shiny and oily, whereas my beloved Maybelline Oil Control powder doesn’t. I’ll probably try the Studio Fix Powder Plus in NW10 again eventually, now that I’ve got a proper match. But anyway, I used it for the first time on Friday, and my goodness. It pretty much suits my skin tone and colour perfectly. It doesn’t feel super heavy, which I was worried about, as it does look fairly thick. A lot of reviews reccommend buffing this onto the skin with a flat top foundation brush or a fibre-optic/stippling/skunk brush. However, my skunk brush is pretty much dead, and I’m yet to order a flat top foundation brush (I’m eyeing off this one), so I used an ordinary foundation “paddle” brush – for anyone interested, this is the one I’ve been using for the past 3 years, and it’s gosh darn amazing.

Physicians Formula Gentle Cover Green Concealer Stick – $14.95 from Priceline

I’ve been super lazy about getting a green concealer stick to cover up my redness (I’m actually not sure if it would be considered rosacea or not. I know my grandfather and father have it. I should probably do some research into it), but I’ve finally managed to part with some money for one. Unfortunately, I haven’t had a good change to play around with this, but I haven’t heard that’s it a completely terrible product. It does feel nice (I briefly swatched it on the back of my hand) and the texture doesn’t seem abnormal, so here’s hoping I can bring that redness down!

Essence Lash Mania Mascara – $4.95 from Priceline

I didn’t buy this for any particular reason – I am still in love with what I’m proud to call my HG (Holy Grail) mascara – Bourjois’ Volume Fast and Perfect Mascara – I was just curious to see what this discount makeup brand’s mascara was like. I wore this yesterday for a few hours, and it didn’t feel great. It made my lashes feel dry and almost powdery, and they didn’t look as full as they do when when I use my HG mascara. However, as I’ve just started doing a makeup course (more on that in another post that I’m working on!), I need to source some affordable products I can use on my clients.

Bellabox subscription – $15 per month

I used to be subscribed to both Bellabox and Lust Have It when I was at my old customer service job a few months back. However, due to the fact I was earning pretty much half of what they should have been paying me, I simply couldn’t afford both subscriptions. Lust Have It didn’t really excite me like it used to, and Bellabox was pretty much the same, too. However, I’ve decided to give Bellabox another chance to win me over, now that I’m earning more. I should be getting this month’s box on Friday (my family only checks the post office box on Friday mornings) and I’ll be sure to write a review of what I think of the box.

MAC Sounds Like Noise Lipstick (Hayley Williams Collaboration) x2 – one was $15 from the USA MAC store (not including shipping), the other was $40 incl. shipping from eBay

This was a big mistake. Ugh. I had signed up for a USA shipping address with myus.com, because I was kind of over searching through eBay and other various sites for brands like MAC and Urban Decay. Not to mention, all USA cosmetics are unbelievably inflated in price over here – for example, if I were to have bought the Sounds Like Noise lipstick from a MAC counter in Australia, or on the MAC Australia online store, I would have paid $36, not including shipping, whereas I only paid $15 for it on the USA MAC store. You can’t even get Maybelline lipsticks here for $15 (they’re around the $20 mark).

So, the reason I ended up with two, to make a long story short, was that I thought my USA MAC store order had been cancelled, so I sourced one off eBay. Never mind, I can always keep the other boxed up to include in my first giveaway, or sell it, or exchange it with someone for another item I want.

MAC Daydreaming Eyeshadow – $15 from the USA MAC store (not including shipping) (retails for $33 at MAC Australia)

I’m usually not into corals, especially in eyeshadow form, but when I saw swatches of this online, I knew I had to get it. It hasn’t arrived here yet (should be getting delivered to my work tomorrow!), but I can’t wait to try this out, along with the Sounds Like Noise lipstick.

Maxfactor  Facefinity All Day Flawless 3-in-1 Foundation – $31.95 from Myer

This is the first Maxfactor foundation I have purchased! Whilst I’m not totally in love with it, it does last for most of the day and it’s affordable. The lightest shade is a touch too yellow for me, and it doesn’t give me full coverage.

Maxfactor Mastertouch Concealer in Ivory – $25.95 from Myer

Again, this is the first Maxfactor concealer I have purchased. I actually quite like this one! It does a great job of hiding my under eye circles and doesn’t shift too much when I apply powder over the top. However, I am still yet to find a foundation that “wows” me! 😦

Wet N Wild Mega Volume Thickening Amplifying Mascara in Black – $9.45 including delivery from eBay

I purchased this after seeing a review on it on makeupgeek, and wanted to give it a shot. Unfortunately, Wet N Wild isn’t sold in Australia, so I had to do some scrounging around on eBay. Haven’t tried this out yet either, but hopefully it does a good job!

Two Faced Primed To Perfection –  Shadow Insurance and Primed To Perfection – $9.70 including postage from eBay

I’ve been meaning to buy eyeshadow primer since my sample of Urban Decay’s Primer Potion ran out….a year ago. Heh. I found this box deal on eBay (it’s probably not legit, and my eyes are probably going to fall off), and am yet to try it. I quickly felt the texture of Shadow Insurance on the back of my hand, and it feels a bit…creamy. I remember my Urban Decay PP feeling somewhat smooth and a tiny bit sticky. Let’s hope this works, even though the texture is different!

Shiro Cosmetics – 29 various samples – $36.50 including postage from shirocosmetics.com

Because if it’s one thing I need more of, it’s eyeshadow samples in those tiny little baggies. I should take a photo of my eyeshadow samples drawer and show you guys…Anyway. I’ve purchased some clear sample jars to put these in, so I don’t have to sift through sample baggies every time I want to try one! I will write a review and do some swatches of the samples I purchased once I receive them.

Femme Fatale cosmetics – 11 various samples – $13.10 including shipping from femmefatalecosmetics.com

Oh yes, more eyeshadow samples! I still haven’t even used 1/3 of the samples I purchased back in October last year. Again, I will post a review and swatches of the shades I ordered once I receive them.

Bluesky Gel/Shellac Nail Kit – $49 including delivery from OurDeal.com.au

If anything, I was saving money when I bought this! At the moment, I’ve been paying $30 for a Shellac manicure at my local ProfessioNail every 3 weeks. I’ve been meaning to purchase one of these kits, because I’d rather do it myself, and save money. This deal popped up on a email on Friday, if I remember correctly. For $49, you get a 3W LED lamp (I’ll be purchasing a higher wattage lamp later on), a top coat, a base coat and 4 different colours. I will post a review of this once I receive this, also.

Cherry Culture order – $33.23 including delivery, from cherryculture.com

This is my first order with Cherry Culture! I saw a swatch of Milani’s Color Statement lipstick in Violet Volt, and fell in love with the colour. I love love love purple lipsticks, and the only place I could find this shade was on Cherry Culture. The lipstick itself was $5.49. I also purchased a Beauty Blender sponge, as they were having a 25% off sale, so I ended up only paying $19.99 for the sponge. Quite interested in trying it out, as I’ve heard good things about them! I will also be posting a review on this once I receive it.

ELF cosmetics order – $46.96 from elfcosmetics.com.au

I’m a sucker for free shipping. Ugh. I ordered 14 different products (I won’t list them here, but you’ll be able to see what I bought once I post the review after receiving them and trying them). I haven’t tried too many ELF products in the past, and saw this as a good opportunity to do so!

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Lightscapade – $49.12 including shipping, from eBay

I believe this was re-promoted in the Hayley Williams collaboration. I’ve been interested in trying out one of their skinfinishes, but most of them haven’t been a shade I’m interested in! I’ll probably end up using this as a highlighter, as I’m not entirely sure what it’s actual purpose is. Heh.

NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder in Auburn – $12.73 including shipping, from eBay

Since I’ve dyed my hair copper, I’ve been trying to find the best colour to fill my eyebrows in with (they’re blonde, as that’s what my hair colour is naturally). Leaving them blonde looks funny, filling them in with brown looks strange, and I don’t really have anything else I can use. I read a review on this by a copper haired girl who swore by it, so I decided to try it out. The only other products I’ve tried from NYX are their Jumbo Eye Pencils in Milk and Black Bean, and I do quite like them. Again, I will be posting a review and swatches of this product once I’ve had a chance to test it out.

Maybelline ColorSensational Vivids Lipsticks in Vibrant Mandarin, Shocking Coral and Vivid Rose – $9.28 each, not including shipping, from eBay

I saw swatches of these colours on Temptalia, and I knew I had to get them. They’re not out here in Australia yet (not to mention, they’d retail for $20 each, eesh), so I purchased them off trusty eBay. I also haven’t received these as yet, but will also be posting a review and swatches for each shade. Can’t wait for these!

Phew! That was a long list! Hope you guys are excited and looking forward to reading these reviews and viewing swatches of these products, because I know I am.