More NYX Round Lipsticks - Cocoa #558 and Watermelon #616

I could'nt fight the urge to buy these since I was walking past the local cheapo store. Had my heart set on the "perfect" nude lipstick from my Nonpareil Boutique order, but Thalia was too pale without dark eye makeup. I found two perfect nudes from a messy pile of NYX lipsticks and best of all, they were only $2AUD each!

My ideal lipstick colour is Your Lips But Better (YLBB) and now I realise there are two types: creme and frost or Cocoa and Watermelon. 

Cocoa is a pinkish brown which darkens but not enough to make it look like I've got chocolate smeared on my lips. It has the delish creamy texture similar to Thalia. 

Watermelon was an unexpected YLBB. It is a frosty cocktail pink which indeed reminds me of the fruit and has a subtle gold highlight. It's pink enough to be seen and sheer so I don't need to meticulously apply with precision. The texture's not as creamy as the other NYX lipsticks but I'm guessing that all frosts are matte. Helps when I apply clear gloss on beforehand.

Both have a faint cheap scent but it goes away shortly after it's applied. 

Not bad for quality since they are as cheap as chips!

Italian Floral Bustier Top

An op shop purchase for $4. It's an Italian branded bustier top which you zip yourself in from the side. The summery floral print caught my eye. Its short and low cut - definitely not the type of garment which my body shape can pull off.  Reminds me of the fashion from Romy & Michele's High School Reunion of the '90s!

Pretty buttons and frilly trim
The pursuit of a unique bargain took over and I purchased without rationalising. It had a built-in bra where the pads were slightly protruding for some va-va-va voom cleavage. When I tried it on, the white pads stuck out even more, making it look like they were falling out. Skanky-esque!

Trying to co-ordinate was a challenge. Firstly I got rid of the ridiculous looking pads. Now how the heck can you wear it having no boobs and flabby guts? This is the best I could come up with in a hurry but I shall keep trying!

Blue Paisley Cotton Slip Dress

I picked up this colourful dress from the op shop for only $1!!! 

Love the eye-catching blues and it feels light and soft. A half size too big but I still wanted to make it mine! 

No matter. I shortened the straps and repaired a small fray while I was watching The Simpsons tonight. I even sealed the raw ends of the satin strings and now it's a perfect little dress.

Could be worn casually with the brown leather belt pictured (another op shop find) and flip flops. Or I could glam it with a sequined cropped cardi and strappy heels. 

FREE Shiseido Perfect Rouge Lipstick Sample

"To redeem your Shiseido Perfect Rouge Lipstick, simply print your voucher, present it to you nearest Shiseido counter at Myer, David Jones or selected pharmacies."

This is a generous lipstick sample giveaway where you receive a tube of 2.5 gram lipstick which is roughly half the size of a full size lipstick. If redeeming from a large department store, there is a good chance of a choice in colours. No mention of an expiry date but offer is open till stocks last. 

Freebie me!

NYX Girls Nail Polish - Baby Doll

Got to try the pink nail polish I bought from my recent NYX haul. The packaging of their Girls Nail Polish is now akin to Anna Sui cosmetics.  A very girly bottle, with raised detailing on the glass a sparkly diamante in the centre.

Baby Doll is a deep pink metallic frost. It looked totally different on the website swatch but I did'nt mind because I love pink colours. The grooved handle made it easier to grip. The only thing I did'nt like about the nail polish was that it was streaky if you applied a thin coat. However it was fast drying so I could got the manicure done quickly. Staying power was OK, but not great. My manicure lasted three days before it chipped. Baby Doll appears a little paler in natural light compared to the picture above.

Rating: 3/5 Can't complain as it only cost $1.50 USD!

Tan Leather Braided Belt and Thin Gold Mesh Belt

Another visit to the op shop and I have two new belts for my growing collection.

I've seen alot of braided belts which remain in the store because they have been done to death by cheapo imports. They are in lurid colours, poorly constructed and designed for the "trend of the moment". This leather belt is none of the kind and is a steal for $4 AUD. It's understated in style and goes with all of my casual bottoms. It has the worn-in look like it becomes even more beautiful with age. 

Not sure what enticed me with the soft gold mesh belt aside from the $1 price tag. Perhaps it's how it moves fluidly between my fingers. It glimmers and being thin (1cm in width), there is a balance so it does'nt look overly blingy. Looks good with a black dress. Unfortunately as I was trying it on today, the slider flew off and is lost somewhere in my room. 

Scaling the floor with a torch proved to be futile. 

Italian White Leather Peeptoe Slingbacks & MAC Satin Cosmetics Clutch

Picked up these two beauties from the local op shop today.

These Louboutin-esque stilettos are in excellent condition and I wished so badly that I could fit into them. They are summery and look gorgeous with a dress. Too selfish to pass them by so now that I've taken some shoe porn, I'll list them on Ebay. Any size 8.5ers out there? Come and get 'em.

At first I thought this was a very chic pleated satin clutch but inside was a MAC cosmetics label. Guessing it was a gift with purchase and you can keep your make up brushes in there? It doesn't fit all of my brushes anyway so I'm going to use it as a evening clutch.

Marc Jacobs Satin Bow with Snakeskin Trim Heels

I watched these on Ebay for a month before the seller dropped the price further. I nabbed them for $58USD and they are brand new. Including registered shipping, they were only $130AUD. The price sticker under the sole says there were $865, reduced to $519. What a bargain!

They are adorable with the satin bow and comfy to wear. Now I can't wait to get a job so I can wear them out of the house!

NYX Pearl Mania Loose Pigment - Walnut

While traveling Europe, my eyeshadows crumbled in transit. Pressed powders turned to rainbow dust so when I needed new colours, I had to try NYX pigments. The stuff comes in cute little screw top jars so no worries about spillage or breakage.

What I like:

- Highly pigmented so you don't need alot to build colour.

- Easy to blend with a silky finish.

- Lasted all day and still going strong.

- Bottle was the right size for my bullet brush to fit through.

- So cheap! Beats paying for MAC any day.

- Versatile shading colour with a super pearly finish. Walnut is a deep bronzed brown with coppery shimmer. 

- Once on, the colour does'nt budge or crease (and I have oily lids too).

- Travel friendly packaging.

What I DON'T like:

- Nothing! This product is a winner!

Rating: 5/5 A Holy Grail! It lasts all day, blends in well and is finely milled. The colour is perfect for everyday to evening wear. Best of all, it was only $1.25USD! 

Eyeko Big Eyes Mascara

I'm greedy when it comes to mascara. I want lashes so long and thick that they look like falsies! 

I bought Eyeko mascara from www.asos.com while I was living in London. You can buy it with free international shipping on it's own website though. It's a UK brand but as they package their products anime-style, they could be mistaken for Japanese. This was only £5 and the rest of the range is budget priced too.  

What I like:

- The packaging is so cute. This mascara comes in a squeezable silver tube with hot pink print. 

- It doesn't contain fibres which makes it less irritating for my eyes.

- Priced appropriately so you can most definitely replace every 3 months.

- It does'nt smudge or clump if you apply 2 coats or less.

- Holds a curl which says alot for my stick straight lashes.

- Lashes are soft and very black.

- Lash conditioning formula.

What I DON'T like:

- It's difficult to remove. I lose lashes and tug at my lids to get it off, even when I'm using makeup remover gently. 

- You can't build it up with more than 2 coats without clumps.

- It gives only OK volume and length. Nothing close to Diorshow.

- The brush is shaped like a wide spiral so it does'nt seperate well. I always get mascara under my eyes because the brush does'nt pick up my lower lashes. 

Rating: 3/5 Stars. All for the packaging. The brush and the formula lets down the product as it only gave average results and is difficult to apply evenly.

I'm wearing Eyeko mascara in the NYX Thalia lipstick review below.