MONTHLY FAVOURITES // June 2015

Hey guys,

It's that time of the month again! I honestly love writing these - as I've probably stated before - because it's my chance to get down to the nitty gritty and really decide which products I have really been turning to this month. This month it's a little different. As I haven't done a favourites since January at the very least, this is a compliation of products that I have seriously been OBSESSED with since April/May, as well as June. Some you may have already seen in previous posts, or will feature in those upcoming, so I won't go into too much depth.

Read on to see which products made the cut this month!

1. MAC Prep & Prime Natural Radiance Primer in Radiant Yellow // $65

Three words - HOLY GRAIL PRIMER. Yes, you heard that correctly. Lawd almighty, this primer is everything. Its a gel based primer, and is yellow to correcr uneven tones in the skin as well as to hydrate and provide a base for your foundation to hold on to. Oh my goodness, this is like glue. My foundation literally goes nowhere when this is on my face. Not only does it provide that base, it also really hydrates and keeps my skin feeling absolutely lovely. You can also get this in a pink shade, rather than yellow, to brighten up the face, but I really like the yellow as it starts correcting any breakouts or redness in my skin. I paid a pretty penny for this, but I would pay it all over again. Honestly.

2. BareMinerals Complexion Rescue // $38 & Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation // $74

I've already written all about these - you knew they would be in here! I'll say it, these are major all time favourites, especially for my winter skin. The combination of both of these makes my skin look photo filtered without being caked or over the top. I'm just honestly in love with this combo - here's the post where I detail how I use them and why - and I'm going to be devastated when I run out because I won't be buying more for a long time... I'll be doing a seperate review on each as well for you when I get the chance, so be on the lookout for those!

3. MAC Studio Fix Powder // $49

Yep. I'm using powder. I always swore that I wouldn't, couldn't, shouldn't use powder, because my skin is dry and honestly every powder I have used made me look even drier and my skin ever cakier. Until I met the MAC Studio Fix Powder - this sh*t is bananas! I use this to mainly set my nose and chin, as those are the places that foundations wears off really easily for me, and the lightly press a dusting over the rest of my face. It does have colour to it, which i like for my nose and chin as it provides the extra coverage when the foundation does decide that it's had enough of my face that day. Plus, its amazing for touch ups. Another repurchaseable item fo' shizzle, and I recommend the heck out of it!

4. Too Faced Dark Chocolate Soliel Bronzer // $44

This is new to Mecca, but I've honestly wanted it in my hot little hands since i saw Jaclyn Hill (typical) talk about it in one of her favourites videos in the recent months! I've owned it since the beginning of June and I love it - the colour is perfect, the blendability is perfect, the smell is perfect - ugh, I'm in love. I also have the Milk Chocolate Soliel (also adore it), but unfortunately I can only pull that off as a bronzer when I am quite pale. I definitely recommend giving this at the very least a swatch in Mecca, and taking it home with you if you love it. You're definitely getting good quality at a great price, in my humble opinion!

5. Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask // $34

Another product I talked about here - this stuff is literally saving my skin. I use it three times a week, and it is honestly holding my breakouts at bay and helping my skin rejuvenate in between uses. I could honestly see a major difference in two uses, and it doesn't disappoint every time I use it. If you have dry skin, and are really after a product that smells INCREDIBLE and will really smooth and give your skin a radiant glow, I highly recommend this mask!

6. MAC Lipstick in Honeylove // $36

Ugh, yes, I'm a MAC whore, I admit it. But this lipstick is amazing - I love love love it, and it's no joke when I say that it's been my go to 99% of the time since I purchased it at the beginning of May. This lipstick is almost like Myth and Velvet Teddy had a little nude baby. It's gorgeous pinky brown beige nude, which makes the perfect shade when mixed with Whirl Lip Liner. If you're after a nude lipstick at MAC that isn't too nude, nor too pink or brown I would definitely try this one out!

7. Adult Colouring Books // $10-11

I'd seen these literally everywhere online, and when I found these in my local Target I decided to pick them up. Between work and uni, it's safe to say I was feeling just a tad stressed out, so in my spare time I started to colour in pages to try and feel a little more relaxed. Well, these definitely helped for sure, just to take my mind off everything else I had going on and it was also a lot of fun! I'd definitely recommend these if you are after something to do thats fun and creative, and that also helps out your mind at ease!

And that's it for this month's favourites! What are some of the products you've been turning to during June?

Until next time...

xxxx 

in between blogging, you can find me here!

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september & october favourites

Hey guys!

Its that time again - I completely missed September Favourites because I was overseas, so this will cover both months. I've honestly tried to narrow it down this month (I have alot of products that I love and continously use over and over again), but ya know, I get carried away and this is for over two months! I'm really just going to get started - otherwise this post could go forever - so enjoy reading what I have been loving over the past two months!

(P.S. I'm sorry this is all over the place in terms of format - I've been trying for the last 3 hours to fix it with no luck.. Will try and get it back to normal ASAP)

1. Skindinavia Moisture Lock Makeup Finish Spray

I have been wanting to try a Skindinavia Setting Spray for forever - I ended up choosing this one because I love my skin to look more dewy and hydrated over cakey and desert-like.  I have really been liking it, because its more like a mist than a spray. With my NYX Dewy Mist Finishing Spray, as much as I like it, it always feels like I'm sprayed a water bottle on my face. This is much more fine, and it doesn't feel like it disturbs my makeup.

2.  Covergirl TruBlend Foundation

I won't harp on - I have a full review here - but I love this, its so easy to wear and it looks like skin! With a beauty blender it just blends out so well and makes my skin look so so so good. I would definitely recommend this as a drugstore foundation, Covergirl is super affordable and it's fantastic quality for the price.

4. NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser

I flipping love this stuff for an easy face! It has just the right amount of coverage to cover anything I want covered, while still looking natural and radiant. It is expensive (the most I've ever paid for a face product omg), but I definitely recommend this if you have normal to dry skin, and prefer a light feeling foundation that still covers any imperfections.

5. BareMinerals Bareskin Foundation

Another love. So much love. This is probably up there with my favourite foundations, and that is a BIG deal. I need like four to five drops to cover my whole face, and I feel that it improves my skin while its on it - which is why they call it a serum foundation, I guess. It is 

extremely dewy (almost oily) but its perfect for me for everyday. I didn't get the brush that comes with it, so I use my Sigma F80 with it and it works perfectly fine. I wouldn't use a beauty blender with it, as it is quite thin and I feel that it would just completely soak the product up.

6. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation

I'd like to thank Kuala Lumpur International Airport for this expensive favourite (although, when converted to AUD I paid more for the NARS Tinted Moisturiser than for this). I wanted so badly to not like this, and there are parts of it that I don't like, but overall it makes my skin look absolutely perfect and it lasts a super long time. Two issues though - it does sink into fine lines, and its hella expensive. I honestly do love it, but I haven't decided if I'll ever repurchase.

7. MAC Studio Careblend Pressed Powder in Medium Deep

Um, I'd just like to take a moment to thank Jaclyn Hill for introducing me fo this gem. Its perfect for an everyday bronzer - even though it is technically a face powder. I am in love, and I use it almost everyday. It is warm toned, but not overly so, so it looks really quite natural and super easy to blend out. I also have another in the shade Dark, but this is just my go to for everyday. Highly, highly recommend!

8. MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Soft and Gentle

Best highlight of all time. Or the best for everyday, for sure. This has become an everyday staple for me. I use it as an eyeshadow as well as my highlight on an everyday basis. Its not obnoxious, or in your face whatsoever, which is why I think its perfect for using with my day face. It just gives a very subtle glow, and opens up my eyes as well without having to use a seperate product.

9. Bobbi Brown Bronzer in Golden Light

I search high and low for this bronzer for a year, and I am happy to say that it did not disappoint. Its a little more neutral than what I am used to using, but still gorgeous nonetheless. It blends like a dream and looks extremely natural when used as a bronzer. I love it to contour with as well, because it does have a cooler tone than most of my other bronzers. Definitely a great purchase!

10. Covergirl Flamed Out Mascara

Rediscovered this bad boy this month. I love this mascara so much! I have a review of it here, along with a comparison to the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, and I still stand by everything I said there. Its perfect for volume, and making my lashes look amazing. But the best part is how inexpensive it is!

11. Hurraw Grapefruit Lip Balm

I've been powering through these Hurraw lip balms this past month - I've finished another three! These are great lip balms, I really like them and I'm a huge fan of all their different flavours. These are relaticely inexpensive, and because they are raw vegan, you can just tell how good they are for your lips. Mine actually have withdrawals if I switch it up and use something different!

12. Gerard Cosmetics Lipstick in 1995

I love love love love love this lipstick! Its so perfect! It was formulated by Jaclyn Hill to be the perfect Kylie Jenner lip colour, but I don't think that its spot on. Nevertheless, I still absolutely adore it - its the perfect everyday dark nude, and it would go with so many skin tones because it is such a natural shade. I've used it a fair bit since recieving it, and I'm sure I will be repurchasing!

13. MAC Lipstick in Brave

My new fave MLBB! This is so pretty, and has basically been living in my makeup bag just in case I so happen to change my mind and want to wear it. Its just so easy to wear, its so natural (can anyone see a trend here?) and its a satin finish which are my personal preference when it comes to MAC lipsticks. It also lasts a really long time on my lips, even when I eat and drink!

14. Shanghai Suzy Lipstick in Miss Leah Baby Cocoa

THE MOST PERFECT NUDE COLOUR IN THE ENTIRE WORLD! Like Brave, this has been hanging out in my makeup bag, just in case.. Its a perfect nude, but not too nude, shade and its just perfect. That's literally the only word I can use to describe it. Its a nourishing formula, so it sits really comfortably and has a slight sheen to it. I will be buying a backup (or two or three) because Shanghai Suzy lipsticks are seasonal, not permanent, and I can't bare to be without this in my life. I HIGHLY recommend these lipsticks - they smell like grape Hubba Bubba, and even the matte formulas are super easy to wear!

18. evo Water Killer Dry Shampoo

This is such a little can which makes me so sad, because it is such a great dry shampoo! My hair goes oily really easy especially on the second day, and this is just so easy to spray in it and brush out. I used to use baby powder before this (which actually does work), and this is more finely milled so its now much easier to leave it in my hair for about two minutes before brushing it out.

19. Impulse Aerosol Perfume in Romantic Spark

Ah, this brings back so many memories for me! I used to swear by Impulse when I was younger and in high school, I used to carry them in my bag to spray whenever I wanted. I was so happy to recieve a small care package of three new and revamped scents, and this scent is perfect! It's now become a fixture in my bag again, just like when I was in my teens!

20. Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat and Ulta3 Nail Colour in Orange Blossom

I am loving the Sally Hansen top coat - I've used it with the other Miracle Gel nail polishes, and my other nail polishes as well. I'm literally in awe that I've finally found a top coat that prolongs the wear of my nail polish without me having to go to a manicurist or paying an arm and a leg. So impressed! I'm also loving the Ulta3 Orange Blossom nail polsih as well - as a pastel orange, its perfect for the warmer months and it really fits the season! I've got a whole bunch of Ulta3 nail polishes and I plan on doing a swatch post for you all soon. For the prixe you pay, they are pretty great quality polishes!

And thats it for this month! Stay tuned for Wednesday's post which will detail my FAVOURITE thing that I discovered in October. In the meantime, I'd love to hear some of your favourites from this month!

Until next time...

xxxx

in between blogging, you can find me here!

instagram: http://instagram.com/beautybybek

twitter: https://twitter.com/bekaaturner

*Some products featured were kindly sent to COAMA HQ for consideration of review. All reviews are 100% honest!

july/august favourites

Hey guys!

So I slipped up, and forgot to post my July Favourites. Actually, I was just way too busy working to actually sit down and go through the products I had been loving, but I kept track of everything so that I could do this jam-packed favourites post for you!

I have been loving SO much over July and August, I actually had to cull the list down to what I really really loved - otherwise this post would have been a newspaper. As it stands it's still bloody long, so grab a snack and a cuppa, and read on to see what I have been REALLY loving throughout these two months.

MAKE UP

1. MAC Strobe Cream

I will cry when this runs out. Its my new favourite primer. Luckily, my friend Kirsty from Lipstick Addict was kind enough to pick me up some MAC goodies on her recent trip to Hawaii, and this was one of the first on my list. This is super similar to the L'Oreal Lumi Magique Primer, except thicker, creamier and just overall better. Despite the price difference, I would 100% buy this over the L'Oreal one anytime. It's super moisturising and just gives this gorgeous subtle metallic glow all over my face - definitely will repurchase when I run out.

2. Maybelline Better Skin Foundation

I won't harp on too much about this product as I have a review here, but I love almost everything about this foundation. The only thing I really really don't like is the colour range (its unfortunately a bit oompa loompa-ish), but everything else is so on point its ridiculous. I recommend the heck out of it, especially for normal to dry skin.

3. Lioele Beyond the Solution BB Cream

Another super huge favourite, I have been using this pretty much everyday under my foundation to balance out my complexion before going in with my foundation. This is the lighter of the Lioele BB Creams - there is also one called Triple the Solution which is apparently amazing for problematic skin. This is just perfect for me and my skin type, and I'll continue to use it 'til I run out.

4. Lush Feeling Younger Skin Tint

This is actually super similar to Strobe Cream, but even more light reflective. After my primer, I've been placing a teeny amount of this (it's super pigmented!) on the high points of my face, in particular my cheekbones, and then going over it with my foundation. It's so pretty and easy to use, and it gives a subtle luminous to my face without having to go in with a million powder products to achieve that look. This is a super great product as well, because you can use it mixed in with your primer or foundation, or even just as a primer itself.

5. BareMinerals Well Rested Concealer Powder

Where has this product been all my life? Seriously? I am so stunned that I haven't been thrown into purchasing this earlier. This is the most amazing undereye powder ever - its brightening, and it even has a little bit of a tint to it which really helps conceal my undereye circles. I can't recommend this enough, I may even love it enough for it to be at holy grail status.

6. L'Oreal Lumi Magique Foundation

Rediscovered this foundation as well! I adored this back in the day, it was a huge favourite - I even own four bottles to match me at all stages of my tan. Its just a great everyday foundation, it has a beautiful healthy, dewy finish and a light-medium coverage. Dry to normal skin types, definitely try this out (I have a review here if you want to read more!).

7. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Give Me Sun

Just another bronzer to add to the collection. I love the MAC MSFs, they're amazing and I love this because its goes on like butter - its so easy to blend out for a sunkissed glow, plus the powder of the MSFs is so finely milled that it actually looks so natural. J'adore!

8. Lip Liner - NYX Mauve, MAC Whirl & Chi Chi It Girl

Yes, I have finally jumped on the lip liner bandwagon and I have been using these three alot for these two months. These are all relatively natural lip liners, so its nothing out there and I have slowly been working to slightly over line my lips. These are fantastic shades and formulas, and I would recommend them all! Watch this space as I get into a lip liner fanatic.

SKINCARE

9. Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Booster Serum

Again, I won't harp on about how much I love this because I have a review on the whole range here. But I love this serum, its super hydrating and just makes my skin feel like a million baby butts.

10. Puretopia Skin Radiance Gel Masque

OMG I LOVE THIS MASK SOOOOOO MUCH. Dead serious, I've been using it once a week and it gives my skin some extra life on top of my moisturisers. It is a gel masque, amd it promises dewier, more luminous skin - which I can totally vouch for. If you have normal/dry skin (maybe more on the normal side), I really really recommend you try this!

11. Trilogy Antioxidant+ Rosehip Oil

I used to be completely loyal to the Sukin Rosehip Oil, which is still honestly something I would recommend, but this is BETTER. I have minimal scarring from pimples, because I can't help myself and pop them all as soon as it appears, and this along with my Racinne Cleansing Brush has honestly helped to minimise those scars. Deadset, this is a little more expensive than Sukin, but I would choose this over their branded Rosehip Oil. Sorry, Sukin, I still love you!!

12. Dr Lewinn's Hydrating Cleanser

Sweet mother of Jesus, this stuff is magic in a bottle. Its a cream cleanser, so I put a little on a cotton round morning AND night, and I rub it all over my face - and it cleans and hydrates my face! Because of Winter being such a bitch to my skin, I have been loving almost over hydrating my skin, especially as night, and this really starts that process off on the right foot.

OTHER FAVESSSS

13. Prada Candy Perfume

I adore this scent so much - it smells like lollies, but like the adult version of lollies. Very sophisticated and dignified, I just feel so elegant wearing it. Not to mention its Prada, so I just feel extra special when I put it on. Only problem is that I am severely allergic to it, so I can't wear it on my skin because I break out in hives - so all my clothes basically smell amazing.

14. Hurraw Lip Balm

I've been trying to preserve my stash of Chapstick Cake Batter Lip Balms, so I started back on my Hurraw Lip Balms. This is in the flavour Green Tea, and its awesome - I remember why I loved them so much now! They are all organic ingredients, and vegan, so there is nothing bad in there for my dry chapped little lips. I 100% recommend these, they're only like $4 and they have really amazing customer service (I have a review here) plus their flavours are different and unique - get on it!

15. Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki Brush in Copper

How beautiful is this brush?! I was lucky enough to be sent this from this amazing website MYQTY (as well as giving five away to some lucky Australians) and it is the most luxurious brush I have ever seen or used. I was a sworn Beauty Blender user until this brush came on the scene, and I've been using it ever since. I really recommend MYQTY, they have amazing service, are Australian based and have some higher end brands that we can't get here in Australia. I'll be featuring one such product here on the blog tomorrow, so stay tuned....

16. Revitanail Nail Strengthener

Ugh, my nails have been so feral lately. Like bad enough that I've been cropping them out of photos, and hiding them from the world. Because I've been working so much, my nails have just been destroyed. I'm a klutz so I manage to break them on anything I touch, plus I also have to wash my hands constantly so that doesn't help them at all. I've been putting this stuff on my nails one a week for about a month now, and I'm happy to report that my nails are making a sweet as comeback!

Thats it for my July/August Faves! If you managed to make it through this, I applaud you because its long as anything. But I've just loved so much over this past two months that it was really difficult to cull anything! Ya know how it is; #makeupjunkie! Let me know some of your favourite products from August in the comments down below!

Until next time...

xxxx

in between blogging, you can find me here!

instagram: http://instagram.com/beautybybek

twitter: https://twitter.com/bekaaturner

*Some products featured were kindly sent to COAMA HQ for consideration of review. All reviews are 100% honest!

june beauty favourites

Hey guys!

June is finally at an end, and you know what that means - it's time to share my favourites of the month with you all! June was such a busy month for me - between finishing off uni assignments and exams, going back to work full time while on holidays and having all sorts of ups and downs, I've barely had time to wear makeup most days! However, I have rediscovered one product, stayed in with some current favourites and of course, fell in love with some newer products.

You know the drill - I will break this down into two categories and give you guys mini reviews of each product featured! Read on to see what I have been loving for June.

BEAUTY

1. Models Prefer Liquid Light Brightening Primer

I spoke about this primer in My Current Favourite Primers post, and I have used this almost every time I've worn makeup this month! I just love how easy this is to use - its a creamy formula with subtle gold shimmers throughout. Once applied, it has this lovely cooling effect on my skin and it just subtley brightens up my complexion without looking like a disco ball. You can find this here on the Priceline website for $16.99AU.

2. Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Foundation

This was featured in my May Favourites post, and also here where I have a full review on it. I won't harp on - I love this foundation, its amazing and when I have tan it matches me perfectly. I just really enjoy it, and I'm dreading the fact that I may run out of it sooner rather than later. I'm not sure how much this retails for in Australia (I'm going to guess and say the $50-60 range) but you can find it here on the Benefit website (yes, it ships internationally!) for $36US.

3. Australis Fresh & Flawless Pressed Powder 

My rediscovered love.. I actually always had this in my makeup bag for touch ups, though I rarely used it. But lately my foundation has been rubbing off my nose and chin badly - so bad that those areas are basically white and the rest of my face is my foundation colour. Now, I set those areas with this powder to give me a little extra coverage, plus it does help them last a little longer as well. I love how flawless this makes my skin look, not cakey whatsoever! The only thing that sucks about this powder is it's colour range - luckily, Deep Natural fits my skin tone exactly! You can find this here on the Priceline website for $11.40AU.

4. MAC Extra Dimension Bronzer in Aphrodites Shell

Eeeeek, I waited so long for this collection to come out! I was so in love with the packaging, plus the fact that the product inside was a plus in itself.. I was a mermaid in a former life, so of course I was going to buy it. This bronzer is just such a gorgeous colour - a beautiful golden brown colour that has just the right amount of pigment that it doesn't look muddy. Just a beautiful bronzed glow. Plus, this can be used dry and wet! How cool! This is the first extra dimension anything that I've owned from MAC, but I love it. I'm not sure if this is still available in stores at MAC, but its been sold out online since it came out.

5. Covergirl Flamed Out Mascara

Oh lawdy, this mascara has been my jam all month! I've actually had to physically force myself to swap it out of my everyday products to give others a chance. I won't say too much, as this will be featured in another blog post this week, but I fricken love it and I will 100% repurchase! You can find this here on the Priceline website for $14.95AU.

6. Benefit Benebalm Hydrating Lip Balm

Again, LOVING all these balms. I mentioned Posiebalm and Lollibalm in my May Favourites and this is my latest addition to that collection. This is just the most natural rose lip colour, and it just goes with everything! Super easy to just slick on so it looks like MLBB. These haven't been released in Australia yet (they will be in August) but they are available here on the Benefit website for $18US.

SKINCARE

7. BioElixia Multi Action Eye Serum

I mentioned this in my Winter Skincare Essentials post, and you guys, I am so impressed with it. It is so hydrating under my eyes, and it sinks in almost immediately into my eye area. I just love how easy it is to use - I've even taking it to placing a little on my nose area and the sides of my lips because those are my dreaded dry areas in Winter, and it works perfectly. You can find this here on the BioElixia website for $39.95AU or you can also find it in store at Myer and David Jones in Australia.

8. Stefan EcoCoco Tan

OMG I am so glad this tan paved its way into my life. This is a cream that develops on your skin, and its infused with coconut oil so it doubles as a body moisturiser as well! I won't lie, the first time I actually used it I thought that it wasn't going to work - and boy was I wrong! This develops into this gorgeous golden colour, and if you put a second coat on it never looks orange - it just enchances that glow. Plus, it smells exactly like coconut, no fake tan smell here. So impressed with this, and I definitely want to try more from this range! You can find this here on the Ecococo for $29.95AU

And that's it for my June favourites! What were some of your staples this month?

Until next time...

xxxx

click here to read my may beauty favourites!

in between blogging, you can find me here!

instagram: http://instagram.com/beautybybek

twitter: https://twitter.com/bekaaturner