My MAC Pro Palette Eye shadow Quad

I use my customised Pro Palette eye shadow quad every single day. I seriously spent hours researching all of the eye shadow options before I settled on these four shades, because I wanted four shades that would all complement each other. I was drawn to a customised, refillable palette, as opposed to a palette where the shades were already chosen, because I didn’t want any duds.

I use Naked Lunch all over my eyelid, and Orb under my brow bone and in the inner corner of my eye for a subtle daytime highlight. Smut is the most recent addition to my quad, and I have been using it daily along my upper lash line for a subtle, smoky, daytime look. I usually reserve Satin Taupe for more of a night-time smoky eye look.

The Pro Palette eye shadows and MAC Pro Palette eye shadow quad (empty) are only available for purchase at MAC pro stores, but they do ship nationwide. I purchased mine at the MAC Pro store in Britomart, Auckland – see here.  

Refill MAC eye shadows are NZD $30 in NZ (for 1.3 grams) and are USD $10 in the USA – see the USA MAC website here

The MAC Pro Palette Eyeshadow quad’s (empty)  are about NZD $15 in NZ and are USD $8 in the USA – see the USA MAC website here 

Love Melissa 

Stila All Over Shimmer Duo in Kitten

There is something about highlighting powder that just makes me happy. This purchase from Stila is no exception, and I sometimes catch myself just looking at the shimmery powder. Stila describes their All Over Shimmer Duo as follows:

“Stila reimagines their perennial best-selling eye shadow shade, Kitten, into a multi-tasking masterpiece. A highlighter, eye shadow and décolleté powder all in one, the micro-fine pearl formula adheres to the skin for a natural, illuminating glow to enhance the complexion and diffuse imperfections on the skin.”

  
I use a mix of the dark and light side for my cheekbones for the perfect evening glow. If you want to wear this during the day you will need a very light hand. For a daytime highlighting powder I would recommend Hourglass Ambient light Powder – I reviewed ‘Diffused Light’ here. 


I like to use the light shade for highlighting my inner eye area, and the darker shade as an eyeshadow when I’m travelling. This product is fabulous when travelling because of its so multi-purpose. It will also last you a long time – at the rate I’m going, the one I have will last me a lifetime!

Stila All Over Shimmer Duo in Kitten is $42 (for 5.3 grams) and can be purchased at Mecca Cosmetica in New Zealand here.

Rimmel London Apocalips Lip Lacquer in Stellar (501)

Are you looking for a bold lip for a night out? Look no further than Rimmel London Apocalips Lip Lacquer in the colour Stellar! This is such an incredible colour – it’s not red or pink, it’s somewhere in the middle.

If you are not feeling brave enough to rock such a statement lip colour, try wearing it as a stain – shown in the third photo below. This is a perfect way to wear this shade for the daytime.

Top: bare lips, Middle: Rimmel London Apocalips Lip Lacquer in the colour Stellar (501), Bottom: Rimmel London Apocalips Lip Lacquer in the colour Stellar (501) worn as a stain 

At just $17.99 NZD (for 5.5 ml) there is no excuse not to try one of these out for your self.

Visit the UK Rimmel London website here or the US Rimmel London website here

Note: in the Unites States these are called Show Off Lip Lacquer – not Apocalips Lip Lacquer – but they are the exact same thing.

Love Melissa

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light

I am a sucker for highlight powder, especially one as hyped as the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder. I found it really difficult to decide which type of ‘light’ I wanted to buy. And no, at $82 NZD (equivalent to $70 USD, but these retail for $45 USD in America) I was not going to purchase all six!

Diffused Light is described as “a soft, warm, pale yellow that reduces redness, eliminates shine, and gives skin clarity”. If this seems like a tall order for a powder it’s because it is. Don’t expect a miracle worker if you buy this powder, but do expect a really lovely highlight that is not too much for daytime on the high points of your cheeks.

Hourglass Ambient lighting powder is 10 grams, and can be brought in New Zealand at Mecca Cosmetica here and in America at Sephora here

Love Melissa 

Easter in Wanaka and Arrowtown

Over the Easter break we went to Wanaka and Arrowtown. Autumn is the most beautiful time of the year in Central Otago - the colours were incredible!

Clockwise from top left: Wanaka, Arrowtown area, Arrowtown's Arrow River, and a heart-shaped stone in the Arrow River

Love Melissa

My Ultimate Makeup Base Trio

These three products together form my ultimate makeup base trio! The result of these three makeup products is a naturally beautiful base without any shimmer! 

A little bit about my face: I have combination skin and get the odd spot that requires covering. I work in an office, so I like to wear natural makeup that doesn’t look scary under artificial light!
  
Chanel Vitalumière Aqua Foundation (in 22 Beige Rosè)

I had to try this after FleurdeForce - one of my favourite Youtubers – declared this her favourite foundation. This is now my favourite foundation too. It is a light to medium coverage foundation, and it looks beautiful and not cakey in natural light. Just remember to shake it well before you use this!

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (in Light 2 Vanilla)

I LOVE this concealer. It is the perfect consistency for covering spots but not so much that they look worse than before you started. If you don't already own this concealer I suggest you go out and buy it.

Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre natural finish loose powder (in 30 Natural)

This powder is a delight to apply and I really can't say enough good things about it. You get a whopping 30 grams, so although expensive it works out to be quite a reasonable cost per wear. This powder doesn't make you look matte or cakey at all, or cover up the luminosity of your foundation. It really is my Holy Grail powder, and I wouldn't want to be without it.

More Details:

Chanel Vitalumière Aqua Foundation is $98 (for 30 ml) at Farmers in New Zealand - see Chanel's website

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer is $46 (for 6 ml) at Mecca Cosmetica in New Zealand here

Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre loose powder is $86 (for 30 grams) at Farmers in New Zealand - see Chanel's website

My first post!

This is my very first blog post ever! Allow me to introduce myself - my name is Melissa. I am a twenty-something New Zealander and am one year into my career after six years at University. I love all things beauty, and spend countless hours researching beauty products online. I started to think, 'why not start my own blog where I can share my ideas on beauty, lifestyle, food and my journey down the aisle!' And here we are.

Love Melissa