6 Beauty Hacks you can't believe you were living without!

Best of the Beauty Hacks

I'm about to let you in on some of the best wee beauty secrets around that will save you boatloads of time, energy, and help avoid some major frustration!

1. Heated eyelash curler

Don't feel like paying around $40 for an expensive heated eyelash curler, to give your lashes that added volume? The answer is super simple. Before using your eyelash curler hold it under the hairdryer for around 15-20 seconds, then pop it on your lashes for a stress free curl!

2. Easy eyeliner

If you're like me and hate putting on eyeliner because it looks like you have literally taken a black crayon to your eyelid, then this ones for you. Once again you want to take your eyelash curler and line the top rubber curler section with some eyeliner, which will then transfer into a neat line upon application, simple as that!

3. Get more from your foundation

One thing that drives me insane about liquid foundation is the waste! If your using a sponge, or pouring it onto the back of your hand you will understand that a lot of product can get left behind. My first suggestion is to ditch the sponge, and get yourself a flat top stippling brush (my personal preference), or a foundation brush if thats more to your taste. These brushes don't swallow up half as much make up as your sponge will, and there also much easier to clean and more hygienic. Another tip is to squirt the foundation (one pump, or amount at a time) straight onto the brush, and then spread onto your face. Not only does this save a TON of product, it also makes your foundation easier to spread, and doesn't leave you with that make-up coated hand. You may need to wash your brushes out a wee bit more for this, but it is totally worth it!

4. Save your broken beauties!

Ever had a melted lipstick or shattered eyeshadow you had to throw out because you thought there was no way to fix it? Turns out its super simple! For a broken lipstick hold a hairdryer or lighter to the break until it softens, then press the broken piece back on top, and smooth the edges. Place the tube in the freezer for around 20 minutes, or until it seems ready! For a shattered palette, wrap a piece of glad wrap/cling wrap over the top to avoid mess and using a small tool (i use the end of an eyeshadow brush) smash up the pieces until they are even smaller. Then, add small amounts of alcohol (one that won't leave a smell) to smooth it back over with a spoon and leave to set. Your palette should be good as new!

5. Quick dry your nails

If your ever in hurry when painting your nails, or just impatient like me, try popping your freshly painted nails into a bowl of cold water and leave them for a few minutes, They should be dry and read to go once you remove them.

6. Spritz it right

Ever sprayed your perfume, only to have the scent disappear minutes later? The trick is to spray your scent onto heat points such as behind your ears, in your elbows and wrists and behind your knees, to keep the scent going. Through out the day, as you get hotter in these points, you will be able to smell your perfume waaayyyy better.

Hope these helped ad thanks for reading

Love Becca :)

xo

GiftGuide | 3 Stocking Stuffers for the beauty lovers

Gift Guide

With it being so close to christmas I thought I would share a few Beauty presents for those of you who have left your gift shopping to the last minute, or have no clue what to  get the make-up junkie in your life (although lets be honest, if your here, you're probably the make up addict!) ;)

1. Nail Polish kit

The first wee stocking stuffer is the Ciate mini paint palette, which I picked up for $20NZD from 1Day sale. If you live overseas (i.e not New Zealand, or Australia), you can probably pick it up for a much better price. This kit comes in the cutest pink gift set, and has 8 different mini-polishes (which are actually a really good size). With a mix of a few glitters, metallic and bold christmas colours (The deep red is perfect for christmas!) this kit is a great gift. It obviously doesn't have to be something super similar to this kit however, and any nail kit- pre-made or one that you put together yourself- can make a really thoughtful gift.

Ciate also do some really great other sets which you can check out here

2. Mini Make-up

Anything little and undersized automatically becomes super cute, and this Too Faced mini bronzer and Kabuki brush kit is the perfect example. A lot of mini-me cult favourites emerge in the holiday season, and as such they are a great opportunity for gifts that top off a present, smaller gifts for friends, or an adorable stocking stuffer. The thing that makes this Too Faced 'Tan without the Twinkle' Matte kit even better as it has the signature chocolate soleil scent.

I grabbed this Too Face kit from Sephora, for around $8 USD. 

3. Make-up brushes 

Now this gift can become expensive pretty fast, but if  you look in the right places you can get an amazing deal on amazing products. For a make-up brush kit thats not too overwhelming,  check out bossy cosmetics brush kit which is really affordable at $25NZD (Currently on Sale!!) and free shipping within New Zealand for a limited time (better hurry!) Bossy also do some great brush cleansing options. Check them out here!

Or of your looking to get a pretty full brush set as a main gift for that lucky someone, check out kits such as Real techniques (which you can get for a steal on IHerb), or xoBeauty.

I hope this gave you a few idea, good luck with your gift shopping and happy holidays!

Love Becca

xo

How to wash your make up brushes

How to wash your make up brushes

Washing my brushes is something that is such a chore, and i really don't look forward to it. As such, I have hunted down one of the fastest and most pain free methods to get your brushes looking sparkling new.

First off you will need a cleaner, such as Mac's brush cleaner, but any other brand will do. If you don't have a brush cleaner try baby shampoo, which is a cheap alternative that is still gentle on brushes.

Next I like to take the time to rinse out all my brushes, gently rubbing them against the palm of my hand under running water to remove some of the make up build up. You want to try to keep the majority of the brush, such as the base where the bristles meet the handle, dry. Too much water in this area is bad for the glue, and can result in brush malting. 

I then like to fill my sink with some mildly warm water and add some brush cleaner to the the water, leaving them to soak for awhile, and again trying to keep the area where the glue is from being submerged.

After a little while soaking, I rinse off the brushes, and add a bit more cleanser to those brushes that really need it, working it through the bristles then rinsing them off. I then gently towel dry them, smoothing the bristles back into shape, and then leave the brushes to dry in my benjabelle holder. I like to have them upside down, as it means the water doesn't run down into the brush.

Give your brushes a wee bit of time to dry off, and hooray, nice clean brushes, in a way thats relatively pain-free. Hope this helps you out and thanks for reading!

Love Becca :)

xo

Super simple home decor

Home Decorations you can do yourself

I recently moved into a new apartment, and wanted some new ways to decorate, without spending a fortune. Here are some easy ways to spice up your space!

I love collecting old classics with amazing covers, and decided to put some on display, with a wee New York snow globe on the top (this ones from typo). I put this on top of my small  bookcase, as it ties in well, but means it doesn't look so bare. These books were super inexpensive at around $5 for all of them at a second hand bookstore. You could also check out antique stores or book sales. 

I also wanted to decorate my coffee table without taking the whole thing over, so I opted for a small plant, candlestick and a book. 

I chose to put the plant (which was $3 at the warehouse) in a jar, as i thought being able to see the soil would be a bit different. The jar is also from the warehouse, another bargain at only 70 cents! I also really loved this copper candle stick, and it matched my grey and wood coffee table perfectly. Its also from the warehouse, in the 'Gatsby Collection' for $12. The artesian pizza recipe book is sufficing until I hunt down something more coffee table appropriate.

This next idea is so easy, and probably my favourite. I decided to make a firefly jar of my own, with a mason jar (easy to find at the supermarket, craft stores, ect) and a battery operated string of fairy lights ($3 at Bunnings or Kmart). I love having these wee fairy lights on later at night as they are super cute and give out a much softer light. 

This last one is again using a mason jar (I have an obsession!), which I filled with semi-precious-but really cheap- wee stones and crystals. My jar still has a way to go, but it does have some stones like quartz, jade, agate and topaz, all of which can be easily tracked down at a spiritual store, or your local market.

I hope these super simple tips gave you some ideas (I am in no way a professional at this sort of stuff!) for spicing up your space. Stay tuned for a festive christmas version on decking out your house.

Thanks for reading,

Love Becca :)

xo

Products I recommend-the Benjabelle brush tree

Benjabelle brush tree-Daisy 

I recently picked up the Daisy model of the  Benjabelle brush tree, in white and I am absolutely in love with it! The packing is pretty cute, and I was also really impressed with the fast and informative shipping they gave!

The tree is super easy to put together, and is really well made. The idea is to dry your brushes effectively after washing them (a chore basically everyone hates), so the tree is a great, easy way to dry brushes quickly, thoroughly and in a way that means they don't lose their shape. 

I chose the daisy model as it wasn't too big, and had a variety of rubberised brush holder holes, so it would do face and eye brushes. Also, this was one of the cheapest at $20, so I could totally justify it to myself, haha. 

If your intrested in having a wee squizz at your own brush tree, have a look here. Before I purchased mine, I had a hunt for similar products to compare, and i have to say, Benjabelle have produced something that seemed to really be lacking in the market, as I could't find anything else like it. 

Thanks for reading,

Love Becca :)

xo

Review of Lipidol cleansing face oil

Lipidol cleansing face oil

Right off the bat, Lipidol was one brand I was really impressed with, due to their simplistic yet appealing packaging, and that they offered a range of products all for a set price of $9.95NZD. 

When first using the cleansing face oil I found the product a little mystifying as the product appeared to be a liquid, but was actually more of an oil and when you add water turns into a white cleansing gel, but I found with a little practise it worked great. The oil was really moisturising, but not in a greasy way. It also works really well at removing makeup, including the eyes.

Overall, this product was a great price and very impressive quality, and I can't wait to try out other products of the brand.

If you want to find out more about Lipidol, click here. I found mine at Farmers department store. 

Thanks for reading,

Love Becca 

xo

Review on Covergirl's outlast stay fabulous foundation

Review: Covergirl foundation

I recently found myself in need of a new foundation, and decided to give cover girl's outlast, stay fabulous 3 in 1 foundation, as I had seen some beauty bloggers giving it a go. 

I grabbed mine in the tone 'buff beige' and payed $18NZD for it, which isn't too bad, as I think it generally retails for around $20NZD. In giving a review of this, my opinion are mixed. I found that it has a nice light weight feel to it, a handy pump applicator and the colour I picked matched my skin perfectly, which is something I often struggle with. However, from first application I really struggled in applying it. I varied between flat top brushes, foundation brushes and the lot before i moved on to a  blending sponge from Beauty Bay (the same shape as a beauty blender, but not the same size). this sponge was the only thing that I could use to get the foundation to evenly settle across my face without streaking or leaving patches. I also found that the coverage varied between light-to-medium coverage when I personally prefer a medium-to-full coverage. 

However, despite these few issues, I do find myself liking this product, if used with a tear-drop sponge, and experimented with a few times to get the right technique.

Hoped this helped, and thanks for reading :)

Love Becca,

xo

Review: Mary Kay eyeliner and Avon mega effects mascara

Review on Mary Kay eyeliner and Avon mascara

I've always been a little skeptical about catalogue beauty products, but lately decided it was time to take the dive and give one a go. I must say I was really pleasantly surprised by the quality of both these products.

The Eyeliner

The Pink packaging theme for this product was really cute, but the quality of the product itself was great. The colour pay off was really good, and the eyeliner stayed true to form with no smudging or wearing. It also has a really great point, and comes with a handy sharpening tip when you remove a part of the lid.

The Mascara

When I first came across this mascara, it was a little confusing. It looks almost like a wee paint brush, but after a few practise rounds application was super easy, and i was amazed with this product. The black pigment is really true to form, giving even, long and thick looking lashes. It also does not flake easily or leave out, but doesn't take forever to scrub off.

All in all I was really impressed with these products, and totally recommend them! 

Thanks for reading :)

Love Becca

xo

Review on Social Eyes Lashes

Review on Social Eyes Lashes by Karissa Pukas

I recently picked up some lashes from 'Social Eyes', a brand you may have heard brought out by Youtube Beauty guru Karissa Pukas. 

I grabbed a pair of the cute Peek-a boo lashes, and I was really impressed not only with the quality and the cute packaging, but also the fact that the lashes are free of animal cruelty

These lashes are particularly good for first time users, or a more simple and and subtle daytime look. They have a nice thin, and good quality band and as such I definatly recommend them.If you would like to grab your own, click here to visit the social eyes webpage

Thanks for reading,

Love Becca :)

xo

Halloween looks

Getcha Halloween on

With Halloween fast approaching, I thought it was only appropriate to post some fun and easy looks achieved with make-up. To get a better effect try using costume or face paint :)

Look 1: Fawn/ Deer 

I love this cute look which I achieved with concealer/white eyeliner for the spots, a lot of bronzer and some eyeliner and brown shadows (The too faced chocolate bar palette is great for this look)

Look 2: Cat

This simple look can be amped up with an even darker smokey eye. For this I used eyeliner, again heavy bronzer (NYX) , red lipstick for a dark vampy lip (NYX Snow White and Gerard Cosmetics 1995), the brow bar to go, and a mix of sleek Shangri-La and Naked 3 for the eye. This look is pretty easy to create.

Look 3: Zombie

Before we start, lets get something out the way: This is possibly the best i have ever looked, I know. Jokes aside, this look would have had a greater effect with some green and white costume paint, but i made do with what I had.  I used the Skin 79 super whitening BB cream for a paler base with a lot of brightening concealer (Maybelline age rewind) and Elf high definition setting powder. I used the Shangri-La palette in blacks, greens and yellows across my face and eyes to give me a sickly look and gave myself some heavy-duty brows. I used NYX snow white on my lips again, dabbled with a bit of concelealer, and wiped my hand across my mouth to give it a more realistic 'just finished a tasty fleshy meal look'. 

Look 4: Fairy

(Sorry!, I just could not get a good photo for this one!)

Now this one is a bit more challenging to identify without a costume, and didn't pick up all too well. However my tips for this one include bright pink cheeks (I used a BYS blush palette that has REALLY great colour pay off), a lilac and lavender lid, and  had a nude lip (you could add a soft or bright lip). I added a bit of an over-exaggerated eye flick, but you could be more dramatic with a specialised eye design that may match your costume a bit more (such as flowers or vines for a forest fairy.  The last step is to add A LOT of glitter. Caution-you may regret this by the end of the night :)

Hope this gave you some ideas-remember don't be scared to play around with looks!

Here's a bonus for you:

The cutest wee bunny you will see all day :)

Thanks for reading,

Becca :)

xo

The top 5 ELF products

Top 5 ELF products

ELF cosmetics (Eyes. Lips. Face) are a great brand for some affordable products, however sometimes it can be a bit of a hit or miss, when choosing which products to order.To save you the trouble of the  'miss', here are my top 5 'hit' products :)

1. The wet gloss Lash and Brow clear mascara

 This double ended brush product is amazing for holding brows in place, and can be used with or without a product  underneath. I love this as it keeps my brows in place all day, is invisible and is super affordable retailing between $1-$3.

2. The studio High Definition Under Eye setting powder 

This light-weight powder is great for setting the under eye area, as it gets rid of an excessively shiny or caked look concealer may have left, and also brightens the area, making you look wide awake! Again this is a really reasonably priced product, at around $3.

3. ELF Studio Baked Blushes 

These blushes are wonderful as they give a really beautiful natural glow, spread and blend really easily, and come in handy packaging. They add a little shimmer to the cheeks, but nothing to excessive and on average are about $3. 

                                   4.  Studio Lip Exfoliator

This product is really at the top of my list for my favourite lip products. This lip exfoliator comes in a

handy lipstick tube, and as such is very easy to use (apply the same as you would a lipstick). The small exfoliant beads do a great job for gently removing dead and loose skin from the lips, but are neither to harsh or irritating. It also has a pleasant chocolate smell, and similar taste (if you happen to lick it off). It leaves no coating or colour and is a real steal for $3. If you chose to purchase any ELF product, I absolutely recommend this one!

5. Studio Matte lip colour 

This gem is great for use as an all over lip colour or as a lip liner (just be a little wary of the thicker than usual applicator tip). The colour pay off is great, and the formula is smooth and creamy, and not at all drying. It also comes in a range of shades for an average of (again!) $3.

If you wish to purchase any of these products, I recommend the below stockists:

USA and Canada: ELF website

NZ and Worldwide: iHerb

Thanks for reading,

Love Becca

xo