Feeling Trippy, Purple Lippy!

Do you ever have those spur of the moment thoughts about doing something you're completely unfamiliar with? But just want to do it, so you can say you did it? Well, I do. In fact, I have them quite often but I never find myself acting on it. Just like how I keep telling myself I'd live overseas for a year; it's pretty on paper, but, I could never do it, not now anyway. Baby steps Niki, baby steps. And so, with that being said I made my first risqué decision in a long time. I bought dark purple lipstick.

I was walking around Myer one day and as I passed the MAC booth, there they were; dark purple shades staring at me. I couldn't help but wonder whether I could ever pull it off? You rarely see people in Australia (not too sure about the UK or US) wear dark purple lipstick on a casual day, or even on a night out. It's always the classic red or pink which I wouldn't argue with. And, it's always those really gutsy girls who can really pull it off. Curiosity basically won me over which eventually made be make two surprisingly affordable purchases at Priceline.

Rimmel London UK in shades 04 & 128

So, behold the two latest additions to my ever growing lipstick collection. The two were a 'congratulations on making it to work early enough for a stroll' present for myself. The dark purple shade I purchased for only $5.95 is a part of Rimmel's Kate Moss collection as shade 04. The deep red is also Rimmel called 'Starry-Eyed' in shade 128 for only $4.95!

I didn't want to be overly impulsive and resort to MAC for these shades for $35, when I've never owned these shades before. And, to be quite honest, I love Rimmel's lipstick simply because it does the job right! Given that you exfoliate your lips and moisturise beforehand as part of prep, Rimmel's lipsticks aren't flakey. They're long lasting (in fact I still have remnants of the swatches still on my wrist despite washing it off multiple times). And, the pigments are perfectly rich, bold and if you just rub your lips with one layer on you're pretty much set for a few hours.

The two shades are so rich in texture and in depth, that the photo above are only two layers! I like the fact that there is a little bit of shine and shimmer to them, making it not so heavy and matte on the lips.

So here they are! (Yes, I've also fallen in love with the kaleidoscope effect). I really love the coverage of them both, I can't seem to stop raving about it. As you can probably tell I adore warm/deep shades of red so I can't wait to wear it whenever and wherever! But, my main question is, where could I wear the purple? What do you think? I wish I had the guts to wear it out, and I hope I find the guts to do so soon, I really like the shade! lol.

xo

The Haunting

Mum: So, how are your grades this semester?

Me: Mother what's important is that we have our health...

So, hello there strangers! I know, we're not really strangers but it feels as though I've ressurected from the dead and have come back to haunt you all. I haven't posted anything since MAY which is a ridiculously poor effort on my behalf and I apologise. As I said in my last post (which, if it were printed would have archived in some old run down library by now) I was swamped with university work. Since finishing the semester a couple of weeks ago I then took on more shifts at work in order to save up for my much needed escape for Melbourne on the 26th of this month! I'm so excited, particularly because Melbourne is well known for its delicious food, timeless style and the fact that to an extent it's different to Sydney, which is exactly what I need.

So here's hoping I'll never leave again. I'm feeling particularly motivated and inspired and can't wait to share my finds and frowns and everything in between with you! 

I'm still alive!!

Hey guys, so I know I haven't posted anything in what is in fact, forever. I didn't realise just how quickly time passes as I've been buried beneath university readings, presentations, essays and coffee cups. I honestly can't wait until this semester is over, I could really do with a month off! Just so I could sleep well, eat well and party - wooo.

How's everyone going? I've also got a few posts planned! I've just started a collaboration with one company (let's see if you can pick it out?) and will post a few complimentary goodies they've shared with me so I'm super super excited about.

Hope to talk to you all soon! (Just thought I'd write a quick post, let you all know I'm still alive lol)

The bags under my eyes are Chanel..

Ice Cream Milkshake

Every store I seem to go lately are pretty much focused on all of the warmer tones. It makes me sad because winter here has been really pretty; sunny skies and cooler breezes. Yet everyone is dressed in blacks, navy and burgundy. So, I'm feeling really nostalgic. I've gone through my photos and found a pretty little folder with pretty pastel pieces. Tasty pinks, sky blues and every shade in between.

Ah, I miss summer. 

40% Off Cosmetics, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

So last week after uni I decided to grab a bite to eat before I headed home, which is silly because I could have just eaten the food there? I guess I was just in the mood to spend, which isn't good when you combine it with a Priceline 40% off all cosmetics sale which lasted for that day (Priceline is pretty much like your Boots in the UK.  So yep. It's official, I suck at saving money... 

But, it was on sale at least!

Revlon Photo Ready BB Cream with SPF 30: $25.95 $14.97

I've read mixed reviews about this product and I thought I'd give it a go myself considering I was in need of a new BB cream anyway. It may be in a small package but I found that you didn't need to use much anyway. Once applied to the skin it felt light and seemed to blend in well with my tone. I am prone to oily skin at times but once I applied my foundation powder over my face it seemed to maintain that shine without making it look oily at all. It's still too early to tell but so far it seems pretty good!

Models Prefer Slanted Liner in Carbon Black $9.99 $5.99

After moving between crayon, pencil to gel, liquid eyeliner is the one for me. I always apply my liquid liner last and this eyeliner is just perfect for me. It's texter-like applicator makes it have a smooth application, dispensing the perfect shade of black with perfect straight lines. The fact that the tip is slanted means that it allows you to experiment with the thickness. I find it so much easier doing the cat-eye outline with it. And it dries so quickly on the eyelid!

Prestige My Brow Mascara: $12.95 $7.75

In Australia I feel like they don't really advertise the use of brow gel as much as they do in the UK - I say this because I searched high and low throughout the shelves of Priceline and found that this was the only one there. I like using brow gel because just keeps everything in tact throughout the day - woman cannot rely on just eyebrow pencil alone. 

L'oreal Paris False Lash Telescopic: $26.95 $16.15

I was actually really excited to buy this simply because it's the latest one on the market that they've been advertising. I'm a fan of really volumised, thick lashes so it made sense to try it out. I absolutely love it so far. The brush allows me to reach the little picky lashes towards the corner of my eyes yet keep them neat. The more I add on, the higher they go and I really like that. I've worn it a couple of times since I've gone out and it's really done the trick, kept it's shape all night (and I love how it's waterproof!)

Nothing But Neutrals

Global Concepts - Robert Delong
So lately I've been swamped with assignments involving me cutting out pieces of white paper onto black cardboard. I've always loved mounting things and so lately I've been really inspired by straight lines and cut out edges. I love the play of material too, from firm and structured to free flow silhouettes. Keeping it simple and minimalistic has always been one of my favourite looks - whether its white on white, black on black or black and white I've found you can never go wrong. Basically, 
it's back to basics and Global Concepts really gets me in the mood!

What do you think?

p.s. I do not take any credit for any of these photos.

Frosty Friday

It's been a fairly cold day, with the tops of 19 degrees celsius I spent a majority of my day in uni, tucked in the corner of the library trying to catch up with work I've been far too lazy to put 100% into. I hate weather like this; sunny yet chilly - simply because I can never think of the right outfit to wear, other than that I quite like the feel of the breeze on my skin. 

I was able to find my long lost favourite pair of leggings which had the half wetlook thing going on. I don't quite know how to describe it but hopefully you all know what I'm talking about. It was lovely however meeting up with my best friend for lunch for an hour and just do what we do best; laugh. As well as have that feeling of accomplishment when you successfully escape the wrath of a boring lecture. 

I walked home just so I could get that hit of exercise only to discover that I had forgotten my keys. I had to wait an hour for someone aka my dad to come home with keys. But in that moment where I struggled for survival I did decide to take a couple of photos on my laptop. 

So apologies over how shit the quality is, but here's my outfit? Whatever...

Bag: Forever New $69.99 Sneakers: Converse $50 Sweater: Forever New $79.99

Watch: Marc Jacobs Leggings: Topshop $40

This semester, I really don't want to look like I'm trying too hard to dress up - I just wanna wear something comfortable, fun and easy to put together seeing as I barely have enough time in the morning and a majority of my outfits are from work - with the 40% discount, it's the retail world benefit lol.

Meet & Tweet!

Hello everyone, hope all is well :) I've just noticed that I've recently hit 100 followers on here and it has actually made me so happy like 'teehee' happy! I'd love to get to know you all and I'm always up for a good chat so I hope we can all be pals!? - Yes, this is by far the lamest post on Blogspot. 

I'm a tweetaholic, I'm not sure if that's the wisest thing to admit but would love it if we could all connect! Follow me on Twitter and I'll be sure to follow back! Or even, leave your username down below and we'll get this partizzle startizzled! :)

Much love!

@nkeeezy

(click above)

One's A Party, Two's A Crowd... NOT!

So a few months ago (I'd say maybe a month and a half seeing as I haven't had this blog for long) I had a near mental breakdown when I discovered Topshop in Sydney stopped selling the Beguiled lipstick that I so badly loved for the season. My love for wine is slowly becoming a sickness, I need help!

As a last minute I'm bored but I have 20 minutes until work starts visit to Myer in the city, I made an impulsive splurge at MAC and purchased a wine shaded matte lipstick, Diva. Not only that but I purchased the closest shade of lip liner available, Burgundy. 

I felt pretty good with myself as I went to work for a few hours; knowing that my quest for the perfect shade of wine was completed I thought I'd treat myself to a little bit of shopping. That was when I saw it, dammit. On the shelves of the Topshop make up section, the word Beguiled just staring back at me, smiling. I was furious, I was confused, I was silly. Without even thinking about what I had done just six hours earlier I marched to the counter and completed the transaction for my lipstick.

So, I guess you can now say I have two of the same shades of lipsticks - and this actually isn't the first time! You can't tell me you've never bought the same nail polish shade because you liked the shade so much! Hmm, thought so!



I noticed however, as close as they may be, when I used them I noticed significant differences. Which is odd considering I thought I loved the Topshop's coverage! And I still do, I'll have you know. Diva seemed to glide more easily, I guess that's what is expected from a MAC lipstick. I felt that I instantly knew I'd get a much fuller lip from it. Whilst Beguiled, whilst it has amazing pigmentation too had more sheen to it, so it made me even more happier.

MAC's Diva in Matte vs Topshop's Beguiled, in natural light

In terms of value for money however, I still believe I'm in a win win situation. I have yet to fall for a drug store brand lipstick; they either seem to thin, last for a very small amount of time and seem to be worth double what I paid for with Topshop! In Sydney, MAC lipsticks usually range between $20 - $30 so it's a given you expect top notch standards, which I do and did receive. For only paying $15 at Topshop I'm still so pleased with the amount of pigmentation and the duration of the lipcolour. Given you use a lipliner like I do, I can actually go a whole 10 hour shift of talking to people.

Why can't all my other lipsticks last like this?

So I guess this union could only mean one thing: t that I now have a Beguiled wine lippy for the day time and a Diva matte lippy for night! And if I ever had to go from day to night I wouldn't have to worry about removing one shade to another, because I could simply go over it like a usual lipliner would. (BWHAHAHA)

I guess when you put two shades of wine together you really get to spot the difference; one makes me feel like red velvet cupcakes the other makes me want to write love letters and seal it with a kiss.

MAC's Diva in Matte vs Topshop's Beguiled, in flash

What I've also fallen in love with in terms of lip care is my spur of the moment purchase: Lush's Mint Julips Lip Scrub. I've been sick of having such horribly chapped lips, and since winter is slowly approaching I couldn't deal! I'm actually surprised with how addicted I am to it, and how I need to refrain from eating it every now and then. But it tastes like white chocolate, with a minty twist its delightful even if it is just tasty sugar.

 So how about you guys? Ever loved a shade so much you splurged like I did in the same day? Or perhaps, anything in general? Maybe I should stay away from the wine for a little while...