With Christmas well and truly on the way (I even put my Christmas tree up already... is that too early?), I thought it would be the perfect time to share this haul I recently ordered from Feelunique. There are loads of gift guides on blogs and YouTube but I thought I would just focus on a few products here and there that I think would make great gifts for beauty lovers, or simply if you want to treat yourself. 

Each year the M.A.C Christmas/Holiday collections just get better and better, and also bigger. The 2016 Nutcracker Sweet collection is absolutely stunning with so many products available, including singles and a large array of gift sets, all packaged in the pink/purple/gold theme. One of the sets they have is the adorable Lipstick Kits containing 4 popular lipstick shades.

ColourPop is not being kind to my bank account lately with all of the amazing deals, discounts and collabs that have been released this past month. A couple months back, they had a $5 international shipping offer which I could not turn down as usually the shipping, based on weight, can get really pricey when sending to NZ. As I write this they also have a free international shipping promo with no minimum spend, so you know I got amongst that! I hadn't done an order in a while so I went a little crazy and got loads of beautiful products to try out. Here's the rundown on what I got.

Luxury brands don't get much better than YSL. It is timeless, chic and classic, with a gorgeous array of makeup and skincare products, as well as perfumes that look and feel luxurious and expensive. I have always admired from afar, almost too scared to try the products at department store counters, but a couple of years ago I bought my first YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick, and fell in love with the brand. Although I don't own much from the brand I always enjoy seeing the new releases; lucky enough I was actually sent the Touche Éclat Le Teint Foundation* and Y Foundation Brush* to try out, so here are my thoughts on these products.

Let's face it; we are all basic bitches who love a bit of rose gold. Obviously, all brands of home decor, technology, and now makeup are jumping on that trend and banking on our obsession with it when it comes to purchasing. Well, My Beauty Store has a whole host of rose gold themed goodies from their selections of brands and I am obsessed.

With Summer well on its way, it is finally time to bring out those brighter lipsticks and lighter foundations and change up the routine from Winter. I generally stick to similar products throughout the year, but I always like going for a lighter base (I generally end up sweating it off anyway) and cast aside the dark berry lipsticks for something more on the nude side. My blushes get pinker and of course, I whip out a lot of highlighters! Collection has some great products that are not only affordable but will boost your makeup collection to get you set for the warmer months ahead.

Despite being a beauty fanatic, I have never had a wax. Never. Not at a salon, nor at home. I mean, I've had my brows waxed but that's about it. I think the problem is that I have this stigma that it is going to hurt like hell and then I'm just going to end up rashy, but really I just needed to get over that and give it a go. Marzena, a brand that makes at home waxing and hair removal products from New Zealand contacted me asking if I wanted to give a couple of their newly formulated products a test. Finally, it was the chance to ditch my fears and give at home waxing a proper try. Let me tell you the story of my first waxing experience and how I found it.

I own a lot of makeup brushes, anyone would say I have far too many for one face and I would agree, but I just can't help buying and trying new ones. There is one brand I am always faithful too and that is Real Techniques developed by Youtube/beauty powerhouses Sam + Nic Chapman. I have a lot of their sets and single brushes, and recently bought some of their stunning and totally luxe Bold Metals (see them here). I was in the need of a new Miracle Complexion Sponge, and came across this; the Ultimate Base Set.

Firstly, sorry that this post is 8 days later than it technically should have been - being away from home for 3 weeks and a crazy hectic work schedule outside of blogging meant sadly my blog hasn't been getting the love it deserves. Luckily I had some posts ready to go, and you all probably didn't notice at all! Anyway, I'm playing catch up now, so here are all my empty products that I finished throughout the month of October.

When it comes to nail care products I generally only stick to the heavy hitters of essie, OPI and ORLY, but I am always interested in branching out and trying new brands. Simply Essential is based in NZ and Australia, and initially started out with beauty tools, but have since branched out into a beautiful range of makeup brushes (see them here), and now a whole line up of nail care products.

The Body Shop are so well known for their body and skincare ranges, but I feel their makeup offerings are overlooked. The Honey Bronzer is one of my favourite bronzers to use (I recently hit pan on it), and the new Lighting Drops for your foundation are great to have to get the most out of your foundation year round. There really are some stand out products, and the brand new Down To Earth Eyeshadow Palettes* are set to be stand outs as well.