September Beauty Wish List!

It is that time of the month again when I create a list of the beauty products that I am desperately lusting after! These are my favourite posts to write on my blog as when I have some money to spare, I always come back to these lists and usually buy something mentioned! I have whittled this down extensively so without further ado, lets get started!

1. I had never really looked into the Chantecaille skincare range until I fell absolutely in love with a tester of Chantecaille Vital Essence serum and had to buy the full size version. I have since been exploring the collection and I am seriously lusting after the Chantecaille Detox Clay Mask. The reviews say that whilst this draws out impurities and settles blemishes, it does so without drying and therefore your skin is left hydrated and plump – yes please! 
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    2.  I absolutely adored by first insight into the Hourglass Ambient Light range with the purchase of the limited edition trio, but it has left me lusting after some more ambient light action! I found ‘Dim Light’ to be slightly too pink in tone for me and after a bit of research I feel that Hourglass ‘Diffused Light’ powder might be more suited to my yellow based skin. I would love to pick this up before the weather heats up in Sydney, as I think it will be the perfect powder to set my foundation with whilst maintaining that coveted dewy summer glow! 
   
   
3. The launch of Charlotte Tilbury cosmetics on net-a-porter has seriously tested my willpower in recent weeks. I am so desperate to try her entire collection but I am particularly lusting after the Charlotte Tilbury Eyeshadow Quad in ‘The Rock Chick’. I sense a net-a-porter haul coming on! 
   
4. With my boyfriend in Europe at the moment, I simply had to request a sneaky Sephora visit in which he grabbed me the original Naked palette by Urban Decay. I am beyond excited for his and the palettes return and in preparation I am on the look out for NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base. If reviews are anything to go by, I am hoping that this combination will mean my lids will be beautifully coated in Urban Decay goodness all day long throughout the summer!
   
5. Mac ‘Morange’ lipstick just screams out to me as the perfect spring/summer bold lip. I have developed a huge crush on all things orange and coral since the weather has been warming up so this is right up my street!
   
6. Since purchasing my first By Terry Ombre Blackstar in ‘Misty Rock’ it has without a doubt been my most used make up item. If I’m honest, I am lusting after the entire collection at the moment, but since I have to be realistic I would have to say that the two I am most in need of are 'Blond Opal' and 'Bronze Moon'.  
   
   
   
   

Now, which of these to buy first?!

Love, Catrin xo

Hourglass Ambient Powder Wardrobe - Is it worth the hefty price?

I have brushed over this topic (pun is most certainly intended) here and there over the past few weeks but I felt the need to do a full review of the much raved about, Hourglass Ambient Powder Wardrobe. Firstly, lets address how enticing this sounds with the title alone! The packaging is, of course, lovely with a fabulously large mirror situated inside for those ‘on the run’ touch ups. 

The three colours inside are Dim Light (all over setting powder), Incandescent Light (highlighting powder) and Radiant Light (bronzing powder). Each is fabulously silky to apply and truly the definition of subtle brilliance. Before delving into a review of each individual powder, I just want to touch on the price. At $86 you receive a total of 9.9g (3.3g for each shade) in comparison to an individual compact in which you get 10g for $56. Thus, economically it is not the best but you get to try out all three shades so I think it is definitely worth it!

      Dim Light         Incandescent Light        Radiant Light

Now, lets start with Dim Light. This is definitely the most well known of the three and is essentially a setting powder to apply all over to ensure your foundation stays in place throughout the day. Like all Ambient Light powders, Dim Light has a luminous element that gives your skin a ‘lit from within’ look whilst also blurring imperfections and preventing that oily shine. It is quite a neutral peach shade that slightly warmed up the colour of my foundation. As it is a warmer shade, I think my pale skin would be more suited to a yellow based powder so whilst I loved what this powder does for my skin, I will be getting my hands on the full sized version of Diffused Light very soon!

The second shade, Incandescent Light, is limited edition and is unique to this palette. This pearlescent powder has more of a luminous element than Dim Light so is perfect for the cheekbones and down the centre of the face. I’ve also loved using this over the top of my matte eyeshadow to make a slight shimmer on the centre of my eyelids to make my eyes look bigger. Those of you who are averse to a lot of shimmer will love this subtle highlighter but I, personally, love a good shimmery cheekbone so I tend to use my Mac Mineralize Skin Finish in Soft and Gentle for that area and then brush incandescent light down the bridge of my nose for some added definition.

Now, lets talk about Radiant Light. With its bronzey glow and luminous finish this is my absolute favourite of the trio. It has more of a shimmery finish than Dim Light and when applied with a fluffy brush just below the cheekbones, this really adds dimension to the face and provides the perfect sun kissed glow. I cannot rave about this enough! It is my new favourite bronzer for warming up the cheeks and I will 100% be purchasing the full size version.

Overall, I think this trio is a fantastic way to try out the Hourglass Ambient Light Setting powders and it is also a wonderful product for travelling with. I highly recommend investing in the trio but if you are just after one then I personally think Radiant Light is the absolute winner here.

Now, I think it’s time to try the Blush version…!

Love, Catrin xo