My Beach Reads - December 2014

Although I love makeup and all things beauty related, my true love is actually books. Classics are my favourite genre, fantasy my least favourite and I often get down upon remembering that I will never have enough time in my life to read all the books that need to be read.

I've recently been given a whole heap of books for my graduation and as early Christmas presents (although I am super excited about the books I'll be receiving from my parents as per my request!) and I am bursting to read them, so I thought I'd share them with you. I've called this post 'My beach reads' however there is nothing summery or beachy about them at all except that I'll be reading them this summer at the beach on holidays. Sounds like perfection to me!

One flew over the Cuckoo's nest by Ken Kesey
This book has been on my 'to-read' list for so.damn.long and I am determined that December 2014 will be the time I finally get around to it. A classic novel about a character in a mental hospital, I think it will be an incredibly interesting read.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
I've already started this much loved read and for someone who typically adores all the classics, well...I'm kind of disappointed. I'm about halfway through and for me, Pride and Prejudice just doesn't have the same allure as To Kill a Mockingbird or Lolita had for me. I'm going to stick this one out though and see if I change my mind...

The Hospital by the River by Dr Catherine Hamlin
Since going on the mission trip to Cambodia when I was in year 10, I thrive off of real life stories of differences generous people have made in third world countries regarding aid. I am really looking forward to this story gynaecologists moving from Australia to Ethiopia to start a midwifery school.

The King's Speech by Mark Logue and Peter Conradi
On the 18th of December this year I received my ATAR (university entrance score) and....I got into Speech Pathology at University, my dream career! This has been such a momentous time in my life and a family friend celebrated with me by giving me this book about an incredible speech therapist who changed everything!

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
The world has gone crazy for John Green, especially his book The Fault in Our Stars, however I've always loved his less popular books like Looking for Alaska and an Abundance of Katherines. For this reason I am so very excited about diving into Will Grayson, Will Grayson, especially as it is co-written with another really good author.

A fraction of the whole by Steve Toltz
I had never known of this books existence until it was gifted to me and now I'm really excited about reading it for he gave it a glowing review! I actually wouldn't even have a clue what it's about so it will be a real surprise!

Well that's what's on my list for the next month or so...let me know what book(s) you'll be reading so I can add them to my TBR list!

My Summer Lipstick Wardrobe

Summer is finally here and that means bright and fun lipsticks! Because lip products are my favourite and I've acquired quite a collection, it was too much of a challenge to narrow it down to just a couple of lipsticks, so I ended up with a top 12 for summer!

1. Face of Australia Lip Quench Moisturising Lipstick in Lychee Crush
I swear basically every beauty blogger tried this lipstick out when it exploded into the beauty world at the beginning of this year. Though it's not flattering on everyone, if you can pull it off it does look gorgeous as a neutral lip.

2. Maybelline Baby Lips in Pink Lolita
Everyone needs a tinted lipbalm for summer, and this one by Maybelline ticks every box. Apart from the fact that mine is all mangled because it went through the wash, it is moisturising, gives a beautiful tint and feels wonderful on the lips.

3. Essence Lipstick in All About Cupcake
This is my go to your-lips-but-better shade because it is just the most perfect everyday pink shade I've ever come across. It's moisturising, not too sheer and not too pigmented and costs barely anything. This is actually one of my favourite lipsticks of all time.

4. Revlon Lip Butter in Sweet Tart
The Revlon lip butters need no introduction because almost everyone and their dog owns one. They're all round amazing, especially this gorgeous bright pink shade, Sweet Tart.

5. Rimmel London Kate Moss Spring Collection Lipstick in 16
I do love my pinks, and this warm toned soft pink suits just about everyone. It's everything you want a summery pink to be.

6. Revlon Colourstay Ultimate Suede Lipstick in Cruise Collection
Everyone needs a coral/orange toned shade for summer and that's where this lippie comes in. It's not too frightening for someone who perhaps isn't used to the more orange kind of shades and is flattering for all skintones.

7. Essence Stay With Me Long lasting lipgloss in Candy Bar
This is a gorgeous shade, a mix between coral and red that works wonderfully. As the name suggests, it is a long lasting gloss that makes me think of juicy fruits and lounging around the pool.

8. MAC Lipglass in Kumquat
I'm really not a fan of the formulation of this gloss, but who could walk past the tangerine goodness that this gloss has to offer. It's pigmented enough to be noticeable on the lips but still super wearable and flattering. Ahhh, if only you weren't so sticky!

9. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Romantic
This is my staple red lip product and I wear it about once a week (impressive considering I can't wear anything like this to school!). From the moment I purchased it I knew it would be a favourite of mine, and with a formula as magical as this, this is the summery red shade everyone needs something like in their collection!

10. BYS Lipstick in Coral Kiss
Although the packaging is perhaps the worst I have ever come across for a lipstick, when it comes down to it this isn't all that bad. Sure, the formula's not amazing and it's a little hit and miss, for the dirt cheap price I paid for it it's not all that surprising. Nevertheless, for a pinky orange shade this looks lovely and when you're wearing it you would never know it was so darn cheap.

11. Revlon Colourstay Ultimate Suede Lipstick in Muse
This is a daring blue toned hot pink. I would normally associate this kind of shade with a more wintery type look, but let's be honest here, there really isn't a better time to pull this out than in the middle of summer!

12. Face of Australia Sheer Gloss Lip Crayon in Sundae
This was the first lip crayon I ever tried and I have been completely obsessed ever since. This is a neutral brown shade that is quite flattering and easy to work with. It's nothing special, which is exactly why it is so good.

Top: Shades 7-12
Bottom: Shades 1-6

As you can see, I'll be going crazy with these lipsticks these summer holidays! I would love to know what's in your summer lipstick wardrobe!

What's inside my beach bag?

The beach is something that I think everyone associates with summer. These are the essentials that I have in my beach bag:

 

Bathers - I don't particularly enjoy swimming, but snorkelling at the beach is amazing! Even if I don't get wet I think bathers are that much easier to be wearing when you get all sandy.

Footwear - Thongs of course are most appropriate for the beach, my favourite pair are my love heart Havianas.

Towel - I think a towel is my most important item because I'm not keen on sitting/lying on the sand without something underneath me. This towel is from Honey, Ocean and Earth and I think it is so pretty!

Accessories - A hat is essential in the sun, as well of course is the bag to carry all your stuff in. My bag is from Target and I wrote about it here.

Entertainment - A good book and some music is important while relaxing on the beach. This summer I re-read The Hunger Games and listened to Florence and the Machine!

Beauty - I don't bother with makeup when I'm at the beach but sunscreen is highly important, as well as a moisturising lip balm. I like mine to have a bit of a tint, so most often I use the Nivea Fruity lip balm in Guava.

Those are all my beach bag essentials, perhaps with the inclusion of a drink and a snack. I do spend a week or so at the beach every year on a holiday so I get to pack my beach bag and use it often. What's inside your beach bag?

 

 



Best Summer Bargains - Target Hat

I'm not really into hats, but I picked up this hat for $5 from Target a little while ago and I've really enjoyed wearing it in the summery months.

At first I struggled to make it look alright - I felt a bit silly wearing it - but with my hair down it looks pretty good.

It's a plain straw hat with a brown band around the edge.

Even my dog likes this summer bargain!

 

 

My Daily Summer Face

Summer is a time of lazy makeup - natural, bronzed and beautiful - but as lazy as possible. This is what I reach for most days with the occasional change of lipcolour or inclusion of a bit of eyeshadow.

Alina professional primer - I haven't yet completed a review of this product but it is coming up fairly soon. This is an incredibly effective product that I am highly impressed with. Despite wanting to be lazy with my makeup, this step is one that I can't leave out because it ensures that I actually have makeup remaining on my face after a hot day.

Garnier BB cream - I alternate between the Garnier BB cream and the Face of Australia tinted moisturiser. I don't like to use foundation in summer unless it's absolutely necessary because it just feels too heavy and gross in the heat, so a tinted moisturiser or BB cream is perfect.

Maybelline Bronzer in Forever Warm - Once again I alternate between a couple of different bronzers, but basically I just brush them on carelessly to give me a bit of a summery glow on my otherwise ghost-like skin.

Face of Australia concealer - Without a foundation I find that I need a concealer to cover up my blemishes, and this stick concealer by Face of Australia is perfect for the job.

Essence eyebrow gel - This simply keeps my brows in place, nothing all that exciting!

Face of Australia eye definer in charcoal - Once again this is a product that I am going to review. I've never been a fan of pencil eyeliners but after having left this in a hot car for a day it has softened, making it so easy to apply. As liquid and gel liner is a little harsh for an average summer day, I use this along my top lashes to make them appear thicker and bring out my eyes a little.

Covergirl lashblast length mascara - The most important feature of this mascara is that it is waterproof. It gives a lengthening, natural finish that I am a huge fan of.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable lipstain in Smitten - Whilst this is more of a wintery colour, I love the fact that it is a low maintenance lip colour because after you have applied it, it literally stays on for hours!

Pressed powder (not pictured) - I then finish off my skin with a pressed powder, either Maybelline Dream Matte powder or Face of Australia pressed powder.

Now that I think about it, for a 'lazy' routine I do actually use quite a few products, but all of them are quick and easy to apply and result in a natural but lovely makeup look.

What are your staple summer products?

Off to the beach I go...

I am going to be spending two weeks at the beach hanging out with the family. Fourteen of us have booked three holiday houses for ten days over Christmas and New Years, so I plan on just hanging out at the house that has the fridge full of the best foods.

In that time I will have scheduled posts to keep those of you relaxing at home entertained.  The only thing that will change is that comments won't be posted until I return (unless I can magically gain possession of some Internet while I am there).

That certainly does not mean that you can't leave comments though! I would love to return to find a whole heap sitting patiently on my dashboard.

Thank you for all your support this year and I hope you all have a lovely holiday!

Summer+2011=What the?!

Summer is the most wonderful time of the year - holidays, heat and happiness. So why oh why has Summer so far been so disappointing?! Because the equation hasn't added up. The mathematician in the sky has left out a vital piece of the puzzle. Hello?! It's not rocket science!

The equation for summer is supposed to equal this:
Summer+(year we are in)=holidays, heat and happiness

The equation for this year's summer is this:
Summer+2011=holidays........What the?

You see what's missing? The heat and the happiness! Argh! Since December the first, there has literally been about two days of heat. We have had rain, storms, cold, snow..Okay, maybe not snow, but we may as well have because it's just that awful.

Summer is meant to be hot. You are meant to be able to walk outside in a tank and denim shorts and say to yourself, "Oohh, I'm feeling a little warm today. Let's go to the beach!" So far the scenario has been more like walking outside in your jeans and cardigan saying to yourself, "Oohh, I'ts so unbelievably cold I am freezing my butt off. Let's go inside and be miserable."

Okay, I may be a little melodramatic, but seriously, I've already made my way through miserable winter. It's time for the sun to come out! For the insanely happy nail polish colours to coat your fingernails, for the ice blocks to replace breakfast, lunch and dinner, for your dress code to only include tank tops, shorts and a bikini.

Okay, I'm done with my rant. I think I'll get back to beauty business tomorrow.

Last Summer with one happy dog

Summer's finally here!

Summer has finally arrived, and I almost forgot. How awful. The weather wasn't all that summer-y which was incredibly disappointing but I refuse to be disheartened. It's nearly Christmas and nearly my holidays and there is nothing more I could ask for.

So, how can I kick off my summer posting? I was totally stuck for ideas so I decided to consult Mr Google and he was of no use. I then turned to magazines for inspiration and they were of no use either.

So, what I have come up with isn't as interesting and exciting as I had hoped, but unfortunately my brain is a little frazzled from my busy, no chaotic lifestyle of late.
Summer Beauty must-haves
SPF - I have foundation with SPF and lipbalm with SPF that I get out especially for summer because I consider it to be incredibly important.
UV triplegard sunscreen - Sorry, so boring but can you think of anything else for 'U'! This is a sunscreen that is a little greasy but the one I have is water resistant and has never let me get sunburned!
Maybelline baby lips - These lipbalms I'm sure you've heard me raving about but they are amazing. They also contain SPF and heal my chapped lips like nothing else.
More natural - Summer is time to embrace the natural look, I think, so neutral shadow and neutral lips are my favourite looks. A golden glow is also gorgeous.  
Exfoliation - I think it is essential to exfoliate in summer - it gets rid of my sunscreen filled pores and buffs away all the sea salt stuck to my skin. Ahhh, it feels good just talking about it!
Rexona deodorant in 'Delicious' - I love this scented deodorant for summer. I find it works so well and smells just as the name suggests - delicious!

So, that was the best I could come up with. Now I shall leave you with some wonderful summer photos!

I have taken all of these pictures and they are not to be used without my permission.



This is actually a pool - the sand is fake and the water is chlorine

 

Sunbathing



By the pool...

One of the best sunsets I have ever seen

So tropical

I am so proud of this picture!

I am also proud of this one!

Another gorgeous Summer sunset

The beach

Summer's coming!

It feels like years since I have posted something, when in fact it has only been a couple of days.

Friday was brilliant as it was 37 degrees so it was amazingly lovely and warm. Being the hot weather lover that I am, I found it to be just beautiful. Unfortunately it didn't last too long.

Still, I am rather positive lately because I know that summer is on its way, and summer means gorgeous weather, birthdays, holidays, good food and drinks (ice-cream, watermelon and lemonade), the beach, books and magazines, and friends. How much more could you want?

So, I have decided to do a post on my summer makeup essentials. It's probably a little early for all you summer haters but I just cannot wait to do it, so I'm going to leap right in and prepare for my summer beauty routine!

My summer makeup is significantly different to my winter makeup. In winter I think you can get away with heavier makeup whereas in summer I like to keep it as light and natural as possible. Beachy waves, glowing skin and neutral shades are my absolute favourites. I like everything to be simple and easy...

Hair
I'll be rambling on about hairstyles rather than hair products for the moment, so tune out if you're not interested...I won't talk for too long!
As much as I love the natural, beachy, long wavy hair, I find it so irritating (especially as my hair is soooo long!) to wear all the time. My best friend in summer is a loose bun which works really well with wavy hair. It's perfect after I've been swimming at the beach, and it's a bit grotty and salty and has wave to it. Another style I love is simply plaiting it. It gets it out the way and looks gorgeous. There are so many things you can do with plaits too, you can try something different everyday! A good shampoo and conditioner is also really essential in summer because if you are like me, it's salty and knotty all the time. I have personally found the Herbal Essences range to be absolutely brilliant!

Face
I know, I know, you are bored of hearing it but sunscreen is the most important thing to have. I like to kill two birds with one stone and have tinted sunscreen - avoiding foundation all together yet still having relatively good coverage. I find that wearing foundation feels gross on my skin and often slides off because of the heat and my sweating.
I don't really wear blush as much during summer. I kind of go for the bronzed, glowing look rather than the sweet, girly pink look during summer. I wear bronzer quite a bit to give me the glow.
Eyes
Waterproof mascara is a life saver! I don't know what I would do without it! I wear it all year round anyway, but it is even more important during summer because you sweat everywhere and often go swimming! Sometimes I will also wear neutral coloured eyeshadow, or if I'm feeling really brave I'll whack on some gold! I like to keep it simple.
I have been considering incorporating a little more colour with my eyes, but I'm much too afraid to! I know lots of people use light blue eyeliner to get the colour but that sounds so outrageous to me (even though everyone manages to pull it off!).

LipsIn summer I avoid the gloss and go for tinted balms. Not sure why, but it just happens! I'll wear lipstick but I got for the nude colours. I know that quite a few people think that summer is the time for bright lippies, however I think the opposite. Winter is the time for brights because the weather is so miserable!

Nails
Summer means oranges, bright pinks and reds! Ahh, I love the bright nails for summer. I want to try out some mint greens and aqua/turquoise polishes too because I really never ever try them out. I'll have to go out and buy some because I don't own any! I also want to try out patterns and nail art, because I have never really gotten into it...

As you can probably tell, I am incredibly excited about the change in season and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do!