June 2016 Make Up Review

Throughout the month of June, I have been road testing a few different make up and skin care products that I picked up from the Bloggers United Brisbane Event at the end of May. As I have a background in beauty and skin care, it is very hard to impress me with new products, so for a product to land on my beauty blog it has to be something special. I have managed to find a few things that I am willing to say, “Yep, that’s not a bad little product.”

If you are in the market for some new products or to change things up a bit, these might work for you. But then again, make up is a very personal thing and what works for me may not work for you.

Here’s what I have been able to give my tick of approval to so far….

1. Le Rouge Beauty – Baked Blush Matte (I tried the shade of ‘Bouquet’). AUD$29 but currently on sale for AUD$10. Bargain!

An Australian brand by a lovely lady by the name of Hong, whom I got to meet at the Bloggers United event. She is a make-up artist by trade who specialises in bridal make up, so she knows what she’s on about. This blush is a beautiful, high pigment, baked powder that delivers a silky-smooth, velvety, matte finish without any shimmer. I like that you don’t have to apply oodles to get a decent colour. Nor do you get a mass of colour if you are a little heavy handed. This brand is made in the USA, not tested on animals (always a winner in my book) and some are even vegan and gluten free. It’s stocked in Uberman in Brisbane city and available online. Not a bad little brand. I’d happily try a few other products from this label.

2. The Balm Cosmetics – Betty-Lou Manizer (Bronzer). AUD$30.

This product couldn’t have passed my make-up draw at a better time. My old bronzer was on its last legs! It’s a bronzer that you can also use as a highlighter, a shadow or a shimmer. It has a very soft and smooth texture, almost creamy. I used it mostly as an everyday eye shadow and highlighter. It gave my eyes a gorgeous, natural glow. The Balm Cosmetics is a quirky American label with a “beauty in five minutes philosophy”. This product certainly fits into that mantra. On their website you can even find “how to” videos on how to use/apply the product, which is super helpful. Their products are paraben and cruelty free and are available online at sites like Sephora or in David Jones department stores.

3. NYX – Glam Liner Aqua Luxe (I tested the shade ‘Glam Golden’). AUD$10.

This liquid eyeliner has a beautiful, fine, precision brush, is very easy to apply and is very long-wearing. It has glitter in it so it’s probably more suited to evenings or special occasions (unless you want to glam up your Saturday shopping! Ha ha). I like it when my eyeliner and mascaras are waterproof like this one as I do suffer from hay fever and allergies and my eyes are always watering. Therefore, you might need a good eye remover such as Garnier’s Micellar Water to take it off fully. NYX is a new and trending company from the US that have cruelty free products. This particular product was made in China (I am always cautious with cosmetics that are manufactured in Asia), but it seems to be good quality at a very affordable price. You can find this brand at Target and soon to be in Priceline Pharmacies.

4. NYX – Colour Mascara (I got to try the shade ‘Brown’). AUD$13.

I get very picky with my mascaras so I must have been impressed to include this one. This one had a lovely full brush and was very easy to apply. It isn’t waterproof, however. I seemed to get a lot of brushing from one pump, therefore I wasn’t not constantly pushing air back into the container and encouraging bacteria to breed. This particular product is made in Taiwan and comes in 8 different colours.

5. NYX – Illuminator (The shade I tried was ‘Chaotic’). AUD $18.

This particular shade was an easy to apply, dark pink tint with a slight gold sheen. It blends with your complexion rather than a white shiny glitter look like some illuminators give. However, as I am fair skinned, I would like to try a slightly lighter shade next time as it resembled more of a blush for me. Apart from the shade, it was a very good product that makes your skin look vibrant and refreshed while adding a subtle glow and I do recommend giving it a try. This one is also made in China and is available in five different shades.

So, tell me sistas….. have you tried anything new recently that we need to hear about? Don’t keep it a secret. Do a sista a favour and share it in the comments.

* These products were gifted to me for editorial consideration. Full disclosure policy here.