A secret garden

A secret garden by amymakeup08 featuring a bow belt

Alice + Olivia trapeze dress / KORS Michael Kors ankle strap sandals / Coach cross body handbag / Stella & Dot cuff jewelry / Bride hair accessory / Lanvin bow belt

Periwinkle Flowers - Whitney Eve Pieces

Periwinkle Flowers - Whitney Eve Pieces by amymakeup08 featuring sleeveless tops

Whitney Eve mini dress, $285 / Whitney Eve sleeveless top, $73 / Whitney Eve sleeveless top, $73 / Whitney Eve scoop neck top, $73 / Whitney Eve ruffle blazer, $275 / Whitney Eve pleated skirt, $180 / Whitney Eve , $155 / Whitney Eve gold ring / Whitney Eve pendant jewelry / Dtla photograph, photo of Los Angeles, LA skyline at sunset, downtown...

Get That Look: Emmy Rossum - City Beach

Get That Look: Emmy Rossum - City Beach by amymakeup08 featuring a not your mother s

Rare London short chiffon dress, $32 / Havaianas slim shoes, $23 / Straw handbag, $65 / Cluster necklace / Burberry gold watch / Forever 21 / Not your mother s / New York Photo - Autumn in New York - Bow Bridge, Central Park - 8x10...

Natural Glamour - Bronzed and Glowing

Natural Glamour - Bronzed and Glowing by amymakeup08 featuring nars cosmetics

NARS Cosmetics / NARS Cosmetics bronze makeup / Benefit highlight makeup, $40 / Butter London , $68

The beach wanderer

The beach wanderer by amymakeup08 featuring a short silk dress

Quiksilver short silk dress / MICHAEL Michael Kors wedge sandals / Suede handbag, $20 / Floozie by Frost French straw sun hat, $12 / WAITING FOR THE SUN bamboo sunglasses, $200 / beach photography ocean sand sun tranquil coastal wall art turquoise... / Beach photograph - nautical summer home decor - mint green ocean peach... / Bristol Lantern / Almond Surfboards Almond Surf Shop Sandia Fish

Big News and Kind of Goodbye?

Hi everyone,

So I'm going into my final year of secondary schooling before university, and living in Australia, our school year starts in January/February, however our school is a bit different and they start the next academic year at the end of November, therefore I've already had a taste of year 12. It's intense. Obviously it should be more laidback for me because I only have 4 subjects as opposed to 6 however all 4 subjects count towards my final entry score so I have to work even harder to make sure I've tried my best and get the result that is worth my efforts.

I'm also a girl/woman? of many hobbies, many of which are included with my school, therefore in order to have a good balance between study and extra curricular stuff, I've realised that I must give up something, and I'm going to say goodbye to blogging. I have also deleted some previous posts because I'd like to keep things a little more private.

However, this blog will still be here and occasionally on big holidays (e.g. the current summer holidays), if I feel like it and I have spare time, I may post something that is product/favourites related (e.g. what's in my shower?, skin care routine, favourites etc) however I will no longer be making videos nor tutorials. Those just took too much time and when I was near finishing I had lost the excitement to keep doing it and many have then not been published. I just really want to mainly focus on music, because music is such a big hobby for me, being in not only many ensembles for violin and singing at school, but also writing my own music that also is a sort of therapy for me, so that's going to become my focus hobby.

But I've been really getting into polyvore lately, and also with the new app, it's must easier for me to make sets, so those will be linked to this blog too!

This is not an end to my love of makeup though, I just want to clarify it. When I have some time, I will still be reading blogs, watching YouTube videos and of course, playing with makeup. Especially throughout this year, I've definitely built up a bunch of makeup that I really like and want to stick with. So, hopefully sometime in the near future, I will get to share with you my holy grail/all time favourite products (yet!) because they're the products I have stuck with, are tried and true and things I've really loved.

I'm really going to miss this community and the fun I've had, but it's not goodbye forever, the friends I've made will still remain my friends, I just won't be regularly blogging anymore.

Also, if you want me to check out your blog or whatever, just comment on this or any of my older posts and I sure will!

I think that's it from me for now. Thank-you for everything.

And to end on a lighter note, I'm going on a holiday to Malaysia and Hong Kong super soon, which I'm psyched about, so if I feel like it, I might post a haul, but no guarantees.

Anyway, so long!

NOTD: Watermelon Cherry Pop

OPI Charged Up Cherry

A bright neon watermelon/cherry pink that's perfect for summer. 

OOTD: What I Wore To The Opera

 I went to the opera Madama Butterfly a while ago and it was absolutely amazing! 

Here is the outfit I wore:

Dress - Zara Trafaluc

Blazer - Bardot

Necklace - Pearl Pendant from Shanghai

Heels - Michael Michael Kors

NOTD: A Magenta Señorita

OPI Señorita Rose-Alita

A gorgeous deep pink magenta with a beautiful gold duo chrome. 

Collective Haul - Lush, MAC, Zara & More

Here is a collective haul starting from a while ago, I just didn't have time to put the haul up then because I was busy with exams and now I have just accumulated stuff since them. 

Also a little update: Now I am finally on school holidays so I will try to post more. I had just finished my year 11 and year 12 subject exams and then I started year 12 because my school starts the next academic year early, however I was just too busy to post then too. However I have a lot of ideas and the second part of the Spring Favourites video is coming, I'm just in the process of editing it right now. 

MAC Perfectly Plush Brush Kit: Essential

(190 Foundation Brush, 129 Powder/Blush Brush, 275 Medium Angled Shading Brush, 266 Small Angle Brush and 226 Small Tapered Blending Brush)

Lush Snowcake Soap

Tag: 10 Products I'd Repurchase If All My Makeup Disappeared

This tag has been spreading like wildfire on the beauty community, although it has died down a bit, I still find it super interesting. It's basically about if you lost all your makeup and could only buy 10 products, what would you buy? This was actually super hard for me because I often change products depending on the weather or just my mood haha although I do have some essential products that I absolutely love. It's also really fun to read/watch other people's tags because it shows what your favourite or essential products are.

I was tagged by Amy of the great blog http://prettypinklipss.blogspot.com.au and her Instagram is @amyppl to do this tag on Instagram (@amywenting) and I thought I might do a proper blogpost about it on my blog.

I tag anyone who wants to do this, it's actually a really fun tag in my opinion and allows you to try and think that if it came to only 10 products, what you would get for makeup.

Products:

Real Techniques Brushes First Impressions

I'm going to do a post about my first impressions of the Real Techniques Core Collection. This is a bit different to a review, more like my first opinions of the brushes. 

Also, sorry I haven't posted in a while but I just finished my last exam today, so I am ecstatic and I have finally finished Latin after four years of intensity, that devil is now off my back, woo!

Anyway, just in case you were wondering a good place to get these brushes for Aussies or any other country that doesn't directly stock them, as the Priceline ones are super overpriced, I bought mine from iherb.com and they have pretty decent shipping for an America based company so if you want $10 off a first purchase of $40 or more or $5 off the first purchase less than $40, you can use this referral code at the checkout: GCW357

This Core Collection comes with a Buffering Brush, Contour Brush, Pointed Foundation Brush and Detailer Brush. It also comes with a standup case which to honest, I don't understand haha. 

The brushes are made of Taklon bristles that are synthetic so if you like vegan brushes they're great. Also because of the bristles, they actually create a really flawless finish, perfect with cream products but also awesome with powder products. 

The handles are also super pretty however I kind of expected them to have a nicer or glossier finish. I just find the material is a little 'industrial' between the fingers, it looks luxurious but it doesn't feel super luxurious. But still, I think the handle is great! I'm not trying to take a huge stab at the handle here but just point a tinsy little disadvantage of the brush. 

Buffering Brush

Mini Haul - Clinique & Real Techniques

A few things that I had ordered online a while ago had arrived in the mail recently and boy, was I happy! Also, I'm sorry if I have been unresponsive for a while, it's because I have exams ongoing for the next three weeks and I've been studying a lot so I don't think I'll have time to post, but after november the 7th, when all my year 11 and year 12 subject exams are over, I will be posting more!

Real Techniques Core Collection

I have had my eyes on Real Techniques brushes for ages but I just couldn't be bothered going online and ordering them (I know that sounds totally stupid). I recently just went for it and bought the Core Collection. To be honest, I only really wanted the Buffing Brush but I do enjoy the other brushes too! A first impressions post will be coming soon. Also, I know they are sold in Priceline but they are super overpriced, I bought mine off iherb.com and it was still cheaper including shipping!

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel

I have been using the Moisturising Lotion for ages but I can only use that in the cooler months of the year when my skin is combination dry, but with spring coming in and me finishing my Bobbi Brown Hydrating Gel Cream, I wanted to get a moisturiser for when my skin is combination oily and I didn't want to buy the Bobbi Brown one because I wanted to try a cheaper alternative. I actually bought this off sasa.com because it's a lot cheaper and combined with some stuff my Mum bought, we could get free shipping!

Spring Fashion: Chilly Latin Holiday Class OOTD

Another outfit for a chilly spring day when I went to a Latin holiday class. It is again coordinated to be suitable for cooler weather but has spring pieces to it. 

This outfit features a darker micro floral tank top from Dotti and this a great fashion piece that combines spring flowers but also darker colours so it's great as a transition piece. The black singlet underneath is from Cotton On. The colourful geometric necklace from Diva is my favourite piece from this outfit, it's so lovely and cute and it adds that spring element to the look. The striped jacket from Element helps the outfit to stay warm but isn't too thick. The outfit also has legging jeans from Gap and shoes from Novo. I love these shoes, they're so cute and different with the crochet pattern and leather in harmony together. 

Bobbi Brown Haul

Recently bought some products online from Bobbi Brown because there was a skincare kit that I wanted to get although I made a silly mistake that I will later discuss. 

First it came in this gorgeous bag that I just had to snap a picture of it. 

I bought two of the new Bobbi's Skincare Essentials kit because I knew I would use these products and then I could get free shipping.

The kit comes with smaller sizes of the Hydrating Face Cream, Hydrating Eye Cream and Cleansing Oil. Unfortunately when I was buying the kit, I thought the Hydrating Face Cream was the moisturiser that I had been using all year but I had actually mistaken it for the Hydrating Gel Cream which is the moisturiser that I actually use. This is really frustrating for me because now I have two of these moisturisers that I won't use. The moisturiser wasn't that bad but it smells a bit funny that I'm not a fan of. Although, I do still love the Hydrating Eye Cream and Cleansing Oil.

It also came with two samples that come with every online purchase and there was also an offer for a deluxe sample of the Cleansing Oil. The samples that I chose were the Hydrating Face Cream because they sold out of the new Long-Wear Even Finish Foundation and then I also got a sample of the Tinted Moisturiser Oil-Free in Medium Tint.

September Empties

This is actually my first ever Empties post. I've never finished a reasonable amount of products in a month for it to be at least a tiny bit worthwhile to post about.

Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clearing Moisturiser. This is probably my 2nd or 3rd bottle of this. This moisturiser is fantastic for oil control and helps to battle breakouts at the same time.
The Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream is my favourite basic moisturiser. This is my 2nd pot that I've finished and I love it! It's great for combination skin because it's good at keeping the skin balanced.
This is probably around my 10th bottle of the Body Shop Tea Tree Oil. I love this for smaller breakouts and it's not too harsh because you don't want to freak your skin out by over using super harsh acne fighting products.
I love the Batiste Dry Shampoo Fresh, it's just so great at making my hair still look good on the 2nd day. I think this is my 3rd can and I keep buying it. The white residue doesn't bother me too much, even though I have black hair, I can just massage it in. I have really oily roots but this works fantastic and it's cheap! I also love the scent, I'm extremely picky when it comes to scents in hair products and I love this one, but I'm too scared to try the other Batiste scents because I probably won't like them.

Mini Beauty & Fashion Haul

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder in Beige

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes 

Leggings from Witchery

Top from Rusty at Planet Surf

Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Spot Treatment Gel and Clearing Moisturiser

A Review: Nars Sheer Glow Foundation

Finally, I am doing the review of Nars Sheer Glow Foundation, my shade is in Punjab. I'm sorry this took me forever but I finally realised that it didn't need to be a perfect review. The foundation that I am displaying has the pump which I separately bought but I will talk about that later. In Australia, this retails for $68 from Mecca Cosmetica, I know it is very steep but it's much better since the price drop of Nars stuff at Mecca, it use to be around I think $108! 

Also, first I just want to give a buying tip just in case you didn't know this already, because when I first started out, I stupidly didn't think about this because I was too embarrassed, but don't buy something purely based on a review or what a blogger/beauty guru thinks, even if the product is raved, if it is possible, try it out at the counter and use your own judgement. But of course, reviews can be a good guideline to help you find a product you might like. 

First of all I love the packaging (except for the opening). I love how sleek the glass bottle is and how minimalist it is with just the essential information on it, no added marketing or whatever, it makes it seem really fuss free and easy to use. You are only getting 30mL which doesn't seem like that much but you don't need too much product to get decent coverage. It's also good how it claims to last for 24 months, for example with me, I don't use higher coverage foundations all the time, usually for nicer occasions or if I'm feeling it haha.

First of all, I don't find the foundation to be that sheer. I understand how it can feel sheer for those people who usually wear really full coverage foundations but I personally like to use extremely lightweight foundations, and to me this doesn't feel that sheer, although I do find it feels lighter than other even medium coverage foundations and I like that about this. The foundation gives a medium to full coverage.

It doesn't glow too crazy but gives a more nice natural, borderline dewy look but I didn't notice it being too dewy. If you're worried about this making your skin look oily if you have oily skin, don't! I found that this worked very well with the oilier parts of my face but the problem is that it highlighted the drier parts of my face, so I wouldn't recommend it for people with really dry skin, but make sure you try it yourself at the counter first. I've also read in other reviews with people who have dry skin that it didn't seem to suit their skin so well, therefore, despite the name, I feel that this actually works better on people who have oily skin.

This foundation has no SPF which is a downside if you wear it in the day time a lot but I don't mind wearing a sunscreen underneath or using a powder that has SPF in it, no SPF also makes it good for photography and you don't get that white cast.

I find that this foundation wears quite well, and with a primer it lasted all night at my formal. Although without a primer, I find this wears very well as well!

A downside of this is the lid packaging, I hate foundations that you have to pour out from a glass bottle, I find it very temperamental and frustrating because you can never get the perfect amount and it makes me so nervous when I'm pouring it out. This may also be because of my lack of experience with these types of foundations as this was the first foundation I've ever used that I had to pour out of a glass bottle, I've always used pump or squeeze tube foundations. The pouring out also made the opening really dirty which annoyed me, so I decided to buy the separate pump.

The separate pump retails at $10 at Mecca Cosmetica and I personally find it worth it! The pump lid has a turn lock system so there's no unnecessary accidental pumping. It also makes the foundation smaller and now it fits upright in my little drawer!

Below is the screw top lid that comes with the foundation:

I've noticed that some people have different types of lids, such as the big black lid can be taken off without opening the bottle and there's a separate smaller lid but mine is just all one whole lid. I find the lid to be quite chunky and an unnecessary use of space, that's another reason why I wanted to switch to the pump.

The consistency is of a liquid but it isn't runny. Just the same consistency as most liquid foundations.

This colour does match me pretty well but I feel that it's on the warm side. It still looks totally find on my skin and matches at glance, but I'm really pedantic about this stuff, and it is on the warm side. But it's not too big of a deal.

I find that this foundation generally applies well with any tools, from sponge to brushes to fingers, but my favourite methods are with the Sigma Sigmax brushes, specifically the F80 Flat Top Kabuki, for a fuller coverage but also flawless finish and with the Beauty Blender for a more natural, sheerer finish.

If you want to see the foundation in action, watch my Semi-Formal Natural Smokes Makeup Tutorial or this FOTD post.

Overall I do like this foundation very much, although I'm not sure whether it's necessary for me to repurchase, it's kind of battling it out with my Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation for the 'repurchase' foundation spot. If there are any other questions about the foundation, leave them below and I will try to get back to you as soon as possible.

Have any of you tried this foundation? What are your thoughts?
Amy

I was not sponsored for this review in any way, I bought this foundation myself. 

Spring Fashion: 1 top, 7 bottoms

For me and tons of other people in the world, spring is here! To celebrate this awesome warm weather, I'm going to do a Spring Fashion post and I have some more coming. Basically, the Spring Fashion themed posts will feature some of my favourite spring fashion outfits or pieces or ways to incorporate colour or flowers or any spring themed trend into your wardrobe, even if you're venturing out into colours for the first time or always wear floral pieces, I will try my best to show you how I would like to style the items.

This post is going to show you how to style a fun crop top to be worn with 7 different type of bottoms. This post incorporates more basic outfits for the beginners as well as fun colour on colour combos and also variations in shorts and pants for different weather conditions. 

I'm going to show you how a top can be worn with matching colours/patterns for a cute ensemble but at the same time with pieces that work in harmony to create a balanced outfit. 

The top that I am featuring is from Workshop in Top Shop and I bought it in Singapore. I love these kind of crop tops (but not too short, I don't want to bare all haha) because they're loose and comfortable, good for hot weather but they also cover your shoulders so they give more sun protection than tank tops. 

But it is not easy to find a patterned/coloured top that matches with many different bottoms other than your basic blue denim jeans, my tips would be to find a top that has colours that match your patterned or coloured bottoms. For example this top has pink, purple and floral on it therefore it can match with green, purple, floral and your basic blue, and those are the coloured bottoms that I own. I also have black jeans but I feel that they're a bit too dark for spring and I personally don't really wear them anyway. 

With Pastel Green Scallop Cut Shorts

This outfit is the top with pastel green scallop cut shorts. Apparently the scallop trend is in which I did not know about when I bought these shorts last year. The casual top balances the more dressy shorts from Ladakah. 

With White Micro-Floral Shorts

This outfit pairs the top with a pair of white shorts with blue micro flowers on them from Dotti. The reason these two patterns can be paired, despite being both flowers and can be dangerously too matching, is because the size of the flowers is balanced. The top features big flowers where as the shorts feature small micro flowers, in turn making the flowers not look over the top. 

With Basic Blue Denim Shorts

And this is in my opinion the least ambitious pair of shorts to pair the top with. I feel that basic blue shorts are an outfit's best friend the same way jeans work, shorts are just better in the summer and an easy way to create a casual and comfortable look. The dark colour of the jeans also balances out the light pink but pairs nicely with the darker colours on the top. These denim shorts are from Witchery.

 With Basic Light Blue Denim Shorts

This is the funner, lighter, I would say younger alternative to the basic denim shorts. They are more matching with the top yet the dark purple of the top contrasts nicely. I feel that the lighter coloured shorts are always more appropriate for those fun days at the beach. These shorts are from Rusty. 

With Lavender Jeans

Now moving into the jeans, this outfit shoes how the top can be paired with coloured jeans. These purple jeans are from Gap and it matches with the dark purple as well as the pastel pink in the top. The girly purple matches well with the girly colours in the top making this a pretty pastel coloured ensemble.

With Green Jeans

Another outfit with coloured jeans. The green colour is more contrasting to the colours in the top but it still goes well with the pink. I think the grey undertones of the jeans also balance out the girly colours in the top, making the look a tinsy bit more edgy and street as opposed to all girly. These green jeans are from Uniqlo.

With Basic Jeans

The last outfit is with the basic jeans. I'm actually wearing Jean Leggings from Gap in this outfit because I find them more comfortable but normal jeans work fine. This pretty much gives the same effect as the basic denim shorts outfit except it is more suitable for cooler weather. Again, the dark colours balance out the light pink as well as matching with the darker purple in the top and makes the outfit look casual and comfortable, nothing too out there. 

I hope you found this somewhat helpful and/or interesting and tell me what you think of these Spring Fashion themed posts.