| Mecca Maxima Haul - Hourglass, Urban Decay, Stila, etc |

Mecca Maxima launched their holiday collection and I ran in the next day to pick up some beauties that I deemed essential to my life (I have a poor sense of judgment sometimes...)  

I strolled in the shop one fine day, completely oblivious of the damage that would incur to my bank account.

Last year, Hourglass came out with their Ambient Lighting Blush Palette but I never got my hands on it. There were moments of regret throughout the year, since the blushes are super luminous and soft - they would have been beautiful for my wedding. So, having remorse over my loss, I decided to pick up with whatever Hourglass came out with this year for the holiday season - and I am so glad I did. 

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette (AUD $117) is a very limited edition collection that consist's of three Ambient Lighting Powder's - Dim Light, Diffused Light, and an exclusive Iridescent Light, two of the Ambient Lighting Blushes - Luminous Flash and Mood Exposure, and the Ambient Lighting Bronzer - Luminous Bronze Light. So basically if you ever get stranded on a island - you're good to go #priorities. The palette looks and feels like $100 bucks (maybe because it is?...). It's rose gold and has a very generous mirror. The products themselves are small in size - think of an Australian 50 cent coin- and there has been many criticisms regarding the size. Some are saying that there should be more product as the price is so hefty but some people (like me) think that the size if actually quite reasonable. The reason I say this is because it's kind of a tester - you get six beautiful shades to try out and then when you fall absolutely in love - you can confidently invest the dollars to get a full size product you know you won't regret. And then again, it is a holiday palette so I wouldn't be expecting anything else as this is a great, convenient gift. 

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara (AUD $ 33) is hands down my holy grail mascara! I cannot fathom how amazing this mascara is and I don't mind paying the big bucks because this is worth every cent. If you like a dry formula, and big lashes this mascara is up your alleyway. Application and amazing, the brush is super soft and your lashes dry in seconds. What more could you ask for? 

(If you don't want to buy a full size - Mecca is doing a mini deluxe size for the holiday season and it's half the price! You're welcome) 

Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer (AUD $42) was something I threw in my basket unknowing of it's power. Wow. This concealer is super blendable and the color selection is worth a standing ovation. The price however deserves a Simon Cowell disapproving shake of the head - $44 for a concealer is outrageous. I would recommend this if you a) have terrible eye bags that need 911 attention or b) you're treating yourself to something nice. 

A nice "dupe" would be Inglot's Under Eye Concealer which was what I used before buying this and I loved it. The only thing that I didn't like was the tube but Urban Decay's packaging is #onpoint

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner (AUD $29) is a product that I could have gone without. I know the hype behind this but I wasn't impressed...maybe it's because I still love my Inglot liquid eyeliner? But this product isn't anything magical that needs to be bought ASAP. Save yourself from the drama. 

Mecca Cosmetica Sun Kissed (AUD $25) is a another limited edition that is by Mecca itself. It has two travel size products - Save The Face SPF 30 and Lip de-Luscious SPF 25. Both products are a handy size to throw into your bag or to simply try out. I adore them both very much! The moisturiser can also be used as a primer and the consistency of it reminds me of the Hourglass Veil Primer which I love but always forget to use. And the lip balm is a "dupe" for the By Terry Baume de Rose SPF 15 which costs triple the price. 

I highly recommend this as a "end of the week - I survived" gift for yourself #treatyourself

You've reached the end of my very long receipt which I have hidden in my draw away from anyone's eyes! 

What have you bought recently? 

Everyday's Makeup Mess!

I am a minimilist in everything I do - even when it comes to makeup. My everyday makeup consists of basically winger liner and dark lips.

The products that I have been loving lately and have been using everyday are:

Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Face Sunscreen

I never used to use sunscreen but my Mum bought this and I stole it from her room and have been using it ever since. It applies creamy then dries matt - no greasy sunscreen face anymore! This stuff is amazing!

I use this before applying anything else and it actually works well as a primer as the formula is so thick. 

Lush's Lip Scrub in Mint Julep $10

I've heard so much about the Bubblegum lip scrub from Lush and thought I'd give it a whirl but when I smelt this one I decided to grab it and eat it. It's amazing and smells just like Extra'a Mint Chocolate bubblegum.

I use this to exfoliate my lips before applying a dark lip. It works within seconds and makes your lips all smooth and primed!

Inglot Liquid Eyeliner in Black $22

Love this eyeliner! I bought this on a whim and it is one of the best eyeliners! Super pigmented, glides on and dries matt.

I do a wing liner start after applying the sunscreen. I don't use foundation or anything like that on a daily base. It's straight to the eyeliner for me.

Essence's Plump No Clump Mascara in Black $5

Five dollars for one of the best mascara's I've used in a while. It's lengthens like crazy and curls the lashes really well. However, there is little volume. 

I apple mascara to my upper and lower lashes after doing a winged liner. I don't line my water liner or tightline that much either on a daily basis. 

Inglot Under Eye Concealer $22  

Light and blend-able this concealer ticks a lot of the "perfect concealer" boxes. I do enjoy this product quite a lot. But when this does run out - which seems soon, I will be trying to get my hands on the Urban Decay one that seems the rage nowadays.

I dap this under my eyes and blend away with my fingers, ain't nobody got time for a brush!

Milani's Baked Blush in Luminoso

I've talked about this blush before and the love still stands strong! It's an amazing blush and I still have not hit pan even though I use it so often!

Using the blush brush from Real Techniques, I dab the blush.

MAC's Lipstick in Diva $36

This lipstick is bae. It is the reason I wake up in the morning (lame?) and it was worth every single cent. Though it's a matt and dark shade, it glides on effortlessly and has good longevity. The shade is amazing and ugh - it's love.

I don't use I liner (maybe I should?) and just use the lipstick from the bullet. This lipstick makes the look (if you would call it that) seem richer and much more fancier...it's perfection. 

So that's what I've been doing lately - what about you? 

Rock Bottom | What if's at 2 AM

I wonder how many doors need to shut in one’s face for a happy ever after?

Well far too many doors for me.

It’s a complete loss of self-esteem and confidence when you’ve applied for over, well let’s say, ten jobs and haven’t received a single callback.  It’s honestly the worst thing to pop your balloon. I feel like the poop emoji right now. It feels like I was ten steps forward to only fall ten steps back.

It’s just become this situation in life where just one win would be really nice.

Ugh.

It’s so frustrating to not be able to do anything and to feel this helpless. It’s a terrible feeling.

The world is a huge place with infinite possibilities, so does it seem like such a lonely and hopeless place for me?

This is so much I want to do and see but it’s not happening. I feel stuck. Nay. I am stuck. And to tell you the truth, I’d rather be peeling onions then to be feeling like this.

The world is moving on without me and I feel like stopping it and telling it to slow down and maybe wait for me. I want to move with it not behind it.

When did I stop believing in the magic of the world and start believing the stark reality of rent bills and grocery lists? Isn’t there a pause button? I’d really like one please.

Mini Haul | Mecca Maxima, Target & Typo

Shopping is a weakness - I can't help myself so even though I know I'm on a spending ban, I still end up picking up some small bits and bobs...oops.

Typo Two Tone Pencil Case in Black and Gold          AUD $ 14.99

I picked this up online from Cotton On. It's black and gold and is just the right size for a pencil case or a make up plus it matches the new bag I bought from Sportsgirl.  

Typo as really good quality items worth the money. I love their quirky style and their limited collections are also worth the wait.  

Cotton On's delivery is also pretty good. They deliver within three days which is great!

Molli&Mimi for Target Pencil Pack         AUD $3.00

Can we just...

I can't even describe how adorable these pencils are! They have statements of the side of them and are very Kate Spade-y. I'm totally ready for university now!  

Soap & Glory's The Righteous Butter AUD $5.00 & Clean On Me AUD $5.00 Travel Mini's

As I am on a self proclaimed spending ban I decided to pick up these mini beauties from Mecca Maxima. I was in need of a body butter because the weather in Sydney is dry and well, itchy, so if this passes the test - I shall purchase the bigger size.

Thus ends my mini haul. What have you picked up lately?

instagram @hrhkulsoomhussainn