Moving to Instagram!

Hi,

So I have recently made the decision to move this blog permanently over to Instagram. Using Blogger as a space to share my beauty news has worked for the past year or so but recently have found that I haven't had the chance to be sitting down and editing photos and writing endless about beauty products and the like. Now that Instagram has the feature to post multiple photos in each post this will make showing of different products and looks. This will also free up some time because I will be able to take some quick snaps, write something and post and have it there. 

My new Instagram's username will be shadesofallthingsme the same as this blog and I will continue to use the hash tag #shadesofallthingsme. I will be working on getting up a few posts in the next week or so and then working out a posting and reviewing schedule. Till then this blog will stop, I hope to see you over on Instagram.


Thanks for reading,

Danny xx

June Favourites!

Hey,

Today I wanted to post about the different items in June that I enjoyed using the most. I have quite a few items that I have loved using as they are a part of my every day routine and other items that are every couple of days but are still just as amazing. I have included a photo of all these items as well as names of the products. They are in my favourites as I have used them just about every day and they have not let me down.

• Pixi Skintreats Glow Tonic
• Maybelline Master Fix Wear-Boosting Setting Spray
• OXX Mineral Primer Matte Clear
• Essence Volume Stylist Curl & Hold Mascara
• Kat Von D Lock-It Edge Foundation Brush
• Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer
• The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA

Thanks for reading,

Danny xx

June Empties!

Hey,

Today I wanted to post about the different products that I finished using up in the month of June. Below I have a photo of all the products as well as whether I will purchase a full size product or just repurchase.

Nivea anti-perspirant Stress Protect Roll On

Repurchase? Not until Summer.

Nivea Anti-Perspirant stress Protect Spray x2

Repurchase? Yes
Lacura Organic Tea tree Oil Body Wash

Repurchase? Yes, when in stock.

Essano Elderflower and Chamomile Sensitive Body Wash Sample

Purchase? No

Essano Frangipani and Paw Paw Lightly Moisturizing Body Lotion

Purchase? No

Mamia Fragrance Free Baby Wipes

Repurchase? Yes

Neutrogena Makeup remover cleansing towelettes

Repurchase? Yes

Nude by Nature Airbrush Mineral Primer

Repurchase? No

Schick Intuition Razor head

Repurchase? Yes

Urban Decay Optical Illusion Sample

Purchase? Yes, eventually

Hourglass Veil Primer Sample

Purchase? No

Femfresh Daily Intimate Wash

Repurchase? Yes

Daiso Cotton Puff 90 pieces x2

Repurchase? No

Pantene Sheer Volume Shampoo

Repurchase? No

Pantene Colour Protection Conditioner

Repurchase? Yes

W7 Lip Twister in Nude

Repurchase? Yes

Schwarzkopf Normal Balance Leave in Treatment

Repurchase? Yes

Simple Moisturising Shampoo

Repurchase? No

Soap & Glory Clean on Me Creamy Clarifying Shower Gel

Purchase? No

Kat Von D Lock-it Primer & Foundation Sample

Purchase? Maybe

Blackmores Lyp-Sine

Repurchase? Yes

Ethical Nutrients Inner Health on the Go

Repurchase? Yes

Thanks for reading,

Danny xx

Hair style change!

Hey,

Today I wanted to write a quick post about my hair styling changes, I am always posting about my make-up and skin care but my hair is always left out. I have always had an issue with frizz as my hair is quite wavy so for years - since about 12 I have combated these issues by straightening my hair. Below I have a recent photo of my hair mostly straight, I have found that my hair has no body and gets really notty. 

Recently I have been whipping out my curling iron and adding some curls and a little bit of body to my hair. I have found that it is a lot more flattering and flirty looking. Below I have a couple of different photos of how I have been wearing it.

Thanks for reading,

Danny xx

Palette a week 11

Hey,

Today I wanted to explore both the palette I have used for the last week as well as introduce the palette I will be using for the next week. Last weeks palette was the Too Faced Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar eye shadow palette, which I have used for just about every day in the last week.

I wasn't overly creative with my eye looks this week, the benefit of this palette is there are a lot of brown shades and other warm shades that compliment these. I had quite natural but brown orientated eye shadow looks, tending to use the same shades over and over in my rush to get out the door and go to work.

Each day I used Coconut Creme - a yellow tinged white to set my eye primer, there was no variation in this. I then would follow that with the shade Mousse which is a light brow shade in my crease, after which I would blend a little Peanut Butter - which is a medium toned orange shadow. I would finish with one of three shadows; Truffled a warm medium toned brown, Frosting a shimmery medium toned brown or Puddin' a grey toned deep brown. These shadows all worked harmoniously together, every now and again I would blend the shadow Nougat - a purple nude colour into my crease after applying my lid colour just to blend all the other colours out.

Apart from being kind of boring with my eyeshadow choices this palette is a really good one to use every day. The shadows blend out really well and compliment each other. They are also pigmented and depending on how much you apply, depends on the intensity as they are buildable. 

The tenth palette that I have chosen for the week ahead is the Too Faced Sweet Peach palette, an impulse buy because of internet reviews which I haven't used a lot of since buying.
Thanks for reading,

Danny xx

Hollywood Mirror!

Hey,

Today I wanted to write a post to show off my Hollywood Mirror I purchased with money I received from my 24th birthday from friends and family. 

I went looking online for different mirrors and ended up on eBay where I came across a heap of different styles and sizes and realised I really wanted to go and suss them out in person. Nothing worse than purchasing something online and it isn't what you expected. After finding a style I liked the look of I emailed the seller on eBay, who sent back details to a showroom in Springvale.

 So Monday the 5th of June I drove over an hour and fell in love with a ridiculously sized mirror. I stupidly drove my car, which is a small sedan to the showroom which was an issue when they pulled the box out. It was massive. In the end I purchased a massive mirror and we had to take it out of the packaging and wrap it in bubble wrap to get it home. 

Below I have included photos of the mirror in my room, enjoy!

Thanks for reading,

Danny xx

How to combat being stressed and run down.

Hey,

Today I wanted to blog about a couple of products I have been using to combat cold sores, my bodies physical reaction to being stressed and run down. 

The natural ways I like to combat stress and feeling run down is to drink plenty of fluids, both of the water and tea variety as well as getting a lot of sleep. However when I am feeling this way my body decides a lovely comet sized cold sore on my bottom lip is its physical reminder that I am not looking after myself too well. I have naturally dry and chapped lips so cold sores tend to develop.

The two products I have purchased from Chemist Warehouse after a cold sore popped up over night are;

• Blackmores Lyp-Sine tablets
• 
  
• Compeed Cold Sore Patches

I purchased the tablets as they work from the inside out to battle cold sores and the patches work to contain the cold sore and stop the transference of the bacteria.




Thanks for reading,

Danny xx

Palette a Week 10

Hey,

Today I wanted to explore both the palette I have used for the last week as well as introduce the palette I will be using for the next week. Last weeks palette was the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance eye shadow palette, which I have used for just about every day in the last week.


I purchased this palette mostly because of the hype that was all over the internet. People were loosing their minds over the palette so I ordered it online to finally see what all the hype is about. I have to say that first time I used it I wasn't impressed with how many pink shades were in the palette. I hate the colour pink, especially in make up and was horrified that I had purchased one where I originally thought they were more red.

This last week has changed my opinion on the palette. When I first tried it out I missed how versatile the shades can be. They are creamy and pigmented but they also blend together well and can be layered to create a lot of different eye looks. Every day I used the shade Tempera to set my eye primer, this is a satin shadow that is quite close to my skin tone - pale with a touch of pink.

I used a few different shades in the palette as crease colours, some days on their own and on others as a combination. These shades included Raw Sienna, Burnt Orange, Warm Taupe, Buon Fresco and Realgar. Raw Sienna is a medium toned mustard colour, Burnt Orange is a warmer more orange version of Raw Sienna. Warm Taupe is a medium toned taupe shade, Buon Fresco a light lilac tone and Realgar a medium to deep burnt orange shadow.

The three shadows I interchanged as a lid shadow were Red Ochre, Antique Bronze and Cyprus Umber. Red Ochre is a deep red shadow that blends out quite brown, Antique Bronze is a brown tone that reflects a rose gold/ bronze tone which is quite elegant. Lastly Cyprus Umber is a deep brown.

My favourite look of the week was using both Buon Fresco an Antique Bronze, which I created a more elegant brown eye look.

The shades I didn't make use of during the week were Golden Ochre, Venetian Red and Love Letter.  

The tenth palette that I have chosen for the week ahead is the Too Faced Semi-Sweet palette, an impulse buy because of internet reviews which I haven't used a lot of since buying.

Thanks for reading,

Danny xx

x

Skin Care Decisions

Hey,

Today I wanted to write a small post detailing my skin care decisions I have been making. I have struggled with my skin for as long as I can remember, I have never had full blown acne but I am prone to pimples, break outs and dull dry skin. Since going off of the pill a few years back I have also struggled with hormonal break outs and cystic acne especially around my chin and neck area. 

After advertisements on Facebook and other social media I ordered myself a Real-U skin care bundle which includes a set of three items that Cleanse, Control and Hydrate. The first item, the cleanse section of the trio is a Gentle Foaming Wash. The second item, the control section of the trio is the Face gel and the third item, the hydrate section of the trio is a lite moisturiser. These skin care products are marketed towards people with problem skin - including oily skin, acne prone skin and break out. The products are made without Benzoyl Peroxide and Salicylic acid which are claimed to cause similar damage to skin as sunburn.

A week or two before these items arrived on my doorstep I started using three prodcuts from The Ordinary Brand. These items include two serums and a moisturiser; Salicylic Acid 2% Solution, Niacinamide 10% +Zinc 1% and the Natural Moisturizing Factors +HA. I would use the Natural Moisturizing Factors +HA moisturiser morning and night, the Salicylic Acid 2% Solution in the morning on spots and problem areas and the  Niacinamide 10% +Zinc 1% at night all over my face.  Within days of using these three products I noticed a series change in my skin. My skin felt plump and more hydrated and my previously hard to manage and get rid of pimples were moving through there natural cycle quicker and  fading away, with the added benefit of no new problem areas appearing. Any make up I was applying over the top of these products was sitting and staying on my skin better than ever.

 I was impressed with the products but was eager to get stuck in the the Real-U products that arrived. So I went into using the Real-U products with relatively barable skin. 

I received a sample of the Real-U Cleanse Gentle Foaming Wash with my order and started using that a week before trying out the full size products and did not notice any irritations or problems with how it was cleaning my skin. Adding the Control Face Gel and Hydrate Lite Moisturiser is where the problems arose. My skin immediately was not as plump when applying the moisturiser and my problem areas flared up with the face gel. This I figured was probably due to a detox period, which is what happens with new skin care. 

Applying primers and both powder and liquid foundations is where I noticed the next lot of issue. Nothing was sitting well on my skin. With previous break outs and uncontrollable skin I have still been able to apply my products and give my self a semblance of nice looking skin. Everything just looked wrong, I looked flakey and dry and products wouldn't build up and apply to my skin and once I got it on it would separate minutes after application. It just wasn't working but it was early days so I just put it down to changing skin.

Late in my second week after waking up late and only getting the skin care side to my beauty routine applied at home I applied my make up in the car. I put on my best high adherence primer by The Ordinary which I find makes everything stick to my face and then applied my liquid foundation over. Immediately the foundation bunched up and crumbled off my face. This freaked me out because it has never occurred on my whole face. I managed to save my face with some powder but the foundation was a lost cause. 

I went home, immediately wiped off my face and applied my Natural Moisturizing Factors -HA product by the Ordinary followed by the same primer and foundation I had used earlier. Both applied brilliantly over the top. I had similar issues with other primers and foundations earlier in the week but this incident was the one that cemented that this skin care line is just not for me. Waste of $69 for me but at least I gave it a go.

I have put the Real-U products aside and will now be using the following products;

Mario Badescu Acne Facial Cleanser (Face; AM + PM)
Pixi Glow Tonic (Face; AM + PM)
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution (Spots + Blemishes; AM)
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% +Zinc 1% (Face; PM)
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors +HA (Face; AM + PM)
Yesto Grapefruit Dark Circle Correcting Eye Cream (Eye; AM)
Egyptian Magic All Purpose skin Cream (Eye; PM)

I will be seeing how this combination of products work and update when I have worked out whether it is or is not going to work for my skin.


Thanks for reading,

Danny xx

May Favourites!

Hey,

Today I wanted to post about the different items in May that I enjoyed using the most. I have quite a few items that I have loved using as they are a part of my every day routine and other items that are every couple of days but are still just as amazing. I have included a photo of all these items as well as names and descriptions.

Elf Ultimate Blending Brush

I purchased this brush off of iHerb in the month of April, since its arrival I have used it every time I have applied liquid foundation. This brush is incredibly soft and doesn't soak up a hell of a lot of product. More that it picks majority of the product up and then transfers it to my face. It also blends out foundation incredibly well, not creating a lot of streakiness. 

MUD Beauty Sponge

I am still devastated that I did not go back to Woolworths in South Australia and purchase every single sponge they had in the store. This is an incredibly soft and flexible and wen dampened becomes quite large. I love this sponge and if I ever see another I will purchase any I can find.

Rimmel Wake me up Concealer

It still amazes me how much I love this concealer, I use it every single day. I use it with both my liquid foundation as well as my mineral powder foundation. It is a very light yellow colour but is full coverage with great spread ability and blend ability. I have noticed that the newer version of this concealer has added vitamin C which is something I will soon be purchasing.

Nyx Dark Circle Concealer

I purchased this product while I was in South Australia at the Priceline Cosmetics sale as I was looking for something to help with my dark circles. This product is has incredible coverage and covers not only discolouration in the under eye area as well as any redness near the eye area. I have been using this product every day underneath my Rimmel concealer and they are a match made in heaven.

MAC Painterly Pro Longwear Paint Pot

I purchased this product from Myer in South Australia as I wanted to try the product out after a MUA friend recommended it. I love this product, the coverage is incredible and the colour blends into my skin tone so well that I look like I have a flawless lid. 

Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer

I purchased this bronzer from the iHerb website after scouring every Priceline in my area and not finding it. This product smells incredible, kind of like that coconut fake tan smell. I have since been using this product just about every time I use a liquid foundation. The colour is also warm without being orange on my skin tone and is build able which I appreciate in a bronzer. 

L'oreal Pure Clay Masks

There are three types of these Pure Clay Masks; Eucalyptus, Charcoal and Red Algae. The Eucalyptus is green and purifies and mattifies, the charcoal is black and detoxifies and brightens and the red algae is red and exfoliates and smooths. I have been using these masks a lot since purchasing as they leave my skin feeling less inflamed and irritated, I would even go as far as to say they are helping my break outs.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA

I only received this moisturizer on the 15th of May and in the short amount of time that I have had it I have loved using it every minute. My skin feels constantly plump and hydrated. Previously my skin has been sallow and dehydrated no matter what moisturizer I use. 


Thanks for reading,

Danny xx

May Purchases!

Hey,

Today I wanted to post about the different beauty related products I have purchased during the month of May. Below I have listed where, price and items as well as photos. 

May 1:

Chemist Warehouse:
Byphasse Micellar Water $4.00
Byphasse Micellar Water $4.00
Nivea Clinical Protect Deoderant $3.99
Thursday Plantation Macadamia Oil $14.99
Loreal Pure Clay Mask $11.69
Loreal Pure Clay Mask $11.69
Loreal Pure Clay Mask $11.69
Coffee Bar $4.99

May 3:

Priceline:
Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes $3.99
Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes $3.99

Real-U:
3 Step Program $69.00

Coles:
Essano Rosehip Oil $13.82

May 4:

Target:
Rimmel Match Perfection  Foundation in 100 Ivory $11.37
Rimmel Wake me Up Foundation in 100 Ivory $11.97

May 5:

Priceline:
Revlon Contour shadow brush $8.21
Nyx Pore Filler $21.95
Australis Fresh $ Flawless Pressed Powder $7.77
Australis Make up Setting Spray $9.57

May 9:

Jeffree Star Cosmetics:
JSC x Manny MUA Collaboration $50 USD

May 10:

Coles:
Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment $6.34
Veet Sensitive Precision Beauty Styler $24.99
Colgate Optic White $5.00

May 15:

Sephora:
Kat Von D Alchemist Holographic Palette $50.00
Pixi Glow Tonic 250ml $45.00
Kat Von D Edge Foundation Brush $49.00

DECIEM:
The Ordinary High-Spreadability Fluid Primer 30ml $13.90
The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer 30ml $8.80
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA 30ml $9.80
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 30ml $9.90
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution 15ml $8.80

Chemist Warehouse:
Maybelline Matte + Poreless Foundation in 115 Ivory $9.98
Maybelline Colour Jolt in Stripped Down $7.98
Maybelline Master Fix Setting Spray $7.98
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara $6.48
Makeup Bag for spending of $30 on Maybelline Cosmetics

May 25

Priceline:
Modelsprefer Unicorn Highlighter Brush $16.99
Modelsprefer Unicorn Fan Brush $18.99

May 27

Sephora:
Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash $20.00
BeautyBlender Original $30.00
Zoeva Wing Liner $15.00


29 May

Priceline:
Modelsprefer Unicorn Powder Brush $19.99
Modelsprefer Unicorn Angled Contour Brush $18.99
Modelsprefer UnicornBlending Brush $13.99

Mecca:
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara Sample $17.00
Soap and Glory Creamy Clarifying Shower Gel Sample $4.00

Thanks for reading,

Danny xx