Beautylish Lucky Bag - 2017

If I wasn't so busy (read: watching far too much Law & Order SVU) this post would have been up well over a week ago. 

Each year Beautylish (one of my favourite places to shop online) has Lucky Bags available starting Boxing Day (but are not shipped until the new year). They are inspired by the Lucky Bag tradition for New Year in Japan. 

In 2016 I held off too long and missed out. I then had major regrets when I saw the contents on the bags popping up on social media. I was not going to miss out this time! I purchased mine as soon as they became available (at something like 3am). The bag cost US$75 but it worth over double that. 

The most annoying part of the Lucky Bag was how long it took to get to me. It was only about 10 days but I am really impatient. Shipping was free but it was only standard shipping. 

My Lucky Bag arrived beautifully wrapped in brown paper and the gorgeous paper used as a background in the photos. I was too excited to open it to take photos beforehand. 

I am really pleased with my Lucky Bag - the contents are worth over US$150 and all the products are things I can/will use. Obviously the big ticket item in this bag is the By Terry palette. 

BY TERRY - Sun Designer Palette

I received this in the shade 1 Tan & Flash Cruise. It is a face palette that has blushes on the left and bronzers on the right. I am not a massive bronzer person but I could see those shades making nice eyeshadows. I think this palette could be really good to travel with. It retails for US$82.

BECCA - Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed

I am all about the highlight at the moment so I was very pleased to receive this Becca highlighter in the shade Moonstone. It is a shade I did not have but the formula is so lovely, I am thrilled to add it to my quickly growing Becca stash. This retails for US$38.

IT COSMETICS - Brow Power

This product isn't exactly exciting but brow pencils are an essential and I haven't tried this one before. The shade is Universal Taupe which works well with my brows. I also like the sword like shape (similar to Shu Uemura when they sharpen the pencil for you). It retails for US$24.

Z PALETTE - Small Palette Leopard

I understand the idea of Z Palettes but I am not a depotting type of person. I like my makeup to look like it did when I purchased it (usage aside). This is probably the only item I won't use. I do like the leopard print though! This retails for US$14. 

CLEAN APOTHECARY - Brush Shampoo

Good brushes are so expensive, it is important to take good care of them. I have never tried this type of brush shampoo before but the lavender scent smells lovely. This retails for US$15. 

RED POWDER BRUSH

I am unsure of this brushes brand - posts on Instagram suggest it is a Chikuhodo brush specially made for the Lucky Bags. The brush itself feels well made and the bristles are quite soft (not Wayne Goss soft but still soft). I do not know how much this would retail for, maybe US$20? 

There you have my Lucky Bag 2017! 

Overall I am very happy with it's contents and can see myself using almost every item. The value is definitely there - excluding the brush as I am unsure of its retail price, the value of this bag is US$173. That is almost US$100 more than I paid! I will be getting another one next year, that is for sure. 

Did you purchase a Lucky Bag? What did you receive? 

2016 Favourites

It's that time again! 

The end of another year means another annual favourites post. I seriously cannot believe how fast 2016 went! It is true what they say - that the years pass quicker, the older you get. I am starting to think how nice it would be if we could slow time down little occasionally, really give yourself a chance to enjoy a good moment. But then it would also be nice to speed through the bad times wouldn't it?

Enough of my ramblings, onto the beauty! After all, that's why we are all here. 

What can I say about beauty in 2016? I bought too much, learnt new techniques, invested in some products, wasted money on others and had some new beauty experiences. 

Apologies in advance for my bad photos. I cannot seem to find good light lately!

CHARLOTTE TILBURY - Light Wonder Youth Boosting Foundation

I have liked all products from Charlotte Tilbury that I have tried and this is no exception. I adore this foundation. The coverage is light, it leaves my skin looking natural and radiant with perfect amount of glow. It is so easy to apply too, it has come my go-to everyday foundation. 

NARS - Radiant Creamy Concealer

This concealer was in my annual favourites a few years ago. When it ran out I didn't get around to replacing it (I like to try new things). I finally replaced it and I remember why I love it so much. A perfect colour match, it's hydrating and really helps cover my dark under eye area. 

GUERLAIN - Meteorites Compact

My 2015 Favourites included the Meteorites Pearls, in 2016 I discovered the compact version. I still love the pearl version but the compact is so much easier for travelling. I love this as an allover finishing powder. It sets my foundation and helps blur any imperfections.

LA PRAIRIE - Cellular Treatment Loose Powder

2016 was the year I started to 'bake' with loose powder when I needed my makeup to last. The La Prairie is my favourite for this purpose. It is a freaking expensive product but you get a lot of it. The little pot in the photo is 10g you also get a massive 56g pot to refill the little pot with. La Prairie has a had a lot of blogger/vlogger love lately. I also purchased the Caviar Foundation but my opinion on that is still undecided. 

BURBERRY - London with Love Blush Highlighter

I reviewed this during 2016 HERE. I still love it as much as I did then. A perfect shimmery pink blush!

CHANEL - Joues Contraste

I love all my Chanel blushes but I fell hard for this permanent shade in 2016. The shade is 64 Pink Explosion and I love it for a fuss free everyday blush. The cool pink shade with a small amount of shimmer works perfectly on my fair skin. 

LAURA MERCIER - Face Illuminator Powder

I had quite a thing for highlighters in 2016. When Laura Mercier first released this range of highlighter, the sole shade available was too dark for me. I was super excited when I saw another 3 shades had been released. This shade is Devotion and it is a gorgeous soft pink which highlights my cheekbones perfectly. 

BECCA - Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed

I can't believe it took me this long to try the highly raved about Becca highlighters. This shade is Pearl and whilst it is a powder, it is so smooth it could be mistake for a cream. Pearl is a lovely icy silver shade. Perfect for highlighting pretty much anywhere. 

WAYNE GOSS - The Air-Brush

This brush is one of the softest brushes I have ever felt. In 2016, I became a total Wayne Goss brush convert. I adore them! The Air-Brush has gone well with my highlighter addiction. It blends out a cheekbone highlight to perfection. 

CHANEL - Crayon Sourcils

I knew I had to try this eyebrow pencil when I saw Zoe Foster-Blake raving about it on Instagram. The pencil is firm but still soft enough to blend out easily. I use the shade 30 Brun Naturel which is a nice cool brown and works well with my brows. I love the spoolie at the other end. This should be mandatory on all brow pencils!

CHANEL - Stylo Eyeshadow 

This same product was featured in my 2015 Favourites. Firstly, I still love this product - it is super easy to use and lasts all day. Secondly, Chanel released new shades in 2016 that made me fall in love with this product even more. The shades are 157 Beige Dore, 167 Bronze Platine and 187 Brun Chatain. 

CHANEL - Rouge Coco Stylo

A new release from Chanel in 2016. These are similar to the Rouge Coco Shine line. The stylos are more balmy and hydrating than the Shines but surprisingly I find they are more pigmented too. Perfect for days when my lips are feeling dry or when I don't want to have to put a lot of effort in. The shades I love are 202 Conte, 208 Roman and 212 Recit. 

CHARLOTTE TILBURY - Hot Lips 

Until the release of the Hot Lips collection my only criticism of Charlotte's lipsticks was there wasn't enough shades. The two pictured are Electric Poppy and Bosworth's Beauty. They are the Matte Revolution formula which I love, it is a luminous matte - long lasting but easy to wear. 

CHANEL - Rouge Allure Ink

Another new release from Chanel. These are Chanel's take on a liquid lipstick. I seriously adore them, I purchased a few shades when they were first released and went back a couple of weeks later to buy more. They are highly pigmented, easy to apply, long lasting and still comfortable to wear. The shades pictured are 146 Seduisant and 150 Luxuriant (I have another 3 shades, these 2 are my favourites). 

There you have it! My favourites for the year that was. Happy New Year, I hope 2017 brings everything you wish for! Now if it could just deliver that Chanel Large Classic Flap bag to me...

What are your favourites for 2016?