Summer-Ready Beauty

I have a love-hate relationship with Summer, but if there's one thing I adore about the season it's the beauty and makeup. Fresh-faced, tons of highlighter and glowing skin from head to toe is what it's all about for me (oh and the beachy waves!). Most of these products have been a part of my warm weather essentials for a long while now, so they are definitely well-loved and trusted to get me ready for Summer.

Sparkling and Glowing Makeup for the Holidays

There are three days out of the year where I like to drench myself in sparkle and shimmer and they are my birthday, New Year's Eve (obviously) and of course Christmas. You can glam up any way you please during the holidays, but I like to stick to the traditional colours of silvers and golds. It's all about sparkling foiled eyeshadow, layers of shimmery highlight and a deep plum lip for the ultimate festive makeup look.

A Sunkissed Summer Collection by Clarins

The following products have been kindly gifted.

It's beginning to feel a lot like Summer (not only because of the blistering heat), but also with the gorgeous limited edition Sunkissed Summer Collection by Clarins. Bright, colourful and bronzed is what it's all about and it has definitely gotten me into the spirit of the season.

Treat A Loved One (Or Yourself) With These Holiday Beauty Sets

The festive season is here and so are all of the wonderful presents, fit for a beauty junkie. Beauty sets always have the best value for money which make them perfect gift ideas, particularly for this time of year. I have rounded up a mix of skincare and makeup sets by various brands (and price ranges) that any lover of beauty will thoroughly enjoy.

The L'Oreal Paris x Karl Lagerfeld Collection

The following products have been kindly gifted.

I always get excited when L'Oréal release a new collaboration, but even more so when I discovered it was with one of the biggest designers of our time - Karl Lagerfeld. The entire collection is absolutely stunning from the packaging (which is the epitome of Karl himself), to the luxe formulas that I know and love about L'Oréal. 

Makeup in a Flash

What do I look for in a full face palette? Neutral tones that are both flattering and wearable for day or night, which pretty much sums up Beauty Flash by Flower Beauty. I typically don't have the best experiences with drugstore all-in-one palettes (I usually find the overall quality to be underwhelming), but since I've had such good luck with their other products (I dedicated an entire post to the brand here) I'm hoping this palette will break that streak.

A Makeup Bag Makeover

For the past month we've been hit with waves of sunshine, warm temperatures and bees pollinating which is a clear indication that Spring is well and truly here. I have cleared out my Winter makeup bag and hit the refresh button for a full makeover. It's all about lightweight bases, glowing skin and little pops of colour including a mascara that I desperately wanted to love.

Free Digital Wallpapers

Surprise surprise, a blog post that ISN'T about beauty (shocking right?). This is definitely very different but I had been feeling extra creative and inspired as of late, so I decided to put together a bunch of complimentary smartphone wallpapers which is something I've been meaning to do for a long while. They're a bit abstract, a bit vintage and super feminine. 

Clean, Feel-Good Beauty

Inspired by clean eating, clean beauty is produced without nasties and harmful ingredients while looking out for the environment as well as our own bodies. We are essentially feeding our largest organ with the skincare we use, so if you're considering making the switch to a more toxin-free routine here are some beauty products worthy of a spot on your vanity.

My Spring Beauty Lineup

It has been a gloriously sunny start to Spring which has had me ravaging through my beauty stash sooner than I anticipated to get into the spirit of my favourite season. I have officially ditched the deep tones of Winter and opted for bright, fresh colour in my lineup with the addition of some glowy products of course!

L'Oreal Rouge Signature Lip Ink

Two words: pigmented and weightless. That's how I would describe these matte liquid lipsticks and I am in love with the unique formula. I chose a handful of shades that are on the neutral side as well as some statement/vibrant ones that I thought would be perfect for date night or warmer seasons (like that gorgeous orange!).

Review | Flower Beauty Light Illusion Foundation

I typically steer clear of dewy foundations to avoid looking shinier than a disco ball, but I decided that I would give Flower Beauty's Light Illusion Foundation a red hot go anyway in the hopes it will surprise me. While many absolutely adore it (and others not so much), I myself have very mixed feelings.

A Rosy Face Mask by Lush

How good is that feeling when you've collected enough pots from Lush to receive a free face mask? You're essentially being rewarded for recycling and being kinder to the planet which is something I can definitely get behind! 'Rosy Cheeks' was recommended to me by the lovely lady at Lush and it is an oily skin savior!

Makeup With Benefits

Disregard the fact that I'm about to sound like a war veteran, but back in my day (think '90s to early naughts) makeup was just makeup and there was nothing special about the ingredients. Fast forward to 2016 where makeup brands were beginning to infuse skin-loving ingredients into their formulas, and it is so great to see because we want to be able to look fabulous while caring for our precious skin. Nowadays, we can have the best of both worlds.

Beauty Essentials for the Glow-Getter

Glow-Getter (noun): A driven individual who strives to achieve their goals while attaining a beautiful glow inside and out. I like to consider myself a glow-getter, however I do need a helping hand from my trusty beauty products so I can look absolutely radiant while crushing goals and winning at life. 

Review | L'Oreal Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation

The following product has been kindly gifted.

It's always an exciting day when you receive new goodies from the lovely team at L'Oréal - especially when it's foundation because I am always striving to achieve a flawless complexion (aren't we all?). It boasts a lightweight, waterproof and transfer-resistant formula and I have put this to the test so you don't have to.

My AM Skincare Routine

Four years ago (and only a couple months into my blogging journey) I shared my morning skincare routine, so I think I am just a smidgen overdue on an updated blog post. Some of these products are fairly new to my AM regime while others have become a daily staple, and I have also reunited with my beloved Origins Ginzing Eye Cream.

The Universally Flattering Lipsticks by Maybelline

At last, a range of lipsticks made to complement every skin tone and if there's one shade that I personally struggle with the most, it is definitely the good ol' classic red. Maybelline have come to our rescue by introducing Made For All Lipsticks from their Color Sensational line featuring six ultra-creamy matte and satin formulas in purple, pink and red tones.

New Beauty I've Been Swooning Over

I've recently accumulated some new beauty bits and while a few of them had been sitting in my wish list for months (like Stila's Heaven's Hue Highlighter - total love heart eyes), the others had sparked my interest and I must say, I have been mighty impressed! 

Brand Focus | Flower Beauty

Flower Beauty has finally made its way onto Australian shelves and I am BEYOND excited to have a bunch of Drew's makeup products in my collection. The packaging itself is absolutely beautiful and I simply could not resist her eyeshadow and highlighter palettes because just like a magpie, I am also attracted to shiny and sparkly things (even though my wallet hates me for it). 

Fail-Proof Natural Makeup

Back in the day I would wear full coverage makeup when I would feel self-conscious about my problematic skin, but over time I've learnt to embrace it and I now only opt for a full coverage base on special occasions. Light, fresh and glowy makeup has been my go-to  look ever since and it is totally fool-proof. 

An Ultra-Rich and Glossy Lipstick by L'Oreal

Two words I love hearing side by side and they are Parisian chic, which is how I would describe L'Oréal's Color Riche Shine Addiction Lipsticks. Think saturated pigment, glossy shine and a formula that glides and melts like butter. My lipstick dreams have come true!

Currently Coveting

My "dirty thirty" milestone is fast approaching and while some may be petrified of the inevitable, I am quite content with the fact (mainly because to most people I still look twenty one - winning!). So to celebrate the big 3-0, I rounded up a bunch of items varying from clothing to accessories and of course beauty and makeup to include in my birthday wish list as a little treat to myself. 

Review | Nude by Nature Flawless Liquid Foundation

I love a good ol' classic foundation review and it's been a few months since I've written one (you can catch my previous one here), so today I bring you Nude by Nature's Flawless Liquid Foundation. The packaging is beautiful and it sounds like an amazing product in the description, but sadly it's downhill from there.

7 Instagram Accounts That Inspire Me

A part from blogs and Pinterest, Instagram has also been a major source of inspiration in getting my creative juices flowing (particular when I'm in a rut). It's a wonderful platform exploding with creativity and talented bloggers/content creators that have inspired me to really experiment, and have a play with photography to discover my own personal style. These accounts are a mix between beauty and lifestyle/fashion and I pretty much have love heart eyes when I scroll through their aesthetically pleasing feeds.

Adapting My Beauty To The New Season

Winter is well and truly here (a lot sooner than I or my wardrobe had anticipated), so in this abrupt seasonal shift I have switched up my beauty regimen to adapt to the cooler temperatures with nourishing skincare, a winteresque highlighter and a statement lip combo that gives me serious Lily Collins vibes.

In The Spotlight | A-Beauty

You've heard of K-beauty (they took the world by storm with their complexion perfecting products), but what about A-beauty? Australian brands have stolen the spotlight and they focus on simple formulas, natural ingredients and sustainability. 

A Nude by Nature Lip Collection

What makes a great lip product you might ask? It's all in the formula. And Nude by Nature have that down pat with their 100% natural ingredients with some being native to Australia (like the Vitamin C rich Kakadu Plum). I gracefully raided the shelves and got my hands on a bunch of their lip glosses, lipsticks and lip pencils. I managed to form quite the little lip collection and they are just as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside (talk about rose gold heaven).

On My Radar This Autumn

With the change in seasons also comes a change in my beauty routines from lightweight, mattifying bases to layers of hydration and autumnal makeup essentials. On my radar are new skincare bits I've been trialling and an old friend of mine that I have reunited with - the L'Oréal True Match Foundation.

Photo Diary | Forest Glade Gardens

In the heights of Mount Macedon you'll not only find picturesque scenery, but an array of breathtaking, lush gardens to visit. I had been waiting patiently for Autumn to roll around so I could capture the essence of the season at the historic Forest Glade Gardens (one of the most beautiful in Australia with 14 acres of English, Japanese and Italian traditions). I was in absolute awe!

What's In My Makeup Bag | April

I personally love reading these types of blog posts and as nosy as it may sound, I like to see what kind of products others are carrying around in their trusty makeup kits. It hit me earlier in the month that I hadn't updated you guys on what's in my makeup bag this year (I know, how slack of me), but better late than never I say!

The Eyeshadow Palette For Your Ultimate Warm-Toned Look

Australis aren't a brand I have featured much on the blog (no real reason for that, there's just so many wonderful products to write about and I can barely keep up!), so for this week's post I bring you the Metal & Matte Eyeshadow Palette that I'm pretty sure is what dreams are made of.

5 Beauty Products That Practically Scream Autumn

Autumn is upon us and I am so ready for cozy knits, crackling fires and everything else in between that this wonderful season has to offer - just throw it all at me because I adore every bit of it! But as a beauty enthusiast, the few things that I associate with Autumn are the warm oranges and burgundy tones you find in eyeshadow palettes, mauve blushes and the smell of an aromatic-woody perfume. 

Brand Focus | Ulta 3

Ulta 3 may not be a brand you've seen or heard much about (unless you're based in Australia then you might have spotted their colourful displays at your local chemist), so I thought I would focus today's post on this trendy, affordable and cruelty-free beauty brand.

Warm Cherries & Sweet Peaches | The L'Oreal Cherry My Cheri Palette

I'll be honest as much as I adore L'Oréal, their eyeshadows lack that wow factor (for me they're outdated and the packaging need some livening up). But when I first laid eyes on the Cherry My Cheri Palette, it was exactly what I needed to get me excited about their eyeshadows again. 

Photo Diary | Victoria State Rose Garden

In January I kicked off this new series of photo diaries which began with Mt Tamborine in sunny Queensland (you can find that post right here if you missed it). I always make the time to visit the Victorian State Rose Garden at least once a year when the roses are in full bloom, and it is exactly like a floral paradise.

Review | Too Faced Peach Perfect Foundation

So it's almost been a year since I've reviewed a foundation here on the blog (the last one I published was back in June on the NYX Total Control Drop Foundation), but boy do I have a rather peachy one for you today.

The Mecca Max Desert Queen Eyeshadow Palette

First came Beauty Queen (which was love at first sight), now comes Desert Queen fit for a Summer goddess with its sunset-inspired shades. The first two words that come to mind when describing this eye-catching palette are lavish and dreamy, so it's no wonder why it is such a big hit with fellow makeup enthusiasts. 

An Anti-Aging Duo by Botani

The following content contains gifted products.

Being in my late twenties and heading straight for the big 3-0 means that some major adjustments have had to be made to my daily skincare routine. This includes applying eye creams religiously morning and night, as well as antioxidant infused serums to help slow down the inevitable aging process as much as possible, which is where these two botanical wonders come in.

Date Night Ready

Whether you're having date night with your partner or the girls, it's the perfect excuse to get dolled up wearing your favourite dress and best makeup. The bits I have put together make for a stunning sultry look finishing with a spritz of my go-to nighttime fragrance - Black Opium by Yves Saint Laurent. 

New Beauty Additions

I didn't get around to doing a 'what I got for Christmas' type of post so you could say this one has been a long time coming considering we're in February now (oopsie!). But that just means that I have had plenty of time between now and December to really get to know these lovely products, and give you a thorough rundown on them.

Photo Diary | Mt Tamborine

If you've been following BlonDee's Beauty for a while, you would know I never do travel inspired blog posts and I asked myself "why not?". My love for beauty is very strong and it will always be my primary focus, but I have discovered a deeper love for photography in general and I want to incorporate that into the blog. I have been making a habit of taking my camera with me (almost) everywhere I go or I set aside a weekend, do some exploring and snap anything that tickles my fancy and at the moment it's mother nature.

Best Of Beauty 2018

Today I have my annual roundup of the best in beauty of 2018 (if you're a little bit curious you can find my Standout Products of 2017 here). These 6 products have not left my sight all year and have become a huge part of my skincare and makeup routines.

The 2018 Look Fantastic Advent Calendar

Happy Belated New Year! After taking a small break from blogging during the holiday period, I am more ready than ever to jump straight back into it with a new blog post. Since I was so impressed by Look Fantastic's 2017 Advent Calendar, I did not hesitate to purchase last year's and each day revealed a wonderful surprise that any beauty lover would enjoy. I have gathered up a mix of products ranging from hair, skin and makeup to review from this beauty-filled Christmas advent calendar.