I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve mentioned my birthday on my blog.

To be honest, this year is the first that I’ve really “advertised” my birthday.

In the past, I’ve been happy to let it come and go with an ice cream cake and not too much fuss.

But this year I went all out. Because yolo.

So this weekend I had the final birthday celebrations, a joint party with my bestie.

I’ve been so excited to share my makeup look and a few other things, so I hope you enjoy this jam packed post!

Let’s start with the makeup.

Makeup

Tribe Skincare Anti Redness Serum / here

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer / here

OMShe Primer (my one and only!) / here

Chi Chi CC Cream / here

Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer / here

Rimmel Conceal and Bake Setting Powder / here

Rimmel Bronzer / here

Models Prefer Mineral Powder / here

Llivia Beaute Highlight in Chai / here

Rimmel Eye Brow Pencil / here

Full Brow Brow Fibre / here

Mecca Max Sugar Queen Eyeshadow and Face palette / here

Colours I used on my eyes indicated in pink.

Blush colour indicated in purple.

L’Oréal Telescopic Mascara / here

Covergirl Lip Primer / here

Barry M Lip Kit: Lip liner and gloss in shade Femme / here

MAC Setting Spray / here

I have a another “First Impressions” blog post coming which reviews a lot of these products… so you’ll hear all about them then!

Sorry that the order of posts is a bit all over the place ha!

But basically, I was testing out a lot of makeup to see which products would make the cut to be used for my birthday… so you can assume that I love all the things I’ve mentioned above!

Haul

On the way to my party, I swung past Chemist Warehouse to buy some things from their “buy 2, get 1 free deal” on Flower Beauty. I knew I wanted to try the blush and mascara but it took me ages to decide on a third product. I was contemplating the setting spray but I already have quite a few, so I chose the lipstick instead! I did want a brush but the store I was at didn’t stock them- sad face.

Blush in Sweet Pea

Lash Warrior Mascara in Black (first impressions below!)

Lip Duo in Honey Nude: I gave this a quick try and really like the lipstick. It’s a browny-nude which I don’t have in my collection. But the lip gloss is literally just a glitter gloss so don’t love that.

First Impressions

I took a few sample products to try whilst I was away, as part of @bottledbeautyblog’s #SeptemberSamples challenge.

Here’s what I thought!

Garnier Micellar Water: I received this in a Priceline GWP last month. I have only ever tried the milky water version of this and I enjoy that. But I understand the hype for this now. Was very gentle on my skin yet effective. Impressed!

Shop full size here.

White Glo: This is from the Priceline GWP as well. I’m a big fan of the charcoal toothpaste and so I wasn’t surprised when I enjoyed this too. Definitely has a coconutty taste so if you don’t like that, this isn’t for you!

Shop full size here.

Kielh’s Overnight Masque: this had a gel like consistency which I wasn’t expecting but oh my gosh- it’s incredible! My skin was feeling amazing the next day! The instructions say to wipe off excess after 10 minutes by I didn’t do that. I will definitely be purchasing this full sized! Dangerous to try “higher end” products and love them haha!

Shop full size here.

Now on to other non-sample first impressions!

Skin Republic Prep and Prime Mask: This mask is pink which is fun but also quite small. I have an average size face and find that often masks are too big, but this was really quite small. Had a subtle scent and whilst it was nice to use, I don’t think I’d repurchase. You could use any sort of sheet mask and receive the same effect of provide a “plump” base for makeup.

Shop here.

Flower Beauty Lash Warrior Mascara: (image and link above!)

Even though I had spent a lot of effort choosing the products I would wear for my birthday makeup… I went wild and tried this mascara for the first time as well!

The brush is thin, which I didn’t love. It was lengthening but I found my lashes clumped together and weren’t separated.

I’ve read that a lot of people had issues with the staying power of this mascara but I thought it held up well.

I don’t, however, believe it lives up to the hype.

It is too much of a bold look for everyday but not bold enough for a night out.

Of course, I’ve only used this product once and so my thoughts may change but that’s where I’m at with this.

I ended up topping up my mascara with my L’Oréal (what I had intended to wear) but still wasn’t happy with the overall look of my mascara.

Models Prefer Mineral Powder:

This product was another last minute addition to my makeup look. I wanted to have something a bit more shimmery to top over my bronzer. And I have heard comparisons of this to Hourglass so I had high expectations…

That weren’t fulfilled.

I tried to apply this first with brush, and then with my fingers… but the payoff was really poor both ways.

It left a lovely glow on my finger that didn’t transfer to my face at all.

So I’m not sure how I will continue to use it.

Mecca Sugar Queen Palette:

My bestie bought this for me for my birthday and I was soooooo excited to use it for the first time.

I was really excited about using the shimmer shades but honestly, it was the mattes that blew me away.

They were so creamy, not overly pigmented which was nice because it could be built up.

I adore it!

I did try using the mattes as a blush but found they didn’t work as well as they did as eyeshadow.

It was actually the shade “Sprinkle” that is a silvery pink that disappointed me. All it was, was silver. There was not much pink pigment to it at all which I was sad about.

But overall, I am so in love with this palette.

It had such a hype, both by the brand and bloggers, but I do understand it and think it’s justified.

And it is a huge, quality palette at a really great price.

Super happy!

Random

I also just wanted to share some of the gifts my friends gave me.

– assorted face masks from my one my besties recent visits to Japan

– a poetry book, with the most beautiful title; “The Princess Saves Herself In This One.” I can’t explain why but this quote just gives me all the feels. My new life motto, I’ve already put this quote on my felt board hah!

– a foil eyeshadow from Mecca, gold shimmers are my fave eye look so I’m excited to use this!

– and, omg, a Caye Life travel mug! I am so thrilled with this, it’s exactly what I wanted. I have been eyeing it up for ages and my bestie said she would buy it for me, so I’ve been hanging out for it to arrive! Can’t wait to use it. I love the colour too!

Ta-da!

That’s my birthday makeup, done and dusted!

Hope you enjoyed this post- it did take a little while to compile everything together. And wait for the sun to come out so I could get a photo 😅

Thank you for all my birthday wishes.

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