IndieAna- In Search of the HolyGrail

I've always promised myself that once I lost passion for writing blog posts, I would take a hiatus. Well, that time has come.  I think most bloggers go through a stage where they are just not "feeling it", I've been there in the past, more than once, but because it only lasts for a short time, the passion comes right back.  Unfortunately, I've felt uninspired to a certain degree for some time. I just feel like I'm writing the same drivel, and I think you, my reader, deserves better content. I still enjoy playing with makeup, and sharing my love of beauty products. So, for the time being, I believe Instagram is the best platform for me to do this. If you don't follow me, and would like to, just search @indie_ana1 to find me.  I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support. I've met some wonderful ladies and of course will continue to interact with ya'll on your blogs or on Insta. I won't make any promises abou...

My birthday is the 29th of December, so it makes sense to me to purchase my birthday and Christmas presents at the same time. I do this during the Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales. My favourite time of year, lol. Before the sales had even been announced for Makeup Revolution, I had already decided that I wanted the Pink Fizz, Naked Chocolate and Salted Caramel palettes. Instead of an actual sale, there was a gift with purchase To qualify for the offer, I added 2 eye shadow blending brushes to my order. By doing so, I received the following products. So many extra goodies to play with. Totally didn't need them, but hey, they were free! :) Give Me Glow liquid lipsticks. I had come across this Etsy store on Instagram. I'd resisted temptation for some time, but during my splurge, I figured there was no better time to place an order. MBA Cosmetics Matte Liquid Lip Colors had been one of the products on my wishlist. MBA Cosmetics have sales quite of...

Thanks to being lucky enough to win one of Kat's generous giveaway's, I now own the Mirenesse Lip Rouge in "Sydney". I'd wanted to try from the Mattefinity range, but the price put me off purchasing. That, and the fact that I couldn't justify another lip product purchase. Taken from Mirenesse - " Our first rich mousse matte cushiony lip colour with GelLite technology and a lip hug applicator delivers elastic infinite wear, superb hydration, fine line filler, inbuilt lip stain. Anti-feathering technology combined with cushiony comfort for defined lip colour, lip pencil not necessary." Dusty rose shade The doe foot applicator tapers at the end in a leaf shaped sponge. I really find it easy to apply the liquid lipstick with. It is quite thick and creamy in consistency, giving a velvet matte finish. It does dry more after applied, but not completely. It does transfer some, but is long lasting without being too drying. ...

It has been a long time since my last attempt at pressing loose mineral shadows. It's not too difficult and I love creating a new eye shadow palette to play with. For more details on how to do it yourself, you can check out that post here . I decided my next endeavour would be to press some of my favourite shades. I enjoyed creating the palette so much that I went ahead and created a metallic palette. I used MBA Cosmetics Molten Metals collection, and 6 other metallics I had in my collection to complete the 12 pans. Swatches of the Molten Metals when loose can be viewed here , so you can see how they compare. Mind you, the original swatches were done over a lip balm, whilst these are all done on bare skin with my finger. Now I have 2 extra palettes, without even buying extra eye shadows! :) I'll be linking this post to Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness , feel free to check it out! :)

I'd like to start by saying that my makeup doesn't really change depending on the season. I don't have any rules, I just wear whatever appeals to me. However, I thought I would do a blog post on what comes to mind when I think Summer makeup.   Face DB Cosmetics CC Creme  Silk Naturals HD Concealer Dr Lewinn's Anti-Aging Concealer Silk Naturals Golden Cloud Finishing Powder MUA Cosmetics Highlighter in Iridescent Gold Darling Girl Cosmetics blush  Blush and highlighter Eyes Maybelline Color Tattoo in "Barely Branded" 88 Warm Palette (what else? lol) Silk Naturals mineral eye shadow in "Cloudberry" UD Eye Liner in "Midnite Cowboy" YBF Universal Brow Pencil Mirenesse Cougar Mascara Eye shadows used Lips Essence lip liner  MUA Cosmetics Matte lipstick in "Peachy Keen" Mirenesse Lip gloss No. 27 Liner, lipstick and gloss Bright eyes, bronzed cheeks, gold...

On beauty website Beauty Heaven, there's opportunity to accrue points by doing various interactive activities, like reviewing listed products for example.  I had collected enough points to "buy" the DKNY "My NY" perfume during the event that is Beautorium, where it is possible to spend your points. I had never tried this perfume, but figured that at the cost of $5 for postage, it was worth taking the risk of a blind buy. Description- " Top notes of the composition provide a blend of raspberry, pink pepper and galbanum, followed by Egyptian jasmine, freesia and orris in the heart. The base encompasses patchouli, vanilla absolute, musk and ambergris." At first spray I get the raspberry and pink pepper. Sweet and slightly spicy, giving the perfume a zesty quality. During wear, the floral element became more noticeable. Quite tart, but still with that zesty spice. The musk and patchouli base notes do their part in giving depth and ...

I actually felt like doing a little happy dance to celebrate the fact that I needed to buy foundation. Yes needed, not just wanted, but I'm-on-my-last-foundation and need to replace it. I'd noticed the budget-friendly W7 brand at Chemist Warehouse, and after a Google search for reviews, I thought I'd give it a try. Besides, for a few dollars, I really had nothing to lose. " The new Photo Shoot Foundation leaves you with a flawless finish! Not only budge proof, but lasts up to 16 hours." The foundation is packaged in a sleek looking glass bottle. Creamy consistency, not runny or too thick. I really like the look of the bottle, but I'll begin with what I dislike. The delivery system, or should I say, lack thereof. It is just the open mouth under the lid. I would be happy to pay extra for a pump top dispenser, even a squeeze tube would be preferable. I store the foundation upside down, so that there is product near the top, and I still have ...

Being an eye shadow junkie it is very difficult to decide on a palette from such a large range on offer from new cosmetics brand Freedom Makeup. Looking at the many palettes, I decided that I only wanted to buy from the Pro 12 range, labelled as a high definition eye shadow. I finally decided on a matte palette and the one I am showing you today, "Romance and Jewels" . Similar packaging to sister brand Makeup Revolution, however there is a pattern in the shadows, very similar to the much more expensive NARS. When I saw that they were jewel-toned, I thought rich metallics, my favourite kind! Apart from 5 shades, I was blown away by the rest. The first 2 and pink in the 2nd row were on the sheer side, and the last 2 were pigmented, but somewhat chalky. Just look at the shimmery goodness of most of the shadows just swatching on bare skin with my finger. I did discover that the less impressive shades I could still work with. The sheer shades wo...