IndieAna- In Search of the HolyGrail

Some time ago, the new polishes offered by Australis really caught my eye, especially Crystal Top Coat. With the beautiful holographic crystal flakies, I just had to have it. I can't believe that I have had it so long and haven't used it until now! Recommended to use over a dark base, I had seen just how good the top coat looked over black.  I wanted to try something deep, yet not black. I'm not great at creating an Ombre nail, but I thought it could make for a fun base colour for the Crystal top coat. For the Ombre, I used Sally Hansen's Xtreme in Blizzard Blue and Lancome, not sure on the shade name as the label has worn off, but it's a gorgeous deep sapphire blue. Once the base colour had dried, I then applied Australis Crystal Top Coat. For added protection of the mani, to increase wear time, I still finished the mani with Seche Vite top coat. The first pic is true to colour, I included the other pics to try and capture the gorgeous...

My favourite word "spending" is soon my most hated phrase when followed with the word "ban". Ugh! But, I constantly have to put myself on a ban, especially on buying make up. I have so much that I now store products, especially eye shadows, in an overflowing box, because it no longer fits in any of my storage drawers.  Unfortunately, my problem is not just the products, it's the excitement of first ordering online, then receiving goodies in the mail..I am ashamedly addicted to online shopping. I realised that it was a problem when I'd get a parcel, rip it open, look at the products briefly, then they'd get put away. So, I put myself on spending ban after spending ban. I normally can't seem to last longer than a few weeks.  My most recent ban has actually been my best effort, I had been doing quite well for about 3 months, HAD being the operative word..today I couldn't resist some eye shadow palettes. Eye shadows! The one thing I'd told myse...

With a cute name like Made By Mandikin s, how could I not purchase from this Etsy store?? :) I just had to try the pressed eye shadow quads. After much deliberation, I only decided on 2 palettes. This was some time ago, as I have been on a make up no-buy for about 2 months. I have been trying to drag out make up reviews of new products, lol. Golden Delish palette. Earth Mother  palette. The pressed shadows come in clear plastic palettes. They are now packaged in magnetic compacts, which look much classier in my opinion. The shadows themselves are just lovely to use, beautifully pigmented and smooth texture. I have so many loose mineral eye shadows and am finding that pressed shadows are much easier to use, and less messy! Made By Mandikins offers many other products also, which I will need to try in future when I get off this damn no-buy!! LOL

I find the need to always try different facial masks. As soon as I open one, I have another brand waiting. The most recent clay mask that I have finished is from the Daintree range. I love this natural, Australian brand, so it wasn't a difficult decision to purchase this product. Packaged in a tube with flip-top lid, it's easy to squeeze out the product needed. It does not have a consistency that is too thick, so it is easy to distribute evenly over the skin.  The mask only needs to be on the skin for 10 minutes, however, I preferred to leave it on for anything up to 30 minutes. I have combination skin, so feel better knowing my skin did benefit from the clay properties, and deep cleansing qualities, getting deep down into my congested pores. Once the clay mask is drying on my skin, it does tighten, but not to the point where it will crack if I move my face, which I have experienced with other clay masks. As expected, removal did take some time with a face washer, yet...

When it comes to my nails, I like to try new things. Some work, many I can't master, but I have fun trying.  I'd heard of decals before, and thought I should give them a go. A quick search on ebay, and I found some different designs. They are so simple to apply. First you cut out your design, remove the outer layer of plastic and then, not unlike a fake tattoo, submerge it in water for about 30 seconds, followed by placing it on the desired position on the nail.  To create the base colour, I used the "clingwrap" method, starting with 2 coats of the light blue nail polish, then the navy blue colour. Whilst the Lancome polish was still wet, I dabbed a scrunched up piece of clingwrap to try and create a denim stone washed look. Once my mani was dry,  I applied some cute zipper decals. This looked fine, but I really wanted to fill in where the zips were open. To do this, I used foils. To apply foils, all that is needed is a coat of glue, wait for it to dry, t...

After finishing my much loved Majolica Majorca liquid eye liner, I needed a replacement, and fast! I purchased Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eye Liner. I'd already heard so many raves about this liner, that it really wasn't a difficult decision.  Initially I was concerned about the fine point, I assumed that a very steady hand would be needed. Thankfully, I did not have any problem lining my eyes, as the tip glides along the lashline.  The liner is fantastic for precise lines, and for a thicker application, I just use "feathered" strokes for my desired thickness. Although, the liner lasts throughout wear, I do find it forgiving, as long as I work quickly to fix my not-so-uncommon mistakes, lol. I was always intimidated at the thought of tight lining my eyes, but it is so easy with this liner. Sometimes my eyes water during this process, but it does not run or smudge. I just love how pigmented the black liquid liner is. I have tried other liners that give...

I just love the quality of UK drugstore brand MakeUp Academy's products. Because of the price point, and frequent sales, I have accumulated quite a few of the single shadows. As lovely as these shadows are, I don't tend to use them quite as much because they are quite bulky, and have been sitting unloved in a drawer. Thankfully there are so many fabulous tutorials on YouTube, including one that I come across that showed how to de-pot the lovely MUA single shadows and re-home them in a DIY palette. The process is fairly simple, yet care needs to be taken due to the use of heat and a sharp knife.  Once the hair straightener is hot, using a piece of foil on one of the plates, carefully place an eye shadow with lid open, on top. After a couple of minutes, long enough for the glue to begin to melt, pick up the shadow. Using the knife, gently run around the metal casing, then use the leverage of the knife to prise the pot of shadow away from the casing. care must be taken in t...