IndieAna- In Search of the HolyGrail

I received the Beauty By Nicholas Plump It Up as part of a prize pack from beauty website Beauty Heaven's Instagram page. I have had it for a while and finally got around to using it once a place opened up in my skincare routine. Taken from Beauty By Nicholas - "Plump It Up is a high-precision volumising cream, concentrated in active ingredient Adipofill'inTM. This cream will deliver an instant plumping effect, creating visual volume, while giving it an overall lift, as well as intense hydration." The cream comes in a 50 ml airless cylinder with pump-top dispenser, I love this kind of delivery system because it is hygienic and the product is not exposed to air. Although I do like the look of the chrome packaging, I would prefer to be able to see inside to see how much product I have left. A non-issue really. Anyway, the product is a very light-weight cream, falls into almost serum category for me and that's how I use it morning and night before moistur...

When it came to finishing beauty products, April wasn't the most abundant of months. I'll break down for you what I finished. Andalou Naturals Instant Luminous Face Mask- A single use mask formulated with fruit stem cells, tumeric and French clay to give skin radiance. I was expecting an orange colour, but that was just the packaging, it's actually white. It's a rich mask and not so much like a clay that sets. Repurchase? The mask was moisturising, I'm not sure I noticed that promised luminious effect, but it hydrated my skin nicely so I would consider trying it again. ModelCo Hydro-Glow Miracle Mask- This large foil packet has 3 sections that contained foaming cleanser, serum and a sheet mask. Repurchase? I enjoyed using this skin pamper in a packet and could see that it would be great for travelling as well. I really liked the products and was happy with how hydrated my skin was and how fresh my skin looked after using. I would definitely co...

I don't think the highlighting trend will be going away in a hurry and quite frankly, I don't want it to. I enjoy a subtle highlight on my cheekbones, so I don't need to use a lot of product for each application, therefore I try not to buy every highlighter that appeals to me. I have a few and I probably wouldn't need to buy another one for years. Of course, with all the releases, it's hard not to be tempted. This was the case with the Maybelline Master Chrome Highlighter. Not only did it look good, reviews I read had me needing it in my stash! Taken from Maybelline - "Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter delivers the look of a melted metallic highlight in an easy to apply highlighting powder. Features reflective pigments for an eye-catching chrome effect." The highlighter comes in a round, plastic compact with a clear lid. I like that you can see the product without opening. The highlighter powder has a funky textured square design. I couldn...

When I went to a recent cosmetics sale at Priceline an eye shadow palette was definitely not on my radar. It has been years since I've bought drugstore eye shadow because the quality is a bit meh in my opinion. Well, I happened to come across a tester of the Australis Neutralize palette and of course I couldn't help but swatch. I immediately put one in my shopping basket. The palette contains 20 shades no less. Fancy packaging is something I am often drawn to, but I do like the practicality of being able to see the eye shadows through a clear plastic lid. As the name suggests, the shades are neutral, ranging from warm to cool, but there also some pink shades, too. Let's get on with the swatches. There is a mix of metallics and mattes. Every need is covered to complete an eye look. From a colour to set eye primer, a highlight shade, crease shades, outer corner and of course lid shades. We all know that I love a shimmery lid shade! The metallics ar...

Because I have been wearing different lipsticks a few times a week lately, I decided to throw in another lipstick declutter post this month. I will continue to post more than one update a month if I try on enough. ColourPop Lippie Stix in Cookie BH Cosmetics ColorLock in Devotion Essence XXXL Shine Gloss in Sparkling Papaya ColourPop Lippie Stix in Cake Revlon Ultra HD Gel Lipcolor in Sand ColourPop Ultra Glossy in Aquarius (I bought a trio that also included Ultra Satin and Ultra Matte finish in the one shade, I didn't think it was necessary to include pics of the other 2) I will be keeping all 3. I love the ColourPop Lippie Stix formula and the shade that I like and am keeping is Cookie. I'm not keen on the shade Cake, so that one will be going. Staying in my collection is also Essence Sparkling Papaya and Revlon Sand. I didn't love  BH Cosmetics Devotion so I will be decluttering that lipstick. My lipstick tally now stands at ...

Another day, another The Ordinary product review. Anyway, now having dehydrated skin, I decided it would be the perfect time to introduce some Hyaluronic Acid, an ingredient known for its hydration, into my routine. Yep, and I chose to give The Ordinary HA Acid 2% + B5 serum a try. Taken from Deciem - "HA can attract up to 1,000 times its weight in water. The molecular size of HA determines its depth of delivery in the skin. This formulation combines low- medium- and high-molecular weight HA, as well as a next generation HA cross-polymer at a combined concentration of 2% for multi-depth hydration. This system is supported with the addition of B5 which also enhances surface hydration." The HA serum comes in a 30 ml glass bottle with dropper. Fingers crossed I don't tip it over, because I am hopeless when it comes to remembering to screw the lid back on. I know! It doesn't really have much of a scent to comment on. The serum has a fluid consistency, but not over...

I'll just jump straight into showing you what nail polishes that I have tried on. Australis Nail Colour in #bethatgirl Blue Paradise Iced Queen Shade #73 Charlestone Me Victorian Violet Paparazzi Purple Fluro Pink I'm definitely keeping #bethatgirl it's one of my favourite purple nail polishes. Although the camera didn't pick it up, the LA Colors Blue Paradise is sheer, but the pale purple has a lovely gold shift, unfortunately my nails are in poor shape and don't do this polish any justice,but I wiill be keeping it. I love the shade of Maybelline Color Show nail polish in Iced Queen but it has been well loved, and has now become difficult to get enough product out on the brush, so I will be saying bye to that one.  Also going is Blush-amour Shade #73 and Mirenesse Charlestone Me nail polishes. I don't hate the shades, I just don't feel that I need them (trying to be ruthless! lol) I'm going to k...