Empties

So I just want to start with saying, I'm changing my blog schedule. To posting once a week, sometimes twice. This is mainly because I really don't have much to review/post and I feel like once a week is plenty. I may skip some weeks, but I don't know.

But onto todays post. My empties of April. Its quite a fair bit, but its good I'm getting rid of products I guess!

Used up the Swisse Micellar Water and honestly, this was okay. Removed my makeup well, but stung the crap out of my eyes. The Garnier Micellar Water is still my #1 Favorite as it doesnt sting my eyes.

Throwing out these 2 sheet masks as they are expired. Never got to use them, so I don't know what to say about them.

The Lip Liner (NYX In Plum) and Concealer (NP Set in Light) are both completely finished, and the mascara (Super Sizer by Covergirl), well i threw it out at the beginning of the month because I've been using it for 4 months, which is kinda gross. But its pretty much gone.

Used up Immaculate Eggception (UK Name, unsure of AU name) and I thought it was pretty average. Not worth $12 in my opinion. However, Ultraviolet Bubble Bar I loved. Both from the Easter collection.

Oh how I love Lord of Misrule. Though honestly I think I prefer it in the bath bomb version. Will repurchase this if it comes back out.

This is not expired yet. However on the back it says it expires in May 2016. No date. So I don't want to risk giving my skin an infection/rash/reaction by using this. I have repurchased however I'm an idiot and got the wrong shade so I need to return.

This Sukin Hydrating Mist Toner was pretty good. Very similar to the Lush mist toner.

I'm throwing this Essence Highlighter out as I used it the other day and it made my skin cake like a beast. I have another Essence cream highlighter and it doesn't do that to my skin.

Opening Up: My Mental Health and 'Disability'

So.

I honestly don't know how to start this blog post. Not that I'm scared to talk about it, if you know me real well, I'm quite open when it comes to this topic, but just writing it down, where do I start?

I guess I'll start with my 'Disability'.

Why in quotations? Cause I see my disability as more of a mental challenge. Not physical. It challenges me daily, and I'm still learning more about it.

(I think this is the story, if you ask my mother she'll probably be like "No thats not right")

When I was in Grade 1, my teacher realised I was learning a bit differently than others and a bit slower than others, and suggested my parents go get me tested. So they did, and I was diagnosed to be on the Autistic Spectrum. So I've got Autism.

Now I hate saying I have Autism. Because there is SO MANY FORMS of Autism. Highly Intelligent (AKA Aspergers Syndrome), Low Functioning, and my God theres probably that many more. And when I say I have Autism people AUTOMATICALLY assume - I struggle with people skills, I can't talk, I can't understand things, and that basically I need assistance with all things.

Yes, I have stuggles with basic social skills, but I see a social worker and trust me I'm a whole lot better than I was when I was 10. Yes I struggle to understand basic things you learned when you were 16. Yes I need assistance with most things - But I choose to be as independent as I can be.

My Autism level (They go on Levels now instead of saying 'low functioning') is between High Funtioning and Aspergers - From what I understand. I don't really care. Well I do, but I don't.

Feel free to ask me Question on my Instagram (@xobrontie) and I will do a Q&A on anything you want to know. I really don't know what to type.

For mental health. At about 12 I was diagnosed with Major Depression and Anxiety.

My Anxiety/Panic Attacks effect me more than my depression does. I can get really bad if not on my anti-depressants (Also if you are curious as to what I'm on, as I'm on a few tablets I'm open to answer that too), I can get suicidal thoughts, and basically can cry at any point, in other words I'm a wreck.

My Anxiety can get real bad, I can't answer the phone or else I have a major panic attack. I don't cope with stress at all. This is the current reason why I'm MIA from Instagram right now - I'm not going to get into that now as I don't want to feel like shit again.

What I want to end with saying is that I have been told all my life "You Can't" And I want to prove that I can. Just because I have struggles in my life, doesn't mean I can't do things. I follow these quotes:

Believe You Can And You Are Halfway There

If You Never Try You Will Never Know

The Key To Happiness Is Learning To Say No To People And Things That Stress You Out.

I have all these 3 on canvas'. One I made, the others my Dad gave me and the other was bought from Typo recently.

Again if you have any questions, feel free to ask me on my Instagram, or Message me there.

Favorite Instagram Part 4 (FINAL PART)

ThatGirlShaeXO

Shae is freaking gorgeous. Shes also another inspiration to me, beauty and fitness wise.

TheBlackAndWhiteGuide

Ebony is another Hobart girl! But we haven't met yet. She kinda saw me in Big W one day though but she didn't say hi, but atleast she knows I exist? Ebony's account is brilliant, and she often helps me if I have a question.

TheProserpina

Oh dear God I hope I spelled Victoria's username right. I keep looking at my phone and to here and it looks fine but I just doesn't feel right?! But Victoria is simply stunning and I'm obsessed with her account.

VeganBeautyAddict

Okay. So I've decided to make some pretty big changes to my makeup addiction, and its pretty much inspired by accounts like this, and with horrible things I have seen on Facebook, and pretty much common sense. I'll have a video and blog post based on it in the coming weeks, but its going to be huge. Lets just say that.

Lunaaaaa._

This is my best bitch from America. We have been friends for years and I love the complete crap out of her. Shes an aspiring photographer and model. We used to Skype all the time but we have just both become so busy we don't even do that. But follow her, her account is just lovely.

Favorite Instagram Accounts Part 3

MakeupObsessedAU

Tyneil's account is a recent following of mine and she is honestly so sweet and kind and GAH I just want to hug her! 

MelissaJaneTayor

I said this to Melissa the other day and I'll say it again. Shes inspired me to make a pretty big change in my life which I'm hoping to do a blog post on pretty soon. Melissa is just a great person, so friendly, and her cats are just so cute.

Mykie_

Who doesn't love Mykie (AKA GlamandGore). She is INCREDIBLY talented and I discovered her through the NYX Face Awards Last year. 

PastelPegasus

Ash is amazing when it comes to body painting. I love seeing her on my feed, and creating herself into who-knows-what.

RokItShopIt

Trisha and I did a swap a while back, which you can view here.

But Trish has a great account, and gosh, I just want this palette.

SaraMonsterKitty

I honestly love Sara's style so much. I used to follow her on my old account and I just recently started following her again, and I missed having her on my feed.

Shaaanxo

Shannon! Who is not obsessed with her (And Lewie and Zeus.) I'm obsessed with her full stop. I love her vlogs, and her main channel, and her IG is just as amazing.

Favourite Instagram Accounts Part 2

DisneyGirlBeauty

2 things I love about this account, its a mix of Disney and Beauty. 2 of my favourite things! If you didn't know I'm actually quite a huge Disney fan, and I am doing a Disney Makeup Series on my YouTube. But this account is amazing.

GabyRoseBeauty

I hate this chick.

Just kidding Gaby is great! Gaby and I did a swap a while ago which you can view here.

Gaby has an amazing personality and has an amazing account.

KarissaPukas

I'm starting to get lazy writing all these down with 'Oh I love this account' cause really I love them all obviously. But Karissa, is a huge inspiration for me in many ways. Her way about life, fashion and I'm just forgetting words now. But Karissa is honestly amazing and her IG is to live for.

KaylaaLoves

Kayla lives a few hours away from me, and we often chat on IG. Her feed is amazing, and her blog is incredible, like to be honest its better than mine.

LipNGloss

Laura and I go waaaay back. From memory we have known each other since, before High School?

But we lost contact after high school ended and last year i stumbled upon her IG account and we just started chatting again. Laura's IG isn't updated so frequently as shes juggling Uni, Work, and other things (Trust me shes pretty busy), but when she does post, they are amazing posts.

MadelinesModelling_

Madeline inspires me so much. For being the first model to have Down Syndrome in the world, shes pretty successful to say the least. She inspires me as I was diagnosed with Autism at a young age and all my life I have been told "You can't do that" and Madeline just shows that no matter what you have, nothing can hold you back. 

MakeupByAshh

I'm a major fan of SFX Makeup, and Ashh's account is just magic. I mean, just look at the photo. Talk about incredible!

MakeupMermaid23

UGH THIS ACCOUNT GIVES ME LIFE.

Thats all I'm saying.

STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT PART!

Favorite Instagram Accounts Part 1

I must admit, I'm quite addicted to Instagram.

It had helped my blog and YouTube channel grow over the year, not much, but it has helped. I personally don't have a huge follower count, it took about a year to get to 400 from 200 which I wasn't very impressed with, but at this stage, I'm really growing and I am planning a giveaway for my birthday which is in August.

Anyway enough about my Instagram. Today I'm talking about accounts I generally love and am always excited to see them post. Please note that I have over 400 accounts I am following so I don't always see everyones post. But I have post notifications on for most of these accounts

This may be come in a few parts as I have a few accounts and there is a post limit on Blogger.

AprilMorrisMUA

Okay. Her account is just GORGEOUS. Like, the only word I can think of to put it simply is makeup porn. Like I need this Quad. (Which is the ColourPop x Kathleen Lights Where The Light Is Quad) Every photo on her Instagram (Which I'll now refer to as IG) is just gorgeous and I need her photography skills (Even though I studied photography in College.)

AshleyLoveAllOverM3

Ashley is a Freelance Model based in the US (Can't remember exactly where, I have an idea but don't know where, and shes edited her profile). And I have watched her grow from the beginning of her career, and I mean the early days. Shes grown up to be such a lovely young woman, and I can see her career taking her places. I would have inserted a photo of her work, but I'm just getting lazy finding photos as I had over 30 to find. Gulp. 

BrittneyRosette

Brittney's IG is very much Makeup/Fitness/Lifestyle based, as is her Snapchat, and I just love peeking into her life (Even though I'm lazy with Snapchat and Hardly use it.) Her feed is filled with a mix of all 3 which I think is brilliant. Its a perfect balance.

Brittney_Saunders

Brittney, first off is simply stunning, like there is not one picture of her I dislike. BUT ITS NOT ABOUT THE LOOKS. I love Brittney's personality. She's such a bubbly person, and I can see her career with YouTube and with NKD going places.

ByBrookelle

Brookelle is a recent following of mine and you just know when you are going to love an account. Her makeup is just on POINT and its a bunch of inspiration for me. Because I've only been following her for a week, I don't have a ton to say about her account cause I haven't stalked it yet, but so far, I'm liking what I am seeing.

DaniMansutti

AH! I'm so proud of Dani! I've been subscribed to her channel since she had like, 500k, and now she has hit 1mil, has launched her own brand, and I can just bet there is ALOT more where that came from. She's super hard working, and always has a smile on her face no matter how she is feeling.

STAY TUNED FOR PART 2!

Australis Banana Powder Review + What is Banana Powder?

Banana Powder is currently hugely raved about in the beauty community.

But a lot of people still want to know - 'What Is Banana Powder, and What makes it more special than regular face powder?'

Well, I wanted to know a bit more myself so here are some facts I found out about it:

It smells nothing like banana, in fact it smells like any other regular powder on the market.

The name comes from its yellow-ish colour.

The yellow helps to counteract dark circles, redness, and cover imperfections.

So yeah. Thats pretty much what a banana powder is. Most people use it as a setting powder, like I do. I basically place it where I put my concealer which is under my eyes, on my nose, between my brows and on my cupids bow and chin. So really in my T Zone.

There are tons of various banana powders on the market, but for today I will be reviewing one on the cheaper end of the market, by Australis.

This powder used to only be available in the AC ON TOUR Contour Palette but has recently been released on its own, along with the Highlighter from the same palette. It retails for about $14.99 and you can get it from Priceline, Kmart and now Coles.

This item claims to be Vegan and Cruelty Free. But I am not so sure about that as from my knowledge (Email me to correct me if I'm wrong.) It states on the back it is made in P.R.C, which is the formal name of China. Products made in China have to be tested on animals which is part of their rules which I honestly think is pathetic. So why state its cruelty free when it actually probably isnt?

I haven't tried many Banana Powders, in fact this is the only one I have tried, and I am quite happy with it.

It lasts during the day, and it doesn't fade or be patchy, or go horrible. It just lasts.

Its pigmented as you can see in the swatch above.

Priceline 40% Off Cosmetics Haul

I know, its been about a week since the sale has been.

The thing is, I went in the morning not feeling 100% and I went home and since then I have spent 3 days in bed unwell. I haven't even been on the Computer until now (Its Friday at 5.30 as I'm typing this).

But, the main thing is that I still have a haul to show you all.

I told myself when I went shopping not to buy lip products, eye products, blushes or mascaras. As I have plenty of these enough to last me like a year so I don't see the point of hoarding them when I hardly use what I've got

So lets get into what I got. I had a budget of $40 but I ended up going over by $20. It was the powder products that took up most of my money

First off, I had a photo of this and its completley blurry and I'm still not well enough to retake the photo. But its a repurchase of Baby Skin primer by Maybelline. This is the primer I mainly reach for when using a primer. I rarely use primer as I normally use Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous and that has a primer built into it and I don't really need it. (I have used it with a primer before but I just prefer it without)

I bought the Australis Banana Powder mainly for my Mum as she keeps stealing mine and for $8 why not buy her one. The Highlighter also by Australis I have been having my eyes on for ages but haven't been too sure if I should buy it or not, so again, it was like $8 so why not. I have a review coming on the Banana Powder shortly.

The Australis Fresh & Flawless Pressed Powder. I swear everyone talks about this and I have never jumped on it. So I finally bought it. Like alot of Australis products, I love the packaging. It sleek, simple, and easy to travel with.

The Models Prefer Mineral Powder in Soft Focus I'm not sure what this is, but I thought it would make a beautiful highlight shade for everyday use. Its really gentle, and like the name suggests, really soft. I think I might buy more of these but my Priceline didn't have many left.

I know I said no blushes. But you can't say no to Essence in sales like these. There were more products I would've bought from Essence, but I'm kinda glad I didn't cause then it would have been more money haha and I only wanted to spend my cash not my card. But this is the Matte Blush is Berry Me Up.

Again I jumped on the bandwagon and bought the last Fit Me Concealer left in this shade. They had another one but it had been opened and this was the only unopened one left. This is in the shade light, I thought I bought this previously but I ended up buying a shade too dark. So I don't know how I feel about it yet.

And finally I bought a nail care item. This is the Essence Studio Nails Triple Care. It Cares, Repairs and Strengthens your nails. My nails have been so dull and chipped and splitting and they just need something. I'll probably eventually buy something better but I wasn't feeling well and wanted in and out so for $2 I couldn't say no.

I will be doing a review on all these products eventually. I have so much to review its crazy.

Essence: All That Greys Collection Review

Essence just came out with a new collection at the end of March. This collection is called the 'All That Grey's' and is inspired by the roaring twenties.

Thers quite a bit in this collection but I did not buy all of it. The entire collection includes; An Eyeshadow Palette, 2 Smoky Eye Pencils, Corner lashes, 2 Lipglosses, A Porcelain Loose Face and Body Powder, 5 Nail Polishes in 3 different formulas, Nail Decals and a hair band.


 I grabbed 3 things from this collection that caught my eye, there is one more thing I want from the collection which is the other gloss, but I couldn't get my hands on it. I will be trying at the other Target store too - Forgot to mention this collection is Target Exclusive.

Lets look at the palette first. Sorry for the finger prints on the mirror, its gross I know. I wasn't going to insert the photo then I was like 'But no one knows what it looks like inside!'

But the palette is such a let down for Essence. I have quite a few Essence shadows and let me say, they are 10x better than this. The pigmentation is very much lacking, to the point where I tried to use fix plus with it, and that didn't even do much either. So I would say skip on the palette, it really isn't worth, I think it was $10. I'd highly suggest buying one of their permanent palettes as they are much more creamy and pigmented.

The eyeshadow stick I wasn't sure if I was going to like, but I do! I use it instead of black in my outer v and then just blend with a brush, and it did the job and lasted all day. I was quite impressed with it.

The item I loved the most was the burgandy gloss, as you can see its quite pigmented, thats just one swipe too. It has a scent to it, its not strong at all though. Its very much a fruity scent too I'd say. I would suggest buying this out of everything I tried.

Lust Have It! March 2016

This months bag, I honestly wasn't too impressed with. I'll probably only end up using 3/6 items that came in this months bag, but thats okay. Better than using none at all. I'll start off with the items I dont have photos of.

The first item was a voucher from Hello Fresh Australia. They are - from what I understand - a website where you choose a recipe and they send you the ingredients. Brilliant idea right? The sad thing is they only send to some suburbs in QLD, NSW and VIC, which means I can't use it because I'm a Tasmanian. The voucher (Well its more of a coupon) is for $35, so if anyone reading this wants it, message me on Instagram (@xobrontie) and I'll give you the code. I was selling it, but really, I hardly paid a thing for it so I don't see the point.

The next item is something I gave Mum and shes already lost it. But from Memory it was the body balm everyone got in their bag. I can't remember the name, but it looked like a chapstick and retailed for $20. Mum said a little went a long way which was good.

This is the Seba Med Body and Face Cleanser. To me it looks pretty similar to Cetaphil. which I use daily in the shower, and I'm almost out of it. So this deluxe sized sample will be great to try until I get my hands on another Cetaphil Cleanser.

This eyeshadow brush is by the brand Ruby Which I haven't heard of. This brush is so nice and soft and is made from natural hairs. I can't wait to try this out.

This Be a Bombshell Eyeliner in the shade Bling Bling had me excited at first. But it actually disapointed me. Its rough, not soft at all, and the pigmentation is really lacking. Not to mention the packaging is extremely cheap.

My favorite product in the bag would be this shadow by Glazel Visage in the shade S2. Its a taupe, perfect crease/transition shade, and I'm in love with it. 

I'm sorry I forgot prices and such in this post, I misplaced my information card.