E.L.F Australia Review

I recently bought some new elf products from their Australian website and they've also just started stocking some products in Kmart, so I thought it'd be a good time to do a review on the products I've tried!

Overall, I've been pretty happy with the quality of almost everything, considering it's so cheap. However, it is a bit hit-and-miss with elf, so definitely read the online reviews before you buy :)

From top left to the bottom...

1. Essential blush in 'Blushing'

I really like this colour and it's not over-pigmented, but enough so you don't have to go crazy with the application. I prefer a more subtle blush look, but the shimmer in it gives a really nice effect :)

2. Professional eyeshadow brush

This brush came with the palette and it's really nice and soft and perfect for every day makeup. I was half expecting some of the bristles to fall out, but so far so good!

3. Professional blush/bronzing brush

This was one unfortunately of the miss products... The bristles are really scratchy on your face and they're quite sparse as well. The glue holding the handle together is also coming loose... It does the job, though, so I haven't binned and replaced it (yet), but I wouldn't recommend buying it.

4. Essential clarifying pressed powder in 'Ivory'

I wasn't expecting this product to be as small as it it, but it's pretty decent for how much it cost! I kinda guessed which colour to get, but it ended up being about right anyway. It's again not the most pigmented powder, but if you're like me and don't wear much, it does the job just fine :)

5. Under eye concealer & highlighter in 'Light/Glow'

I bought this from the range they now have in Kmart a few weeks ago because my other concealer ran out and it's really good! It's not cakey-looking, but has reasonable coverage and the highlighter can also be used as an eyeshadow primer. 

6. Zit-zapping concealer

I've been blessed with good skin that rarely breaks out, but I still have the occasional spot here and there. The salicylic acid in the formula is what gets rid of pimples and also prevents more from arising and it seems to work. I haven't had much of a chance to use it yet though.. The colour is a shade too dark for me at the moment, but come summer it should be perfect :)

7. Eyeshadow palette

Ever since buying this palette, it's basically all I've used eyeshadow-wise... You can see I mostly use the second column of bronze/browns and it's perfect for both everyday makeup and the range of colours allows you to also go a bit crazy with fun makeup. Most of the colours are shimmer, but a few of the darker colours are more matte, so there's a good range. 

8. Luscious liquid lipstick

I was looking for the perfect deep red lip colour for winter and bought this in the shade 'Cherry Tart'. It smells like peppermint and it's not drying like a lipstick, nor too tacky like a gloss... Practically perfect if you ask me!

9. Eyeshadow primer

This is the only eye primer I've ever used, so I don't have anything to compare it with, but it's quite decent! I don't know how much difference it makes in making my eye makeup last, but it does make the colours more vibrant and see-able, if that makes sense? :P

10. Crystal eye shadow brush

This is pretty much the same as the other eye shadow brush, but it is pink and sparkly... That definitely makes it better ;) 

Apparently the other brushes in this collection aren't as good as the normal ones, so I probably won't be buying any more, but this one is nice and soft, but firm enough to not mess up your eye makeup :)

Wow, this post ended up longer than I planned, but I hope it was helpful!

Share any of your thoughts on elf products you've tried!

Em x

Top 5 Favourite Stand-Alone Books

Sometimes after reading a whole series it's good to read some stand-alones just to balance it out :)

Here's my top five favourites...

1. The Secret Garden~ Frances Hodgson Burnett

This must be one of my favourite classics ever.. It's so full of magic and exciting adventures and it's so adorable!! Everyone should definitely read it at some point and it's a perfect easy-read for holidays :)

2. The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips~ Michael Morpurgo

I've lost count how many times I've re-read this, it is just that amazing. The plot follows the adventures of a young girl and her cat who are living in England during WW2. The practise air raids in their home town force her and her family to move away and leave everything behind. Michael Morpurgo is an amazing author and I definitely recommend any of his novels.

3. Stormswept~ Helen Dunmore

Okay, so this is part of a chronicals, but it can be read alone! I haven't yet read the others, but if fantasy is your thing or if you like mermaids (which is like everyone) definitely give it a go! The protagonist is faced with a life changing choice at the end and I was held in suspense throughout!

4. Paper Towns~ John Green

I couldn't possibly make a list of my fav books without having at least one by John Green.. He is so absolutely epic and the ideas in his novels are mind blowing! Paper Towns is probably my favourite of his and there's a movie in the making!! I absolutely recommend reading it before then :) 

The characters are so beautiful and it makes you want to laugh and cry and read it all over again.

5. Act of Faith~ Kelly Gardiner

I bought this on a whim a while ago but I was pleasantly surprised by it! It's set in the mid 1600s and so suspenseful and full of action! It's probably not for everyone, but if you're into historical fictions I'm sure you'll love it :) 

Comment below your fav stand-alone books for post series burn-outs!! :)

Em x

Fishtail Bracelets

Hello everyone! Wow, I haven't posted in ageeees!

These bracelets are so cute and easy to make and perfect for layering together or wearing alone :)

Here's what you'll need...

You will also need a pillow or something soft to hold the thread onto :)

I used about 1m of each colour in my bracelets. I've found using about 6 strands makes for a good thickness, but that is personal preference :)

After cutting your thread, fold the pieces in half and tie a loop about 2 or 3cm down from the fold. Put the safety pin through the loop and attach it to the pillow. Next, lay the strands out flat and split them in half. (You can have one of each colour on either side, or split them randomly.)

Now start fish tailing! :)

If you've never done this before, it's pretty simple...

Take a strand from the outside of one side and take it over and across to the other. Repeat this on the other side and keep doing this :) At first, it might not look like a fishtail, but as you keep going, the pattern will start emerging...

I find if there's more colours, it's just easier to choose random colours from either side, but you can also get a more unified effect by matching up the colours, as I did in the other ones :)
Keep going until it's long enough to wrap around your wrist, but bear in mind the loop adds a bit of length as well, once it's tied up.

When you have it the required length, tie the two sides in a knot. You can either braid each half for a few inches, or leave a length and tie a knot at the end of each half. 

And wallah! A cute bracelet for yourself or a bestie :) 

I think these would make great gifts for anyone and can be made in their favourite or footy team colours :)

Thank you for reading!

Em x