Hello!

Sorry it's been so long since I posted on here - I have been so busy with my Youtube channel that my blog has been a little bit neglected!! We are coming along great - over 1500 subscribers in just over 1 month and still growing! Thank you to all of you for your continued support and love - it's crazy how fast we have grown in 1 month!

Have you seen my video featuring my favourite products from the year of 2013!!
I cover everything from face products to eyeshadow products to lip products.
And the video also includes a HUGE giveaway with prizes over $300 in value!
It's super easy to enter just read the details below to score yourself an entry and don't forget to check out the video to see my stand out products for 2013

GIVEAWAY PRIZES:
1. 4x pairs of luxurious mink fur lashes by www.ladybosslashes.com (Miss Runway, Miss Show Off, Miss Monroe & Miss Chic)
2. Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette
3. 5x Maybelline Color Sensational Lipsticks
4. 4x gorgeous crystal embellished earrings by Colette Hayman
5. MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot - Bare Study
6. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer (My current favourite!!!)
7. Mehron Pro Color Ring Concealer

See my Instagram & Facebook for pictures of the prizes!!!

GIVEAWAY RULES:

1. Must be subscribed to my Youtube Channel

2. Like this video and leave a comment telling me what you like in a false lash! (Thickness? Length? Wispy? Invisible Band? etc) or just tell me your new years resolution!

3. Follow my Instagram page @nikkiajoy

4. Follow Lady Boss Lashes Instagram page @ladybosslashes

5. Like both our Facebook pages
www.facebook.com/nikkiajoy
www.facebook.com/ladybosslashes

Giveaway open until February 7th 7pm AEST!
Open to international entries!!

**Note - If you are not on all of these social platforms that is OK! Just let me know!





Watch the video below!

Okay so I went shopping with good intentions I swear! I'm mid way through shopping for my boyfriend's Christmas presents (I get a little excited at around events and go a bit nuts with gift buying!) and I managed to wind up in the makeup department at Myer (no idea how I got there - I'm sticking to the story that my subconscious mind led me there!!) and I was browsing the MAC counter (no idea how I got there either!) and I spotted the new pigment sets from the limited edition Nocturnals collection!

Basically they are a beautifully packaged gift box containing a mix of 5 pigments and glitters. Needless to say, it took me less than half a second to make the decision to purchase them - they are completely stunning!

They come in 3 colours: 'Silver and Violet', 'Green and Teal' and 'Black and Gold'.
The Black and Gold kit was sold out at both MAC counters in my area so I ordered that one online (it is yet to arrive in the mail but when it does I will post the swatches straight away!)

The Silver and Violet set contains: Vanilla (gold pearl), Kitschmas (pink) and Push the Edge (purple) pigments and then both pink and grey glitters.

The Green and Teal set contains: Old Gold (gold), Just Before Dawn (purplish brown) and Deep Blue Green (exactly what it is) pigments, and Reflects Gold (white) and 3D Gold (greenish gold) glitters

The Black and Gold set contains: Naked (pinkish white), Museum Bronze (bronze) and Copper Sparkle pigments, and then glitters in Black and Gold.

The sets have been chosen really well, the colours all complement each other beautifully. And the finish of the pigments is mixed also, with some being straight glitter while others have a beautiful velvet or satin finish.

The pigment jars are slightly smaller than the regular full size MAC pigments, but in saying that they certainly can't be labelled as 'small' either. The pigment jars contain 2.6g of product (compared to 4.5g in the full size) and the glitters contain 4g of product. I can assure you that you will NEVER need to purchase the full size product though as these will last you forever!!

The packaging is classy and sophisticated, the boxes are black lacquer with white and gold stripes, as well as the lids on the actual pigment jars.

In terms of value for money these are 100 percent worth every dollar! The sets are retailing in Australia for $65.00 - which equates to $13.00 per pigment jar, in comparison to $38.00 per pigment jar for the full sized product (which hold less than double the amount of product). I was expecting these to be in the $80+ range so it was a pleasant surprise! Your pretty much getting 5 pigments for less than the price of 2!!

These will make a really great gift for your loved ones for Christmas/birthdays, but lets be honest, once you get your hands on them you are not going to want to give them away!!
Keep in mind they are LIMITED EDITION and based on the fact that the Black/Gold sets are already sold out in most stores your probably going to want to jump on these babies sooner rather than later!!

To purchase online Click here!
Otherwise check them out at your nearest MAC counter/store!

Check out the photos below for close ups and swatches - and look out for these in my upcoming holiday makeup tutorials which will start going up over the weekend.

I will post swatches of the Black/Gold set once it arrives in the mail!!

Let me know what you think of the collection. Love them or leave them?!

Much love

xxxxxx

Wow where has the year gone? It's already December!! This is GOOD because that means its the holiday season! I love Christmas and New Years - I have the most fabulous family and we have such a fun time!
It's also BAD because I'm very quickly running out of time to fulfil my New Years resolutions that I set for myself last year WHOOPS! There's no time like the present right? I should probably also try and lose those extra kilo's that I put on from eating so much Christmas food last year haha! Can you tell I've been busy????

Anyway enough rambling! Today I've got my November favorites for you! I have been absolutely LOVING these products in November and after having 3-4 weeks to really test them out I can honestly give them my stamp of approval. There's a mixture in this one - hair care, skin care, beauty and some other randoms!!

I have included links and extra information for those of you interested in purchasing these and most importantly some discount codes so you can save yourself some cash!

Hope you enjoy the video and let me know what your monthly favourites are!
See below for additional product information and direct links to purchase!

MWAH!
xxxxx





Redken Diamond Oil Shampoo/Conditioner and Shatterproof Oil Treatment
Click to buy me from activeskin.com - I'm on sale!
So totally in love with these products right now! They honestly make my hair so shiny, it literally reflects the light! They are jam packed with nutritional oils and other good stuff that your hair is just going to drink up. These are currently on sale so check out the above link to purchase!

Simple Kind To Skin Makeup Removing Facial Wipes and Eye Makeup Remover
http://www.simpleskincare.com.au
Affordable, simple and easy to use! What more could you want from a skin care regime? I particularly love the wipes because they have a super soft texture and don't irritate my skin and create unnecessary redness. I usually pick mine up at the supermarket (Coles or Woolworths - and they are regularly on sale!) but I have linked the website above so you can read up a little bit more about the ingredients and company background!

St Tropez - Foaming Mousse Tanner - Bronze
Click to buy me from Priceline
Click to buy me from Beautychoice.com - Use the code 'CMSP20' to get 20% off your purchase!

Ahhh self tanner - literally my partner in crime. If you ask anyone who knows me I am ALWAYS tanned. I must admit I do have an unfair advantage in the fact that I have naturally darker olive skin but I still use a self tanner 1-2 times per week to keep up a healthy summer glow. Now to those ladies who are tempted to lay out in the sun and sun bake PLEASE DON'T!!! It is honestly not worth the risk, especially when we have so many artificial tanning products available to us to give us the same look minus the skin cancer! Always remember FAKE IT DON'T BAKE IT!

Bourjois Happy Light Matte Serum Primer & Bourjois Happy Light Foundation - W3
www.bourjois.com.au
Foundation - Click here to buy from Priceline
Primer - Click here to buy from Priceline
An affordable light to medium coverage foundation that gives skin a beautiful glowing finish? Yes please!!! The primer also works wonders for blurring imperfections/pores and creating a nice base to keep makeup in place all day long. I used the color W3 but looking back I probably need W4 as I was a little paler when I actually purchased this product! I got both of these from my local Priceline store - with 40% off woohoo!!

Essence Lash Mania False Lash Mascara
Click to buy me from Priceline
Hello I will only cost you $4.95 and you will love me!! Great for building a nice amount of volume to the lashes and the formula is not too wet so after a few coats you will have nice lightweight but thick lashes. The only qualm I have about this product is that it can flake a little! But for $4.95 who cares! I have been reaching for this one over my other high end mascaras and loving it!

Lady Boss Lashes
www.ladybosslashes.com
As you can probably already tell (from watching other videos) I absolutely LOVE this company! The lashes are 100% mink fur but are 100% cruelty free (thank goodness!). They can be worn up to 25 times (that equates to approximately $1 per wear!) and stay in absolute pristine condition!! I have been using these over and over this month and they still look brand new! The styles mentioned in the video include "Miss Monroe", "Miss Chic" and I'm wearing 'Miss Show Off" on my eyes!
They are an Australian company and shipping here in Australia is free!! Tanya is also working on International shipping which should be available soon!

Revlon Skin Lights Liquid Illuminator - Bronze
Click to buy me from Priceline
This is essentially a liquid bronzer and I have been loving it mixed in with my foundation to give my face a really nice sun kissed look! It can also be used over the top of your foundation or just on its own for a nice bronzed effect! Priceline currently have a 3 for 2 sale on Revlon face products so if you want this one then now is the time to pick it up!!

MAC Mineralize Blush - Warm Soul
Click to buy me from MAC online
I'm not really a rose and I'm not really a bronze? Warm Soul is honestly the prettiest and most versatile blush colour and can be used all around the face for added warmth! This one is a mineralised so it has decent longevity and the mineral pigments will give your skin a glow like no other!! It also doubles as an eyeshadow if your feeling creative?!!? Looks lovely used as a bronzer on lighter skins and as a blush on medium to dark skin tones!

Essence Liquid Ink Eyeliner - Black
Click to buy me from Priceline
Super black, super long wear and super easy to use!! Oh and SUPER affordable!! This one is only $4 at Priceline and it is worth every cent and more! The applicator is a nice, super fine brush tip and its a real liquid (not a felt tip) so its perfect for using over glitters as the liquid will settle in between the glitter and give a smooth finish!

Revlon Apocalips
Click to buy me from Priceline
Click to buy me from ASOS
These are a cross between a lipgloss and a lipstick but they aren't quite a liquid lipstick either? Confused? They are quite opaque but you can still see your lips through them (except for the darker colours which are VERY opaque!). They are not the longest wearing but as a glossy finish I really would't expect too much longevity from them anyway (as they aren't a stain). Amazing colours, there is a great range with a colour for every occasion and the packing is so luxe - the lid looks like a beautiful black crystal - love!!

NYX Butter Gloss
Click here to buy me from CherryCulture.com - $5 each
Click to buy me from Target - $9.95 each (Australia)
Ah my love affair with NYX continues! The butter gloss range is honestly stunning! And they are exactly that, a super buttery, creamy and pigmented finish. The colours are gorgeous as well - My most favourite being Maple Blondie which is a nice peachy nude and looks so great with a little nude lipliner and a smokey eye! BAM your ready to party! And the excitement continues because they are now available in Australia in Target stores!! Run girls...no sprint, to your local Target store and grab them NOW!

Woodwick Candles
http://www.woodwick-candles.com
Loving these candles at the minute! The scents are so luxurious and so strong! Even when not burning my house still smells delicious! And the best part is they crackle as they burn - so it's like sitting in front of an open fire and is the most soothing thing ever!!

Hello all my beautiful blog readers!

Today I'm excited to share my passion for purple!!
Not only is it flattering on EVERY skin tone and eye colour, it is one of the easiest colours to work with because it is very easy to blend!!





If you think about the colour wheel, normally to conceal purple/blueish tones, we use yellows, salmons and pinks. As the skin is naturally these tones, applying a purple over the top really gives a seamless finish as the colours counteract each other! It gives a bold, yet perfectly blended look! So don't worry if your not quite at the 'pro' level of blending (we all have to start somewhere!) because purple is going to be the perfect shade for you to start off with!
I have never come across a purple shadow that wasn't breathtaking! There is just something alluring and mysterious about wearing purple around the eyes!

Below I have an easy to follow tutorial using (you guessed it!) PURPLE!! It's quite a bold smoked out look, but I am sure your will be so happy with your results!
What's even more exciting is that the shadows used were super affordable! All colours come from my E.L.F 100 Color Palette which retails in Australia for only $12.00 (HELLO HEAVEN!!)


Check out the link to their website below to pick up your own - you can create endless looks with this palette, its extremely versatile. The shadows are well pigmented, there are some that are hit and miss, but as a general rule they are all great and have pretty good staying power (just make sure you use a primer!)

Click to buy the ELF 100 Color Eyeshadow Palette

To buy the brushes used to achieve this look on the link below! Or just click one of the Sigma banners beside the post!!

Click to buy Sigma Brushes

I hope you all LOVE the tutorial and don't forget to tag me in your recreations on instagram #beautybykiki5

Love you all millions!!

xxxxxxx