Yes everybody!! The Priceline 40% off Cosmetics sale is back again!!!!! 
(If you're confused about my excitement, this is pretty much the equivalent to Christmas for me).

The last sale in March was the first time I'd ever heard of this happening at Priceline, and being the little drugstore advocate that I am, I jumped to my multiple Priceline stores with a double-checked list in hand to grab exactly what I wanted.


My partners in beauty have confirmed the best, that the second of the year Priceline 40% off all Cosmetics Sale will be on next week, during Wednesday the 18th and Thursday the 19th of November.




To understand the products you should stock up on if you don't have them yet, I've put a list together for you below! (If you have no clue, check out my blog post on Beauty Bag Basics for a competent guide of what kinds of products you should be looking at first).

Matin Mon Amour's Priceline Sale Recommendations 

This is a re-buy for me! Never have I met such a handy and well working mascara in all my days.

For $2 these liner's are a blast! Quite a smooth formula with near to no tugging gives me hope, I want all of them! There no MAC Liners, but for $2, they are good.

Like Sailors to a Siren, or a mosquito to a bright light, I am notoriously attracted to cream contours. Maybe it's because I haven't met a cheap dupe of ABH that I've liked yet. Curiosity will kill me, and my budget, but I still need to see if this is any good.

One of my favourite beauty bloggers @makeupbyan created a look with this palette, and ever since I've had my eye on it! I love all kinds of shadow palettes, and I know I'll be picking up a few, especially Chi Chi and Models Prefer from this sale! 


I am really intrigued by this powder, and after searching for something light and absorbent to swipe on for Summer, I want to try this! I'll be picking up a few other Australis things this November, like the Australis CYA Later Pore Primer.
And I know I'll snatch up a few more spontaneous buys in my fit of passion on the day. This really is a great sale to take advantage of some amazing drugstore products for an insane discount!

What's on your Priceline 40% off Cosmetics Sale Buy List?





Every girl (or guy!) should have a comprehensive base make-up set with them at all times. This is your go-to bag of quick and easy day-wear makeup, products to help you touch up with during the day, or your first choices to pack on your trips away!
 
So to help you out, I've compiled my recommendations for your Beauty Bag Basics and the products I'm using in mine! 
This base is great for everyday and is easy to dress up with the use of Blushes, Eyeshadows, Bronzers, etc.

Matin Mon Amour's Beauty Bag Basics!

  • A Brush/Sponge Cleaner

Vital. If you don't have some form of cleaner, drop what you're doing and go grab some now! Not only does cleaning your brushes keep those beautiful white-tipped Real Technique wands clean, it cleans make-up build up that can affect application, and wash away nasty bacteria that can live on your brushes like staff infection. 

Your routine should comprise of two different steps

1. Spot Cleaning - Whether you’re switching between products or doing a quick cleanse, brush cleaner on a cotton cloth (or even an old t-shirt) will remove product – plus you won’t have to wait too long for your brush to dry. 

I'm currently using MAC Brush Cleanser $20 

2. Deep CleaningIf you use your brushes daily, make cleansing a weekly ritual.  Using a brush cleanser, detergent or even gentle baby shampoo and water, cleanse the brush and lay flat on a towel to dry overnight.

I'm currently using Daiso Detergent for Puff and Sponge. 
Available at Kawaii on Gouger St for $3.95

Watch this tutorial from my favourite make-up duo guru's Pixiwoo, to learn how to clean your brushes!



  • Facial Moisturiser and Cleanser 

To keep your most visible organ looking fresh and young, moisturiser and cleanser is vital. This also helps with controlling oily/dry skin and therefore ease of make-up application! Listen to your skin with your routine, I'm lucky to have a blessed complexion with no break-outs or oily/dry zones, but I've found that cleansing and moisturising too often can have adverse effects of my skin, like increased blockage of pores! If you have larger skin problems, do your research on what's available out there for you, or consult a doctor/dermatologist for professional advice.

I'm currently using Cetaphil Cleanser (1L) $24 and Moisturiser (1L) $24

  • Primer

Some of you out there don't understand the importance and need for primer! A good primer will even out your skin tone, provide a smooth base for your foundation and leave the finished product glowy and looking professional!

I'm currently using Rimmel Stay Matte Primer $14
  • Foundation

An everyday foundation that is matched perfectly to your skin colour might be hard to find, but it's an essential! Being able to quickly wipe on some foundation to even out your skin's many colours can give a healthy glow, and provide a stress-free morning when you're in a rush! There are many, MANY different options you can chose from for this one, from Dewy or Matte, Tinted BB Cream or Moisturiser, including SPF, to Light, Medium or Full Coverage (No wonder I already have a handful of different foundations!)

  • Lip Moisturiser

The name says it all! Scrub over your lips to beat the winter chap or give shine anytime during the year. (I'd also give it up for Paw Paw Ointment!) 

I'm currently using Maybelline BabyLips $3.95

  • Concealer

It's usually recommended that you grab a concealer 3 shades lighter than your foundation. Blend in with a Beauty Blender to achieve brighter under eyes (remember to set!) and cover blemishes. 

I'm currently using Maybelline Fit Me Concealer $15
  • Translucent Powder

You should be sweeping translucent powder over your T-zone with a lovely big brush to mattify your face and keep away shine! I admit, I used to powder my whole face, leaving it slightly too heavy with make-up, now days, I'm only using a small amount on my chin, nose, either side of my nose and forehead (Remember, you should only be removing unwanted shine from you face, you don't want to be covering your amazing strobing!)



Phew! Thank Goodness that's over! Now we're done, look over and evaluate your current products and make sure you include any products you don't yet have in your new purchases!

What products are part of your Beauty Bag Basics?






If you say you don't care about Kylie Jenner, you're a liar and can't be trusted.

I'm not as interested with her as other, lip-filling, Kardashian-obsessed tween followers, but that girl has her make-up on point.

And lucky for us, she's posted a private video to her Youtube Channel, with her Make-Up Artist Hrush Achemyan detailing the look.

I even learned a few things from the tutorial, like applying highlighter under your foundation and using a darker colour foundation for contouring! 

Check it out here:




For my Birthday wish this year, there was only one thing that reeeaaallly sprung to my mind. I needed to update my brush collection. After strongly considering what I needed in a core set, I purchased:

Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman Base Flawless Core Collection
  • Detailer Brush
  • Pointed Foundation Brush
  • Buffing Brush
  • Contour Brush

Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman Eyes Enhanced Starter Kit
  • Base Shadow Brush
  • Deluxe Crease Brush
  • Accent Brush
  • Fine Liner Brush 
  • Brow Brush

Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman Collector's Edition Sculpting Set
  • Sculpting Brush
  • Fan Brush
  • Setting Brush

Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman Stippling Brush

Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman Real Complexion Sponge x2

The first thing I noticed when I purchased them, is how much I personally love their presentation. Beautifully coloured handles, along with Panoramic Cases for the sets and a Brand Exclusive attribute of flat brush ends, meaning you can stand them up on their own if need be.

The Panoramic Case

I've have a few different brands of brushes in the past, from Napoleon Perdis and MAC, to basic sets to fill brush spaces from SAVVY by DB. The biggest difference from RT to any of these past brushes is the full, soft bristles. I honestly have had a few gripes with my MAC stippling brush

  • Firstly, it was expensive for me, but at the time I was willing to spend (In hindsight, $85 fucking dollars!  WAS I HIGH???)
      
  • Secondly, I noticed from the second I bought it, the brush would shed its bristles, but being, again, obviously high, I assumed it was because it was new. 10 months later and I have to go to my face with tweezers after every application to grab the long black dual fibre bristles that have shed onto my face (Crazy making).
      
  • And lastly, it was picking up a hell of a lot more product than I was used to, every day I was using twice the amount just to try and load the brush up enough to apply, (But again, in my high state, I blamed the foundation). As well as the application being streaky and visible.

Well it looks like whatever in the Kool-Aid as worn off courtesy of Real Techniques, because I see things more clearly now than ever. The first time using the RT Stippling Brush I saw it picked up and distributed the foundation beautifully. The brush used what was put on there, a first for someone who is so used to loading up my brushes and hoping for the best. RT's helped me become more accurate and precise with my application. 

My Mac Brush: Nasty Stray Bristles and all

And the full, beautiful comparison

My absolute favourite thing about the Real Techniques range, are the How-To videos available on their website.

For my every day look, I've already used the Buffing Brush for translucent powder, the Detailer Brush for concealer, the Base Shadow Brush, the Deluxe Crease Brush, the Fine Liner with gel liner,  the Brow Brush, the Sculpting Brush for contouring, the Stippling and the Sponge for blending. 


The Favourites: 
The Stippling - for it's great use of product, smooth application flawless finish.
The Deluxe Crease - Perfect size for crease work. Guides itself directly into the crease and applies perfectly.
The Sculpting - The shape allows for great contour work with either powder or cream.

The Disappointments:
The Fine Liner - This brush size is not as fine as what is needed for a gel liner. 
The Pointed Foundation - Even though I haven't used it yet, I haven't used a foundation brush besides Stippling for a long time, for me personally, it's unneeded.

Over all I am amazed with the brushes and they have exceeded my expectations of the range. The brushes have really opened my eyes to the beauty of application, I had to use a lot of skill with my older brushes to achieve what was desired, now I am amazed at how the brushes do the work for me. My absolute favourite attribute is of Real Techniques are that they are a 100% Cruelty Free Product aka Vegan!

These brushes are known to be the Make-Up Lover's Best Friend, and I would recommend you seriously consider Real Techniques when adding to your brush collection.

What's your core make-up product?


I have some great news for us all, have you been on the lookout for a great product, that has a huge range of colours and (most importantly) is cheap, like me? Well it's my pleasure to introduce you to Me Now Generation 2 Long Lasting Lipgloss.

Firstly, although the name makes it seem like this is a basic gloss (Which thanks to Australis, I'm already covered with) It in no way is one. A more accurate description is a Long Lasting Matte Lipstick, and I really mean that, this is the longest lasting and most matte kiss-proof lipstick I've used so far! These products are comparable to the Stila Stay All Day or the Rimmel Provocalips matte lipsticks that I both have (Yet to be honest, I'm loving Me Now more). And how cute is this packaging!

I came across these cute little lipsticks from some lovely ladies who shared their experiences with the readers over at r/AustralianMakeup and r/MakeUpAddiction. Fair to say the swatches spiked my interest, especially this one.

Credit: /u/Pandarmonium

So I jumped on board the 'Me Now' train and grabbed a couple of colours from the eBay seller greenlans2014. My favourite thing about these lipsticks at this stage you ask? For only $1.30 each and free shipping, I couldn't dream of picking up anything similar at my local Priceline anywhere near that cheap price tag. 

The shipping is slow-ish, but for free shipping, I was prepared to wait the 20 days it took to arrive and I've been playing with them since I ripped open the packaging yesterday afternoon. Here's what I have to say:

The colours I purchased were 
#01, #02, #05, #07, #10, #12, #15, #19, #31, #34, #35
Numbered colours in order

I wanted to really expand my collection, so I got everything from deep reds, to slight oranges, browns and statement pinks. I recommend applying in thin layers, as some colours are opaque, and adding layers after each one has fully dried. Some of the colours dried a little tacky, but can be easily fixed with a tiny dusting of translucent powder to set the colour. Once dry, I barely notice the colour on my lips, it feels extremely light and natural, and doesn't dry out your lips after removal.
Dry swatches with 2 layers in Natural Light
Swatches with Flash

It does take a little bit of work to remove your matte lipstick at the end of the day, I would recommend coconut oil or almond oil (I've found that eye make-up remover works too!)
Lip swatches:
Top #02
Bottom #05


My favourite colours from the haul are #02, #05, #07 and #35.

The biggest negative for me is that Me Now products are made in China, a country where cosmetic testing on animals was once mandatory, and is still highly encouraged. I personally only buy cruelty-free products and although there's no information stating that Me Now does, I know to keep an eye in the future and make informed decisions about my purchases.

As well as trying out Me Now, I gathered all my old and new colours and brought them together to catalogue my collection. I am constantly forgetting what kind of colours I have, so when Mascarateer came up with this brilliant idea and provided lip vectors, I had to jump to try it. Although the swatches may not be true to colour when placing on white paper, it sure has put into perspective the colours I have, and hopefully will encourage me to wear my collection more frequently.

So much fun! I hope you've enjoyed my lipstick review and encouraged some of my readers to look into Me Now Lipsticks!

What's your favourite lip product?

*I was not paid or incentivised by any third party to publish this post*