Essence 24 sparkling moments of joy

I decided to buy the Essence advent calender again this year, because it’s cute and fun and affordable. Last year’s calender included quite a few non beauty/make-up related items, which I’m not the biggest fan of, so I liked this year’s calender a lot better. Here are the items it included.

The first six items in the calendar were a luminous blush, a lip scrub, an eyeshadow base, nail jewellery stickers, a lipstick, and a mirror. I think the packaging on the items this year is super cute, and I’m especially excited to try the luminous blush.

The next six items were a brow spoolie, a mini nail primer, an I Love Extreme volume mascara, precise concealer sponges, a moisturizing hand mask, and a kajal pencil eyeliner. We got the mascara and eyeliner in last year’s calender as well, so I wish we would’ve gotten something different this year.

The second to last six items were the following: Face jewellery, eyeshadow blender (brush), mini nude nail polish, sparkle nail file, Juicy Bomb shiny lipgloss in 01 Proud Pitaya, and hair ties duo. I’m most interested in trying the lipgloss.

And the last six items in the calender were an eyeshadow shader (brush), caring lip balm, lash curler, mini fix & gloss top coat, brush cleansing tool, and a highlighter.

Overall, I think this was a very nice calender, and I think I’ll get use out of most of the items. I purchased a second beauty calender this year as well, which I’ll do a post on in the very beginning of the new year.

Perfect Christmas make-up

Here’s the make-up I wore with this outfit. I love how this green eye look turned out. I would say that this is pretty much the perfect Christmas make-up look.

(Base: primer – Essence Skin Lovin’ Sensitive primer, foundation – e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo CC Cream (shade: Fair 120N), concealers – L’Oréal Infaillible More Than Concealer (shade: 322 Ivory) + Essence Skin Lovin’ Sensitive concealer (shade: 05 Fair), powders – e.l.f. HD Undereye setting powder in Sheer + Essence Skin Lovin’ Sensitive mineral powder (shade: 01 Translucent). Face make-up: bronzer – NABLA Skin Bronzing in Ambra, blusher – Clinique Cheek Pop palette in Warm Up (shade: Ginger Pop), highlighter – MAC Flashing Ice Extra Dimension Skinfinish Trio: Light (shade: Glitzed Out). Eye make-up: base – MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Painterly, eyeshadows – BEAUTY BAY Wilderness palette (shades: Snow + Forest + Ivy + Moss) + MAC Nylon eyeshadow, mascara – Maybelline Colossal mascara, eyeliner – MAC Dual Powerprint eye pencil (shade: Be Cool Bb). Eyebrows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze + Maybelline Brow Ultra Slim pencil in Medium Brown. Lips: Revolution Pro X Marilyn Monroe Lip Set Red in Marilyn Red (lip liner + lipstick))

Christmas Eve nails

I don’t think I’ve done a nail post like this in years, but I think my Christmas Eve nails turned out pretty cute. I’ve been doing festive nails all throughout December using nail stickers and glitter, and I think it adds something extra fun and Christmassy to an outfit.

(Nail polishes: Essence mini nail primer + Essence Shine Last & Go! Gel nail polish in 36 Say My Name + MAC Aute Couture Starring Rosalia nail lacquers in Sweet Aji + L’Oréal Color Riche Top Coat 920 Golf Leaf + Rimmel Nail Nurse Base & Top Coat. Nail stickers: Essence Wish Upon A Star nail stickers)

Yellow and blue

Here’s the make-up I wore with this outfit. I did a gold and blue eye look in late November, and I really like that colour combo, but this time I went for more of a yellow and lighter blue mix.

(Base: primers – Catrice Disney Princess face serum in Belle 020 Broke The Spell + NYX Angel Veil primer, foundation – Catrice True Skin Hydrating foundation (shade: 004 Neutral Porcelain), concealers – L’Oréal Infaillible More Than Concealer (shade: 322 Ivory) + NYX Born To Glow radiant concealer (shade: Pale), powders –  NYX HD finishing powder in Banana + Beauty Bakerie Flour setting powder in Oat (translucent). Face make-up: bronzer – Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil bronzer, blushers – Essence The Blush in 30 Breathtaking + Clinique Cheek Pop Pearl blush & highlighter in 05 Ruby Pop, highlighter – Catrice Disney Princess highlighter palette in Belle 020 Never Give Up (shades: Dancing Gown + Golden Heart). Eye make-up: base – MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Painterly, eyeshadows – Catrice Disney Princess eyeshadow palette in Belle 020 Beauty Is Found Within (shades: Intelligent + Ambitious + Beast + Lumière + Maurice + Ball + Gown), mascara – L’Oréal Lash Paradise mascara in Moonlight Noir/Black Navy, eyeliner – NYX Vivid Brights eyeliner in Love. Eyebrows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze + Maybelline Brow Ultra Slim pencil in Medium Brown. Lips: Essence lipliner in 14 Femme Fatale + MAC Powder Kiss lipstick in Werk, Werk, Werk)

All red

Here’s the make-up I wore with this outfit. I decided to go for an all red look to go with my almost all red outfit. Monochromatic looks are always fun.

(Base: primer – Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter (shade: 1 Fair), foundation – Essence Fresh & Fit foundation in 05 Fresh Porcelaine, concealers – L’Oréal Infaillible More Than Concealer (shade: 322 Ivory) + Essence Skin Lovin’ Sensitive concealer (shade: 05 Fair), powders – Hourglass Ambient Mini Lighting powder in Dim Light + Essence Skin Lovin’ Sensitive mineral powder (shade: 01 Translucent). Face make-up: bronzer – NABLA Skin Bronzing in Ambra, blushers – KVD Vegan Beauty Everlasting blush in Poppy + Natasha Denona Bloom highlighting blush, highlighter – Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector pressed highlighter (shade: Moonstone). Eye make-up: base – MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Painterly, eyeshadows – BH Cosmetics Naughty shadow palette (shades: Meringue + Rudolph + Candy Cane + Cheers + Snow Day) + Huda Beauty Ruby Obsessions palette (shade: 1. shade 3. row), mascara – Maybelline Colossal mascara, eyeliner – NYX Vivid Brights eyeliner in Snatched. Eyebrows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze + Maybelline Brow Ultra Slim pencil in Medium Brown. Lips: Essence Stay 8h lipliner in 08 Passionate + Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Metallics lipstick in 003 Fiery Red)

Completely different

Here’s the make-up I wore with this outfit. It’s a completely different look from the other looks I’ve worn in December so far, but I really like the colours, and it was fun matching my make-up to my fireplace jumper.

(Base: primer – Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter (shade: 1 Fair), foundation – e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo CC Cream (shade: Fair 120N), concealers – L’Oréal Infaillible More Than Concealer (shade: 322 Ivory) + Jeffree Star Cosmetics Magic Star concealer in C5, powders – Essence Brighten Up! Banana powder in 10 Bababanana + Dior Backstage Face & Body Powder-No-Powder in 0 Neutral. Face make-up: bronzer – Huda Beauty Tantour Contour & Bronzer Cream in Fair, blusher – Made By Mitchell Blursh liquid blusher in Peach Sugar, highlighter – Clinique Powder Pop Flower highlighter in Lunar Pop. Eye make-up: base – MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Painterly, eyeshadows – By BEAUTY BAY Jade Thirlwall x BEAUTY BAY 42 colour palette (shades: Intention + Natural Beauty + Angel of the North + What’s Your Sign Hun? + Sand Dancer), mascara – Maybelline Colossal mascara, eyeliner – Marc Jacobs Fineliner Ultra-Skinny Gel Eye Crayon (shade: Fine(Wine)). Eyebrows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze + Maybelline Brow Ultra Slim pencil in Medium Brown. Lips: Essence lipliner in 05 Soft Berry + MAC Love Me lipstick in City of Angels + MAC You Had Me At Halo lipglass)

H&M summer sale haul + jeans

I have another summer haul to share with you today, and there’ll be more to come. This is an H&M sale haul, but I’m also including a pair of jeans which wasn’t on sale.

Let’s just start with the jeans. I love wide leg jeans, and I love red, so I thought a pair of red wide leg jeans would fit very well into my warddrobe. I’ve aldready posted a look with these.

And now on to the summery pieces. I have three dresses to share with you. First off, I purchased this cream coloured floral maxi dress. It’s so flowy and comfortable.

I don’t own a lot of mini dresses, but this cerise/hot pink one was just so cute and great for hot summer days. I didn’t get around to wear it this past summer, but hopefully I will next summer.

This simple navy and white striped midi dress is so me. I love a dress that singes in the waist, and this dress is just so comfortable and easy to wear.

This pieces is not very summery, but I still got it on sale. You might have noticed my love for these fitted roll neck tops. I have them in so many different colours and patterns, and I didn’t have this black, blue, yellow, and white abstract patterned version, so I had to add that to the collection.

I don’t buy a lot of swimwear, because I don’t use it often. However, this blue and white gingham bathing suit was just too cute to pass on. I love that it’s a bit retro looking with the print, the shape, and the belt.

Last but not least, I purchased these beautiful asymmetrical earrings from the Brock Collection in collaboration with H&M. I love statement earrings, and I think these are so pretty.

Quite patchy

Here’s the make-up I wore with this outfit. I was a bit disappointed in the I Heart Revolution x Elf Eye Glisten eyeshadow in New York. I wore both shades, but I found out that they do not layer well, so it looks quite patchy close up. However, from a distance and when my eyes were open it looked nice.

(Base: primer – I Heart Revolution x Elf collection primer, foundation – Maybelline Dream Urban Cover foundation (shade: 100 Warm Ivory), concealers – Rimmel The Multi-Tasker concealer (shade: 020 Fair) + NYX Born To Glow radiant concealer (shade: Pale), powders –  Essence Brighten Up! Banana powder in 10 Bababanana + Dior Backstage Face & Body Powder-No-Powder in 0 Neutral. Face make-up: bronzer – Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Bronzer in Sun Kissed, blusher – MAC Glow Play blush in Grand, highlighter – Revlon SkinLights Prismatic highlighter in 201 Daybreak Glimmer. Eye make-up: base – MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Painterly, eyeshadows – By BEAUTY BAY Disney Colour and BEAUTY BAY palette in Bambi (shades: Thumper Tail + Bambi Fur) + By BEAUTY BAY Disney Colour and BEAUTY BAY palette in Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter (shades: Mad Hatter Face + Mad Hatter Hat) + I Heart Revolution x Elf Eye Glisten eyeshadow in New York + MAC Nylon eyeshadow, mascaras – Essence Lash Princess false lash effect mascara + Soda #rainbowrave Unicorn Mascara in Fresh Grass, eyeliners – LA Girl Shockwave Neon Liner in Gotcha + MAC Harris Reed eye kohl in Powersurge. Eyebrows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze + Maybelline Brow Ultra Slim pencil in Medium Brown. Lips: BH Cosmetics Miss Claus Kissmas Wishes Liquid Lip Duo in Jingle Belle (both liquid lipstick and lipgloss))

Ocean blue

Here’s the make-up I wore with this outfit. A blue eye look and a bright red lip was an obvious choice of make-up look for the outfit, and I think the look turned out so pretty.

(Base: primer – I Heart Revolution x Elf collection primer, foundation – Catrice True Skin Hydrating foundation (shade: 004 Neutral Porcelain), concealer – Anastasia Beverly Hills Magic Touch concealer (shades: 1 + 4), powders – Hourglass Ambient Mini Lighting powder in Dim Light + Dior Backstage Face & Body Powder-No-Powder in 0 Neutral. Face make-up: bronzer – Huda Beauty GloWish Soft Radiance bronzing powder in 1 Light, blusher – Natasha Denona Bloom highlighting blush, highlighter – Natasha Denona Super Glow in 1 Fair. Eye make-up: base – MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Painterly, eyeshadows – Essence eyeshadow in 14 Flirting + BEAUTY BAY Wilderness palette (shades: Snow + Twilight + Ocean + Ray), mascara – L’Oréal Lash Paradise mascara in Moonlight Noir/Black Navy, eyeliner – MAC eye kohl in Cobalt Kohl. Eyebrows: NYX Lift & Snatch Brow Tint Pen in Ash Brown + Essence Lamination Style Brow Fixing Gel By Merve in 01 Can Be Tamed!. Lips: MAC Redd lip pencil + MAC Vermillion Vee lipstick)

Festive gold

Here’s the make-up I wore with this outfit. I love this super glittery, golden eye look; it’s so festive and pretty.

(Base: primer – I Heart Revolution x Elf collection primer, foundation – Maybelline Dream Urban Cover foundation (shade: 100 Warm Ivory), concealers – Rimmel The Multi-Tasker concealer (shade: 020 Fair) + Fenty Beauty Bright Fix Eye Brightener (shade: Golden Ivory), powder –  Fenty Beauty Pro Filt´r Instant Retouch setting powder in Butter. Face make-up: bronzer – Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil bronzer, blusher – BH Cosmetics Miss Claus Bad & Bougie blush quad (shade: Santa Baby), highlighter – Huda Beauty Glow Obsessions Light highlighter palette (1. shade 1. row). Eye make-up: base – MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Painterly, eyeshadows – Essence eyeshadow in 05 Granny Pants + Wet n Wild Colour Icon 10-Pan Palette in Call Me Sunshine (shades: 1 + 3 + 5) + KVD Beauty Dazzle Stick long-wear eyeshadow in Electro Bolt, mascara – MAC Magic Extension mascara, eyeliner – MAC Harris Reed eye kohl in Powersurge. Eyebrows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze + Maybelline Brow Ultra Slim pencil in Medium Brown. Lips: Essence Stay 8h lipliner in 08 Passionate + MAC Red Haring lipstick)