Road Test | Max Factor Dip-in eye shadow

I first came across the Max Factor dip-in eye shadow a couple of months ago and from testing out all the colors in store, I knew I’d eventually give in to purchasing them.

Colors purchased...
Ibiza Sunrise - a shimmer golden bronze
Posh Pink - a soft shimmer pearl pink

First Impression

When I took swatches of the colors in store they seemed very pigmented and very shimmery. I liked the idea of eye shadow in a dip and apply form as the formula of the shadow is very fine and I imagine could create a massive mess if it was in the standard mineral eye shadow casing.

First Application

The small sponge dip worked wonders in applying the shadow to my eyelids. There was only a minimal amount of product excess that had to be cleaned up because the formula is so fine.

I found that not a lot of product had to be on the in sponge, the pigmentation of the color was determined by how much pressure I used when applying to my eyelids.

The finish of the product is very colorant and pearly, giving that extra flash of shimmer and color to the eye shadow look. 

The Verdict

Cons of the dip-in eye shadows would be the size of the actual product. The case is very small, and although the formula itself is very fine, I still think for the price it could be bigger. The consistency of the formula is powdered, unlike most shimmer products, which I prefer that are a creamier and softer formula.

Pros of this product would be the color pigmentation and the products building ability. With the application brush you have complete control to easily build up the color intensity, using soft strokes for a light shimmer coat, or pressured strokes for a dark pigmented coat. 

The Max Factor dip-in eye shadows are great for an overcoat eye shadow. I wouldn't use the shadow just on its own, but found it would be a perfect product to apply on top of a base color to bring out the pigments and add shimmer.

Outfit of the Day : Saturday Wedding

My complete look from a beautiful wedding I attended on the weekend...

The Dress

I went for a stunning black midi dress from Sheike in Melbourne, with a crossover front featuring small slit cutouts around the front and back area. Accompanied by a pair of classic strap heels and a few accessory pieces to match.

I can take wardrobe planning to a new level when organizing my outfit for an event. I won’t be satisfied unless I can picture the entire look prior to the day. That includes jewelry, bags, hairstyles and even lip color.

The Accessories

For this look I wanted to focus on edgy statement pieces to compliment the sharp lines and sophistication of the dress. I stuck to silver statement jewelry pieces, and a small clutch to match.

The Makeup Look 

It was inevitable that I was going to go for a dark smoky eye to complete this look. I used a combination of colors to achieve this gunmetal gold smoky eye look. 

On my eyes I have used Max Factors 'Max Effect dip-in eye shadow' in the colour Ibiza Sunrise and then used a combination of colours from the Stila 'Renaissance eye shadow pallet' to add darkness and drama to the outer corners and crease areas to create the smoky eye effect. 

I wanted a dewy foundation base with high contour lines for a flawless looking face. For this look I used Maybelline Fit Me Foundation, then highlighted with Maybelline Fit Me Concealer and contoured using an Australis matte bronze colour. I then used TooFaced Bronzer in Sunny Bunny on my cheeks with a small amount of Stila cheek cream, in the colour peony, on my cheek bones. My brows were then filled in using Revlon ColourStay Eyebrow Liner and I completed the entire eye look off with a pair of Ardell 105 Black falsies. 

For lips I wore Nars Belle De Jour with Napoleon Merci Collection lipgloss in the shade 'Anna' on top. I prefer nude lips when wearing dark smoky eyes, allowing for a more dramatic emphasis on the eyes.

_______________________________________

You’d never hear me say, “This is just something I threw together”. Whether you think that’s a bad or good thing doesn’t really matter. As long as you remember to dress for yourself. If that means getting ready in less than 10 minutes, than I praise you for that. I myself rarely pull off anything in under 30 minutes. It's such a satisfying feeling when a planned outfit comes together, whether it's for a big event or even just an every day look. In the end it's about being your happy and confident self.

‘People often say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing you are the beholder.’ 

- Salma Hayek

XO Nat

Blonde Ambition

Just wanted to share with you a post featuring my hair colour transformation, which started at the end of December last year, when I decided it was time to take a plunge and dip in for some blonde tresses.

Short colour history

I first coloured my hair at the beginning of 2013, riding off my natural dark brown hair for a softer light brown from roots to end. Mid year my roots had returned (shamefully due to not keeping up with hair appointments), but as luck would have it, dark roots were right on trend!

I lengthened my roots with a root-stretch to extend the length of my root colour to blend down into the soft light brown colour. As much as I loved this subtle ombre effect by the time the New Year was approaching I decided my next trip to the salon would see my light brown ends turn golden blonde for the summer time.

Ombre Effect

With my hairstylist I decided to go for the high contrast ombre effect. Essentially keeping my natural dark brown colour from my roots to mid length and then blending out to an ash blonde.

Bellami Hair Extentions

A new colour seemed like the perfect opportunity to invest in a brand new pair of extension. They were going to have to be recoloured to match my custom ombre hair colour. After a lot of research I took the advice of many YouTube beauty gurus and ordered the famous Bellami Hair Extensions.

Believe what you hear about these beauties! The Bellami Hair extensions are currently my most favourite extensions to date. I have been through a number of different brands through the years but nothing has compared to these. The hair quality is amazing and the thickness of each section runs from top to bottom.

I purchased the Bellami Belissima 220g "22, in ash blonde, which were then recoloured by my hairdresser to compliment my own custom colour. I also had the extensions trimmed to a more suitable length in proportion to my body and face.

It’s important to remember that hair all the way down to your backside is not a look that everyone can pull off. The Bellami extensions are amazing for length and thickness, but having them trimmed to better suit your body can be the difference between people thinking your hair is naturally long and full or just plain fake.

It’s been three months now and each trip I have had to the salon since going ombre it seems I am more eager to creep that blonde colour further and further up towards my roots. 

Maybe one day I’ll go the full length but I’m not there yet. For now I love the high contrast between my natural roots and blonde ends.

Don't be afraid to try a new look, whether it's a fresh cut or colour or even if it's just a new hair style for the day. Slick those tresses back or let them out loose, which ever look you chose remember to own it and wear the hair, don't let it wear you.

XO Nat

Accessories of the Day

Good morning beauties! 

Here are some of my finer detail preparations for a wedding I’m attending on this lovely Saturday.

Your accessories, hair and makeup are there to complete your look. What you wear is the canvas, making it just as important to pick the right pieces to add that wow-factor to your painting.

Stay tuned for the complete look featuring a GRWM with dress, hair and makeup of today!

“Every day is a fashion show, and the world is your runway.”

XO Nat

Shop the Look

Lipstick Nars SHOP NOW

Shoes Lipstick SHOP NOW

Clutch Colette Hayman SHOP NOW

Braclete Mimco SHOP NOW

Ring Von Treskow SHOP NOW

Road Test | L’Oreal Super Liner Blackbuster

I spotted this new liner a week ago on a promo commercial wandering around the web. From first sight I knew I wanted to get my hands on it. I am an advocator of liquid liners, give it to me thick and glossy with a lustrous flick. The L’Oreal Super Liner Blackbuster seemed to have potential to be my next liquid liner craze. 

First Impression

Picking up this product in the store it was exactly what I expected. The packaging is a sleek combination of black and gold with a thick crayon-like body. There is no pot to dip in and no additional brushes required for application. All that is housed inside of this pen is a a felt-tip liquid liner, with a devine point. With the name of the product promising a ‘Super Black Line’ I was sold!

First Application

I will admit I had set a high expectation for the Super Liner Blackbuster and I was excited to take it for a test run. With the thick pen body between my fingers I was all set. The body width of this liner gave me great control, no shaking business because my fingers had such a tight grip on the pen. The size of the tip is perfect for starting off with a basic line and then slowly building up that wing effect.

Unfortunately, the actual liquid formular itself whilst gliding out of the tip and onto my eyelids, just wasn’t bold nor glossy enough for me. Thinking perhaps the product needed to be shaken around I tipped the pen upside-down for a couple moments then proceeded to try and achieve the same perfect line but hoping for a more polished and intense finish. 

This didn’t seem to be the case. I was able to create a lovely winged-out line but my personal preference of liquid liner is that it would be bold and glossy.

My Verdict

Pros of this product are the thick pen body and presice felt point, giving you more grip and a great hand control to construct a perfect winged line. The wear-length of this eyeliner is  very lasting, staying on throughout the entire day that I wore it.

Unfortuantley the actual formular itself did not impress me. I found it no where near dark enough for a liquid eyeliner. I prefer a glossy intense blackness when it come to liquid liners, for both day and night looks. The Super Liner Blackbuster just didn’t cut it for me this time, maybe I received one from a dodgy batch? The promise of a black liquid liner just didn't translate onto my eyelids, so I have been far from impressed.

Perhaps you prefer a softer, less-intense eyeliner look and you’re looking to build up your winged-liner skills, than this product could be for you. I myself was not at all impressed with the finished look and regretfully say save your money and skip trying this one. I definitely am not recommending it to my fellow intensifying-winged-eye-loving beauties. 

Drugstore Dream Sale

With a little self-control I made the most of Priceline’s famous ‘40% off Cosmetic Sale’ during the week. Just like any other makeup junkie, one could not simply pass up this limited sale, even more so if you’re a drug store enthusiast at heart.

I stocked up on a couple of my personal necessities, as well as an array of new products to play with. Once taken for a road test I will be reviewing the newbies, so please stay tuned!

Products  listed:

Maybelline True Match Foundation - N5

Maybelline Falsies Volume Express Mascara

L’Oreal Super Liner Blackbuster

L’Oreal Colour Rich Eye Pencil – 09 Charming White

Max Factor Dip-in shadow – Ibiza Sunrise

Max Factor Dip-in shadow – Pink Promise

Australis Highlights – Gold

Australis bronzing powder – Sunkissed 

Hi Lovlies!

Starting off short and sweet I am Natalie, a dreamer and makeup enthusiast. I am taking a journey into the wonderful world of beauty with my first ever blog… Natalie Topaz.

I consider myself a self-taught makeup artist but give an honourable mention to the motivating YouTube Beauty Vloggers. Many who have been my inspirations ever since I discovered makeup tutorials on the Internet many moons ago.

The sky is the limit on Natalie Topaz so expect a bit of everything...

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

– Eleanor Rossevelt.

Yours truly,

XO Nat