August Favourites!

Hello Everyone! 

As we all know, August has officially come to a close which means I get to share with you some of the things that I have been loving throughout the month! Along with August ending, it is the official end of winter in Australia and I'm so excited for it to start warming up around here as the cold weather was really starting to get me down. 

So without further adieu, here are the the things that I have loved throughout this last month! 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Taupe 

Source: http://www.sephora.com/dipbrow-pomade-P384060?skuId=1621028

I think everyone and their dog has heard about this product and, until recently, I couldn't get my hands on it. But, finally, it has gracefully entered my life. And I love it SO MUCH. I use it in conjunction with the #20 brush by Anastasia and my brows are on fleek every day of the week. In the beginning, I did find this product quite difficult to use which saw me sporting some serious texta brows, but this issue was soon overcome and I am now s l a y i n g the eyebrow game my friend. I love this because you only need a tiny, tiny amount and it allows you to get amazing definition, if that's what you're into. It sets your hairs into place, literally like concrete, to the point where you could easily get away with not using an eyebrow gel. So if you want bitch brows, this is definitely the product for you. 

Josie Maran Argan Enlightenment Illuminizer 

Source: http://www.sephora.com/argan-enlightenment-illuminizer-P395551?skuId=1690155

This is the serious glow giver. Recently I have been really into dewy skin, quite the shift from my usual love for flat, matte finishes, so this has been my saviour. I love to use this under or mixed in with my foundation to give my face a "glow from within". I also enjoy using this in a half moon shape spanning from along the top of my cheekbone up to my forehead, just above the arch of my eyebrow as well as the tip of my nose and the cupid's bow. Even though it is a product which contains Argan oil, it doesn't make the oiler parts of my face look too crazy, in fact, it almost has no effect. I also find that it extends the longevity of my foundation which is always a bonus. 

BECCA Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfecter in Opal 

Source: http://www.sephora.com/shimmering-skin-perfector-pressed-P381176?skuId=1538107

As you can see there is a bit of a theme going here with all the highlighting products but I seriously couldn't resist mentioning this. This is the most stunning highlighter that ever graced earth. It is my first BECCA product and it's safe to say that I will definitely be investing in more of their products. It's so gorgeous and pigmented and the best part about it is that it blends onto the skin so beautifully so you're not left with that chalky line of highlight that some products can give you. It also has no fallout which is great as it means that you don't end up with tiny bits of shimmer the whole way down your face. 

Makeup Geek Eyeshadow in Shimma Shimma

Source: http://www.makeupgeek.com/store/eye-products/eyeshadows/makeup-geek-eyeshadows/makeup-geek-eyeshadow-pan-shimma-shimma.html

Yet another highlighting product! Yes, this is an eyeshadow, however, I love this as a highlight. It looks so beautiful over the top of the Josie Maran product I mentioned earlier and even with the BECCA highlighter if I'm feeling like I want to go for the extra glowy look. I love a wet-look highlight when I'm going out at night and this provides me that, particularly if I spray my brush with a bit of MAC Fix+ just to further amplify the pigment. I like it. I love it. Stay fresh. 

MAC Lipstick in Honeylove

 

Source: http://www.justmakeupartists.com/system/tiny_images/images/302/large_thumb/Lipstick.jpg

This lipstick has taken over my love for Velvet Teddy. Yes, I said it. It is literally the perfect shade, I love it with all of my heart. It's a peachy-beige nude but it also has some pink undertones and I don't even know how to explain it but you need it in your life. It is a matte finish, I believe, but it is not at all drying, it's super creamy and amazeballs. The Matte formula is my favourite from MAC because I'm one of those people who constantly rubs their lips together and licks them and bites them so no other formula really lasts well on my lips, but this as great lasting power, particularly if you're like me. 10/10. 

So, those are all the beauty products I've been loving this month, now onto fashion/music/random favourites! 

Midas - Jeremiah 

Source: http://www.midasshoes.com.au/high-heels/jeremiah/w3/i1363772_1082470/

I have had a lot of mixed opinions on these shoes but I fricken adore them. I feel like I will love these more than my first born child. They're super comfortable as they are made of leather, although they did give me blisters on my toes the first time I wore them as they take a bit of wear before they are broken in. But it's a small price to pay for the perfection of these shoes. They are so versatile as they are like a heel, sandal and a boot all in one. If I could wear these everyday of my life I would. 

Glasshouse Fragrances Triple Scented Candle in Tahaa

Source: http://www.peteralexander.com.au/shop/en/peteralexander/home/glasshouse-fragrances-candles-226551--1/glasshouse-fragrances-triple-scented-candles-350g

THIS SMELLS LIKE HEAVEN ON EARTH! Literally if I could smell one smell for the rest of my life it would be this scent. It is a vanilla-caramel scented candle, which is perfect because sickly, sweet smells are my absolute favourite. I love burning this for a few hours before bed as it leaves this amazing aroma in my room and it just smells so amazing that it puts me to sleep. I would not recommend this candle if you don't like the smell of a caramel slice because that's exactly what it smells like. Normally candles give me an awful headache but this, for some reason, doesn't and that makes me very happy. 

And my last favourite is.....

BADLANDS - HALSEY

Source: http://a3.mzstatic.com/us/r30/Music1/v4/07/e9/ff/07e9fff8-173e-f449-82a0-1eb8895f3f03/cover326x326.jpeg

I had been highly anticipating this album ever since I first heard of Halsey and I was not disappointed. IT'S AMAZING. I'm cheating a little here because I obviously haven't been loving this record all August as it only came out on the 28th, however, I have been listening to it non-stop since Friday and that's what really matters. It's just an amazing album that I very much enjoy listening to. I love every song on the record and I love that, from start to finish, it tells a story. It's probably my favourite album of this year, it's life changing. 

So, that's everything that I have been loving this month! I hope you've enjoyed this weeks post and let me know in the comments or on twitter (@ashleecalamity) what you've been enjoying in August! 

Lots of Love, 

Actually By Ashlee xxx

Thursbae 18/06/2015

Hey friends!

It's Thursday and that means two things. 1. It's almost the weekend, and 2. I'm back with a new Thursbae!

I'm very excited to inform you that the bae o' the day this time around is Halsey!

Source: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B0_iul5IUAIMLgj.jpg

She's so hot??????

Okay so this weeks Thursbae is a little different to my traditional picks because, well, she's not a dude. However, I believe rules are made to be broken and there's nothing wrong with having a bit of variety so as of today I'm gonna be keeping it real by throwing in a few girl crushes every now and then. 

Without further digression, let's get into it. Here's what you need to know about Halsey:

Name: Ashley Nicolette Frangipane

Nationality: American

Birthdate: September 29, 1994

Occupation: Singer/songwriter 

Known for: Being friggen awesome... and singin' some rad tunes.

If you're questioning why I've been mclovin' Halsey recently, allow me to educate you. 

1. Her voice. 

Source: https://secure.static.tumblr.com/6c8fb1c594ec2d429deb1b13eeedc0c1/re1iwwy/lGwnin6u1/tumblr_static_tumblr_static_7arijc2894sgsc808k8kw0cg0_640.jpg 

It's incredible. It's so different to anything I've heard lately and I love it so much. It's so hypnotic and cool and makes me wish I could sing just like her. And if you thought the studio versions of her songs are brilliant, wait until you hear her live. There's something about the way she sings that entices you and keeps you wanting more. I'm praying to the good lord above that Halsey decides to take a trip down under so I can hear it in person. 

2. Her songs. 

Not going to lie, I was a bit (6 months, lol) late on the Halsey bandwagon and only discovered Room 93 probably 2 weeks ago, however, just those 5 songs are some of the greatest tracks I've heard all year. They contain genuinely good lyrics that deal with real issues in the world paired with simplistic and experimental backing tracks to create this chilled out, yet euphoric vibe. They're the type of songs that you can sit, close your eyes, listen to and get lost in the music. Any music that promotes that kind of environment ticks all my boxes. 

3. She gets it. 

Source: http://static.tumblr.com/3eca49216fb0144bcb8de91a792345cf/46b1hyc/5wTnn20th/tumblr_static_5l0jtodqbkg8w4ko48swk0gko.jpg

Ashley has the most amazing perceptions of the world and I find that so admirable in a person. She tells it like it is and doesn't sugarcoat anything. I think she's a brilliant "in-between role model" to all young girls, particularly around the ages of 15-20 who may be suffering with a mental illness or moral dilemmas, particularly in regards to feminism. Here's a few examples that I've found just scrolling through her twitter. 

And here's a groovy extract from her interview with Elle:

"I just like to be the in-between role model—the one I didn't have growing up. At the same time, if I'm going to be a role model, I would rather kids idolize my intention to do good and my intention to be myself and my intention to be different rather than my actions. I think my intentions are more admirable than my actions."

(http://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/q-and-a/a28577/halsey-music-bipolar/?src=spr_TWITTER&spr_id=1448_185519681&linkId=14529555)

4. She can literally pull off any hair colour. 

Source: http://stealherstyle.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/halsey-hair-7-500x640.jpg

She's like the female Michael Clifford. She's gone from blue, to pink, to blonde, to purple, I think there was some silver in there too. It's hard to keep track of really. But somehow she slays the whole colour wheel like a chameleon and I have mad respect for anyone who can pull that off. Also, just while we're talking about the way she looks, can we take a minute to appreciate those cheekbones? Could carve ice.

5. She wrote and performed the Haylor song. 

Source: http://40.media.tumblr.com/189dd17e46f1701879eb47aeb173b047/tumblr_nh203cTSvq1tg0fvfo1_500.jpg

Need I say more? 

If you don't know what that means here's a link, go watch it - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehnEkmUTqyI

And there we have it! If you would like to follow Halsey's movements you can find her on twitter at @halseymusic and on instagram at @iamhalsey. Her EP, Room 93 is on iTunes now and her debut album, Bandlands, is released in August this year so make sure you check it out. 

This is me, signin' off. 

Actually by Ashlee xxx