30 Beauty Questions Tag...

Just discovered that sweetheart MUA Hayley O from The Beauty in Life tagged me with these deeply probing questions about my beauty habits and preferences - lots of fun, and of course ultra-revealing, especially to me ha ha! Thanks doll ♥

1. Do you remember your first makeup item?

Not with any degree of certainty (crikey, it was over 45 years ago!), but either an Avon lipstick, a Coty eyeshadow, or a Yardley Pot'O'Gloss...

2. Describe your perfect mascara. Have you found one that fits your specifications?

Sadly it doesn't exist - well if it does, I haven't found it yet. It must hold the curl all day, lengthen dramatically, volumise without clumping, keep my lashes soft and supple, and be waterproof. The closest one to perfect I've found is Maybelline The Falsies, and it only misses the mark because it makes my lashes stiff and hard...

3. What kind of coverage do you prefer from foundation?

Medium to full - actually it's not a preference, it's a necessity...

4. Favorite high end brand?

Tough call - I haven't tried too many, and I've had mixed results, depending on the product. I'll go with a tie between Estee Lauder and Lancome...

5. What cosmetic brands have you always wanted to try but still haven't?

I've always wanted to own one of those magnificently sculptured blushes - you know the kind that look like works of art (see examples below), and I've sent I don't know how many letters to Santa, but it hasn't happened yet - boo! The reality is I'd rather spend my money on six products from another brand than one of these luxe items, mainly because I'd probably never use it - I'd just look at it and fondle it lol...

6. Favorite drugstore brand?

Another tough call - overall I'd say Maybelline, but I do love most of the essence range...

7. Do you wear fake eyelashes?

Umm, no. I have four pairs in my drawer - the first attempt was a sticky, gluey disaster, the second I was kinda proud of, but the family took one look and said "What's wrong with your eyes?".  Nuff said hey...

8. Is there any kind of makeup you can't leave the house without?

Foundation (well at least a BB cream with good coverage), eyeliner/shadow, blush, setting powder & something (anything!) on my freckled lips. Actually this is not for me - it's more of a "community service" so that I don't frighten small children and animals...

9. What is your most cherished beauty product?

You know some questions are almost IMPOSSIBLE to answer, and this is the hardest one in the quiz - but I'm leaning towards my collection of Sugarpill mattes. Being mainly primary colours, I can blend them into almost any shade I want, and they're kind to my wrinkles...

10. How often do you shop for makeup? Do you like to pick up an item here and there or get lots of goodies at once?

Both - I pick up bits and pieces of what I need just about every week locally, but I also place (sometimes HUGE) orders with online overseas companies like Sleek, MUA & bhcosmetics when they have a sale or free shipping...

11. Do you have a "beauty budget" or you spend freely?

Hmmm....I used to restrict myself to a max of $100 per month, but lately I've been casting caution to the wind and just buying whatever takes my fancy. Won't last long though as I've just commenced a major dental upgrade program so I don't have to keep my mouth shut when I take selfies...

12. Do you utilize coupons, rewards cards and sales when you shop for cosmetics?

Priceline points vouchers are pretty much the only thing I use in person, but I couldn't survive without coupon codes when I'm shopping online :-)

13. What type of product do you buy the most of?

Eyeshadow, eyeliners, lipstick, gloss and blush - doesn't leave much else hey? I think you get the drift ha ha...

14. Is there a brand that you absolutely can't stand?

There's no brand that I've totally eliminated from my repertoire - even the worst has at least one or two redeeming products that are good enough to make up for the ones they screw up...

15. Do you avoid certain ingredients in cosmetics like parabens or sulfates?

I don't exclude products that contain these ingredients, but if there's two that are similar, I'll always go for the one that's minus these chemicals...

16. Do you have a favorite place to shop for makeup?
For "in person" shopping, I like Priceline, Target, Chemist Warehouse - basically anywhere that's having a sale! Online, see my answer to question 10...

17. Do you like trying new skincare products or do you keep a certain routine?

I'm Little Miss Fickle when it comes to skincare, although I'm faithful to my two serums - for daytime it's Lancome Visionnaire, and for night, any brand of organic Rosehip Oil (except the stinky ones)...

18. Favorite bath and body brand?

Oh come on, this isn't fair at all - you KNOW I'm a bodywashaholic ha ha! Loving the Imperial Leather range, have been a fan of Palmolive for years, and I'm currently exploring some heavenly Urban Rituelle products, like the one below...

19. If you could only buy from one brand, which brand would you choose?

Even hypothetically, I'm quivering in my shoes just to think about it. Ok, Maybelline, but it'll never happen, right?...

20. What brand do you think has the best packaging?

All brands have winners, averages and epic fails - there isn't one in particular I've tried so far that's impressed me beyond anything else...

21. Which celebrity always has great makeup?

Helen Mirren & Sandra Bullock - these gals can do no wrong...

22. Do you belong to any online makeup communities?

Beautyheaven - my one and only ♥...

23. 5 Favorite Beauty Gurus

I've learnt SO MUCH from Wayne Goss over the years. There are heaps more, but I so rarely have time to watch YouTube...

24. Do you like multi-functional products like lip and cheek stains?

As a rule no, but I often dab some lipstick on my cheeks for a perfect match. Stains don't work for me at all as I need coverage, coverage and more coverage...

25. Are you clumsy in putting makeup on?

I still have days when I stab myself with the mascara wand, and I've been known to look like The Joker when applying lipstick on the run, but as a rule I'm pretty precise...

26. Do you use makeup base/primer for the eyes?

I don't use a specialised primer - I've been disappointed so many times, even with the ultra-expensive brands. I use gel, kohl or cream based shadows as a base - works a treat, and I get the intensity and longevity I'm after...

27. How many hair products do you use on a typical day?

Other than the standard shampoo and conditioner, I apply a few drops of Schwarzkopf 6 Miracles oil before blow-drying, and then some Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream to tame the flyaways. It's been so windy in Sydney of late, I've even ventured down the path of hairspray, but I don't like the feel of it at all...

28. What do you apply first, concealer or foundation?

Foundation - then I go over the trouble spots with concealer. If I start with concealer, it just gets smeared all over my face, and I have to reapply it anyway...

29. Do you ever consider taking makeup classes?

Naaaa - nice idea, but with four hours travelling to and from work each day, I don't have the time or the space at the moment. Maybe when I retire I'll do a course in "How to define eyebrows without looking like a bag lady"...

30. What do you love about makeup?

Anything and everything - I'm passionate about it's transformative powers, whether you use a little or a lot. My post here pretty much sums up how I feel about it ♥

I'm tagging...

Sarah from More Than Adored

Magda from My Beauty Bucket List

Sarah from breathebeauty

Monique from MoniqueKerstin

Nalini from The Made Up Maiden

Sarah from All Her Pretty Little Things

Take care of you,

kats xxx