Last month I decided to purchase one of Tarte's new-at-the-time releases, the Pro Glow to Go Palette. It had no reviews on the Sephora (au) website and the only review I read was by Temptalia so I pretty much purchased it on a whim. From when I purchased the travel-friendly palette I have been testing it out and using it non-stop so I could get a review up for you all.

What Sephora has to say:

"Inspired by makeup artist techniques, this portable highlight and contour palette helps you glow on-the-go using healthy ingredients. Designed to work on every skin tone, the three exclusive shades have rich, cool undertones to mimic real shadow and light reflection for the most natural look. Two intense highlighting powders deliver a buildable, microshimmer strobe, and the universal matte contouring powder adds balanced dimension powered by longwearing Amazonian clay for fade-free payoff."

About

The compact palette in a sleek black design consists of three shades. Two of which are highlights and one bronzer/contour shade. They are all powders and are said to work on "every skin tone." The shades are gleam which is the pearl highlight, burst which is the shimmering sand highlight and chisel, a matte contour shade.

Swatches

Review

I love easy, multi-use products so I instantly knew this product was perfect for my needs. I love having things compact so it is a lot simpler and quicker to get ready in the morning. If you aren't big on blush, like I am, then this palette is honestly all you would need. 

Tarte provide you with three blendable yet pigmented shades, very similar to their eyeshadows. It also has the sweet vanilla scent to it which I love.

There is no way this palette would suit "every skin tone" however I think it will work well with light to medium complexions. When I am my natural skin-tone (winter-time) I couldn't bronze with the shade chisel only contour however when I am deeper it works well for both purposes.

Like Tarte's blushes this lasts just as well throughout the day. The highlights remain intense for a number of hours and a very light hand is needed when applying them. As for the contour I prefer to tap off any excess and build up the pigment. 

I feel like 2017 is the year for Tarte and will be very well loved by me. They have amazing new releases and they're hitting it out of the ballpark with the quality.

Skin update time! With this update I have encountered different skin concerns so my routine, especially skincare has changed. If you missed my first or second skin diaries click the links to read them first 😊

Since December I have struggled with congested skin and tiny small bumps all over my forehead. Other than that I haven't experienced any acne. I have noticed my scars have also been fading but back to the real issue now. I have had to up my skincare game to help with the congestion. The only thing I can think of that may have added to this is that I stopped wearing primer. I'm not big on primer to begin with but I think that choice may have back fired? To be safe I now incorporate it into my routine.

Vitamins

Between the last update and this one you may have noticed that I have swapped a few things that I was taking. I have been continuing with the same Maca root tablets however will be switching to 1000mg instead of 500mg.

I changed to Nature's Way Complete Daily Multivitamin plus Spirulina as it has more iron than the previous one. The reason links with my diet.

Last but not least I completely switched to Vitamin E instead of Vitamin A. This was for multiple reasons, the main one being to boost my immune system but it also has many benefits for the skin. I read multiple reviews and a lot of people were saying it helped their skin glow etc. So I look forward to see how this works opposed to Vitamin A.

Diet
I have continued on with cutting out sugar however I am now also vegetarian. This too should have positive benefits on my skin but this is a personal decision so I won't go too much into it. In future posts I will simply mention whether or not being vegetarian has actually improved my skin.

Skincare

I have been using a lot more skincare lately and have even written up a routine. On Tuesday, Thursdays and Sundays I now exfoliate and do a face mask, the type of mask depends on my skin needs that day. Every day that I wear makeup I double cleanse with my oil based cleanser otherwise one cleanse. I will list the products below:

• Sukin Super Greens Detoxifying Facial scrub - doesn't irritate my sensitive skin whatsoever and is a very gentle scrub. It leaves my skin feeling clean and looking brighter.
• Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Ultra Gentle Facial Cleansing Oil - I have been using this product ever since my first skin diaries and even before that. I always have at least two or three back ups because I love it. I know use this as my cleanser, not only to remove makeup. I decided to combine the two because I know my skin agrees with this product and it leaves my dry skin feeling soft.
• NIP+FAB Glycolic Night Pads Extreme - this is the only non-natural/organic product that I have added to my routine. Nothing I owned was helping with the small bumps on my forehead and I saw this in my skincare cupboard. After a few uses of these pads I noticed my pores instantly looking clearer and the bumps were diminishing. I have been using these roughly three times a week and they are helping dramatically with congestion.
• Sukin Sensitive Facial Moisturiser - Now that we are in summer my previous moisturiser was too heavy for my skin so I decided to try this one out.
• Life Flo Health Pure Rosehip Seed Oil - like the cleansing oil this too hasn't changed from my first skin diaries.

The masks I alternate between are:

• reCLAYm Rejuvenating Pink Aussie Clay Mask - full review here. Its a less intense option compared to the Aztec mask.
• Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay - the most intense, full on and literally pulsating mask. This one really helps to clear out the pores and draws out any gunk. After using this mask I usually do experience a few break outs.
• ADORN Pure White Clay - can you tell I am loving clay masks lately? I find them to really help draw out impurities and love having different options.
• Andalou Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask - This mask helps to brighten and repair damaged cells. If my skin isn't feeling too congested and needs a pick me up I reach for this one.
• Daiso Pore Care Pack - When between my brows/nose looks disgusting I resort to these pore strips. I rarely use them unless I really have to. They do the job and I always follow up with toner.

Beauty

Using the same products as my previous skin diaries however I have added in sunscreen. I am forcing myself to wear as little makeup as possible to let my skin breathe but am making sure I cleanse properly at night to remove any sunscreen/moisturiser residue.

I have added the Antipodes powder as my base in addition to the Physicians Formula CC cream and Inika Organics BB cream.

Pretty much with this update my skin has slightly taken a turn for the worst but my scars are starting to lighten. There isn't anything I am thinking of changing or adding at the moment, I will continue to treat my congestion and then go back to working on the scarring.

I know we are well into 2017 now but if you know me I am always late. In fact late should be my middle name. These are all the products, items, apps and everything in between that were my favourites last year.

BEAUTY

• Urban Decay Naked Flushed palette in Naked
• Tartelette in Bloom
• Inika Organic Certified Organic BB Cream Foundation
• ex1 Invisiwear Liquid Foundation
• bareMinerals Bare Skin complete coverage serum concealer
• Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil matte bronzer
• Boho Balm
• Fiinx Liquid Lipstick
• Colourpop glosses
• Narciso perfume (white)
• Uni Organics Gradual Self Tanner
• Rosehip Oil
• Andalou Naturals Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask
• Palmer's Facial Cleansing Oil

NON-BEAUTY

• Claudia Gray's A Thousand Pieces Of You book series
• Prison Break (TV show)
• Sims 3
• Smoothies
• Lavendar oil - to help sleep and help with headaches
• Glassons (shop)
• Water Drink Reminder & 30 Day Fitness Challange (Apps)

Comment your favourites from 2016 below!

If you need a new base product that offers buildable coverage with a natural finish then look no further because this product could be what you are searching for! 

Inika Organics Certified Organic BB Cream Foundation

Ever since going cruelty free i've struggled with finding a BB cream that offers enough coverage to actually cover my redness, lasts all day and doesn't end up cakey on my skin. Also now that I have switched all my skincare to being 100% natural and/or organic I don't want to be putting chemicals daily on my skin. I decided to make the conscious effort of using more natural/organic cosmetics lately and this one has been a hit!

Inika Organics offer products which are natural and mostly organic with a luxury high-end feel to them. Their prices are reasonable especially for the quality you are getting.

I believe you can only purchase their products online however I found their site to be very helpful with choosing my correct shade. They offer a shade finder where there are a lot of images and explanations to help you make the correct choice.

Now onto my experience with their BB Cream!

Despite this BB Cream being 80% organic it does not skip out on converage whatsoever. It is honestly just as good as a NARS or even MAC foundation with the added bonus of being good for your skin and 100% cruelty free. The only other organic base product I have tried is by Physician's Formula and it lacks coverage, especially for someone that has scarring and a lot of redness.

This BB cream does not have any SPF so it works well with photography. You won't experience the dreaded flashback. If your skin doesn't require very full coverage this product will be perfect to wear daily or for events. In saying that, it can easily be sheered out when applied with your fingers or built up - apply it with a dense brush.

The only negative I have found with this BB cream is that it settles in my smile lines but then again, pretty much everything settles in them. Other than that this product is a perfect base product because it does not cling to my dry patches and doesn't "melt" off my face in the warmer weather.

Since I have dry skin I don't set this product and my bronzer, blush and highlight all blend well over it. To maintain the healthy, glowy look to your skin I recommend using creams over this product but as I said, powders work just as well. It sets to a skin-like satin finish which can be altered depending on the primer or powders you pair with it.

I have seriously been wearing this BB cream non-stop because it offers me everything I need on a daily basis. If you are after a new base product or are thinking of trying natural makeup definitely check out Inika Organics!

Happy New Year everyone! I am kicking 2017 off with more of a health type of post. Skincare starts from the inside out and it took me a long time to realise that. In 2016 I was really into making my own fruit juices and smoothies combining ingredients that help to improve the state of your skin. Today I will be sharing a few of the blends I love as well as the benefits of each ingredient. I won't be including quantities as you can make as much or as little as you like however for these juices to work to full effect drink them immediately rather than letting them sit.

The All Rounder

What you need:

-Spinach leaves

-Kale leaves

-Watermelon

-Pear

-Red apple

Optional - fresh ginger

How it helps: 
Spinach- is rich in chlorophyll. Therefore it helps to rid your body from bacteria and toxins in your digestive tract and blood stream.
Kale- full of vitamin A, C and K. It helps with repairing the tissues underneath your skin and can even help diminish dark circles!
Watermelon- helps with dehydration, rich in vitamin A, C and antioxidants which helps improves health. Aids with fine lines and age spots.
Pear- full of fibre and help slow the release of sugar into your blood which prevents too many sugar spikes.
Red apple- have the potential to lighten, brighten and soothe irritated/reddened skin. Will keep your skin looking youthful!

The Quick Option

What you need:

-Frozen berries

-Frozen mango

-Coconut water

How it helps:
Berries- high in antioxidants, reduce inflammation and help achieve radiant skin.
Mango- makes your skin glow and has anti-aging benefits.
Coconut water- promotes elasticity, protects your skin against sun damage and prevents dry skin.

Sweet & Refreshing with a touch of spice

What you need:

-Watermelon

-Strawberries

-Pear

-Carrot

-Ginger

How it helps:
Strawberries- are full of vitamin C which fights off radicals that steal oxygen from healthy cells and destroy collagen. Also contain folic acid which aids cell regeneration and they remove excess oil from your skin which = less sebum build up!
Carrot-  rich in vitamin A which helps fight acne faster.
Ginger- rejuvenates your skin as it contains roughly 40 antioxidant properties that prevent ageing and damage. Also evens skin tone and improves elasticity.

Websites used to gather information -
http://food.allwomenstalk.com/foods-that-naturally-prevent-and-treat-acne
http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/amazing-benefits-of-kale/
http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/benefits-of-watermelon-for-skin-hair-and-health/
http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/top-10-health-benefits-of-apples/
http://www.joybauer.com/food-articles/berries/
http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/health-benefits-of-mangoes/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/465098-what-are-the-benefits-of-coconut-water-for-the-skin/
http://www.byrdie.com.au/benefits-of-ginger/slide3
https://bellatory.com/skin/Top-5-Benefits-of-Strawberry-for-Skin