Favourite videos/posts are some of my favourite things to read and watch. They help feed my beauty addiction and introduce me to new products I can try out!

Lately I have been into makeup with more natural ingredients, especially since I have started treating my skin. I wanted to share a few favourites I have discovered with you all and maybe you will fall in love with one of these products too.

Inika Organic BB cream

This product has taken over my Instagram flatlays and my life. Its my go-to base product because you don't need to compromise the coverage or lasting power at all! I have a full review here if you want to know more about it.

Adorn Cosmetics lipstick in Natural Pink

The perfect pink shade in a matte formula. I have it in a little sample pot and when I'm out I will definitely get the lipstick bullet.

Antipodes Mineral Foundation Powder

Finding a powder that doesn't look cakey, powdery or dull on dry skin can be a little challenging however, I have one for all dryer skin sufferers!

It doesn't settle into fine lines, doesn't cling to dry patches and looks better the longer you wear it. I've worn this both alone to get a natural to medium coverage or over foundation to amp it up to a full even coverage. This powder also has the added bonus of spf15!

Stem Organics Hydrating Face Fluid

I use this product every night as a moisturiser before applying rosehip oil. It can be used on its own as it is a "natural moisturiser for dry skin" but I love the extra hydration. It doesn't irritate my skin which is what I love most about it!

It's both lightweight and luxurious at an affordable price. For a full review click here

Antipodes Apostle Skin-Brightening Serum
If you suffer from skin redness this serum is a miracle in a bottle. I couldn't give this product enough praise so I will just include a link to a post all about it - here - instead.

This week I invite you all to take a look at the new ecoTools brushes from the Eco Modern Collection. I was kindly gifted these at the event I attended last month. All of the brushes are so soft, it's like stroking my dog in a makeup brush form, haha. The eco sponge is equally as amazing. 

Happy scrolling...

Comparison of old ecoTools to the new look.

If you are interested in any of the above makeup tools you can get 25% off your online order at www.ecotools.com.au using the code: ALYSHIAVIP
Valid until the end of May 2017!

Although NYX Cosmetics is my favourite brand I had never tried any of their foundations so I was very eager to test out these drops.

The Total Control Drop foundation has a silky smooth matte finish and the dropper provides easy and efficient use. This foundation is designed to allow the user to alter the coverage to suit their own needs. 1-2 drops provides a light coverage, 3 provides medium and 4 onwards is said to offer full coverage. NYX's new foundation, which is very popular on Youtube from what I have seen, comes in 24 shades (US) however based off the Australian press release sheet I have we only have a variety of 9 shades ranging from fair to dark.

Swatches of NYX Total Control Drop Foundation on NARS 'Santa Fe' skin tone

A brief overview of the 9 options:
I have three shades in my collection, the swatches are above, and I put a star next to which ones they are in the list. The remaining shades will simply be listed below.
Fair - 1 shade 'Porcelain'
Light - 4 shades 'Light, Vanilla*, Natural, True Beige'
Medium - 2 shades 'Buff*, Beige'
Tan - 1 shade 'Golden*'
Dark - 1 shade 'Mocha'

Swatches on mum's skin tone (Australis powder in deep brown)

The foundation hits stores this month and retails for $24.95. NYX recommend you purchase their brush, specifically designed for this foundation, which is sold separately and costs and additional $24.95. If you have any angled or compact brush then i'm sure it would work the same.

Now onto my review of the product. Usually when I test out foundation I check in every few hours to see how its holding up but to be honest every time I wore this foundation I forgot it was on. So in this review you will only notice I make note of when it is first applied and at the very end of the day.

11AM: I mixed the shades light (1 drop) with buff (3-4 drops) per layer. I did have to do two layers, so a total of 8/9 drops to get a medium coverage. I have a lot of scarring so its normally hard to cover them completely. I felt very comfortable and impressed with the coverage it gave and if you have less imperfections you would not need as many drops as I used for a fuller coverage. The foundation layered nicely, looked like skin (slightly dewy once applied) and felt very light weight. Once it had dried it had a velvet skin-like appearance and no tackiness whatsoever. I didn't need to set it with powder, which is something I love not having to do!!

10 hours later: The foundation did not cling to any of my dry patches, didn't settle in any fine lines despite it claiming to have a "matte" finish, nor did it fade. Around the 6 hour mark it ever so slightly settles into one smile line but this was only noticeable when I looked with my magnifying mirror. Once I smoothed it out with my finger it didn't happen again.

Overall it's safe to say I was very impressed and blown away with this foundation. I have mixed it with other foundations to lighten them and it has worked well, especially because the shade light is extra pale for my skin tone. Ensure you shake the bottle every time before use and then it will blend like a dream while easily being able to be built up to your desired coverage. If you have normal or dry skin I 100% recommend you try this foundation! I believe it would work for oilier skin types but I think you'd need a matifying primer as I noticed my forehead to be dewy at the 9 hour mark. NYX Cosmetics are really stepping up their game with these releases and this foundation gets a 10/10 from me!!

Let us rewind back a year and a half ago when I was laying on the couch, body full of pain killer medications and suffering with a very swollen face. I had just gotten my wisdom teeth removed and didn't have the energy to do anything, plus I was bored! That is when I decided to make an Instagram account and post photos of my makeup, I mean I couldn't wear it so taking photos was the next best thing. If you told the Alyshia back then that she would be invited to a NYX or EcoTools event she would have laughed. All she was thinking about was sleep, ice packs and an endless supply of jelly.

I am not writing this post to brag in any way, shape or form, I just wanted to write a recount so I could forever look back and remember my first ever event experiences. Also if you are a blogger too and have a first time event coming up this may help ease your nerves since you have an idea of what to expect.

Going to a place where you know no one is always nerve-wracking especially when they haven't really seen your face, only the flatlays you post so its safe to say I was very nervous. Aside from that I was also very excited because I had seen the snapchats and photos other bloggers, youtubers etc. have posted from events. I was extra excited because it was events for two brands I have loved ever since first starting out with makeup 6 years ago!

NYX Cosmetics
The first ever event I attended was an 'out of this world' party hosted by my ultimate favourite brand NYX Cosmetics. I will include photos from the event as well as a few goodies I was ever so generously gifted. Leave me a comment if you'd like a review or swatches on any of the new products (most are launching in May!).

This event was also the first time I ever stood behind a ring light and man, that is bright! There were pretty cupcakes, donuts and so many new makeup products to admire and swatch.

 Shoutout to madeline__cole for making my night amazing and entering the competitions with me! 💗

I do have a review of the Total Control Drops coming next week.

Eco Tools
Six years ago I purchased my first ever makeup brushes off iHerb, They were all from EcoTools and still to this day I use and love them. When I was invited to their 10th Anniversary party I was super excited. EcoTools are vegan and cruelty free which I love because I was able to eat all the food at the event (being vegetarian) 🙌

They gave their brushes a complete makeover to be aesthetically pleasing when added to the collection of other brushes. They also kept some of the originals that everyone loves while added a few newbies - the first ever eco sponge which is made from 70% plant based materials.

I have implemented a lot of the brushes I was kindly gifted into my daily makeup routine and am obsessed. I have a dedicated post coming soon where you can all admire the brushes in all their glory.

I met some more AMAZING bloggers that night and will include their instagram handles below - make sure you check them out!!

@chelseafenech

@madeline__cole

@angiebeautyxo

@silverfoxxbeauty

@jessicablackk

@ashleymareebeauty

I was also given a discount code so if you're interested in saving 25% off at www.ecotools.com.au type ALYSHIAVIP at the checkout.

Thank you to NYX, EcoTools & 360PR for having me at the events, I feel so lucky to have been invited and be able to expand my comfort zone.