NP Set - Contour & Highlight Palette

I like the highlighter, bronzer, and blush, but what is the light pink powder for?
It says a 'pink highlighter' online... why would I want that?

This applies nicely, but isn't very colour intensive and is chalky.

I love the big mirror inside, it is great for on the go makeup.

Price: 3/5 ($29.00 for 13.5g)
Scent: 2.5/5 (no real scent)
Effectiveness: 3/5

Bloom - Mineral Plus - Lip Butter - Like a Prayer

This is a peach-pink balm that does tint the lips a bit.

If my lips weren't already stained from yesterday's lipstick, I would worry about my natural (blue) lip colour showing.

While it is nice (and I love the mirror in the lid!), it isn't really my thing.
I like all or no colour a lot more.

Price: 4/5 (~$10 for 4g)
Scent: 3/5 (faint vanilla smell)
Effectiveness: 2/5


***** This product could be reviewed thanks to the raunchy, informative and gorgeous Miss Smut Buttons! *****

Rimmel - Lasting Finish - Powdered Foundation - 002 Soft Beige

This is a pretty nice powder.

It applies well, is low coverage (my personal preference), and has a sponge and mirror in the compact.
It is a little annoying to have to put the mirror down to put more powder on the sponge, but they did it to save space.

The end result isn't cakey, which is ideal.

Price: 2.5/5 ($17.95 for 7g)
Scent: 2.5/5 (no real scent)
Effectiveness: 5/5

The Body Shop - All-in-One Face Base - 03

This was the powder that I wore all through my German travels last year! 
I wear it for work now and it is still going!
I have hit pan, but there is still heaps left.

This compact has a mirror, sponge and separate area for the sponge.
The design is sleek and it won't open up in your bag.

It is great for setting concealer, muting red tones in the skin or taking shine off.
It isn't heavy coverage, you can still clearly see my freckles under it.

And it feels lightweight, you don't notice it when it is on.

Price: 2/5 ($29.95 for 9g, but it lasts a long time)
Scent: 2.5/5 (no real scent)
Effectiveness: 5/5

Physicians Formula - Bronze Booster - Light to Medium

I didn't set out to buy this, I got it for free as part of a gift bag.
Normally I wouldn't even give a product like this another look, but this has really won my heart.

Being pale, I use this as a face contour. It does have some shimmer which I normally wouldn't look for in a contour, but I quite like it.
The bronzer is in the form of pearls, soft enough to be easily used, firm enough that they don't just break up into powder immediately.

What really knocks my socks off with this product is the packaging! WOW!

It is a solid, sturdy design with a cute window at the bottom to see the bronzer pearls. 
Once open, there is a decent mirror in the lid, a flat brush and a luxurious powder puff. 
This puff is also used to keep the pearls away from the mirror.

It smells like equal parts honey and acrylic paint, but it is a very faint scent.

Swatch!

The colour payoff isn't great, but I personally like that.

Price: 2/5 (RRP $29.95 for 20g)
Scent: 2/5
Effectiveness: 4/5

Art break- Mirrors for bff S

S needed a compact mirror for our trip to Germany.
I found two and decided to give her both... but let's make them more interesting.

So I thought I'd make them more interesting XP

I made them some wrappers, so they looked like giant condoms (mature, I know).

I got some squares of coloured paper, decorated them and glued three edges together. 
Once dry, I popped the mirrors in and glued the packets shut.

Like the labels? Hur hur hur! Rammstein inspired of course!

On the back, I wrote 'Mirror' repeatedly. This photo sucks so you may have to take my word for it.

Final bag:

Verdict: S was initially confused, but loved it.

Art break - Fairy House

Brace yourself, this is a big one!

I had the idea a little while a go (while doped up on Endone for the nerve pain) that I should make a little house for the fairies to live it.
It should be waterproof, have a solar light, windows with 'glass', and a functional door.

Then as I was browsing an art shop (then on codeine)  I spied this:

It was a sign!

So I quickly decided on a colour scheme. Cream (antique white) for the outer walls and inner roof, wisteria for the inner walls, and violet for the outer roof/ window sills/ accessories.

The first step was to paint it, which required up to 3 coats on some pieces and could only be done one side at a time (for obvious reasons).

Recycling the magazines!

I asked Parental unit 2 to pick up a solar garden light for me and this is the dissected component.

To fit a solar light to the roof, I needed a hole. I cut this out using a scalpel because I'm a derp who has never done woodwork before. 

It worked well but broke the tip of my blade (good thing I have more). 

For the windows, I cut some plastic into squares.

Easy to see!

And added curtains!

To brighten the light a bit, I painted the surrounding plastic with white paint then gold glitter.

Almost looks happy :)

All of the wood was sprayed with clear varnish on both sides, to  protect it a bit more.

All the components were hot glued together, the glue sealing up any cracks. I also added a mirror on the back wall (inside obviously).

Light off.

Light on!!!

The roof was also given a plastic cover to protect it from rain.

Plastic yet to be trimmed.

With the door I got one from online and had to cut it down a bit to fit the house.

It didn't have any handles so I added some using these 'cover buttons'. I don't know what they are really for, but I also used some to make a few mushrooms!

Then I painted the door dark purple.

And then varnished it.

To attach it, I had these wee little hinges. I first glued them in place then hammered in some tiny nails. To hold the nails for hammering, I used blu-tac. 

To protect the inside of the house, I ended up blu-tac-ing the door closed so it wouldn't get bugs in it. I put a clear plastic veranda over the door to protect it even more.

Mmmm, blurry!

To keep it off the ground and keep it dry, I popped it onto these tubes with sand (weight) in them. 

Finally we pop a chair inside for any visiting fairies and a kitteh outside.

Verdict: Kinda goofed by putting the solar panel on the least sunny side possible. 
But, my parents love it! And I do too! <3