Favorite Baking Books // AliceOlivia

Favorite Baking Books // AliceOlivia

I am a bit of a baking fanatic. In fact, I bake just as much as I apply makeup, and I wont go two days without whipping egg whites or icing a carrot cake with creme cheese frosting. No, I am not one of those strange, delusional (yet some what admirable) people who live their sad life not enjoying a massive slab of cake once in a while, but instead drink a kale smoothie for dessert. My motto is everything in moderation my friends. Since I bake so often, I have accumulated a rather disturbing number of cookbooks and have a folder on my iPad that has dozens of links to recipes I've found in the past years. These four books however are my most grubby, covered in some sort of batter, as they are my most loved. If you are in need for a new baking book, I hope my recommendations help!

Australian Women's Weekly Cakes, Biscuits and Slices
Australian Women's Weekly is a fantastic source for delicious, dependable recipes that promise to turn out well, and this book in particular is fantastic. I use this recipe book for many of its cake recipes, such as its chocolate mud cake that beats every other, and a fantastic ginger cake that is my favorite cake at the moment.

Edmonds Cookery Book
A must have for all cooking fanatics, as it includes both savory and sweet; and is what I depend on for classics (sponges, shortbread, icing, bread, sauces etc.) While its not the most exiting book of the bunch, it sure is useful.

Little and Friday Celebrations
By far the most beautiful cook book I own, and some of the most delicious food I have baked. I am a huge fan of their cafe, and this book is perfect for recipes to fit special occasions. In fact, I cooked 95% of the Christmas chapter in December.

Treats from Little and Friday
Another beautiful book full of mouth watering recipes. I love this one for its tarts (in particular the Baked Chocolate Tart - I have one in the oven as we speak!), all its delectable cakes, its cream cheese icing recipe that beats any other food on this planet, and their sweet pastry recipe is unbeatable. Like my other book, I have cooked almost every recipe in this book, some more than a dozen times. 

Happy Easter!
Alice xxx

Drugstore Foundation Rundown: My Favorites

Drugstore Foundation Rundown: My Favorites

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Hi all, I hope you are having a fantastic week. Today's blog post is perfect for all you makeup newbies, or foundation addicts like me. Out of all makeup products, I find foundation the most daunting. When I hear the word "foundation", an image of a young girl plastered with a white, powdery mask appears. However foundation can be fantastic for creating an even base or adding a glow and life into dull skin. When you understand what shade suits you, whether you are cool or warm toned, and what sort of finish you like (matte, satin, dewy), foundations are fantastic. 

While I do think it's worth while to invest some money into a higher end foundation on some occasions, there are plenty of fantastic foundations in the drugstore - you just need to know what your looking for. I will share with you my all time favorite drugstore foundations, and hopefully this gives you a little more knowledge and confidence to go out and pick your own.

For myself, I gravitate to satin/ dewy foundations since I have dryer patches (and oilier areas I powder), however if you are oily you might want to gravitate towards foundations with a matte finish. Try to look for foundations with a yellow undertone - a lot of drugstore foundations are ink toned, however yellow toned foundations usually look more natural as there is less of a contrast between your foundation and neck. 

I also tend to lean towards foundations with a light to medium coverage that is buildible, as I am younger and have reasonably okay skin, I prefer not to wear unnecessary coverage - however if you would like too, of course go ahead! Foundation is very personal, so make sure to try different finishes/coverage to see what you like most.

I have narrowed my favourite drugstore foundations down to four:

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation: This foundation is my all time favorite, as it gives a medium coverage and is looks so dewy and beautiful on the skin. I apply this with a buffing brush for a lighter coverage, however this foundation is buildable. If you are more oily skinned steer clear as there are a lot of reflecting particles, but if you are dryer this one is great.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum: This foundation has a light coverage and is more of a satin finish, so it suits most skin types. I love this one on "good skin days" - when I don't feel like a medium coverage and want something that feels light on the skin. 

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation: The shade is a bit iffy, however if you want a good drugstore foundation that is less dewy and reflective than the Rimmel Wake Me Up, this one is fantastic. This one is great if you are into more liquid foundations and a medium coverage.

Rimmel Matte BB Cream: This isn't essentially a foundation, however I did want to include this as it is a great BB cream for those of you with oilier skin. This isn't fully matte - however if you are looking for a BB cream with a medium coverage that doesn't give you that greasy, sunscreen look, this is a fantastic option.

If you are nervous and confused when it comes to drugstore foundations - you are not alone! I do hope that this helped you filter through the mass of foundations in the drugstore and has given you some good options to try out. Make sure to do some research before purchasing a foundation, and remember that everyone's skin and preference is different. Good luck with your foundation shopping! 

Alice xxx

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July Favorites

July Favorites

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Hi lovelies, I hope you are having a great week. It is sadly the end of my favorite month, July. So as usual I am going to share with you my favorite beauty products of the month - and a few extra bits.

Simple Kind To Skin Moisturising Facial Wash

I've been loving using this cleanser in the morning before moisturizer - it doesn't dry my skin out, and it still leaves me with soft, clean skin. I also love how it goes into a creamy lather, therefore I only need a small amount. 

Real Techniques Makeup Brushes

I had been lacking in any good makeup brushes; like most people I had collected the odd $2 one here or there. I finally bit the bullet and decided to invest in some good quality brushes - and I can see a noticeable difference. 

Some of my favorite brushes:

RT Buffing Brush (I like to use this brush to blend my concealer and foundation)

RT Contour Brush (for contouring of course, and to apply powder precisely under my eyes and on my T zone etc)

RT Delux Crease Brush (instead of using this for my crease, I've been using this to blend concealer under my eyes and around my nose. I also love to blend cream eye shadows with this brush)

RT Base Shadow Brush (I use this to apply a wash of color on my lids or to blend eye shadows out or apply shadow to the crease)

Rimmel Stay Matte BB Cream
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

This has been my go- to face combination of the month. I had always been hesitant of BB creams - primarily because I didn't want that greasy, sticky, "sunscreen" look. However when I saw this "matte" BB cream from Rimmel, I snatched it up immediately and have been loving it. It is also a thin consistency which means two things - it can be a little messy, but its super light on your skin.

I have been loving mixing this concealer with my Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer for under my eyes. It's one shade lighter than my actual skin tone, so it highlights and conceals my dark under eye bags.

NYC "Sunny" Bronzing Powder

I have been loving this bronzer for contouring my cheek bones, but also blending it into my crease. It may sound weird, but if you think of it a bronzer is essentially a matte brown powder. This color is not orange at all, but still isn't too ashy. 

Sleek "Au Natural" Eye Shadow Palette

I have been loving this eye shadow palette by Sleek, particularity for its variety of light and dark matte shades. The shadows are rich and pigmented, and there is no fall out (which I find I have when I use the Urban Decay Naked Palette). It has a fantastic variety of light and dark shades, matte and shimmers, so if you are wanting an eye shadow palette for a good price this one's a winner.

Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner

This is my first felt tip liquid liner I've ever used, and I don't know why I haven't discovered these earlier! This liner is so easy to apply, and it lasts all day which means no messy touch ups. I also love how it drys to a semi matte finish, and you can make the line thicker or thinner depending on the pressure you apply.

I hope you enjoyed having a wee nosy into the products I have been loving, and if you have a blog of your own let me know in the comments and I will check it out!

Alice xx

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May Favorites

May Favorites

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Hi lovelies, I hope you are having a fantastic week so far! Today I'm sharing what I've been loving in May (and the beginning of June). I've been doing a bit of shopping recently (woops!), so I've been trying out a tonne of new products, which means I can share what I've been enjoying! Let me know in the comments what you've been loving recently, I'd love to hear from you!

Pure Fiji Body Butter in mango infusion

I recently hauled some Pure Fiji products, and have been loving all of them, especially this body butter. Its quite thick and buttery, and it smells literally like a mango. I love using this after my shower on my legs, and afterwards they feel so soft.

Pure Fiji Hydrating Body Mist in mango infusion

I have officially joined the body mist fan club - this is amazing, and I especially love using this with my mango body butter.

Elf Eyebrow Kit in medium

I mostly use the gel to fill in my brows, and then I use a little bit of the powder just to set them. It's super quick and easy, dirt cheap, and I promise you that you won't look like you've "drawn" your eye brows on with a vivid!

Elf clear Brow Gel

I use this after filling in my brows - yes it does look a little yucky, but honestly this stuff works wonders on my brows.

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in transparent

(Sorry for the rubbish photo). This is my second one of these powders (as my mum accidentally dropped the first on the ground and it cracked!), and I honestly noticed a difference in how matte I looked when I used this again (compared to my other powders). The packaging isn't that cute, but the powder makes up for it and you don't require too many touch ups through the day.

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in nude delight

I feel in love with this lipstick so much that I wrote a whole blog post on it! It's creamy, long lasting, and a perfect color, I don't think I will ever be able to live without it again.

Maybelline Color Tatoo in barely branded

I recently bought another color tattoo, as my bronze one I use all the time. I have been loving this shade, and I wear it on days where I don't do a full eye shadow look (which is often). 

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer

I love how awake and well rested I look when I am wearing this concealer. It's a super light consistency so it doesn't cake under the eyes, plus the packaging is cute as well!

 Make sure to leave any blog requests in the comments, and if you have a blog of your own  please let me know and I'll check it out! Love you all!

 Alice xxx

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February Favourites

February Favourites

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Hi all! I hope you have had a fantastic February! February was a busy month for me, but I'm loving the change of weather that March is bringing. 

Like always, I am going to share my monthly favourites with you. One or two were in January Favorites, but most are new discoveries that I'm so exited to share with you all! 

Neutrogena Oil-Free Makeup Remover

This makeup remover I have re-purchased many times, as it removes my makeup efficiently, and leaves no oily residue (as it doesn't have any oil in it!). 

A Scent by Issey Miyake

I was truly as upset as you could be towards a perfume when I  spritzed the last spritz, it is truly one of my favorite perfumes. I am not even going to attempt to describe any scents, but the next time you pop into your pharmacy or department store, give it a sniff as it is incredible (and the packaging is super chic as well!).

Body Shop Moringa Milk

I have used this stuff daily for the past month, as it smells absolutely incredible! It is a lot lighter than a regular moisturizer, making it a nice alternative for the warmer months. I am trying to use it up before the colder weather kicks in, as I feel it is more of a summery scent, but it lasts so long! It is a really floral scent, so if you love to smell like a flower, this is for you.

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

This has become my new favorite concealer! It is creamy, pigmented, and doesn't crease or look cakey on the skin. I use the light shade, and like to apply to under my eyes, and on any blemishes, redness, or hyperpigmentation that I may have. 

The Falsies Volume Express by Maybelline

I  know that this was in last month's favorites, but this truly is my life saving beauty product. The volume and length you can get with this mascara is incredible, yet it doesn't give you clumpy 'spider eyes', which personally, I can't stand. 

Elf Eyebrow Kit

This is a new discovery for me, as I  wanted to try a gel/powder for my brows instead of my usual pencil, as its meant to look a lot softer. I absolutely love this duo; I use the gel more often than the powder (I  find the powder is slightly too light and a tad to orange), and have really been enjoying more of a natural, soft brow look.

Clinique Eye Shadow Trio

This trio, in particular the light shade (called french vanilla), has been an absolute life saver for me this month. I  tend to get red, slightly veiny eye lids, so this has been perfect to sweep over the lids to even out my skin tone. I also really enjoy smudging the darker color on my outer lash lie for a smokey effect.

NYX Butter Gloss (in tiramisu)

I have found my new favorite lip gloss. I love all three of my butter glosses, however this shade in particular is the perfect nude. It's creamy and not sticky at all, the pigmentation is fantastic yet buildable, and the color is just beautiful. 

That is all of my favorites for the month! I hope you enjoyed this post, and remember to leave any future blog requests down below in the comments. If you haven't followed me on Bloglovin yet, here is the link: http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/11555387/aliceolivia 

Love you all!

Alice xx

January Favorites

Today's blog post is all about what I have been loving beauty wise in the month of January.

I hope you have had a fantastic January and start to the New Year! One of my highlights has to be creating this blog. Thank you to everyone who has supported me this month by commenting and following me, I  appreciate it so much! If you haven't followed me on bloglovin yet, here is the link: http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/11555387/aliceolivia

So, here are my January beauty and makeup favorites - let's hop in!

I had been using my pink loofah, and absolutely loving it. It exfoliates the skin and lathers your shower gel or soap up, just making the whole shower experience so much nicer. If you haven't got one already, pop into your local drugstore/pharmacy and pick one up! 

After showering, I have been loving applying my Moringa Milk Body Lotion by the Body Shop, it smells heavenly, and is nicer than a body butter in the warmer months because its less thick and heavy. 

My saving grace however has been my Lucas' Pawpaw Ointment, this little red tube caters to multiple skin issues, but I  love applying a generous amount to my lips at night time, and in the morning they are so soft its unbelievable.

I don't wear foundation on a daily basis, but when I am going out or just feel like I need a little more coverage, Rimmel's Wake Me Up Foundation has been fantastic. It claims to have an anti-fatigue affect on the skin, and because of the small shimmery particles, it really does "wake you up" (hence the name). 

I have also been loving my Revlon Color Stay Pressed Powder, which I have used so much and have taken it to so many places that it has cracked :(  Never the less, I still love it. 

I have also been religiously using my Maybelline The Falsies Mascara, it lengthens my lashes while giving them volume, but doesn't give me spider eyes. 

For lips, all I have really been wearing this month is tinted lip balm, and this one by Maybelline is fantastic. It is called Baby Lips, and the color is  berry crush, a beautiful red. 

I have also been loving my blusher in bashful plum by Cliniqe, and my Urban Decay Naked Palette has really been the only eye shadows I have been using this month.

For hair I have been using my Schwarzkopf Ultimate Keratin Mousse. I scrunch it into my hair while it's damp, just to give some more texture and structure to my curls. It claims to give visibly fuller hair, and it succeeds. 

I have also been using my Tangle Teaser for brushing my hair out; this brush is absolutely fantastic and will get rid of any tangles. I don't think I will ever be able to go back to a regular brush for sorting out tangles, because this one is just so good!

There you go! I hope you enjoyed this post, I love looking back on the past month and writing about my favorite products. Let me know what your favorite products for this month are, I would be really interested to know, leave any question and future blog post request also, and if you have a blog of your own, let me know and I will check it out! If you haven't followed me on bloglovin yet, here is the link: http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/11555387/aliceolivia
I love you all and will talk to you soon! 
Alice xxx