MUA Order!! My thoughts of the experience.

Hey birdies!

A few months ago I ordered a few things from MUA - Makeup Academy. They are a British online store, find them here: http://www.muastore.co.uk/. I had heard great things about their makeup from a few fellow bloggers. So, I decided to give them a try!  This was my first time ordering makeup online - I know, I'm a bit of a noob!

The site was really easy to navigate and each product had reviews listed underneath - so handy!! The shipping from the UK to the east coast of Australia was £7.50 ($11.50 AUS). However, they had a deal on at the time where you received a FREE 24 Shade Immaculate Collection Palette worth £8.00 ($12.25 AUS)!!! So, basically FREE SHIPPING! :)

The order took a week to get to my house! This was SO much faster than expected! It was sent my Royal Mail and delivered by courier. The products were all sealed in tamper-proof wrapping.

My order...

12 Shade Undressed Palette - £4.00 ($6.10)
This palette is pretty much the whole reason I got onto this brand in the first place!! The Undressed Palette is the dupe for the Urban Decay Naked Palette ($50 AUS). SUCH A BARGAIN!! :) :) The colours are really pigmented and I have been using this palette most days since purchasing!

Professional Eye Primer - £2.50 ($3.80)
"Long-Lasting. Smoothing. No crease." Yes, Yes and Yes! This works really well for my eyelids. I can review this for you guys in more detail - let me know in the comments! :)

Face Primer - £4.00 ($6.10)
I've been on the hunt for a good primer - I'm notorious for a shiny face around 5pm! It was a good size and it does create a good surface for the rest of your makeup.  However, that shine wasn't kept at bay like I was hoping!

Extreme Felt Liner Black - £2.00 ($3.05)
Really defined tip and very pigmented liner. I have been using this for 3 months so far and it hasn't dried up. Really good dupe for the Revlon ColourStay Liquid Eye Pen - and much cheaper! However, this last week I've been noticing it doesn't apply over eye shadow already on the lid like it used to. :(

24 Shade Immaculate Collection Palette - FREE (usually £8.00 or $12.25 AUS)
Who doesn't love free things!!! All the colours are pigmented and there is a mixture of glitter and matte shadows. I have found that the glitter shadows apply better with my finger, rather than a brush. I don't mind this though. Comes with a long sponge applicator.

Brow Kit - £3.50 ($5.35)
False Eyelashes "Flair"- £2.00 ($3.05)
Both were a gift, so I myself didn't try them but the receiver of these two loves them and wears the brow shadow and wax most days!


Overall, I was very happy with the MUA experience. If you want me to do a more in-depth review of anything I've mentioned, feel free to leave a comment! :)


Ellie xoxo

Back to Blogging!

Hey Birdies!

Well, my life has been slightly hectic these last couple of months. Between uni, work and just life in general, I have been flat out! Hopefully now that I am on holidays I will have more time for the things I enjoy. I have a few things I want to share with you in the next couple of days - so be watching!!

I hope everyone is having a relaxed Christmas season!


Ellie xoxo

MUA Eye Primer Review Coming Soon!

Hey birdies!

A review of this bad boy coming soon.  I'm wearing it tonight under my shadow.  It's really a muggy Aussie night and looks like it will storm soon - it'll really give this primer a run for its money!

Ellie xoxo

Cotton On Bargains

Hey Birdies!

One of my favourite places for bargains is Cotton On! I really love the basic pieces that they have that you can dress up or down.
Both their in store and online have amazing sales.  My favourite would have to be the 'Sale' section of their online store - http://shop.cottonon.com/shop/women/sale/ .  This section contains heavily discounted items from all their sub-branches. - Rubi Shoes, Cotton On Body, Typo and Cotton On Kids.

This outfit was purchased by me recently from both their store and online.

I'm wearing the "Sweetheart Lace Dress" from Cotton On.  It was a soft mint colour with lace flower detailing.  I really like the length of these sleeves - perfect for the slightly chilly spring we are having! When I purchased it, it was $20 down from $39.95.  However, yesterday I walked past and alas - it was $10!!!
Here are the links to it online:
Black: http://shop.cottonon.com/shop/product/sweetheart-lace-dress-black/
Cream: http://shop.cottonon.com/shop/product/sweetheart-lace-dress-gardenia/
Lavender: http://shop.cottonon.com/shop/product/sweetheart-lace-dress-lavender/
The mint colour doesn't seem to be available online, but I know its still in store!

The scarf was $2 AUS!!!! I really like the subtle khaki green and black leopard print design.  It's great if you are like me and don't want to be decked from head-to-toe in animal print! Haha! It is a light weight material - perfect for spring/summer! Unfortunately this design isn't available in their online store anymore (purchased a few months ago) but they still have some cute designs left!

Alright, now for the shoes. These 'Castro' boots were $15 down from $39.95. What a bargain! They are a brown with black elastic. I am normally a size 7, but I went for a size 38 (approx. 8).  This way I can wear stocks with these babes for extra comfort! I have worn them 3 times now (yes, they were 3 consecutive days haha!), one of which I walked a few km's, and they are so super comfy. I think they are a great piece that can be carried over the seasons!
Here they are online - but not on-sale anymore :(
http://shop.cottonon.com/shop/product/castro-boot-calf-microfibre-2/

An extra bonus is that the online store has free shipping in Australia for orders over $50 with the code "SHIPFREE" - but believe me, this will not be hard to reach! I have bought close to 15 items for $50 on this site before.  Keep your eye out on the sale section as their sale stock changes all the time.

Ellie xoxo

First Time Blogging!

Welcome to Pretty Birdy!

My name is Ellie and this is my very very very first time blogging! [Let's hope I do okay ;) ] 

I wanted to start a beauty blog with a fresh Aussie perspective!  My aim with this site is to make it a place where I can review products and tell you where to find bargains on a budget! I am an Australian uni student who is tight on the cash - admit it, you have all been there! I have had to learn to make do with my casual salary but still look fantastic! I don't believe there are enough Australian (especially Queensland) blogs out there that cater for this type of thing. Let's change that!

I hope you find my posts helpful and I'm so glad that you are taking the time to read them.

Happy reading!

Ellie xoxo