Beauté Gazette June Favourites : Beauty, Skin, Hair & Health

Elizabeth and James  NIRVANA White 1oz US$55.00 available from www.sephora.com

I have to admit this was a total blogger/YouTube influenced purchase after seeing many rave reviews on the interwebs. When my friend Liz said she was going to Sephora on her recent trip to the US I decided to ask her to purchase a bottle of The Olsen Twins latest product from their Elizabeth and James line : NIRVANA white, without even knowing what it smelt like. The bottle is super cool very luxe-chic as would expect from The Olsen twinsies, the scent is a lot lighter and fresher than I thought it would be, I was anticipating a richer Diptyque-esque scent. It has been on high roation and has been my favourite go to everyday scent this month. I also have total blogger bragging rights when asked what fragrance I am wearing because it is unavailable in Australia at the moment.....full review coming soon featuring an in depth description of the notes etc P.S If you didn't know already Sephora will be opening up shop in Australia this December OMG!

Topshop Gloss Ink in 'Smitten' $15.00 available from www.topshop.com

These are really amazing lip stains, I've not seen any reviews of these online but I picked a couple of colours whilst in the line for the till  as a impulse buy whilst in Topshop a few weeks ago and I have not been disappointed. The colours are super vibrant and the formula is beautiful to apply with no sticky residue like some other lip stain / gloss hybrids I've tried in the past. Worth checking them out when you are next at your local Topshop beauty bar. 

Maybelline Colour Elixir Sensational Creamy Lip Lacquer in 065 'Caramel Infused' $17.95 available from www.priceline.com

WOW BABY! This is what nude lipgloss heaven looks like! Oh my gosh, perfection!

The colour is the perfect balance of peachy/pinky/brown nude which gives your lips that J-Lo pout factor without the diva 'too much make up' nude lip look - does that make sense? Anyway go and buy this lip gloss right now, you will not regret it.

MAC Browset in Clear $28.00 available from www.maccosmetics.com.au

If you are like me and powder in your brows then it is a great idea to set them with a clear mascara so that the hairs stay in place. It is also great for giving your brows a little of the Cara Delevingne lift, when the brow hairs are brushed up. MAC's browset was gifted to me, but if you are looking for a brow gel there are lots on the market for all budgets.

Toni and Guy Casual Rough Texturiser Spray $15.99 available from www.priceline.com.au

I am on an endless mission to get effortless tousled 'french IT girl hair' that is done but has beautiful texture and volume. Toni and Guy's Rough Texturiser is instant cool tousled chic hair in a can. Applied to clean hair it gives volume and an un-done look, perfectly un-perfect hair. I've been loving it and have already repurchased my second can as I cannot live a day without it.

Indeed Labs Powdered Facial Exfoliator $34.99 available from www.priceline.com.au

Powder form exfoliators have been a staple in my skin care routine for a few years, but they are often very pricey for a small amount of powder. The Indeed Labs Powdered Exfoliator gives a lot of bang for minimal bucks! I've been also loving using it on my back in the shower to prevent any body break outs, because of the lower cost I am much more generous with applying the product. LOVE IT!

Dermalogia Skin Hydrating Masque $56.50 available from www.dermalogica.com.au

It is officially winter and my skin is on the verge of becoming a scaly dried out sultana! Dermalogica's Skin Hydrating Masque is like giving thirsty dry skin a big drink of water, my skin soaks it up and feels plump and hydrated immediately after removing it. I've been applying it up to 4 times a week since the start of Winter and it has given my skin a lovely soft surface to apply my makeup on to getting rid of any uneven dry patches for foundation to cling to.

De Lorenzo Elements Extinguish Heat Protector $23.95 available from www.hairhousewarehouse.com.au

I have a secret....I am not a natural blonde! Sshhhh! I have a full head of foils every 6-8 weeks which makes my hair very weak and brittle, heat damage intensifies this even more so. De Lorenzo's Elements Extinguish Heat Protector not only protects my hair from blow drying, straightening and curling it has also improved the quality of my hair. Even if I am not heat styling my hair I have been spritzing it through my hair and brushing through as a de-tangler. Pick this baby up asap if you are using hot hair tools on your hair on a daily basis, you wont regret it.

Vitamin C

All day - Err day! Vitamin C fights colds and is an Anti-Aging super star!

Maybelline Hyper Glossy Liquid Liner in Black $9.95 available from www.priceline.com.au

If you have two left hands and applying liquid eye liner scares the crap out of you, then let me introduce you to your new secret weapon Maybelline Hyper Glossy Liquid Liner. The fine tipped brush is very easy to use, allowing you to paint on a very thin line or build up to a thicker winged liner look. At $9.95 this budget beauty banger is an affordable make up must have.

MAC Brow Duo Omega and Charcoal Brown $33.00 each available from www.maccosmetics.com.au

My brow game has gone up a notch this month with the discovery of MAC's Charcoal Brown shadow. I have used Omega to fill in my brows for about 2 years, but in the past month I have been mixing Omega with Charcoal Brown and it gives a lot more depth to my brows which gives the illusion of dreamy big bushy brows.

Favourite Jam of June

'Iggy Azalea - Fancy' has been on repeat for most of the month, love a bit of a cheesy pop tune to dance around my bedroom to whilst getting ready. 

xx Nella

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** I was kindly gifted these products for blog consideration. This did not, in any way, influence my opinion on the product. Please refer to my policy and disclaimer for more information.

BEAUTY YEAR BOOK : Best Beauty Products of 2013 : Makeup Round up!

MAKE UP!

BASE PRODUCTS:

Foundation:
Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation $32.00 & Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation $105.00
2013 was all about discovering gel formula foundations for me, they melt into my naturally oily skin and don't separate like a more standard creamy foundation would. I love how they act like a second skin and not a mask. Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum is an amazing foundation which is gives a light veil to the skin and is also very affordable considering how comparable it is to very high end brands of foundation. I have repurchased Healthy Mix maybe 3 times over 2013 and still love it to bits. When I used  Chantecaille Future Skin for the first time it was like discovering foundation all over again, it adapted to my skin and helped to control excess oil which blew my freakin' mind! It is a heavy coverage foundation and it encourages me to apply it correctly with a buffing brush and not my regular slap and dash job with my fingers. This is a foundation for lovers foundation, it's hefty price tag is going to be totally off putting to the majority of people but if you are interested in trying makeup formulated with skincare properties I would totally recommend it, super luxe and super science going hand in hand.
Bourjois available from www.priceline.com.au 
Chantecaille available from www.meccacosmetica.com.au

Concealer:
Mac Mineralize Concealer $38.00
This is ultra blendable and versatile, covering dark circles and spots like a pro! It has covered up the remnants of many hangovers over 2013 and for that I am forever grateful! Thanks Mac!
Available from www.maccosmetics.com.au

Powder:
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder $12.95
I am not the biggest fan of powder but if I had to choose one it would be Rimmel's Stay Matte Powder on the rare occasion in the dead of winter when I can attempt a matte finish to my dewy (oily) skin this is what I reached for.
Available from www.priceline.com.au

BB Cream:
Garnier BB Cream $13.99
Is the BB craze over yet? Please say yes. All I am going to say is I liked this Garnier BB Cream, the packaging is crap and it leaks everywhere.
Available from www.priceline.com.au

BRUSHES:

Real Techniques $10.95 - $39.95
All of them! Love them!
Available from www.priceline.com.au

Becca 'One Perfecting Brush' $65.00
This is the ultimate blending blush, after dabbing foundation on my face I use this Becca brush to blend it. The width of the brush allows a seamless finish able to blend foundation down your neck and over large areas.
Available from www.beccacosmetics.com.au


EYES:
Mascara 
Maybelline 'The Falsies' $19.95
When it comes to lashes, the bigger the better I say! The Falsies coats every lash, lengthening and thickening, it doesn't give you panda eyes throughout the day. I have bought about 4 tubes this year and I will continue to buy it because nothing else has compared.
Available from www.priceline.com.au

Cream Eye Shadow
Maybelline 'Colour Tattoo' Bad to the Bronze. $11.95
2013 is the year I started to experiment with eye shadows, I really had no idea what I was doing. Colours in the crease, outer 'V' ?!? Say What?!? The Maybelline Colour Tattoo in 'Bad To The Bronze' does it all, you can apply it with your fingers and it gives the illusion that you have gone to a lot of effort. I don't know when this pot is going to end but it has been going strong for about 7 months and it only has a tiny dent in the product.
Available from www.priceline.com.au

Eyeliner
Rimmel 'Scandal Eyes' Liners $9.95
This is the creamiest and most pigmented eyeliner I have ever used, it glides onto your lids or waterline with ease and precision. I like to use the bronze liner blended out onto my lid as a subtle and pretty shadow, also lining my waterline makes the blue in my eyes pop - usually they are a merky greyish blue.
Available from www.priceline.com.au

Powder Shadow
The Balm 'Over Shadow' in 'You buy, I'll Fly' $22.95
Loose shadows freak me out, I am absolutely terrified about spilling them and they are so tricky to apply because of the fall out. The Balm's Over Shadow's are very shimmery pretty and pigmented shadows which give that Studio 54 glossy shadow effect to the lid. I love 'em!
Available from www.davidjones.com.au


CHEEKS:
Bronzer:
The Body Shops 'Honey Bronzing Powder' in shade 1 $28.95
Being very fair skinned  - bronzer is a new thing to me, finding the right shade that doesn't resemble mud on my pale skin is really difficult. The Body Shop's Honey Bronzing Powder in shade 1 is dark enough to give the illusion of cheek bones and light enough that it doesn't look at all obvious and fake.
Available from www.thebodyshop.com.au

Blush:
Topshop Cream Blush in 'Neon Rose' $15.95
During 2013 blush was my number 1 splurge item, I got me some Tom Ford, some Burberry, some Chanel and you know what was my favourite? Topshop's cheap as chips cream blush in 'Neon Rose' it gives pale girls that Snow White flush of colour to your cheeks like you have just been for a stroll in the snow of laughed at a very rude joke.
Available from www.topshop.com

Highlighter:
Becca Pressed Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal $60.00
Ohhhhh baby! Becca's Pressed Shimmering Skin Perfector is a beauty! I was sent this to review and fell in love....then I dropped it and it completely shattered, devastating. It was my first ever smashed powder that I repaired with alcohol, you can read my step-by-step post HERE. This product is a Victoria's Secret model glow in a compact, it gives you cheek bones and a halo.
Available from www.beccacosmetics.com.au

LIPS:

Lipstick:
Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss in colours 60 and 107 $11.95
It was all about a red lip in 2013, from bright pink based raspberry reds (colour 60) to dark wine plum red (number 107). Rimmel's Lasting Finish by Kate Moss have been my absolute go to lippies this year the formula is creamy and easily applied and sets to a semi matte finish which has great lasting power. 
Available from www.priceline.com.au

Lipgloss:
YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain in 'Fuschia' $50.00
2013 was the year of the Lip Stain, every brand was labelling new lip products 'stains' some did stain your lips and some were just terrible. YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stains were a revolutionary formula which is applied like a lipgloss and felt like a jelly on your lips and set to a glossy highly pigmented lip look, the gloss does wear off fairly quickly but your lips are completely stained with colour. YSL's packaging is pretty and posh, these were definitely a handbag essential for 2013.
Available from www.davidjones.com.au

Lip Balm:
Uriage Bariéderm Lévres $19.99
Uriage is my favourite french skincare range, every product is calming and soothing for irritated skin.
I have never been that girl who is constantly re-applying lip balm all day, for me I apply a thick layer of lip balm right before I go to sleep so my lips stay hydrated while I sleep. Scent, texture and taste is not what I look for in a lip balm, I love a balm which is repairing and moisturizing which is exactly what the  Uriage balm does.
Available from www.priceline.com.au

Coming up next in the Beauty Year Book : Best skin care products of 2013...Wooohhhooo I'm back!

xxx Nella

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Bronze it Babe! Bronzing for lighter skin tones.

Beautiful Charlotte has porcelin skin and beautiful freckles, she is very careful to keep her skin protected from the sun during summer months....sometimes longing for a sunkissed glow. 

Bronzing lighter skin can be slightly daunting for fair maidens.....fear not with a few products and alot of blending you too can bronze it up! Promise........ Give it a go and you too can have that J-Lo Glow!

BEST OF THE BRONZE PRODUCTS:

1. BareMinerals Ready Eyeshadow in 4.0 in 'The Truth' $39.95 available from www.kitcosmetics.com.au This quad is beautiful! All the shadows are super creamy and blendable.

2. Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Eye Liner in 012 Bronze $9.95 available from www.priceline.com.au Soft and smudgy the perfect bronze liner, can be worn on its own and blended with fingers to give a subtle but soooo not subtle look.

3. Maybelline Falsies Flared Mascara $19.95 available from www.priceline.com.au Ok so when applying mascara MORE IS MORE.....Just keep going if you get any clumps pinch them off with your fingers and then wiggle that wand over your lashes a few more times.

4. BareMinerals Stroke of Light Eye Brightener $26.95 available from www.kitcosmetics.com.au
I have previously expressed my love for this eye brightener.....but seriously it is amazing.

5. Stila Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer in Shade 1 $51.00 available from www.meccacosmtica.com.au
There is nothing worse than a heavy foundation on your skin during summer, I like to mix this in with my tinted moisturizer to give a really dewy fresh look to my skin.

6. Stila Sheer Colour Tinted Moisturizer in Shade Fair $55.00 available from www.meccacosmetica.com.au Even though you are going to give yourself a bronzed look make sure to always have an SPF in your base as to ensure life does not imitate art!

7. Real Techniques Brushes from $14.95 available from www.priceline.com.au
The key to this look is blending......When blending used very light circular motions moving outwards towards the sides of the face. When using cream products synthetic brushes are best, they move product around the face and down the neck to achieve a seamlessly look.

8. Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Lip Stick in 12 $11.95 available from www.priceline.com.au
Lipstick can look a bit too full on and perfect with this look, to make it more subtle and casual buff the lipstick into your lips with your finger leaving the intensity in the middle of your pout and blurring the edges to make them less harsh.

9. Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel Bronzing Makeup Base US$48.16 available from www.nordstrom.com 
This velvet finish of this super light gel bronzer leaves your skin completely sun-bathed and radiant. Chanel Makeup is a total luxury....but this baby has a massive 30grams of product in its beautifully CC'd packaging so it is totally worth it. Here is the Lisa Eldridge giving you the skinny on all things Chanel Bronzy ((( HERE )))


Bronze it up babes and let me know if you have any questions in the comments below OR even better TWEET me up a storm @beautegazette 

xxx Nella

Beauté Gazette's Best in Beauty for 2012

1. LIP PRODUCTS
Revlon Balm Stains $17.95 and Revlon Lip Butters $21.95 available from www.priceline.com.au

Both of these products were super hyped prior to them being released in Australia and I didn't want to like them but after trying them out I cannot fault them.
The Balm Stains are exactly that, they go on as a balm and create a soft stain - it isn't a long wear product its just the happy medium between a lip balm and a sheer lipstick. My favorites: Smitten (flush fucshia) and Adore (deep ash red)
Revlon Lip Butters are a highly pigmented lip balm, and they are AMAZING. The colour range is fantastic from nudes to deep berries and reds - any colour you could possible want. My Favorites: Raspberry Pie, Pink Truffle, Tutti Fruiti & Red Velvet.

2. FOUNDATION

Stila SPF 30 Oil-Free Sheer Colour Tinted Moisturizer $55.00 avilable from www.meccacostmetica.com.au

Everything I want in a base : hydrating, blendable, colour corrective and a high spf! This was my go to base of 2012, in winter blotting away the shine with a tissue and in summer leaving it looking glowy and natural. This is a light coverage foundation, and you will need to conceal over the top and powder if you like but it gives everyone a great glow. I kept on coming back to this all year after trying heavier foundations which I found too heavy and suffocating for my skin.

3. MASCARA

Maybelline The Flasies Flared $19.25 available from www.priceline.com.au

If you can get over the hideous packaging this is one amazing mascara! I have been a high-end mascara snob up until now, preferring Lancome and Chanel never being satisfied with cheaper alternatives. The Flasies gives wham-bam lashes, lengthening and thickening with only 1 or 2 coats and is super charcoal black. It is a total dupe for my adored Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara and I unashamedly love it.

4. BROWS

MAC Eye Shadow in Omega $33.00 available from www.maccosmetics.com.au

Rimmel Eye Brow Pencil in Hazel $8.50 available from www.priceline.com.au

Eye Brows have been a really big deal to me in 2012....that sounds superficial and really not that big of a deal at all in the scheme of things. But during my makeup routine over the past year I have not been able to feel put together and 'done' if my eyebrows weren't attended too. MAC's Omega is a matte ash brown which is great for blondes, it blends into your natural brows easily and stays put all day. If I am in huge rush and cant be bothered with whole angle brush and powder I will run Rimmel's Eye Brow Pencil in Hazel through my brows, it is a very warm light brown which doesn't scream 'I AM WEARING A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF MAKEUP TODAY'.  I couldn't decided between the two products and both are equally great depending on the amount of time you can afford in front of the mirror.

5.BRONZER

Stila Sun Shade Bronzer (shade 1) $45.00 available from www.meccacosmetica.com.au 

Hello sunshine in a compact, this is a perfecto matte bronzer for lighter skin tones. Something different I have started doing in 2012 is applying my bronzer with a small tapered brush rather than a huge traditional bronzing brush. This gives you more control and a better finish, chiseling out my non existent cheek bones and giving that halo-J-Lo glow.

6. BLUSH & HIGHLIGHTER

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Nectar $86.00 available from www.bobbibrown.com.au

Here is where I eat my words....I had previously slayed this product, after trying to use it with a massive brush and getting it EVERYWHERE. Do not do that. Use smaller brushes and isolate the colours using them on different areas of the face ie: the second colour down is amazing as a highlighter on its own for the inner corners of your eyes and down the center of your nose and the bottom three together are a the perfects rosey blush for the apples of your cheeks blended up onto the cheek bone to give a very 90's Linda Evangelista-Super model look. I want to pick up a few more shimmer bricks because I just cannot get enough of them, how wrong I was. Tsk-Tsk-Tsk!

7. EYE SHADOW

The Balm Over Shadow in 'If your rich, I'm single' $26.95 available from David Jones Australia Wide

Woahhhhhh! These shadows are super tiny but they are incredibly pigmented and easy to work with, using a small flat brush pack on the shadow in roughly the shape you want and blend out with a fluffy brush. They are shimmer city but have amazing depth in colour and give a dimension to the eyes like you have used multiple shadows and spent hours perfecting your eye shadow. This simple little pot is amazing, I wore this over Christmas to various parties will post a mini tutorial using this shadow soon.

8. EYE LINER

Cover Girl Liquiline Blast Liner $14.95 www.priceline.com.au

I suffer from the most scardy-cat eyes ever, even go near them with a pencil and they twitch and water up, so liners need to be super soft and glide on and be done in under 30seconds. I am so in Love with  these CoverGirl liners, there are the softest pencil I have ever used! They can be used on your waterline or like me if you under packed on a trip and didn't bring a single eye shadow can be blended out with fingers or a brush to create a very quick smudgy/smokey look.

9. CONCEALER

BareMinerals Stroke of Light $26.95 available from www.kitcosmetics.com.au

I have had a switch up with concealers this year getting older my priority changed, I used to just want heavy coverage but now I am paranoid of creasing with heavy coverage and I need a moisturizing seamless concealer. Applied with only moisturizer or on top of a foundation Bare Minerals Stroke of like is amazing at blending in and doesn't crease no matter how much laughing I do - I laugh A LOT!

10. BATH PRODUCT

Korres Shower Gel $22.95 available from www.kitcosmetics.com.au

Korres Shower Gels are heaven, they are almost completely natural I think - they have a speil about how they are free from any nasty things on the side of the bottle. The main reason I like them is the smells....ahhhhhhh they are so refreshing and heavenly, during Winter I was big into the Vanilla and Cinnamon for Summer I have been liking the fresh Jasmine Rose. 

11. HAIR CARE

Organic Care Shampoo and Conditioner $3.60 available from Woolworths

I am a big advocate of organic and nasty free shampoo and conditioner, there is no point in spending heaps of money on it either.....ummm it goes down the drain. When I am in the shower I products which are going to clean and not leave any chemical residue in my hair - because I load enough oils and dry shampoo and hair spray and texturizer after the shower. Organic Care is great, all the different varieties leave my hair feeling the same after being washed but I try to buy the Heat Protect or Colour Protect Shampoo and Conditioner combos.

12. EYE CREAM

The Body Shop Elderflower Eye Gel $17.95 available from www.thebodyshop.com.au

So this is new, an eye cream. I am about to turn 29 in less than a week *freak out* and for the first time in my life I feel an eye cream is absolutely essential in my night time skin care routine. What I love about The Body Shop's Elderflower Eye Gel is that it is unscented, and super cooling - great for the sensitive skin around your eyes. It has decreased puffiness, dark circles and the little dotty things I get when I am absolutely knackered. 

Hope you enjoyed this mamoth post! Woah! With Christmas and New Years I took a little time off trying to spend time with my friends and family - more regular posting will be happening from now on - promise.

Nella xxx

Please let me know what product you enjoyed over the last year in the comments below... I would love to know about anything I am missing out on.

BLUE CRUSH

Australis 10 Hour Eye Pencil $9.95 + Covergirl Liquilline Blast $14.95 + Maybelline The Falsies Volum' Express Flared $19.25 =

Beauté Gazette's Blue Crush Eye Look!

Cara Delevingne on the latest cover of I.D is rocking some serious coloured liner in a fluro orange -  SHE LOOKS PHENOMENAL! Personally if I tried a fluro orange it would look very sickening and maybe even like I was suffering from a contagious eye infection. So to try this look out I went a bit on the safe side opting for a bright matte blue, depending on your skin tone pick a liner colour which makes your eyes pop and compliments your colouring.

Here are a few tricks to perfecting the coloured liner look:

1. Starting with a natural base is essential no heavy foundation, contouring or blush. Stick with a BB Cream or Tinted moisturiser, a little concealer and the lightest touch of blush just to the apples of your cheeks. Trust me if you go to heavy with this look it can turn drag very quickly, also keep clothing casual.

2. Tight line your upper water line (that's the little rim inside your eyelid under your top lashes) with a waterproof soft kohl liner. This will give your lashes a boarder so the coloured liner won't blend into your lashes and look messy. The technique of applying a liner to your tight line / upper lash line might feel weird if you aren't used to it, but it is easy to clean up any rubbing or smudging with a cotton bud. 

3. When using the coloured liner start in the middle of the eye looking straight ahead in a mirror (it is easier looking straight ahead rather than closing your eyes because you get to see if you have made any mistakes quickly and it is easier to get both eyes even) working the pencil into the inner corner of the eye and then going back over to the outer corner evening and thickening your line as you go. Be sure to use a waterproof coloured liner - smudging through the day or night will totally ruin your look.

Bright coloured liners are such a fun summertime look, let me know what your favourite liner colours and brands are in the comments!

xxx Nella

Beauté Gazette's Favorite Things

1. Night Jasmine

Walking home through Sydney's leafy green streets the night air is filled with Spring Jasmine, it is so strong and so sweet you cannot help but skip with a huge smile on your face

2. Korres Lip Butter in Plum $18.95 and Great Lash clear Mascara $10.40

My makeup at the moment is very simple with nothing crazy going on. Korres Lip Butter's are delicious and are super moisturizing the sheer plum tint is perfect aeroplane jelly port wine colour which I have been searching for in a lip product for ages. In summer I tint my eyebrows to avoid looking like I am in a Die Antwood cover band. All I need is a few brush strokes of Maybelline's Clear Mascara to shape and set my brows and I'm done.

Korres available from www.kitcosmetics.com.au

Maybelline available from Priceline stores

3. Demalogica Skin Hydrate Masque $61.50

After being in the sun and being hot and bothered I like to do a big cleanse using my clarisonic and then use this mask, as well as hydrating it balances the surface oils and any dry spots.

Dermalogica available from www.skinstore.com.au

4. Benah Kodi bad in pistachio $420.00

Aghhh I caved, this bag is the cutest. I love it as much as a girl can love a bag. It is going to come on so many adventures with me. When I have a small bag with just the bare essentials : 4 lip glosses, my wallet, coin purse, iphone with large gem encrusted case, gum, hairbrush, Mac fix plus powder and some sesame snaps. ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN! I become a carefree and reckless. 

Benah availabale from www.thebenah.com

Also check out Benah's excellent blog www.thebenah.blogspot.com.au

5. Bronte Beach

To be specific one rock which is under the pool, it has the perfect slant for lazy afternoon sun bathing and gossiping.

6. JT Coconut Water $3.50 and Dr Karg Tomato and Mozzarella Crisp Bread $7.95

The combination of these snacks is just the best thing ever! Go and get them from your local health foods store.

7. INSTAGRAM!!!! FREE!!!!!

I have an instagram stalking addiction, the other morning at brunch one of my friends asked how another friend was and I piped up with 'Well she just got back from an arty trip to Melbourne then she made a pavlova and bought some new lipsticks and has been getting coffee from the Alexandria Bourke St bakery when she is at work' everyone looked at me confused and the first friend said 'How do you know this? You guys aren't even that close?' to which I replied ' Oh no we're not at all, I just instagram stalk her all the time.' Sometimes I even feel people are more interesting on instagram than in real life. Sick Sad World.

Follow me on instagram @nellavanveenendaal

Beauté Gazette's Bodacious Beach Bag!

This week there was a sneak peak teaser of SUMMER! 

It was heaven to be laying on the rocks at Bronte, dancing in the fading sunlight on North Bondi Rocks and generally being a bodacious beach babe once again.

The sneak peak too me completely unawares and I was very unprepared, having tossed all my almost empty sandy beauty products from last summer I had to improvise for my 3 days of almost (500) days of SUMMER!

Here are the new products I am excited to pick up and some old favorites for the nearing Summer:

Benah Canvas Beach Bag $149.00

Could there be a more perfect beach bag like ever? I don't think so. Canvas bags are my favorites for the beach, you can pile everything in and if it gets dropped in a rock pool you don't freak out because you can just put it in the washing machine. Yeah beach fun with Benah!

www.thebenah.myshopify.com

Dr.Jart+ Water Based BB Cream SPF 27+ UVA/UVB US$42.00

This was a favorite last summer and I am bringing the Dr. Jart back this summer too. It is water based which I like for summer, oil based tinited moisturizers/foundations break me out  in hot weather because your pores are all open and breathing. The light base and high SPF makes it perfect for summer.

Available from www.drjartstore.com

Becca Beach Tint in Watermelon $42.00

This little tube is super versitile I like putting it on my cheeks for a flush of colour and also on my lips for a natural 'I've just eaten a redskin' colour vibe. It is very sheer and won't go patchy in the heat.

www.beccacosmetics.com.au

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunblock SPF 70 approx $13.00

Perfect if you are by yourself reading a book at the beach the spray gets all those tricky spots you might not be able to reach. Its also not as stinky like other sunscreens.

Available from supermarkets and chemists

Nars Multiple in Laguna $64.00

The sister to Nars's famous Laguna powder bronzer, I am super excited to pop this on my cheek bones after a day at the beach on my way to get a piña colada with my friends.

Available from www.meccacosmetica.com.au

Frank Ocean -  Channel Orange

On permanent repeat! 

Available on itunes

Maybelline Full 'N Soft Waterproof Mascara $12.00

Normally I like loads and loads of mascara, but at the beach its not really that big of a deal. Full 'N Soft gives your lashes a good coat of colour without making them crunchy and looking like tranantula legs.

www.maybelline.com.au

Yes To Cumbers Facial Wipes $9.99

Sticky hands, sweaty face, dripping ice-blocks happen all summer long and they need a wet wipey. Maybe I am prematurely preparing for motherhood carrying around wet wipes, but I don't care at least I am not a sticky mess.

available from www.priceline.com.au

Helen Kaminski Hampton Hat $185.00

I am totally obsessed with this hat! It is the perfect mix of Picnic at Hanging Rock and something you would wear to the beach in the 60's in Capri or some other Euro summer haven. This is on my 'Must lust buys for summer' list. The polka dot bow makes me weak at the knees it is so cute.

www.helenkaminski.com.au

Available at David Jones

I was spotted doing a traditional native rock dance this week on Bronte Beach.

Wearing a Cynthia Rowley for Roxy onsie and having the time of my life.

Maybelline Master Shape Brow Pencil - Blonde

Thank you Maybelline, finally a widely available lower end brand is offering a BLONDE eyebrow pencil. Usually the spectrum of colours ends at Light Brown and the fairer sisters are just meant to deal with it. The Maybelline Master Shape Brow Pencil is a blonde shade it doesnt lean ashy or golden, so it would match most blondes.

The formula is very waxy, when first applying it I did have to warm it up otherwise it would have pulled my eyebrow hairs out. The finish has a sheen too it so I did not need to use my brow gel to finish, sadly it didn't last all day maybe I was really stressed out and did lots of forehead rubbing a lot. 

I think I will continue my regular brow routine of powdering them in, but it this pencil is perfect for my makeup bag for touch ups.

Maybelline Master Shape Brow Pencil 'Blonde' - $11.50

Mascara Madness: Volume Vs Length

Even if I am not leaving the house for the day I will still put mascara on, being very fair my eyelashes look naked without a thick application of black mascara. Natural lashes are not my thing I like them big, thick and black!

Mascara is one of the few things that you cannot test before you buy it, and if you do then you are going to get a nasty case of pink eye. Here are my tips for the best volumizing and best lengthening mascaras. 

1. Dior -  Dior show Black Out Mascara $33.00 

This is really good at getting the roots of your lashes, just hold the brush at the roots and wiggle up. Dior mascara's formula is quite dry and they don't last as long as other brands. It feels like you have mascara on when you wear this or maybe a set of demi false lashes, which I like. If you already have thick or long lashes then this is just going to enhance what you already have.

2. Lancome - Hypnose Drama $52.00 

If you want thick lashes this is your mascara, I usually wipe half the amount of product that comes out off with a tissue first and then with the next couple of coats I put more and more product on the brush. It feels like there is alot of product in the tube and it lasts quite a while without drying out - although you should change mascara every 3 months for hygiene. 

3. Make Up For Ever - Smokey Lash $33.00

If your go to look is just a bit of smudged eyeliner and lots of mascara, then Smokey Lash is perfect for you. It dries to a really matte jet black and blends into the eyeliner on your waterline seamlessly. The waterproof version is the best waterproof mascara I have ever used, you could do 25 laps in a heated pool and it still wouldn't budge - the British synchronised swimming team uses Make Up For Ever products!

4. Loreal - Volume Million Lashes $23.95

Quite a wet formula, but this mascara gives you a little time to work with it and build it up before it dries. If you like plastic brushes this is probably the best, very flexible and bendy.

5. Lancome - Doll Eyes $54.00

Cutest packaging of all the mascara's award! Awwwww. Doll Eyes is perfect to get to the little inner corner lashes to give you a twiggy-esque 60's look. For bottom lashes hold the brush vertically and with the tip make little strokes this will coat them really well making them defined and very pretty.

1. Max Factor - 2000 Calorie $18.95

The 2000 Calorie line mascara line has been around for like ever, now with a few different varieties available. It disperses the most perfect amount of product on the brush to give your lashes a thin coating from the base to the tip, I do need to curl my lashes when using this mascara though.

2. Mac - Zoom Lash $33.00

Zoom Lash is a very wet formula, I wipe off most of the product from the brush onto a tissue before applying it to my lashes. But after a couple of coats it is ON! Seriously once I got dumped by a boy and cried 3 times in 45mins and it stayed in place expelling tears like a pro. Turning to him worried my mascara was running down my face he said no your mascara is fine -  at that point I knew I had to tell babes about this mascara. If you are going on a date to see a really sad movie say something like My Sisters Keeper that level of crytown you should definitely wear Mac's Zoom Lash.

3. Laura Mercier - Long Lash $29.50

If you are someone who likes the idea of wearing makeup but you don't want people to be able to tell you are actually wearing a full face of make up (not me!) Laura Mercier's Long Lash gives the most fluttery long subtle lashes. Perfect for no-makeup makeup.

4. Maybelline - Falsies $16.40

If you can get passed the packaging this is a really good mascara. Like really good! It gets the base of the lash at the tightline of your eyelid and then will coat the lash to the tip. This is not clumpy at all and will fan your lashes out. A wet formula but gives you time to push your lashes into shape before drying.

Maybelline Colour Tattoo : Bad to the Bronze

Maybelline Colour Tattoo '25 Bad to the Bronze' $13.99

This is one of those products that has arrived in Australia 5 months after the rest of the world has been excited bought it and is now really over it. So when I saw them on sale at my local chemist I was so excited I almost dropped my bulk pack of women's multi-vitamins all over the floor. After swatching all the colours up my arm and getting them on my jumper and needing a Vitamin Water to calm down, I realized that 'Tough as Taupe' was not available. What the heck Maybelline? 'Tough as Taupe' was the most hyped colour from the UK and US Youtube and blog babes. So after getting over that initial disappointment I decided on 'Bad to the Bronze' which is actually a more general metallic or actually a mixed metal shimmery tone rather than a straight up bronze. After applying 'Bad to the Bronze' using my fingers and blending out with Mac 217 and slightly taking it down to my lower lash line at 7am in the morning it was still going strong at 6pm without creasing, the intensity had slightly faded but I do rub my eyes a lot. The product itself is the first creaseless cream shadow base available on the lower end price range market and is very comparable to the Mac paint pots. My only disappointment is the colour selection available, all the colours are very high shimmer based and there are few neutrals to choose from, I would have really like to have some matte neutrals to be available to use them as a true eyeshadow base.

BB Creams : Why? What? How? Huh?

Spending a bit of time in Japan last year I became really intrigued with the phenomenon of BB Creams in the Asian beauty market. What was the point of them? Were they a foundation or a Primer? How much coverage did they give? BB Creams are relatively new to the western beauty market and the BB Creams that are available here on the mainstream market aren't really BB Creams. So I went on to explore all things BB the following are my findings, I am hoping this will be a beauty version of Myth Busters. (my Dads favorite show!)

So what the heck is a BB Cream?

BB stands for 'Blemish Balm', it is a cream with multiple beneficial properties for your skin including High SPF protection against UVA and UVB's, Moisturizer and Hydrating serums, Sebrum Control (absorbs sweat), Vitamins A,C,E, Collagen - Each brand differs in the benefits they offer. It also has a light coverage or tint to give the skin a healthy glow.  Many of the Korean brands do contain skin lightening/whitening chemicals in them. Skin lightening/whitening is a popular cultural point of difference in Asian skin care and makeup, I am not aware of its benefits I think it is purely a cultural aesthetic which is desirable.

In western beauty it is usually a moisturizer which contains all skin benefiting properties and then make up is applied on top such as a foundation which is purely for coverage. BB Creams are just an extra step of adding more 'health' benefits to the skin while evening out skin tone with the slight tint. The consistency is very different to a tinted moisturizer because BB Creams do have a high amount of silicone which is what fills in your pores and give you that 'Puri Kura' glow.

I really REALLY like BB Creams, the reason I wear a BB Cream is that living in such a warm and humid climate during the day your pores will open and wearing foundation/concealer without a base such as a BB Cream your pores will absorb the makeup congesting them. The western alternative to a BB Cream is a primer, primers are a seal or barrier which make up sits on top of, they don't contain any benefits like SPF or moisturizing qualities. So the BB Cream for me acts as a protective beneficial base for my makeup and you can never have enough SPF. Personally I wouldn't use it instead of a foundation because it doesn't give enough coverage and also the high SPF's are really light reflective often leaving your skin looking slightly white cast. 

My prefered BB Cream of choice (and believe me I have tried ALOT!) is the
Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25 PA++ (Korean) - $42.00

Why this out of the hundreds of other BB Creams? It is 50% water - not just regular water but 'Advanced Water Bead Technology'- FANCY. It's super dooper hydrating and leaves your skin looking hydrated and dewy,  it is very light and feels like you have nothing on your skin at all. It works really well if you are using a sheer foundation on top like Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua,  Nars Sheer Glow or Estée Lauders invisible skin. However if you like a matte heavier coverage foundation then the Dr.Jart+ Gold Label Premium BB Cream would be better suited.

(Ok so you cant see much difference in these but my skin is more even and I do slap about 3 more layers on after the BB Cream anyway.)

Western interpretations of a BB Cream such as the Garnier Miracle Skin perfector $14.45  and Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream $13.60 are in my opinion not BB Creams at all, they are tinted moisturizers with SPF. They do not have the skin benefits of traditional Korean style BB Creams, and definitely do not help your make up stay on. They are good if you are looking for a light coverage tinted moisturizer with SPF. Loreal Nude Magique BB Cream  $13.60 is a better option but it is still not a BB Cream this is a tinted primer packed with silicone, it leaves your skin super fake soft and creepy.
The Western style BB's selling points are that they smooth skin tone and blur imperfections, where as the Korean BB's are more about the beneficial qualities and the secondary function is to even out skin tone. You only need to look at the ingredients of both BB's to see the difference is vast.

Estée Lauder have a new BB Cream coming out soon which is very comparable to the Korean styles and I am very excited to try it!

Don't Believe The Hype : #1

Everything on this blog is my personal opinion - apart from if its a specified spiel from a giant cosmetic company claiming that they can make your lips bigger, get rid of you wrinkles and make you 10 times more beautiful by tomorrow.

Its not serious and I usually don't buy things that I really dislike because I am a 'savvy 20 something that knows how to use the power of the Internet for good not evil'.  My friends and family do it love when I get it wrong because I always give away things that haven't made the cut.

1. Loreal Telescopic Mascara $26.80

This was raved about by one of my favorite YouTube girls Vivianna Does Make up, she was banging on about how she put it on whilst on the tube (British). So I bought it. Its crap, well its not crap, she loves it. Its the brush that's not a brush its a comb and the product is really wet formula which just makes my usually naturally curled lashes point out straight and clump. If you can make this work for you, 10 points and please let me know how you do it.

2. Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stains $16.00

When the lip stain trend was in full force last year I was sucked into that like a tornado, I was one of the cows in Twister - not Helen Hunt. But I survived with the debris of 15 lip stains cluttering up my makeup draws. Firstly the Revlon Lip Stain has a lip balm on the end - mine snapped off within the first use so I have no idea what it was like. It didn't pack the punch of my other Covergirl lipstains which the stain lasts almost all day and definitely have got more colour pay off and they are also $6.00 cheaper. And one more thing I hate that tacky twilight-esque font on the packaging.

3. Shu Uemura Foundations - $64 Face Architect Foundation  (but in general it's all of them)

I really want to like them because its one of my favorite Japanese beauty brands. The problem is that they do not have my colour, white girl is not in the spectrum of shades. Its such a shame because they have this really cool aerosol can of foundation that's really high tech and I am desperate to have it. Please don't let this put you off the brand it is fantastic and if they have your shade then lucky you! Especially the eye shadows they are a dream and the limited edition collaborations are beautiful especially the Tsumori Chitsato sets  from about 2 years ago.

4. Maybelline Great Lash Curved Mascara $8.99

The curved brush really stabs my eyeballs when applying it and the fall out is really bad it had given me dark circles by 10am. This cult product made me look like I was in a cult.

5. Nars Lip Gloss $39.00

I'm not really a lip gloss girl to begin with, your hair gets stuck in it. The Nars lip gloss is so sticky that its hard to even apply its like putting cold honey on your lips. The colours are really good and they have a new plumping formulation which i will try out to see if there is any improvement to the formula.

6. Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks $48.00

These are really shimmery, duh its called a freakin' Shimmer Brick! But its the type of shimmer and opacity which should only be going on in eye shadows. It is so shimmery it casts a white glow to your face from the lightest colours and highlights YOUR PORES!!!! I had a really bad time with this in both colours - yep I bought 2 colours - SUCKER!

7. Kiehl's Penthol Protein Moisturizing Face Cream $22.50 

This is a good moistirizer, just not for my face, its since been de-potted and put in travel size containers for legs on holidays. It gets all in my eyebrows and hair line coating them in white cream making me look like Santa Clause and it's impossible to put a foundation on top of it because it peels off like pilling on a cheap synthetic jumper. 

8. Burts Bees Sensetive Eye Cream ($29.95 N/A)

I did not purchase this -  it came free with a magazine. But I had to include it because the story of my single time using the product is very funny. I packed this eye cream in my toiletries bag when going on the first sexy weekend away with a lover, I thought you know its a small sample size and 'natural' kind off not wanting to pack my massive night cream. After coming back from a night swim and a long shower I moisturized as normal before bed, the eye cream was on the bedside table and I applied it in the dark before going to sleep. Morning came and I awoke to my lovers shocked face on top of mine saying that he could 'call a doctor if i needed', the eye cream had turned into a white flaky crust all over my eyes! It came off with a little warm water and my skin wasn't irritated at all but the shocked reaction caused me to bin the eye cream straight away.

So in total I have wasted $225.30 on these products. It is actually a lot more than this but these are the products that I can remember using and not agreeing with. 

What products have you regretted buying? Or what products have you been talked into buying by a very persuasive beauty counter sales assistant like a sucker?