Beauté Gazette's American Shopping list

My product obsession is reaching fever pitch at the moment - blame it on YouTube Beauty Channels and Bloggers enticing reviews and that I have a serious case of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). It is super frustrating when products are raved about online and then you do a search for them and either find that they aren't available in Australia or the price is phenomenally inflated and shipping is the price of a small car.
My friend Mazzy is about to go to the states to visit family and while she is over there I have given her the below shopping list (all prices are in US dollars):

Sephora Favorites Sets $25.00 - $75.00 available from Sephora
These packs are so handy, containing 9 or so product mini's and 1 full size product it is a great way to test out new brands and releases. I like mini's because to be honest I hardly ever finish a full product anyways. The selections are constantly rotating at Sephora so it is like a lucky dip.

Wet 'N' Wild Eyeshadow trio in 'Sweet as Candy' $4.00 available from Drugstores
Wet'n'Wild eyeshadow is always raved about with most reviews comparing the pigmentation and creaminess to MAC shadows. Of course I am desperate to try them and I am sure I will hate them because shimmery eye shadows are so not my thing BUT how can I not give them a try?

Slatkin and Co Candles in Leaves and Black Pepper Bergamot 2 for $20.00 available from Bath and Body Works
American friends of mine think its hilarious that I am so desperate for these candles because Bath and Body Works is so cringy. What can I say? My consumer driven taste buds are salivating to smell Leaves - every time I see a youtuber stick this candle under their nose and sniff they look like they have smelt a rare orchid in paradise. Gimme!

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains in Smitten and Honey $7.50
These aren't available in Australia till January and I seriously cannot wait, they are highly raved about as a dupe and advancement on the Clinique chubby sticks. Also expect a massive price hike when they arrive on Australian shelves so at US$7.50 I am totally getting 2!

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12hour Blush in Blissful $25.00
Oh heavens these blushes look so heavily pigmented in swatches I have seen online, Tarte isn't available in Australia or UK so I have been google image searching lustfully looking at swatches to  decide which would look the perfect peachiest blushful pink on my skin tone, I am so excited to wear this colour over summer on my cheeks and to test if they really do last 12-hours of wear time.

Josie Maran  Argan Oil Daily Moisturizer with SPF 40 $32.00
Wasn't Josie Maran on the TV version of superman in the late 90's? Or something like that? Anyway, I love these products the argan oils and also the magic cheek and lip stain market make you look like you have been sucking on redskins for 2 days.

Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer palette $10.50
Megan Isobel one of my favourite bloggers/youtubers raves about this concealer palette and with my increasing dark circles and bags this concealer couldn't arrive fast enough. Don't know much more about this at all but I totally need it.

Here is what I am curious about:
How much are your swayed about products by bloggers? and what products are you finding hard to get where you live in the world?

BEAUTE GAZETTE loves NAIL ROCK!

NAIL ROCK available from www.asos.com

To say I was sceptical of nail wrap stickers would be an understatement, having a terrible experience with them in Tokyo last year. But I was following the instructions in Japanese and I think maybe I had 5 piña coladas before applying them.
Voicing my hesitations towards nail wraps to friends they had reassured me that the Nail Rock line had lasted on their nails for over a week and were easy as pie to apply.
When doing an ASOS order I picked up these cuties which were a collaboration with Sydney label Romance Was Born, they are on sale for $5.10!! normally $11.40 so naturally I 'added to cart'.
When applying I did have to cut and shape the stickers to the size of my baby nails, if you accidentally stick at the wrong angle it is possible to pull them off and re-stick. It is kind of like covering your books with contact at school, pushing out any air bubbles and sealing the edges of the nails with the mini orange stick.When happy with the placement, you will be left with sticker talons - trim excess and file down the sticker to your nail shape. As a precaution and knowing my ability to chip my nails I applied 2 layers of topcoat.
My expectations were very I low, but to my absolute shock my nails were still in perfect patterned condition 4 days later! Which is longer than I can wear a regular nail polish! These nails had done everything from ocean swimming, lots of washing up and even applied various hair masques.
The collaboration NAIL ROCK designs are limited edition, but new patterns seems to on high rotation on ASOS - I am 'adding to cart' as I type.
NAIL ROCK available from www.asos.com

Halloween Hair Icons

Halloween can be a bit daunting for most girls costume-wise unless you are totally into being a Sexy Nurse or Naughty Witch - which is cool (not really). If you are wanting to keep your cool and just have a touch of the dress-ups this Halloween sans a wig and tasteless excuse of a completely slutty outfit. Here are a few options to go with -  you probably can mix and match items that are already in your wardrobe and with a few makeup tricks you will be in costume without even having to go near any fake blood or worry you will be mistaken for stripper.

Brigitte Bardot was such an iconic blonde bombshell, she was all about hair and eyes without being too risque. She was often in all black - which makes your outfit a sinch - Team a pair of high-waisted black skinny pants or with a cute little black jumper, if you can shimmy it off your shoulders even better. 

This look is all about the hair and the eyes, so back comb your hair and liberally spray dry shampoo to get masses of volume, then pin the top crown of your hair to create a voluminous bouffant - you can then leave the bottom half out in a half up / half down style or you can pin it all under like in the photo above - add a black velvet ribbon and voila!

Makeup is key with this look, start by applying your eye makeup not your base - that way if you have any fall out you can correct it easily. Brigitte often had very exaggerated cat eyeliner, using a very precise liner, I like Eyeko Skinny Liquid liner $16.95 map out your cat eye shape and then fill it in, making sure the flick is very defined. Applying thick lashes will help exaggerate the liner even more - these Katy Perry Lashes in 'Oh My' $11.90 will open up your eyes and make them pop. To blend your natural lashes into the the falsies apply lashings of thickening mascara Eyeko FAT mascara $25.45 will blend the lashes without making them spiky and stiff.

Use a light base and a pale pink lippy to finish off your look.  

Eyeko products and Katy Perry Lashes available from www.asos.com

The 1940's Pinup look is always a great option for Halloween, you probably have a little vintage dress at the back of your wardrobe which would be perfect. If you do need to go on the hunt for a dress in your favourite second hand stores look for anything with a defined-waist and think glamour.

Rolling curls and red lips will pull the look together, so pop on a luxurious dressing gown, pour yourself a glass of champagne before starting your hair and makeup. When putting in hot rollers it is important your hair is smooth and tangle free - give your hair a good brush through and work from the base of your neck up,  BaByliss Pro Hot Rollers $109.00 will give you big kink free barrel curls. I love doing my makeup when I have a full head of rollers - it feels like you are a complete starlet. Leave the rollers in for as long as possible, when removing them slowly unroll them give your hair a good spritz of hairspray and brush out with a bristle brush to give that polished old Hollywood glamour look.

Makeup is very classic, apply your base using mattifying products and top with a powder to avoid any shine. Use a compact so you can keep on top of your shine through the night, Clinque's Superpowder Double Face Powder $50.00 is very good at creating a perfect velvet complexion. For your eyes define your browns with a dark brow pencil, keeping them quite thin and not overly bushy - no Olsen twin brows vibes with this look. Use a light wash of dove grey shadow on your eyelids and blend well just to give your eyes depth, top with a lengthening mascara just coat the lashes nothing over the top.

You wouldn't be a Pinup without a red lip, apply Rimmel's Lasting Finish Matte by Kate Moss in shade 107 $8.50 with a lip brush to perfect your natural lip shape and keep it in your hand bag for touch up's throughout the night.

BaByliss products available from www.hairhousewarehouse.com

Clinque products available from www.clinque.com.au

Rimmel products available from www.asos.com

Frida Kahlo is not an obvious choice of costume but its definitely the coolest choice -  who doesn't want an excuse to give yourself a mono-brow and be all sassy and Mexican. Splatter some paint on an old brightly printed skirt then drape a few floral scarfs around your neck and its all about loose printed cottons.

Frida often painted self portraits which featured her signature braids sometimes with a scarf integrated into the braid. Top if off with some fresh paper roses in the centre parting of your hair as the picture above. Secure with a billion bobby pins and Ta-da!

Attempting a faux-mono is going against everything you know about brows, fill in your brows with short strokes using Rimmel's dark brown brow pencil $8.40 and then slowly work inwards towards your nose, THIS IS GOING TO FEEL REALLY WEIRD. With a few strokes you will have a mono-brow, easily removed with a makeup wipe if you freak out during the night. 

Apply a little bronzer to your cheeks to define your face and that's about it. Top off your look with a brown based red lipstick like Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Damned $39.00.

Remember being Frida is as much about the attitude as it is the mono!

Rimmel products available from www.asos.com

Nars products available from www.meccacosmetica.com.au

Natural DIY Face Mask

Face masks are fantastic, they boost your regular skin routine and lift your skin if you are feeling run down. Usually I like my Dermalogica Hydration mask but it has sadly come to an end and I am on a saving kick at the moment so I did some research into DIY face masks using things you would have in your kitchen, here is what I concocted.

Pumpkin:
Pumpkin is excellent for use on all skin types, but especially if your skin is damaged from environmental conditions such as overexposure to the sun. Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A, which soothes and softens your skin, and vitamin C, an antioxidant that can help to remedy damage produced by free radicals.
Oats:
Oats are also an amazing natural beauty enhancer. They soothe and heal the skin, while reducing inflammation.
Honey:
Honey has humectant qualities; as a result, it can be used as a moisturiser in many cosmetic preparations. It not only attracts water but also retains it in the skin, so the skin remains supple and elastic. It also protects against wrinkles and dryness.
Milk:
Milk contain lactic acid, Lactic acid is a type of alpha hydroxy acids (AHA). The AHA family is comprised of various ingredients derived from sugar cane, fruit and milk. As the name suggests, lactic acid can be derived from milk, after a steady process of fermentation. Lactic acid is a powerful exfoliant and is featured in many skin care products.

Making your Mask:
Step One: Steam 1/2 cup of pumpkin and allow to cool, once cool mash your pumpkin till smooth with a fork.

Step Two:  Add a table spoon of rolled oats.

Step Three:  Add a teaspoon of Honey.

Step Four:  Add a table spoon of full cream milk and mix all together. Ta-da! A natural pumpkin face mask which will leave you glowing.

When applying the face mask rub the mixture into your skin in gentle circular motions rubbing the oats into your skin. Leave mask on for 15-20mins, it will settle onto your skin and become less runny. When  rinsing off the mask use rubbing circular motions giving your face a massage at the same time. After drying your face your skin will be super soft.

It also looks like you have vomit on your face, but I will do anything to have perfect skin.

Topshop's Hidden Treasures Nail Polish

On Saturday Fleur and I decided to go for a little shopping adventure to the new 5 level Topshop mega store on George St in Sydney, it was pretty crazy with teen shoppers and very bored mums. We be-lined to the makeup section desperate to have a look at all the goodies on offer - especially the nail polish. The selection is quite small which was pretty disappointing but they did have the Louise Grey collection which was adorable and I really want to pick up the cream blush and lipsticks.

The nail polish colours are quite standard with a big range of pastels and metallics, we decided to pick up 'Hidden Treasure' which is a dupe for Chanel's coveted Peridot nail polish. 

Hidden Treasure applies nicely, gliding onto the nail and doesn't streak like a lot of metallics do. The translation onto the nail is more of a glided foil effect rather than the holographic blues, greens and golds which is what the polish looks like in the bottle. This definitely needs a super shiny topcoat to give it a flatter surface and show off the different colours it can cast in certain lights. I like this polish, but I think it needs something to lift it - it would be a great base for a leopard print design maybe.

Have you been to Topshop, what makeup goodies did you pick up? Let me know in the comments.

Full ON lashes, Full ON lady!

Yesterday I woke up feeling totally blahhhh, like really blahhhhhhh. I knew the only want to snap myself out of this whirlpool of self-pitty and procrastination was to do my makeup, not just do my makeup but really DO my makeup!  

Starting with a heavier base than normal and then doing my eyebrows with precision and not just scraping some pencil through like normal, moving on I did my eyes like proper with the crease and everything then I was on such a roll I thought LASHES! Why not!?! So I popped on a bit of liner on  and then fiddled around trying to apply a pair of MAC #20 Half Lash numbers to the outer corners and boom! Instant lady, I felt amazing like I could flirt with every man in the world. I strutted around the house waiting for someone to notice but no one did, so me and my lashes went to the shops to buy some lunch and no one noticed either. I even took my lashes out for a run with me later that evening, my mood had completely altered from feeling like it was the worst day ever to being a productive day and it was all due to my mood lifting lashes. 

Here are a few lashes for newbies to the wonderful world of lashes:

MAC's #20's Half Lash $20.00

If you are unsure about using a full strip of lashes outer corner half-lashes are a great option, they are much easier to apply and giving length and flutter to the outer lash line while also opening up your eyes making them appear wider.

Available from MAC www.maccosmetics.com.au

Dolly Wink Lashes No.4 Feminine Style US$13.50

Lashes are extremely popular in the Asian beauty market, they can be simple verging on natural or played up as a big feature and very doll like. Dolly Wink is a big cosmetic brand across Japan, Korea and China available from pharmacies and cosmetic chains like Sasa. The No.4 lashes are longer than the Mac Half Lash they span 3/4 of your eye, they are extremely wispy and flirty. These are not natural looking, people will know you are wearing falsies but they are very flattering and cute.

Available from Sasa www.sasa.com and various Asian Beauty Supply Stores.

Shu Uemura Slant Lashes in black US$21.00

These are strictly big event lashes - unless you are a cast member on The Only Way is Essex because those girls would just wear these down the shops.

I like these for topping off a very perfected and precise winged liner a'la Jaime King in Hart of Dixie, for an updated 50's look. Shu Uemura offer lash application at their counters if you want to learn from the experts before attempting lash application yourself.

Available at Shu Uemura counters at David Jones and www.shuuemura-usa.com

Eylure Individual Lashes Black $14.99

These are first ever lashes I learnt to apply, my good friend Makeup Artist Molly Oakfield gave me a pair of tweezers, a packet of individual lashes and a tube of Duo glue pushed me towards the bathroom mirror showing me how to carefully place and stick these little guys and I was hooked! Single lash clusters are a good way of filling gaps in your natural lashes and building up the outer corners to create a more dramatic look. If you have naturally quite short lashes there are 3 sizes to chose from which is great and a lot easier to blend in with your natural shorter lashes. Only downside is that individual lashes are a lot harder to re-use than strip lashes.

Available from Priceline www.priceline.com.au 

Ardell Accent lashes #305 $7.95

These are full on pin up glamour styles, make sure you have loaded your lashes with mascara before applying these bad boys. I am pretty sure you could flirt all they way to heaven wearing these lashes.

Available from Crush Cosmetics www.crushcosmetics.com.au

Katy Perry Lashes created by Eylue 'Sweetie Pie' $14.99

Celebrity lash lines are big at the moment, Girls Aloud have one which is available on ASOS and it is also fab -  you too can look like Cheryl Cole/Tweedy with a simple lash application! I haven't tried Katy Perry's line of lashes yet but am desperate too, because I am obsessed with Katy Perry and her makeup at the moment, if anyone has seen the Katy Perry documentary 'Part of Me' you will get it, she completely transforms with makeup and they girl knows a good pair of lashes I'm sure.

Available from Priceline www.priceline.com.au

Millie Mackintosh Soho Lashes £8.99

Another celebrity lash line I am really excited to try out, Millie Mackintosh from the reality show 'Made in Cleasea' has surprisingly been the break out entrepreneur from the Chelsea set - although maybe not the most charismatic as you can see in the you tube video below. The lashes look very soft but definitely pump up the glamour and will give your eyes that certain false lash intensity which I love.

Available from www.nnouveaubeautygroup.com and coming soon to Selfridges in the UK.

                                   

A Hairy Situation

The sun is out, the beach is beaconing you are getting a zillion texts from your BFF'S to meet them at your favorite rock on the Clovelly headland and you are freaking out because your bikini line is wildly out of control! 

Laser hair removal seems to be the hair removal of choice for most of my girlfriends these days, I've tried it -  yep got myself a scoopon, uoffer or whatever -  it didn't work and was excruciatingly painful. So if like me you wasted your money on Laser hair removal it seems waxing is the next best thing. At home waxing at first can be a little intimidating, but trust me it gets easier here are my tips:

- Do not have a shower prior to waxing, your skin will have moisture in it and the wax will not stick properly and you will end up ripping very delicate skin.

-Tell your parents, flat mates, boyfriend who ever that you 'need some quiet time and not to disturb you' the last thing you need is your flat mate bursting through your door.

-You need good lighting and space.

-Sit on a towel to avoid getting hot wax on your Persian rugs, polished concrete or floor boards.

- Before you start applying the hot wax to your delicate flower of a female area test the wax on your upper leg and practise the application and then pulling it off technique, read the instruction booklet or youtube it.

- If the wax feels like its burning you STOP! It probably is!

- Peel off wax is best for your delicate flower, leave strip wax to the professionals. I like Nair Salon Divine Sensitive Wax $12.99, it seems to apply the most evenly and not be as painful to pull off.

- Work inwards, start with the stray hairs on your upper thighs and top of your bikini line, this will help with the ouchie pain, applying wax to small areas at a time. 

-It is important to use an alcohol based solution after waxing, this will sting a little but it will keep the area free of any nasties and help avoid any ingrown hairs from forming.

Nad's Ingrown Solution $12.99 - is a goodie, also exfoliate your bikini area in between wax's and apply the Ingrown solution if you are prone to stubborn ingrown hairs.

- Have a shower after you have finished waxing and shave your legs my favorite shaving combo is L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil $36.00 and my trusty Gilette Venus Razor $13.99.

Then your are ready to brave the beach and you wont have to worry that you are going to scare your crush off with an out of control bikini line!

Celebrity Fragrance : Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday

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With the constant onslaught of gimmicky celebrity fragrances being launched recently - Lady Gaga's Fame the first black perfume?! Even Snooki has one. I have only just seen Nicki Minaj's newest offering 'Pink Friday' and as Nicki said “My fans are going to spaz out when they see this.” - I am totally spazzing out.

The bottle is completely incredible, I am assuming you take the wig off and the spray pump is underneath, this is cringingly cool. Also the actual liquid looks to be pink, take that Lady Gaga! Nicki describe 'Pink Friday' as “a celebration of my life at this moment; it is a reflection of me as a creator, and an expression of me as a woman,” LOL!

Because I haven't yet smelt 'Pink Friday' I will just regurgitate Nicki's description 'Fruit, vanilla and musk' hmmmmmm sounds sickenly sweet like most other celebrity fragrances.

With her own MAC Viva Glam lipstick and a collaboration with OPI (both of which I love!)  Nicki's fragrance is certainly not her first foray into the beauty industry and let's not hope it's her last.

I have no idea when 'Pink Friday' will launch in Australia but I am sure there will be a huge OTT stand to match the bottle in every major department store around Australia very soon.

Gelish Soak Off Gel Colour : How to DIY and Review

You will need:

- Nail trimmer 

- Nail file

- Cotton wipes

- Gelish Mini Basix Kit $39.95 which contains PH Bond, Foundation, Top it Off and Nourish - which are the curing base and top coats, it also contains a mini Gelish Cleanser and mini Gelish artificial nail remover.

- A Gelish mini Gel colour $19.95 each 

- Gelish Mini Pro LED Curing Light $59.95

Gelish products are available from Hairhouse Warehouse www.hairhousewarehouse.com.au

D.I.Y:

Preparation:

Your nails need to be fully prepped, take your time and push back your cuticles and then buff, file and shape.

Tips:

- Wash your hands with an anit-bacterial soap prior to starting your Gelish mani at home, just to kill any nasty germs lurking about.

- Do one hand from step 1-6 at a time, it is just easier so your not fiddling around with sticky nails.

- Always remove with the method specified (I will do another post on this!) Do not peel off gel or shellac polish, it will ruin your nails and make them very weak and horrible.

- In between each layer your nails will be tacky and sticky, so don't go cooking dinner or going to the toilet.

Step 1.

Apply the PH Bond to your nails, this takes any oil off your nails so the Gelish products have a clean base to adhese too. This is the only step which you do not need to cure with the LED light.

Step 2.

Apply a thin and even layer of Gelish Foundation which is basically a base coat. 

Step 3.

Using the LED Light cure the Gelish Foundation layer, I do my four fingers first and then my thumb second - 45 seconds for each. It is just more comfortable than trying to shove your whole hand in at once. The LED lamp automatically switches off after 45 seconds, to let you know to start the next step.

TIP: When your nails are under the LED LAMP keep your fingers very still and flat as the lamp will heat the polish and it can have some movement and slip around making it uneven if you are wiggling about.

Step 4.

Apply your Gelish colour, making sure you are painting thin and even layers. This will help your nails look neat and not lumpy.It is better to do more thin layers than fewer thick layers. Gelish colours are all different some need 2 coats some need 3, cure with the LED light in between each layer.

Step 5.

Apply a very very thin layer of Gelish Top it off all over your nails, making sure you cover the whole nail and cure under the LED light If you don't cover the entire nail - or where ever the colour is it won't cure and will rub off.

Step 6.

Put a little bit of the Nail cleanser on a cotton wipe and rub and clean your nails and TA-DA! Your nails are dry and ready to go - no waiting around waving your hands in the air waiting for hours till your polish dries.

Gelish Soak off Gel Colour in 'Silver Sand'

REVIEW:

I had the opportunity to test out the Gelish range prior to launch, and I love this product. It is fantastic for busy people who don't have time to wait around for nail polish to dry for hours. The main difference is that Gelish have 72 colours to choose from! That is more than most regular nail polish lines and by far the biggest range of at home gel or shellac colours available. Like all polish ranges there are amazing colours and there are dud colours, my advice would be to do a google image search of the colour on someones nails before buying it just to make sure you like it.

Although the initial outlay of $39.95 + $59.95 + $29.95 may seem like a lot of money, if you have a Gel Mani at a salon prices vary between $50-$70 so after buying the kit and using it 2 times at home you have already saved money rather than if you were getting it done at a salon.

Gelish claims to last up to 3 weeks on the nail, but that depends on if your nails grow super fast or not - I personally have left my Gelish mani on up to 10 days and then I need to take it off because my nail it has grown out too far. Gelish will definately not chip, but if you are a picker try not to peel them off this will really damage your nail. The removal method suggested by Gelish leave your natural nail un-harmed.

I'm slowly building my gelish collection so far I have 'Up in the blue' which is a cool powder blueish-lilac, 'Silver Sand' an irredescent silver glitter with large and small speckles and a clear base and 'Sheer Simple' a beautiful pink based nude - all of which I LOVE! 

MILKING IT! Milk Dry Touch SPF 30+ Sunscreen

Milk Dry Touch SPF 30+ Sunscreen available in 150ml $17.95 and  375ml $38.95

I am always on the look out for new and different sun protection products, living in Australia I wear a sun protectant year round either under my makeup in a moisturizer or a high foundation with a high SPF and on any exposed skin like arms, legs and especially hands. My Mum recently horrified me telling me her and her friends used to sun bake till they had blisters on their chests!

At 61 my Mum looks beautiful but does have signs of sun damage from her youth and her only beauty advice to me has been to protect my skin.

A couple of weeks ago when sitting at The Boat House - a sun drenched cafe in Palm Beach with my friends having brunch my dear friend Lucinda whipped out some Milk sunscreen for us all to use. I had never heard of the brand before, but after applying it to my arms I was quickly asking her all about it. Milk was created by Australian swimmer Michael Kilm, it I think is essentially is a mens skin care range from scoping out the website offering products ranging from moisturizer to protein bars. Anyway my friend Lucinda has amazing skin and claimed this to be her holy grail sunsreen, so I immediately bought 2 bottles of the Dry Touch SPF 30+ Sunscreen and have been using it everyday since. 

The best thing about the Milk sunscreen is it isn't greasy it applies almost in a gel consistancy and is so easy to rub into your skin, then when it dries it is completely matte and is not greasy or shiny leaving a white cast to your skin like most sunscreens do. It contains Vitamin E, Aloe Vera and Tea Tree, which are all great for your skin, I would avoid using it on top of any cuts or grazes because it does sting and if you cannot stand the smell of Tea Tree oil then you will not like this sunscreen at all. I cannot wait to be using this all summer long at the beach.

Please if you don't wear a sunscreen during the day on your exposed skin because you don't like the feel then shop around and find one you get on with, in the long run your skin will thank you!

Milk is available from www.milkskincare.com 

Milk does ship internationally.

Also via Myer, Coles, Woolworths and Pulse, Nation and Harrisons Phamacies Australia wide.

Budget Beauté : Beauty Care Green Tea Facial Wipes

Beauty Care Co. Facial Wipes $2.00 each available from Kmart stores 

I am sort of - kind of - trying my best to curb my spending a little to save my pennies for an overseas trip I am planning. Which is really annoying and depressing seeing as though I am obsessed with shiny new makeup and pretty shoes particularly from Stella McCartney.....ohh dear.
Steering clear from the temptation of marble floors and flattering lighting of the David Jones beauty level of the Elizabeth Street Store and banning myself from Net-a-Porter, I am only allowing the bare necessity's for the next month or so.
One of my favorite necessity's which is completely guilt free are the Beauty Care Co. Facial Wipes available from Kmart for a whole $2.00 per packet!!!!! Yes $2.00!!!!!
Needing a shopping fix over the weekend I bounced into my local Kmart with my Mum and picked up 4 packets - that's a total of 8 guilt free dollars for all you mathletes counting. I like to have a packet at hand at all times so they live scattered around in my hand bag, next to my bed, in the bathroom, in the kitchen because you just never know when you are going to need a freshen up.
There are 2 varieties to choose from : Fragrance Free & Green Tea.
They are moist but not too moist, aren't too scratchy on your face and get most of your makeup off without leaving a gross film or bad smell. I wouldn't recommend any brand of face wipes to remove eye makeup and post wipe I always do a proper cleanse.
What are your budget beauté buys? That you indulge in when you are avoiding any high price indulgences.

DIY Watermelon nails

Watermelon nails have been the most requested of all our designs, they are really cute and scream summertime. Here is the very requested DIY Watermelon Nails guide.

1. Apply a base coat of your favorite red or pink either will do , a fast drying polish is best as you are going to be applying more layers. *Tip: sometimes I do the base coat the night before* Once base is dry, section off the tip of your nail with a white nail art pen - these are really easy to use and help a lot if your not confidant doing a line freehand with a brush. If you have short nails, don't worry just make an imaginary tip approx 2mm from the end of the nail.

2. Using a green nail polish on a very small paint brush, the ones I use are from an art supplies store so it doesn't have to be a special. Fill in the tip sectioned off buy the white line. 

3. To create the seeds of the watermelon take a nail pen and carefully draw little strokes in a cute formation.

4. Wait at lease 30-40mins to dry and then apply your favorite topcoat.  Topcoat will glamorise even the dodgiest nail art. TRUST ME. Applying a topcoat is the equivalent of flattening an image in Photoshop it just makes everything look pretty and shiny.

TA-DA! How easy was that! Can you believe it?

Please let me know if you have any other nail art design requests?  Either pop a comment down below or email beautegazette@gmail.com or on the Beauté Gazette Facebook page HERE!

Also if you LOVE this nail tutorial and live in Sydney please come on down the the WONDER 100 Fete this weekend I will be there with nail club NPAA doing amazing mani's! All of the money we make will be going to The Boys and Girls Brigade which run very cool programs for kids and young people helping them make positive life decisions.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Beauté Gazette's Work Out Face

After a week's recovery from being ill and feeling like death becomes her, I have rejoined the world. This morning I attempted some exercise which I was dreading after laying on my bum all week - I felt like anything but fit and healthy.

To pep myself up I decided to apply some products which are exercise proof, meaning they are not going to run down your face at the gym or if you decide to go for a spontaneous dip after your run you aren't going to freak the poor kids in the wading pool out with your panda eyes.

Revlon Grow Lucious Waterproof Mascara $18.70(On sale)

One of my favorite youtuber's Chelsea (Chelseawears check her out!) uses this mascara all the time, and I have always been suspicious of it because Revlon mascara's in the past haven't impressed me BUT seeing this on sale at the discount chemist - like an obsessed bargin hunter- I picked it up and now love it! The packaging is awful, but it is a really good mascara for those days you need natural lashes not spider eyes.

Available from Chemist Warehouse www.chemistwearhouse.com.au

Ella Baché Sunguard Foundation 30+ $46.00

This is the thickest goopiest foundation sunscreen ever, but it covers like no other you can sweat, rub, swim and it won't budge. This is great for across your nose if you are out doors in summer, it's like grown ups zinc.

Available from Ella Baché www.ellabache.com.au

Bobbi Brown SPF15 Lip Balm $42.00

If you are exercising outside in the sun protecting your lips is really important, the last thing you want is sun spots on your lips. Ewwwww

Available from David Jones Stores www.bobbibrown.com

Becca Beach Tint in Watermelon $42.00

This is adorable, not overly pigmented it is very much a tint - not a blush. When applied with fingers on the apples of your cheeks it leaves a dewy glow mimicking a radiant post warm up jog glow. 

Available from www.beccacosmetics.com.au 

Smashbox Brow Tech To Go $38.95

Groomed eyebrows can change your face, even if you are sweating up a storm on the cross trainer at the gym and your hair is a mess, having groomed eyebrows will still make you look composed. If your gym crush happens to be lifting weights across the way he will be able to make out if you are giving him a cheeky wink, and you're not just freaking out that the cross trainer went up to level 8 resistance.

Smashbox available from www.kitcostmetics.com.au

Almost dying trying to get back into soft sand running this morning on the beach.

SHOW GIRLS : Dior Spring Summer 2013 Beauty

The Dior girl loves makeup, she knows about beauty trends but also has her holy grail items that she wouldn't live without. Starting with the perfected seamless base which foundation with a good coverage was buffed into the skin leaving a 'done' satin finish - Dior girls are always 'done'. Highlighter was used on the high points of the face, brow, cheeks and cupids bow and that was it -  a very perfect and pretty base. 

For the eyes which Makeup Artist Pat Mc Grath described as 'Techno-butterflies' a cream colour pigment base was first layed down on the models eyes and taken up to the centre of the brow and ended at that brow tail. This opaque wash of colour was either in a bright powder blue or a strong lilac, applied with flat shader brushes, the shape was perfected and geometric with no blending. On top of the flat colour contrasting Swarovski crystals were placed in formations to create shape to the eyes, none two girls were the same just like the wings of a butterfly.

Although this look is very runway, try adapting the look yourself by perfecting your base and using a cream pigment and  create a more subtle and wearable shape on your eyes. Whenever using a strong colour like this on your eyes always line your upper waterline to give your eyes some definition.

Make up For Ever available from PM Studio www.pmstudio.com

Illamasqua is avaiable through Myer in Australia and www.illamasqua.com

What has been your favorite show makeup of the season?

Post note : Sorry for the lack of posts this week I have been unwell and needed a little sick-bay break.