Best of Becca Box Set

Best of Becca Box Set $85.00 each available from www.davidjones.com.au

Becca is a brand I have heard lots about and have always been curious to try. Waltzing through David Jones I stopped by the Becca counter and started talking to the sales rep, she had amazingly flawless skin and popping lashes and vowed she was only wearing Becca products. The product I was desperate to try out was the Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal - thanks again Lisa Eldridge...but I couldn't justify the price and size for a liquid highlighter knowing I wouldn't use it every day and it would take a few gazillion years to get through. So the Best of Becca Box Set seemed like a great way to test out a few more products and at $85.00 you receive over $150.00 worth of products.

Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal (sample size) $66.00 Full Size

Oh heavens above this is the most beautiful highlighting cream ever! It is a halo in a tube! Seriously! When applied to the cheekbones and temples and blended out it creates a glowing sheen to the s kin. Used on its own on top of a light dewy foundation dabbed on and blended with your fingers or if you like a more heavy coverage mix a little of it with your foundation on the back of your hand before you apply it. If this mini sample runs out I am definately buying the full size.

Resurfacing Primer Line and Pore Minimizing (full size) $55.00

I had a really terrible experience with a Laura Mercier and have been on the look out for a primer free of silicone and fragrance - which Becca's is! Applying the primer it stinks into the skin rather than sitting on top like a silicone based primer would, then I wait a couple of minutes....this is very important. Even between moisturizing and then applying foundation you need to wait. It will let the product and skin merge, the heat from your skin can also effect products blending and absorbing. It is still Summer here and nearly 40 degrees everyday so it hasn't stopped my skin from being oily throughout the day but it has helped.

The Ultimate Mascara in 'Brown' (full size) $45.00

This was the most disapointing product I have bought in about a year! I am contemplating taking this back to the Becca counter...insert sad/mad face here!..... It is completely dried out, like completely! You cannot even apply it to your lashes because it is so gritty. I totally got a dud - completely under whelming. Should I take it back? I don't know what to do.....Has anyone tried Becca's mascara? Is it a dry formula? Oh I just smelt it....totally rancid. Ewwww this is so not going anywhere near my eyes.

Eye Tint in 'Baroque' (full size) $42.00

A flat warm taupe brown - no shimmer or glitter. Usually liquid and cream shadows are applied with fingers...but this is far too runny and you would have it half way down your face if you tried that. Try blending it out onto the back of your hand and then using a flat shadow brush apply it to your eyes. This is a beautiful on its own and call me crazy I am thinking of using it to contour with?!? 

Beach Tint in 'Grapefruit' (full size) $42.00

These are so cute, perfect for a 'no makeup / makeup' look, giving your cheeks a very subtle wash of colour and a dewy finish - I love! They don't work too well on top of a matte foundation because they are so dewy so stick to a lighter base when wearing these.

Overall I think this is a great way to test the waters of a new brand if you are curious, especially if you cannot justify splurging on something major in one go. Apart from the disgusting mascara which I'm sure is from like 1992 and is super old and completely off and rancid. Next up on my Becca wish list are their new Mineral Tint 30+ Sunscreen and also the brushes look like they would be amazing too.

xxx Nella

CoverGirl + Olay Pressed Powder

CoverGirl + Olay Pressed Powder Compact $16.95 available from www.priceline.com.au

Humidity in Sydney has been off the richter this past week, we have all been walking about in a sticky mess. The perfect time to test out a new pressed powder...right?!?

My skin is usually combination oily on the T-Zone and fairly normal around the the other areas, it varies from Winter to Summer and I generally only use a powder in Summer. When applying a powder I try not to over powder and stick to the areas which get oily the quickest chin, nose and forehead avoiding areas that makeup creases in like around the eye area. 

CoverGirl's other Pressed Powder's usually have a very distinct 'Nanna' smell (musk and cloves) this one doesn't, personally I quite like the 'Nanna' smell but I know it's definitely not for everyone. The Powder doesn't come with a puffy thing which is like a revolution! No-one uses those germ filled sponges and puffs, ewwww. I like to apply it with a large fluffy Real Techniques Powder Brush in sweeping motions rather than patting it into my skin, this seems to work well and doesn't cake during the day. It is more of a setting powder rather than the coverage say a mineral powder gives - evening out skin tone without giving too much extra coverage. 

Try it out if you are desperate to de-slick during this humidity wave and don't want to break the budget.

Nella xx

My New Nude.....So fresh!

With this beautiful weather and my summer skin slightly more sun kissed than usual, rather than going crazy with colour I have been gravitating towards nude - if you know me this is very out of character!


1. Neom Luxury Candle in 'Refresh' $99.00 available from www.atluxe.com.au
Holy Moly! This is an amazing candle. Neom is talked about by a lot of beauty bloggers from the UK, which is how I found out about them. Made from natural soy wax and essentials oils they are super pungent, the 3 wick candle fills a large room with a strong scent. The scents are very natural smelling rather than candles that are named after the coast lines of Italy and are completely artifical.

2. The Balm Girls Lipstick in 'Mai Billsbepaid' $19.95 available from www.davidjones.com.au
There is a time and a place for a bright lip, and for me that is not everyday. 'Mai Billsbepaid' (hilarious name!) is a satin finish rosey-nude which just pulls everything together. It is the perfect handbag lipstick  so you are ready to look put together in a matter of minutes. Also I have been experimenting with some pretty full on eye looks - like heaps of glitter and liner which would look way showgirls with a bright lip and 'Mai Billsbepaid' has been a match made in heaven.

3. Stila Smudge Stick in 'Angel Fish' $32.00 available from www.meccacosmetica.com.au
Oh new beauty trick alert! Feeling tired? Using a nude kohl liner on the inner rim of your eyelid completley opens up your eyes and wakes you up in seconds.

4. Max Factor Glossfinity Nail Polish in 'Angel Eyes' $11.95 available from www.priceline.com.au
Rose gold is totally 'A Thing' at the moment, the trim of choice for many accessories - nails are an accessory too. The Max Factor Glossfinity polishes are just enough Rose Gold just enough irresdent shimmer to be the perfect accent nail on a pastel mani. If you don't know what I am talking about search 'Accent nail' on Pinterest.

5. Kester Black Nail Polish in 'Butter Cream' $16.00 available from www.kesterblack.com
If you don't know already - I have a broken toe. It is the most annoying thing ever....Aghhhhhh. It stays bound up in tape with the toes next to it and will remain that way for several months. Not wanting to draw any unnneccarssay attention to my foot I have been favoring nudes when giving myself a pedi. Kester Black is a brilliant line of Australian polishes, 'Butter Cream' is a beautiful neutral suede taupe and a dupe for Dior's 'Safari.

6. Stella McCartney 'Carrington' Sandal £178.12 available from www.theoutnet.com
STELLA!!!!!!!! Oh Stella, these 'Carrington' Sandals are everything I have been looking for in a summer heel. Patent and posh in just the right way, not too high and with rosey-gold hardware which give them an edge. Now I just need the Stella McCartney 'Day of the Week' undies to further continue my love affair with all generations of the McCartney's.

xoxo Nella

The Love Assembly X Beauté Gazette

Just a quick little post to say THANK-YOU to the lovely babes at The Love Assembly for doing an interview with moi on the site.

Check it out HERE!

xoxo Nella

Burberry Sheer Eye Shadow - No.9 Rosewood

 Burberry Beauty is available from selected David Jones stores and www.au.burberry.com

Burberry Sheer Eye Shadows are AU$45.00 each

So I totally caved and whilst walking through David Jones on Sunday morning I tried desperately hard to walk past Burberry...Then I thought 'I'll just swatch some of the eye shadows'...Then before you know it I was half an arm deep in swatches and the seriously sweet Burberry Rep and I were really bonding over mid-tone brown shimmery shadows and I was buying my first ever Burberry beauty Sheer Eye Shadow.

No.09 Rosewood was my pick, everything about is beautiful from the textured box to the magnetic closure to the creamy texture of the shadow it is perfect. Burberry is in the luxe category of beauty so at $45.00 each you expect everything to be on point with the price tag - and it is.

Rosewood is a mid-tone brown with a dusty rose undertone and silver micro sheen which gives a satin finish on the lid. It applies slightly lighter than the colour in the pan but can be built up to increase intensity and also worn with a brown liner to create a deeper look. A totally wearable everyday all over lid colour which I thought was was safe choice for my first Burberry beauty purchase, I wasn't going to pay $45.00 for an eye shadow that I could only wear sometimes or only at night. The texture is super soft due to the silicone infused formula and it also lasted all day without creasing or fading at all, most eyeshadow primers are silicone based which is why Rosewood has such great staying power.

So impressed by Rosewood I am already creating a Burberry Beauty wish list is growing at a rapid rate:
-Sheer Eye Shadow No.3 Porcelain - The softest wash of nude perfect for blue eyes.
-Sheer Eye Shadow No.21 Midnight Brown - Paired with Rosewood in the crease would be a beauiful brown smokey eye.
-Lip Velvet No. 305 Honeysuckle - Almost a coral almost a brown, a very wearable bright with a matte finish.

Oh Hey Burberry, I think I love you! Wink Wink! 

xoxo Nella

Good Morning! Good Night! Current Skin Care Routines.

CLEANSE
Sukin Sensitive Skin Cleansing Gel : $9.99 available from www.priceline.com.au
There is totally no need for harsh cleansers on your skin in the morning, you have just been sleeping for a good 8hours (hopefully!) so its not like there is going to much to cleanse off anyway. The Sukin Sensitive Cleansing Gel is so gentle and soothing it massages into your skin and feels so silky. Sukin has no synthetic fragrances and no minerals which brings a huge smile to my face - because seriously you don't need your cleanser to smell like anything and fragrance is the most common ingredient that will make you break out!

TONE
Origins Purifying Tonic : $39.00 available from www.kitcosmetics.com.au
Ok so excuse me while I nerd out on my favourite topic : Organic Skin Care. Willow Bark is a natural ingredient which is extremely soothing but also a natural source of Salicylic Acid! Which is a form of exfoliant, after cleansing I wipe the Origins Purifying Tonic all over my face with a cotton round. I've found this has helped with dry spots and also redness and discolouration left from old spots.

MOISTURIZE
Embryolisse Lait Creme Concerntrate : $32.00 available from www.makeupandglow.com.au
So frenchy - So chic! This moisturizer is commonly used by Makeup Artists to prep models skin before shows, also Lisa Eldridge uses so it must be good. It applies really smoothly and doesn't take forever to sink into the skin leaving a dewy finish. I like it and I think it is a good moisturizer but apart from hydrating there isn't many other benefits to this product, no SPF or super vitamins. But great under makeup if you are going for a night out.

CLEANSE
Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser : $15.40 available from www.chemistwarehouse.com.au
Clarisonic Mia : $204.00 available from www.feelunique.com
My cleansing power couple are still going strong, nothing is even comparable to the combination of Cetaphil's Oily Skin Cleanser and my Clarisonic Mia, it leaves your skin so soft and also any product I use after cleansing will sink into my skin so much more effectively. I found that using the Clarisonic in the morning didn't work for me because it opened my pores too much letting makeup in making me break out but using it at night time is perfect.

SKIN SERUM
La Mav Antioxidant Rich Nightly Repair Nectar : $69.95 available from www.lamav.com
You know you love a product when it gets forgotten for a couple of days and you notice you skin is lacking in softness. Waking up in the morning after applying the Nightly Repair Nectar my skin is plump and super hydrated, don't be scared of oils in your skin care routine if you have naturally oily skin. Oils can balance your skin out so your skin doesn't feel the need to overly produce natural oils through out the day. Which is great! No more oily T-Zone freak out mid afternoon.

EYES
The Body Shop Elderflower Eye Gel : $17.00 available from www.thebodyshop.com.au
Heads up..... Get an eye cream. The skin around your eyes is thinner than anywhere else on your body it needs a little extra TLC. The Body Shop's Elderflower Eye Gel is super cooling and putting it on feels incredible it is also super hydrating which what an eye cream should be all about. Also FYI no cream will take away wrinkles or lines its impossible! A good eye cream should hydrate and plump the skin around the eye area so that wrinkles and lines are less obvious and your makeup wont crease.

LIPS
Lucas Paw Paw Ointment : $4.40 available from www.chemistwarehouse.com.au
My relationship with Lucas Paw Paw ointment is longer than any boyfriend I have ever had, we have been going steady since my mum put it on my bum for nappy rash. Applying lip balm before bed is a really good habit to get into, during the day you just eat it off. Letting it absorb into your lips overnight is far more effective.

This routine is surely going change - it always does!

I'm curious..does your skin care routine differ morning and night or am I just a crazy skin care junkie?

xoxo Nella

Valentine's Day Nails

1.Kester Black - Fairy Floss 2. China Glaze - Snow 3. Revlon - Tulip 4. Model Co - Lilac Haze

5. Sally Hansen X-Treme - Golden

Happy Valentine's Day sweet beauties!

Last night my boyfriend said that my increasing excitement about Valentine's Day was scary - as if! 

This is what's on my nails this February 14th, using a dotting tool I totally went to town on my talons. After I had finished my slightly OTT nail art I topped it off with Revlon's Colorstay Gel-Shine Top Coat....OMG! It is amazing, seriously it glides on and creates the most glossy amazing finish to your nails. Dry time is about 10mins, but once it is dry there is no budging this stuff - total new favourite!

If you are nail-crazy and like all things in the realm of cute follow me on instagram

@nellavanveenendaal

xoxo Nella

P.S What's on your nails this Valentine's Day?

XOXO

1. FLOWERS - The Flower Drum By Holly  Hipwell

It would be breaking all the rules for lovers if flowers weren't given on Valentine's Day. I used to get jealous of this girl in my old office, Candice. Anyway Candice would get these use bouquets on Valentine's Day....they were for the most part hideous packed with long steamed roses and gerberas and were massive like bigger than my desk, they had to be put in reception - eeeewww BUT shit I was so jealous of her and so was everyone else, because girls want flowers on Valentine's Day! 

My friend Holly Hipwell makes the most prettiest of posies and will for sure make your sweetheart feel like a million bucks with her blooms

Here is Holly's official unofficial colored rose giving guide:

• Red: I love you. I want to make out with you.

• Yellow: I think you’re awesome, lets be friends.

• White: I think you’re amazing, and I’m amazing too, so let’s be amazing together.

• Light pink: I wanted to give you the sun and the clouds in the sky, but I couldn’t, so this will have to do.

• Orange: I’m secretly in love with you and want to smell your hair, but you don’t know that.

www.theflowerdrum.blogspot.com.au

or email Holly directly for any special Valentine's Day Orders:

holly.hipwell@gmail.com

2. BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S - Cremorne Orpheum Cinema

Going to the movies is classic romantic, when the lights go down there is nothing better than holding hands and making out in the boring parts. Breakfast at Tiffany's is one of my favorite movies ever and to see it on the big screen will be so exciting. At the Orpheum there will be an organist playing classic love songs before the movie starts....As if it couldn't get any more cheesier and excellent

Check your local cinema's for classic movie screenings on Valentine's Day.

www.orpheum.com.au

3. PAMPER HAMPERS - Pamper Hamper Gifts

If you cannot be with you Mon Cheri this Valentine's Day why not send them a little love hamper, it lasts longer than flowers and is the perfect if your love has allergies to pollen. Valentine's Day isn't strictly for lovers.....Why not send some love to your Mum or single girlfriends? Pamper Hampers are filled with everything from Glasshouse Candles (HINT!!! Girls flipping love stinky candles) to wine and you can even go all out to the Ritz with Missoni Towel sets and bottles of Verve!

www.pamperhampergifts.com.au

Prices Range from $56.00 - $310.00 

4. CHOCOLATE!!!!!!!

I generally don't like people that don't like chocolate, what's wrong with them?! If you want to eat chocolate for breakfast, lunch and dinner on Valentine's Day then you totally can, it's fine. Buy in bulk and pretend you have a boyfriend who was really generous - share them around the office and everyone will be your best friend and you might get a real boyfriend.

5. PICNICS - Sydney Picnic Co.

Fancy shamancy restaurants on Valentine's Day are really up tight and weird, they usually have a degustation (disgustation!) menu full of sexy foods like oysters....there is nothing sexy about oysters they taste like snot and who wants to make out with someone who is eating snot out of dirty shells? Picnics are super fun and pretty romantic especially if you bring lots of Champagne. If you are a busy career driven woman who has no time to mess about picking the perfect fromage leave it up to the picnic experts....Yep there are picnic experts! The Sydney Picnic Company will pack you up the cutest picnic ever and you will be all set! 

 www.sydneypicnics.com.au

The Valentine's Day Picnic $210.00 includes Organic L'Ancienne Sourdough & Peach, Prosciutto, Buffalo Mozzarella Salad & King Prawns & Chargrilled Beef with Salsa Verde & Bucge d'Affnois with Marinated Figs & White Chocolate, Pistachio, Strawberry Pots with Morrocan Rose Syrup

If you are stuck for ideas of where to throw down your picnic rug, Time Out has made a pretty good list : HERE!

6. BUBBLE BATHS - Lollia

Babes love baths especially when they have lots of bubbles and sweet smelling oils that leave your skin all soft and silky. The biggest babe of them all Oprah - loves herself a bubble bath and when she was banging on about Lollia on one of her 'Oprah's Favorite Things' shows where she just goes nuts, she LOVED this bubble bath and because she is basically my new Princess Diana anything she says I do. And guess what I LOVE the bubble bath too. If Valentine's Day has all been too much and you just want it to be over with for another year, take a god damn bath and C.T.F.O!

www.lollialife.com

Relax Evening Bubble Bath US$34.00

Ok so I am a little obsessed with Valentine's Day, even when I didn't have boy-babe to spend it with. It's a whole day when you can wear pink and just be silly and giddy all day drinking champagne /eating chocolate and texting your friends about what silly romantic stunt their boyfriends have tried to pull.

Feel free to email your significant other's/husbands/boyfriends/crushes/secret admirers this list of Valentine's Day ideas and you are bound to have the best day ever!

xoxo Nella

Ciaté Sequined Manicure : DIY Disco Ball Nails!

Ciaté Sequined Manicre Set $36.00 available from www.meccacosmetica.com.au

Ciaté is a UK based nail polish brand which first caught my attention (and every other girl on Pinterest) with their original 'Caviar Manicure' basically non-edible sprinkles on your nails - it was silly and really expensive....obviously sprinkles edible or not aren't going to last long on your nails unless you are the Queen of Sheba who doesn't wash the dishes or brush your own hair.

The Sequined Manicure looked slightly more wearable and practical...only slightly. The application was simple enough....I am give it a maximum wear time of 2 days at most. The finished result is quite pretty although the colours of the glitter pieces are a bit blah; red, blue, green and silver - where's the pink and gold Ciaté? If a girl wants glitter all over her nails obviously she wants the prettiest girliest glitter ever!

This is total marketing genius on Ciaté's part, and if you feel like you need this in your life like I do....I also own over 50 different lipsticks and way over 200 bottles of nail polish so what difference does a Sequined Manicure kit make. Can you re-create this look with a bottle of Clear topcoat of any brand and a little pot of glitter from the craft store? Ummmmmmmmm Duh babe!

1. Paint 1 coat of the 'Sequin Glitter Grip' allow to dry, then paint a second coat on. 'Sequin Glitter Grip' is essentially a very thick and sticky top or base coat.

2. Whist the second coat of 'Sequin Glitter Grip' is still sticky dip your nail into the pot of glitter. 

3. Pat the glitter into place on your nail and brush the excess glitter (and there will be excess glitter EVERYWHERE!) off your fingers/hands/all over your body away with the itty-bitty tiny brush.

So that is essentially all the instructions Ciaté give you, I however added a topcoat because otherwise the glitter would have lasted all of about 7 minutes.

Ciaté Sequined Manicure Kit + Kester Black 'Buttercup' + Revlon Colour Stay Topcoat

www.ciate.co.uk

Want more babbling about nails? Follow @beautegazette on twitter!

xxx Nella