Have you ever been so tired that you fall asleep on the bus and your head flops forward and you wake up and you are nowhere near you stop and you feel so disorientated that you almost cry? Well thats how I have been feeling. It's been a bit of a mind-body-soul-freak-out, as a result I have had a bad case of 'Bloggers Block'. I go shopping and buy things or get sent things and I look at the little box of cosmetic goodness and I go blankety-blank. So please excuse the lack of regular posts, I am starting to feel more inspired and I spent all day playing with nail polish - My version of the most cathodic relaxing time ever!
Do you find the new wave of 'foundation' (skin tone mimicking colours) nude nail polishes wash your skin out and make your hands look pale, grey and old? Then just don't go there girlfriend!
Take it back a notch....well try taking it back about 2 decades. Essie's 'Lady Like' is a mauve based dusty pink, it would have been on every babes nails in about 1984. It is the most heavenly subtle blush of pink which warms lighter skin tones and gives fingers elegance and length, fighting trends of pop colours and glitters with classic beautiful feminine nails.
The polish applies without fault, opaque and is seamless with 2 coats, it definitely needs a topcoat to add shine and depth.
Steal Magnolias is my favourite film....like ever! And Shelby is my most favourite bride ever, imagine having Dolly Parton give you a blow wave for your walk down the isle. In the movie Shelby (Julia Roberts) describes her wedding colours as 'Blush and Bashful' two tones of very different pink, one deep and one lighter and pastel, I would like to think that Essie's 'Lady Like' is Shelby's 'Blush'.
Essie is available from www.adorebeauty.com.au online and from Myer Stores Australia Wide
1. The MoroccanOil launch at The Pacific Penthouse in Bondi with the amazingly beautiful Bianca who does the extremely sleek site Sporte Luxe check it out HERE! And my girl Lucy from Love-Luc check her out HERE! 2. Obsessed with the BeautifulMess Photo App, its $0.99. It creates cute boarders and you can insert text do pic placements and add dreamy filters..
3. OMG OMG OMG Alber Elbaz of Lanvin is releasing a limited edition line Lancome! How adorable is packaging....This is going to the top of my lust list immediately.
1. Girls Night Out...Whoops I mean #girlsnightout! Adeline from Through Beauty Eyes and I enjoying a vino or 6 at The Carrington. Check out Through Beauty Eyes HERE!
2. More BeautifulMess photo creations, I was wearing total dolly eyeliner and lashes this day which is not like me at all.
3. Spring Breakers came out at the movies, it totally ruled. Don't know what Margret and David gave it but I am giving it a 10/10! James Franco is beyond creepy and gross but the girls are incredible, Ashley Benzo and Selena- WOAH! Just go see it.
1. Oh Bondi, you're so pretty my eyes hurt! The view from the penthouse at The new Pacific Hotel.
2. So the time has come to get my ass into gear and start running again, fitness and I are making friends. This was taken at the park after running and the field lights were so much fun to photograph.
3. My favourite Honey Child BFF Ashley turned 22! 'I don't know about you...but I'm feelin' 22, everything will be alright if you keep me next to you' Shout outs to Taylor Swifty! Ashley is the meat in this photo sandwich with is sweet boyfriend Peter on the left. Oh and the photo-edit App I used on this photo is Deco-Pic it is a Korean Puri-Kura App.
Also, here is my favourite music video of the moment:
Summer Camp - Around the Moon (French Version)
It makes me want to cut a thick fringe and wear trench coats!
(Bisous Zoe!)
HEY! If you like this post then you should totally follow me on INSTAGRAM!
Lets start this post by my personal recommendation to not be seen by ANYONE at all whilst having a sheet mask on your face, especially do not answer the door to the postman, FaceTime, SnapChat or Skype anyone either. Trust me, out of experience this mask is best done alone at night time when you have the house to yourself because you will look terrifying and creepy with the mask on.
What is the difference between Sheet Masks and a standard mask that comes out off a tube? Sheet Masks have been popular in the Asian Market for some time, the theory is the sheet/fabric mask traps the active ingredients so the skin absorbs them more efficiently. The ingredients in Sheet Masks vary, there are Green Tea based masks for brightening, Rice-Protein based masks for boosting natural collagen's and Hyaluronic Acid based masks for chemical exfoliation. All are worth trying out, except I would steer clear of any 'Whitening' masks because they can cause pigmentation issues.
The best thing about these masks is they are great to travel with, they wont take up heaps of room in your makeup case and they wont leak throughout your bag. After a long haul flight your skin needs a big hydrating surge and sheet masks are perfect for that.
Below is a truly terrifying GIF of me attempting to apply a Sheet Mask, enjoy and please LOL at how creepy it is.
SKII and AstaLift are available from www.feelunique.com Prices start from $57.00 PureDerm and Barrier Masks are available from your local Asian Beauty Supply Store, there is also a great range of Masks on Hong Kong Based www.sasa.com The single masks prices start from $2.50 which is super cheap!
The number one question I get from readers, friends, family and anyone I talk about makeup with is 'WHAT IS A BB CREAM?' they always ask in a frustrated, what am I missing out on? Voice. Let me be your makeup Veronica Mars for this post and answer all your burning questions......Let me start by saying cosmetic companies can name a products whatever they like 'BB' or 'CC' doesn't necessarily mean there is anything different about the actual product itself, it's all just marketing buzz words.
BB Creams (Blemish Balms, Beauty Balms, Beblesh Balm) originated in Korea, traditionally containing Whitening Agents, Zinc Oxide, Vitamin E and other ingredients to combat blemishes and lighten skin whilst wearing an all in one base. Tinted with a light colour and designed to oxidise to the skins natural colour, most applying with a grey tone base which neutralises redness.
None of the Western beauty brands have released a BB Cream in the traditional sense, whitening ingredients aren't popular and pink toned western skin tones don't take grey under toned products well.
If you are more inclined to try the 'Best of the West' in BB Creams Dior's new BB Cream from the Nude line is beautiful, it glides onto the skin and is very hydrating. It does oxidise, like Korean versions do. If you are thinking of buying it make sure to test the 3 shades on your face and wait at least 20 minutes and then check in natural light which is your best colour match. The smoothing pore refining quality comes from the high amount of silicone in this product, which allows other makeup to sit well on top of it.
If you would like to try a traditional BB Cream Dr Jart Water Based BB Cream is my fave REVIEW HERE! If you have skin problems and you are looking for a base product to help your acne whilst giving you some coverage then try Jane Iredale's Glow Time BB Cream is fantastic and available HERE.
DO YOU NEED A BB CREAM?
Are you happy with the base products you already use? If the answer is yes, then you probably do not need a BB Cream. I do not recommend any product with whitening agents in them because they can lead to long term pigmentation problems. A BB Cream is not going to change your life.
Tinted Moisturiser is lighter in opacity than a foundation with more moisturising qualities to it than a traditional foundation most contain high SPF ratings.
Most tinted moisturisers have driven my very naturally oily skin mad, creating oil slicks all over my face especially in high school. The Jouer Illuminating Moisture Tint is the only light coverage velvet to slightly matte finish base product I have ever tried. So if you have oily skin to the point where the Rainbow Warrior might be called in to contain the slick, and you don't like a heavy coverage then try the Jouer line. Oily skin is somehow seen as being bad and I am constantly recommended products with high coverage to wear, but I don't need high coverage because it makes my skin even oilier and I don't have any blemishes really. It is very annoying....Is anyone else in this boat? DO YOU NEED A TINTED MOISTURIZER?
I would recommend tinted moisturiser if you have dry skin or are wanting to swap to a base product containing SPF. If you mix your everyday moisturiser
and foundation do you get a tinted moisturiser....YES! Can you make your own....YES!
Foundation is an all over tinted skin base in varying opacity and shades to match skin tones, applied all over the face and neck to create a veil covering skin imperfections.
So I am not going to go into all of different foundations available, I'm just going to tell you about my favourite : Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation which is a dupe for the Chanel Vita Lumier and Vita Lumier Aqua Foundations. It is a light weight gel consistency which is very blendable, it melts into the skin giving sheer coverage and a glowing dewy hydrated natural look. I like applying it with my fingers, the warmth from your fingers will help blend the foundation into the skin rather than have the product sit on top of the skin which is the result I get when using a buffing brush. It doesn't cover redness from blemishes so you will need to conceal them after applying the foundation, not before.
I HAVE A FOUNDATION DO I NEED A BB CREAM AND A TINTED MOISTURISER TOO?
If you have your base routine down to a fine art and you are happy with it, then NO. If you like to try new products and you are looking to switch it up then YES. Are all three products the same? technically YES, they are all base products which tint the skin they only vary with opacity and ingredients like SPF and silicons.
Hope this post has cleared up any pesky questions about BB Creams and you are less confused and not more confused by my descriptions. Please leave any questions or comments below and follow me on Twitter because I tweet like a maniac. All links are below.
ALSO.......
Please PLEASE do yourself a favour and watch Dusty Hunter's YouTube video on the differences between BB Creams, Tinted Moisturises and Foundations....He is an amazing resource for the makeup curious and I watch everyone of his videos.
Last week Lush held a super amazing beauty blogger event at the Lush Sydney QVB store, there was lots of playing with products and we were overloaded with information but the one thing that I took away from the event was : Lush gives a shit, and I have fallen back in love with them for it.
In all area's it is a 'Full Circle' brand:
-All packaging is made from 90% recycled materials and all packaging can be recycled when you are finished with it.
-Lush sources ingredients from suppliers who are certified non animal testing companies and Lush does not test any of their products on animals.
-'Slush Fund' is an initiative Lush set up to support smaller suppliers to boost their businesses, to drive local business.
-All products are made from fresh organic fruit, vegetables, essential oils and safe synthetics.
- It is a transparent brand, the amount of money a consumer is paying for a product is for the product, not a marketing campaign or fancy packaging. It is for the high quality ethically sourced natural ingredients that Lush uses to create beautiful creams, lotions, bath bombs, massage bars and cleansers.
ANGELS ON BARE SKIN $16.95
Lush's #1 worldwide cleanser, containing ground almonds, clay and lavender. Mix paste with water and massage into the skin for a soft exfoliation to the face.
RO'S ARGAN BODY CONDITIONER $32.50
Lush's #1 Australian selling product, contains 6 conditioning butters including Morrocan Argan Oil. Used like a hair conditioner but on your body, when rinsed off the soft rose scent lingers on your skin.
ULTRA BLAND FACIAL CLEANSER
An oil emulsion cleanser, fantastic at removing makeup. Massage into your face gently loosening makeup and then wipe off with a flannel cloth that has been soaked in warm water. Oils will remain penetrating the skin leaving it plump and softened.
BUBBLE GUM LIP SCRUB
For all you Snow Fairy Lovers, the Bubble Gum Lip Scrub has the same scent. The sugar scrub exfoliates flakey skin off your lips leaving them sweet and kissable.
DREAM CREAM
Another world wide best seller, Dream Cream containing Oat Milk, Chamomile, Rose, Tea Tree and Lavender is incredibly soothing and calming. A-OK for those of us who suffer from skin irritations like exhzma and dermatitis.
HONEY I WASHED THE KIDS SOAP
Topped with a layer of solid bees wax made by some incredibly happy bees, this iconic soap packed with creamy honey soothes dry skin.
Have you ever fallen back in love with a brand?
What's your favourite Lush product, that I should try next?
Let me know in the comments or on Twitter or on the Beauté Gazette Facebook page all links are down below.
Burberry Rosewood #9 Sheer Eye Shadow $45.00
This eye shadow is heaven, it is so soft and buttery. The pigment is very sheer but buildable, perfect for a not too full on makeup day. But if I really want to 'Pump up the Jam!' I pair this with a darker chocolate brown shadow through the crease. available from www.burberry.com.au and selected David Jones Stores Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof eyeliner in Nude $9.95 Wahhhhh! I am coming down with the flu. The first place I notice flu symptoms is my eyes, they go terribly puffy and red. To tone down the redness using a nude liner on your waterline really brightens up your eyes. available from www.priceline.com.au
Maybelline The Falsies Volume Express Mascara $16.36
Usually I love this mascara but this is a new tube and I think I got a dud, sometimes this happens. The formula is too wet and has been clumping my lashes. Will wait and see if it gets better once it dries out a bit but I am going to try an new mascara very soon. available from www.priceline.com.au
CHEEKS: Mac Peachtwist Blush $41.00
I am not totally sure this blush works on me, it applies very dark and I need to blend it out quite a lot. It must have been purchase on one of the rare days I was very tanned. This might be going to a friend who has a darker skin tone to be able to wear this gorgeous colour better than I can. available from www.maccosmetics.com.au
LIPS: Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Rose $14.95
Moisturizing with a pinch of colour, my lips need moisture they are already dry and its not even proper winter weather yet. available from www.burtsbees.com.au and selected Myer stores.
COMPLEXION: Napoleon Auto Pilot Pre- Foundation Skin Primer $55.00
This is great if you want your foundation to glide on, especially if you use a heavy foundation. It helps blend out and doesn't let the product settle into lines and creases. available from www.napoleonperdis.com
Jane Iredale Glow Time Mineral BB Cream $61.20
Ok a little goes a long way with this product, like you only need under a pea sized amount to do your whole face. This is a very high coverage BB cream, comparable to the coverage you get from Revlon Colour Stay and Estee Lauder Double Wear.
It is also a Vegan and Gulten free product. available from www.adorebeauty.com.au
Bare Minerals Stroke of Light Concealer $26.95
Great for brightening up the under eye area, I like to apply it slightly lower than directly under my eyes. It gathers in creases if you apply it too close to your eye. available from www.kitcosmetics.com.au
Make Up Store High Tech Lighter in Full Moon $32.00
WOWZERS! This is an amazing cream high lighter! I prefer cream cheek products as it doesn't sit on top of the skin it melts in and looks like you have a natural glow. I warm this cream up with your fingers and pat on on with my ring fingers on my brow bone, cheek bones and cupids bow. I LOVE IT!
available from www.makeupstore.se and The Make Up Store
My nails have in a terrible way at the moment... flaky, chipping tearing, thin, weak and discoloured. I have even been going nail polish free to try and get them to a more healthy looking state rather than having gremlin crypt keepers nails.
Then I tried Orly's Nailtrition, it smells different to any other nail strengthener or polish a more medicinal smell - which I am really into. Considering that I enjoy the smell of nail polish because it makes me feel relaxed, its not that weird at all. The formulation is thicker than a regular polish, but is just as fluid and not sticky at all. The finish of Nailtrition reminds me of a french manicure base, slightly pink-toned and with a reflective mirco-shimmer - so basically its not clear. The longevity of it is absolutely incredible, only the box it reads 'remove after one week' after reading that in my head I was thinking 'yeh right, as if it will last that long..give it 2 days' but it totally did! I ended up removing it after 6 days without any chips or any nail catastrophes.
After removing the nail treatment my nails surface texture was smoother and my nails were definitely more healthy looking. The ingredients list collagen, bamboo extract, protein & keratin, I'm not sure how these help your nails but they did and I am going to continue to use Nailtrition on its own and layered under polishes.
My Mum is the best! She is always up for a cup of tea day or night, she pretends like she is interested in most of the nonsense I tell her about 90% involves makeup, she makes really good 'Mum-Pasta' (everything in the fridge with pasta!), She reads every blog post I right and leaves funny comments. Like most Mums when trying to buy them gifts she says 'Oh don't spend your money on me' or 'Don't be silly a cup of tea in bed and a card is the best gift' but on Mother's Day it's good to spoil your Mum with something sweet and special.
David Jones Celebrating 175 years Glasshouse Candle in Daphine $39.95 & OPI Nail Polish $19.95
Mum's LOVE David Jones - Fact! To celebrate their 175th Anniversary David Jones has released commemorative gifts, boxed in beautiful Florence Broadhurst prints. You cannot go wrong with giving the gift of a scented candle to any woman for any occasion. OPI have released a limited edition 'OPI loves David Jones ' a classic universal pinky-nude, matching mother-daughter mani pedis Mum?
The other weekend I had 2 friends over for an afternoon of wine and biscuits, and we all could not get over how much all of our Mothers were obsessed with their iPads. Tech accessories can be so dull and boring, I love this bright poppy Kikki K iPad case - is it bad to want to buy one for myself and one for Mum?
Sometimes mums can get stuck in a bit of a makeup rut, they have their favourite lipsticks and don't venture far from that. The Balm's Nude-Tude Eyeshadow Palette is a great way to experiment with different shadow colours and combo's using neutral colours, the texture of the eye shadows is so smooth and soft which is very important for mature lids.
'Would you like a cup of tea?' Is a question I have heard from my Mum about a million times. Fancy tea cups are such a cute present idea and will never not be used.
Pink Champagne says I love you better than most gifts. If your Mum likes a few bubbles for her troubles then you can't go wrong with Moét Chandon Rose Brut NV.
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant $19.64
Ok so this is my new fancy grown up lady lip balm, because sometimes sticking an un-sanitised finger into a pot is not ok. The iconic Eight Hour line from Elizabeth Arden has a very distinct herbal/medical smell which I love but I know some people will gag at it. Carrying this around I feel so posh, it looks like a lipstick and everything....And it is amazingly hydrating.
Nivea Lip Butter's in Caramel Cream and Unscented $5.69
Hype much? Ok so after seeing these on lots of US blogs and YouTube channels I had to try them out. Side note: Go Nivea for releasing these almost immediately after the US, it is the most frustrating thing seeing international blogs with products only to find out they wont be available in Australia for 4 more months! No wonder people buy products online!
Back to the Lip Balm, these lip butters are super cute in there little metal pots and they smell like cookies. I've most liked applying them after moisturizing my face to hydrate my lips pre-lipstick application because they don't give a white cast to the lips.
Burt's Bees Tined Lip Balm in Rose $14.95
These tinted balms really pack a punch they are super buildable in colour. Like the original Burt's Bees lip balms they are very hydrating and have a sweet natural scent. The only thing is that they don't have a very long wear time, you definitely need to reapply after every cup of tea. available from www.burtsbees.com.au
Rimmel Apocalips in Big Bang 400 and Luna 500 $6.38
I just couldn't wait for these to come out in stores locally so I ordered a couple of colours on ASOS to test them out. OMG! These are everything that glossy stains should be, they actually STAIN your lips and they wear really well staying glossy. If you have trouble applying strong pigment with the doe-foot applicator then I suggest taking some product onto a lip brush and applying that way. I also take a concealer with me if I'm planning on wearing them all day in case some product smudges outside my lips and I need to neaten it up. DO NOT WEAR THESE ON A FIRST MAKE OUT DATE! available from www.asos.com
Revlon Lip Butter in Red Velvet $21.95
Ok so Alyssa Milano in Charmed always had these brown-based sheer red shiny lips and I so wanted to find a shade similar. Even though it's about 10 years too late I have cracked the mystery lip colour, if I apply some of the Nivea Lip Butter and then a few coats of Red Velvet it is almost the exact same shade and intensity.
Fun fact: I totally embarrassed myself on a date once with a super cool music guy at a pub, by screaming 'OMG it's the Charmed theme song!' When 'How soon is now' by The Smiths came on the jukebox at the bar we were having a drink at. available from www.priceline.com.au
Jane Iredale Pure Gloss Lip Gloss in Sangria $32.30
This smells like sour gummy worms, seriously like your lips have just gone pick and mix lolly crazy. The colour is a shimmery brown based nude, which when going glossy is a bit more grown up than a dolly pink colour, it also makes your lips look fuller. available from www.adorebeauty.com.au
