Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay 'The World's Most Powerful Facial' 100% Calcium Benosite Deep Pore Cleansing DIY Face Mask

Aztec Secret $5.99 / 494gm $5.99 available from www.iherb.com

Like most people 99.9% of the products I buy are 'Add to Cart' 'instant gradification' 'Buy Online Now' purchases. I have been fascinated by the very expensive Glam Glow mask's and have been trying to find a dupe based on ingredients but have had no such luck. So I thought I would buy this massive pot of DIY African Secret Healing Clay! (laugh now)

It works on a similar principle that the ingredient Calcium Bentonite draws out any excess oil from pores and spots that have been hiding under your skin. So excited with its claim of being 'The Worlds Most Powerful Facial' I mixed the advised amount of powder with water to make the mask and applied it all over my face and jumped into my regular relaxing face-mask-in-the-bath which happens on a weekly basis. After 10mins I was unable to move my face at all and the tight feeling was turning into a stinging sensation. With the bath becoming increasingly less relaxing, I persevered because I thought this might be the feeling of my pores completely disappearing. After the advised 20mins I washed the mask off, and I was left with a very red, sore and sensitive face - which remained for the rest of the evening. It did draw up two pimples on my chin, which I immediately zapped with La Roche- Posay Effaclar Duo.

Waking up the next morning my skin is feeling very soft and there does seem to be less clogged pores on my nose and chin. I would advise if you are going to try this mask to only use it on your T-Zone, and not on parts of your face which do not have congested pores. 

The next day my skin has completely cleared and was soft and glowing. BTW I am wearling zero makeup in the photo above.

xxx Nella

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Aveda Dry Remedy Range Review

In shower regime : Aveda Dry Remedy Shampoo $49.00, Masque $55.00 and Conditioner $49.00

available from www.aveda.com.au and Aveda salons

Aveda is a brand that I have always associated as a salon brand, the products are beautifully aromatic and would linger whilst I would be having a head massage at the salon before a cut or colour.This was until the lovely people at Aveda sent me the Dry Remedy range to try at home.

The Dry Remedy range has a powerfully hydrating key ingredient : Buriti Oil!

Buriti Oil is harvested from the fruit of Moriche Palm which grows in the wet areas of Brazil. By sourcing the buriti oil from a rural community in Piaui , Brazil, Aveda is not only providing revenue to the community but also supporting the funding of much needed clean water wells over the next two years to this drought stricken region. I LOVE THIS!

Aveda is the first high end beauty company to introduce an innovative new packaging material, containing plastic derived from plants in its Dry Remedy Moisturizing Conditioner and Masque tubes.  So while you are caring for your hair, you are also caring for the Earth. They are also 100% recyclable when you are finished with them too! I LOVE THIS EVEN MORE!

SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER

The rich shampoo lathers up well in your hair coating all the strands, although it doesn't strip your hair of natural oils when rinsed out. There is definitely a coating left on your hair which made my fine hair feel much stronger. Conditioning my hair immediately softens a light veil of the buriti oil is left on the hair when rinsed. 

MASQUE

I used the Masque after having my hair heat styled and spraying to infinity and beyond for a wedding, my hair was feeling very brittle and dry and needing a mega moisture zap. Applying the Masque before relaxing in a bath is heavenly, the smell is so relaxing. After rinsing and letting my hair air dry it had returned to a soft and manageable state. This masque would also be great as a post colour treatment for highly bleached blondes. 

I would recommend the Dry Remedy line for hair which is:

-Naturally coarse hair which can handle lots of oils and drinks them up.

-Colour treated hair which needs hydration after being striped of natural oils.

-Hair which is constantly being heat styled and is stressed out needing calming oils to rebuild softness. 

Aveda Dry Remedy Daily Moisturizing Oil $40.00 available from www.aveda.com.au

Moisturizing oils are an essential part of my hair regime, without it I am left with a knotty mess of fine fly away hair. The Aveda Daily Moisturizing Oil is a daily leave in treatment, derived from 99.9% natural ingredients free of silicones. I found the best results when using the oil in half dried hair, in between blow drying add a couple of drops to the palms of my hands to warm the oil then massaged into the mid lengths of my hair, avoiding the scalp. If I am letting my hair naturally dry I apply the oil to wet hair and brush through to make sure it is evenly distributed through my hair. Did I mention, it smells so damn good!

xxx Nella

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'Pink Ladies' - Rimmel Salon Pro '701 Jazz Funk

Rimmel Salon Pro in '701 Jazz Funk' $8.85 available from www.priceline.com.au

Sometimes you just need to paint your nails pink and feel like a lady, preferably whilst listing to love power ballads and in a silk dressing gown. This is what I did yesterday.
Pink polish has been pushed to the back of my collection (yes, I own a LOT of nail polish that it is a 'collection') favouring neutrals, glitters and that 6 months that Rouge Noir ruled every girls nails. My love for pink polishes is back and first stop was Rimmel's Salon Pro by Kate Moss polish in '701 Jazz Funk'. Shit name, amazing polish! This range of polishes has my favourite type of brush, wide and flat which evenly coats the nail with polish. The polish applies smoothly and does not well in your cuticles which gives you that salon manicure look. It is opaque in two coats and dries fairly quickly. 'Jazz Funk' is dulled down fuchsia, it is more a flamingo pink and is totally girly!

Sally Hansen Diamond Flash Top Coat $13.95 available from www.priceline.com.au

I had to mention that I have been trying out a new top coat Sally Hansen's Diamond Flash Top Coat, it is amazing! The dry time is under 5 minutes, sealing in your coloured polish and making it dry too. The shine factor is beyond sparkling and gives the look of gel nails. Try it out if you are as inpatient as I am and need to get on with your life ASAP after painting your nails.

xxx Nella

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#HAIRBARRELS

images : www.hairbarrels.com

Sometimes you come across something on the internet and you just lol to yourself quietly on public transport in amazement. That's what happened when I discovered #hairbarrels. My hairdresser Melinda had told me about it a few days before but my 3G had been playing up #vodafonesux!

Hair Barrels is a totally genius idea, one that you admire but secretly wished you had come up with yourself. I mean come on....Meryl giving side eye with a Kelly Slater hangin' ten in her fringe! 

Hair Barrels has a tumblr and instagram : @hairbarrels if you are like me and need a daily dose of gnarly hair hilarity. 

images : www.hairbarrels.com

Has anyone else noticed that #SURFBOARD is trending? Ok I'm going to go and watch Point Break in my Patagonia wetsuit now. #GNARGNAR

#SURFBOARD

xxx Nella

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6 of the best little Aussie rippers for Australia Day!

Sunday 26th of January is AUSTRALIA DAY down under!

To celebrate here are 6 of my favourite little Aussie ripper products:

1. Milk and Co for Her Body Scrub $14.95 

Body exfoliation is one of those beauty steps I sometimes skip because of sheer laziness but Milk's Body Scrub which contains Coconut Shell and Rose Hip Oil has made me look forward to scrubbing away dead skin cells every couple of days in the shower. Milk is a brand founded by Aussie swimming legend Michael Klim and his amazingly beautiful wife Lindy, I was lucky enough to interview Lindy about Milk last year if you want to know more about the brand which they started together read about it HERE!

Available from www.milkandco.com.au

2. Lucas Papaw Ointment from $4.95

It is rare that a product is so multi purpose that you can use it your whole entire life. Lucas Papaw Ointment has soothed my nappy rash as a baby, healed wounds, softened dry lips and even been an eye cream at desperate times. The distinctive red packaging has been with me for so many years I cannot imagine my life without it. It is also the one product which ex-pat friends constantly request to be sent to them in care packages all over the world.

Available from www.chemistswarehouse.com.au

3. Lanolips Golden Ointment $28.99

Lanolips Golden Ointment is a similar multi-purpose product which I have fallen in love with. Lanolin is a Australian wonder ingredient which I usually associate with being sold at tourist shops in Sydney, it wasn't readily available in mainstream product ranges until Lanolips. Golden Ointment contains a power trio of ingredients : Lanolin, Manuka Honey and Vitamin E! I love this to aid healing wounds, knicks or grazes. 

Available from www.priceline.com.au

4. Model Co Nail Polish in Model Co Pink $9.95

Model Co nail polishes are an under rated little Aussie gem! The colour range is spectrum of wearable, on trend and classic polishes which I cannot get enough of. They all apply with ease and dry relatively quickly, they are are no fuss and a go to for any kind nail look I could possibly dream of. Colour Favourites are : Model Co Pink, Kylie (awesome neon orange), Flossy (blue based baby fairy floss pink) and Nude Attitude (the most perfect nude).

Available from www.modelco.com.au

5. Aesop Fabulous Face Oil $57.00

This is a new find for me and I have been using it in tones of different ways! A few drops mixed with my night cream to give it a supersonic boost of hydration, mixed in with concealer under my eyes to give it an extra smooth application and add moisture to my under eye area during the day. Aesop is an Australian brand which has been receiving some well deserved hype from international beauty blogger of late which is totally awesome.

Available from www.aesop.com.au

6. Becca Mineral Tint Spf 30+ Sunscreen $35.00

Babes love them some Becca! If you are not from Australia then you might not know but it is hot down here, like really hot averaging 30 plus degrees in Summer and we are unfortunately directly under the hole in the ozone layer. As an Australian during my lifetime 2 out of 3 friends and family will be diagnosed with skin cancer. I have been personally effected by skin cancer in the last year having a melanoma removed. Skin cancer is a serious and scary and needs to be taken very seriously, I do not leave the house without sunscreen on of some kind. My favourite tinted moisturiser is Becca's Mineral Tint, covering my flaws and keeping my skin protected from UVA and UVB rays.

Available from www.beccacosmetics.com

xxx Nella

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Beauté Gazette LOVES! Paul Mitchell Dry Wash

Paul Mitchell Dry Wash $24.95 Available in Professional Hair Salons and for Australian Stockists Ph: 1300 365 350 

'Big hair, DON'T CARE!' Has been my summer hair mantra, after salty swims and afternoon cocktails my hair take on a life of it's own. My hair also has a new bestie, meet Paul Mitchell's Dry Wash! 

Dry Wash turns day two hair which is a bit greasy and limp into huge 90's tidal wave hair heaven. I have found it most effective sprayed directly into roots all over your head flipping hair to create volume and then after 5mins brushing through to take a small amount of the product to the tips of your hair. The product is not a traditional talc based white casting dry shampoo, it feels more like a light hairspray and it doesn't have the gross powdery feeling which normally comes with most dry shampoos.

I have also been loving Dry Wash to give an extra texture boost to beach hair, tousled waves separate and become more defined while my roots get mega supermodel volume.

My Dry Wash travel size hasn't left my handbag all summer, and the full size is a permanent bathroom fixture getting daily hair love.

I am sure Brooke would approve of Paul Mitchell's big hair staple Dry Wash!

xxx Nella

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Testing 1 2.....3 : People for Plants Review

People for Plants : White tea, Aloe and Witch Hazel Cleanser & Makeup Remover $24.95, Rosehip, Ginkgo & Shea Day Cream $29.95, Ginkgo, Coconut & Shea Body Cream $19.95  Rose Otto, Burdock & Kakadu Plum Toning Mist $19.95 Available from www.peopleforplants.com.auhttp://www.peopleforplants.com.au/

People for Plants is new Australian certified organic, cruelty free skin care range which I have been testing out over the last couple of weeks. When buying products which are marketed as being organic, it is hard to tell if they are actually going to work. People for Plants are more than just another organic skin care brand, each product is packed with amazing ingredients which my skin has been lovingly drinking up each day. Here is a round up on my thoughts of a few products:

White Tea, Aloe and Witch Hazel Cleanser & Makeup Remover $24.95

When applying the thick creamy balm, massaging it into your face it immediately lifts makeup up, I then remove it with a dampened warm flannel. It leaves my skin feeling so soft and the best thing about the balm is that it doesn't strip your skin of its beautiful natural oils. I have been trying to find a cheaper alternative to my favourite Eve Lom Cleansing balm and this White Tea, Aloe and Witch Hazel Cleanser has answered my prayers! 

Rosehip, Ginkgo & Shea Day Cream $29.95 

This is a thicker than normal day cream, which takes a little while for my skin to absorb but once it does my skin feels plump and hydrated. The Rosehip is subtle but definitely noticeable, this would be perfect for dry skin or recovering skin which has been effected by acne or scaring.

Gingko, Coconut & Shea Body Cream $19.95

I have been travelling quite a lot over the holidays to get out of the city for a couple of days and this body cream has been in my toiletries bag on every trip. It is thick and hydrating but also non greasy. Applying this after a shower to warm skin has been keeping my skin soft after salt water has zapped the moisture out of my skin.

Rose Otto, Burdock & Kakadu Plum Toning Mist $19.95

It is the middle of Summer in Australia at the moment and I am shvitzing! Over 30 degrees most days, if I am at home there is no way I am bothering to apply any makeup because it will just melt right off my pretty little face. However I have been keeping this toning mist in the fridge and when I feel like its all too much and too hot a cooling spritz brings me back to life.

xxx Nella

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BEAUTY YEAR BOOK : Best Beauty Products of 2013 : Skin Care, Body & Bath Round Up!

Face Wash:
Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Facial Cleanser and Makeup Remover $14.99
If you like a face wash which takes off all you makeup, makes your face feel clean but without feeling tight and dry, then you will love these cleansers from Neutrogena. Also Paraben, Sulfate, Petrolatum free and housed in recycled packing these were a bathroom constant all year.
Available from www.priceline.com.au

Day Moisturizer:
Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream $71.99
This non irritating face moisturiser has kept my skin at hydrated without stinging or breaking me out. When applying this moisturiser my skin doesn't change at all, it doesn't go red and blotchy because of fragrance, like most moisturisers I tried this year. I LOVE IT! The size is also great, it has lasted for over 3 months and  I am only just half way through the tube, which makes the $71.99 price tag completely worth it.
Available from www.dermalogica.com.au

Night Cream:
Jurlique Herbal Recovery Advanced Serum $75.00/30ml $165.00/100ml
The reason I haven't included this serum in the photo is because I have very very sadly finished my bottle. Holy Moly applying this serum is the most heavenly cooling and comforting night time ritual I have had all year. My skin was noticeably brighter and more radiant when using this serum and I am saving my pretty penny's to buy another bottle ASAP!
Available from www.jurlique.com.au

Eye Treatment:
The Body Shop Elderflower Cooling Eye Gel $17.95
Thick eye creams are not my thing, often they sting my eyes because of the potent ingredients. The Body Shop Elderflower Cooling Eye Gel tightens the eye area without stinging and is fragrance free, for the amazing price this is my all time favourite eye gel and has been for the past year and a half.
Available from www.thebodyshop.com.au

Serum and Oil:
Kosema Certified Organic Rose Hip Oil $24.95
Rose Hip Oils have been quite buzzy this year, Miranda Kerr claimed it gave her skin its signature glow. Rose Hip Oils have been popping up on the market by brands this year it is hard to pick one from another. My pick is Kosema it is certified organic, made in Australia with all the ingredients being ethically sourced - setting it apart from its competitors on the shelves.
Available from www.kosmea.com.au

Face Mask:
Alpha H Liquid Gold Smoothing and Perfecting Mask $56.70
Once a week I like to relax with a face mask whilst watching The Real Housewives of whatever city, it is a very guilty pleasure. Alpha H's liquid gold line is ah-maze-zing! The smoothing and perfecting mask draws out blemishes and leaved skin feeling super smooth when rinsed off. Available from www.ry.com.au

Exfoliator:
John Plunkett Glyco Peel $28.95
Not a traditional exfoilator but 2013 was all about the chemical exfoliator. John Plunketts Glyco Peel contains 25% Glycolic Acid which when applied tingles the skin gently removing any dead skin cells lingering around the surface. Chemical exfoliants are much more gentle on your skin rather  than granulated scrubs which can burst capillaries and drag skin loosening collagen stores underneath.
Available from www.plunketts.com.au

Toner:
Uriage Tolederm Soothing Cleansing Water $29.99
Traditional toners were tossed away this year, favouring cleansing waters which purify skin and remove any last traces of makeup. Uriage Tolederm Soothing Cleansing water is my french magic water of choice.
Available from www.priceline.com.au

BODY:

Body Moisturiser:
Molton Brown Ylang Ylang Body Lotion $45.00
Molton Brown is a very posh-totty British brand which I am in totally in lust with. The fragrances are too die for and the body lotions are heavenly, non sticky and super hydrating. The price tag is a little indulgent but I justified it by making a pact to myself that if I bought a $45.00 moisturiser that I couldn't be lazy and I had to use it everyday.
Available from www.moltonbrown.com.au

Body Oil:
Jurlique Rose Oil $50.00/100ml
Ohhhhhh baby! This multi tasker oil is so beautiful to use, as a massage oil (sexy!), a glowing body oil or a couple of drops in a bath it leaves skin so soft and smooth.
Available from www.jurlique.com.au

Self Tanner:
St Tropez Gradual Tan $20.50
After a skin cancer scare in December I have been all about a fake bake. St Tropez Gradual Tan is the best I have trialed, non ompa-lompa orange and leaves you without that signature biscuit scent. Applied on alternate days it will give you a natural - well as natural as you can from a bottle - tan.
Available from www.beautybay.com

Sunscreen:
Milk Dry Touch Sunscreen 30+ with Tea Tree and Aloe $12.95
I love this sunscreen, it is not greasy and smells of tea tree which is a lovely change from stinky spf's. You need to reapply before and after swimming and every couple of hours if you are out in the sun. It also doesn't clog the pores or break me out which most lower price point sunscreens do.
Available from www.milkandco.com.au

Body Exfoliator:
Lush Rub Rub Rub $12.95
To remove self tanners my favourite body scrub is Lush's Rub Rub Rub! It is filled with sea salt and feels extremely satisfying to use, scented with my favourite Lush soap 'Dirty' it ticks all the boxes.
Available from www.lush.com.au

Body Wash:
Dr Bronners liquid soap in Limited Edition Green Tea $8.95
I love this liquid soap, it isn't a traditional body wash but if you suffer from eczema or psoriasis like I do the you need to try the Dr Bronners range. Fun Fact: this also doubles as my favourite brush cleaner.
Available from www.lateralfood.com

Bath:
Lush Tisty Toasty Bath Ballistic $6.75
I rediscovered Lush's bath bombs this year after a 15 year hiatus I am addicted once again. Smelly, colourful baths have been so much fun this year. With the limited edition releases I have amassed quite the selection but Tisty Toasty is my fave.
Available from www.lush.com.au

Deoderant:
Nivea Pearl and Beauty Roll on $3.89
I am a loyal and faithful Capricorn and I do not stray from this deodorant! I cannot and will not use another deodorant. This is perfect.
Available from www.priceline.com.au

Fragrance:
Roses de Chloé EDT $140.00/75ml
If you haven't noticed already I have am having a lifelong love affair with roses and when Chloé released Roses de Chloé I went a little bit crazy! It was love at first smell and I have worn it everyday since.
Available from www.davidjones.com.au

xxx Nella

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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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