Beauté Gazette has had a make over and changed addresses please update your bookmarks to :
Hope you enjoy the new layout.
xxx Nella
Tuesday, 21 April 2015
Monday, 16 March 2015
Hype Girl! Giorgio Armani 'Luminous Silk Foundation' is it worth the hype?
Giorgio Armani Luminous silk foundation AU$92.00 available from www.davidjones.com.au
Let's start with how foundation should be applied, because many of us forget that foundation should only be used to perfect the skin tone and not for concealing areas of concern, when heavy application is used to conceal its when it becomes unnatural and cakey. I have committed crimes of heavy foundation use at times when my skin hasn't been at it's best because I have felt self conscious of break outs. So my best advice is investing in a skin care routine that will fix your skin before you drop the big bucks on an expensive foundation.
Giorgio Armani Luminous silk foundation has been hyped for years, with beauty bloggers vowing it is the H.G foundation, but with the $92.00 (Australian dollar) price tag I just couldn't justify the spend. Why was this foundation $92.00? What was in it? Is it better than a $18.00 foundation?
The big difference with this foundation is the lightness of the fluid, the texture which is like a powder suspended in a serum and the finish which is a semi matte feel, I have not experienced this with any foundations on the lower end of the market. It works best on well hydrated and exfoliated skin, and doesn't like any dry or flaky skin so make sure to prep well before applying it. Which is why I can understand it is such a popular choice for brides, if you have been looking after your skin and use this as a special occasion foundation it will really even out your skin tone without masking your natural colouring. The lasting power of Luminous silk is not fantastic, it would be fine for a couple of hours but if you are needing 12 hour long lasting face of makeup look you will need to reapply at lunch time.
My advice would be to go to a Giorgio Armani counter and pick up a sample in the 2 shades closest to your colouring and test it out over a couple of days rather than paying the huge price tag straight away.
xx Nella
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Tuesday, 10 March 2015
Red Earth 'Facial tanning serum' Review
Red Earth Facial Tanning Serum $40.00 available from www.redearth.com.au
Were you a 90's kid? Do you remember the Red Earth line of make up in Esprit whilst spending all your pocket money at your local mall? Well if you do then you'll be as excited as I was to learn Red Earth is back! The new and improved Red Earth is launching very soon throughout David Jones stores nation wide, but I was lucky enough to try out a few products for review over the past week.
The surprising favourite of the bunch was the Facial Tanning Serum, I am completely obsessed and it has been giving me a faux-glow that has been fooling people I'm back from a tropical island holiday.
Best thing about the serum is that it is scent free, no stench of apricot biscuit that lingers for hours that you get wafts of whilst trying to reply to emails at work. To apply the serum I've been using 3 pumps of the serum onto a cotton pad and lightly sweeping it across my face, neck and ears...do not forget the ears! The best time I have found to apply the serum is when you have a couple of spare hours to be makeup free, Sunday morning house cleaning and laundry time or during my Thursday Real Housewives of Beverly Hills / Scandal Tim-Tams and tea sesh. The tan lasts a couple of days and wears off completely evenly, so don't be scared of having a patchy fake tan nose.
The only thing I'm really annoyed with is that I wish I had this product in my life sooner!
xx Nella
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Monday, 9 March 2015
Bump eRaiser : Say goodbye to pesky ingrown hairs!
Bump eRaiser Lotion $16.99 available from www.priceline.com.au
Waxing is one of those very painful but also very necessary beauty rituals that I go through on a bi-monthly basis. My twice a month regular bikini wax takes place at a fuss-free in and out type place and takes no more that 7 painful minutes to complete. Before you scream at your computer like most of my friends scream at my face 'Get laser!' my hair is naturally too fair for it to work even slightly.
After a bikini wax, like most people I will suffer from ingrown hairs, which are the most annoying thing about hair removal. Painful, annoying and irritating ingrown hairs are the worst. Until now I've had no way to help heal ingrown's, Bump eRaiser is a bikini line life saver. It is best used within hours of having a bikini wax done lathered onto the bikini line, whilst the hair follicles are still settling and post wax I use Bump eRaiser post showering when the skin is softened it seems to absorb best then. I have no idea what is in this magical lotion that helps the ingrown hairs from forming or scaring but it has been totally working, if you are like me and laser hair removal challenged I recommend Bump eRaiser post waxing.
xx Nella
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Tuesday, 3 February 2015
COVERGIRL : Tru Blend Review
Cover Girl Tru Blend Liquid Foundation $19.95, Pressed Powder $18.95 and Fix Stick Concealer $14.95 available from www.priceline.com.au
My go to makeup items aren't always from expensive high end brands sometimes good things come with small price tags. I've been trialling the Cover Girl Tru Blend base products this month and I have to admit I've been very impressed at the overall formula and lasting power of these makeup kit staples. The Fix Stick Concealer is the star of the line for me, it's waxy formula is fantastic on my naturally oily/dewy skin for touch ups during the day. My skin gets a natural shine throughout the day and when touching up with a mattifying product it looks really out of place on my face, hello reverse panda eyes!
The liquid foundation is a medium to high coverage on my skin, it is a great foundation for makeup beginners, my only gripe is I am in between colours and I need to blend 2 together to match my skin tone.
Is anyone else really lazy with powder? It's my least used base product and by the time I get to this stage in applying my makeup I'm usually already 20mins late and so powder application is usually ditched. The Cover Girl Tru Blend Powder is a classic powder, nothing fancy just a straight up de-greasing compact that is very handy to throw in your handbag for daily use.
All in all the Cover Girl Tru Blend range is a great budget friendly range of base products which could fit into your make up routine very easily. If you are an oily skinned babe like myself, the Fix Concealer is a must try!
xx Nella
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Sunday, 18 January 2015
Jurlique's Clarity Hand Wash and Lotion
Jurlique Clarity Hand Lotion 500ml $80.00 and Hand Wash 500ml $45.00 available from Jurlique Stores, David Jones and www.jurlique.com.au
You know when you just want something really nice, you've probably been budgeting to pay an enormous amount of rent in Sydney, living on rice paper rolls and you are just feeling like 'Stuff it, I need nice things, I deserve nice things, I'm going to buy something nice for myself'. Well when this happens I recommend you go straight to Jurlique and pick up the new Clarity Hand Wash and Hand Lotion, it is the perfect amount of treat yo' self luxe for someone who has been living on a shoe string budget for a while. Or alternatively you can gift these bad boys to a very lucky person who will intern think of you every time they wash there hands.
There is not much I can say about the product other than its like any other Jurlique product : Beautifully packaged, biodynamic and Australian made and feels and smells like a little slice of heaven when you use them.
xx Nella
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Monday, 12 January 2015
Kat Von D Tattoo Liner Review... FYI It's totally amazing.
Eyeliner is my makeup souffle sometimes I can apply it faultlessly with extreme ease and precision
but most of the time it goes terribly wrong and I end up with wonky cat eyes which are swiftly removed with Bioderma before I can leave the house.
Kat Von D's Tattoo Liner has been getting some massive Internet big ups from US based beauty babes and I was desperate to try it out, with Sephora opening in Sydney I was finally able to get my greedy mitts on it!
Holy crap this eye liner is amazing! It is everything I wanted the Benefit 'They're Real' liner to be and more. The packaging is really well designed with the product being pumped into the brush tip when the lid is put on, the brush tip is loaded with the perfect amount of eye liner at all times. The brush tip is very easy to manipulate and lets you create a very fine line, the brush has enough stiffness that it holds its shape. In terms of the products colour pay off is great and is 80% opaque with one line, if you are creating a thicker cat eye then you will need to go back over it to get the opacity darker. It does have a slight sheen to it but can be set with a black shadow whilst its tacky to create a matte look.
All in all this eye liner is amazing and worth its hype, if you struggle with gel liner pots or pen liners this the Kat Von D Tattoo liner is the perfect combo of both with the least of fuss needed to apply perfect cat eyes.
Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper AUD$28.00 is available from www.sephora.com
xx Nella
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Friday, 19 December 2014
Beauté Gazette's Christmas Wishlist 2014!
ASOS Pearl Stud Earrings $14.95
When Rihanna wore the original Dior double pearl studs my heart popped out of my chest and I had 'love heart' eyes and I yelled internally 'gimme gimme' a'las the Dior double pearls are way out of my budget. So for $14.95 you can pick up the ASOS version which are totally budget friendly, and you wont have a minor heart attack if you accidentally loose an earring on the dance floor at your office Christmas party.
Available from www.asos.com
Christian Dior 5 Couleurs Couture Eyeshadow in Tutu $103.00
Oh you pretty thing. How divinely beautiful is this Christian Dior palette, the colours are perfectly angelic and like all Christian Dior shadows I'm sure they are soft, creamy and beyond blendible. I am hoping this ends up in my Christmas stocking but if it doesn't then I don't think i'll be able to resist picking it up because I NEED IT SO BAD!
Available from www.davidjones.com.au
Equipment Silk Pajama Set $501.00
Ok I know $501.00 is quite excessive for pyjamas but if you have a really rich Aunt or someone that doesn't know what to do with her millions then just email them the Equipment section of Net-a-porter and tell them to go bananas! Seriously. Or just put them on your forever lust list that you keep for when you win the lottery like I do.
Available from www.net-a-porter.com
Bella Freud J'taime Jane Candle $55.00
#BBLOGGER confession time....I don't enjoy fruity floral candle smells, they make me gag and the packaging sucks and I don't want to look at it in my room. The Bella Freud candles are woody and musky just the way I like it and the jars look impossibly cool on your mantle.
Available from www.net-a-porter.com
Stella McCartney Lips iPhone Case $55.00
I like my phone cases like I like my gay night clubs: Loud, obnoxious, brightly coloured and also massive. This Stella McCartney case ticks all my boxes and then some and I cannot wait to get weird looks from people on the bus whilst I'm using a big set of lips as a phone to take calls and send a million texts.
Available from www.net-a-porter.com
IAM by Ileana Makri 'I love you' ring with Sapphire $440.13
This ring is so kawaii I can hardly take it, and I need it on my fingers ASAP! Please Santa I've been saaaa good this year.
Available from www.net-a-porter.com
Clueless 20th Anniversary 2015 Calendar $14.95
No words.....Clueless is 20 years old.....I feel so old but I still this calendar above my desk for the whole of next year.
Available from www.urbanoutfitters.com
Pretzel Pool Float $24.00
Oh hey babes, what are you taking to the beach? Nothing much just an inflatable pretzel! Ummm yes please this is one amazing Christmas gift and I cant think of anyone that wouldn't want one, so if your stuck on what to get your whole family? Why not just buy one for each of them.
Available from www.urbanoutfitters.com
Floss Gloss Nail Polish in Wavepool $8.00
Holy Mac! Floss Gloss make the prettiest nail polish in all the land/s, with no stockists in Australia Urban Outfitters is where I have to get my Floss fix. 'Wavepool' is my pedi colour of choice during the summer it is perfection.
Available from www.urbanoutfitters.com
So there is my Christmas wish list, I garentee you that not one of these will be wrapped up in pretty paper under my tree because usually I just recieve weird socks and useless cooking items. FYI you wanna know what is not on my list and noone elses in the world : A Cake Pop maker...They suck and just take up room in your kitchen cupboards.....
xx Nella
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Tuesday, 16 December 2014
Beauté Gazette LOVES! Revitanail polishes and nail care
Revitanail 3D Top Coat $14.99, Triple Strength colours Black Plum & Marshmellow $14.99 and Nail Strengthener $29.95 available from www.priceline.com.au
It's all to often I hear someone say 'I'm not wearing nail polish because my nails are in bad condition, so I'm just giving them a break' Revitanail is about to change that! Revitanail nail polish and nail care actually helps your nails from flaking whilst you wear it. So no need to go polish free for the sake of your nail health any longer!
I completely swear by the Revitanail Nail Strengthener as a base coat, it protects bare nails from polish staining and polish damaging your nails and dries in seconds.
It's also refreshing to see such a classic line of polish, which will appeal to trend focused nail polish addicts with the darker plum colours as well as classic colour lovers who will love the nudes.
Having nice healthy groomed nails will always be chic, and should never be put into the 'I just don't have time for them' category especially when there are products like Revitanail in the market place. Try it! You and your nails won't regret it.
xx Nella
Twitter @beautegazette
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Wednesday, 10 December 2014
Beard Grooming Tips for hipster beards and lil' beardspo!
Schick Hydro 5 Groomer $21.99 available from www.priceline.com.au
Your boyfriend is probs trying to grow one, Kei$a has name dropped them, the Batista's and bar tenders at your local have definitely got them, you simply could not have noticed one of the biggest trends in 2014 : MEN WITH BEARDS!
Men with beards have gone from being a very 80's dad look to the height of on-trend male grooming! It is highly contagious - from tradies to suits, the beard has crossed all boundaries to be an acceptable form of face accessory for dudes.
This is a beauty blog and I know that the majority of readers are ladies so I am going to focus on the grooming the wild beard in the post. I've been on the receiving end of a make out session with a bearded man many a time (side note: I am going to now count these make out sessions as research)
and careful grooming and tidying of any beard is needed to ensure your make out partner doesn't suffer from dreaded pash rash....eewwww.
Top Tips for a well groomed beard:
1. Trim and shape the beard under the jawline down the neck and up onto the cheeks, the Schick Hydro Groomer is great, trim the hair first and then shaves for a clean look.
2. Once a month take a visit to your local barber and have him shape your beard, so you have a line to follow when trimming and maintaining at home.
3. Growing a beard is like growing out a fringe/bangs, there is going to be an awkward stage you just have to grit your teeth and wait it out.
4. Beard Oil, there are lots on the market these days but if your bearded boyf isn't one for products you can always used a bit of your hair oil on his beard.
5. Wash your beard! Wash it twice a day! No woman wants to kiss a beard with the kebab you had for lunch still stuck in it at 7pm at night, its just plain gross.
And now for a little 'Beardspo'........ Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh
xx Nella
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Tuesday, 9 December 2014
THE BODY SHOP'S Christmas Goodies!
Fruit box gift set in Glazed Apple $29.95 available from www.thebodyshop.com.au
The Body Shop is brand that is very nostalgic for me around the festive season, with White Musk perfume oil being on my Christmas list as a teenager to the countless body butters and lip balms I have given for Kris-Kringle presents.
The Glazed Apple scent which is the limited edition seasonal scent this Christmas is a sweet spiced apple smell which will fill the bathroom when used in the bath or shower. It is a fresh smell which suits the hot Australian Christmas rather than the heavier scents which are better suited for colder parts of the world. And check out that awesome apple gift set?!? Who isn't a fan of a gift that needs no form of wrapping and is good to go without me messing about with sticky tape.
Young-At-Heart Jelly Pencil Case $19.95 available from www.thebodyshop.com.au
This year The Body Shop has a usual bright and colourful selection of gifts for all ages but I particularly love the Young-At-Heart range which is perfect for the hard to buy for Tweens and Teens.
With pastel party graphics and watermelon motif's my 13 year old self would have been so excited to receive these gift sets under the Christmas tree.
Young-At-Heart Lippy Mini Case $12.95 available from www.thebodyshop.com.au
xx Nella
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Monday, 8 December 2014
Beach Blonde and Ocean Waves by John Frieda........IT'S BACKKKK!
Beach Blonde Ocean Waves Sea-Salt Spray $16.99, Cool Dip Purifying Shampoo $15.99 & Smooth Seas Detangling Conditioner $15.99
Available from January 1st 2015 from www.priceline.com.au
Start the countdown John Frieda is bringing back the OG, the trendsetter, the much pined after BEACH BLONDE range. The range was discontinued over a decade ago disappearing off the shelves and has been lusted and longed for ever since. With bottles of the Ocean Waves Salt Spray fetching prices of over $100 on eBay and urban legends of sightings at discount stores....ITTSSSS BACKKKK!
Just in time for a whole new generation ready and eager to try this cult status range. The smell brings back amazing summer memories a mix of mint and coconutty goodness without being too sickly sweet, it makes me feel like I am 16 years old and washing my hair after a day lazing on the beach during school holidays. *Cue the I'm almost 31 now freak out!*
The line has been brought back by a very clever social media campaign from John Frieda in which fans could vote to 'Bring back your favourite Throwback' and Ocean Waves was the hero product that has made a much deserved comeback!
So why was it so love and missed? It was one of the first salt sprays available to the masses at supermarkets and pharmacies, if you are a committed Bumble & Bumble Salt Spray lover then prepare to meet your match at a much more affordable price point.
So if you are like me and love a tousled laid back beachy waves look at all times and not just whilst by the sea then prepare to make room for your new HG comeback product line.
xx Nella
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Tuesday, 25 November 2014
Mary Kay TimeWise+ Volu-Fill Wrinkle Corrector
Mary Kay TimeWise+ Volu-Fill Wrinkle Corrector $88.00 available from www.marykay.com.au
Have you ever used a beauty product and thought that the description didn't match what was in the tube?
I had that exact experience with the new Mary Kay Wrinkle Corrector (I am shortening the name because plah-leese, I am not typing it 7 times in this post)The first time I applied the very thick cream to my eye area as part of my nightly skincare routine it felt very strange and not nourishing to the area at all. The next morning I applied it to the same area around my eyes whilst looking in a mirror and it was amazing. This is what I wanted the much hyped Indeed Labs Nanoblur to do, act as a primer, fill in and blur fine lines and sit perfectly under my make up! Mary Kay claims it to be a fine line and wrinkle corrector with skin care benefits, but I am not too sure it works that way and I didn't see any improvement in my fine lines over the 2 weeks of use. But I did become obsessed with it as a primer for eye make up, it is perfect at mattifying and blurring imperfections and have been using it daily.
There has been a huge amount of these blurring and priming products hitting the shelves lately and none have seemed to really work out for me until now, so if you are like me and haven't found a product to hit your priming spot then this gem is worth a try.
xx Nella
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Thursday, 13 November 2014
Smooth summer legs with Schick
Schick Hydro Silk Razor $14.29 available from www.priceline.com.au
For 6 painful weeks I tried out lazer hair removal only to be told my hair was too light for it to work, #bblogger fail! I shave my legs every couple of days in summer and my fave razor is the Schick Hydro Silk Razor simply because it does what it needs to do and doesn't do anything else. It is a fuss free very reliable razor which goes everywhere with me.
I'm not overly picky with what shower gel I need to use to later up my legs pre shave, its whatever I pick up first in the shower. Summer is such a daunting season, in September I have to pshyc myself up for my bare legs to see the light of day. But after a quick shave and fake tan I am feeling pretty much like Bo Derek running down the beach in 10!
xx Nella
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Wednesday, 12 November 2014
Max Factor Master Class with Liz Kelsh
Max Factor Skin Luminizer Foundation $33.95 Facefinity Foundation Compact $36.95 and Mastertouch Concealer $25.95 available from www.priceline.com.au
About a month ago I was lucky enough to attend a Max Factor master class hosted by the amazing make up artist and Ambassador for Max Factor in Australia Liz Kelsh...pause for my inner make up geek fan girl moment. Liz is an incredible make up artist who's work I have adored and admired for years, so meeting her was one thing but having her teach us how to apply our makeup was another. She also told me specifically I needed to wear powder in my t-zone and I have done it every day since because when Liz tells you that you need powder then she knows it.
We also got to play with Max Factor's new Skin Luminizer Foundation, it is a medium to full coverage foundation but is light and feels like a tinted moisturiser on the skin and is extremely long lasting. Perfect for a budge proof base that you don't need to worry about reapply during the day in the office or out and about. My fave new discovery is the foundation compact powder, it can be worn on its own buffed into the skin with a brush or with the sponge to cover up shine throughout the day - it gives the skin a light glowing velvet finish.
My view during the master class, sitting next to the gorgeous Angie from An Obsession with the Fabulous. Hey girl!
Max Factor made a short video of the class, featuring me completely fumbling and fangirling.
xx Nella
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Tuesday, 11 November 2014
Lush Christmas treats for your bath and shower
Go to www.lush.com.au for more info and products
Each year Lush releases its annual selection of Christmas products and without fail they run out the doors of Lush stores into the baths of their very happy and loyal customers of the cult favourite brand. Here are Beauté Gazette's top picks from the Christmas selection at Lush:
Shower Gels
The always popular Snow Fairy Shower Gel is as sweet as ever and a cult classic which doesn't stay on the shelves for long. My absolute fave shower gel Rose Jam which leaves your skin and bathroom smelling like a rose garden after a hot shower.
$9.95 / 100g $16.95 / 250g $29.95 / 500g
Bath Bombs
I have dropped the Golden Wonder bath bomb into at least 10 baths over the past couple of Christmas's but every time it starts to fizz I still get excited. This is my go-to bomb for a luxurious bath pre Christmas party event. The scent is uplifting with notes of citrus and champagne and it leaves a slight shimmer to your skin, leaving you party ready.
$7.50 each
Bubble Bars
BATH PARTY! Yes that's a thing....it's when you are so excited about Christmas that even your bath is sparkling like tinsel from your Holly Golightly bubble bar. Bubble bars create mountains of bubbles which can be enjoyed by big and little kids.
$10.50each
Bath Melt
Calling time out and taking luxurious moisturising bath over the Christmas holidays is a must. Lush bath melts are filled with cocoa butters and essential oils which will leave your skin drenched in moisture. Snow Angel is the cutest bath melt of all time and it could totally double as a tree ornament, the delicate gold luster floats in the tub making your bath look fit for a queen.
$8.50each
Reusable Bubble Bars
Perfect for kids bubble bath, the wand is great for a little helpers to prepare their bath with. The Magic Wand is scented with Snow Fairy. Also perfect for stocking stuffers.
$9.95each
xx Nella
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Tuesday, 4 November 2014
'Concoction' giving you the option to personalise your hair care
Concoction Hair Care is available exclusively through David Jones and www.davidjones.com.au
Concoction Shampoo $19.95, Conditioner $32.95 and Superserums $5.00
It is rare that a new line of shampoo and conditioner will make me raise an eyelid, basically its all been done before. That was until I tried Concoction, which allows you to personalise your Shampoo and Conditioner by adding super serums to cure all your hair woes. Serums are $5.00 each and with a selection ranging from Thermo-straight, curl up serum and beautiful brunette there is something for every hair type. You simply crack open the serum and add to your conditioner or shampoo bottle and shake well before using and shampoo and condition as normal.
I've been using the Concoction Shampoo in Black Pepper and Citrus with the High Definition Blonde Serum combined with the Concoction Conditioner in Cashmere and Lavender and have been loving how weightless and clean my hair has been feeling. The combo of the two leaves my hair free of any product residue and squeaky clean.
If you are due for a hair care switch up then I would definitely recommend trying out Concoction for a personalised touch in your hair routine.
xx Nella
Twitter @beautegazette
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