Beauté Gazette's guide to Spring Racing essentials feat. ASOS, Rimmel and Benefit's new Bling Brow.

Whether you and your friends are going to attend the Spring Racing Carnival track side or donning a fascinator in the office on Melbourne Cup day for the office sweep stakes is more your thing. Traditional race wear and beauty is completely out dated, gone are the days of huge flying saucer hats and tacky feathery fascinators. Here is the Beauté Gazette guide to alternative race wear accessories and beauty.

Satin pink bow headband from ASOS $11.95

This adorable little headband is my perfect balance of pretty and elegant without being an over the top eyesore. It is also under $15.00! Horray for a wallet friendly price point, leaving you more money to spend on champagne on the day.

Available from www.asos.com

Gold drop earrings with rose quartz by Amy Tamblyn $75.00

How absolutely adorable are these earrings? It was love at first sight when I spied them. They sit perfectly on the earlobe and are so light you cannot feel any weight whilst wearing them, which is what you need when you are going to out all day and night for Melbourne Cup shinanigans.

Available from www.amytamblyn.com

Surface To Air Arabella Suglasses $129.00

I love sunglasses that are expressive of your personality and mood, these Surface To Air Arabella's are my new obsession. The pastel blue colour is unexpectedly chic and goes well worn with so many different outfits. The races are a time to leave your serious glasses at home and have some fun with your eye wear, also don't forget that glasses are your number one accessory when champagne is being consumed before midday.

Available from www.sunglassesconnection.com.au

Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream EDP $60.00-$120.00

When swanning around the race track you need a fresh, flirty fragrance, no heave notes that will weigh, steer clear of Ambers and Patchoulli and gravitate to florals with top notes of Jasmine and freesia. Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream is the perfect fragrance for a long day at the races, it will make you feel fresh and floral all day long.

Available from www.myer.com.au

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Lipstick in colour 16 $11.95

Your lipstick choice on Melbourne cup needs to be fuss free and long lasting, ain't no one got time to be reapplying after every glass of champagne. The Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Lipsticks are a fantastic formula and the colour selection amazing, there is totes colour to match any outfit. 

Available from www.priceline.com.au

Benefit Bling Brow Kit $38.00

If hats and fascinators are really not your thing then why not bedazzle your face and brows with Benefit's new Bling Brow kit? The kit comes with self adhering diamontes, tweezers and a guide to creating your own Bling Brow look. You can apply as little or as many as you like depending on how subtle you like your bling

Available from Myer stores and www.benefit.com from November 1st

Wishing you lots of lady luck!

xx Nella

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Whats in my bag? Daily Essentials Edition

Benah for Karen Walker Juliet Clutch in Tan $230.00

'The Juliet' from the Benah for Karen Walker colab is clutch perfection! Although the tan colourway is sold out online, I would totally love the burgandy like a second child. It is the most practical of clutches with 3 compartments inside to organize your clutch clutter. The whole colab in general is totally lust worthy, I'm completely desperate for the Nancy Overnight and Andie Duffle styles too.

Available from www.thebenah.myshopify.com

Antipodes Divine Face Oil Mini & Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream Mini's $19.95

It is officially now not Summer and as the weather starts to cool my skin starts to dry out, so carrying a mini sized oil or cream is the best way to combat scales forming on the go. Antipodes is such a hydrating and beautifully skin quenching brand, the mini hydrating sets are a perfect way to explore the brand for the unfamiliar.

Available from www.antipodesnature.com

Revlon Colour Burst Lip Butter in Pink Truffle and Raspberry Pie $21.95

My friend Ashley has this fun game where he digs into my handbag to count how many lip products I am carrying around with me, the most he has found was 9!!! Yes, 9!!! Having a clutch does restrict the number of balms, glosses and lipsticks I have on me at all times. The new streamline new me only needs 2 lip colours: Day Neutral 'Pink Truffle' - A brown based pink which gives just the right amount of colour to look polished. Bright for Night 'Raspberry Pie' - Pink is offically my new red. If you don't own a Revlon Lip Butter then go and get one girl!!!

Available from www.priceline.com

Asos Chain Pom Pom Earrings $15.60

Asos have fast been becoming my favourite spot to pick up a little bit of ear candy, there is always something new, dangly and very pretty. But most importantly they are mostly under $20! 

Available from www.asos.com

Pandora 14 Carat Pearl and Pink Sapphire Ring

A very special gift from a very special friend, I adore this ring and get comments on it all the time.

Available from www.pandora.net

Mania Mania Sahara Ring $152.00

A little scarab ring which looks great stacked or on its own, Mania Mania know how to make the most cosmically-cool jewelry ever.

Available from www.themaniamania.com

Lush Flowers Burrow Perfume $20.00

This perfume is perfectly sized to pack into your clutch. Flowers Burrow is a strong and herbal fragrance which sinks into your skin and makes you feel warm like you are wrapped in a cloak of dried musky flowers. It is a strong and powerful scent which I love but is not for everyone. 

Available from www.lush.com.au

xxx Nella

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Christmas Gift Guide : Best gifts for Mothers who deserve to be spoilt.

Every year since I was little my Mother has said all she wants for Christmas is 'a home made card and a cup of tea in bed' which is painfully sweet and humbling but we all know that every Mum deserves to be spoilt on Christmas day. And as advent calenders get eaten and the countdown to Christmas is getting nearer it is totally handy that all the gifts featured below are available online (click the link below the image) and are under $100!!!

Jurlique Sugar Spiced Eco Candle $35.00 available from www.jurlique.com.au and from Jurlique Stores

This candle is of a more sophisticated festive ilk, housed in a very decor friendly chocolate frosted glass jar. The scent is powerful enough to fill a room with it's beautiful spiced cinnamon and brown sugar smell, Jurlique sure knows how to make a delicious smelling candle.

ASOS Leather iPad Case in Metallic Crackle $47.61 available from www.asos.com

One of the best things my Mum ever did was buy an iPad, she is obsessed with it and is on it constantly cheeking Twitter, reading the news and sending me cute animal stories from smh.com. iPad accessories can be drab, boring and way too over priced, this gold leather case ticks all the practical and glamours boxes a tech savvy Mother needs.

Korres Nourishing Almond and Linseed Hair Mask $19.05 available from www.asos.com

Some Mother's are not into the glitz of perfume and cosmetics as gifts but still love a little indulgence from time to time a face or hair mask is perfect gift for the au'naturale Mother. Korres is a Greek brand made of naturally derived ingredients which smell divine, this hair mask is really nourishing and great for dry or damaged hair and the packaging is a cool as a cucumber.

Mason Pearson Handy Bristle and Nylon Hair Brush $99.00 available from www.victoriasbasement.com.au

This hair brush is very nostalgic for me, it was the brush my mother used to comb the knots out of my hair before school everyday. Mason and Pearson brushes are a complete luxury and I know there are much more affordable brushes on the planet but these last for years and years and the bristles keep your hair really shiny and healthy. If you search around online there are lots of sites which offer them at dramatically cheaper prices,so my advice would be to buy online.

Farmer Jo Muesli from $14.95 available from www.farmerjo.com.au

Farmer Jo Muesli is soooooo tasty, it is like a muesli party in your mouth. If your Mum likes indulgent organic foods or you are just looking for a delicious stocking stuffer then look no further. I love the Burnt Fig and Cinnamon flavor and am looking forward to munching on a bowl of it on Christmas morning whilst we open our pressies together.

This Works. Sleep Balm Beauty Bauble $22.85 available from www.asos.com

The ultimate present would be to give my Mother back all the sleepless nights I have given her growing up, this being impossible an extremely amazing nights sleep to make up for it is my only option. This Works. Sleep Balm has the most soothing and calming scent, and when rubbed on your pulse points makes you drift off within minutes, perfect for over tired and over worked Mums.

xxx Nella

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Christmas Gift Guide : The girlfriend who has it all....

Are you in a relationship with the girlfriend that 'has it all? Oh limited edition this and special release that are her pride and joys sitting the closet like little trophies. Everyone knows the type, and it can be daunting to say the least when it comes to trying to buy these type of girlfriends a Christmas pressie. So here is my guide to buying a gift for the Girl who has it all, did I mention all the items are available online and are under $100! Say What?!

Mary Katranzou for Rodial Candle $66.66 available from www.asos.com

Does your girlfriend burn Dipyque candles around the house making the lounge room look like a catholic church? Sounds like she is a candle snob, sorry but you are going to have to dabble in the candle stakes a little with this pressie. Mary Katranzou is a very on trend British designer who is known for her hypnotising bright mirrored prints teaming up with Rodial she has designed this very coveted candle. I have no idea what this smells like, but I want it! If she is like me this will be on her candle Christmas lust list because who can say no to an ultra cool fashion-beauty colab, not me!

Stella McCartney Marguerite Riding Set Soft Cup Bra $85.70 and Knickers $47.61 available from www.asos.com

Underwear is a tricky present to buy for a girlfriend, even if you have snooped in her underwear draw  checking what size she is, a 32C can change between brands so it's just best not to go there. My advice would be to buy a soft-cup bra which will allow for a margin of error in sizing. *WARNING* do not buy your girlfriend anything too sexy if she is a basic t-shirt bra and cotton undies type girl, she will be mortified and embarrassed. This Stella McCartney pink leopard print set is the perfect cute and slightly sexy set to give a girl who likes fashion or is crazy about leopard anything.

The Body Shop Japanese Cherry Blossom Hat Box $49.95 available from www.thebodyshop.com.au

In relationships past I have set a $50.00 present limit with my boyfriend so that it didn't get uncomfortable, especially if you are young or studying and on a tight budget. Gift sets are perfect in situations like these, fuss free and easy to find at any mall. My favourite this year is The Body Shop's Japanese Cherry Blossom Hat Box Set it is filled with a selection of products from the line and a handy exfoliating face towel, the box is oh so sweet and can be reused as a cute memento storage box.

Roses De Chloé EDT 30ml $80.00 available from www.davidjones.com.au

If you are going down the fragrance path of gift buying this Christmas my suggestion would be to smell your girlfriends other perfumes and pick something similar. If she is into light floral scents then Roses De Chloé is my pick, it's totally brand new so there is no way she could already have it in her collection. It comes in a classically beautiful bottle with a pretty pink bow, perfect for the girliest of girlfriends.

ASOS 3D Greeting Card  'I love you' $5.71 available from www.asos.com

Sometimes all you need to give is a card at Christmas but like every other woman on the planet I cannot stand stupid joke cards with lame and annoying jokes and cartoons on the front. If you want to give someone you love a card it doesn't have to be cheesy but it can be super cool like like 3D card from ASOS which will make any hard to buy for girlfriend's heart melt.

Jurlique Limited Edition Rose Body Oil 200ml $78.99 available from www.jurlique.com.au

Ohhhh la la! If your girl is into body products and you want to give her a slightly sexy gift that keeps on giving - if you know what I mean.... Jurlique's Limited Edition Rose Body Oil is a super sexy luxurious gift which will give you a million brownie points guaranteed. It can be used as a massage oil or as an ultra hydrating daily moisturiser, sinking into the skin leaving you with amazing soft dewy skin.

xxx Nella

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Christmas Gift Guide : B.F.F (Best Friend Forever!)

What to get your Bestie for Christmas can be tricky, probably because she is your shopping partner/enabler most of the time, so trying to sneak something past her at the check out is nearly impossible. That's why all of the gift suggestions below are available to buy online and even better are under $100!!! 

Jurlique Essence of Rose Roller Ball 11ml $28.00

Available from www.jurlique.com
Jurlique's Essence of Rose Roller Ball is a very classic, pure scent encased in an extremely convenient roller ball applicator - perfect to pop in your hand bag. Applying fragrance from a roller ball to your pulse points, feels more intense and lasts a lot longer than a spritz from a spray bottle. Rose is making a resurgence on the fragrance scene at the moment, a throw back to sophisticated and clean traditional scents with a single crisp note. If your bestie is perfume obsessed this is a cute new take on a classic she will totally love.

ASOS iPhone 5 Case with Oversized Crystals $22.18
Available from www.asos.com
Anyone who knows me, knows I am freakin' obsessed with cute and bedazzled phone cases, the bigger and more sparkly the better! ASOS has some pretty cool iPhone cases at the moment, from the mildly tame to the O.T.T blinged out case above. This is the perfect gift for a tech-head B.F.F who also doesn't mind a crystal or 10!

DKNY Wish List Cheeky Boxed Long Sleeved PJ Set $83.18
Available from www.asos.com
If you and your best friend are anything like me and my best friend (Hi Josephine!) you travel a lot together. Cute PJ's are a great gift to give your travel buddy, ready to pack into her overnight bag for your next adventure together. These DKNY bright pink leopard print PJ's from ASOS are also ideal for a slumber party, lounging about watching movies on the couch together whilst eating enormous amounts of Christmas chocolate.

Orly Sashay My Way Nail Polish $18.95
Available from www.orlybeauty.com.au
Nothing says 'Best Friends Forever' like glitter nail polish...Nothing! Especially if you are on a budget and $20 is your limit. Orly make a great selection of glitters but nothing is more christmas-y and festive than gold glitter. If you haven't seen the 'Festive' Mariah Carey YouTube clip watch it immediately...HERE! And bring on some festive cheer.

Grown Alchemist Intensive Hydra-Body Gift Set $19.95
Available from www.grownalchemist.com
Grown Alchemist has released some amazing bang-for-your-buck gift sets my favourite is the 'Intensive Hand Cream in Persian Rose and Argan Extract & Intensive Body Cream Rose Damascena Acai and Pomegrante' combo which is all wrapped up with a chic black satin ribbon. Also a great gift idea that wont break your bank for anyone who is obsessed with chic skin care that usually costs more than half your weekly rent.

Coming up next week in Beauté Gazette's Christmas Gift Guide series: What to give a Mum who always says every christmas 'Darling just make me a card and bring me a cup of tea in bed'.

xxx Nella

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Autumn Edit : EVO, Becca, Bare Minerals, The Balm & 1000Hour Eyebrow tint

WANT! NEED! LUST! GIMME!

EVO Mane Perscription Protein Treatment $25.95

After a long summer of sun and salt water swims my hair isn't feeling its finest at the moment, it needs a little TLC and some intense masks! This treatment from EVO is an 'intense protein re-constructor, the more it is used the stronger your hair gets' - HELL YES! Also I am growing out my 'LOB'  - Long Bob and it is at a stubborn length which it is refusing to grow past, hopefully this treatment will give my hair a good kick in its butt to hurry the fudge up!

Evo is available from www.evohair.com

Becca Resurfacing Primer $55.00

Have you ever seen those poor little penguins that have been affected by an oil spill? Well thats my face by about 11am at the moment...Oil slick city. Pores are in overdrive, I am hoping the REALLY dewy look will catch on sometimes soon. But alas my only hope I feel maybe a this primer which contains 'oil absorbing polymers' - Cool story Becca. After the disapointing Becca mascara fail of 2013, this primer better blow my socks off. I'm going to go and rub the tester in David Jones half way up my arm tomorrow just to make sure I want to part with 55beans for this pricey primer.

Becca is available from www.beccacosmetics.com

Bare Minerals Ready Eyeshadow Quad in The Next Big Thing $39.44 

Wowzers this Quad looks so pretty, it the colours are perfect for blue or green eyes. Spying it on Temptalia a little while ago I fell hard! This is her description of the 4 shades : The Rising Star (sunlit gold),Smash Hit (vibrant peach), Hoopla (glowing copper), and Ensemble (smoked-out plum). WANT! NEED! GOT TO HAVE! Bare Minerals is one of those brands which prices vary from stockist to stockist it is $39.44 at the moment on Feel Unique at the moment with 15% off but sometime ASOS has a 20% off coupon and sometimes Kit Cosmetics is about the same, so it is worth shopping around a bit.

Bare Minerals is available from www.feelunique.com and www.asos.com 

The Balm Mary Lou Manizer Luminizer $24.00

Highlighters are a big deal in the beauty world at the moment, like BIG! Its totally trending. The problem I have with highlighters is that they do not have any longevity, when layered over a blush or a bronzer they take the colour pigment of the blush/bronzer off as they wear off. I have swatched the Mary Lou Manizer a couple of times and it has by far got the best lasting power, so I think she will be brightening up my face very soon.

The Balm is available from www.feelunique.com

1000Hour Eyebrow and Eyelash Tint $15.20

You know how I just told you highlighters are a big deal? Well Eyebrows are an even BIGGER deal! The biggest deal like ever.....probably since the Blue Lagoon came out and you spied Brooke Sheilds bushy brows. Now there is Cara Delvingne giving us all brow-envy, how dare she! My brows are naturally blonde and non-exsistant, no need to pluck or wax. Sad. Anyway I have started dying my eyebrows and my friend Alyssa's eyebrows and anyone else who will let me near there eyebrows with this little pack, it is very easy to master and lasts about 2 weeks before needing a touch up. I feel I have gone from zero to almost hero in the brow department for the moment that is.

1000Hour Eyebrow and Eyelash Tint is available from www.priceline.com.au

What is on your WANT! NEED! LUST! GIMME! Autumn List? Let me know....

xxx Nella

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BEAUTE GAZETTE loves NAIL ROCK!

NAIL ROCK available from www.asos.com

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