LOVE ME DO! Valentine's Day Wish List xoxo

Maison Balzac Candle in 'La Rose' $45.00

How could you go past the scent of Rose on Valentine's Day, if your significant other didn't surprise you with a dozen pink Austin Roses don't freak out just light a fragrant candle and take a long bath.

Maison Balzac is now stocked at Colette in Paris! Congratulations beautiful Elise!

available from www.mychameleon.com.au

Agent Provocateur Novah Bra £95.00 and Brief £65.00

The fine and sweet details in Lingerie is what I find beautiful, to be honest men aren't not going to notice at all but if you feel amazing wearing luxurious silks in vibrant colours like me - then its totally worth it!

Very very exciting news Agent Provocateur will be stocked at David Jones from Friday (like tomorrow!) - Just in time for Valentine's Day. 

available from www.agentprovocateur.com and www.davidjones.com.au

Tom Ford Lipstick in 'Cherry Lush' $65.00
Wearing bright pink lipstick on Valentine's Day is a must, 'Cherry Lush' is the creamiest most flirty fuchsia pink.
available from selected David Jones stores

Essie Nail Polishes in 'She's Pampered' and 'Fun in the Gondola' $18.95
'She's Pampered' is a bold red based pink which will get any Valentines sceptic in the spirit. 'Fun in the Gondola' is a more understated soft dusty rose - an absolutely timeless pink.
available from www.westfield.com.au and Myer Stores

Laura Mercier Creme Brulee Honey Bath $46.10 & Creme Brulee Body Souffle $60.95
Valentine's Day is the worst day ever to be on a diet especially a gluten/sugar free diet because desserts are acceptable to eat for all meals. The Laura Mercier Creme Brulee products makes you smell like you have just stepped out of a Patisserie - which if you can't eat cream filled sweeties is the next best thing!
available from Laura Mercier counters and www.fragrancenet.com

Sanderson Devine Bed Sheet Set $249.95
Sheets are very important on Valentine's Day - you know why! Leave the satin sheets for sleazy Jersey Shore type scenarios and opt for a luxurious high thread count cotton in a classic white or cream. Scattered rose petal are optional.
available from www.davidjones.com.au

What's on your Valentine's Day wish list? Let me know in the comments below on Twitter @beautegazette

xxx Nella

A foundation guide for ALL skin types.

There is a misconception by women that foundation is a product which is very masking or too heavy for their skin. At the moment there are so many different types of foundation available from very sheer to complete full coverage so something for everyone. Here are some tips on finding the right foundation for you:

- When buying a high end or expensive foundation ask for samples of two colours you think are the closest to your skin tone and test them over a couple of days and in different lights. I have been mismatched by cosmetics counter babes too many times and I have put it down to the horrific un-natural lighting in department stores OR if you don't have the time to the foundations at home, ask for an application of 2 shades one on either side of your face and then go outside and check which you like best in natural light.

- If you are expecting to be photographed (i.e your just very popular or its your wedding day) steer clear of foundations with SPF's as they can cast white on the skin and reflect the flash in a weird way

-Expensive or very cheap it doesn't matter if it matches your skin, if it does what you need it to do then its a good foundation for you.

-Change your foundation seasonally, in Summer use a light coverage with high SPF and in Winter use a hydrating foundation. You also maybe 2 different colours a couple of shade difference between Summer and Winter depending on if you tan or not.

-Choose a foundation based on your skin type not on what you want your skin to look like, everyone want perfect skin duh:

Combination Skin: Medium coverage light reflecting illuminating foundation 

Oily Skin: Oil free Medium coverage foundation and a mattifying finish

Dry Skin: A hydrating foundation with a light coverage and illuminating properties and a dewy finish

Acne Prone Skin: Water based oil free fragrance free foundation all over and then a full coverage on problem areas

Aged Skin: Medium coverage which is hydrating without giving a shiny finish

Young/Teen Skin: Sheer tint to let the natural qualities show through the foundation

SHEER COVERAGE:
If you want a dewy glow to your skin and a sheer amount of coverage a tinted moisturizer is probably your best product pick. Tinted moisturizers are not buidable because they soak into the skin and hydrate, if you want more coverage in certain areas then do a little spot concealing and finish with a setting powder.
COVERAGE: 
Slightly even out skin tone
WEAR TIME:

2-3 hours, longer if you powder definitely not a full day                                            

1. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer $59.00

2. Clarins Hydraquench Tined Moisturizer $48.00

3. Face of Australia Tined Moisturizer $11.95

4. Garnier Mirecal Skin Perfecter $11.70

5. Stila Sheer Colour Tined Moisturizer $55.00

LIGHT COVERAGE:
Somewhere between a tinted moisturizer and a traditional foundation are water based foundations. They give a light amount of coverage and are buildbale, if you want a long wear time out of these foundations make sure to use a primer and a powder on top. If you have blemish prone skin a water based foundation (or an oil free) is great for you just also make sure it is fragrance free.
COVERAGE: 
Evens out skin tones and redness, slight imperfections and pore appearance
WEAR TIME:
3-6 Hours with Powder, longer if your skin isn't oily.

1. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua $75.00

2. Estee Lauder Invisible Fluid $68.00

3. Nars Sheer Glow $68.00

4. Mac Face and Body $60.00

5. Natio Skin Sheer Foundation $17.25

 MEDIUM COVERAGE:

These are traditional foundations, most chemist brands fall into this category. Rich in constancy and formulated to give you all over coverage. If don't wear powder and want foundation which is slightly matte in appearance these guys are for you. Buildable but formulated as a one stop shop for a base, fuss free. 

COVERAGE:

Dark Circles, slight pigmentation, blemishes, redness, slight scaring, freckles, sun spots

WEAR TIME:

5-9 Hours only powder if you have very oily skin otherwise it can look cakey

1. Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer $78.00
2. Bourjois Healthy Mix & Healthy Mix Serum $29.00
3. Rimmel Wake Me Up $19.95
4. Lancome Teint Miracle $68.00

FULL COVERAGE:

If you want to look like an extra on The Only Way is Essex or If you have acne scaring of very contrasting pigmentation and want to cover it up completely then try a full coverage foundation on effected areas then blend it out with a medium coverage to the areas not effected. Full coverage foundations can be quite thick and need to be blended into the skin really well to give a natural appearance.

COVERAGE: 

Pigmentation, scaring, blemishes, pores, redness, rosacea, acne bumps, freckles, birth marks, sun spots

WEAR TIME:

6-9 hours, just be careful if you do have acne that oil doesn't break through.    

1. Vichy Dermablend Smooth Indulgence  $49.05

2. Estee Lauder Double Wear $68.00

3. Revlon ColourStay $26.70

4. Ella Baché Sunguard  $46.00

*Please note all prices are in Australian dollars at recommended retail prices.

Mascara Madness: Volume Vs Length

Even if I am not leaving the house for the day I will still put mascara on, being very fair my eyelashes look naked without a thick application of black mascara. Natural lashes are not my thing I like them big, thick and black!

Mascara is one of the few things that you cannot test before you buy it, and if you do then you are going to get a nasty case of pink eye. Here are my tips for the best volumizing and best lengthening mascaras. 

1. Dior -  Dior show Black Out Mascara $33.00 

This is really good at getting the roots of your lashes, just hold the brush at the roots and wiggle up. Dior mascara's formula is quite dry and they don't last as long as other brands. It feels like you have mascara on when you wear this or maybe a set of demi false lashes, which I like. If you already have thick or long lashes then this is just going to enhance what you already have.

2. Lancome - Hypnose Drama $52.00 

If you want thick lashes this is your mascara, I usually wipe half the amount of product that comes out off with a tissue first and then with the next couple of coats I put more and more product on the brush. It feels like there is alot of product in the tube and it lasts quite a while without drying out - although you should change mascara every 3 months for hygiene. 

3. Make Up For Ever - Smokey Lash $33.00

If your go to look is just a bit of smudged eyeliner and lots of mascara, then Smokey Lash is perfect for you. It dries to a really matte jet black and blends into the eyeliner on your waterline seamlessly. The waterproof version is the best waterproof mascara I have ever used, you could do 25 laps in a heated pool and it still wouldn't budge - the British synchronised swimming team uses Make Up For Ever products!

4. Loreal - Volume Million Lashes $23.95

Quite a wet formula, but this mascara gives you a little time to work with it and build it up before it dries. If you like plastic brushes this is probably the best, very flexible and bendy.

5. Lancome - Doll Eyes $54.00

Cutest packaging of all the mascara's award! Awwwww. Doll Eyes is perfect to get to the little inner corner lashes to give you a twiggy-esque 60's look. For bottom lashes hold the brush vertically and with the tip make little strokes this will coat them really well making them defined and very pretty.

1. Max Factor - 2000 Calorie $18.95

The 2000 Calorie line mascara line has been around for like ever, now with a few different varieties available. It disperses the most perfect amount of product on the brush to give your lashes a thin coating from the base to the tip, I do need to curl my lashes when using this mascara though.

2. Mac - Zoom Lash $33.00

Zoom Lash is a very wet formula, I wipe off most of the product from the brush onto a tissue before applying it to my lashes. But after a couple of coats it is ON! Seriously once I got dumped by a boy and cried 3 times in 45mins and it stayed in place expelling tears like a pro. Turning to him worried my mascara was running down my face he said no your mascara is fine -  at that point I knew I had to tell babes about this mascara. If you are going on a date to see a really sad movie say something like My Sisters Keeper that level of crytown you should definitely wear Mac's Zoom Lash.

3. Laura Mercier - Long Lash $29.50

If you are someone who likes the idea of wearing makeup but you don't want people to be able to tell you are actually wearing a full face of make up (not me!) Laura Mercier's Long Lash gives the most fluttery long subtle lashes. Perfect for no-makeup makeup.

4. Maybelline - Falsies $16.40

If you can get passed the packaging this is a really good mascara. Like really good! It gets the base of the lash at the tightline of your eyelid and then will coat the lash to the tip. This is not clumpy at all and will fan your lashes out. A wet formula but gives you time to push your lashes into shape before drying.

Beauty Trends: Brow Blow Out

Beauty is trending with a throw back to one of my favorite beauty icons Brooke Shields  - WORD! It's all about a soft super brushed out thick eyebrows, this is really different to the thin very defined brows that were penciled in and very perfect and set with glossy brow sealers.

Products:
1. Laura Mercier Brow Powder Duo $24
This is great for blondes it comes in 3 shades Soft Blonde, Deep Blonde and Auburn. The darker shade is used for the under side of the brow to define the brow bone line and the lighter on top to buff it out - but if usually I just go for one, depending on if my hair is darker or if I have been fake tanning up a storm that week. It's just brows babe - NO BIGGIE SMALLS!

2. Mac Angled Brow Brush 208 $39.00
When pushing the product into your brows use lots of short soft strokes, angling the brush with the pointed end towards the center of your face, this will give you some good control.

3. Becca Brow Powder $22.00
Becca's brow powders come in 5 colours and for all you ginger minx's out there this is one of the few brands which caters to you -the 'Auburn Brown' shade is perfect for big reds!

4. Anastasia of Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo $22.00
If you know anyone going to the US soon tell them to pick this up for you from Sephora. Anastasia of Beverly Hills is a brow only brand! Yes finally! The product range is beyond amazing for the truly brow obsessed.

For Reals:
Could you turn up to the office all of a sudden with this look? Or would it be a big thing 'Like have you seen Bridget from accounts eyebrow's, slugs much?' This look is TOTALLY achievable and super easy here are some tips:

- Play down the rest of your make up a subtle 'no make up/ made up' face with contouring using bronzers and neutrals. Keep your lips to a minimum, this way the brows will sit into your face and not be so 'Hey There!'

- If you are blonde and fair go for an ash brown no darker, if you are a darker then go for a chocolate.

- The best thing about this look is that its really easy, this is no liquid eyeliner fucking around with cotton buds for hours ordeal. Firstly start with a small amount of powder on your brush at your brow's arch and push the product in. (short pushing motions rather than sweeping like you would do for eyeshadow) Work down to the brow end lessoning the amount of product on the brush then move your brush to the start of your brow push the remaining into the start of the brow - less product at the start of the brows more towards the arch and tail end. If you are feeling like 'WOW WHAT HAVE I DONE?' Don't worry! To blend in the product using a spooled brush, brush your brows in to shape buffing in the powder (if you don't have a spooled brush - a washed and cleaned old mascara wand is perfect). TA-DA! It's easier than Brooke Sheild's was in the Blue Lagoon! 

Tips:
- If you don't want to splash out on an expensive brow only powder experiment at home with a matte medium brown eye shadow to see if you like it first.

- Shop around, go into your favorite department store and ask a trusted brand to do your brows if you are unsure of how to apply all the products.

#1 What's in my make up purse : Bump 'n' Grind Edition

So it's almost THE FREAKN' WEEKEND. I am so excited. Tomorrow night I'm going on a Girls Night Out which will include a Mexican dinner accompanied with Tequila and Lemonades, Shots and Whiskey at The Cricketers Arms and then about 4 hours of bump'n'grindin on the dance floor at our favorite party Halfway Crooks.

Here's what is going to be in my make up bag and why:

1. Make up bag from Daiso $2.80

The thing with make up bags is that whatever the size I will fill it too the brim. Its plastic which is also important when on a Girls Night Out you never know when someone/me is going accidentally spill an entire Car Bomb into my bag leaving everything with a sticky coating. 

Side note: Daiso (the best Japanese $2.00 shop) is now in Australia - Just go, its amazing.

 Everything is $2.80!!!!!!!!!

2. Lancome Hypnose Drama

If you like really subtle lashes - This is not the mascara for you. This mascara is really black and gives you tarantula lashes, it packs on the product. There is no smudging or running, so perfect for a 4 hour dance floor session. 

3. Stila Illuminating tinted moisturizer - Shade 2

Do you want your face to be so illuminated that it catches the light from the disco ball then bounces it into the eyes of your crush? This will do it. I actually think that this may give me a little J-Lo glow in an acceptable white girl non trashy jersey shore bronzer way. 

4. Stila sheer colour tinted moisturizer -  Light

You know when you see a girl and become captivated with her skin and you ask yourself 'Is she wearing make up? She must be because no one can look that amazing without make up on'. Chances are the babe is wearing this. Its sheer and dewy and has just enough coverage.

5. Laura Mercier Metallic Eye Colour - Pink Gold

I'm pretty sure this is the product that the Olsen twins use, its really pretty. The consistency is quite weird -  it feels metallic and silicone like. You just need a tiny amount applied to your lids with your finger, smudge it out as best possible then go in with a blending brush - but be quick because it sets. When it sets its ON! Like not moving until you go at it with some Bioderma and a cotton pad.

6. Visine clear eyes

Give me anymore than half a drink and a dance floor and smoke machine and I will recreate Xanadu for you! One problem I think I'm very allergic to smoke machines, so Visine clear eyes really helps after I run from the dance floor to the bathroom clutching my eyes.

7. Lancome Rouge in Love Lipstick - 337N Midnight Rose

WOW OK WOW! This is my new favorite lipstick ever! It is an absolute a dream. (Will do a full post just on these lipsticks) When you put it on it is a balmy consistency, which makes it easy to blend out and really work into your lips with your fingers, I do this for about 3 layers building up the colour. Then by about the 4th layer you can feel it starting to set. It will last pretty much all night with a few touch ups. Its also has really pretty packaging, and lets face it when you're in the bathroom with all the girls no one wants to bring out a banged up old nasty lippy. Ewwwwww!

8. Lancome Juicy Tube

Its been 15years and I am still not over a Juicy Tube. This is the limited edition by Japanese artist Yayoi  Kusama. Perfect for a dance floor pash.

9. Soleil Tan De Chanel

Ok so as a pale girl when I go for a bronzer its not going to be anything that Snooki uses. This is a cream bronzer with minimal shimmer, it blends out to very sheer and is perfect as a contour on cheeks and temples. Using such moisturizing bases with the 2 Stila products a powder bronzer would cake and when you are all up in da club the last thing you need is caking.

10. Deborah Lippman - Accross the Universe

Oooooooff!!! This is good, so good. It's just enough sparkle to be noticed by not be over done. Apply a black base so the green glitter pops. 

Have a freakn weekend chikas!

Halfway Crooks <click> dancefloor here we come! Wooooooopppppp!