TOTALLY OBSESSED WITH: The Birks, Red Lips, Clear Skin & Good Oils

I was reading Tavi's Rookie Year Book at the hairdressers yesterday and I was transfixed on an interview with the pop-conic film maker John Waters, in which is explained how important 'obsessions' are. Things, people, moments, movies and songs that for a moment in your life you cannot live without, obsessions pass which makes the time that you are obsessed all the stronger and more powerful. So here a four items which I am currently totally obsessed with:

Birkenstock 'Arizona' $129.00 are available from www.birkenstock.com.au 

also from this eBay seller direct from Germany and are a lot cheaper! 

Yep those are my feet...cue the creepy foot fetishest's emails rolling in! 

Yes I too caved to the trend and had to buy myself a pair of white Birkenstocks after reading the first issue of Australian Elle and 'Capture The Castle' by the amazing Hannah-Rose Yee. These puppies have been ruling my world, no hippy feet for me though I keep my toes permanently painted a varied degree of reds, shout outs to Sally Hansen's Complete Salon Manicure in Tickle me Pink which is on my toes in the above photo.

The Birks go with absolutely every outfit, so if you are freaked out and are a little sceptical of this 90's trend coming back......Chill out man an just go with the laid back Birko flow.

Rimmel Apocoalips in Big Bang $15.95 available from www.priceline.com.au

I have taken on a new approach to having fun by just saying 'YES' Do you want to go to a party?'YES' Do you want to go and see a weird band play? 'YES' Should we get an afternoon cocktail? 'YES' It means I never really know where I might end up so I having a bright red lipstick in my handbag is essential to transform from day to night or even to apply during the day to liven up my mood. Rimmel Apocalips in Big Bang is my new go to red, it is easy to apply, long wearing and gives that red lip wow factor in seconds. 

John Plunkett Essentials Glyco Peel $28.95 available from www.plunketts.com.au

During summer any pigmentation or discolouration on my skin from clearing blemishes or sun spots come up in a big way and are very noticeable. Without going to extremes and having light therapy on them, I have found a quick fix in Plunkets Glyco Peel which contains 25% Glycolic Acid (a chemical exfoliant) using it as a mask twice a week, it has removed any dead skin cells clinging to old blemishes which are usually what is making them noticeable and discoloured. I am obsessed with this product, the way it tingles on my skin makes me feel like 'shit this stuff is actually doing something'.

Blackmores Fish Oil 1000 Capsules $28.89 for 400 available from www.priceline.com.au

Fish oil contains two main types of omega-3 fatty acids: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). DHA keeps the brain functioning properly. And EPA greatly benefits skin by regulating oil production to boost hydration and prevent acne, and by delaying the skins ageing process to stave off wrinkles. Also EPA can help block the release of the UV-induced enzymes that eat away at our collagen, causing lines and sagging skin. Because EPA is both an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory agent, it can protect against sun damage and help repair it. And Alexa Chung has apparently confessed that Fish Oil is a daily vitamin of choice. OBSESSED!

xxx Nella

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Friday Lipstick Jam! Nars 'Tzigane' Lipstick and Rimmel Apocalips 'Luna' + Lesley Gore's 'You Don't Own Me'

Rimmel Apocalips in 'Luna' $15.95 available from www.priceline.com.au & Nars Lipstick in 'Tzigane' available from www.meccacosmetica.com.au

Holy crap I am wearing a somewhat peachy-pinky-brown-nudish lipstick and not just one but two! Usually one to shy away from any kind of 'my lips but better' - god I hate that beauty blogging term - because they just wash me out and I look a bit Laura Palmer as is in completely dead and corpsey. But I have found a combo which seems to make me look ok, yes just ok, maybe even moderately sexy? 

Firstly I apply this very 90's brown Nars lipstick in 'Tzigane',  I think this colour maybe discontinued but the shade 'Morocco' is very similar if you are at all inclined to want something similar. It makes me feel like I am Phoebe in the first season of friends (this is not a good thing), when worn on its own but with Rimmel Apocalips in 'Luna' layered over the top it becomes a mesh of brownish-peach all over my lips.

The two shades are completely unwearable separately but together - Wowzers something beautiful happens! Has anyone else ever had this lipstick situation? Or am I just trying to justify my lipstick obsession?

Now for the Jam! Lesley Gore first released 'You don't own me' in 1963 and the powerful feminist message of the song is still just as relevant today. With Lena Dunham using it in a PSA for the 2012 Obama campaign highlighting the injustice that women would face with a republican government in the white house. As woman living in a country with an extremely conservative government in power I want to yell 'You don't own me' in the face of our Prime Minister who's views on women's rights are sickening.

Lesley Gore - 'You Don't Own Me' 1963

xxx Nella

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Red Lipstick Love : Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss Velvet Matte Lipsticks

Wearing: Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss Velvet Matte Finish in Shade 107

www.rimmellondon.com.au

Sometimes all you need is red lipstick to take your mood or your outfit up a notch - try it! Trust me it makes a huge difference even if you are just wearing yoga pants you will totally feel put together and a bit posh. I have been loving the new line of velvet matte shades in the Lasting Finish range by Kate Moss for Rimmel, the originals are a fave too but the new colours are totally amazing and perfect for the cooler weather. Applying with a creamy texture and matting down after about 2-3 mins they don't cling or drag when applying like some other matte lipsticks. (I am looking at you Lady Danger from Mac!) But if you do have flaky or dry lips I would recommend using a lip scrub before using any lipsticks to give a cleaner even look getting rid of any dead skin. If you want to achieve a sheer look with these lippies apply a lip balm first and gently dab the lipstick onto your lips blending out with your fingers. These lippies have serious staying power and will only need to be touched up slightly after drinking or eating, but don't dry out your lips at all.

SHADES:
107 : Kate Moss is wearing this shade in the ads, so how could you not want to try it. It is a burgandy red with a raspberry undertone and a small amount of brown . Applying lightly or one coat give a raspberry tone to the lips but this lipstick looks best with 3 coats to bring out the deep burgendy wine tones.
106: Is a deep blue-based fuschia pink and is very comparable to Mac's 'Girl About Town' but the matte finish gives it a winter twist. This colour really pops on pale skin and because it is a blue based pink it does give teeth a whiter appearence.
103: A very pretty dusty rose slightly mauve colour which lasts forever, it is a very safe colour perfect to wear to work or somewhere more conservative. These colours often scare me because they are quite mumsey but the matte finish gives it a more 60's lip look, very Nancy Sinartra.

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss Lipsticks $12.95 available from www.priceline.com.au

Rimmel has also just launched APOCALIPS in Australia, check out my review HERE! for more info and swatches.....I love them!

xxx Nella

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Winter Lip Savers : The Balms & The Colours

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant $19.64

Ok so this is my new fancy grown up lady lip balm, because sometimes sticking an un-sanitised finger into a pot is not ok. The iconic Eight Hour line from Elizabeth Arden has a very distinct herbal/medical smell which I love but I know some people will gag at it. Carrying this around I feel so posh, it looks like a lipstick and everything....And it is amazingly hydrating.

available from www.skinstore.com.au

Nivea Lip Butter's in Caramel Cream and Unscented $5.69

Hype much? Ok so after seeing these on lots of US blogs and YouTube channels I had to try them out. Side note: Go Nivea for releasing these almost immediately after the US, it is the most frustrating thing seeing international blogs with products only to find out they wont be available in Australia for 4 more months! No wonder people buy products online!

Back to the Lip Balm, these lip butters are super cute in there little metal pots and they smell like cookies. I've most liked applying them after moisturizing my face to hydrate my lips pre-lipstick application because they don't give a white cast to the lips.

available from www.priceline.com.au

Lucas Paw Paw Ointment $5.99

Hello old friend, I love you more than the day we first met. This is a classic staple and I will never be without a tube out of arms reach.

available from www.priceline.com.au

Burt's Bees Tined Lip Balm in Rose $14.95
These tinted balms really pack a punch they are super buildable in colour. Like the original Burt's Bees lip balms they are very hydrating and have a sweet natural scent. The only thing is that they don't have a very long wear time, you definitely need to reapply after every cup of tea.
available from www.burtsbees.com.au

Rimmel Apocalips in  Big Bang 400 and Luna 500 $6.38
I just couldn't wait for these to come out in stores locally so I ordered a couple of colours on ASOS to test them out. OMG! These are everything that glossy stains should be, they actually STAIN your lips and they wear really well staying glossy. If you have trouble applying strong pigment with the doe-foot applicator then I suggest taking some product onto a lip brush and applying that way. I also take a concealer with me if I'm planning on wearing them all day in case some product smudges outside my lips and I need to neaten it up. DO NOT WEAR THESE ON A FIRST MAKE OUT DATE!
available from www.asos.com

Revlon Lip Butter in Red Velvet $21.95
Ok so Alyssa Milano in Charmed always had these brown-based sheer red shiny lips and I so wanted to find a shade similar. Even though it's about 10 years too late I have cracked the mystery lip colour, if I apply some of the Nivea Lip Butter and then a few coats of Red Velvet it is almost the exact same shade and intensity.
Fun fact: I totally embarrassed myself on a date once with a super cool music guy at a pub, by screaming 'OMG it's the Charmed theme song!' When 'How soon is now' by The Smiths came on the jukebox at the bar we were having a drink at.
available from www.priceline.com.au

Jane Iredale Pure Gloss Lip Gloss in Sangria $32.30
This smells like sour gummy worms, seriously like your lips have just gone pick and mix lolly crazy. The colour is a shimmery brown based nude, which when going glossy is a bit more grown up than a dolly pink colour, it also makes your lips look fuller.
available from www.adorebeauty.com.au

xxx Nella

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