Crushed out on: Light Summer Base Products

 From left to right: Bare Minerals Stroke of Light $26.95, Mac Mineralize Concealer $38.00, Prevage Anti-Aging targeted skin tone corrector $168.00, Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream $13.99

Coming into summer I have completely changed up my base routine and foundation, scraping heavier products and any kind of powder because it just melts off my face in the hotter months. Here are the products that I have a big fat summer crush on: 

Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-Aging Targeted Skin Tone Corrector $168.00

Available from www.feelunique.com

During summer my skin does this weird mottled redness thing, where any pigmentation or discolouration that I have decides now is the time to just come up and make my skin completely uneven. It is frustrating to say the least and all I want to do is cover it up with layers of foundation, but I have recently started using this fancy tone corrector (I am not typing out that silly long name again!) which has really helped. Any redness is immediately dulled and my skin has a very even look to it, I apply it after my moisturiser as a final skin care step before makeup and it also acts as a very thin veil like primer as well, which is good because I want to get the most out of this very expensive 30ml bottle of skin miracle god juice. 

Mac Mineralize Concealer in NW25 $38.00

Available from www.maccosmetics.com.au

This was bought about 4 months ago on a very hungover Sunday morning walking past a MAC counter I caught sight of my blue under eye circles and jumped in horror. NW25 is totally not my shade at all, but it is very orange based so when applying it to any blue dark circles it will cancel them out with the power of contrasting colour! 

Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector $13.99

Available from www.priceline.com.au

I had read heaps of reviews about the Garnier BB Cream comparing it to Chanel's Vitalumniere Aqua foundation, and on an impulse shopping whim last week at priceline I popped it into my basket. I am so glad that I did because it is freakin' amazing! It only comes in 2 shades which is complete bullshit - it makes me want to send Garnier a packet of the crayola skin coloured texta's with a note saying 'There are more than 2 shades of skin tone in the world babes!' Anyway if you do match one of the 2 shades available I would highly recommend trying this stuff out, it is extremely comparable to Chanel's Vitalumiere Aqua in consistency and application. One application is sheer and it is able to be layered to give fuller coverage but still remains a thin veil on the face without looking or feeling cakey or thick.

Bare Minerals Stroke of Light Eye Highlighter $26.95

Available from www.meccacosmetica.com.au

The finale of summer base face, is this little gem from Bare Minerals. I apply it under my eyes very liberally, and blend out with fingers. It is the most brightening highlighter I have ever used, making my tired bags disappear like a magic trick. Heads up, this isn't a concealer so it needs to be applied post concealer and foundation if you have dark circles or it will just accentuate them.

Just a Miley space-bun selfie!

xxx Nella

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Summer Skin Special : 3 Must have beach essentials

From left to right: Korres After Sun Cooling Lotion €22.00 www.korres.com, Neutrogena Beach Defence $13.59 www.priceline.com.au, Uriage Thermal Water $26.95 www.adorebeauty.com.au

It was still only 17 degrees in the water yesterday and it has been taking all of my dutch courage to jump in the water so most of the time I lay on the rocks lapping up the sun, warming off any winter vibes that are still lurking in my bones.

Today I spent the afternoon at Coggee in a special spot, Wiley's Women's Baths. It is an area of the headland designated for women ONLY- Keep out boys! Packing my favourite Benah beach bag I was excited to use my 3 essential beach must have products.....

Korres After Sun Cooling Yoghurt:

When I was little I got really sun burnt on a summer holiday at Currawong. I was laying on a blow up tire ring face down with a snorkel on watching fish for hours as a result my bum got so burnt it blistered and then I had to lay on my tummy for 2 days. Mum put Greek yoghurt on the burn and I still remember it being the most soothing sensation on my boiling hot legs. So when I saw the Korres After Sun Cooling Yoghurt I had to try it. Even if you aren't sun burnt but your skin goes red and blotching from the sun this cream is magic, removing redness and cooling hot skin.

Neutrogena Beach Defence Water and Sun SPF 50:

A little PSA (Public Service Announcement) : Sunscreen has an expiry date and it's usually within the year of purchase, so if you are lugging sunscreens from last year to the beach with you then go and buy a new one and make it SPF 50! Neutrogena's new Beach Defence Water + Sun Barrier Spray SPF 50 is my new ultimate beach accessory, it is so light because of the aerosol can so you have no excuse not to pack it in your beach bag. It sinks into the sun so quickly without being greasy, it is also super easy to spray onto hard to reach places.

Uriage Thermal Water Spray:

For the French Thermal water is considered a pharmaceutical remedy to treat psoriasis and eczema and I totally agree that it as amazing healing qualities. Uriage Thermal Water is such a versatile product for me, it sets my makeup giving me dewy glowing skin and when I get hot and bothered in the sun a little spritz calms me right down.

Photos taken at Coggee Beach 3.30pm Monday 30th September at Wiley's Women's Baths

xxx Nella

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Becca's New Pressed Shimmering Skin Perfector Compact in Opal

Becca Pressed Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal $60.00 available from late September 

from David Jones Stores Australia Wide and from www.beccacosmetics.com 

HOLY HIGHLIGHTER!

Becca is about to release their new range of Shimmering Skin Perfector in a pressed compact form and I think I may have died and gone to highlighter heaven. If you have loved the liquid Shimmering Skin Perfectors you are going to swoon over the pressed powder sister versions. The powders are creamy and melt onto the skin with a light hand using a fan brush, applied to the cheekbones, bridge of the nose and cupids bow.

During summer I love a shimmering highlighted strong cheekbone, it is my Victoria Secrets angel influenced look, natural but not natural at all. This gives you that ultra glowing skin that is almost reflective when applied in heavy doses, but in small amounts using a fan brush it can just pick up where light naturally catches the angles of your face. The powder is very long wearing and will last a full day without creasing or becoming patchy outlasting most of the other makeup on my face.

If you have never tried a highlighter and are a little intimidated by them, the best way to start is to see how intense you want the application to be, try using different brushes with the highlighter to see which works best.  

xxx Nella

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CoverGirl + Olay Pressed Powder

CoverGirl + Olay Pressed Powder Compact $16.95 available from www.priceline.com.au

Humidity in Sydney has been off the richter this past week, we have all been walking about in a sticky mess. The perfect time to test out a new pressed powder...right?!?

My skin is usually combination oily on the T-Zone and fairly normal around the the other areas, it varies from Winter to Summer and I generally only use a powder in Summer. When applying a powder I try not to over powder and stick to the areas which get oily the quickest chin, nose and forehead avoiding areas that makeup creases in like around the eye area. 

CoverGirl's other Pressed Powder's usually have a very distinct 'Nanna' smell (musk and cloves) this one doesn't, personally I quite like the 'Nanna' smell but I know it's definitely not for everyone. The Powder doesn't come with a puffy thing which is like a revolution! No-one uses those germ filled sponges and puffs, ewwww. I like to apply it with a large fluffy Real Techniques Powder Brush in sweeping motions rather than patting it into my skin, this seems to work well and doesn't cake during the day. It is more of a setting powder rather than the coverage say a mineral powder gives - evening out skin tone without giving too much extra coverage. 

Try it out if you are desperate to de-slick during this humidity wave and don't want to break the budget.

Nella xx

Bronze it Babe! Bronzing for lighter skin tones.

Beautiful Charlotte has porcelin skin and beautiful freckles, she is very careful to keep her skin protected from the sun during summer months....sometimes longing for a sunkissed glow. 

Bronzing lighter skin can be slightly daunting for fair maidens.....fear not with a few products and alot of blending you too can bronze it up! Promise........ Give it a go and you too can have that J-Lo Glow!

BEST OF THE BRONZE PRODUCTS:

1. BareMinerals Ready Eyeshadow in 4.0 in 'The Truth' $39.95 available from www.kitcosmetics.com.au This quad is beautiful! All the shadows are super creamy and blendable.

2. Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Eye Liner in 012 Bronze $9.95 available from www.priceline.com.au Soft and smudgy the perfect bronze liner, can be worn on its own and blended with fingers to give a subtle but soooo not subtle look.

3. Maybelline Falsies Flared Mascara $19.95 available from www.priceline.com.au Ok so when applying mascara MORE IS MORE.....Just keep going if you get any clumps pinch them off with your fingers and then wiggle that wand over your lashes a few more times.

4. BareMinerals Stroke of Light Eye Brightener $26.95 available from www.kitcosmetics.com.au
I have previously expressed my love for this eye brightener.....but seriously it is amazing.

5. Stila Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer in Shade 1 $51.00 available from www.meccacosmtica.com.au
There is nothing worse than a heavy foundation on your skin during summer, I like to mix this in with my tinted moisturizer to give a really dewy fresh look to my skin.

6. Stila Sheer Colour Tinted Moisturizer in Shade Fair $55.00 available from www.meccacosmetica.com.au Even though you are going to give yourself a bronzed look make sure to always have an SPF in your base as to ensure life does not imitate art!

7. Real Techniques Brushes from $14.95 available from www.priceline.com.au
The key to this look is blending......When blending used very light circular motions moving outwards towards the sides of the face. When using cream products synthetic brushes are best, they move product around the face and down the neck to achieve a seamlessly look.

8. Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Lip Stick in 12 $11.95 available from www.priceline.com.au
Lipstick can look a bit too full on and perfect with this look, to make it more subtle and casual buff the lipstick into your lips with your finger leaving the intensity in the middle of your pout and blurring the edges to make them less harsh.

9. Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel Bronzing Makeup Base US$48.16 available from www.nordstrom.com 
This velvet finish of this super light gel bronzer leaves your skin completely sun-bathed and radiant. Chanel Makeup is a total luxury....but this baby has a massive 30grams of product in its beautifully CC'd packaging so it is totally worth it. Here is the Lisa Eldridge giving you the skinny on all things Chanel Bronzy ((( HERE )))


Bronze it up babes and let me know if you have any questions in the comments below OR even better TWEET me up a storm @beautegazette 

xxx Nella

Wax Away with Parissa

Parissa Body Sugar 2 in 1 Roll On $19.99 and Wax Strips $12.99 and Available from www.priceline.com.au

It is peak bikini time with every chance I get I am at a Beach, Bay or Pool with friends or laying in the sun reading a trashy 'beach read'....Side note my friend Fleur gave me Kyle Richards 'Life is not a Reality Show' for Christmas and I have not put it down - if you are a Real Housewives fan don't deny yourself this treasure. 

Preparation for this time of the year when you are socializing in less fabric than your underwear can be very intimidating and painful. I would advise getting a professional bikini - I go to Leah's Wax Works in Sydney, City - wax every 3 weeks and then touch up myself at home when and where needed.  For at home touch ups I have been loving Parissa line of products, they are all natural and most importantly very easy to use.

The Body Sugar 2 in 1 Roll-On is great for lower bikini line, sometimes after a professional wax they miss a spot or just don't take enough hair off so I have been using this at home to get rid of the last of those pesky hairs. It is a strip wax, so after rolling it on you use a fabric strip to pull the hair out and then the fabric strips can be washed and re-used. Every woman needs one of these in there bathroom cabinet, seriously the shame and embarrassment of being caught between wax's is a thing of the past. 

Parissa Wax Strips and perfect for travel easily packed into your toiletries bag - just in case. I gave some of these to my cousin before she went up to Byron Bay over New Years, she struggles with her beautifully bushy brows quite a lot and she finds the Wax Strips easier to control when removing fine  hairs in the area around the tail of her brows. No runny hot wax near your eyes and no fussing with application - the strips can be used repeatedly so one strip can do both brows.

Let me know your waxing tips and tricks in the comments below.

xxx Nella