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

Cheeky Cheeks: Topshop's Cream Blush in 'Neon Rose'

Topshop Cream Blush in Neon-Rose AU$12.00

www.topshop.com

Coming into summer using a cream blush (and cream bronzer) to give a dewy flush of colour to your cheeky-cheeks looks far more natural and less fussy than a powder especially when combined with a light tinted base. Also if you start getting a bit hot and dishevelled through the day you can always just blend it back into place with your fingers.

Topshop's Neon-Rose is a bright BRIGHT peachy-rose colour it gives a glowy-dewy tint to the cheeks rather than a powdery finish like most powder blushes I have tried. Neon-Rose is extremely pigmented and is best applied with fingers make sure to blend out really well - otherwise it can look a bit Snow White - if you know what I mean. When wearing Neon-Rose I had to tone down the rest of my makeup because it was so intense; just Mascara and lip balm and that was it. I loved the cute healthy flush of colour it gave and the natural balm texture - this is deffinately not a longwear product and will transfer onto clothing so best do your makeup after getting dressed - just a tip.

Also how darn cute is Topshop packaging? I love it! Cannot wait to try more of the makeup range.

What are your favorite Topshop makeup items? Has anyone tried the lip crayons?

Nella xx

What's in my bag? Summer Everyday Makeup

My makeup bag changes daily depending if I have had enough time to apply eyeshadow or if I can be bothered with a bright lip.
This is what I have been carrying about in my makeup bag today:

Revlon Lip Butter in Pink Truffle:
This is my perfect brownie nude - finally I have found one! Having a very light and pink toned skin beige-nude toned lip colours look terrible on me, l look absolutely sick. In the packaging Pink Truffle looks slightly mumsy, but on the lips it gives just the right amount on 'my lips but better' with a slight nod to Olivia Palermo.

Real Techniques Contour Brush:
The only brush I have been using to apply blush, it can get into the hollow of your cheek to do a bit of cheek-bone cheating contouring and can also apply your blush perfectly onto the apples of your cheeks. Recently I have been totally into using smaller brushes to apply product and then a larger kabuki to blend out.

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Nectar:
Previously I had written about Bobbi Brown Shimmer bricks saying that they weren't worth the hype - I am putting my hand up - I was wrong. The reason I was hating on the bricks was that I was applying them all wrong! Using smaller brushes like the Real Techniques Contour Brush, and using the colours in the shimmer brick separately and only applying to your cheeks not an all over shimmer mess- they give you the sweetest glow to your cheeks.

The Balm Sexy Mama Transulesent Powder:
By 10am my forehead is shining like its just won a logie during summer, translucent powder is my best friend. Tinted powders give me too much coverage and look cakey but this powder is just right.

Lancomes Hypnose Drama:
With such a neutral face go I BIG with my lashes, like 8 layers of thick spider lashes.

Dr Jart+ BB Water Fuse:
Being out and about this doubles as my sunscreen, if I am going to have lunch outside or going to appointments I will re-apply this to make sure not to get burnt. The formula is light enough to be build-able and blends easily with fingers.

Bare Minerals Stroke of Light Concealer Shade 2:
I picked this up over the weekend and already it is a new favourite, giving good coverage for under eye concealing with slight light reflecting shine not as much as YSL's Touche Eclat. It is also a very affordable at $26.95 compared to other higher end brands concealers.

Loreal Brow Stylist in blonde:
Wow this is great, it is such a soft wax pencil and glides onto brows rather than pulling. The colour isn't that amazing - but it does the job.

Sportsgirl Travel Kabuki:
Such a soft brush - I love it for applying translucent powder throughout the day.

So that's it - probably my most restrained makeup bag ever.
What's in your summer everyday makeup bag? Is there anything that you cannot leave the house without?

Light Summer Makeup Base

My skin has been looking particularly good and glowy at the moment -  even if I do say so myself. It is probably to do with the weather being warmer and also being very strict with remembering to apply Rose hip Oil as my night cream.

 Not wanting to clog up my newly clear pores I have been experimenting with lighter makeup base routines, here is my current favourite:

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer available from Kit Cosmetics $52.95 available from Kit Cosmetics

 www.kitcosmetics.com.au

Real Techniques Delux Crease Brush $39.90 (part of set)available from Priceline 

www. Priceline.com.au

Stila Perfecting Concealer (Shade 2) $37.00 available from Mecca Cosmetica www.meccacosmetica.com.au

Clinique Air Brush Concealer (Shade 2) $40.00 available from Clinque 

www.clinique.com.au

Real Techniques Buffing Brush $44.99 (part of set) available from Priceline 

www. Priceline.com.au

The Balm Sexy Mama Anti-Shine Transulsant Powder $25.90 available from David Jones and www.thebalm.com

STEP 1

Apply your day moisturiser with SPF, remember to moisturise your neck and ears.

STEP 2

Using a silicone primer and your fingers apply a small pea size amount over your t-zone where you would normally get shiny or oily through the day and also anywhere your pores are larger and visible - for me this is on my cheeks near my nose.

It will feel very strange almost a velvet-y soft sensation, because I am not using a foundation the primer gives the powder a base to be applied on to. The Smashbox one I am testing out is lovely and I will be purchasing the full size.

STEP 3

Eye brightening is essential for me, having dark circles and visible blue veins around my eye area because I am so pale. There are lots of light brightening / highlighting concealer pens available but for me the Clinique Air Brush Concealer gives slightly more coverage than others like the YSL Touché Eclat which is more of a highlighter - I am also going to try Bare Minerals Stroke of light Eye Brightener next.

When blending the product onto the eye area, I start from the bottom of the darkened area and work upwards going slightly onto the eyelid blending in very light small circular motions with a synthetic fluffy brush.

STEP 4

Spot concealing is essential, this Stila perfecting concealer is going to last the rest of my life because you only need the tiniest pin prick amount of product. Using the same brush as under your eyes blend out the concealer using dabbing circular motions.

STEP 5

At this stage if you are freaking out that you need more coverage you can use a mineral powder like Laura Mercier Mineral powder which will give you more colour and coverage. If you are cool as a cucumber with the coverage and just want to blend and even your skin tone out with a light coverage I like The Balm's Sexy Mama Translucent powder. Using the Real Techniques Buffing Brush load the brush up with powder and push then blend the powder into your skin. Starting from the centre of your face and work outwards.

STEP 6

This is the finished base, it is very quick and easy - great for summer!

Also if you have trouble matching a foundation to your skin tone this is a great alternative to a traditional foundation routine as you wont have a mismatched face and neck.

MILKING IT! Milk Dry Touch SPF 30+ Sunscreen

Milk Dry Touch SPF 30+ Sunscreen available in 150ml $17.95 and  375ml $38.95

I am always on the look out for new and different sun protection products, living in Australia I wear a sun protectant year round either under my makeup in a moisturizer or a high foundation with a high SPF and on any exposed skin like arms, legs and especially hands. My Mum recently horrified me telling me her and her friends used to sun bake till they had blisters on their chests!

At 61 my Mum looks beautiful but does have signs of sun damage from her youth and her only beauty advice to me has been to protect my skin.

A couple of weeks ago when sitting at The Boat House - a sun drenched cafe in Palm Beach with my friends having brunch my dear friend Lucinda whipped out some Milk sunscreen for us all to use. I had never heard of the brand before, but after applying it to my arms I was quickly asking her all about it. Milk was created by Australian swimmer Michael Kilm, it I think is essentially is a mens skin care range from scoping out the website offering products ranging from moisturizer to protein bars. Anyway my friend Lucinda has amazing skin and claimed this to be her holy grail sunsreen, so I immediately bought 2 bottles of the Dry Touch SPF 30+ Sunscreen and have been using it everyday since. 

The best thing about the Milk sunscreen is it isn't greasy it applies almost in a gel consistancy and is so easy to rub into your skin, then when it dries it is completely matte and is not greasy or shiny leaving a white cast to your skin like most sunscreens do. It contains Vitamin E, Aloe Vera and Tea Tree, which are all great for your skin, I would avoid using it on top of any cuts or grazes because it does sting and if you cannot stand the smell of Tea Tree oil then you will not like this sunscreen at all. I cannot wait to be using this all summer long at the beach.

Please if you don't wear a sunscreen during the day on your exposed skin because you don't like the feel then shop around and find one you get on with, in the long run your skin will thank you!

Milk is available from www.milkskincare.com 

Milk does ship internationally.

Also via Myer, Coles, Woolworths and Pulse, Nation and Harrisons Phamacies Australia wide.

Beauté Gazette LOVES The Balm's Hot Ticket Nail Polish

The Balm's Hot Ticket Nail Polish $15.00 each Available at The Balm from David Jones.

www.thebalm.com

The Balm is an American brand which I have heard a little bit about from youtubers and blogs, Michelle Phan is a FAN of the eye shadow palettes but I didn't know much more about the brand. 

When testing the water with a new brand some girls pick up lipstick as their barometer, some are foundation devotees so try that out first - I always start with nail polish. This is the product I test out to see if I should buy more than one product from a brand or whether to stop right there and have a very quick pain free break-up.

I tried 2 colours from The Balm's Hot Ticket Nail Polish collection, Coral Reef-ined : a white-based coral which leans more peach with pink undertones and Magenta Disposition : a deep blue based pink which is a true magenta and doesn't stain red - also boom boom cheesy names like every other company. The Balm offers a pretty standard selection of brights with a couple of metallics and glitters but nothing crazy compared to other brands. When having a look at the consistency on the brush of Magenta Disposition on the brush before painting a friends nails it looked really thick, I applied it as I normally would and  I was absolutely AMAZED! It was completely opaque in ONE coat and it was absolutely perfect in application no streaking or clumping or drying off the brush towards the tip of the nail, the brush allowed the polish to sit neatly at the base of the nail and not run into the cuticle bed. I was totally loosing my shit by the time I finished her first hand declaring it was a 'NAIL POLISH REVOLUTION'. By the time I had finished both hands and with a careful inspection I could not get over how great the colour was and how easy it was to apply.

I expected Coral Reef-ined to fail in comparison because it is rare that all colours apply the in the same way from the one brand especially if the colour is white based which tends to streak and clot on the nail. WRONG. Coral Reef-ined was also amazing, same beautifully perfect application. 

The Balm's Hot Ticket Nail Polish are a force to be reckoned with in the nail game and are going to be my go to Pedi colours for summer! I am also now excited as to what else to try from The Balm..... I'm thinking I might pick up the liquid Eyeliner 'Shwing' which looks like it could concur my fear of un-even winged eyeliner.

Has anyone tried any other products from The Balm and been totally blown away?

www.thebalm.com

Beauté Gazette's Bodacious Beach Bag!

This week there was a sneak peak teaser of SUMMER! 

It was heaven to be laying on the rocks at Bronte, dancing in the fading sunlight on North Bondi Rocks and generally being a bodacious beach babe once again.

The sneak peak too me completely unawares and I was very unprepared, having tossed all my almost empty sandy beauty products from last summer I had to improvise for my 3 days of almost (500) days of SUMMER!

Here are the new products I am excited to pick up and some old favorites for the nearing Summer:

Benah Canvas Beach Bag $149.00

Could there be a more perfect beach bag like ever? I don't think so. Canvas bags are my favorites for the beach, you can pile everything in and if it gets dropped in a rock pool you don't freak out because you can just put it in the washing machine. Yeah beach fun with Benah!

www.thebenah.myshopify.com

Dr.Jart+ Water Based BB Cream SPF 27+ UVA/UVB US$42.00

This was a favorite last summer and I am bringing the Dr. Jart back this summer too. It is water based which I like for summer, oil based tinited moisturizers/foundations break me out  in hot weather because your pores are all open and breathing. The light base and high SPF makes it perfect for summer.

Available from www.drjartstore.com

Becca Beach Tint in Watermelon $42.00

This little tube is super versitile I like putting it on my cheeks for a flush of colour and also on my lips for a natural 'I've just eaten a redskin' colour vibe. It is very sheer and won't go patchy in the heat.

www.beccacosmetics.com.au

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunblock SPF 70 approx $13.00

Perfect if you are by yourself reading a book at the beach the spray gets all those tricky spots you might not be able to reach. Its also not as stinky like other sunscreens.

Available from supermarkets and chemists

Nars Multiple in Laguna $64.00

The sister to Nars's famous Laguna powder bronzer, I am super excited to pop this on my cheek bones after a day at the beach on my way to get a piña colada with my friends.

Available from www.meccacosmetica.com.au

Frank Ocean -  Channel Orange

On permanent repeat! 

Available on itunes

Maybelline Full 'N Soft Waterproof Mascara $12.00

Normally I like loads and loads of mascara, but at the beach its not really that big of a deal. Full 'N Soft gives your lashes a good coat of colour without making them crunchy and looking like tranantula legs.

www.maybelline.com.au

Yes To Cumbers Facial Wipes $9.99

Sticky hands, sweaty face, dripping ice-blocks happen all summer long and they need a wet wipey. Maybe I am prematurely preparing for motherhood carrying around wet wipes, but I don't care at least I am not a sticky mess.

available from www.priceline.com.au

Helen Kaminski Hampton Hat $185.00

I am totally obsessed with this hat! It is the perfect mix of Picnic at Hanging Rock and something you would wear to the beach in the 60's in Capri or some other Euro summer haven. This is on my 'Must lust buys for summer' list. The polka dot bow makes me weak at the knees it is so cute.

www.helenkaminski.com.au

Available at David Jones

I was spotted doing a traditional native rock dance this week on Bronte Beach.

Wearing a Cynthia Rowley for Roxy onsie and having the time of my life.

Bronze like a boss!

Ok I will admit it - my bronzing technique up until now has been a total disaster, going back through my facebook photos to un-tag I was coming across some real mis-matching head to body skin tone doozies. After a lot of practising and trying to find the perfect bronzer for my skin tone I think I have pretty much mastered it now. Here is my step by step bronzing guide:

1. Apply your base I am still very pale because it is still winter so I have used Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in shade 52, it is a slightly matte finish which works well with powder bronzers. If you like a dewy finish then a cream bronzer would be better suited.

2. Oh there I am with my Real Techniques Blush Brush, this brush is great for bronzing because of the tapered brush head combined with the Stila Bronzing Powder in Shade 1 it is a match made in heaven for my fair skin.

3. When loading the brush with product use a very light hand to get the powder on the middle point of the brush hairs leaving the outer hairs clean, this will help blend the edges to give a more natural bronzed look rather than stripes of bronzer down your cheeks.

4. Using rounded sweeping motions apply the bronzer to your neck and jaw line first working up the face - This will ensure a matching neck and face. Next focus on the hollows of your cheek, making a fishy- face to make it easier to find them if you have chubby cheeks like me. Lightly around your temples and lastly blending up into your hair line on your forehead. To make sure your bronzing is seamless using a large powder brush blend the areas where you applied your bronzer.

5. Ta-da! Have you been to a health retreat in Hawaii? No I just learnt how to use my bronzer silly!

PRODUCTS

Real Techniques Blush Brush $24.00 available from www.priceline.com.au

Stila Bronzing Powder in Shade 1 available from www.meccacosmetica.com.au

If you have pale skin, most bronzers will be too dark for you try using a muted neutral blush as a contour shade like Mac's Gingerly or Harmony Powder Blush's $41.00. www.maccosmetics.com.au