The best in beauty: My top ten product picks

March 18th, 2010

Introducing … the ten beauty products you must try! Happy shopping!

Daily Microfoliant

1. Exfoliant: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant.

  • Amazing facial exfoliator.
  • Simply add water to convert the powder into a creamy, non-abrasive paste.
  • Removes dead skin cells, leaving the face soft and smooth.
  • Gentle enough to use every day.
  • Hot tip! For a flawless-looking complexion, exfoliate your face prior to moisturizing; then apply your foundation.

Online stockists: Cosme-De.com, AdoreBeauty.com.au and RY.com.au.

Lancome Bi Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover The best in beauty: My top ten product picks

2. Eye makeup remover: Lancôme Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover.

  • Excellent eye makeup remover.
  • Takes off the darkest, smokiest eye makeup in a few sweeps.
  • Cleanly wipes away waterproof formulations.
  • Great for sensitive eyes.
  • Hot tip! Because it is a duo-phase liquid, shake well before use.

Online stockists: Sephora.com, StrawberryNet.com and FragranceX.com.


The three eye makeup brushes you should own!

February 27th, 2010

If you want your eye makeup application to look professional, you need to invest in some quality tools. As a general rule, those included with the products you purchase (i.e. sponge-tipped eyeshadow applicators) just don’t cut it. Reserve them for emergency touch-ups only!

Eye Liner BrushBest Eyeshadow BrushBest Eye Makeup Brushes

As easy as 1, 2, 3!

If I had to start with just three brushes, these would be my picks. With this group of brushes you can achieve a variety of different eye looks.


Whatever the weather, get a summer glow on!

February 17th, 2010

Perfect blush

For sexy sun-kissed cheeks, combine two colors:

1). Take some bronzing powder on a large, fluffy brush, and using short up-and-down strokes, blend it over the cheekbone. For perfect color placement, start near the hairline and follow the cheekbone down toward the apple.

2). Next, take a pink, peach or nude-beige powder blush on a small, round blush brush, and using circular motions, apply it to the apple of the cheek (the plump part which protrudes when you smile).

Hot tip! To avoid applying too much bronzer or blush, tap any excess powder off the brush before you begin. If you go wrong and your cheeks look too strong, knock down the color by blending some loose powder over the top.

Sunkissed bronze

Cool tricks! To make powder blush easier to blend, prepare the skin with a layer of foundation and loose powder first.  For super-dewy cheeks, skip the powder step and work a cream blush straight over your foundation. Want your skin to glow from within? For a subtle surface flush, apply a cheek tint or gel before your foundation.

My product picks! I love M·A·C’s Bronzing Powder in Refined Golden, M·A·C’s Powder Blush in Pink Swoon, Benefit Benetint and the Stila Convertible Color range.

For more tips and techniques, read How to Apply Blush and click on the images within this post.

Cheek tintCream blushApply blush


Want luminous lids?

February 10th, 2010

Dior Eye Show Pink Wannabe 8321 150x150 Want luminous lids?Dior Eye Show Glitz and Glam Black 0921 150x150 Want luminous lids?

Choose a cream-textured eyeshadow with a fleck of shimmer. For a sheer veil of color, blend it over your eyelid with your fingertip. The warmth in the pad of your finger will melt it seamlessly onto the skin. To create drama, build intensity by pressing the shadow on with a dense-bristled eyeshadow brush.

Cool trick! Want a wet-look? Prime your eyelid with a satin-finish concealer first. Alternatively, for a flatter effect, begin by preparing the lid with a layer of loose, matte powder.

Shu Uemura Cream Eye Shadow Sand Brown 150x150 Want luminous lids?

Hot tip! To make your peepers pop, take the cream shadow beneath your eyes and sweep it along the lower lashes. Then, line your upper and lower inner rims with eye pencil. To finish, curl your lashes and slick on some mascara. To elongate and widen your eyes, liberally coat the lashes at the outer corners (both top and bottom).

Shu Uemura Cream Eye Shadow P Light Blue 150x150 Want luminous lids?

My product picks: For a reflective wash of color, smudge on Dior Eye Show. Work Undressed Beige 622 in the daytime, and rock Glitz & Glam Black 092 at night. If you like a matte texture, wear Shu Uemura’s Cream Eye Shadow in M Sand Brown during daylight hours, and M Black after dark. Prefer pastel hues? Check out Dior Eye Show in Pink Wannabe 832 and Shu Uemura’s Cream Eye Shadow in P Light Green and P Light Blue.


Are you tired of your foundation wearing off part way through the day?

February 3rd, 2010

If you want staying power, then matte is where it’s at!

Chanel Pro Lumiere Foundation

Preparation is a key factor if you want your makeup to last. Start by cleansing, toning and moisturizing your skin, and then apply a primer and long-wearing (matte or semi-matte) foundation.

Hot tip! To minimize break-through shine, dust a mattifying powder over your foundation, paying particular attention to the T-zone. To avoid the cakey look, apply it with a very soft, large powder brush.

Cool trick! When your face feels hot … blot! Powder-coated blotting papers are a handbag must-have. They are lightweight and portable, which makes them the ultimate touch-up tool for girls on the go!

My product picks: Diorskin Forever by Dior is my favorite matte foundation. If you want a flawless, shine-free, long-lasting base that won’t budge … this is it! For a fresh, smooth-looking, slightly dewy complexion, choose Chanel’s Pro Lumière or Lancôme’s Photôgenic Lumessence foundation. Both of these stay put and give the skin a perfect semi-matte satin finish.

Lancome Photogenic Lumessence FoundationDior Diorskin Forever

Final look b 150x150 Are you tired of your foundation wearing off part way through the day?

Sneak a peek! I used Pro Lumière foundation by Chanel in the Gothic Glamor look. For application tips, see page 6 of the Gothic Glamor eBook.


Have a hot date? Put on your night eyes!

January 21st, 2010

Night makeup

Day-to-night makeup.

Are you heading out for a few drinks or going on a dinner date straight after work? In a few simple steps … take your office-look into the evening. Grab a portable mirror and do it at your desk!

Makeup artist tip: This look is perfect for Valentine’s Day. You will totally rock his socks!


Day makeup look

THE DAYTIME LOOK.

A wash of light-beige metallic eyeshadow(1) over the eyelid, a slick of liquid liner(2) across the top lashes, paired with a pink lip(3) and cheek(4). To take this look into the night, watch the video tutorial and follow the steps below:


What’s your New Year’s resolution? Complexion perfection?

January 15th, 2010

Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch

Meet the perfect makeup base … Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch. It visually smooths lines, wrinkles and enlarged pores leaving the complexion flawless and radiant.

The Formulation.

A silky-textured, oil-free, pale pink paste which, upon application, forms an invisible veil over the skin. It is suitable for all skin types and can be used alone or under foundation.

The Packaging.

A small, red glass pot with a plastic screw-top lid. It comes complete with a spatula so you can decant the product hygienically. Beauty bonus! Zero waste. The wide neck means every last remnant can be scraped from the jar. (Note: Due to the consistency of this formulation, a pump dispenser or tube was not a practical packaging option.)


Links à la Mode: The Happy Holiday Edition

December 30th, 2009

links a la mode

Edited by Retrochick. Well, I suppose I should start this week’s Links à la Mode with this:

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

Here are some lovely links to keep you busy over the Christmas period. M.I.S.S. and JewelryWhore have DIY ideas to keep your mind and body occupied, ID Style and Little Miss Makeup show you how to ramp up the glamour in your makeup bag, whilst Daily Diva Dish and The Working Wardrobe help you plan what to wear for New Year’s Eve and your first day back at work post-holiday. If you run out of entertainment here, then you should check out the full Links à la Mode thread for more yummy fashion goodness. Have a fantastic holiday and I hope that Santa brings you everything you wish for!


Rock out in red lips this festive season!

December 17th, 2009

Perfect red lipstick

“My favorite look of the season is a red lip paired with a nude face, as seen on the runway in the Yves Saint Laurent and House of Holland shows. To get the look, team groomed brows with a wash of light-brown matte eyeshadow and a slick of black mascara. Add a touch of beige to the cheekbones, and to create a bold lip, paint on a rich creamy red lipstick.”

Crimson lips scream Christmas!

To achieve perfect red smackers:

1). Start by exfoliating your lips to remove any dry, flaky skin.

Makeup artist tip: Want a quick and easy exfoliation technique? Rub a dry, soft-bristled baby’s toothbrush over your lips.

2). To hydrate your lips, apply a good lip balm (I love The Lip Balm by Crème De La Mer and the Carmex range).

Makeup artist tip: Ensure you tissue off any excess lip balm before you apply your lipliner. If you don’t, your lipliner is likely to smear everywhere!


For perfect party eyes … go glittery!

December 8th, 2009

Glitter eye makeup

At Christmas time, glitter is a girl’s best friend!

For eyelids that sparkle like shiny disco balls, watch the video tutorial and follow the step-by-step instructions below:

The lowdown.

Makeup artist tip! To make eye makeup application easier, keep your eyes open, tilt your head backwards (to stretch the skin on your eyelid taut) and look into a mirror.

1). Begin by creating a base. Prime the eyelid and the area beneath the eye with concealer, and to ensure it stays put, dust on a layer of loose, matte powder.