Summer Lip Combo

Inspired by the peachy pink and golden shimmer of NARS Orgasm, I created this lip combination which represents my ultimate summer colour for 2011/2012.

To create this look I wore both Sportsgirl’s Pout About It in Fuchsia Splash and NYX Round Lipstick in Iris. Both colours are beautiful on their own but together create the perfect coral pout for hot summer days.

Keeping on the colour theme, I found OPI’s Bright Lights Big Colour polish to add to my next purchase list as the perfect summer mani or pedi colour.

What’s your IT colour of the season?

Ebenezer House

I have just recently returned from a weekend in the beautiful North Coast of New South Wales to attend a wedding. Instead of staying in a hotel we thought we would splash out and rented a renovated Queenslander, found through stayz.com.
This house was dressed out of the pages of a magazine and I’d thought I would share some photos for those who are renovating or redecorating or thinking of doing so in the future (like me).

  

A GHD Warning

This post is to offer all GHD fans a warning when using their loved GHD Strightener.

I love my GHD and have been a devotee of the infamous straightener for as long as I can remember but after this weekend I’m not quite sure.

I have just spent the weekend in the sunny northern NSW coast for a wedding and as usual I packed by GHD. The day of the wedding I straightened my hair as normal to prepare for the afternoon as I was going to wear my hair in loose curls.

Come the afternoon I prepared to start my curls, sectioned my hair and turned on my GHD and as usual waiting for the double beep indicating it had reached the desired temperature. As I attempted my first curl, the section was limp so I attempted another section and saw white smoke and smelt the strong scent of burnt hair streaming from the iron and my hair. Completely freaked, I turned it off straight away and was devastated to find traces of my hair melted to the iron and falling out in locks from the sections I attempted to curl.

My GHD was an IV Styler from the Limited Edition Benefit Radiance Set and although I have had it for a few years with regular use, I have always taken good care of it, not wrapped the cord around it and stored it within the styler bag. I believe the thermostat fuse blew (out of no where with no warning) causing it to heat up to an unsafe temperature and I was so lucky I was only straightening small sections from the bottom up and not random pieces from the top.

Now I’m not sure if this is a one off or a known fault of the GHD but I would definitely recommend users of the GHD to pay attention to your styler and if you notice anything different i.e. smoke or if it feels hotter than usual – avoid contact with your hair.

So after my near bald experience I’m now terrified to buy another GHD straightener however I need to invest in a new straightener ASAP.

Has this ever happened to you or anyone you know? (This is a total first for me)

Do you have any hair straightener reccs that are comparable to the GHD?  

Get use out of your Sachet Samples

As a beauty buff I love trying out new products and I wouldn’t turn down a free sample but I must admit I’m not really a fan of sachet samples. I find them awkward to squeeze out product and tend to only use them once if ever at all.

I received 5 sachet samples of Kerastase Nectar Thermique leave in heat protectant in my November Lust Have It box. To use you apply an almond sized amount to towel dried hair before heat styling – not really practical when packaged in a sachet.

To get the best use out of this product I purchased two cosmetic jars from Priceline and carefully squeezed each sachet into the jars. The cosmetic jars also came with a spatula which would be helpful for more creamer or thicker products.

I managed to fill both jars with product which will now be easier to use and will be great for travel.

With liquid travel restrictions now in place you can purchase cosmetic jars and bottles from just about anywhere and are great for transferring sachet samples or reducing your full size favourites for travel.

November Lust Have It

A box to start prepping for the party season and as always I was very excited to come home to find my monthly Lust Have It package.

Included in this months box…..

RoC Complete Lift NEW Technology Daily Moisturiser

A daily moisturiser containing active ingredients to plump, brighten and hydrate your skin, so looking forward to trying out the two samples.  

Nude by Nature Mineral Lip Liner in Chique Natural

An easy nude colour to team with most neutral lipsticks or gloss. I Love how the pencil also contains a lip brush on the end – perfect for mid morning touch ups.

I unfortunately don’t have a photo of the liner as it was hidden under the decorative paper at the time of opening.

Lancome Tresor Midnight Rose

A new perfume release for lancome, Midnight Rose has a sweet, musky floral scent – quite nice but I think I’ll pass these two samples onto my mum because I know she’ll love this scent.

Hawley International Miracle Nail Shiner

A buffer always comes in handy, have not tried it yet but it aims to provide super shiney nails in seconds.

Kerastase Nectar Thermique

A leave heat protection that is applied to damp towel dried hair before heat styling. I received two other Kerastase samples in the October Lust Have It box that I absolutely loved however I’m not a fan of sachets so I might de-pot into a container for an easier application.  

Overall I wasn’t that impressed with the contents of the November Lust Have It box however still love the concept and for $14.95 a month I’m happy to lust after it a little longer – already excited for the December box.  

OPI Muppettes Minis

Absolutely in love with this collection and If I had a disposable income I would definitely buy the whole collection in full size but with Christmas fast approaching, I settled on the Mini box set.

The OPI Muppettes Minis contains four mini OPI nail polishes from the Muppettes collection in the shades Wocka Wocka!, Excuse Moi!, Designer…de Better! and Warm & Fozzie.

Wocka Wocka!

A glamorous ruby red which I love as a timeless pedicure colour or to give a mani a touch of class.

Excuse Moi!

There’s a party on my nails and you’re invited! LOL

Excuse Moi! is a pink glitter bomb of sparkly goodness and is such a cute fun colour and is my all time favourite from this mini box. Warning, it is an absolute pain to remove.

Designer…de Better!

A sliver foil with red/pink micro glitter, love this colour as its pretty and simple to wear and reminds my of my all time favourite polish, Orly Rage.

Warm & Fozzie

Is an intense golden bronze with micro glitter to give added oil slick shine, its such a unique colour and would look great with a faux tan.

Have you tried the new OPI Muppettes Collection? If yes, what are your favourites?

Purchase OPI Muppettes Mini Box for $29.95(AUD) or any of the full size from the Muppettes Collection from DavidJones or selected salons/beauty suppliers.

Remington Compact Tribal Tong

The Remington Compact Tribal Tong is a hair styling wand made with creating an easy curl in mind. The tong itself has a conical barrel and sections of hair are wrapped around to create structured curls.

The Compact Tribal Tong as the name suggests, is compact. It’s a cute travel sized version of the original Tribal Tong but does not lack in features. It heats to a variable 110°C - 200°C and quickly reaches its set temperature in 30 seconds and with a swivel cord makes it easy to use at all angles.

In the past I have curled my hair using my GHD straightening iron, so I was really impressed with the Tribal Tong’s ease of use and the simple wrap and hold technique. It creates gorgeous little tight spiral curls that eventually fall into small loose waves, the only downside is because it is the compact version it did take a while to curl my mid length hair (it would be perfect for those with short hair).

I recommend wand type stylers for those who want a quick and easy alternative to GHD (or other straightening iron) curls. The Compact Tribal Tong comes in two stylish colours, purple and pink and can be purchased from department stores and electrical retailers.

Disclaimer: The Remington Compact Tribal Tong was provided as sponsored gift as part of ABBW, however; I was under no obligation to include this product in this post or on Beauty Soiree.  

October Favourites

Can you believe its now only 8 weeks until Christmas? Exciting! Time flies when you’re having fun right? Sorry I have been MIA lately, I have been really enjoying daylight savings and getting out and about to enjoy the longer days after work. Feel free to browse my beauty loves for the month of October. x

 Australis Ready Set Go Finishing Powder – I have been using this translucent powder everyday to set my foundation or BB Cream. This powder is inexpensive but effective and works a treat to set foundation, reduce oily shine and applies like silk – makes my face feel amazingly silky.

Benefit Coralista Box o Powder – A gorgeous shade of coral with a gold shimmer, this blush (like all Benefit box powders) works so well for day and night. I have been reaching for this blush for a simple pretty spring glow achieved with one sweep – smells lovely too!

L-R: Sand Pink and Rose

NYX Lipliner Pencil in Rose and Sand Pink that works well with most pink lipsticks. These liners are also very kind to the bank account and are creamy to apply and have great staying power. I hope to own more colours in the near future :)

L-R: Girl Meets Pearl and SAX Liquid Liner

SAX Liquid Eyeliner in Blackest Black – Let me start by saying this is the first liquid liner I have tried but after being successful in my very first liquid liner attempt, I have been using this regularly throughout October. The applicator is similar to a felt tip so its easy to get up and personal with your lash line without a brush bending to make mistakes. The liner applies really black and I found it to achieve great staying power after long days of shopping or nights out. I did find some applications did bleed a little however as mentioned above this is my first liquid liner I've tried and either way I have been loving the liquid look.

Benefits Girl Meets Pearl – Another highlighter to add to my collection! I received a sample of this a while back and loved it enough to purchase a full size. The colour is a pearly pink with a gold shimmer (so pretty) and I particularly love that the packaging is similar to a glue stick and you can twist as little or as much product as you like. A great product to brighten your complexion and highlight features.

Alpha H Liquid Gold Prep and Prime – Step 1 of the Alpha H Liquid Gold Skin Perfecting System this little baby has been ticking all my boxes in the skin care department for October. I apply 4-5 drops of this solution every night in conjunction with my normal night routine (alternately) and my skin has never felt so soft or looked so bright and hydrated. The purpose of prep and prime is to slowly prepare your skin (through the use of rich botanicals) to tolerate active enzymes and AHA’s ready for the use of step 2 the Skin Perfecting System – Liquid Gold (which I’m so excited to try as step 1 has been so amazing).

VIP Gold Super Beblesh Balm (BB Cream) – A perfect alternative to foundation for the warmer months. I have been reaching for my BB Cream more and more this month as it’s quick and easy and provides the perfect light coverage for days when it’s too hot to pile on the makeup. For a more in depth review, see my post here.

Nivea Invisible Anti- Perspirant Deodorant – Again, I have been using this all month and have been quite happy with the pleasant scent which has been long lasting, even during my sometimes 10 hour work days. It claims to be invisible against both white marks and yellow stains on clothing which is an added bonus.

….and the pièce de résistance

Urban Decay Naked Palette – Yes, I’m officially part of the Naked Club. 12 shades of neutral beautifulness which I’m sure need no introduction, I have had a great month experimenting with these colours and these are some of my top picks:

L-R: Virgin, Sin, Naked, Sidecare and Hustle

So what were your October beauty favourites?

Disclaimer: The Australis Finishing Powder and Alpha H Skin Perfecting System were provided as sponsored gifts as part of ABBW, however; I was under no obligation to include these productions in my favourites post or on Beauty Soiree.