Effortless Up Styles with Scunci

I was invited by Scunci and Polkadot PR to take part in a Blogger Contest to create unique hairstyles featuring the Scunci Pin Twirls.

The Scunci Pin Twirls are metal pins that can be twirled into an up style for a firm hold. Each package comes with three pin twirls which can be used instead of Bobby Pins when creating an up-do. To use, just screw into your hair style to hold (I found using two most effective) and to remove simple screw back out.  

As I don’t really have a flair for hair, one of my favourite up styles are the messy kind. I styled both of the below looks using only two pin twirls and a hair tie. Both are simple and effortless and such a pleasure not to insert and remove countless Bobby Pins.

Messy Side Bun

Pull hair into a side pony tail and secure in a loop with a hair tie just below your ear.

Twist and manipulate the pony tail loop to form a messy bun look.

Twist one Scunci Pin Twirl into the bun from the top and another from the bottom to secure.

Messy Top Knot

Flip hair upside down and pull hair into a high pony tail. Secure in a loop with a hair tie.

Twist and manipulate the pony tail loop to form a messy bun look.

Twist one Scunci Pin Twirl into the bun from the top and another from the bottom to secure.

Lightly loosen hair around the top knot and slightly pull out pieces at the fringe to add to the messy effect.

The Scunci Pin Twirls retail for $9.95(AUD) for a pack of three and are available at Big W, Target, Priceline as well as selected pharmacies and salons.

Disclaimer: I received the Scunci Pin Twirls for participation in the 2012 Scunci Blogger Contest and all Blogger participants have an equal chance of winning a VS Sassoon Pack.

Marc Jacobs Daisy on the Go

Marc Jacobs popular scents Daisy and Daisy Eau So Fresh have been repackaged in an adorable fun-sized daisy – perfect to throw in your handbag to sprits the sweet floral scent throughout the day.

Daisy is described as “A sparkling floral scent – fresh and feminine, with a playful innocence”.

Daisy Eau So Fresh is described as “A bright floral fruity fragrance – elegant and full of charm”.

Each Daisy contains 20ml of fragrance and retails for $35(AUD) each or as a duo for $55(AUD).

These adorable and sweet smelling fragrances are available now from David Jones, Myer and selected pharmacies.  



Sweet Cheeks, Sweet Lips

Introducing Benefit’s latest product release, the Box ‘O Powder Lip glosses.

Benefit has released six lip glosses each named to complement their amazing box powders; Bella Bamba, CORAlista, Dallas, Danelion, Hoola and Sugarbomb.

True to their complementing box powers Bella Bamba is a sheer bright watermelon, CORAlista is a sheer coral, Dallas a dusty rose, Danelion a soft pearly pink, Hoola a golden nude and Sugarbomb a shimmering pinky nude.

Sound sweet? These glossies will retail for $29(AUD) and are available at a Benefit Counter near you from 28 July 2012.

Shhhhh! Why wait? Purchase online now at Benefit for $16(USD).



** Images obtained through press release.

MAC Technique Seminar

On Thursday evening I attended a MAC Technique Session through my local MAC counter, I was told I would be in for a great night as the Seminar would be hosted by MAC Trainers.

MAC Technique is a series of nine workshops lead by MAC artists which showcase the latest MAC products, makeup trends and provide make up techniques and tips to applying great makeup. A MAC Technique class is suitable for all ages, sexes and degree of makeup knowledge.  

Not knowing what to expect, we were greeted by enthusiastic MAC Artists welcoming us with champagne, canapés and macaroons as well as the bible for the evening, a MAC Technique binder containing face charts, tips and tricks and plenty of room to make notes and wish lists.

MAC Trainers, Jo Roughan and Ocea Ferber showed us two of the current most requested looks, a natural face with bold lip and the ever popular smokey eye with natural lip. Each look was broken down from skin prep to finish and both Jo and Ocea were informative, entertaining and have some amazing skills.



MAC Trainers Jo and Ocea and the beautiful models



Some of the tips and tricks I picked up throughout the evening:

·         For those with dry skin, if you are finding that your makeup is not lasting as long it may be due to the fact your skin requires more moisture. Dry skin will suck the moisture out from your products and leave you looking pretty bare come lunchtime. Keep your skin well hydrated during the preparation stage with rich moisturizes.

·         Brows are so hot right now and should not be left behind when completing a makeup look. Filled in brows frame the face and like a work of art, they really add a finish to any look. For those who are fair, a great eye brow suggestion is MAC Eye Shadow in Omega – it creates a soft natural look. To define and sculpt your brows, start at the base and feather up.

·         For a smokey eye use a Kohl pencil to add depth to the lids without any fallout, MAC Eye Kohl’s are very soft and blendable. Set the kohl pencil with a shadow to add dimension to the smokey eye, ensure that the middle part of the lid is kept free of makeup and build your coverage on the inner and the outer part of the eye for the smokey effect.

·         To get the maximum dramatic effect from your mascara, tilt your head back and lightly pull up your lid. This will ensure you coat all your lashes right down to the roots.

·         To apply false lashes, tilt your head back and place in the centre first as close to the lash root as possible. Push the falsies down into your lash root and your natural lashes up into the falsies.

·         For a more dramatic effect uses your powder products wet, sprits Fit + on eye shadows or highlighter to give move vibrant finish.

·         MAC Pro Long Wear Lip Pencils are a great alternative to lipstick as they are so smooth and creamy. To apply, smile and ensure your lip is taught to create smooth lines.

The MAC Technique Seminar is $120 to attend which is redeemable in product. Following the workshop, the group was taken back to the MAC Counter and assigned a MAC Artist to assist you with redeeming your products.

I had such an informative and inspiring evening, big thank yous to the MAC Artists and Trainers Jo and Ocea.

Soap and Glory Hand Food

Image from www.soapandglory.com

I have been reading and listening to our fellow UK beauties raving about Soap and Glory (SAG) products for quite some time and now they can be found in Sephora, our US beauties are getting in on the SAG love fest too!

As I'm such a sucker for "hyped up" products, I recently purchased the SAG Hand Food Hand Cream.

Containing shea butter, macadamia oil and marshmallow this product leaves your hands soft and moisturised without feeling greasy - oh and it smells ah-mazing! Such a winner to banish dry winter skin.

Aussie beauties should not feel left out as we can purchase a great selection of SAG products through Kit Cosmetics available online, in Kit Boutiques and selected Myer stores nationally.

Oh, and I can't wait to try the Flake Away - Spa Body Polish - I've heard its a great exfoliator!