Christmas Day mani: OPI - Underneath The Mistletoe

Now for what's likely to be my last post for 2013!

Continuing with the traditional red and gold theme for Christmas season manicures I chose another variation for my Christmas Day mani using a combination of something new and something old from OPI, who always manage to bring out something to blow me away in their annual holiday collections.

 

The new shade I used on most of my nails is Underneath The Mistletoe from OPI's latest collaboration with Mariah Carey for their 2013 holiday collection.  Underneath The Mistletoe is a deep cranberry jelly polish swimming with fine silver glitter giving it a multidimensional sparkle.  I used three coats for an opaque coverage.  For my accent nail I chose an old OPI holiday glitter, the slightly greenish gold Glow Up Already (from OPI's 2010 Burlesque collection) to add yet more sparkle and voila!

Shade

Sun - the camera's freaking out here...

Until next year!

 

TAG: My top 5 makeup products

 

I was tagged a month ago to do this post and with Christmas festivities finally out of the way I can get onto it and do it properly!  Norlin aka Baubles, Bubbles & Bags is one of my most longstanding Melbourne blogger friends so when she tagged me to nominate my top 5, go-to makeup items I immediately agreed to do it.  The idea is to share the 5 items I'd pick in a pinch to make up my face - very similar to the 5-product face (see my previous post here) but this is more about naming my 5 favourites, the products I'd consider my "go-to, cannot live without" items.  And yes, on a relaxed day these would be all I need for my face too!

 

I can tell you now there are no surprises here - I think I've raved about most of these products before...

 

• Laura Mercier Lingerie Eye & Cheek Palette (Limited Edition) - I know this is limited edition but the fact is this palette accompanied me for my last two holiday trips because it contains all I need for all kinds of warm or cool eye makeup looks from demure to dramatic and the two blush shades are so pretty and wearable too.  Laura Mercier matte shades have a silky feel so they sweep evenly and blend beautifully on the eyes and the "luster" shades (such as the iconic African Violet which is part of the core line) have just the right amount of subtle shimmer for a bit of interest without ever daring to be over the top.  I wouldn't hesitate to buy another LM palette in future.  By the way, and not to rub it in, but this palette scores 4.8 out of 5 on Makeup Alley so you know I'm not the only one in love with the Lingerie palette.

• Lancôme Hypnose Doll Eyes Waterproof Mascara (Black) - My current favourite waterproof mascara because I love the clump-free, flake-free, smudge-free waterproof formula and I love the tapered brush.  Read all about it here.

• Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil (Perversion) - Super soft and creamy and so definitively inky black - UD themselves describe this shade as "blackest-black matte" so you get the picture.  This is so defined and easy to apply that I can use it in place of liquid eyeliner (my personal beauty fail - I'm so clumsy with liquid eyeliner) and because it's waterproof it stays put so it's my numero uno choice for the waterline too if I'm in that kind of mood.

• Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer - My much raved about drugstore highlighting concealer because it actually works! I occasionally wander off to try something else - because I want to know what else is out there - but so far I just keep returning to this. My review is consistently in the popular posts roll on the right but if it's not just click on the link here.

• Tom Ford Lip Color - My desert island lipstick choice because it's literally loaded with wonderful ingredients, is creamy and moisturising, offers high coverage and the packaging is uber chic too - suitable for looking the part when being rescued from that island, lol!  I admit I always feel a little more put together with a slick of a bright Tom Ford shade on my lips

So... What are your top 5 makeup products?

Feel free to do this tag too!  



Face Of Australia: Between The Flags

I hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas! I have been busy catching up with family and friends so the first of my Christmas manis are being posted just after Christmas day - but hey they're still within the "12 days of Christmas" which ends on the 6th of January so I'm technically not late to this party!

 

 I went for traditional with a twist with this one, embracing red and gold but using textured and foil polishes to give it a bit of interest.  The red polish is Between The Flags, a textured polish from Face Of Australia's recently released Carnivale collection.  Two coats did the trick with that one.  For the gold accent I went with three coats o the most golden foil polish I have in my collection - Goldeneye from OPI.  I've previously worn this as a full manicure but I think it works so much better as a contrasting accent, as somehow it looks even more gold if that's at all possible!

 

All pictures taken in cloudy conditions:

 

 

 Until next time...

 



Sportsgirl Nail It! Glitter Envy

Feeling festive?  It's taken me a while to warm up but I'm finally into it so my nails are lately all about festive colours and finishes.

 

Sportsgirl released a gorgeous tinselly green polish some months ago called Glitter Envy.  It's basically very densely packed fine teal green glitter in a green base so it's a standalone polish, although I'm sure a single coat could also be used as a festive topper.  I used three coats plus top coat for a depth of finish.  This polish is utterly perfect for this time of year so I'm so disappointed it's disappeared from Sportgirl's line up.  You may be lucky to find it in their discount bins - very lucky - and if you are that lucky grab it!

 

Sun

 

 

 

Shade

 

 

Until next time.

 



2014 beauty resolutions AKA The 2014 Beauty Diet!

It's the business end of the year when some of us take stock of all sorts of things in our lives - and pledge to do things differently in the coming year!

 

I don't think I resolved to do anything particular in 2013, although I did work at shedding 12.5 kg (27.5 lbs) this year but that's not what I'm here to elaborate on in this little post.  Being beauty and makeup obsessed as I am I think I may have allowed myself to blow out just a little (read "by a truckload") with impulse buying this past year so this is where I pledge to shed just a little next year - at least until I head overseas in late 2014 to Japan and Hawaii when I figure all bets are surely off - depending on exchange rates of course!

 

For inspiration/motivation/focus here are the makeup items I believe I'll be able to finish over the coming year...

 

In previous attempts I've tried the hard core Project Pan approach, and other methods of denying myself only to binge BIG TIME once I reached the end so next year it will be a softer, more doable approach by reducing in the slowest way possible.  Much like a sensible diet I'm going for an everything in moderation approach rather than all out deprivation.  We're all attracted by the lure of the forbidden aren't we?  So: 

(1)  For every two makeup items I finish I'll be able to treat myself to one new luxe makeup item as a reward (the 1 for 2 approach if you like).

(2)  The only other "condition" will be to create a makeup wish list and stick strictly to that wish list to prevent impulse buying - yes the wish list can grow over the year to accommodate those dreaded limited editions too.

 

I'm not going it alone as the wonderful Gloss Queen Anissa of Beautifully Glossy will be joining me so we'll be supporting each other.  We've been tweeting each other about it with great enthusiasm!

There is one pretty significant thing I have to tell you before we start.  In the last couple of months before deciding to do this I organised a few overseas beauty swaps which I have yet to post (I have quickly put them up on Instagram) - and one is yet to arrive.  Just so you understand I'm not looking for loopholes here!

The first step is making this public declaration (check!).  The next step will be putting together my wish list and sharing that with you.  I'm going to be thinking hard and choosing carefully because that is my one makeup shopping list. So far I have three must-haves burning away in my brain...

If you're interested in trying our beauty diet to get your makeup shopping under control let me know in the comments below.  Likewise if you have another tactic you'd like to share let me know too!

Until next time!

Bitten by my first Bite Beauty lipstick!

 

When I say I was bitten I mean I was bitten in a good way!  I'd been intrigued for a while because I'd read, heard, almost osmotically (not literally of course!) absorbed the vibe that Bite Beauty lipsticks were goooood, and you know that means a must try!

 

I never thought I'd stumble across these lipsticks in a vitamin store, especially a vitamin store called Go Vita(?!) but that's how it happened for me.  My first Bite Beauty pick is the warm pink cream Rose from their Luminous Crème Lipstick collection.  I chose it for the creaminess and rich opacity of the swatch, and the summery pink colour.  Unfortunately it appears a lot more coral in my pictures but trust me it's definitely a pink - Bite describe it as a peachy pink to give you more of an idea.

 

 

 

The Luminous Crème formula glides on and one swipe gives guaranteed coverage.  These feel so divinely creamy on the lips too! The creaminess makes me want to apply it, not just because it's a pretty colour but because it feels so comfortable and enriching on my lips.  Wear time is fantastic and lasts a good few hours without a touch up - and no bleeding!! There is a very slight scent when sniffing the bullet in the tube but it is not detectable once on the lips. 

 

The report card ingredients wise is A+ too.  From the Sephora website:

 

"This lip color delivers super antioxidant resveratrol, which fights free radicals with potent long-term antiaging benefits. Each lipstick contains the amount of resveratrol found in five glasses of red wine...

 

What it is formulated WITHOUT:

- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic Dyes
- Petrochemicals
- Phthalates
- GMOs
- Triclosan"

 

If I must be picky it will be about two things - and one is me just being plain ridiculous probably and revealing more about myself and my own quirks than any real failing of this lipstick:

 

1) Price - Of course right?  Unfortunately these are around $36.95AUD or slightly more than MAC down here.  Given the fantastic formula - antiaging is the word - I can forgive the price.

 

2) The rubberized grey packaging is a bit too utilitarian for my liking.  That's just my opinion of course and stems from a lifelong dislike of anything grey after wearing it as my school uniform for six years.  Okayyyy, that is definitely just me and my personal preferences taking over.

 

Swatched on the back of my hand...

 

...and on my lips

 

Overall, I think this lipstick deserves a place on my own little lipstick leader board.  It's almost up there with my precious Tom Fords.  Yes I am 100% serious.

 

Have you been bitten by Bite Beauty lipstick?



Sephora: Hippie Hippie Shake

Our Melbourne summer has been all over the place since it started but all the same I decided to embrace the summer vibe with a retro summer shade of polish.

 

Sephora's Hippie Hippie Shake is quite retro in my book as it's a shimmery hot pink-coral - something of a throwback to the 1960's maybe as its name suggests???  Well I took the leap and I think this polish is perfect for summer. So perfect in fact I decided it was the thing for my first official summer pedicure too.  It's a joyously fun colour which really reminds me of icy watermelon granita.  Summery indeed...

Shade

 

 

Sun

 

 

What are your colour picks for summer?