Don't over pluck your eyebrows. It's better to leave them alone and let the professionals deal with them. Also, don't follow eyebrow fashion too closely. Stick with what works for your face. I remember being so jealous of Drew Barrymore's fine brows. I'm so glad I didn't go there.
Blend your foundation. Always double check your chin line and then blend again.
Just because your friends are wearing a particular craze it doesn't mean you should (cue flash back to apricot eyeshadow and bronze blush)
Lip liner isn't meant to be obvious. If you don't have the right one, then either don't use it or colour in your complete lip area.
Too much bronzer doesn't make you look like a bronzed beach goddess, more like a sun damaged hobo.
Pick one feature and bring it out. Either dramatic eyes or bright lips. Too much will make you look like a clown. Been there, done that.
Glosses won't melt in your hand bag
The one product that does EVERYTHING doesn't exist. Don't waste money on things like Thin Lizzie thinking they will.
Learn how to perfect liquid eyeliner.
You don't need makeup. Make sure you are happy not to wear it too.
In August I attended the Beauty expo in Sydney. There were hundred of stands and thousands of products. I stumbled across an Image Skincare stand. I'd never heard of them before and they were offering free facials. I couldn't resist for three reasons. It's a facial, I am a product whore and I needed to get off my tired, sore feet.
I immediately loved these products on a very shallow level. They smelled amazing and felt gorgeous. But smelling and feeling good isn't enough. DO THEY WORK?
Let's get real here. I am almost 40 years old. I have suffered from pimples and blackheads all my life. Pregnancy blessed me with lovely hyper-pigmentation and now I have wrinkles to add to the mix. Immediately
My skin looked great after the facial. I bought a small trial pack and within a week I was contacting them to purchase more. Still, one week isn't enough to know if they really work but it's long enough to know that they are working at a low level and my skin was reacting in a positive way
4 Months Later
I have had another two level 1 peels. My skin is smoother than it has ever been and my pigmentation is definitely fading. My love of these products had deepened. I am planning a few level 2 peels before my 40th as a present to myself. I am really excited to see the results.
What I like
My home care range includes only 6 products. I love that I don't need to buy 25 products to achieve results at home
I also find them well priced compared to other high end products.
They work at a cellular level
They are Paraben free, animal cruelty free, environmentally friendly, no chemicals preservatives or artificial fragrances
I am thrilled that my local beauty salon fell in love with Image too. This is very convenient. If you would like to check them out for yourself, contact Beautiful You and tell them I sent you ;)
This is not a sponsored post but an honest review of some gorgeous products.
I have been putting off my regrowth issues for a while. I knew it was time to do something with my hair but I wasn't sure what. I think that if you are unsure, then don't do anything. But, there was a fake grey that reappeared and forced my hand. With summer coming I decided it was time to lighten up a little. I settled on light brown with blonde highlights. It's quite a procedure to lighten hair that is dyed dark.
1. Strip the colour. This product is only applied to the dyed portion of the hair. The virgin roots (haha) are avoided
2. When this is rinsed out, you maybe left with strange, orange coloured hair. That's okay
3. Foils galore, focusing mainly on the front and top
4. Apply the colour over the rest of the unfoiled hair. My hairdresser uses Redken Chromatics. I would highly recommend it. They have zero ammonia and leave your hair gorgeous and shiny.
5. Rinse, style and admire how smart you were for making the change.
6. Your hair will require the correct home maintenance products to ensure your hair colour and condition is the best it can be. Ask your hair dresser for recommendations but I love the Redken Colour extend range for shampoo and conditioner and Extreme strength builder as a weekly (or bi-weekly) mask.
I am loving the new lighter, bronde (that's what my girls are calling it). Now I just want it to be long enough to braid, twist or knot for summer. This might be a little harder to achieve.
Yesterday I was in a bit of a slump. A friend who was at the end of one of my boring 'poor me' conversations later send me a message advising that she had booked me in for a massage. This wasn't necessary but was a pretty awesome thing to do. I wonder if it was a way for her to buy 60mins of silence from my moaning?
Any woo....
So at 9.28am I arrived, dah daaa. Paula, my therapist, started the treatment off with a foot soak, this gave me time to come up with plans to deal with my body issues during the massage. I am ridiculously self conscious. I was relieved when Paula showed me a mound of fluffy towels. When she came back I had hidden every inch of my nudish flesh under all of them.
Paula then began the Warm Seashell massage with Pure Fiji Gingerlily oil. Ummm, Oh my friggin' goodness. This was like a hot stone massage on steriods. After 5 mins I was ready to toss the shackles of those towels so she could do whatever she needed to.
The brochure reads "Drift away while enjoying a relaxing massage with warm sea shells and relaxing blends of aromatherapy oils. Tension is relieved and balance is restored with this unique massage experience"
I can't remember what my earlier problems were but I am thankful I have wonderful, thoughtful friends.
PS: This isn't a sponsored post. I just happen to have really cool friends in really cool places. If you want to experience this amazing massage, check out Beautiful You Hair and Beauty Day Spa 3284 6463 on the waterfront in Redcliffe.
The Quest awards were last Friday night and I had my very good friend and extremely talented Rebecca Kate come over for an afternoon of makeup, giggles and champagne. Is there any better way to spend an afternoon? Errr, no.
One of the many reasons I love hanging out with Bec is because she knows all the tips and tricks about makeup and is always happy to educate me. A few months ago she shared her top 10 makeup products. You must check this list out. She has recently discovered Arbonne products and was keen to show them off. The foundation is amazing. It has great coverage and didn't feel 'makeupy'.
I wanted my makeup to be all about the eyes and soft n' pinky everywhere else. Just over an hour later with slick eyeliner, lashes of lashes and my almost 40 year old skin looking dewy and fresh. I felt amazing and ready to rock the awards.
Before and after
The Awards
Some notes from the night:
I didn't win. Michel's Patisserie won my category. Congratulations to them and I hope they have many happy and successful years making spinach rolls
Chocolate makes me almost as happy as winning
Don't make silly promises. I had promised to thank "Jodi and Andrea" in my speech and do the caterpillar. I am not one to back out of a promise, but I do an awesome caterpillar
Don't accept silly dares. I was dared by someone (my sister, Kerrin) to put a sticker on the Mayor's back. After stalking him for 15 minutes common sense took over. It was either that, or my drink was empty
You can't eat too much finger food
My great friend Toni from Beautiful You won for best Beauty Services. They really deserve the win
Rebecca lives on the Northside of Brisbane, does weddings, events, workshops, individual lessons and more. You can find her on facebook at www.facebook.com/rebecca.kate.
I am a champion at getting ready in a limited time frame. I know that sounds braggy, but everyone has a skill and this is mine. I am an insomniac and I don't want to always look like death.
This morning I did in fact look like death and I had minutes to recify it.
Many people had questions about botox when I wrote about it last time. There were many, many quietly asked questions. Lots of whispers to me in the school yard, texts, messages and phone calls. Lots of queries about where? how much? and how long does it last?
I am not an expert, but I am happy to over share.
I had botox for the first time mid February, seven months later I was ready to go again. I certainly could have gone earlier but I didn't. Just over two weeks ago I visited COZmedics in Ascot for some more injections. I still only had the very angry lines between my brows injected.
So to answer some questions I have been asked a lot:
Would I do it again?
Yes How often?
I would be happy with twice a year How much did it cost?
It was $300 for that area Was it worth it?
I think so. I love not having my angry lines but I am happy with all the happy lines Would I do more than botox?
Hmm, maybe. I don't want to look frozen and I don't want to reverse ageing but I would be interested in learning more about temporary, simple, cost effective ways to look less angry and a little refreshed. Why did you do it?
All I could see were those two angry lines and I felt like I looked angry all the time. I hated the impression I was giving because it didn't reflect how I was feeling.
Clean the area...
then cool it with a phallic icicle.
Needles. I didn't feel a thing and the marks faded immediately
Pat the botox through, making sure it's setting in the right area
Before: very angry and frowny and obviously very worried
Vlog: 2 weeks post botox injections, showing frowning in motion
Botox! Would you? Have you?
This is not a sponsored post. I have not been paid to review this business or product
Vlog time. I am sharing four great new products I have recently discovered. Even better, they are all under $20. Winning!
Garnier BB Cream. Miracle Skin Perfector for Oily & Combinations Skin $13.95. All-in-one B.B. Cream. Oil free. SPF 15. I have been using the light one and I really like it. I love the matt finish and it has nice coverage for daytime.
Garnier Dark Spot Corrector. Daily Unifying Moisturiser with Vitamin C $16.95. This corrects discolouration for even skintone. This feels great on and can be used day and night.
Sexy red nail polish from Butter Nail polish in Pillar Box Red. This is Free with Instyle Magazine October Issue. I love that this is from their 3 free range. Free from Formalldehyde, Toluene and DBP.
Makellos Eye Primer $12.95. Great colour and price and easy to use. I love their range of loose Shimmer powders too.
This is not a sponsored post. I have not received payment but I did receive the Garnier and Makellos products to try.
I am pretty lucky. I'll be 40 years old in February and I am quite proud of the fact I don't have any grey hairs or any fillings in my teeth. In fact, I might even be a little cocky about it.
Then my dear hairdresser pointed out that I did in fact have some. I doubted her and when I got home I went immediately to the mirror and started digging around. At first I thought it was a reflection of light on my shiny, shiny hair. Then I looked harder and I realised something was there. On closer inspection I came to the conclusion that it's probably a rare albino hair, I noticed a few other rare albino hairs too.
I am glad I got to the bottom of it, because when I thought it was grey. It really knocked my confidence and made me doubt myself. I don't know why but it did.
I still don't have any fillings. I will stay quietly cocky about this too.
Have you had any grey hairs yet? How did you feel?
It's that time again. The weather is going to start warming up and we are going to shed our winter layers and want to do something (anything) to freshen up our look.
Some huge hair trends for Spring 2012 are:
1. Short, short, short. I have already jumped on this bandwagon and feel free to join me. It's great getting the heavy hair off your neck and it's so easy and quick to style. Think Anne Hathaway, Evan Rachel Wood, Ginnifer Goodwin, Miley Cyrus
2. Colour. Bright playful colours are still huge. Any colour and don't think it's just for rocks stars. This is a good friend of mine and she is rockin' a rainbow of gorgeous colours. Think P!nk, Kelly Osbourne
3. What I like to call the undone do. The dramatic Balayage is going and being replaced with a more natural look. I am relieved, I am over it. The new version doesn't look like regrowth, it looks like summer visited and the kissed the ends of your hair. Then you have to make it look like it dried naturally into a perfect rolled-out-of-bed do. ThinkAlexa Chung, Rachel Bilson
4. The fringe. This is a quick way to have a dramatic change. It's also awesome when you can't afford botox. It'll hide forehead wrinkles. Think Jessica Biel, Zooey Deschanel
5. Short bobs. This still remains one of the most popular hair styles. This time it's shorter with movement. ThinkCarmeron Diaz AND Looks to Avoid Kim Kardashian Playboy hair extensions and waves. Extreme balayage over the top wigs like Nicki Minaj
A great friend of mine is an amazing makeup artist. With a stroke of her brush and a flick of her wrist she creates dewy gorgeousness on the dullest complexion, sexy goddess looks on the quietest wallflower and delicate beauty on a tired worn out housewife. In fact, she did all this to me in one go. Yes, she is that clever.
Over the years Rebecca has tried, sourced, begged and discovered hundreds of products and she is happy to share her top ten favourites of all time. I adore it when people are happy to share their knowledge.
Inglot Primer. This makes your skin velvety smooth and preps it perfectly for foundation to be flawless and keeps your foundation lasting all day long. $35 at Ingot stores. These are located at most Westfield Shopping Centre
Benefit 'Stay don't stray' eye primer. You can use this product all around your eye area. Apply it to your eye lid as a primer under eyeshadows or under your eye before applying your concealer. This has the cutest packaging too. This is $45 and you can find it David Jones.
M.A.C. Paint Pot eye primer. Rebecca uses this product on all her clients. It's a gorgeous primer that makes anything you put on your eyelid last forever. It also prevents shadows creasing in the socket and it is the one of her favourite 'I can't live without' products. $35 and they come in many colours. M.A.C can be found in Westfield Shopping Centres.
Kranberry Lipstick from Youngblood. Her perfect red lipstick. This is a stunning colour and looks amazing on. Red lipstick instantly makes you feel sexy and glammed up. $32 Beautiful You in Margate stocks Youngblood. You can buy online too.
Youngblood Brow Artiste kit. This helps creates gorgeous thick, arched, defined eyebrows. The kit includes two powders, a gel, a stiff brush and a pair of tweezers. They cover all brow colours from platinum blonde to black. $69
Napoleon Perdis Light Patrol luminizer palette. This is a beautiful highlighting/contouring palette. You can have perfect apples and give definition by creating perfectly highlighted cheek bones. Use the highlighter all over your face to create a luminous glow. This is perfect for spring. $72
NARS Illuminator 'super orgasm'. Use it on your cheeks or mix a little in with your foundation for this spring/summer season ahead and give your foundation a little kick. It will look dewy and youthful. Great for a girl's night out. $48 at Mecca cosmetics.
Ardell Duralash lashes. These are Bec's favourite lashes of all time. You can buy them online or at your favourite Terry White chemist. They are 100% human hair and are cheap as chips. $8.50 for a packet or strip lashes start from $10.95.
Thanks Bec, for sharing your top ten. I love your work. xx
Rebecca lives on the Northside of Brisbane, does weddings, events, workshops, individual lessons and more. You can find her on facebook at www.facebook.com/rebecca.kate.
There are a few beauty mistakes that drive me nuts and I am probably guilty of them all. I try to avoid committing these terrible crimes but sometimes, accidents happen.
Here are a list of crimes and how to minimise the damage:
Lipstick on the teeth. This always happens when I apply red lipstick because of this I know to check the mirror after application. If you are still concerned then go for a lighter lipstick or gloss because isn't so obvious when smeared across your pearly whites.
Over plucked eyebrows. I know it use to be fashionable to have thin or over-shaped brows. Many, many years have passed since then. Why is there a new breed of over-plucked or mis-shaped brows? I don't trust myself, so I like to place my brows in the hands of a professional. This is a necessary expense. Also, invest in a eyebrow pencil or shadow to fill them in. Ask the professional to demonstrate the most natural technique.
The dreaded foundation line. It is worse when the face is orange and the neck is white but a line is still a line. Blend, blend, blend. Also, your skin changes colour through out the year. Your summer foundation won't be the same as your winter one. Have your foundation matched regularly.
Clumpy Mascara. Replace your mascara often. When mascara gets old, it gets thicker and more likely to clump. After applying the mascara, brush through with a clean mascara wand to separate the lashes. If you don't have a mascara wand, use your husband's toothbrush but clean it before you put it back. The black marks will give it away.
Dark lipliner. Lipliner should never be obvious. I use it when I wear my red lipstick because I need all the help I can get to keep my lipstick where it should be. To avoid the obvious line, I outline my lips and then colour them in with the lipliner before applying lipstick. When I use a lighter lipstick or gloss I just avoid it all together.
If you see me out and about with unblended concealer, a foundation line or lipstick on my teeth, it's obviously just another day in my imperfect world. I would much prefer you to tell me than to worry it might embarrass me.
What are your biggest makeup mistakes? Or even better, dob in a friend. This is a safe zone and they will never know.
It's time for another vlog before I forget how to or lose my camera confidence. Here are a few great products and maybe, just maybe, there is a little giveaway at the end for one lucky person. But you'll never know if you don't make it through the 3mins.
Edit: The winner of the Pedi-sox has been notified by email.
This is not a sponsored post and I have not received any payment. All product have been bought by me except for the Pedi-sox. These samples were received as a gift from Pedi-sox. I will only share products I like but I am also a bit of a product floozie and I fall hard and often.
Every girl must have a great hairdresser that you can trust and that listens to you. A hairdresser that is honest with you about what you can achieve with the hair you have been cursed blessed with.
I luckier now with my current hairdresser but over the years I have had some hair shockers. I still have nightmares about my undercut, the wedge and the Mrs Brady layered do. I think the majority of my hair shockers were caused by a combination of:
My stupid inspiration choices
Hairdressers lack of skill
Our bad communication
Hairdresser cockiness. I am so great, me, me, me, snip snip snip and "oh...a masterpiece"
My unrealistic expectations
Here are five tips to ensure you are happier when you leave the salon:
Bring in photos of your inspiration and try to include a back of head photos (this is always a little harder but very helpful). If you can't find a photo, then take a photo of someone you see when you are out and about. I find that people are usually happy for you to take a snap and are flattered you like their hair so much.
Be honest with yourself about how much time and money you are going to put into maintaining your cut and colour. Blonde can look amazing but are you really going to do your re-growth every 4 weeks? I am poor and lazy, therefore I need a low maintenance do.
Ask your hairdresser if this would work with your hair and lifestyle.
Keep in mind how much time you have in the morning to achieve your new do.
Make you you have the right products for your hair. If you have the right products you will be able to maintain the cut and colour for longer between cuts.
I have always felt I was boring and stuck in a rut with my hair. Then I looked over the last year. I wonder what I should do next?
What is the worst hair do you have had?
It's no secret that I love my hairdresser. I have been seeing her for a few years, before I started blogging and before they were sponsors and advertisers on Redcliffe Style. My high opinion of them hasn't been bought but has been careful nurtured.
