Top Makeup artist's top ten beauty products

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.

1. 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
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Napoleon Perdis coal eye liner pencils. Rebecca uses the black one daily. $28
6. Maybelline Volume Express Waterproof Mascara. Beside making normal lashes look thick and lush, Rebecca has never had a client react to it. $16
7. 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
8. 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
9. 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.
10. 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.

This is not a sponsored post :)

Image credit

How to appear fit when you are not...

How to appear fit when you are not. This is a special skill and it's best that you don't skip any of these but add a few points of your own. This is all very important, so important I am going to use a list again even though I dislikes lists.

1. You MUST wear gym clothes for either the school drop off or pick up but not both.
2. Do stretches outside your kids class rooms. The bigger the better. People need to see it.
3. Nod at other people wearing gym clothes
4. Throw the following words into any sentence: reps, sets, kilos, kilometres, ripped, glutes and carbs

5. Drink protein shakes in public. If you don't like protein shakes, have a coffee in a shake drink container. I'm sure they do the same thing
6. Jog on the spot when talking to people
7. Wear a pedometer and check it often
8. Start every 3rd sentence with "oh, my trainer said........"
9. Limp or wear a bandage occasionally. Real fit people are always nursing injuries

10. Write numbers in permanent marker on your arms and legs. When people point them out say "oh how embarrassing. That's from the tri/bi/marathon etc I did on the weekend."

These are foolproof.

You are welcome.


PS: or you can actually go for a run or join a gym and be fit for real

Breakfast Circles

My favourite and the most important breakfast circle. DeLonghi Nespresso capsules.

Vegemite. I have never been able to eat it, but obviously there are a some people with bad taste in my house.

 An empty bowl of "yummy cereal". My daughter always calls it this. It's not yummy and is really called High Fibre Bites.

 Jelly Vitamin tablets. You can't stop your kids from wanting their vitamins.

 On the bench. Why doesn't anyone put the lid on anything and put it away. Oh that's right!! Because their bad tempered slave will do it!!

 MMmmm! Coffeeeeee

I hope you noticed that I put the images through Instagram and used the earlybird filter.  

PS: I am joining up for Wordless Wednesday at My Little Drummer Boys

Getting ready after the gym

Today I have a guest post at my lovely friend Kimba's blog Kimba Likes. Please pop over visit, say hello and have a look around.

Kimbalikes.com/how-to-get-ready-after-the-gym-redcliffe-style

5 things that annoyed me yesterday and 5 things that didn't

5 Things that annoyed me yesterday
1. I discovered that there are many, many things I left off my to-do-list. Now I have to start another one. This is why I hate lists
2. I realised my new short hair cut looks awesome when done and wearing makeup but makes me look like a boy when I don't wear makeup. I either need to put more effort in or buy some cleavage
3. I bought some wax strips. Did a bit of waxing and then realised I should have stopped a few strips ago
4. I couldn't stop eating. I was an eating machine. NO, I am not pregnant, just a really, really greedy girl
5. It was really windy. This is why August is my worst month. It's alway so windy. My hair looked even worse when windblown and standing up full of static

This is a self portrait, please feel free to take the image and use it willy nilly 

5 Things that made me happy yesterday:

1. The two blind pimples on my forehead went away instead of turning into horns. I was a little concerned about that
2. It was magazine Monday. I picked up my two favourite trashy mags and they were full of trash
3. I crossed everything off my to-do-list (before I discovered my list was sorely lacking)
4. I managed to fit in a 10k run. This was only on the tready but I watched a movie that I need to watch for a review so it was good multi-tasking
5. I received my Finalist Certificate for 'The new Business of the Year' in the mail

What annoyed you about your day?

I am worried about that Khloe and don't even get me started on poor Rob.

Yes, I am serious now.

5 Beauty mistakes and how to avoid them

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.

Magazine Freebies and maybe a giveaway

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.

PS: Products mentioned in the above vlog

MAC Lipstick in Matte Russian Red

BECCA Eye tint

IMAGE skincare

Pedi-sox

Pedi-sox Australian distributor is CNE Beauty salon supplies 

03 9484 1889

www.creativesnewedge.com.au 

PS: I am joining up for Wordless Wednesday at My Little Drummer Boys

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.

My Obsession...

I am very happy to tell you that I have a guest post today on the wonderful Styling You.  Please visit and say hello.

Here is the link:

http://www.stylingyou.com.au/2012/08/do-you-obsess-about-clothes/

Run, run, run

I had the most excellent run along the waterfront this morning.  Great weather, a nice pace, a beautiful view and I got into the zone. You know the zone, the one when you pretend you are P!nk. 10 kilometres and I think I could have kept on going. But, reality called and I had to get back to get the girls ready for school.

I felt great after my run. It's like all the crap clogging up my head has been was blown away. My to-do list is going to be my b!tch today.


What gets your head in the right place?

My running playlist was full of strong (maybe slightly angry) women - it was perfect:

1. I don't believe you - P!nk
2. Shake your Pom Pom - Missy Elliot
3. There you you - P!nk
4. Hips Don't lie - Shakira
5. Blow Me - P!nk
6. Murder on the Dancefloor - Sophie Ellis-Bextor
7. Raise your glass - P!nk
8. Trick Me - Kellis
9. Just like a Pill - P!nk
10. When I grow up - Pussycat Dolls 
11. I never liked you - Rogue Traders
12. So What! - P!nk
13. Here I come - Fergie

5 Tips to make sure you are happy with your hair when you leave the salon

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Ask your hairdresser if this would work with your hair and lifestyle.
4. Keep in mind how much time you have in the morning to achieve your new do.
5. 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.

Beautiful You Hair and Beauty

4 Duffield Road, Margate
07 3284 6463
www.beautifulu.com.au
beautifulu@bigpond.com

If you don't like being looked in the eyes...

This is the top for you.

I like to wear it when I am planning on telling lies.

Hunger Games fashion and giveaway

I am a huge fan of the Hunger Games trilogy. I bought them prior to the movie coming out and read them cover to cover within a week.  I had a clear image in my mind of the costumes and I loved the images I had created in my mind.

Then I saw the movie and they brought my imagination to life. I loved everything about the costumes.

I love the simple lines and muted colours of the people from District 12. I loved the dresses with modest hemlines and high necklines. Their braids and ponytails and their clean faces. These people had so much more to worry about than their appearances.

This was in stark contrast to the Capital.    

I love the exaggerated colours, hair and makeup of the Capitol. They were mesmerising. As much as I hated the people in the Capitol, I adored looking at them. They were all so vain, shallow and fabulous. Effie was my favourite. Ok, so her makeup was a little (a lot) caked on but other than that, she was perfect.

EDIT - This Giveaway has now closed and the winners have been notified. Thanks for entering.

To celebrate the release of the Hunger Games DVD I have three copies of the DVD to giveaway.  Please tell me below why you would like to win this and the three most entertaining answers will receive their own DVD.  Please enter prior to 6am on 21 August 2012

The Hunger Games is available to own on DVD and Blu-Ray 17th August  2012

Shattered

I just discovered these on my driveway. 

They belonged to a visitor.

It's funny how I feel guilty even though I wasn't here.  

PS: I am joining up for Wordless Wednesday at My Little Drummer Boys

Top 5 stands at Spa and Beauty Expo Sydney 2012

I don't know how, but I ended up joining my wonderful sponsors Beautiful You Hair and Beauty Day Spa on their annual trip to the International Spa and Beauty Expo in Sydney.  I don't think it's possible to plan a girlier weekend than this.  Four females, beauty products and ice-cream.

My favourite discoveries and moments:
1. By far my favourite discovery of the weekend, the Image skin care range. They gave me a peeling facial and my skin has never felt so amazing (I am caressing it as I write). I bought a few products then and now I am obsessing on getting my hands on all the other products.

2.  After my facial I would have been happy to let my gorgeous new skin glow, but we were heading out to dinner so I followed the facial with a makeover by Youngblood. They were so generous with their time and made us all look beautiful.

3. Smiink lashes. I wasn't sure about strip lashes. I thought they may look fake (Kardashian like) and pull out my natural lashes when they came off. Anyhoo, I pushed my concerns aside and let them lash me up. They look fantastic and natural AND you can re-use them another 20 or so times. Bargain!! They came off with a little makeup remover and water. No pulling required. I have always doubted my ability to apply lashes at home but I had no problem applying them again for the flight home. Flutter, flutter.

4. I needed to buy my girls at home a gift each. When I came across the Tangle Teezer stand I knew I had to buy them. I had heard these were excellent for long hair. I managed to resisted opening them to try. My girls love them. I have never seen them brush their hair so much.

5. OPI and Nicole. This, of course, was the busiest stand. All the polishes were $10 and $7. We bought up big time. I may have made some rash decisions. In fact, someone (Danielle) mentioned that my toes look fungal. Thank you!

Great news, Beautiful You will be stocking Image Skin care, Smiink lashes and OPI. They already have Youngblood. You will be able to buy these products in the salon or online.

I want to thank the wonderful Beautiful You Hair and Beauty Day Spa for sponsoring me for this trip. These products are my favourites from the expo and my opinions have not been bought, not with money, hotel accom, flights, peanut butter M&Ms or ice-cream.

And an extra special thank you to Penny xx

I am linking up with SAHM for IBOT x