Tuesday, December 22, 2009

**December Haul**

I am extremely excited about the stuff I hauled this December *jumps around the room*. Most of the stuff I bought is pretty hard to find especially in Australia and I finally have triumphed in my epic battle (very lame, I know). I anticipate more hauls with the MAC Gift cards I have been hinting at for christmas :)

So for now these are my December babies. Welcome to the family!!

MAC Refined MSF (LE)

MAC Spiced chocolate quad (LE)

Urban decay Book of shadows 2


Urban decay super stash


* Urban decay product images from urbandecay.com

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Iheartredcherry haul

So I bought a couple of lashes when iheartredcherry store was having their Labour day sale.. the whole lot cost me around 25 aud with shipping. Some bloggers have had trouble with the store but my stuff arrived alright (obviously!) but it did take nearly a month for me to get them which was a bit of a pain.. Anyways onto the pictures...

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The entire haul

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I got a mixture of natural and dramatic lashes. These are my first lashes apart from my MAC # 7s
3 x Red Cherry Lash #1
2 x Red Cherry Lash #99
1 x Red Cherry Lash #119
2 x Red Cherry Lash #62
1 x Red Cherry Lash #42
2 x Red Cherry Lash #47
1 x Red Cherry Lash #46
1 x Red Cherry Lash #15

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Egg olive oil hair conditioner

My hair has been looking less healthy than usual.. probably because I have been washing it everyday after the beach. I have also finished my Omega 3 capsules and am in an air conditioned environment all day and night long... not so great for the follicles.

A quick remedy for limp dull hair is a hot oil massage. When I was growing up mum would give me an oil massage twice a week with a homemade oil made out of coconut oil and boiled red hibiscus. Now, I prefer using plain old extra virgin olive oil for my hair. But this time my hair needed extra conditioning so I made the dreaded smelly egg hair oil mixture.

Ingredients:
2 eggs
Extra virgin olive oil
vinegar/lemon juice
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Basically I whipped up the eggs like I was making an omelette with two tablespoons of olive oil and added a teaspoon of vinegar.

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Then with some cotton wool I covered my hair from root to tip and then let it dry till my hair went stiff (around 45 mins). Then I rinsed my hair out with luke warm water (do NOT use warm/hot warm as you might cook the egg) and then shampooed it as usual. I use some conditioner on the tips of my hair only.

Why does this work? Apparently eggs may strengthen hair follicles due to its high protein content and also add volume, shine and texture to hair.

Still skeptic?


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Before: Dull and limp


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After 1 use: Hair looks much more healthy and is now shiny!

* Both pictures taken with flash. Please excuse the many fly-a-ways after picture :)

PROS: The pros are pretty obvious from the pictures. My hair feels alot softer, has more volume and bounce, is shinier and generally alot healthier than before.

CONS: From experience, if you don't wash out the mask completely and shampoo well enough, hair can smell like you have put eggs in it. Inevitably, the bathroom you use to wash your hair will not smell that great either. I put up with these minor cons as I have used many hair masks before (both commercial and natural) but have not yet found one that does wonders for my hair like this one!

What do you use to remedy dull hair?

Monday, November 16, 2009

Simple purple smokey eye

So this is from a few months ago.. As you can see I really haven't honed into my picture taking skills but I'm still trying. This is the first smokey purple look that I have ever tried. Was inspired by Temptalia's and XinaRox purple smokey eye looks. I should have packed more shadow on, extended the eye shadow above the crease and darkened the outer V and smoked out the lower lash line.

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Used:
Blacktract fluidline as base
Parfait amour on lid
Nocturnelle on crease
MUFE 92 in outer V
MUFE eyeliner 11L (purple) on waterline
Lancome Hypnose mascara (quite clumpy since it was nearly over in the tube)

Simply fabulous dahlings




Pics from MAC cosmetics website


Remember my pigment dilemma?

Well, the very generous new blogger Mommy Fabulous is offering a super giveaway including a choice of MAC Mischief Makers holiday sets including my current loves - the piggie sets and with more followers she is getting more generous! For details on this giveaway visit: http://jeanicejoi.blogspot.com/2009/11/welcome-to-blog-world-giveaway.html NOW!

Also, she blogs about her life as a mum in Las Vegas and her own little mischief maker!

Animal instincts

Spring trends 2010
Photo credit: NYMag.com

If I had to choose a print that I'm most fond of it would have to be animal print. I know it is considered a "trend" but I don't really pay attention to that! I have almost every body part covered.. from gloves, scarves, sun glasses to shoes, clothes and even makeup!

I thought it would be fun if I shared some of fav "wild" things so here they are...


Style warriors Refined golden bronzer

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What better way to start off than with MAC. Amazing bronzer that does not look muddy.. I do not reach for this that often though but I should!!

SHOES
Black peep-toe shoes with animal print lining from H&M. I really like the cut-out detail on the sides

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    My leopard print stilettos from Steve Madden - These are most probably a rip-off of Loubutins but I love them anyway!


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Jewellery
The hoops from H&M and the other was a gift from an aunt who visited SouthAfrica


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I wore this dress when I graduated with my Bachelors degree. Ahh.. memories

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Sunday, November 15, 2009

Blog Love

I read ALOT of blogs.. usually my google reader unread posts are more than a 100 a day. Some of my fav non-beauty blogs in no particular order are:


Postsecret - exactly like it sounds.. I am pretty sure everyone is familiar with this one
Link: http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

Style arena- Streetstyle Japanese blog
Link: http://www.style-arena.jp/en/

Desire to inspire- An amazing interior decorating blog, features beautiful inspiring pictures
Link: http://www.desiretoinspire.net/

Karla's closet
Links: http://www.karlascloset.com/

Couture Carrie- Who needs Vogue when CC brings it all to your inbox
Link: http://couturecarrie.blogspot.com/

Picky Piggies

Well, its 2 am and I'm now officially twitter obsessed! Speaking of the O-word: MAC pigments.. I'm having a bit of trouble deciding which MAC holiday pigment set will be mine... I'm basically torn between Cool capers --> love fuschia, grape and deep blue green but I think I will get more wear out of sexpot smoky --> love naked, sunnydaze and chocolate brown pigment. I could always get both though! :)

Oh- Sea foam eyes was the "chosen one" for a friends 21st birthday on Saturday night. I wore it with NARS torrid blush with my love Albatross as a highlighter and mixed MAC Freckletone and Lollypop Loving on my lips with MAC lustreglass in Love Nectar.
My outfit was a strapless mini coral dress from Forever21 with a bright yellow cotton cashmere cardi with snakeskin (fake) gladiator heels. Unfortunately did not have the foresight to snap a pic but will remember the next time!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

My MAC imagination

Sometimes during work (doing a PhD is work!) I find myself drifting away into a MAC dreamland while waiting for reactions to occur. Often this involves coming up with an idea for a look in my head. I still consider myself a makeup novice and have not tried all these looks as yet but here are some. Oh, I also name them like I know what I'm doing :)

Sea foam eyes
Rubensque pp
Goldmine in inner corner
Teal pigment on the rest of the lid
Shimmermoss on middle lid
Deep truth on crease
Carbon/Club on outer V
lower lash line - goldmine and club


Fiery Gold
Rubensque pp
Cocomotion pigment foiled 2/3rd lid
Coppering e/s 1/3rd lid
Fuschia (88 palette) in outer crease
lower lash line- woodwinked

Fairy floss
On a black base (NYX black bean/blacktrack fluidline)
Silver ring e/s near tear duct
Parfait Amour all over lid
Nocturnelle outer V
Mufe 92 in crease

I might just do one of these looks this weekend!

Duty free shopping list

To stop thinking about all the fabulous cosmetic related sales now on in the US (namely the Urban decay and sephora ones) I have decided to make a list of all my cravings for the end of 2010. I am going to be going home in 4 weeks (yay!) and will be passing through the duty free heavens of both Singapore and Dubai. Did someone say "Put that on my credit card please!"

From the MAC holiday collection:
Smoke and Mirrors eye kit (for mommy)
Models misbehaving lip kit
Cool capers pigment set
Sexpot smokey pigment set

For swatches: http://www.specktra.net/forum/f217/mac-magic-mirth-mischief-holiday-kits-part-i-oct-09-a-146301/index2.html


From Clinique
eyecream

If I were able to buy stuff from the US sales I would get:
UD book of shadows II
UD set of 24/7 liners
NARS blushes in luster, cactus rose, gilda
No harm in wishful thinking right? :)

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Top 5 Favourite eye shadows (MAC and MUFE)

I am a NC 42 in MAC's foundation and have brown eyes. I have had a pretty tough time finding colours that I LOVE compared to those I just like.

First of all, I like many other MU newbies did not realise what a difference a base makes to eyeshadow application. Buy a base!! It makes the world of difference to how your makeup looks all night long and also makes blending heaps easier. I used to use MAC paintpots for a while but have recently started using Two Faced Shadow Insurance eye primer (which cost me 55 AUD! rip off much??) but it was worth every cent. Even after an exhausting night out my eyemakeup looks like I just put it on. Also, not included in this list are the basics like a highlight (eg: shroom, ricepaper) and matte black (eg: carbon).

Ok... now to my MAC loves:


1. Woodwinked - An antique brown which shows up with a hint of gold on my lids. Amazing colour that still does not have a dupe. Its a veluxe pearl and blends like buttah on my lids.

2. Amberlights & goldmine - Heehee.. so I cheated. Every brown girl must own both of these. They make our skin glow. Amberlights is an orangey gold and goldmine a yellow gold.

3. Cocomotion pigment (LE) - Yes, this is another gold one.. :) but this one has tiny sparkles in it that are jaw dropping gorgeous. I was really afraid that pigments would be hard to work with but they really are of a superior quality than pan shadows and you get so much more quantity with a pigment than a shadow.
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4. Club eyeshadow - This ones a bit of a toughy to work with. The colour of it changes with what you wear with it. Some call it a browny green, even, greyish green/blue. I love lining my eyes with this one.

5. MUFE 92 - A gorgeous purple eyeshadow with God sent vibrancy and colour payoff. There is no dupe for this one and even though MAC makes a gazillion purple shadows this one IMO beats all of them.


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Basic eyemakeup rule:

Brown eyes + purple shadow/liner = VAVAVOOM *pop* eyes



SWATCHES

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*Swatched on NC 42 skin

Also, everyone is rocking the purple eyes right now and look gorgeous

For visualisation of the *pop* with purple eye shadow check out these beautiful talented ladies:

http://bubblegarm.blogspot.com/2009/10/fotd-purple-eyeshadow.html

http://xinarox.blogspot.com/2009/01/smokey-purple-eyes-makeup-look.html --> I recreated this and it looks lovely

http://toomuchblush.blogspot.com/2009/07/young-punk-face.html

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Stuck 6 mths behind the rest of the world

I love looking at the new collections... both fashion and beauty, but it kind of sucks being in Oz where we are always in spring when the Fall collections come out and vice versa.

Beauty/fashion trends for the season are just gaining momentum and I find myself a bit envious of the US folk who get to wear their new Style black stuff in fall instead of Warm and Cozy in summer!

I have always wondered... Does Oz stand 6 months before/after the trends. Do we wait till the next season to rock our new goodies or do we rock them right now?

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

NOTD Bright pink zebra nails

Here is my first attempt at using Konad's Nail art plates. I am soo happy with the results!! I love pink and love animal print so this combo is definately a keeper for me. It does take a bit of practice to mkae it work when you just start off with it.. but these babies took me 45 mins to do and the best part is that it looks really professional.

Items used: Konad (m57 plates) and Essie's Fruit Sangria (a bright pink)

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Mischief Makers Collection

nov 5th (all locations)

Mischief Makers
mini lipglass/lustreglass $29.50/$35.50

sexy shenanigans soft:
lipglass:
elle-white pink with pearlized pigments
poetic license-coral rose
cruise control-pastel pink with white pearlized pigments

lustreglass:
ensign-peachy pink with white and gold pearlized pigments
morning glory

frisky business bright:
lipglass:
silly girl-pastel peach with multicoloured pearlized pigments
totally it-sheer bright pink with pink pearlized pigments
beaute-bright coral with pearlized pigments

lustreglass:
pinkarat
wonderstruck

models misbehaving deep:
lipglass:
pinkular-bronzed copper
magnetique-frosted violet fuchsia
gitane-burnt red orange with pearlized pigments

lustreglass:
angel wing-deep plum with golden pearlized pigments
instant gold

!!!mini pigments/glitter $32.50/$38.50!!!
haute high jinks warm:
pigments:
jardin aires
rushmetal
copperized
museum bronze

glitter:
reflects gold

cool capers:
pigments:
kitschmas
fuchsia
grape
deep blue green

glitter:
reflects transparent teal

sexpot smoky:
pigments:
naked
sunnydaze
chocolate brown
dark soul

glitter:reflects antique gold

Fun in the sun Indeed!!

oct 15th (mac store only)

mineralize kit $59.50/$71.50

pinkzapoppin!:
light flush MSF
dainty MB
love connection MES
181SE brush

fun in the sun:
shimpagne MSF
nuance MB
play on plums MES
181SE brush

OMG fun in the sun is mine... :)

Upcoming MAC collections contd..

*Credit due to erine1881 on Spectra
oct 15th (all locations)

magic, mirth, and mischief!
lip, eye, and face kits
sleek pewter coloured metal compact with a whimsical yet chic dot design that corresponds to the shades inside:

devil may dare warm eyes: $36/$43.50
dare ya!-light frosty peach pink (VP)
devilishly dark-rich brown with gold pearlized pigments (VX)
oh my darling-pale frosty cream (S)
prankster-mid tone frosty olive (VP)
sorcery-blackened burgandy (S)
gold tease-frosty mid tone gold (F)
213SE brush

sorceress eye: $36/$43.50
magnetized-light frosted lavendar (VP)
altered state-deep frosted blue purple (VP)
white rabbit-frosted soft white (F)
edge of dark-charcoal with silver pearlized pigments (L)
hold my gaze-mid tone cool green grey (S)
hypnotizing-frosted greyed mauve (F)
213SE brush

mystic cool eye: $36/$43.50
cool incantation-opalescent white gold (F)
shh, don't tell-pale neutral pink (F)
blue enchantment-dark frosted turquoise (S)
rose potion-mid tone frost rose (VX)
deep secret-deep frosted indigo (F)
violet vow-deep cool brown (S)
213SE brush

smoke and mirrors eye: $36/$43.50
fire in her eyes-frost neutral beige (F)
black magique-black with gold pearlized pigments (VX)
deception-frosted golden brown (F)
spell no. 9-soft muted pink biege (TBC)
wide-eyed wonder-frosty greyed taupe (F)
smoke & mirrors-dark chocolate brown (S)
213SE brush

heavenly dish neutral lip: $22.50/$27
lipstick:floating lightly-pale neutral pink beige (L)
lipstick: heavenly dish-sheer mid tone neutral pink (S)
lipgloss: barely visible- pale nude with pealized pigments
316SE brush

possessed by pink!: $22.50/$27
lipstick: tickled-dark plum (L)
lipstick: laugh a lot-cramy mid tone blue pink (L)
lipgloss: sweet smile-mid tone pink with pearlized pigments

hocus focus colourful face: $38/$45.50
top:peachykeen sheertone shimmer blush sunsparked pearl beauty powder
bottom:pretty baby beauty powder

fab-racadabra bronze face: $38/$45.50
top:buffed & polished iridescent powdersunbasque sheertone shimmer blush
bottom:golden bronzing powder


magic, mirth, and mischeif lip and eye bags $36/$43.50
barrel silhouette cosmetic bag in metallic gunmetal fabric with pink trim and a charm zipper pull

put a spell on you pink lip:
lipstick:dream-mid tone pink with intense pearlized pigments (G)
dazzleglass: baby sparkspromo size
lip pencil: dervish

house of mirth deep lip:
lipstick:fantasia-deep rose (L)
dazzleglass: get rich quickpromo size
lip pencil: cedarnaughty

noir eye:
fluidline: blacktrack
pigment: shimmertime
promo size zoomlash: zoomblack
209SE brush

alakazam! chocolate eye:
fluidline: rich ground
pigment: melon
promo size zoomlash: zoomblack
209SE brush


magic, mirth and mischief brush bags $49.50/$58
barrel silhouette cosmetic bag in metallic gunmetal fabric with maroon trim and a charm zipper pull

do-the-trick buff and line:
168SE
187SE
209SE
219SE
252SE

wave of a wand sweep and define:
129SE
190SE
212SE
227SE
275SE

morning, noon & knight everything eye:
194SE
204SE
224SE
266SE
275SE

Upcoming MAC collections

* Credit due to Erine1881 on Spectra for info

Hold onto your seats ladies... Here comes the MAC train with our goodies for late 2009/2010

oct 15th (all locations)

magic, mirth, and mischief colour collection
lipstick:
$14/$16.50
pervette (repromote)total wow!-blue pink berry (G)(LE)
surprise me-mid tone peah (L)(LE)
utter fun-fuchsia cherry pink (L)(LE)

dazzleglass: $18/$21.50
jingle jangle-yellow pink wih red and sapphire pearlized pigments (LE)
she-zam-sheer silver with silver and red pearlized pigments (LE)
phiff!-sheer yellow peach (LE)

cremesheen glass: $18/$21.50

partial to pink (repromote)(LE)boy bait (repromote)(LE)
ever so rich (repromote)(LE)

mineralize eye shadow duo: base/crescent $19.50/$23.50
devil-may-care-rich light violet/silvermidnight madness-mid tone grey brown/gold
under your spell-light yellow, peach pink/rich copper
it's a miracle-deep blue burgundy/gold
mayhem-mid tone brown gold/silver
blue sorcery-bright turquoise/silver

softsparkle eye pencil: $14.50/$17.50
nightsky-(repromote)(LE)
iris accents-(repromote)(LE)

pro lash: $13/$15.50
coal black

mineralize blush: $21/$25
superdupernatural-mid tone coral (LE)
conjure up-mid tone plum (LE)

nail lacquer:$12/$14.50
$$$$$ yes-metallic silver foil (repromote)(LE)
lucky number-metallic blue pink (LE)

My first blog post!

Hi everyone! So I guess I have joined the masses and added yet another beauty blog to the world wide web. This blog, to me, will basically serve as an avenue to express my views on all things beauty and will perhaps be of help to someone. Catch you on the bright side!