LOVE LOVE LOVE: POPPY "SHINE"

So let me take a moment to to rave about a lip product that I had long forgotten... Poppy "SHINE" Lip gloss!!!

If you were a 90's teen as I was you would definately remember The lipstick line that were all matte by "lipstick Queen" Poppy King.

Well the Lipstick Queen is back!!!!

I only rediscovered my pot of "lip" gold 2 weeks ago. It has not left my sparkly make up bag since! I die for the packaging and the box you get it in, the shape of the jar, the product it is!!!

Now I must pre warn you. This is a MEGA-WATT lip lacquer, yes it is sticky... but never, ever, have I used a gloss that stayed on for so long, made my lips appear so full, and gave my lips such a luber shine as this gloss does!!!

Yes I am telling you ladies spoil yourselves,(even if you usually dont like a sticky gloss). Believe me it is a must have!

The range of colours are beautiful. CLEAR is my one true love and all I have been sporting these last 2 weeks... SOLID!!!!

Where can you find the long lost love of my "lippy" life???? If you live in Australia go to "KIT". A jar will set you back $35.95, but need I mention again how worth it, it is!!

Ladies give it a go... tell me what you think!!

xxx

LOVE LOVE LOVE: DIOR'S EXTASE MASCARA

Very surprised the first time I ever tried Dior's "EXTASE" mascara.. very surprised in a great way!!! "EXTASE" absolutely blows Dior's "Dior Show" out of the water...completely. As you may have seen in an earlier blog my first love in "mascara land" has always been (and still is) YSL FAUX CILS. However when I tried Dior's latest offering I would have to say it comes a close second.

For those of you who are long time lovers of "Dior show" ... my thoughts on that particular product is that it's OK... it defiantly didn't rock my world. The wand looked fabulous and big, but the formula just seemed to dry out so quickly.. too quickly and just did not deliver on the BIG LASH promise.

Not "EXTASE" this Dior mascara delivers.. with it's unusual wand that reminds me (shape wise) of three balls joined together, it somehow picks up every single lash... even the short stumpy ones that never seem to show. The texture is creamy with what I consider to be the perfect thickness. But best of all I have been using it exclusively for 2 and a half months and not only does it not flake... but it has not dried out!!! WINNER!!!!

Yes Dior "EXTASE" is a little on the expensive side of mascara's.. but well worth the extra dollars.

Smooches
xx

LOVE LOVE LOVE: M.A.C LASH CURLER

As you join me on this journey of make up you will soon come to realise that I have a weakness for anything to do with "LASHES". I cant help myself... even when creating a look on my clients one of my BIGGEST tips is.. do not forget your lashes....

Lashes are one of the greatest features that you can really play up even if you are not wearing any make-up at all. The one tool I never ever leave out of my daily routine is my trusty M.A.C eye lash curler.

I know there are many of you out there... and you know who you are, that either do not use one due to fear or even worse use a curler that is poor quality and doing nothing for that curl you crave. You may think that purchasing a "cheap" curler will do just as good a job as a more "expensive" one...but i have to tell you they just don't.. Now I am not saying that you must spend a weeks pay cheque, however don't skimp on this tool either. I have tried and tested so many of all different price points that are on the market..... so believe me when I say the M.A.C lash curler is the one that I ALWAYS go back to.

I am her to give you a simple "step by step" guide that will lead you to that perfect curl every lady longs for.

You will need... 1 x Eye lash curler & 1x mirror

Step 1:
I like to use a compact mirror that i hold in my left hand. I then take my lash curler and place my thumb and middle finger in the "loops" for a firm grip (feel free to use what ever hands or fingers you wish... this is just what works for me)

Step:
I place the compact infrount of my eye tilting my head upward a little so I have a clear view of my eye's and lashes.

Step 3:
Bring the lash curler toward your "right" eye making sure the curve is facing you. As you approach the lash area open the lash curler fully.

Step 4:
Place the top part of the curler just on your eyelid... you should be able to feel the metal. You should also see your lashes come through the opening (you want to get as close to the lash line as possible, but you do not want to pinch yourself).

Step 5:
Once you are feeling comfortable begin to press your thumb and middle finger together.. this will "clamp" your lashes, hold it quite firmly... hold this position for 5 seconds. Once you have held it for that time DO NOT LET GO... you can realese the pressure and open a little but DO NOT MOVE IT.

Step 6:
Then I want you to bring the curler back to the "CLAMP" position.... only this time I want you "clamp" and open, "clamp" and open 3 times. (again each time clamping down firmly)

Step 7:
Once the above step is complete, remove the curler away from your eye so you can view your curled lashes (if you feel like you would like them to be a little more curled just repeat the above steps)... once you have your desired curl (on both eye's) feel free to pump as much mascara on them as you like....

It takes a couple of practise rounds but I promise if you take your time you will never go back to wearing straight lashes....

Give it a go.... let me know what you think.

Smooches
xx

LOVE LOVE LOVE: M.A.C CLEAR GLASS

Oh how i do love love love a glassy lip. There is nothing more sexy than fresh glowing skin... with shiny lips. It is one of the easier looks to pull off yet so under rated.

The clear lip is a definate "go to" look for me, as my lip colour is sometimes the perfect shade of pink and then other times they look red... so clear allows both of my lip shades to "shine".

Now there are many gloss' on the market... (I think i may be a little addicted to them... I have WELL over 100)... and there are so many textures you can choose from. I have to say M.A.C Clear Glass is NO1 in my book. I like a gloss that is a little tacky and over the top "glassy"... yep... my M.A.C gloss ticks all those boxes!!!

Every lady and or fella should own a clear glass... your make up bag is just not complete without it!

Smooches.
xx

LOVE LOVE LOVE: SMITH'S ROSEBUD SALVE

OK... Let me start by saying I do adore this product. It's not just the divine vintage looking tin, or the fact that the colour of the salve itself is a stunning pink or that it gives your lips such a "HIGH SHINE"! I love Smith's Rosebud Salve because it is so multi purpose.

We are talking about a product that can be uses on the most chapped of lips (or skin for that matter), to the odd blemish, worked in to nails and dry cuticles all the way to using it as a means to soften the delicate area around your eyes at night.

As a make-up artist this is one staple that can ALWAYS be found in my kit. It is such a handy produt to have... especially if you are wanting to create a dewy make-up look, without looking oily. Simply use a "lil" salve on your ring finger and tap it along any part of your face that you desire a "sheen".

My lips are addicted to my beloved Smith's Rosebud "LIP" salve.

TIP: Do not leave the tin of salve in a situation where it could over heat... say... your car... it will melt... trust me.

Smooches.
xx

LOVE LOVE LOVE: BROW THREADING

Brow threading is by far the best invention I never knew I needed in my life.... that is until I tried it!

For those of you who may not have heard about this "ART FORM" let me tell you about it.

Brow threading is a technique most well known within the Indian and Middle Eastern cultures. It is quite literally removing hair with pure cotton thread. Because they are using a piece of thread looped, and hair is removed one line at a time, the outcome is far more precise than that of waxing or tweezing.

The experience of having your brows threaded is a little different, rather than just lying there, the brow expert will ask you to hold the skin quite taught around the eye area (one hand will pull down on the eyelid while the other hand will pull just above your brow). They will then begin the process of threading....It does not hurt the ways waxing and tweezing sometimes can, although sometimes it can feel as though you want to sneeze. Having your brows threaded is so well worth it especially once you see the results. You will never have such an amazing clean, polished finish to your brows as when you have them threaded.... (just like Kim Kardashian) I promise!!

The cost of having your brows threaded can vary depending on where you go. I have been to quite a few places where I have paid as little as $5....

However where I have been getting my brows threaded most recently costs $25 (the best money I have ever spent). The two ladies that provide this service are amazing, you tell them what shape you want... they give it to you. Even better once they have completed your brows they give you a "mini brow massage" whilst applying some soothing cream.

Where do I get mine done?
Ottoman 3 (found on the beauty level of Myers @ Highpoint shopping centre, Melbourne)

Smooches.
xx

LOVE LOVE LOVE: YSL MASCARA

YSL Mascara

Volume effect faux cils

This particular mascara gives the ultimate in amazing lash!!!

3 things I adore about this mascara are:

Its beautiful two toned "GOLD" packaging that just screams luxury.
The large yet easy to use brush.
The smooth consistency of product.

When you use this mascara you will see why there is LOVE... I promise!!!
The simple fact is this product does what it says it will do... it WILL give you the false lash effect!!!! How "fake" you want your lashes to look will simply depend on the number of coats you apply.
No matter how many coats are placed on the lashes they never feel "dry" or like "sticks"... BONUS!!

The only colour to use is of course "BLACK"... really what else will make your eyes sparkle?

If you want to re apply throughout the day you can, because the formula stays so soft on your lashes.

The only down side to this mascara is it's a little on the pricey side.... but worth every dollar (even if you only use it on special occasions).

Try it... let me know what you think.

Smooches.
xx