RIMMEL LONDON PROVOCALIPS

There are sooooo many long-wear or infalliable lip products on the market at the moment... some are fabulous while some are.... lets just say not so fabulous. I am certainly quite the fan of a good long-wear lippy, so when Rimmel London's new Provocalips arrived on my desk I was eager to try them - especially as it was in the lead up to Christmas,  what better time to test these little tubes of colour out.

So when you have taken the time to doll up in the mornings (or evenings for that matter) you want to know your  make up is going to last, especially your lips.  Right?  Yep. Me too. 

As I mentioned above there are not that many "long-wear" lip products on the market that I LOVE.  A lot of that has to do with the fact they tend to feel, well, horrible on my lips.

I was pleasantly surprised when I tried PROVOCALIPS. The product itself glided on my lips so smoothly and easily, you can feel the texture setting on the lips but its not uncomfortable. PROVOCALIPS promises 16 hours of long lasting staying power.  And long lasting it is.  The collection itself includes 8 very wearable shades, each coming double ended one half colour / one half lock and shine. Personally I prefer to wear them matte... however if you want a little shine it is but a twist away.

The colour I most loved out of all the shades was called  'I'LL CALL YOU" a stunning deep wine vintage red. The lasting power was impressive also - it did not move at all and I was not at all disappointed with the colour pay off.

Now. When it comes to removing it from my lips I used an oil based make up remover as this is what will break down the product and clean your lips the quickest - your average everyday make up remover is just not as effective.

Not too shabby for a "high street" brand me thinks. Absolutely worth a try.

Tip - Before you go slapping on any long-wear lip product please take a couple of minutes in the shower to prepare and exfoliate your lips. The best way to do this is by using a soft toothbrush with a very small amount of lip scrub (or a small amount of toothpaste), and work the brush in soft circular motions over your lips to remove any dry skin.

PROVOCALIPS is available anywhere that you can find Rimmel London. If you are in Australia they are half price at Chemist Warehouse at the moment - score!!!

Has anyone else tried them? Let me know if you have an what you thought.

Smooches,

BV xxx

TWENTY FIFTEEN...

I can't believe it... It's now 2015, already! Like a lot of you I'm sure I'm not the only one to say it felt like 2014 went far too quick and if I'm being totally honest I certainly did not accomplish all of what I set out to at the beginning of last year - Sigh...

So, for me 2015 is going to be about setting out clear goals for myself, from the very smallest to the very biggest   - and slowly but surely achieving them one by one, day by day... Of course 99 per cent of all my goals have something to do with make-up.

So how about you? What goals have you set for yourselves for this year?

Here's to a fabulous year filled with lots of love, laughter and make-up!!!

Smooches,

BV xxx

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NET-A-PORTER BEAUTY

So.  I feel like we should stop and take a moment to chat about Net-A-Porter... I absolutely adore   Net-A-Porter full stop. Their amazing online shopping with a designer line-up that had me at hello, not to mention the chic box's that your precious purchases are delivered in are just two reason's why there is such love.

 



So you can only imagine my delight when they finally included BEAUTY into the mix...

Yes this post has been quite a while coming, but thought I would take you along for the ride as I peruse the cosmetics house's that fill Net-A-Porter Beauty while I compose a little shopping list.

While many a fabulous beauty brand can be found here the one big name I have wanted to try since her line debuted is Charlotte Tilbury and one product in particular that I wanted is a cream that industry insiders have dubbed Magic Cream as its meant to prime, hydrate and create such glowing and phenomenal skin that all other make-up applied looks that much more amazing... Yup this is going in my shopping cart.

 

 Anastasia Beverly Hills is without a doubt the queen of the brows... so much so Oprah and Kim Kardashian West are just two of many celebs that have her number on speed dial.  With her own line of products that are available in Sephora stores all around the world they have quickly become a make-up artist's staple to have in their kit - I know I do.  So it is always lovely to know placing a sneaky order here and there is but a click away. The Dip Brow Pomade is an essential to help create a perfectly sharp contoured brow.

 

 

 

 Ellis Faas skin veil... ladies and gents if you are yet to try this foundation... do yourself a favour! Such a beautiful consistency with an amazing list of ingredients. Dewy flawless skin is what you get. A little on the expensive side I will admit.. but worth the investment especially when you can get it a little cheaper on Net-A-Porter (well for us in Australia anyway..). Yup yup yup will be stocking up on some colours here.





 

So there are 3 of many products that I will be splashing out on... I feel like the only brand that is missing from the designer collective would have to be Tom Ford...   

 

Otherwise it's PRETTY. FREAKIN. GOOD. 

 

Do pop over to the Net-A-Porter web site and have a little look-see for your self.  What's on your little luxury list?

 

 

Smooches,

 

BV xxx

WHATS IN MY MAKE UP BAG...

So what does one carry on a daily basis in her trusty little (well perhaps not that little) make up bag?
Well.  If you are anything like me.... it's likely to consist of everything and the kitchen sink.
I personally LOVE having a sneaky peek into other peoples make-up bag.  Don't you?

My Ted Baker make-up bag is a new addition to my handbag and I love love love him. While being compact it fits many a much needed product in there.  What was even better is that I picked him up at David Jones on SALE!!!!!! Ok... so now for a quick overview of what is in my make up bag...

A varirety of lip products is a must.. one or two just wont do. Currently I have a couple of LIME CRIME Lip Velvets, some CHANEL lip gloss, mini NAPOLEON PERDIS lip gloss' a little Stila ... and a touch of Nars!  I also like to take my HOURGLASS ambient lighting Compact powder where ever I go.... never know when you need to add a lil extra glow!

Finally any a lash curler is an absolute must!!!! Nothing makes your eye's pop like some curled up lashes... My current fav has to be by shiseido - honestly do yourself a solid and go get one... your lashes will thank you.

So what are your current must haves in your make-up purse?

Smooches,
BV xxx

 

WHEN RACHEL ZOE CAME TO TOWN

OMG. BANANAS. I DIE.

Two weeks ago I got to do lunch with Rachel Zoe... True story... That is myself and about 900 other fabulous ladies!  This  gorgeous event was all thanks to Business Chicks who bought Rachel out exclusively for the three city tour.

A ticket to this once in a lifetime opportunity cost a pretty penny but I didn't care, I was determined to go... I just had to!

And I am so glad I did.

I arrived at the Melbourne luncheon, hair did, high heels on and a full face of make-up (but that goes without saying really) so completely excited to see "stylist to the stars" Rachel Zoe in the flesh...

Once we had collected out name tags and found our seats, the wait staff appeared offering wine and champers. Great start. Not long after that our host for the day Natarsha Belling welcomed everyone covered a few bits and pieces about the afternoon and just like that the food was served. And then the count down was on till Rachel would arrive on stage.  And when she did...

She did not disappoint!

Rachel Zoe is as small as you think she would be and definitely as styled as you'd hope - She was rocking all black (cos lets be honest what other colour is there?) wide leg pant, black blouse, full sequined blazer, the highest pumps and accessorised with gold, a white layered neck piece and a wine coloured lip - Perfection!

Side note - I had to google the above image as I was not lucky enough to be that close.

From the moment she sat down on the white couch that was set upon an equally styled stage with the most gorgeous life-like illustration displayed (drawn by the talented Megan Hess),  her personality and presence was felt. I have to give snaps to both Rachel and Natarsha as it felt more like a conversation between the two and not just your "typical" interview. It just... flowed.

I was really so impressed with the way Rachel Zoe was so open and honest. Any question she was asked she responded with in-depth answers and great humour.  She talked about how she started in the business of styling, that her very first celebrity client was Britney Spears circa "baby one more time" and from there she began to style for more big music video's of the 90's such as Backstreet Boys and Jessica Simpson.  After a time Rachel then started to style for red carpet events and the rest as they say is history.

Rachel has now built quite the RZ empire which apart from styling your first class celebrity set includes a fashion line, a blow dry bar as well as 2 brilliant styling books that any coffee table would love. So full is her plate that when asked how she juggles motherhood and her crazy hectic business she replied simply, it's a struggle but at the end of the day her family will always come first.

There was of course a lot of fashion talk everything from her first designer purchase at the age of 13 (a Louis Vuitton bag that she still has to this day), to her collection of Chanel and what her top 5 must haves for every women were... she listed:

A leather jacket
A pair of amazingly high pumps
A great pair of jeans
A well made tuxedo pant
&
A big pair of sunnies

The woman does give great list... just saying!

The time flew as I drank every word in and before I knew it the luncheon had come to a close. I could have sat there for days and listened to Rachel speak.

The biggest piece of advice I took from Rachel was that if you have a vision of how you want your life and career to be no matter what it was, you need to work hard to make it happen and don't let anyone or anything stop you.

Embrace your vision and just go for it!

Smooches,
BV xxx

BEAUTY VOYEUR LOVES...

My week has been quite hectic. A good hectic. So I thought while I had a minute it would be a great opportunity to give you a peek into what I have been #LOVELOVELOVE-ing...

OK. So I know that PORTER is still brand spanking new when it comes to ALL the different fashion magazines that are on the market - but I have to say this one is well worth the purchase. PORTER is certainly a forward thinking fashion mag full of brilliant images, amazing clothes, fabulous articles not to mention I could just stare at the beautiful make-ups that fill the glossy pages all day long.... If you know me or follow my instagram you will know how obsessed with beauty / fashion magazines I am. If there is a new one out then I'm getting it - but I will say I am a tough critic. I know what I want in a mag and I know what i don't. PORTER more than delivered without sounding pretentious, unlike some titles out there that feel they need to be to get noticed...

Oh and can we talk about how good does GaGa look on the cover of episode 2?

Loves it!

Then we have the darkest, hottest, baddest (is that even a word?..) nail polish from the Gwen Stefani for O.P.I nail polish collection called "I SING IN COLOR". The colour itself is a super rich and deep maroon, so deep in fact once applied it almost looks black. Two coats and it's opaque not streaky at all... this has been my paw polish of choice for the week. Did I also mention the mirror shine?

Dee-vine!

Lastly we have the newly repackaged "LIP DE-LUSCIOUS" in glossy pink tint from my favorite little happy place... MECCA COSMETICA. Ladies and gents I can't stress enough that we should not be neglecting our kissers!!! No matter the season!!! This balm just feels so luxurious on the lips (I feel like there is also a nod to Dior's crem de rose in their??? thoughts?). With just the perfect amount of shine it looks fresh and glowing by itself but also acts as such a beautiful primer before you apply your lippy or glossy gloss of choice.

Has anyone else tried it?

Tell me what are your 3 things you are loving right now???

Hope each and everyone of you are having a delicious week.

Smooches

BV xxx