Apologies

I was mugged on my way to work a couple of days ago. Apart from a bruised arm and ego, I'm ok.

I’ll be back posting shortly.

Makeup Artist Paul Starr Dies

Paul Starr, celebrated makeup artist, was found dead in his home overnight. Author of Paul Starr on Beauty: Conversations with Thirty Celebrated Women (2005) Starr was well known in celebrity circles, having made the faces of most of Hollywood’s finest leading ladies including Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Jennifer Garner, Angelica Husten and Jessica Alba. He was 48.

Jet Set Beauty Tips

OK, so most of us will never get to travel like this - First Class on an A380

• Slightly under fill your bottles as they expand in flight.
• Decant your beauty products into smaller containers. Not only does it save space, but reduces the amount you lose if your bag 'disappears'.
• Keep your minis and sample sized products to take away with you.
• Take a lightweight shawl onboard and replace the scratchy airline provided blanket with your own.
• When you get onboard, remove all your makeup & apply a good hydrating moisturiser.
• Keep your skin well moisturised throughout the flight – remember, you will need a lot more moisture than you normally would.
• Drink LOTS of water.

What are your jet set beauty tips?

Not Happy MAC

Previously I raved about how cool the MAC Colour Forms Collection was - the palettes, the lipsticks, the brushes!

So you can imagine how excited I was when I opened up my email this morning to find that the Colour Forms Collection was available in Australia. It is entirely possible that I may have done a little dance in my chair. As I clicked through to the MAC Australia site, I started to calculate what goodies I was going to purchase until I started getting very, very angry.

Not Happy MAC

I get that since we are a tiny little country way down the bottom of the world that we may have to pay a little bit more for items that are more readily available in Europe or the US. I get that. What I don't get is when a company blatently rips us off just because they can.

Now, you can't tell me that transporting a tiny little brush set to Australia means that you can charge 210% more than what you charge people in the US. That's just not right. No wonder there is a massive grey market out there and shipping companies are making a fortune - it's because we refuse to pay those ridiculous prices.

What other brands are ridiculously overpriced in Australi compared to other countries?

pic courtesy of Wikipedia

Rejoice in the shiny newness that is Primped

The long awaited day has arrived when we can head to one place for reviews, tips, tricks, articles and vids all about beauty. None of that fashion business (I don’t know about you but I would much rather buy a blush than a frock) or other padding, just sheer, unadulterated beauty.

If you need more of a Zoe Foster fix than her weekly Fruity Beauty post, get thee to Primped – stat!

Scuze me while I go beauty crazy.

So Busted

I met a girlfriend for Yum Cha this morning at Chatswood. After we finished (um, about 4 hours later), I thought I would head over to DJ's and play with some makeup while I waited to be picked up.

I got a little sidetracked (what self-respecting beauty addict wouldn't?) and looked up from the Laura Mercier counter to find The Boyfriend smirking at me. So.Seriously.Busted.

I figured since I had to walk out with my tail between my legs, I would distract my curious beau from what was in my many bags by discussing the Laura Mercier Lip Glace. It's a new formula you see, longer-wearing, non-sticky and just aching to be reviewed by moi.

So stayed tuned for a review of ah, many weekend purchases.

pic via icanhascheezburger.com

Shhh!

Word is that Pure Fiji will be launching their newest fragrance addition – Milk & Honey - into the range at the Sydney International Beauty Expo at the end of August.

If it is anything like the Milk & Honey scent of other brands, I’ll be pushing my Mango products to the back of the cupboard and stocking up on these ones.

Stay tuned.

My Bag of Beauty

I travel a fair bit & there are 2 little bags I carry in my handbag religiously. The first is my medicine bag filled stuff that I will detail another day, but the fun bag is my makeup bag. It covers all the basics, while still leaving enough room to add my current trend products.

Currently in my Matt Murphy designed MAC bag I have:

Cover Girl concealer in Creamy Natural

MAC Studio Fix in NC15

Benefit Lemon Aid

Maybelline Full n Soft in Very Black

NARS Multiple in Maui

Shizen Lip Hydrating Serum

MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner in Petting Pink

MAC See Thru Lip Colour in Lovin’ It Light

MAC Slimshine in Scant

MAC Frost Lipstick in Skew

MAC Cremestick Liner in Pink Treat

Scunci hair clip

Not photographed:

Silver bobby pins

Clear hair elastics

Lip Brush

What’s in your makeup bag?

Road Trip Beauty

Apologies for the lack of posts over the past few days, I’ve been staying at the delightful Peppers Anchorage Resort in Port Stephens for a bit of R’n’R.The view from our suite

With 2 broken nails before we even made it out of the garage, I was wondering how the weekend was going to turn out – did I have everything a girl needs over 4 days?

The Boyfriend quipped that it was ok, because I had my go-anywhere repair kit pulled out of my handbag before we made it to the first corner. Hmpf.

Our rest stop was at Oliver’s Real Food – a healthier alternative to the usual McDonalds. After we ate, I hit the ladies to wash my hands. Seeing as though I am a bit of a beauty guinea pig, I thought I’d try the Lavender Hand Cream provided in the bathroom. Big mistake. By the time we hit the freeway, my hands were burning and I was desperate to get the 2 tiny drops of evil off my hands. The Boyfriend offered to stop, but I had my trusty (and slightly retentive) kit of car staples to save me. Wet wipes and tissues in the glove box cleaned my hands & a little container of Pure Fiji body lotion hidden in the centre console kept them moisturised.

The Amenities

In the age of resorts stocking deluxe beauty brands, I was quite surprised by their offering. Tataia – a Peppers created beauty brand based around orange & cedarwood essential oils, is sufficient if not a little boring. The smell was pedestrian while the products were rather drying and seemed like a very basic formulation. They were quite easily left behind.

If you are looking for a little luxury in your hotel bathroom, try Lilianfels in the Blue Mountains. They have lovely L’Occitane Verbena products, but you’ll just need to contend with the matching walls, curtains, chairs & beds:

The Boyfriend permanently attached to his Mac

I’m Obsessed

I have a teeny-tiny obsession with a woman’s fingers.

Apart from my inability to apply liquid eyeliner, I also can’t paint my nails. Fingers or toes, I really don’t discriminate – I suck at both.

Scrangie is a blog dedicated to all things polish related. Quite possibly the biggest polish collection I’ve ever seen, she does nail swatches for all her colours and gives great reviews on what is good, and what you should leave behind in the store despite its calls to be taken home.

Her fingers always look incredible, the colours look flawless, and she is a delight to boot.

I love reading her blog, it lets me imagine how my stubby little fingers would look all prettified and polished without the annoyance I feel when I get a miniscule chip.

I can only dream of being able to a) paint my nails that well and b) be able to tolerate having anything on my fingers longer than about 3 minutes.

Check her out here. She also does requests if you ask really nicely :)

Gift With Purchase Bonanza

I went to my parents place for dinner last night (Dad makes a mean spag bol) & while I was there, I managed to pinch the David Jones Summer Beauty 2008 catalogue. 58 colourful pages filled with DJ’s exclusives and other fun picks for summer.

Megan Gale was on the cover which I found to be a bit of a surprise, I was expecting Miranda Kerr. Megan is wearing MAC – lipglass in Pink Poodle & lipstick in Girl About Town in case you are wondering.

Man, is it packed with deals & steals! Of course, some are (much) better than others, so I’ve divided them up into those that you should grab while you can, and others only worth getting if you were planning a purchase anyway.

Available until August 31.

Here are my picks for the best value GWP:

LANCOME

Spend $68 or more and receive a 9-piece gift pack including eyelash curler, eye shadow palette, Bi-Facil makeup remover, Colour Fever lipstick, Virtuose mascara, makeup bag & 3 week supply of Day Cream 15ml, Eye Cream 3ml and Boosting Serum 5ml from either the Renergie Refill, Primordiale Skin Recharge or Absolue Premium Bx range.

Valued at over $164

MODELCO

Spend $48 or more and receive a 6-piece gift pack including lipstick palette & brush, full-size ColourBox Eye Pencil in black, Mini Glow Summer Bronze, Flat Blush Brush, mini LashXtend Black mascara and bag.

Valued at more than $90

OPI

Purchase 2 OPI products* and receive an Avoplex Hand & Nail Cream valued at $19.95

*Excludes polish remover & Swiss Guard.

BLOOM

Spend $70 on the Mineral Makeup range and receive $20 off the total product purchase.

ELLA BACHE

Spend $49 or more and receive the radiance elixir 15ml and gentle exfoliating gel 20ml

Valued at $57

Spend $69 or more and you will also receive a full-size lightweight eye cream 30ml

Valued at $65

BURT’S BEES

Spend $34.95 or more and receive a bonus gift containing Milk & Honey Body Lotion 29.5ml, Peach & Willowbark Deep Pore Scrub 15g and Citrus & Ginger Root Body Wash 29.5ml.

JURLIQUE

Purchase 2 products and receive a Skin Replenishing Kit containing Lavender Hydrating mist 15ml, Wrinkle Softening Cream 15ml and Moisture Replenishing Mask 15ml.

Valued at $64

LIVING NATURE

Spend $40 or more and receive either a Purifying or Vitalising Cleanser.

Valued at $40

IN ESSENCE

Spend $39.95 and receive a gift tote filled with Energising Body Bar 150ml, Lime Pure Essential oil 9ml, Hydrating Hand Cream 110ml, Moisturising Body Lotion 250ml and refreshing Shower Gel 40ml.

Valued at $88

NATIO

Spend $35 and receive and 8-piece gift including Extreme Volume Mascara, Ultra Shiny Passionfruit Gloss 15ml, Sun Kissed-Glow Self Tanner 200ml, Ageless Firming Night Cream 20ml, Ageless Lifting Day Cream 20ml, Renew Radiance Foam Cleanser 20ml, a mirror and cosmetic bag.

Valued at $57

Here are the others:

LAURA MERCIER

Spend $99 and receive a 7 piece gift pack valued at $146

Spend $150 and receive a full sized Crème Brulee Hand Cream valued at $35 in addition to the gift pack above.

SK-II

Spend $250 or more and receive a 5-piece gift valued at $72.

SHISEIDO

Purchase 2x ‘The Makeup’ products including foundation and receive a 5-piece gift.

CLARINS

Receive 3 travel sized products when you purchase your prescribed Day Cream. Valued at $207

Receive a 3-piece gift when you purchase any 2 products, including one from the Joli Rouge Lipstick collection.

LA PRAIRIE

With the purchase of any La Prairie eye product, receive a 4-piece gift.

SISLEY

Purchase any item from the Sisleya range and receive a 3-piece gift valued at $98

ULTRACEUTICALS

Spend $150 or more (including 1 item from the Mineral Makeup range) and receive a six-piece brush set.

Valued at $60

MOR

Spend $45 or more and receive the new De Luxe Spa Room Spray.

Valued at $30

GIORGIO ARMANI

Spend $150 on Giorgio Armani women’s fragrances & receive a Giorgio Armani Bathrobe.

MICHAEL KORS

Purchase any 50ml or 100ml fragrance and receive a gift bag.

MARC JACOBS

Purchase 100ml Daisy fragrance and receive a 3-piece gift.

CALVIN KLEIN

Purchase any 100ml or 150ml fragrance from the ckIN2U range and receive a 20ml spray.

THIERRY MUGLER

Spend $115 or more on the Angel range and receive a 3-piece gift.

Spend $95 or more on the Alien range and receive a 2-piece gift.

KOSMEA

Purchase ‘Eighth Natural Wonder’ serum at $64.95 and receive a Daily Facial Exfoliant 60g.

Valued at $22.95

ELIZABETH ARDEN

Purchase any 2 items (one being fragrance) from the Mediterranean Breeze collection & receive a tote bag.

ILCSI

Purchase any moisturiser and receive a Mineral Cleansing Concentrate 35ml.

Valued at $40

DAVID JONES BEAUTY

Spend $30 on full priced products and receive a 3-piece gift.

EARTHLY POSSESSIONS

Spend $23.95 or more and receive a bonus full sized soap.

Valued at $9.95

ST TROPEZ

Spend $44.95 or more and receive a bonus.

Valued at $29.95

REVLON

Save $5 on each Age Defying product.

Can't Wait to Try...

ModelCo Body Meringue

A 4-pronged beauty assault - Instant colour, gradual tan, bronzer & cellulite buster all rolled into one handy pink can.

Kristen at Beauty Addict has a great review that has convinced me to step out of my pale skin and give it a go.

Due out 31^st August online at ModelCo & in David Jones stores.

Too Sexy For TV

I'm fairly certain that Eva Mendes is allergic to clothes. PETA ads, Italian Vogue, random photo shoots... What other reason is there for her obsession with flashing at every opportunity?

Speaking of obsessions, the TV commercial for Calvin Kleins new fragrance 'Secret Obsession' has been banned. Why? Eva Mendes and her lack of clothes.

According to the website:

Eva Mendes is the perfect interpretation of modern sexiness. She has an aura of mystery that perfectly fits the concept.

I could think of another reason...

Check out the website here, and the commercial below.



What do you think? Is it too saucy for TV, or nothing we haven't seen before?

Review: [Al’chemy] Shampoo & Conditioner

I reviewed:

[Al’chemy] Lemongrass Shampoo & [Al’chemy] Jojoba Light Conditioner

The Good:

7 different shampoos, 4 conditioners & 2 treatments available to choose from makes it easy to find the right one for you. Sulphate-free & pH balanced, it has left my scalp feeling clean with no flakes and no irritation.

No fly-aways, without leaving my ultra fine hair flat & lifeless.

The herbal smell of the conditioner lingers long after you step out of the shower, but can be rectified with the unscented versions if it’s not to your taste.

The Bad:

I wouldn’t say that it is bad, but it does take a couple of weeks for your hair to acclimate to using sulphate-free products. At first, the shampoo wouldn’t lather and took at least 1 repeat to feel clean. My hair was fairly unmanageable during this period, and stayed mainly in a bun or pony tail. After around 10 washes, my hair suddenly changed - I could lather in 1 wash & my hair was controllable.

The conditioner wasn’t moisturising enough for my blonde hair & I would look at using either a different one from the range, or supplement it with a leave-in conditioner or masque from the range.

The Verdict:

Don’t expect your hair to feel squeaky clean like your usual chemical & silicone-laden shampoos would, but it leaves your hair clean, manageable & soft. One of the best natural shampoo & conditioners I have ever tried. A richer conditioner may be required if you have colour treated hair.

Review length:

4 weeks

Price:

AU$13.50 each for 225ml or AU$25.95 for 500ml. You may be able to score a 225ml shampoo & conditioner duo for AU$19.95.

Available at:

Your local pharmacy

Can't.Look.Away

I'ts more boring than a car crash, yet I am compelled to watch...


It is almost midnight on Thursday in New York and there are more people wandering the streets than there is normally in Pitt Street, Sydney in peak hour.

If the inner voyeur in you is wanting to spy on people around the world, visit Earth Cam.

Chanel Exceptionnel

After using the Rimmel mascara with a comb (which I can’t even find on their website anymore), I was turned off all similar mascaras for life. There was no saving my eyelashes from the clumpy abyss I had put them in. The makeup remover was liberally applied, and the mascara went directly in the bin.
So when Chanel launched Exceptionnel, a 6-sided voluming & curling mascara, which is a cross between a comb and a brush wand, I was a little sceptical. It is designed to match the best of the comb – application all the way from base to tip, with the best of the brush – coating each individual lash, leaving you with sexified, separated lashes. It comes in 4 colours, all of which look so similar, I don’t see the point in having them.

If dark, broody shadows are more your thing, the rest of the Exceptionnel range will blow you away. These colours are H-O-T. Smoky black, charcoal, platinum & white make up the Les 4 Ombres palette and a black & charcoal sparkle eyeliner set. Rounding out the collection are retractable, waterproof eyebrow pencils and a couple of shadows.

Not convinced? Check out the Exceptionnel mini-site.

Just a word of warning about the link – turn the volume way down. The music is generally unpleasant, but the tips & details at the bottom (scroll down to view) are worth a look.

My tip – skip the mascara & head straight to the liners. These babies are coming home with me.

pics: chanel.com