Emily's Anthology

Product Review: Not Your Mother's Girl Powder - Volumnizing Hair Powder

2012-03-13T12:50:00.002+11:00

Hi everyone! I am reviewing a product that I am very excited about today, and that is the Not Your Mother's Girl Powder.

Not Your Mother's is an American brand that combines professional performance with affordability. This is a fantastic volumnizing product from the brand, and a favourite of stars like Carolyn Hennesy and Tiffany Hines.

I don't want to say much about this product - I think I will let the pictures do the talking.

Pre-Girl Powder

All you do is open the container (very gently!) and lightly tap the powder in between the roots of your hair. What I do, as shown in the picture below, is pull my hair back so I can get to the roots of the hairs that aren't on the very top of my head.

Some things to note about this powder - it is very, very fine! When I first received this, I thought the bottle was empty. Be careful when you are handling the bottle, because the powder spills out really easily.

And here is a post-Girl Powder picture:

Here are the pictures placed side by side:

My thoughts on this powder:

It definitely adds volume to your hair
Be sure to get to the roots of your hair below the upper layer of hair, if that makes any sense
After the product is applied, you need to fluff your hair up a little to achieve the volume that you want
Be warned - it does get a little stiff at the roots when you apply this product, but that's the price you have to pay when you want that lift, I guess

I am head over heels in love with this product, and I have been using this almost everyday since I received it. It retails for a delightful AUD 14.95 per bottle, and is available at i-glamour.com.

This product was provided for review and consideration in accordance with this site's Disclosure Policy.

My Biotherm Facial Experience

2012-03-11T13:06:00.001+11:00

About a week ago, I was given the opportunity to experience a Biotherm facial. Being myself obsessed with skincare and facials, I was over the moon! Not to mention I have had an unhealthy obsession with Biotherm products ever since I was a teen and saw their anti-acne range in a magazine, only to be told by my parents that I couldn't try it because they didn't want to stress my skin out by introducing it to a new brand of skincare.

So back to the subject - my facial! I arrived at the Biotherm counter at Myer and was whisked into this gorgeous little room behind the elevator area, with dim lighting and an army of Biotherm products on the countertop in front of me. Very promising.

I was given plenty of time to change out of my clothes and into the robe that I was given, and I settled in for my facial. You should know that I am a facial veteran (from a customer's point of view, anyway). I have been going for facials since the tender age of 13, because my Dad is very big on personal grooming and being presentable. Needless to say, I know my good facials from my bad facials.

So the facial started, and my facialist was super attentive! She checked that I was properly covered so I wouldn't be too cold, propped my feet up (I think this is incredibly important because you have no idea how many times I've been uncomfortable at facials because my legs were sore and the angle made my back sore, too), and warned me when something cold was about to touch my face.

She also had this knack for knowing exactly when to talk and when to let me relax - something a lot of facialists seem to ignore.

My favourite part of the facial was the face, shoulder and neck massage. I go weak when I am massaged and it is the best feeling in the world! I almost made grunting noises when my facialist started massaging me - yes, it was that good!

Biotherm provides facials at Myer every few months or so. Facials are AUD 60 and redeemable on product. For more information, visit your Biotherm counter.

This service swas provided for review and consideration in accordance with this site's Disclosure Policy.

Giveaway: Betty Boop Intimates!

2012-03-08T20:54:00.000+11:00

Betty Boop is in Big W! The latest 'Broadway-inspired' collection of Betty Boop underwear is on sale nationally in Big W stores, and I just couldn't say no to hosting a giveaway of one of the cutest cartoon characters to ever grace our TV screens!

My sisters and I are huge Betty Boop fans, because she is cute and has a similar character to that of my youngest sister.

So when I was offered the opportunity to host a giveaway, I couldn't resist! I have up for grabs a cami (valued at AUD 11.87) and two cute pieces of French knickers (valued at AUD 11.87 for both)! These are size 14 pieces, unfortunately I wasn't able to choose the sizes.

Below are the terms and conditions of this giveaway:

You must be 18 and above to enter, or obtain parental consent to enter if you are under 18.
This giveaway is open to Australian residents only.
It will run for 2 weeks, until 12AM AEST on the 23rd of March, 2012.
To enter, you will need to be a subscriber of my blog (via GFC), Facebook page, Twitter, or YouTube channel.
In order to be in the running, just fill in the form below.
The winner will be drawn at random.
I will announce the winner on this blog, and contact the winner via email. If the winner fails to respond within 24 hours, I will then re-draw the winner.

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Makeup Tutorial: Fresh Pastel Look

2012-03-07T14:51:00.001+11:00

Hello everyone! I have the pastel-look tutorial that I promised a while ago! Here are a couple of pictures of the finished look:

And here's the video:

As usual, I've listed the products that I used in the video for you:

ElishaCoy Premium Gold BB Cream
Anastasia Beauty Express Kit in Brunette
Clinique Lid Smoothie in Cashew Later
Royal & Langnickel brushes
Heavenly Natural Cosmetics Eyeshadow in Daddy's Girl
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Vapour
Clinique Brush On Cream Liner in True Black
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer in 20
Eyelashes from kkcenterhk.com
Lancôme Blush Subtil in 30 Rose Melba

LimeCrime Lipstick in Coquette

Australis Show Stopper Gloss Stick in Fairy Floss

Clinique Lipgloss in Sooo Pink

Product Review: Elixia Crystal Derm-Exfoliator

2012-03-07T12:16:00.001+11:00

Happy Hump Day, everyone! I have a little review to share with you all today - this is the Elixia Crystal Derm-Exfoliator - an anti-ageing exfoliator with something called a TPM Delivery Technology.

Elixia is an Australian-owned company, formed after 10 years of research into delivery methods of product into the skin. The brand now produces the only products in Australia to use the patented TPM technology, a unique delivery platform developed from Vitamin-E. TPM has been scientifically proven to improve the absorption of active ingredients into the skin.

Elixia: A new twice-weekly skin resurfacing treatment that buffs and exfoliates to reveal smooth polished skin. The Anti-Ageing Multi Complex Peptide Formula with Micro-Crystals acts like a micro-dermabrasion treatment at home and gives the complexion a fresh, healthy glow. TPM® Delivery Technology – TPM® offers 4 times greater absorption of key ingredients into skin, and as it is Vitamin E, minimises redness or irritation
and soothes skin.
No nasties, including parabens, formaldehydes, sulphates, phthalates, paraffins,
artificial colours and dyes, SLS and SLES’s or DEA’s.

I use this exfoliator twice a week, and I have used it for just over two weeks now.

Packaging
This scrub comes in a sturdy squeeze-to-dispense tube. It comes sealed, which I really like because it tells you that your product is fresh. Directions for use are printed on the back of the tube instead of on a booklet in the box that you throw away only to realise that you forgot how to apply it the next time you want to use it - big plus because I always throw away that damned booklet.

Product
As you can probably tell from the name of the product, the exfoliating beads in this scrub are micro-crystals. My skin at the moment is very irritable, and I have been resorting to non-physical exfoliators of late, but I have used this without any problems, and I am very happy with the result!

Performance
What stands out about this scrub, in my opinion, is the fact that when I use this, my post-scrub skin is plump and hydrated. With other scrubs, after patting my skin dry, my face always feels smooth in that powdery, baby's bottom kind of way. This scrub makes my skin feel smooth and bouncy, which I think shows its hydrating qualities.

What is most important, in my opinion, is the fact that this exfoliator ensures the added effectiveness of all my other skincare products, because it allows the deeper delivery of those products into my skin. I definitely think that this is a ~~little~~ lot pricey, and though I would prefer it if this was cheaper, I will continue to use this scrub for that reason, because anything that helps all my other products to work is definitely worth it, in my eyes.

This scrub retails for AUD 69.95 per 125ml tube.

This product was provided for review and consideration in accordance with this site's Disclosure Policy.

Concealing Acne: My Favourite Concealers

2012-03-05T18:34:00.000+11:00

Happy Monday, everyone! I got a lot of emails about concealers for acne recently, because of my post about concealing cheek acne. So I decided to put together a little list with swatches of the concealers that I use. Here they are!

1. MAC Select Moisturecover in NC25
My first ever MAC concealer! I went in store and the sales rep matched me without even swatching concealers - which I should have taken as a bad sign, because when I got home and put it on my skin, the colour came out a dark yellow. I still use this when I am using slightly darker foundation, because I like the way this concealer looks, and the coverage it gives when I am concealing acne.
This comes in a little bottle, as you can see in the above picture. It has a doe footed applicator, much like the kinds you see on most lipglosses. It is very moisturising and quite light, but also moves around a lot. I set all my concealers with a powder, but this one doesn't quite set completely. The coverage of this concealer, I would say, is about medium. It covers my small blemishes well, but larger, more red blemishes are not as easily covered and need a higher coverage concealer. It covers the undereye area very well, especially if it is layered underneath a more matte concealer. The finish of this concealer is dewy.

2. Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer in 52
This is my go-to concealer. It dispenses from a tube with a plastic, angled applicator at the end. It has a matte finish, and because of that care needs to be taken when applying this to the undereye. Make sure that your undereye area is well moisturised before applying this concealer, otherwise you might end up with slight creasing. This concealer sets almost immediately upon application, and though it lasts a tad bit longer with powder, does not need to be set with powder.
This concealer has a medium to full coverage. It covers blemishes well, and because of its consistency, works very well with other cream products if you need to conceal in an area that needs to be covered with other makeup, like on your eyelid or cheek area. With this concealer, you need to make sure that the area that you are concealing is highly moisturised, because it will settle into fine lines and wrinkles.

3. Face of Australia Stick Foundation in Outback Beige
This is slightly dark for my skin colour, but when I do a look that is a little tan, this serves as a very convenient concealer. It is a stick foundation, but when applied with a small concealer brush, covers very well. Because it is so thick, the coverage is very full. This sets with some powder, but still tends to move around a little because of how thick it is. I recommend using this for spot concealing because that is where it is most effective as a concealer.

4. Vichy Dermablend Ultra Corrective Cream Stick in Opal
I'm sure everyone has heard of the Vichy Dermablend range. I find that this concealer is good, but not as good as people make it out to be. The coverage is medium to full, and it sets well with a little powder. One issue I have with this is that it can be very chalky-looking. It will suit anyone with a cool skin tone, but those of us with neutral to warm skin tones should be wary of the colours we choose and where we apply it.

5. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer in 20
This is the latest addition to my collection of concealers. It is very lightweight, and has a light to medium coverage. I usually use this on my undereye area, and sometimes, if I get lazy, on my acne as well. This has a twist-to-dispense sponge applicator attached to the top. It makes application very easy, and I haven't experience any product buildup on the sponge tip. However, it isn't the most hygienic of applicators, as I'm sure most of you have realised.

6. Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder
I use this powder to set all my concealer. I just realised that the Face of Australia Loose Powder also does an amazing job setting concealer, and that I completely forgot to photograph it for this post. Both these powders are very light and finely milled, and don't flash back or leave ugly white marks on the skin.

Here are swatches of the above-mentioned concealers:

I tend to buff and blend concealer over my problem areas, and have recently also started spot concealing because I have realised that this method helps the concealer last longer when I need to conceal blemishes. Shown below are the brushes that I generally use for concealing:

L-R: Sigma SS24, NP Set Lip Brush, Real Techniques Detailer Brush

I use the fluffy brush for blending out concealer over generally problematic areas and over my undereye area. The other two brushes I have started using recently for spot concealing, and they do a good job packing the concealer onto my blemishes. I then blend the concealer out by lightly patting the concealer with my ring finger.

I hope this has helped! If you know of any concealer that does a good job, please let me know as I am always on the lookout for good concealers for my blemishes! If you have any questions, please also let me know and I will do my best to help :)

My February Favourites

2012-03-03T23:05:00.000+11:00

Because I am obsessed with my new mic and my being able to finally film with my DSLR, I decided to film a video of some products that I though stood out in the month of February. It's a little jerky because I am SO ineloquent it's not even funny, so I had to cut my grunts and 'ummm's out, sorry! I hope you guys enjoy it despite that :)

Here is the video:

And here are the products that were mentioned in the video!

Luview Aqua Essence Whitening BB Cream
Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate in Intensity One (guest review on The Plastic Diaries)
NP Set Contour and Highlight Palette
Sisley Phyto Ombre Eclat in Stardust (review and swatches here)
Lancome Blush Subtil in 30 Rose Melba
NP Set Blush Contour Brush
L'Occitane Lavender Cologne (review here)
Bioderma Créaline H20 (review here)
Bioderma Sébium AKN (review here)
Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye

Product Review: Bioderma Sébium AKN

2012-02-27T13:15:00.000+11:00

Hello everyone! I have an exciting product to share with you all today - the Bioderma Sébium AKN.

I'm sure you guys have heard of Bioderma - the brand that produces the amazing product that is the Bioderma makeup remover that graces the faces of famous celebrities and models alike. This is a French brand that makes some amazing skincare, and they have recently landed on Australian soil.

The Bioderma Sébium AKN is targeted at oily, acne prone skins, and is meant to reduce acne and associated imperfections in the skin. I was fortunate enough to be sent a sample of this serum to trial because of my random breakouts and oily skin, and here is my review!

Bioderma: Thanks to its patented exclusive Fluidactiv® complex, Sébium AKN preserves sebum quality, preventing deterioration and thickening, thus effectively reducing the appearance and development of imperfections. A complete treatment, Sébium AKN also treats all the factors responsible for skin imperfections. Kerato-regulating active ingredients cleanse the pores in depth. Zinc gluconate, sebo-regulating and purifying, slows down overproduction of sebum and the proliferation of micro-organisms that cause imperfections. Soothing agents ease red blotches. Sébium AKN smooths skin texture, leaving it clear and purified. It recovers its natural balance

Packaging
This product comes in a small, 30ml tube with a screw-on cap. The tube is squeezable, and the product dispenses through a small mouth. Hygienic. Big plus! It is also quite hardy, which I like because as you know, I'm not one to afford the greatest care to my skincare products. Most of the time they're just banging around in a little bag I drag around the house so I can apply my skincare and watch TV, or hang out with the sisters or my boyfriend, all at the same time.

Product
The product itself is a white, slightly thick serum. The product most similar in consistency that I can think of is Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair Serum - basically a little lighter than maple syrup (random, I know!). It smells a little...medicinal? But it is so faint it wouldn't bother anyone. It isn't perfumed, which helps people with more sensitive skin.
Despite its being thicker than a typical serum, it spreads really easily over the skin and is absorbed into the skin really quickly. It is not at all greasy.

Performance
I have been using this for over a month now, and the results have been very, very pleasing. It has curbed the acne on my cheeks, which I am really grateful for, It has not gotten rid of the acne completely - I still get about 1 or 2 spots each week and a little more than that when my hormones are acting up.
It has also reduced my blackheads - and this is something that I have been battling with since summer started. I know this is completely irresponsible, but I don't exfoliate and cleanse my pores as much as I should, and this has led to clogged pores and really bad buildup which I have been trying hard to get rid of. This, together with a couple of good exfoliants and my Skin Food White Mud Nose Pack, have been really helping me save the skin on and around my nose.

What this hasn't done is reduce my acne scars - my small pimples tend to go away after only a couple of days, but even without any scratching or picking, they leave scars that tend to stay for at least a couple of months. It doesn't claim to reduce acne scarring, but I am just putting this here as a warning for people so they don't expect some kind of miracle product. I am still working on finding a product that will help with my acne scarring, so if you hear or know of something, please let me know!

Overall, I think this is a good staple product to have in your skincare if you have oily or congested skin. Bioderma can be found in selected pharmacies and Pricelines. The Sébium AKN is sold for AUD 24.95 for a 30ml tube.

This product was provided for review and consideration in accordance with this site's Disclosure Policy.

Makeup Tutorial: My Everyday Makeup - A Neutral Smoky Eye

2012-02-24T15:01:00.001+11:00

Hi everyone! I have another makeup tutorial for you today :)

This one is the latest version of my everyday eye makeup - I've found quite a few colours that really suit my skintone well and I've been using them everyday ever since.

Here's the video!

Luview Aqua Essence Whitening BB Cream
Anastasia Beauty Express Kit (review here)
Sisley Phyto Ombre Eclat in Stardust (review and swatches here)
Tom Ford Silvered Topaz Eye Quad (review and swatches here)
Inglot Eyeshadows in P420 and M363
Benefit They're Real mascara
EyeCurl II Heated Eyelash Curler
NYX Powder Blush in 02 Dusty Rose
Illamasqua Cream Blush in Seduce (swatches here)
Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate in Intensity One (guest review on The Plastic Diaries)
Sleek Luminous Pressed Powder in 01 (review here)
Revlon Pink Pout
Face of Australia Lip Quench Lipstick in Lychee Crush
Burberry Lip Cover in Beige Nude
L'Oreal Lipstick in Fairest Nude
Luview Glossy Kiss

Product Review: Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil

2012-02-21T13:27:00.001+11:00

Clarins: Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil is a natural astringent for Oily or Combination Skin. Containing Clarins’ exclusive blend of Rosewood, Geranium and Lotus extracts, Lotus Treatment Oil helps purify, tighten pores and refine the skin's texture whilst Hazelnut Oil softens, soothes and seals in moisture to prevent fine lines. 100% pure plant extracts. No preservatives. Non-staining.

I have a confession to make - I don't trust face oils. I don't think they are worth putting on the skin. It was only when I watched a video on anti-ageing face massage that I finally thought that they might be worth using, because you can't massage your face without an oil or lotion if you want to avoid tugging on the skin. So when I received news that Clarins was repackaging their face treatment oils, I decided to try their Lotus face treatment oil, for oily and combination skin.

Packaging
I love the bottle that this oil comes in. Sturdy, strong, and clear, so I can see the product I am using. The pump dropper that dispenses the product is made from quality material, and keeps the oil inside the bottle. I hate oils that run all over the sides of the bottle, making the bottle feel greasy and dirty. I've been using this for about a month now, and have had no problems with leaking or greasiness on the outside of the bottle. WIN.

Product
The smell of this oil reminds me a little of herbal mosquito repellent. This freaked me out a little at first, because I am allergic to whatever is in the stuff, but this didn't affect my skin at all. It absorbs into the skin well, but slowly. It takes about 20 minutes for the oil to absorb properly into my skin. This may be because I use quite a lot of it - 5 drops each night.

Performance
According to Clarins, the benefits of this oil are:

Purifies and clarifies
Discourages blemishes
Tightens pores
Refines skin texture
Softens and soothes
Prevents dehydration
Natural astringent

This oil is indeed very softening - I always wake up with supple, soft skin after using this. It is extremely moisturising, and has done an amazing job at tightening my pores. It has also reduced my problem with acne on my cheeks and forehead, which I am eternally grateful for. What I love most about it is that it has really helped me settle into my new nightly face massage routine. I use 5 drops of this every night to prep my skin for my anti-ageing and contouring face massage. I am noticing quite a difference in the tautness of my skin around my face, and I have this oil and the new massage technique that I learned to thank for this!

I have done a total about-face when it comes to face oils. This will be a permanent addition to my nightly skincare routine, especially with the face massage I do every night now.

Clarins have different face treatment oils for different skin types, so there is an oil suited for everyone out there. They have the Santal oil, for dry skin, and the Blue Orchid (love the name!) oil for dehydrated skin. They retail for AUD 49 at counters.

This product was provided for review and consideration in accordance with this site's Disclosure Policy.

Makeup Tutorial: Fall Runway Inspired Smoky Eye

2012-02-20T14:49:00.000+11:00

Hi everyone! I have something for you that will hopefully brighten up your Monday! I just posted a new makeup tutorial. This was inspired by all the plum, purple tones dominating this year's fall/winter runways. I kept the look new and edgy by creating a cat-eye instead of your normal rounded smoky eye. I hope you guys enjoy!

Here are a couple of pictures of the look:

Here's the video!

Products used:

Luview Aqua Whitening Essence BB Cream
Bloom Eyebrow Duo in Brunette
Clinique Color Surge Eyeshadow Duo in Mocha Berry
Smashbox Limited Edition Eye Palette in Smokebox
Clinique Brush-On Cream Liner in True Black
Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in Cherub
Illamasqua Lipstick in Obey
Tom Ford Private Blend Lip Color in Vanilla Suede

Product Review: Sisley Mystic Harmony Fall/Winter 2012 Collection

2012-02-17T15:31:00.001+11:00

Hi guys! I was sent a couple of Sisley makeup products to swatch and review the other day, and I've been trying them out almost everyday trying to get a good feel for them for this review.

I was sent the Phyto Ombre Eclat eyeshadow in Stardust, and the Phyto Lip Shine lipstick in Sheer Burgundy.

Phyto Ombre Eclat
This is a gorgeous khaki-coloured eyeshadow with gold flecks shot through it. It is such a beautiful colour, and it's dark enough so that I can still do smoky eyes with it - what's an eyeshadow if you can't use it to smoke out your eyes a little, right?! ;)

I use this eyeshadow without a lid primer, and it holds up very well despite the heat and the sweating. No creasing, and minimal loss of pigment throughout the day. The colour is also perfect, because it suits fair skins, but the gold pigment makes it suitable for medium to olive skin tones as well. I love it, and used it recently for Valentine's Day dinner with the boyfriend. The picture isn't very clear, but here I am wearing it on the night:

I placed the Phyto Ombre Eclat on the lid, up to the crease, then blended it out and placed another brown matte eyeshadow in the crease to give dimension to the eye.

Phyto Lip Shine
The lipstick is also amazing - sheer and very moisturising! It doesn't have a very long wear time, but does stain, so when it fades I end up with a lovely, light berry stain. I am addicted! I don't ~~normally~~ ever wear dark lips except inside the apartment, but this tempted me so much that I ended up taking it for a trial spin on an afternoon lunch, and I kept looking in the mirror because the colour was so beautiful. It's weird, but I really like when the lipstick fades, and nowadays I put it on just for the effect I get after it fades :)

Because it's sheer, it is also very easy to wear. I don't need to use lipliner or a lip brush with this lipstick - I just swipe it on and I'm ready to go. Here is a picture from a recent tutorial that I did, using this lip colour.

And here are the swatches of both these products in natural light:

The collection launches in March 2012, and features a selection of dark, wintery shades. I wish I could post a look using their shimmery purple eyeliner and their peachy shimmery blush, but I don't have those shades so you'll just have to check them out in store!

**edit**
The Mystic Harmony collection is now available in stores! Sisley is offering a free mini-makeover - no strings attached - called the 20-minute Flash Makeup, so head to your nearest Sisley counter to be pampered! Sisley will also be doing a 20-min Express Eye Treatment. You can choose from eye contour, hydration, or radiance treatments. So what are you waiting for? Get in there! :)

This product was provided for review and consideration in accordance with this site's Disclosure Policy.

Kiehl's Eye Cream Winner Announced!

2012-02-15T16:53:00.000+11:00

Hi guys! The Kiehl's Eye Cream Giveaway is now closed, and I have picked a winner!

I chose the winner via random.org, and the winner is:

Lauren Noble (The Shoe Addict)

You will receive a Midnight Recovery Eye Concentrate (full-sized), and a Peter Alexander eye mask!

Please contact me with your information so that I can have the package sent out to you ASAP! You have 48 hours to get in touch, or I will have to draw another winner.

To everyone else who entered, thank you so much for entering and supporting this blog. I really appreciate it!

My Valentine's Day Manicure

2012-02-14T15:14:00.002+11:00

Hi everyone! I just have a really quick post today - I wanted to share with you guys my Valentine's Day manicure. You may have already seen it in a picture that I posted of my Valentine's Day gift, but I thought I'd post a few pictures here to show you up close :)

It's not specifically Valentine's themed or anything, it's just that I've been growing my nails out, and this is one of my favourite manicures. I'm a sucker for anything sparkly!

I am using OPI Sparkle-icious, a glitter infused polish, on the tips of the nails like a french manicure. My favourite base to use with this manicure is the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Cafe au Lait - featured in this post.

This is actually a really simple manicure to do, because the chunks of glitter hide any imperfections that would normally be extremely noticeable with a solid-coloured nail polish. So you don't have to use any stickers or gadgets when you apply the glitter. Also, the glitter polish dries super quickly, so you won't have to waste much time waiting around.

A downside to this manicure is that you need to apply multiple layers of the glitter nail polish to get the end result, because the glitter quite dispersed. A top layer is essential with this, because the glitter is difficult to keep on without catching onto little fibers on clothing. I recommend filing your nails down a little after the final application, before the top coat, so that the tips are smooth and won't catch.

So there's my manicure! I hope you like it, and thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy your Valentine's Day!

Makeup Basics: How to Apply Eyeliner

2012-02-13T11:47:00.001+11:00

Hi guys! I hope Monday is treating you well.

I have a really simple post to share with you all today - how to apply eyeliner. I think this is a really simple, essential step in a makeup routine, and one that, if done right, can make a huge difference to your look.

I am demonstrating this with a gel eyeliner and an eyeliner brush, but you can use any kind of eyeliner you like.

Start with the usual - close your eyes and apply your eyeliner close to your lashline - how thick you want your eyeliner to be is entirely up to you.

I will be posting another basic tutorial soon on how to wear your eyeliner to enhance your eye shape, so look out for that!

The finished result should look something like this, but the picture below shows the eyeliner mistake that a lot of people make.

If you look closely, you will notice that on the lashline itself, the flesh in between the lashes is left bare. This is a mistake made very often, and one that is extremely noticeable, and not in a good way! The fix is extremely simple, and doesn't take much longer :)

What you do to fix this is simple, and it's called 'tightlining'. Using your finger, lightly lift your eyelid so that the area of flesh in between your lashes is more accessible. Then, dot the eyeliner in between your lashes and lightly smudge, taking it all the way along the lashline.

If you are using a liquid eyeliner, doing this part takes a little patience. You'll need to dot the liner more, because it is difficult to smudge liquid eyeliner along the lashline.

This is the final result!

Now for the wings. It's important to get the angle of the wing right, especially for people with hooded lids or droopy eyes. One trick I discovered is to use my eyeliner brush and follow the angle of my lower lashline, or to angle the liner from the corner of the eye towards the end of the eyebrows, as shown below.

The best way to do it is to draw a fine line following the angle that you 'created' with the brush earlier.

Then, double back on yourself, creating a triangle that thins towards the inner corner of the eye. Fill in the triangle (though I think that this unfilled triangle look is quite cool and edgy!)

Always remember, with Asian eyelids, hooded, or monolids, you should look straight ahead into a mirror to ensure that whatever line you're drawing shows properly when your eyes are open.

Here are some other useful tips for drawing on eyeliner:

It helps to have a mirror that swivels, so that it can be placed below you, so that you can look down into it. Looking down into the mirror helps you draw on your eyeliner without having to try and hold your eye shut or squint.
People with hooded lids or monolids are better off using gel eyeliner, because they last longer and don't smudge when the flesh on the lids overlap, or when the lids are oily.

I hope these tips helped you. I will also be posting a list of my favourite eyeliners soon, so watch out for that post if you're interested. I'm a total eyeliner fiend so I've tried heaps!

Let me know if you have any questions, or if you have any other tips you'd like to share! :)

Introducing my Fortnightly Anthology!

2012-02-12T09:53:00.000+11:00

Happy Sunday, guys! I have a new 'segment' to share with you guys on this blog - my fortnightly anthology!

In an effort to make this blog more interesting and interactive, I've decided to post little pictures and stories of my daily life. I've always been interested in snooping around the lives of the bloggers whose blogs I read, and I thought maybe that you guys might be interested in taking a little peek into my life!

Here's what I've been up to over the past couple of weeks :) Click on the images to enlarge!

L: My parents came to Melbourne for a visit, just in time for Chinese New Year! We were forced to wear cheongsams and had a couple of friends over for some CNY gambling and food!!

R: I attended the Kiehl's launch of their latest eye cream, an extension of the famous Midnight Recovery Concentrate! I am giving away this eye cream and a Peter Alexander eye mask, so if you're interested, click here!

L: I've finally been pushing myself to post some fashion pictures for the sake of variety, so here is my outfit to the Kiehl's launch! I'll be posting more of these from now on :)

R: My absolute favourite purchase this month! I am a sucker for anything sparkly - this pen has small crystals inside the top half of it, and it only cost me $5.95!!

I attended a wedding! I adore weddings, they're always so full of love and beauty, and such a great reason to doll up! :) I wore my Sally Hansen Salon Effects manicure, which was so easy to put on, and on the right you can see what I wore, and sneak a little peek at the ceremony :)

L: My favourite lipgloss! Luview's Glossy Kiss duo, the light pink end.

R: Another outfit post for a day out running errands.

L: An outfit post from yesterday when I went to check out the Bon Odori festival. So interesting and chock-full of amazing-smelling food!

R: An FOTD featuring two different lipsticks. I love to change it up, but I think a nude lip suits me best! What do you guys think?

That wraps up my pictures for this post, I hope you liked taking a look at some random parts of my life!

Makeup Tutorial: Sweet Valentine's Day Look

2012-02-10T15:52:00.000+11:00

Hi guys! Valentine's day is fast approaching, and as promised, I have another Valentine's Day makeup tutorial for those of you who want a sweeter, lighter look. Here are a couple of pictures of the finished look:

Here's the video!

And here are the products I used:

Chanel Vitalumiere Foundation in #30
Urban Decay UrbanBrow Precision-tip Brow Tint in Brunette
Etude House Proof 10 Eye Primer
Sleek i-Divine Mineral Eyeshadow Palette in Storm
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind concealer in Light
Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate in Intensity One
Sleek Luminous Pressed Powder in LPP01
NYX Blush in Dusty Rose
Sisley Phyto Lip Shine in Sheer Burgundy
Revlon Matte Lipstick in Pink Pout
Beaute Luminous Volume Gloss in Girlie Show

Thanks so much for watching, guys xx

Product Review: Benefit BadGal Lash and They're Real Mascaras

2012-02-09T15:15:00.001+11:00

Hello everyone! I am reviewing a couple of great mascaras today - these have served me very well for the past couple of months and I thought I'd share their benefits with you guys!

Benefit BadGal Lash

Benefit: Benefit BADgal Lash Mascara is a sexy, sultry, pure unadulterated black mascara for full, voluminous lashes.

This mascara has been in the Benefit line for a while now, and I got my tube as a gift-with-purchase. When I first tried this, I wasn't very impressed, so it went to the back of my beauty drawer for a couple of weeks.

For some reason, the second time I tried it, I loved it! It made my lashes fluttery and pretty, and it didn't weigh them down, which is a huge plus. I love using this as an everyday mascara. The tiny bristles on this brush make it really easy to get the mascara all the way into the base of my lashes, so I can really coat it and build the base up.

Bare eyelashes.

L: One coat of mascara; R: Two coats

Benefit They're Real Mascara

Benefit: Benefit They’re Real Mascara lengthens, volumises and curls lashes for a false-lash effect. The jet-black formula doesn’t smudge or dry out, giving each lash a long-lasting finish.

This mascara I received more recently, from the Melbourne Beauty Blogger Event. I find that this mascara curls a lot better than the Badgal, and the curl lasts much longer.

This mascara is a little heavier and clumps more easily than the Badgal, but I think it layers and builds more easily, resulting in a much more dramatic lash.

I also love the bulbous tip that this mascara has - it helps catch the small lashes in the inner corners of my eyes. The more spaced out bristles on its brush also makes it easier to catch small lashes on my bottom lashline. I also find it easier to apply on my bottom lashes without making a mess, which I so often do because my lashes are so sparse and short.

Bare lashes.

L: One coat; R: Two coats.

Overall, I think that I prefer They're Real, but I will be purchasing both to serve different makeup purposes once both these mascaras run out :)

Both these mascaras retail for AUD 38 per bottle.

This product was provided for review and consideration in accordance with this site's Disclosure Policy.

New video! Valentine's Day Makeup Tutorial

2012-02-08T10:25:00.001+11:00

Hi guys! I have a new video to share with you all today - it's the first of my Valentine's Day makeup tutorials.

This is a nice smoky brown with a hint of purple. I did something similar a while back, but I didn't have it in video format so I thought I'd redo it, especially since I am loving this look at the moment and I think it would be perfect for Valentine's Day!

Here are a couple of pictures I snapped of the look:

And here's the video!!

Below are the products mentioned in the video:

Natural Compatibles Liquid Foundation in LF3

Anastasia Beauty Express Kit in Brunette
Inglot Matte 360 Eyeshadow
The Face Shop Lovely ME:EX Eyes in BK903 (review here)

NYX Jumbo Eye Crayon in Purple

NYX Single Eyeshadow in Purple

Ellis Faas Creamy Eyes in E103 (review here)

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer in #20 Light

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder

Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Vapour

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Dollface

MAC Lipstick in Snob

Luview Glossy Kiss lipgloss (milky pink end)

Thanks for watching guys. If you liked the video, please subscribe. Thanks so much! :)

Giveaway Closed: Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye Cream and Peter Alexander Eye Mask!

2012-02-03T15:47:00.000+11:00

Happy Friday, guys! I have a treat for you all today - a giveaway of the latest product from Kiehl's -the Midnight Recovery Eye!

This product is the latest from Kiehl's - an extension of their bestselling Midnight Recovery Concentrate. This eye cream is formulated to increase circulation and reduce puffiness and eye bags. It contains the active ingredient Butcher's Broom, a root extract that is known to increase microcirculation. This eye cream also helps strengthen the eye area.

It also contains essential oils like lavender, squalane, and evening primrose. They help restructure the skin, and smell amazingly good and calming!

One lucky winner will receive a full-sized tube of Midnight Recovery Eye, worth AUD 44, along with a Peter Alexander Eye Mask, to fulfil all your eye-TLC needs :)

Below are the rules of this giveaway:

This giveaway is open to all Australian residents.
To participate, you need to be a subscriber of my blog, or YouTube, or like my Facebook page.
Then, fill in the form below, telling me your favourite Kiehl's product as well as the Kiehl's product that you would most like to try.
The giveaway ends 15th February 2012 at 12:00AM AEST.
I will announce the winner on 16th February 2012. The winner should contact me within 24 hours of the announcement, otherwise I will draw a new winner.
If you are under 18, please obtain parental consent before participating.

Good luck to everyone!

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to everyone who entered!

Product Review and Release: L'Occitane Lavande De Haute-Provence

2012-02-02T12:51:00.000+11:00

Hi guys! I'm really excited to share with you the launch of L'Occitane's Lavender range. I was a huge fan of this range even before I came to Australia. As soon as I spritzed that first spritz of their Lavender perfume, I was hooked. It became my favourite fragrance, and I have always had at least one extra bottle as a back up.

I always purchase my bottles in Malaysia, but about a year ago, I realised that I would probably not be going home in a while, and my stash was dwindling. I set out in search of the perfume, but I could never find a bottle, no matter which store I searched. I began to submit to the possibility that my all-time favourite fragrance had been discontinued.

A few weeks ago, I received an email from the lovely Lesley from L'Occitane, informing me that the Lavender range would be launched afresh in March 2012. I immediately honed in on the Lavender perfume and body lotion.

Eau de Cologne

L'Occitane: Brightened by the radiant freshness of citrus fruits, the Lavender Eau de Cologne has a light breezy scent, underlined by a woody, musky base with a captivating trail. The vibrant Cologne is a celebration of summer that captures the sunshine and brightness of Haute Provence.

This is different from the original lavender perfume, but every bit as lovely. There is no obvious essential oil smell with this perfume - there is only the smallest bit of lavender in this fragrance. It is fresh and breezy, with a slight hint of woodsy smell (I wrote this without reading L'Occitane's description, which shows how true it is to its description!). It is also very subtle, so you might need quite a few spritzes, depending on how you like to wear your perfume. I love the fact that it comes in such a huge bottle! This is a 300ml bottle, and retails at AUD 59.95.

Be warned, this doesn't last very long on the skin, so doing things like sealing the fragrance in with a body lotion, or bringing along a little rollerball version to touch up, will go a long way.

Body Lotion

L'Occitane: A body lotion that combines the relaxing properties of lavender with the nourishing benefits of Shea Butter. Its rich texture absorbs easily into the skin, leaving it soft, supple and beautifully scented.

This is extremely moisturising, and perfect for use at night. It doesn't leave a greasy film on the skin, which is perfect, since it is summertime and most nights I'm sweating buckets as it is! Unlike the cologne, this lotion has a very soothing, lavender essential oil smell. I love it because it calms me and helps me sleep.

This isn't a big deal, but I'm a little concerned about the packaging. the cover of this bottle is tiny, and hangs only by a little connector, which I'm convinced will snap off if I don't use anything but a feather-light touch. Other than that, I am in love with this! It retails at AUD 39.95 for a 250ml bottle.

These products will launch in March 2012, so look out for them at L'Occitane stores and stockists.

This product was provided for review and consideration in accordance with this site's Disclosure Policy.

Product Review: prtty peaushun Skin Tight Body Lotion

2012-02-01T13:03:00.004+11:00

Hi everyone! I have a little product review to share with you guys today - this is something I've been eyeing for a really long time. When an opportunity arose for me to review this, I jumped at the chance.

This is the Prtty Peaushun Skin Tight Body Lotion, created by makeup artist Bethany Karlyn, and loved by many a celebrity.

Prtty Peaushun: Subtle light reflecting particles in a natural emollient base give the skin a gorgeous, flattering glow. Radiance conceals minor imperfections and enhances definition to create a sexy, slimmer silhouette infused with an innovative blend of plant extracts to lift, firm, tighten and diminish the appearance of cellulite, stretch marks, and varicose veins, as well as minimizing bruising and sore muscles.

I've worn this lotion out a handful of times, and the results are subtle, but I love it!

Here are a couple of pictures to show you the overall effect of this lotion. In hindsight, it was probably not the best idea to photograph in natural light, because this lotion really truly excels in flash photography or under direct sunlight.

Before

After

L: Before; R: After

You can still see the shimmer in the above photos, and if you enlarge the photos of my legs (*so shy!), you'll notice that the little imperfections and uneven skin tone are concealed to some extent by the shimmer in the lotion. Don't expect miracle results with this lotion - my varicose veins and discolouration were still visible, especially in harsh white light.

In the swatch below you can see that the lotion is a light gold shimmery shade. I have the shade Medium, which is perfect for me! You can easily go a little darker, in my opinion, because this lotion is so sheer. That way you can fake a little tan as well :)

I recommend using this lotion when you're going for a night out at a place with soft natural light, or if you're going to have your photo taken. This product performs beautifully in these settings. Photos look absolutely brilliant when you have this on!

The lasting power is also very impressive. I had this on at a wedding, in the afternoon, in the summer. (read: a blasting HOT day!) I was sure that by the end of the service, my makeup and this lotion would have melted clean off, but both managed to stay in place.

The lotion comes in a variety of shades to suit every skin type: Light, Medium, Dark, and Deep Dark. There is also a Plain version that you can add on top of the aforementioned shades or alone, to up the shimmer factor.

This product retails for USD 36 on the prtty peaushun website. Shipping costs a bomb, though, so I would recommend getting some friends to get a group order in. You can order up to 4 products at a flat rate of USD 20.

This product was provided for review and consideration in accordance with this site's Disclosure Policy.

Makeup Tutorial: Runway Inspired Coloured Smoky Eye

2012-01-30T18:54:00.000+11:00

Hi guys! Guess what?

I posted another video!!

I tried to do what everyone suggested. I think I'm speaking more loudly in this video, and I filmed it in HD (except for the beginning where I totally forgot!). I couldn't eliminate the background noise in the video, but I hope to fix that with a mic soon!

I am quite excited about having the YouTube channel up and running, so here's the video (that I filmed the day after my first video uploaded)! I completely forgot to take some actual pictures of the look, so here are a couple of screenshots so you have an idea of what the makeup looks like.

And here's the video! Thanks so much for all your support guys. I really, really appreciate it! xx

Product Review and Swatches: Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick

2012-01-28T14:41:00.000+11:00

*Warning: picture heavy post!!*

Here are swatches of the Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick range that I received recently. The colours I received were:

109 Rosy Dream; 140 Juicy Bubblegum; 161 Juicy Pink; 255 Mauve Diamonds; 330 Sugar Plum; 445 Mango Diamonds; 550 Cherry Candy; 602 Beige Rose

715 Ice Tea; 760 Luminous Cocoa; 240 Barely Brown; 295 Bronzed; 300 Warm Latte; 310 Mochachino

I like to see full-face shots when I look for lipstick swatches online, so at the risk of annoying everyone for taking up all your bandwidth, here are the full-face shots.

109, 140

161, 255

330, 445

550, 602

715, 760

240, 295

300, 310

These lipsticks are quite sheer and easy to apply. They last about 1 1/2 hours or so, normal wear time for a lipstick.

My favourite colours are:

140 Juicy Bubblegum - a gorgeous Barbie-pink colour that, true to its name, looks as juicy as ever
255 Mauve Diamonds - a very natural looking colour, and I personally love mauve in makeup products!
550 Cherry Candy - this fiery red colour is brilliant! My favourite colour out of the entire collection!
310 Mochachino - this is my stepping stone towards wearing darker colours. This is the easier version of Tom Ford's Black Orchid (without the purple undertone). Because this colour is also quite sheer, it is more easy to apply and is a lot more forgiving if you happen to make any mistakes.

Have any of you tried these? What are your favourite colours?

This product was provided for review and consideration in accordance with this site's Disclosure Policy.

Makeup Faceoff: Sleek Luminous Pressed Powder vs. Tom Ford Illuminating Powder

2012-01-27T22:13:00.000+11:00

Hi everyone! I haven't come across anything worth putting in this category for a really long time, but I finally found something very interesting to share with you guys! Today, I have a comparison between the Tom Ford Illuminating Powder and the Sleek Luminous Pressed Powder.

Both powders are designed to illuminate the skin whilst eliminating greasy shine.

Tom Ford Illuminating Powder: Diffuse imperfections and create radiant skin with this weightless and undetectable, micro-fine powder. Formulated with specially coated pigments, it creates a diaphanous veil of light on the face to achieve a silky, smooth-looking surface. Its ultra-gliding texture blends like a fluid on the skin, moisturising and redefining the complexion to ensure a natural, even and luminous finish. Custom applicator brush included.

Sleek Luminous Pressed Powder: An illuminating pressed powder infused with mica to help reflect light creating luminous skin that looks fresh and bright. It provides a translucent finish to help minimize skin imperfections and contains SPF15 maximizing sun protection for ageless, timeless skin that simply glows.

Here's what they look like on the skin.

Sleek Luminous Pressed Powder

Tom Ford Illuminating Powder

And here's a swatch of both products.

Product
The Sleek powder has the upper hand in this regard - coming in a 4-shade variety. The Tom Ford product only comes in one colour. I chose the lightest colour from the Sleek powder, and it is slightly warmer and darker than the Tom Ford. On the skin, however, the difference in colour is hardly noticeable.

Performance
I tested both products to see how they looked on the skin as well as how well they controlled shine. Both these products eliminate and control shine very well, and last throughout the day.

The Tom Ford powder is very matte, and does not add luminosity at all. I find it very strange that the Tom Ford powder is called 'Illuminating', because it adds no shine whatsoever to the skin! The Sleek powder, however, imparts a soft gleam, and looks beautiful. The shimmer is very fine, so that it adds only a soft glow and not obvious shine, and can be used all over the face.

What I do like about Tom Ford is that it is fine enough so that it fills out pores and makes the skin look smooth and silky. Heavy-handedness with the powder also doesn't affect your makeup and skin much, though it does give a slightly 'finished' look (i.e. it makes you look like you're wearing makeup).

Packaging
Tom Ford, of course, is luxe, with a magnet closure. Sleek's packaging is, well, sleek, and has a snap closure. Despite Tom Ford being what it is, I don't actually find much of a difference in terms of the quality and feel of the packaging between both these powders. I think I find elaborate packaging (e.g. Jill Suart, Paul Joe, Anna Sui) more impressive than heavy, well-made packaging, so keep that in mind when reading this!

Price
Sleek Luminous Pressed Powder: £6.49
Tom Ford Illuminating Powder: $99

Overall
Tom Ford gives the skin a lovely finish if you like a matte, made up look. I was a little confused, given that the powder is called an 'Illuminating powder'. That being said, I like having the Tom Ford for times when I feel like making myself look a little more made up. I love having both these products in my beauty stash, so I can change my looks (however subtle those changes may be :)).

But say I had to pick, I would definitely choose the Sleek powder because it gives me the kind of luminous glow that I prefer with my makeup.

What about you? Which powder would you pick?

Emily's Anthology

Product Review: Not Your Mother's Girl Powder - Volumnizing Hair Powder

My Biotherm Facial Experience

Giveaway: Betty Boop Intimates!

Makeup Tutorial: Fresh Pastel Look

Product Review: Elixia Crystal Derm-Exfoliator

Concealing Acne: My Favourite Concealers

My February Favourites

Product Review: Bioderma Sébium AKN

Makeup Tutorial: My Everyday Makeup - A Neutral Smoky Eye

Product Review: Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil

Makeup Tutorial: Fall Runway Inspired Smoky Eye

Product Review: Sisley Mystic Harmony Fall/Winter 2012 Collection

Kiehl's Eye Cream Winner Announced!

My Valentine's Day Manicure

Makeup Basics: How to Apply Eyeliner

Introducing my Fortnightly Anthology!

Makeup Tutorial: Sweet Valentine's Day Look

Product Review: Benefit BadGal Lash and They're Real Mascaras

New video! Valentine's Day Makeup Tutorial

*Giveaway Closed*: Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye Cream and Peter Alexander Eye Mask!

Product Review and Release: L'Occitane Lavande De Haute-Provence

Product Review: prtty peaushun Skin Tight Body Lotion

Makeup Tutorial: Runway Inspired Coloured Smoky Eye

Product Review and Swatches: Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick

Makeup Faceoff: Sleek Luminous Pressed Powder vs. Tom Ford Illuminating Powder

Giveaway Closed: Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye Cream and Peter Alexander Eye Mask!