Emily's Anthology - a Malaysian beauty blogger living life between KL and Melbourne

Lien Davies' How to Create Your Ultimate Brow Shape At Home

2013-05-21T13:43:00.002+10:00

At this point in my beauty blogging 'career', it's rare to come across something that drastically alters the way I view myself and my appearance, and the way I look at beauty. But what I'm about to share with you did just that, and completely changed my face!

Lien Davies is eyebrow guru extraordinaire turned ebook author, and 'How to Create Your Ultimate Brow Shape At Home' is her genius first ebook offering, teaching normal people like you and me how to create and shape your eyebrows to perfection all in the comfort of your own home.

If you're anything like me, you're probably wary of so-called 'professionals' out there at various beauty salons and outlets, who claim to be experienced in the field, only to pluck your eyebrows down to mini, stick-thin disasters on your face.
Or some of you out there may be walking around thinking you've got the perfect eyebrow shape already, and that you don't need any more help where your eyebrows are concerned.

What a lot of people don't know is that eyebrows can make or break a look, and I'm here to show you exactly how. Exhibit one - a comparison picture of my eyebrows before and after I shaped them using Lien's ebook:

Not convinced? Let's try again...

Before

After

All pictures were taken from my Instagram account. These pictures show that even with minimal skill (I know nothing about eyebrow shaping), you may still achieve much better eyebrows than you currently have. My 'before' pictures looked overly harsh, and quite frankly, a little bit evil, whereas my 'after' pictures show a much younger, more soft look.

Lien's ebook contains simple, easy to follow instructions, and is fully illustrated (and very beautifully so, I might add) so you'll know exactly what you need to do, and how. It is a very easy read, and extremely informative.

If you're interested in getting a copy of this amazing ebook, Lien's website is www.ultimatebrowshape.com. This is $25 (or $15 if you're a fan of their Facebook page) that you will be glad you spent!

What's in My Makeup Bag: My Quick, Everyday Makeup

2013-05-20T15:47:00.000+10:00

Ever since landing in Malaysia, I've had to adapt to many different things. Despite having lived in Malaysia for more than half my life, my time in Melbourne has made me soft. I've had to adjust to the food here (hello, food poisoning!), the weather, and the people.

One of the changes I've made is my makeup. Being exposed to so many Asian brands here, I naturally went a little crazy, but I've whittled it down to a select few products that I now wear on an everyday basis, for a simple, no-fuss, 5-minute makeup.

If, like me, you have very little time in the mornings to prepare for the long work day ahead, try these makeup products :)

Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Express Kit in Brunette

Brows are my one guilty pleasure - I spend most of the time I allocate for makeup on perfecting my brows. Lien's fabulous ebook has only fuelled my obsession with my eyebrows, and I have been using the Anastasia kit non stop for precise lines and a gorgeous defined finish.

I generally leave the Anastasia brow kit at home after I'm done using it, and these are the actual makeup products that I keep in my bag:

Diorskin Nude Compact in 022

This is a good coverage foundation powder that I absolutely adore using to set my concealer. It provides a little extra coverage so that all your flaws are fully concealed, and stays put like your life depended on it! It even comes with a little brush with one 'high coverage' side and one 'sheer coverage' side, so if you were so inclined, you could adjust the amount of powder you deposit onto your skin.

Clinique Airbrush Concealer in 04 Neutral Fair

This is by far the best illuminating undereye concealer I have come across. It is not too high in coverage, but is buildable and disguises dark undereye circles well. I like that it is so quick and easy to apply, and always manages to immediately brighten my eyes no matter how little I apply.

Physicians Formula Custom Eye Enhancing Eyeliner Trio

This set of 3 eyeliners has great value, and (including Australis, which I also carry interchangeably with this eyeliner) has one of the best drugstore eyeliners I have ever come across. It is creamy (just make sure never to lose the cap on this!), glides on like a dream, and has just the right amount of pigment for a defined, natural, everyday look. I am currently using the brown (because I've run out of my favourite black), and I really wish Physicians Formula would sell these in singles, so I could buy up all the blacks and hoard them here in Malaysia!

Biore UV Perfect Face Milk

The number one selling sunscreen brand in Japan does not disappoint! There are many versions of this sunscreen, and I purchased a brightening version - the SPF 50+ PA+++ Perfect Face Milk. This sunscreen is incredibly lightweight, glides smoothly onto the skin, and immediately dries down to a velvety matte finish. And when I say matte, I mean bone-dry matte! This is the only sunscreen I know of that has such an incredibly velvety finish - it's like I didn't apply anything onto my skin at all! Though it sounds drying, it actually isn't, and sits comfortably on my Mom's dry skin as well.

Majolica Majorca Lash Enamel Glamour Volume On Mascara

Majolica Majorca mascaras have always been a favourite of mine, and this one will continue to make its rotations in my makeup bag (I've gone through 3 tubes of this already), but I've also discovered a new love - the Kiss Me Volume & Curl Mascara (reviewed in full here).

This mascara gives me much more volume than the Majolica Majorca (which I love) and though it can get a little clumpy if not applied carefully, it is fast becoming my favourite mascara. I am not a big fan of brown mascaras, so when I run out of this I am definitely repurchasing this in Black.

Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in Cherub

It's no secret how much I love this blush, as I have continuously raved about it in many a blogpost and YouTube video. One of the reasons why I love it so much is because it is easy to mix in with my concealer to create a cheek colour that's perfect for concealing blemishes (see my blemish concealing video tutorial here). Another reason is that it is incredibly easy to blend (just use fingers). Yet another reason? It lasts. Enough said.

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in SC2

This is my holy grail acne concealer. And this time I can say it with conviction. I've tried many other concealers out there, and though some come close (one that comes to mind is the Vichy-Dermablend Foundation stick), this is still my absolute favourite. It is pigmented, waxy, and very easy to blend on top of a blemish. Once set with a powder, this lasts a pretty long time, too!

My new favourite everyday lip product is the Lanolips Lip Ointment in Rose Pink. It contains SPF (always a plus), and nudes my lips out a little (another big plus), plus, it's very moisturising and has helped me combat my dry winter-ragged lips.

You may have noticed that I didn't include foundation in my list - I haven't been using foundation simply because my skin hasn't needed it (don't get me wrong, I still need concealer to conceal my acne, but my acne is pretty concentrated in a couple of areas and the rest of my face doesn't need much evening out), which is great, because this hot Malaysian weather can really make you sweat!

So that's my makeup overall - I hope you all enjoyed this post, and found a little something that might help you in some way. If you have any questions, let me know in whichever way you prefer. Thanks for reading! x

Product Review & Event News: Kiss Me Mascara

2013-05-15T16:15:00.000+10:00

Hello readers! I am back in sunny (humid!) Malaysia, and if you follow my updates on Instagram and Facebook, you may already know that I had the pleasure of attending a couple of events, including an amazing Kiss Me event just over the weekend.

Kiss Me are in the midst of organising fabulous road shows throughout the country, and I was lucky enough to be able to attend the one they organised at Sungei Wang, Kuala Lumpur recently. These road shows feature an amazing Kiss Me Makeup Station, pictured below, and was organised in conjunction with the release of their Brown Long & Curl and Volume & Curl mascaras, as well as the brand's expansion into new areas of Malaysia (you'll now be able to purchase Kiss Me mascaras at Watsons outlets in places like Penang and Ipoh). We were treated to go-go dancers, a makeup lesson, and a couple of hunky models!

The Kiss Me Makeup Station.

I was lucky enough to receive both these mascaras for review, and so here are my thoughts:

Packaging

Both products feature the typical colourful, illustrated Kiss Me packaging, and the mascaras themselves have a curved wand (Volume & Curl) and a slightly diamond shaped wand (Long & Curl). Both wands are small enough to fit in the little corners of Asian eyes (score one for Asian makeup), and therefore pick your lashes up beautifully, even in the innermost and outermost corners of the eyes.

Product
I'm not one for brown mascaras, but I figured I'd give these a shot. I am a total convert now, especially when I pair this with my much-loved Naked Palette. The pink highlight tones of the Naked palette on my mobile lid compliment this mascara beautifully! It also looks a lot more natural, and let me let you in on a little secret - brown coloured mascaras make your lashes look thicker!

Performance
My benchmark for fabulous mascara, as you all already know, is the Majolica Majorca line of mascaras. I tested these out and have come to realise that I love Kiss Me almost as much as Majolica Majorca, but in different ways. For nighttime and dramatic looks, I would definitely still choose my Majolica Majorca, but for a more natural, defined, separated lash look with no clumps, the Kiss Me mascaras win hands down.

Kiss Me has managed to formulate their mascaras so that they deliver natural looking volume to the lash, without any clumpiness whatsoever. The result is defined, fluttery, girly eyelashes. LOVE.
As far as curling goes, both mascaras give my lashes great curl without needing the use of an eyelash curler. If you're worried about overusing eyelash curlers and damaging your eyelashes, you might want to look into these mascaras. They don't weigh the lashes down at all, which means more lift that lasts almost all day.

Before Kiss Me mascara.

After Kiss Me mascara

Both mascaras seem to perform almost exactly the same (both deliver beautiful fluttery lashes), so if they run out of one kind at your local store, you're probably fine picking up the other. The one (minute) difference that I should point out is that the lengthening mascara (Long & Curl) does lengthen the lashes just a tiny bit more. If you're desperate for length, the Long & Curl is the better choice.

Here's a final picture of the before and after mascara lashes:

If you have any questions about this mascara at all, you can leave a comment below or (as many of you have shown is your preferred method of contact ;)) contact me on my Facebook page.

The Kiss Me Heroine Make Long & Curl and Volume & Curl mascaras are available at select SASA and Watsons stores Malaysia-wide. The Kiss Me Makeup Station roadshows will be running till the 10th of June, so visit the Kiss Me Facebook page to find out when they'll be at a location near you.

The products featured in this article were gifted for the purposes of review and consideration in accordance with this site's Disclosure Policy.

Red Lips: Orange Undertones

2013-04-29T13:12:00.000+10:00

A lot of people have asked me how to tell what undertones a colour contains. To be perfectly honest, there's no mathematical way to determine what undertone a lipstick's colour contains - you just have to look at it and try to determine which way the colour pulls.

In today's post, I've put together a few lipsticks to show you how to determine when a red lipstick pulls orange - which basically means that it has an orange undertone. In some lipsticks, the colour is quite strong and therefore the lipstick looks strongly orange, but in some, the orange undertone is very slight, but these colours flatter warm and olive skin tones immensely.

This first lipstick is the CoverGirl Blast Flipstick in the number 840, 'Stunner'.

This lipstick barely makes it into the 'red' category, because of its obvious, strong orange pull. In a lipstick like this, it is easy to tell that this colour flatters warm and olive skin tones beautifully. It would also flatter extremely fair skin tones with auburn/orange hair tones.

In case you're interested in this beautiful orange lipstick, it is sold in a duo, with one matte side (pictured above), and a beautiful shimmer side as well, which you can layer on top of the original colour, to create more depth and fullness to the lip (pictured below). It is a little bit dry on the lips, but lasts all day with minimal fading.

In this next lipstick, the orange undertones are a lot less obvious, so the lipstick looks a bit redder than the CoverGirl lipstick above. If you look closely, however, you can still see the orange undertones in the colour.
A way I find quite easy to determine the undertones in a colour, is to imagine a true red paint blob, and try to imagine what colour you would add into that colour to turn it into the lipstick colour that you see.

This lipstick colour is L'Oreal Shine Caresse in #300 'Juliet'. The L'Oreal Shine Caresse lip stains are long-lasting, and feel quite light on the lips. The feel of them on the lips is unlike any other lip product I've tried - they feel very light and yet have a bit of tackiness to them. Though they dry up a little, they still manage to give your lips a little bit of slip so that when you rub your lips together, you don't feel that uncomfortable, overly matte dryness.
They do stain the lips quite a bit, and last forever, even through eating and drinking. Most of the lip stains in this range are extremely sheer, with the #300 being one of the few exceptions. In the picture below, I layered the lip stain on twice to achieve this opacity.

Finally, to help you see what a red lipstick with an orange undertone looks like compared to another colour, below I've attached a beautiful true red lipstick with a slightly bluish undertone. You can hardly see any orange in this lipstick colour, and you might be able to see the difference this colour makes to my skin. In the above pictures, when I wear an orange lipstick, my skin tone looks warm and orangey. In the picture below, my skin looks a lot pinker, and paler.

This gorgeous lip colour is an Australis Pout Paste. These are a very thick gloss/lipstick hybrid, and are intensely pigmented and feel like a thick lipgloss on the lips. They do dry down to a stain after a few hours, and don't dry the lips out very much. When I say pigmented, I do mean pigmented! The picture below shows my lips only after one swipe of the doe-foot applicator that comes with this tube, and it stays that way for hours.

I hope you found this post helpful, and if you have a warm skin tone, you might want to check these lipsticks out!

YouTube Video: Trial & Error Part 1

2013-04-26T12:54:00.001+10:00

So instead of listing my favourites each month, I thought I'd do a new kind of video, titled (rather un-originally) "Trial and Error", in which I list products that I've received and purchased each month (or every other month) and giving you my honest opinions on which products I liked and which I didn't, and telling you why. I really hope that you find these videos helpful, and thank you so much for watching!

Products mentioned:

muk spa Argan Oil Repair Shampoo & Conditioner
muk spa Argan Oil Treatment
muk Style Stick
Uriage Nourishing and Cleansing Cream
Uriage Gentle Total Exfoliant (review here)
How to Get Your Ultimate Brow Shape at Home by Lien Davies (http://ultimatebrowshape.com/)
Clarins BB Skin Perfecting Cream
Benefit The Porefessional
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Concealer
Koji Dollywink Liquid Eyeliner
Daniel Sandler Long Lasting Waterproof Eyeliner (available at feelunique.com)

I hope you enjoy the video. Happy Friday, everyone! xx

Eye Define: The Hooded Lid's Answer to Crease Cut Makeup Looks?

2013-04-24T12:32:00.002+10:00

Happy Hump Day, everyone!

A few weeks ago, I was sent this box of eyelid tape from a PR, which really intrigued me because eyelid tape has been around for ages on the Asian market, but this was the first I'd heard of something similar being marketed in Western countries. I was very interested to try it out and see how it compared to other kinds of eyelid tape that I'd tried before, and spent the last couple of weeks trialling it and trying to get the hang of it so that I could share what I thought here on the blog.

Eye Define is sold in boxes of 64 strips, and retails at AUD 29.95 per box. Along with the strips, the box also contains an instruction booklet, and a little tub of gel, all packed in a little plastic blister case so that the contents of the box don't move about when you shake the box.

The shape of the eyelid tape is exactly similar to Asian eyelid tapes, a crescent moon shape with the tiniest curve. According to the instructions, you need to apply the gel in the tub to the eyelid tape before applying it to your eye, to help with reapplication (in case you get it wrong on the first try, which, trust me, you will probably do) and to help the strip last all day. This is where it has a one-up on Asian eyelid tapes, because most Asian eyelid tapes only have enough stickiness for one application. If you get it wrong, it's into the bin and on to the next piece of tape.

Now let me preface this review by saying that eyelid tape is very difficult to get the hang of. It is very difficult to place it correctly on your eye - too low and it sticks out onto your lashline; too high and it looks like you took an entire months' worth of caffeine in one morning - so you have to practice a few times before you figure it out, since each eye shape is different, and the placement of the strip on your eyes could be very different from mine.

So here's how I fared:

Above is a picture of the tape placed on my lids after about 3 tries (and I've done this before!). It looks quite natural when placed correctly, and because the tape has a pretty smooth texture, it doesn't stand out too much when I close my eyes. Up close though, it's pretty obvious that I have something stuck to my lids.

I wanted to try this with a natural makeup look that looks best with a large mobile lid, so I chose a simple winged liner with a bright, shimmery eyeshadow, and a little contour run into the crease. Here's what the makeup looks like without eyelid tape:

And once I applied the makeup, I tried applying the eyelid tape. It was a little bit more tricky doing this (which is why I'm thankful that I practised on my eyelid without makeup before I did this) because the tape becomes a lot less sticky once you've applied it to makeup, and it can be quite difficult to remove it and reapply if you placed it wrong. However, I wouldn't recommend trying to apply the tape first, and then apply makeup on top of it, because the tape doesn't hold on to much, and makeup looks strange when it sits on top of the tape. Makeup remover does not work on the tapes either (meaning if you made a mistake and want to clean makeup off of the tape, it doesn't come off).

For me, I had to change the placement of the sticker when I had makeup on, because the sticker made my lid jut out a little over my eyeliner, which made me look a bit like I'd been crying all night. I had to raise the sticker a little bit higher, but not so high that it looked unnatural. It took me a good many tries, and 3 wasted sets of eyelid strips, before I finally managed this:

The eyeliner is still a little bit off, because my mobile lid is so tiny that I couldn't raise the tape very much higher, which meant that the tape still made my lid jut out a little right above my eyeliner on my lashline. It looks a little bit more natural in real life, I think, and only feels slightly strange the first couple of hours after your very first application, but then you get used to it.

As for lasting power, these tapes did a pretty good job. A set of strips lasts an entire day (that's 5-6 hours for me) without budging or lifting at the corners as some tapes are wont to do.

Overall, I actually really enjoy the effect that the eyelid tape has on my lids. It gives me a larger mobile lid, which makes my eyes look bigger and more defined. From a makeup lover's point of view, I can finally show off the eyeshadow on my mobile lid without having to close my eyes, and without that pesky hood covering all my effort!
Note though, that this only works for natural looks like the one I did above, and cut crease looks. If you like smoky eyes and wear them all the time, there's no need for this tape because it wouldn't make much of a difference unless you have extremely hooded eyes.

What I didn't like about this tape was that it wasn't natural-looking enough for me, and caused my lid to jut out in places that made my eyes look a little bit strange, especially below the eyelid tape where my lid met my eyeliner and lashline. It was also obvious when I closed my eyes that there was something on my lids.

What do you think? Should I keep wearing eyelid tape, or are my natural lids good enough? :)

Beauty Enhancing Procedures and Treatments

2013-04-23T11:38:00.000+10:00

In this day and age, everything is possible, and anything can be done. I am all for treatments and add-ons that enhance your natural beauty, and that you yourself have carefully researched and contemplated before actually undergoing them.

Some things that I would definitely get done:

Eyelash Lift

Image source: lisaeldridge.com

I remember watching Lisa Eldridge's post on her eyelash lift and wondering when it would arrive in Australia or Malaysia where I would finally be able to try it for myself. The difference between this new technology and old eyelash perming, is that this new technique actually lifts the lashes at the very root, giving you a much more dramatic lift to your lashes compared to the curl of the eyelash perm, which shortens the lashes because of the curving effect that it gives. The technology has, in fact, arrived on Malaysian shores, in the form of a Japanese technology called the Japanese 'wawa' eyelash curl, which literally means 'doll' eyelash curl. I am heading back to Malaysia in about a month and can't wait to try it on my stick-straight, downward pointing eyelashes.

Eyebrow Embroidery

Image source: empro.com.my

Opinions are very divided when it comes to eyebrow embroidery. Some are all for it (particularly Asians with sparse hair) and have had marvellous experiences, and some have had the most horrendous experiences, including bad shaping of the brow, unnatural-looking colour, and the fading out of colour that ends up with an ugly red or green tint. I recently read about a new technique in Malaysia called the Bonbrow, and after following up with some bloggers and checking their experiences a few years post-Bonbrow, I have come to the conclusion that I would very much like to try it. So wish me luck! I will, of course, report back with the details once I've had the procedure done.

Hair Extensions

Image source: chiquel.com.au

I have seen many a lady-friend get hair extensions, and they have always looked glamorous, healthy, and quite natural. I am a huge fan of playing around with my hair, and am not opposed to have it chopped off on a whim, so I am definitely open to finding hair extensions or wigs in Melbourne that can help me extend the length of my hair, whether it be for a few months, or just for the night.

Are there any procedures or treatments that you are thinking of having done? Let me know what you think in the comments!

Disclaimer: This post contains a sponsored link, and is written in accordance with this site's Disclosure Policy.

Fabulous Oils for Fabulous Skin and Hair

2013-04-22T12:01:00.000+10:00

A lot of people probably already know this, but oils are fabulous. Even when you have oily skin. They are great for balancing your sebum production, and delivering hydration to your skin. They are a great anti-ageing product, and they also do wonders for you when you take them orally.

In the summer months and especially now that it's approaching winter here in Australia, I have been really enjoying a few products that I thought I'd share with you all:

From left to right: muk spa Argan oil Treatment, Jojoba Natural Oil, Kosmea Radiance 24/7 Youth Boost, Simplicite Sage Face Oil

1. muk spa Argan Oil Treatment (AUD 34.95 per 100mL)
This first oil is actually a treatment for your tresses, and a really good one at that! It contains argan oil, and utilises a kind of technology that helps deliver that argan oil into your hair, instead of just having it sit on top of it, meaning your hair won't be weighed down, nor will it feel greasy. This makes it the perfect product for any kind of hair, from thin, flat hair to thick, coarse hair. It works beautifully on both non-treated and treated hair. Simply pump a few drops into the palm of your hand, rub your hands together, and disperse the product all over your hair. To help disperse the oil more evenly, brush your hair through after. It has been working absolute wonders on my newly coloured hair, and I bet it will on yours, too.

2. Jojoba Company Oil (AUD 19.95 per 30mL)
Jojoba oil is special, in that the jojoba plant is the only plant that can produce wax esters similar to those found in our skin (sebum). Our skin's natural wax esters are responsible for keeping the skin hydrated, plump and most importantly, firm. Our production of these esters starts to decrease as we progress into our 20s, and that is where the Jojoba Company's oil comes in. I like it because it absorbs into my skin almost instantly, without leaving that greasy feeling behind on the skin. It has been doing a great job at hydrating my skin too, no grease but plenty of smoothness and plumpness to my skin.

3. Kosmea Radiance 24/7 Youth Boost (AUD 39.95 per 20mL)
Kosmea is well known for their rose hip oil, which is high in antioxidants, vitamin A, and essential fatty acids. This means that it helps your skin cells regenerate faster, prevents premature ageing caused by exposure to the sun, and helps to reduce the appearance of burns, scars and wrinkles, among other things. This new offering from Kosmea adds the antioxidant benefits of berry oils, and is great when applied to your skin when you're fresh out of the shower (this oil works best when applied to damp skin). Honestly, I am very tempted to start slathering this onto the skin on my arms and legs as well, and I think I just might!

3. Simplicite Sage Face Oil (AUD 41.80 per 55mL)
You all know that I am a huge fan of Simplicite products, and this Sage Face Oil is one of my favourites. It is quite heavy and does feel greasy on the skin*, but I am more than willing to leave my skin feeling a little bit greasy for all the benefits that this one face oil offers. It helps to prevent the formation of blackheads and pimples because of its antibacterial qualities, and helps the sebum on your skin 'move around' so that it doesn't clog your pores. The fantastic thing about this oil is that it is also formulated to help reduce the appearance of hyper-pigmentation, so it is absolutely fabulous for acne-prone skin.

* Robin from Simplicite has come back to me about this, and has told me that your skin is not meant to feel greasy when you apply the Simplicite Sage Face Oil. To avoid feeling greasy, apply the oil on top of Simplicite's Floral Toning Spray, or mix the spray and the oil together in your palms before applying to your skin, and it shouldn't feel greasy.

Have you tried face/hair oils? Do you have any favourites that I should keep an eye out for? :)

Makeup Tutorial: Easy, Flattering Everyday Makeup

2013-04-20T12:04:00.000+10:00

A brand new makeup tutorial is up for your viewing pleasure! :)

Products mentioned:

Benefit Hello Flawless Foundation in Ivory (I'm Pure 4 Sure) (review here)
Lien Davies "How to Create Your Ultimate Brow Shape at Home" (review to come)
MAC Paint Pot in Painterly
Chanel Ombres Contraste Duo in Sable-Emouvant

Daniel Sandler Long Lasting Waterproof Eyeliner in Brown Velvet (available at feelunique.com)
This fabulous product is a mechanical, wind-up eyeliner that is intense and long-lasting. It doesn't budge on my oily lids and it is also very creamy and easy to use as it just glides onto the skin without tugging, and with strong colour. I find myself reaching for it more and more because it really helps create a beautiful smoky eye and I find that it is a lot easier to use than a gel eyeliner, but with the exact same budge proof attributes of a gel liner.

Majolica Majorca Lash Enamel Glamour Volume On Mascara
This is fast becoming my absolute favourite mascara. It stays on, holds a curl well, and defines and coats my lashes beautifully, the way no other mascara can.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Concealer in Light Medium
I love this concealer for its lasting power and its pigment. It coats almost any imperfection on my skin extremely well, is great to use with its doe-foot applicator, and is very easy to blend. I wouldn't recommend it to use for the undereye area though, because it is quite dry and may settle into fine lines.

Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in Spice (available at feelunique.com) (read a little bit about the Watercolour Blushes here)

Kryolan High Gloss in Toffee

Thank you so much for watching!

Nude Lip Series: Sisley Phyto Lip Gloss in #2 Beige Rose

2013-04-17T10:16:00.001+10:00

My Nude Lip Series has been going on for a while now, and I am loving every minute of being able to swatch nude lipsticks and share my favourites with you. Most of my nude lip colours are pretty close to nude, and tend to wash you out if you're not careful.

I'm happy to report that this nude lipstick will do no such thing, as it is infused with the most beautiful rosy, almost peachy tone. The Sisley Phyto Lip Gloss in #2 Beige Rose has made its way into the very exclusive list of my favourite nude lip products, and here's why:

Packaging
I love products with good packaging. I admit, that this has nothing at all to do with how well the product will perform, but I like spending my money on something that has both function and aesthetics. The packaging on this product is solid, and feels good in my hands. The brush applicator is lovely and doesn't splay out after a couple of uses the way some other brushes do, and I love the glossy cap.

Product
The gloss is quite thick, but not so much that it feels uncomfortable on the lips. This balance is often difficult to get right - too watery and the lip gloss barely stays on for an hour; too thick and it feels goopy and uncomfortable on the lips. This lip gloss feels comfortable, and has a little bit of slip to it, so I don't feel annoyed when I try to rub my lips together.

The colour, as I mentioned earlier is a mix between a mauve-y rose and a peach, and looks absolutely lovely on. The swatch on my arm is a little bit more true to colour than the swatch on my lips, so the product comes out slightly dark and doesn't nude out the lips too much. For me, it's very much a my lips, but better, type of shade.

Performance
Without eating or drinking, this lip gloss lasts for a good 2-3 hours on my lips, average wear time for a lip gloss. I absolutely love the colour, and so do a lot of people, because I get a lot of compliments and questions about my lip colour every time I wear this.

If you'd like to see how this product looks in motion, watch my Sparkly, Cut Crease Makeup Tutorial below (skip to the end to see the product applied):

Overall, this is a fabulous product, even if it is a little pricey! A tube of this lip gloss costs AUD 60, and is now available and Sisley counters nationwide.

Disclaimer: This product was sent to this site for the purposes of review and consideration, in accordance with our Disclosure Policy.

My Balayage Experience at Oscar Oscar Salon

2013-04-16T12:31:00.000+10:00

Most of you would have seen my Instagram updates of my brand new hair colour, and a lot of you have emailed me already, asking about the process and price.

I've put together a little video of the process, and my overall experience with Oscar Oscar Salons, at their brand new salon in Highpoint Shopping Centre. It looks absolutely gorgeous, glossy, and so chic!

The fabulous ladies (all so gorgeous!) who helped flouf and style my hair to perfection

Most of the process is explained to you in my video (embedded below), so here are just a couple of pictures to show you the overall process and look of the salon.

I must say that the overall experience being at Oscar Oscar was an extremely pleasant one. Everyone was incredibly professional, and my hairstylist did a bang up job at Balayage-ing my hair.

I did a little bit of research on the Balayage technique, and it takes quite a bit of skill if you want to get it done right, because you have to pick out the pieces of hair that you think would catch the light more, and be able to graduate the colour well from the roots to the tip, because otherwise you get that very stark dividing line between the darker and lighter colours in the hair.

I am glad to report (and you will see in the pictures) that my hair suffered no such fate, and I am so incredibly happy with the results of the Balayage!

Hand massage! So good :)

No obvious colour lines! #win

Getting my hair curled

By the time I was done, I was a whole different person! I felt really good about the end result, and the curls they gave me were so glamorous I couldn't bear to wash my hair after.

I still have dreams about these curls...

For a slightly more comprehensive overview of my experience, check my video out here! You even get to watch a little bonus clip of my lovely hairstylist curling my hair with the ghd styler, just in case you wanted to try and recreate these gorgeous curls:

Thank you so much to the team at Oscar Oscar for giving me the best hair colouring experience I have had in a very long time, and if you're interested in getting your Balayage on at an Oscar Oscar salon, check their salon locations out here.

Also, I have a little bonus for all Emily's Anthology Readers!
Get a free style cut with your next colour at Oscar Oscar if you are a Highpoint or Southland customer! Just print this voucher and present it at your next appointment.

I hope you guys found this video helpful! x

Face of Australia Limited Edition Nail Polish: Glitterati

2013-04-15T12:35:00.000+10:00

On Friday, I was sent a number of gorgeous, jaw-dropping glitter polishes, courtesy of Face of Australia. If you follow my Instagram, Twitter or Facebook accounts, you'll know that Face of Australia releases some absolutely fantastic limited edition nail polishes, and this one just tops the cake.

The collection comes in 8 beautiful shades. From the right, top and bottom:

Studio 54 and Lookin' For Some Hot Stuff - multi-sized glitter suspended in a clear coat of polish. These are beautiful on their own or over a darker polish.

Dancing Queen, Disco Inferno and Saturday Night Fever - uniformly sized, multi-coloured glitter suspended in a clear polish. These would look absolutely amazing over black nail polish.

Boogie Wonderland, Funky Town, and Heart of Glass - glitter with different shapes and sizes, suspended in creamy pastel polish. So pretty on their own.

Overall, I found these glitter polishes to be easy to apply, and they dry very smoothly as well. I didn't apply a top coat over my nails but I still found the surface of my nails to be relatively smooth, with minimal snagging.

Here are swatches. All swatches were done with 3 coats:

From left to right:

Saturday Night Fever
Disco Inferno (only slightly more turquoise than SNF, but both are almost similar)
Heart of Glass (very pretty pink pastel with lavender toned glitter)
Lookin' For Some Hot Stuff
Boogie Wonderland (pretty lavender pastel with purple and blue toned glitter)
Funky Town (a darker purple pastel, with blue pieces of glitter that come out looking very subtle)
Studio 54 (by far, my favourite of this collection)
Dancing Queen (lime green and black glitter)

Remember that with glitter nail polishes, you will need to be patient when it comes to removal. It can be difficult and time consuming, but for me it's worth it!

Disclaimer: These products were sent to this blog for the purposes of review and consideration, in accordance with this site's Disclosure Policy.

Why Exfoliate The Skin on Your Body?

2013-04-08T14:34:00.000+10:00

If you know me, you'll know that even though I love beauty, I hate high-maintenance beauty routines. I don't like to apply body lotion after I take a shower or before I go to bed, I don't like having to draw my eyebrows in every single day, and I wish I had naturally curly lashes.

So naturally, when it came to adding another step in my beauty routine, I was hesitant, and a little skeptical as to whether or not I even needed to.

Exfoliating the skin on your body seems like a redundant task. Some of you may be thinking, 'My skin looks fine, why should I fix something that isn't broken?' and I'll be the first to say that I thought the exact same thing!

Here's the thing. Your body sheds dead skin cells each minute, thousands and thousands of them too! These dead skin cells don't just flake away. Instead, they stay on top of your skin, building and building up until they clog your pores and cause rough skin.

Here's what exfoliating your body can do for you:

It helps to prevent body acne.

It clears out your body's hair follicles, so that you can avoid ingrown hairs.

It can help even out your skin tone.

It helps bring your new skin to the surface, so that your skin is soft and smooth.

I tested out three body exfoliators that I had in my beauty cupboard, and here's what I thought:

1. The Body Shop Vanilla Bliss Body Polish
This scrub contains multi-sized scrub particles, and moisturises your body beautifully with Community Fair Trade honey. This is by far the most moisturising scrub of the three. It contains vanilla extract, and smells very strongly of vanilla. If you're a fan of vanilla-scented products, this is the perfect body scrub for you. I, on the other hand, am not a big fan of vanilla, so this isn't my favourite product.

2. Uriage Gentle Total Exfoliant
This scrub is unique in that it was formulated for both the face and body. This is perfect if you have slightly sensitive skin, as it is soap and paraben free. It utilises micro-spheres and botanical AHAs to exfoliate, and has a lovely smell similar to ocean-themed soap scents. This is what I have in my shower stall at the moment, because I absolutely love the scent, and the exfoliating spheres are quite pleasant to use on my skin.

3. L'Occitane Magical Leaves Exfoliating Shower Gel
It's no secret that L'Occitane products are some of my favourites (read about my all-time favourite lavender perfume). The Magical Leaves range was limited edition and is no longer available, but L'Occitane regularly releases new exciting fragrance ranges, with the same moisturising, beautifully-scented properties. If you love being able to select from body scrubs with a wide range of scents, all of which are equally moisturising and smoothing on the skin, then check out your nearest L'Occitane boutique or stockist.

I hope you found this post helpful! I will leave you with this last little tip: If you live in a country with a warm climate, or have oily skin, you need to exfoliate a little more! Oil and sweat helps speed up the accumulation of dead skin cells, so scrub at least 3 times a week. Do not exert too much pressure when you exfoliate - be patient and you will see amazing results!

My Haircare Routine

2013-04-05T18:21:00.000+11:00

Ever since starting my blog and YouTube channel, I've gotten countless requests to write a haircare post or film a haircare tutorial, especially when I started growing out my hair.

I've held off filming this because I personally didn't feel like I should, since I wasn't yet happy with the condition of my hair. Recently, however, I have started noticing a big improvement in my hair's health and appearance, and I thought this would be the perfect time to film this!

My hair isn't quite perfect yet, but I am still pretty happy with it, so here is the tutorial!

Products mentioned:

Kérastase Cristalliste haircare range (read the full review here)
Yuko Phiten Lock-in Color range (read full review here)

Batiste Dry Shampoo - I've reviewed the Batiste Dry shampoo many times, both on my blog and on my YouTube channel. It is a gorgeous dry shampoo that works wonders on even the most greasy roots. It also helps create a little bit of volume whenever I spritz it onto my roots, which is a big plus (Batiste also have a volumnising range, just in case anyone is interested!).

Macadamia Natural Oil Leave-in Cream - a thick leave-in cream that works beautifully at creating frizz-free, glossy locks. This does weigh the hair down a little, so I recommend this for coarser, or thicker hair. I applying this to damp hair because it creates a lovely textured, beach-waves kind of effect. This is what my hair looks like when I apply this to my damp hair:

Mar 9, 2013 | Stuck at home this weekend! 😞 #home #alone #me #bored by emilyquak on Keek.com

David Babaii Miracle Elixir Nourishing Spray - a gorgeous oil spray that has been kept pleasantly (and surprisingly) lightweight, whilst still delivering moisture and shine to my hair. I love how light it is, and how glossy my hair looks after its been spritzed on. You can also spritz it on heavily and leave it overnight, and after you wash your hair the next morning, it feels so much softer and smoother!

Macadamia Natural Oil No Tangle Leave-in Spray - another one of my favourite products. I absolutely love the MNO range and this product is no exception! This is much lighter than the leave-in cream, and also prevents tangling and provides heat protection for styling.

Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque - an amazing hair masque that provides much needed moisture to my dry, damaged ends. It smells heavenly, and does exactly what it sets out to do. I have softer, smoother, more glossy hair, and it lasts for days and days!

ghd anti static comb - an effective hair detangler that is sleek, lightweight, and sturdy.

I hope you enjoyed this video, and that you found it helpful! x

How to Prep Fine, Layered or Straight Hair for Easy Styling

2013-04-04T12:02:00.000+11:00

If you have fine, straight hair, yes, you get compliments all the time on how lovely and silky your hair is, but one thing most people don't realise is that it is a total b*tch trying to get your hair in an updo.

My hair isn't fine or silky, but it is quite difficult to work with, and quite layered at the ends. It's not easy when I want to create an updo, but with the help of these products, I've been managing quite well.

The key to easy styling is to first prep your hair, so that it holds in place more easily, and moves when and where you want it to. Pictured above are some of my favourite products for creating textured, style-friendly hair.

Toni&Guy Hair Meet Wardrobe Sea Salt Texturising Spray
Most hairstyles nowadays are quite undone, and chignons and buns are now styled with loose, wavy curls that create volume and frame the face beautifully (unlike sleek do's, which can be quite harsh). If you have naturally wavy or curly hair, spritz this all over your damp hair, then blowdry with a diffuser head, or scrunch your curls in as you blowdry. This will give you beautifully textured hair to work with.

Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Tousling Spray Gel
This product has slightly more hold compared to the Toni&Guy spray, and would be more appropriate for people with finer, more difficult to manage hair. It tousles the hair beautifully, and even someone like me who barely has any wave to my hair, can see a little texture going on. This spray can be worked into either damp or dry hair, but if your hair is more straight than curly, I suggest spraying it onto damp hair and scrunching it, as with the Toni&Guy spray above.

Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Hairspray
Once you're done adding texture (and a little bit of hold) to your hair, you want to add more hold. This way, your hair won't fall out of place before you get the chance to pin it into position. The Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Hairspray has just the right amount of hold, so that you don't get that irritating, sticky, pulling effect when you're trying to style your hair, but your hair still manages to stay where you need it to stay.

Remember that these products are only for prepping your hair to make it easy to style, so don't forget to use your heat protectant before styling if you're going to be using tools, and remember to finish everything off with a shine spray and a hairspray to keep your locks shiny, and your hairdo in place.

I hope this post helped anyone who has a little bit of difficulty styling their hair. Thanks for reading! x

My Top 3 Undereye Concealers

2013-04-03T12:38:00.000+11:00

Concealers are a difficult product to get right, particularly undereye concealers. They need to:

- Keep the undereye area hydrated
- NOT settle into the fine lines under the eyes
- Be lightweight and thin so there is no caking
- Neutralise the purple/green undertones in dark circles

After trialling countless concealers, I have narrowed my favourites down to three fabulous products. Here they are:

1. Giorgio Armani High Precision Retouch
This is probably my absolute favourite out of the three - an extremely lightweight, light reflecting concealer that does wonders for the undereye area.
Because of its light texture, it neither cakes nor settles into fine lines underneath the eyes. But despite its lightness, it is still extremely pigmented and a little bit goes a long way. This concealer contains a small amount of light-reflecting pigments, so make sure not to over-apply it, especially if you're going to be under the sun or in flash photography.

Something I don't like about this concealer is the packaging - Giorgio Armani hasn't engineered it quite right - because the concealer keeps leaking into the edges of the screw top cover, making a mess every time I open it up. The applicator also irks me a little - I'm not sure why they've done it this way, but the applicator is extremely thin (quite like a fine eyeliner brush), making it difficult to disperse the product appropriately across my undereye area.

2. Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer
Coming in a close second is the Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer - well known for its wide range of colours and creamy, hydrating texture. I originally purchased this for the rest of my face, which is why I didn't purchase it in a different undertone. What is so fabulous about this range of concealers is that they have the precise undertones that you need to counteract the dark circles underneath your eyes.

A little tip when it comes to looking for an appropriate undereye concealer for your dark circles: if you have purple dark circles, wear a yellow-toned concealer. If you have bluish circles, look for a peachy toned concealer. And finally, if you have green circles, look for a pink-toned concealer.

This concealer blends beautifully into the skin. I use it with a fluffy blending brush, and then pat it in with my fingers to warm the product up and help it blend into my skin. It is so pigmented and doesn't settle into fine lines, either. It is much thicker than the other concealers in this list, but it somehow works really well.

The downside to this concealer is that it can be a little rich for some people. Though your undereye area should be well-hydrated when you apply concealer, if you have very oily skin, it might be best to get a sample of this and try it out set with a powder before you buy.

3. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer
I have actually reviewed this concealer in a previous post, and it is still one of my favourites. It is equally as lightweight as the Giorgio Armani concealer, only slightly less pigmented. Don't get me wrong, though! Most light-reflecting concealers are quite sheer and don't quite cover dark circles, but the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind does. It looks very natural on the skin, and does not cake or settle into fine lines.

I use the colour 02 Light. There is a 'brightener' version of this concealer, but I wouldn't recommend it because it is a lot less pigmented than the normal concealers, and doesn't counteract the undertones in dark circles.

The sponge applicator is less than ideal because it does raise some hygiene issues, but other than that, I love what you get for the price!

I will be reviewing these concealers and many more in more detail on my blog, but I hope you enjoyed this post!

Makeup Tutorial: Easy Sparkly, Subtle Cut Crease Smoky Eye

2013-03-29T18:38:00.002+11:00

Hi guys! As promised, here is my smoky eye tutorial utilising a bit of colour instead of your regular browns and blacks. I hope you enjoy watching it! x

Products mentioned:

L'Oreal Paris Nude Magique CC Cream (review here)
Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Express Kit in Brunette (review here)
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk
Sisley Paris Phyto Ombre Eclat in Stardust (review and swatch here)
Urban Decay Single Eyeshadow in Asphyxia
Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in Black (review here)

Chanel Illusion d'Ombre in Fantasme - this is a fabulous cream eyeshadow that is so easy to use. I just pick it up with my clean fingers and press it onto my eyeshadow. The colour 'Fantasme' is a plain white with gorgeous glitter, so it adds a beautiful glitter effect to any eyeshadow you have on, particularly darker colours.

ck one liquid eyeliner in black - this is a foolproof liquid eyeliner with a felt tip/brush hybrid applicator. It is very easy to control and use, so it is perfect for first timers who haven't quite gotten the hang of applying liquid eyeliner. As someone who uses liquid eyeliner a lot, I still really enjoy using this because it just makes applying my makeup so much quicker.

Clinique Airbrush Concealer in Fair - one of the few light-reflecting pens that I own, just because light-reflecting pens usually don't have a lot of pigment in them. However, this Clinique one has a pretty decent amount of pigment in it, so you don't have to apply a light-reflective pen and top it off with another concealer. As you all know, I love my multi-purpose products!

Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in Cherub (review here)

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in SC2 - my absolute favourite concealer for the face! It covers so well because it has a good concentration of pigment in it, and it is also budge-proof and so easy to blend because of its waxy texture. A major bonus is that with this concealer, you get to mix in the two colours to get your perfect colour match, which is great because most areas of your face are shadowy and light at the same time!

L'Oreal Paris Nude Magique BB Powder - This is an amazing powder that covers your skin beautifully without covering its natural glow too much. If you have oily skin but still want that youthful, natural glow when you use foundation, this is the product for you. It comes in a couple of different shades - I wear 'Light' and my sister wears 'Medium'. We're both big fans of this powder.

Burberry Lip Cover in Nude Beige

Sisley Paris Phyto Lip Shine in 2 - full review here.

Makeup Basics: How To Apply Pencil Eyeling to Avoid Smudging

2013-03-27T12:34:00.002+11:00

Eyeliner is big. Almost everyone, even people who barely use any makeup at all, owns an eyeliner pencil. Unfortunately, most people aren't sure how to make their eyeliner last and avoid smudging, and trust me when I say this is a big issue.

I'm here to attempt to tackle these issues in this post, so hopefully this is of some help. So here we go:

If you have very oily eyelids, start with a primed eye. Make sure to get that primer all the way along your lashline as well.

Apply your pencil eyeliner in the shape that you desire. No need to be too neat at this point - just get the overall shape right. Here I am using the Avon Supershock Gel Eyeliner in Black.

Now this part is important - with a pencil brush, smudge the eyeliner. This will create that smoky effect that everyone wants with pencil eyeliners (and if you don't want that smoky effect, you really shouldn't be using pencil eyeliners, because they are notoriously smudge-prone. Instead, try a liquid or gel eyeliner) and also help to set the pencil, so that you don't get any stray pigment falling down later.

I am using the Boots No7 Smokey Eyeliner Brush.

Next, apply concealer to your undereye area. This actually helps create a 'barrier' to prevent the eyeliner from smudging downwards underneath the eye. I am using my favourite Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in Ivory.

This step is just as important as the concealer - you need to then apply a finely milled powder on top of the concealer and the eyeliner to set both these products and help them stay budge-proof. I used the L'Oreal Paris Nude Magique BB Powder in Light.

At this point, you have three choices. You can leave it as it is and move on to do the rest of your makeup, or if you want to make your eyeliner more intense, you can do the following:

Pick up a brown eyeshadow with your smoky liner brush, and apply it directly on top of your eyeliner. Smudge it upwards as well to increase the smokiness. This is a great technique if you are mono-lidded, and don't want to take your eyeliner all the way up into your crease, because this still gives you that dimension and shows up above the eye when it's open, but without the need to take your eyeliner all the way up.

Or, if you want a more intense, less smoky eye, you can also apply a liquid eyeliner on top of the pencil liner. Make sure you stay within the edge of the pencil liner, so that you still have that soft finish, without needing to blend further. Here, I am using the ck one liquid eyeliner.

And that is the finished look! I also have a little video that I posted on Keek that I thought you might like to see. I am wearing this eyeliner and just wanted to film it to show you what it looks like in motion.

Mar 26, 2013 | What the finished result of my latest eyeliner post looks like! http://k.to/1t7v by emilyquak on Keek.com

Thanks so much for reading! x

Foundation Review Series: Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation

2013-03-25T14:35:00.002+11:00

There has been an insurgence of a brand new formulation of foundations - light, watery in texture, and generously glowy on the skin. Today, I bring you a review of one such foundation, and one that has been fast gaining a strong market presence worldwide - the Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup.

Packaging
Sturdy, semi-opaque plastic, with a hygienic pump-applicator. The bottle actually looks a little bit like frosted glass, which is cute. One bottle carries 30mL of product.

Product
As mentioned earlier, this foundation is quite watery and light, and feels almost weightless on the skin. It is oil-free, so very well-suited to my fellow oily-skinned beauties. If you have dry skin, I recommend moisturising well before applying this foundation.
I am using the shade Ivory (I'm Pure 4 Sure), and this is a tiny bit light for my NW20 skin in the summer, but because it is so sheer, I can get away with it easily.

Performance
If you're looking for a foundation that gives you a lovely glow, and brightens and evens out your skin tone, then this is perfect.

Applied with fingers

Applied with a foundation brush

As you can see in the photos above, there is a definite brightness and a glow about the skin, but without making it look greasy or oily. Oil control is decent, though if you are particularly oily, I would suggest powdering your T-zone.

The coverage on this foundation is buildable - I have some acne spots around my cheeks and added an extra layer of foundation easily. It blends so beautifully and easily into the skin, especially when applied with fingers (my favourite way of applying this foundation)

I did find that when my skin was a little dry, and in areas that were a little bumpy on my skin, that this foundation tended to highlight these flaws. Therefore, I would suggest applying a primer before using this foundation if you have bumpy skin, and to moisturise if you have dry skin.

Overall, I think this is a great everyday foundation. It provides good coverage, and yet is so light that you feel almost nothing on the skin, and is so comfortable to wear. It is also a great pick-me-up in the mornings because it brings a beautiful radiance to your skin. If you're a fan of this type of foundation (think Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua or Estee Lauder Double Wear Light), then definitely drop by your nearest Benefit counter to check these out.

This product was sent for the purposes of review and consideration in accordance with this site's Disclosure Policy.

Video Tutorial: How to Contour and Highlight

2013-03-23T18:26:00.002+11:00

A lot of people are afraid to tackle contouring, because it seems like something best left to the pros. When I first discovered contouring, I tried it, only to come out looking like I was auditioning to be a gazelle in the chorus line of a Broadway production of The Lion King.

But with some practise, I think I've finally gotten the hang of it. I can't be bothered doing this everyday, but when I want to impress on a night out, this is my go-to contouring routine.

If you have any questions at all, please Facebook message or email me, or Tweet me, and I will get to you as soon as I can :)

Here is a picture of the finished look:

And here is the video!

Products mentioned:

La Mer Moisturising Soft Cream (read my full review here)
Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation in Ivory (I'm Pure 4 Sure)
Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate in Intensity One
Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in Fair
Sleek Contour Kit in Medium

Read more about my favourite contour and highlight products here.

Different Skirts for Different Occasions

2013-03-20T15:53:00.002+11:00

Whilst popping on a great pair of jeans can be a simple way to complete any outfit, not every woman feels comfortable in trousers all the time. If you’re the sort of girl who prefers to don a feminine skirt, here’s a look at which skirt will work best for which occasion:

For the office
Your work wear needs to be smart and comfortable, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on style. Wearing a skirt can be a feminine way to show your professionalism and personality. Pencil skirts are a particularly popular choice due to their fitted appeal. Opt for plain office appropriate shades or classic pinstripes. If you feel comfortable in a pencil skirt but would prefer a more fashion forward option, try a peplum skirt. When you’re office has a more casual dress-code, patterned and tie-dye print midi skirts are a wonderful option. Express you personality whilst showing off your curves yet maintaining your modesty.

For a night out
When you’re heading on a glamorous night out, a skirt and blouse makes a classic combo. There are no rules here, so whether you want to get your pins out with a mini or work a sexy bodycon maxi skirt, anything goes. Popular going-out skirts include colourful skater skirts, Aztec midis and fitted jersey full length numbers. The tulle tutu skirts is another popular style. If you’re opting for a mini skirt, you can go for casual denim or elegant tiers or something more sophisticated like a beaded design.

For around the house
If you work at home or are a stay at home mum, it can be tempting to just make yourself at home in your jogging bottoms each day. Choosing a comfortable and stylish outfit each morning, is a great way to boost your confidence and proactivity! Maxi and midi skirts are brilliant for around the house, as long as they’re not too tight and restricting. Jersey miniskirts and floating skater skirts are also good for easy movement, team with a pair of thick tights or knee high socks to keep warm whilst going about your day to day business.

For that special occasion
Picking your outfit for a special occasion can be a daunting process, whether it’s an engagement doo or wedding, birthday bash or christening – you want to look effortless fashionable. A dress might be the obvious choice but an embellished top with a statement skirt can be just as appealing. Choose from a floaty patterned maxi skirt with delicate sandals or a sparkly skater skirt great with killer heels. Midi skirts are another nice choice when you want to keep covered up but don’t want to risk tripping on a floor length design. Sequins are another big skirt trend at the moment.

New Look are a retailer of value fashion apparel, the second largest womenswear retailer in the UK, with over 1,000 stores worldwide. New Look’s designs range from dresses and jackets, maxi skirt and shoe collections.

This is a sponsored post, published in accordance with this site's Disclosure Policy.

Foundation Review Series: L'Oreal Paris Nude Magique Anti-Redness CC Cream

2013-03-20T13:05:00.000+11:00

You may remember my first ever trial and review of a CC (colour-correcting) cream - the Chanel CC Cream - which I found to be slightly underwhelming. CC cream has become a big thing in Asia, and is just making its way onto Australian shores in the form of the L'Oreal Paris Nude Magique CC Cream.

Today I review this CC cream for you all, so settle into your seats, and let's get on with the show :)

Packaging
L'Oreal has packaged this cream in a tube almost identical to their original Nude Magique BB Cream, with some green gradient accents here and there, which I will explain later on in this post. The dispenser is exactly the same as the BB cream's - a small syringe-like tube opening.

Product
The Nude Magique CC Cream aims to correct and conceal redness in your skin, and as such comes with a green tint - to counteract the redness in the skin - hence the green accents in the packaging. The product itself is reminiscent of the Nude Magique BB cream - the light, liquid texture, the micro-beads, the whitish formula that changes colour when rubbed into the skin.
The formula comes in one standard colour which is supposed to match your skin tone once applied. I found that this was slightly dark for my NW20-ish skin, though it wasn't too obvious. This also leans quite strongly on the warm side.

Performance
I actually really like this CC cream. The very slight colour mismatch actually gives me a little bit of warmth, and the finish is a beautiful dewy texture.

Applied with a brush

Applied with fingers

I love the coverage of this CC cream. It provides medium coverage, and covers my pores and acne quite well. I recommend applying it with fingers because a little body heat really helps the product sink into the skin and create a beautiful glowing skin.

It lasts for hours on the skin without melting off, fading away, or sinking into fine lines or crevices on the face. It also does a great job at neutralising redness - the areas around the acne spots that you can see in the pictures above were quite obviously red and spread over a pretty wide area, but in the picture above, the redness has been concealed in most areas.

Overall, I think this is a fantastic effort from L'Oreal Paris. I love the texture, lasting power, coverage and anti-redness qualities in this CC cream, and how (relatively) affordable it is as well.

The L'Oreal Paris Nude Magique Anti-Redness CC Cream is available now and retails for AUD 26.95 per 30mL tube.

Cranberry/Purple Smoky Eye Tutorial

2013-03-15T10:44:00.004+11:00

Hi guys! Here is a brand new tutorial in celebration of the fact that it is FINALLY Friday! TGIF! xx

I hope you enjoy watching this one :)

Products mentioned:

La Mer Moisturising Soft Cream (read my full review here)

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation - this is a fabulous, lightweight, new-gen foundation (very similar to the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua) that gives your skin an instant brightening effect. Its lightweight texture is perfect for the warmer weather, and it gives great coverage. What I like most about this foundation is that it has a lovely dewy finish, and it does indeed brighten your skin considerably.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Express Kit (read my full review here)
Ellis Faas Creamy Eyes in E103 (read my review here)

Vani-T Mineral Colour Crystals in Deep Russett - this absolutely gorgeous pigment was such a pleasure to use for this video. The pigment is very finely milled, has a lovely natural shimmer to it (no large chunks, yay), and applies and blends like a dream. Beautiful!

Prestige Total Intensity Eyeshadow in Black Magic - you all already know how much I love intensely pigmented eyeshadows, and I have been using Prestige's Total Intensity eyeshadows in so many of my videos because they are just that, and so much more. They have fantastic colour payoff, unique, beautiful shades, and are soft and buttery-smooth. Black Magic is a black eyeshadow with lovely, multicoloured shimmer running through it. I was expecting a lot of fall down with this but that didn't happen - another big plus.

Sleek Contour Kit in Medium (read about this and some of my other favourite contour products here)

Sisley Copper Touch - released with the A/W 2013 Belle de Shanghai collection (and a number of other preceding collections), the Copper Touch is a beautiful, iridescent bronze with gold flecks. I love using this in the summer, when I want my skin to glow. I am quite fair, so I love using this on my collarbone and on the tops of my cheekbones to give my skin a beautiful warmth. If you know that you're going to be under incandescent lighting when you're going out, slather this on. You won't regret it :)

MAC Mineralise Eyeshadow in Blue Flame

Avon Supershock Gel Eyeliner in Black - one of my favourite pencil liners, and for good reason! This gel/pencil hybrid is so intensely black and incredibly creamy. It blends like a dream, too. Once it sets, it is difficult to get this pencil to budge. Another plus point (as if there aren't enough already) - it's affordable. The total package!

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in Ivory - this soft, creamy concealer is hydrating, doesn't get into crease lines, and brightens up the face with great coverage. For all these reasons, I love using it in the undereye area. These concealers also come in a variety of shades, so if you're particularly dark under the eyes, look for a peachy/salmon colour, which they do carry in this line.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Vapor

Daniel Sandler Watercolour Cream Blush in Soft Peach - this is a new favourite cream blush formula, right after the original Daniel Sandler Watercolor Blush. It is more convenient to carry around than the original formula, which is why this gets a plus. As with the original formula, it is a dream to apply (just use your fingers!) and blends so easily, it's foolproof. You can get this at the click of a button at one of my favourite websites, feelunique.com, and the shipping is incredibly fast.

Kryolan High Gloss in Toffee - I LOVE this lipgloss! It is my go-to nude lip, and I can easily adjust how intense I want my nude lip to be, by adjusting how much gloss I apply, and then blend it out with my fingers.

Simple Classic Red Lip and Winged Eyeliner Tutorial

2013-03-11T16:16:00.000+11:00

Hey guys! This tutorial is a little bit more fun, so I'm sorry if it's not as informative! I wanted to show you what it's like to film with my sisters, and also to showcase some fabulous products that I have been absolutely loving. A few mini reviews are also shown below.

Products used:

L'Oreal Paris Nude Magique CC Cream - a green-based CC cream to cover redness and even out the skin tone. It blends beautifully and offers medium coverage. It has great oil control and yet allows some of the skin's natural glow to shine through. All in all, a great offering from L'Oreal.

Face of Australia High Definition Eyebrow Kit - I love that more affordable brands are putting together eyebrow kits like these! I love powders for eyebrows because their application is absolutely flawless and a lot less harsh, which works better for girls like me, with really sparse brows. These lean slightly warm, so I don't recommend them for girls with black hair and fair skin.

L'Oreal Paris Nude Magique BB Cream Powder
This is an amazing powder that covers your skin beautifully without covering its natural glow too much. If you have oily skin but still want that youthful, natural glow when you use foundation, this is the product for you. It comes in a couple of different shades - I wear 'Light' and my sister wears 'Medium'. We're both big fans of this powder.

NP Set Contour and Highlight Palette

Australis Curve Ink Eyeliner - this eyeliner features a unique curved handle which, once you get used to it, helps stabilise your hand so that eyeliner application is easier, and more precise. I love using this and I like that I can control the brush a lot more with the curved handle. I would have preferred a thicker applicator, but if you like being able to draw extremely thin lines, you'll love the brush on this.

Face of Australia Blush in Dolly

Maybelline Super Stay Lip Liner in Red

NYX Round Lipstick in Snow White

Thanks for watching! x

Emily's Anthology - a Malaysian beauty blogger living life between KL and Melbourne

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Simple Classic Red Lip and Winged Eyeliner Tutorial