Ethereal Beauty

Heavenly, feminine, gorgeous and radiant: this is the essence of ethereal beauty - and it's always in fashion.

Ethereal beauty is akin to the glow of pregnancy minus the baby (or perhaps with the baby), but you get the gist. 

The inspiration for today's blog is the heroine from my new favourite show, Game of Thrones, which went to air just three weeks ago in the US and has not yet reached Australian TV. It's full of sex, violence and intrigue - completely addictive. 

Daenerys Targaryen played by Emilia Clarke in HBO's Game of Thrones

Perfected skin, a soft wash of colour to the lips and cheeks, and bright eyes contribute to this angelic look, but the real key is luminosity and that means hightlight Highlight HIGHLIGHT!

You want a candlelit glow, not a disco-ball face, so choose products that are pearlised rather than sparkly.

Try NARS hightlight powder in Albatross on the tops of the cheekbones, browbone, bridge of the nose and cupids bow. US$27 from kissandmakeupny or AU$55 from Mecca online and in store.

NARS Highlight powder in Albatross

This powder imparts a gorgeous, golden-pearl radiance to the skin, especially in natural light.

A a soft flush of pink completes the look. Try Becca's lip and cheek creme in whatever colour suits you. I like Tuberose and Rosebud. AU$46 from Becca online or at selected boutiques.

Becca Lip & Cheek Creme in Rosebud

Apply to lips and cheeks for a youthful, sensuous flush.

Preview Game of Thrones at HBO.

Enjoy,

Love La x

Hey Gorgeous, you too can 'Benefit' from the strong Aussie dollar!

It's the perfect time to buy from America. Today, the Australian dollar is worth an incredible 109.5 US cents!

If you love gorgeous, girly, fun cosmetics, you should have a squiz at Benefit Cosmetics US website. Not only do they ship internationally for free when you spend over US$115, but you pay US prices!

Benefit Cosmetics are known for their fun products and collectible packaging but don't be fooled, their products are high quality and produce fabulous results!

Here are some of my Benefit faves...

Hoola matte bronzing powder is a cult product with an enormous following in the beauty industry. Benefit are famous for their collectable box'o'powder cheek products and this is a must-have!
Hoola costs US$28, which will cost you just AU$25.55 (or $51 at Myer)

Hoola matte bronzing powder

Eye Bright under eye brightening pencil is my favourite under-eye concealer. The creamy, pale pink formula blends softly to cancel out under eye shadows. US$20/ AU$18.25  (AU$36 at Myer)

Eye Bright under eye brightening and concealing pencil

Soft and perfectly angled cheek brush. Fabulous for blush and contouring. US$22/ AU$20

Slant Powder Brush

Love this tinted moisturiser with sunscreen. A summer beauty staple, but also great if you want to add a bit of warmth to pale winter skin.  US$30/ AU$27.40  (AU$51 at Myer)

You Rebel tinted moisturiser

If you've never tried Benefit before, now is the time!

Check out the Benefit Cosmetics US website here.

Love La x

Youngblood

I'm intrigued by this mineral makeup company, albeit mostly due to their name.

Youngblood conjures Twilight-esque imaginings of modern, gothic-inspired beauty, complete with luminous porcelain skin and berry-stained lips, perfectly suited to Melbourne's grey winter.

Don't be scared, in reality Youngblood has nothing to do with vampires; the name refers to a new generation of mineral makeup. I didn't realise mineral makeup had been around long enough to be reinvented already, did you?

I've ordered the Mineral Radiance in Sundance because I'm always searching for the next best bronzer.

Youngblood Mineral Radiance compacts in Sundance, Riviera, Sunshine and Splendor

I'll be back with a review,

Love La x

Stila Smudge Pots

Stila Smudge Pots have been on my beauty radar for a while now but my fear of gel liner kept me from purchasing one until recently.

I bought the black Smudge Pot and it's intensely pigmented. The texture is creamy and glides on beautifully. It sets, but will smudge a little if you have oily lids. You'll definitely need eye make-up remover to get it all off.

I won't lie, gel liner is hard to master. You really need to work at it to perfect your technique, but with a bit of dedication you can achieve retro winged-liner or sexy kitten-flicks with ease.

Invest in a fine-point liner brush rather than an angled liner brush. They're much easier to control and you can paint a finer line.

Mila Kunis

Mila Kunis looks gorgeous with her winged liner.

Kate Moss

Queen of cool, Kate Moss, looks chic with her flicks (no surprises there!)

In Australia you can really only find Stila at Mecca, which means you'll have to pay full price.
It's $42 for a huge pot, but I think it's worth it. Plus, the girls at Mecca will pamper you with a makeover (if you like) and free samples of luxe products.

Love La x

Review: Winter skin says yes to carrots!

Did you know that your skin loves carrots? Yes, carrots!

All this time you've been spending hundreds of dollars on luxury skin creams, formulated from scientifically derived synthetic ingredients, but all your skin really wants can be found in a humble root vegetable. Carrots are high in beta-carotene, an organic compound derived from orange fruits and vegetables, which has antioxidant and anti-aging properties.

I recently stumbled across Yes To Carrots, a paraben-free range of beauty products for hair, face and body. Yes To Carrots blends carrot juice with pumpkin, sweet potato, cucumber, natural oils and minerals from the Dead Sea to produce products that are gentle, natural and nourishing.

I've been trying the Yes To Carrots Eye and Face Makeup Remover, which I recommend for winter use or to those with dry or mature skin. The texture is so thick and creamy that you don't need to use very much. It removes my makeup well and doesn't still the eyes. Best of all, it leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated. The Moisturising Day Cream is also lovely, very rich and luxurious - perfect for winter ravaged skin. Its only downfall is that it has no SPF. Both products have a light natural scent that smells nothing like carrots.

Wildlife warriors will be pleased to know that Yes To Carrots products are not tested on animals.

Their prices are also pleasing.
Eye and Face Makeup Remover, 250ml $16.95
Moisturising Day Cream, 50ml $22.95

Available from David Jones, Priceline and Coles.

Cold Weather Beautifiers and Mood Boosters

This week, I've been coughing and sniffling through my first transeasonal cold for 2011.

It's miserable being sick, not only because I feel flat and exhausted but also because I see Fester Adams when I look in the mirror...puffy and pallid with dark rings around my eyes - hideous!

While it's tempting to loll about in bed when you're sick, you'll feel less like an extended member of the Adams family if you pamper yourself a little bit.

Here are some things I've done to boost my spirits while I get over this cold:

Sweet Tart nail varnish by Revlon

Painting my nails with this gorgeous, lolly-pink polish by Revlon gave me a lift and made me feel less pale and sickly.

   

Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant





  

I used this Dermalogica exfoliating mask in the bath yesterday and felt really pampered. You apply a thin layer all over your face and in ten minutes the lactic acid disolves the dead skin to reveal a softer, brighter complexion. I love this, it's so gentle on my sensitive skin and doesn't leave it red like traditional scrubs.

I've been watching YouTube - it's addictive and it makes me lol.

I love Maru, and Maru loves boxes. This inquisitive, scottish-fold cat from Japan makes me smile.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XID_W4neJo

Flashmobs are fun. I like this one from Weeds - the music is so happy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fm0LhJVPNI

This Beyonce inspired flashmob at London's Piccadilly Circus is great too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de8oaegzb_0

Lastly, if you're lucky enough to have an amazing boyfriend, like I do, get him in the kitchen. Ax made me an amazing chicken soup with ginger, barley and vegetables and it made me feel alot better ( thanks babe x).

Hope these suggestion help if you're feeling under the weather,

Love La x

Review: Moroccan Oil

By now, you're probably aware of the most coveted beauty ingredient for 2011 - argan oil. If you don't know what I'm talking about, shame on you!

The argan oil frenzy began with the highy publicised arrival of Moroccan Oil, an exotic range of deliciously moisturising, treatment products for hair.

2010 marked the death of the straightening iron and a return to natural waves and voluminous hair, leaving in it's wake, a generation of women with dry, damaged and sensitised hair. Moroccan Oil came to the rescue, armed with it's secret weapon - argan oil!

Moroccan Oil has been described as revolutionary, yet it's star ingredient is paradoxically ancient. Argan oil is extracted from the kernels of the native Moroccan Argan tree, and has been revered for it's moisturising, medicinal and anti-ageing properties for centuries.

http://www.ry.com.au/

From the Moroccan Oil range, I have been using the Moisture Repair Shampoo, the Moisture Repair Conditioner and the Original Moroccan Oil Treatment. Not surprisingly, the standout product is the Original Moroccan Oil Treatment - a leave in moisturising treatment and styling product in one. This liquid gold is rich, hydrating and easily absorbed by wet hair, leaving the hair feeling soft and healthy once blow dried.

Moroccan Oil products are quite aromatic and the exotic, incense-ish scent may not be to everyone's liking.

Here's to good hair days,

Love La x

More BECCA - Boudoir Skin Mineral Powder

http://www.facebook.com/becca.cosmetics.australia



Boudoir Skin Mineral Powder, the newest product in BECCA's range of complexion perfecting products, has been a getting a bit of attention this week as the star of their latest campaign.

I purchased Boudoir Skin Mineral Powder several months ago, and although it has found a regular place in my beauty product line-up, I do not use this product as a powder foundation.

If you love the creamy texture, buildable coverage and luminous finish of I.D Bare Minerals, you will be disappointed with BECCA's mineral powder when applied as a foundation. Boudoir Skin is quite dry in comparison, with very sheer coverage that can look patchy when built up.

I recommend using Boudoir Skin as you would a pressed powder - dust it lightly over your t-zone or all over your face to set your liquid foundation and any concealing work you've done. It also works well over tinted moisturizer to build a second sheer layer of coverage or matify.

#63 Kabuki Brush AU$85, Boudoir Skin AU$50 for 7gm

Boudoir Skin Mineral Powder comes in the distinctive BECCA compact - shown above in the colour 'Bloom'. Pictured beside is the BECCA #63 retractable kabuki brush, which is presented in a pretty but pointless chocolate satin pouch (now home to my Pandora bracelet). The brush is gorgeous, high-quality and incredibly soft, yet absolutely terrible at applying this dry powder!

BECCA products are usually wonderful and we should support this great Australian company, so try their fantastic Mineral Bronzer featured in my Best Bronzers blog.

La x

p.s. Remember to check out my editing website at http://laurakeeling.webs.com/

BECCA Creme Products

 BECCA Cosmetics is a gorgeous, modern, Australian beauty line, loved by celebrities, fashionistas, beach babes and coorporate glamazons alike. The line was founded on the philosophy that beauty begins with a perfected yet natural looking base. As BECCA doesn't rely on heavy advertising the line continues to feel unique and exclusive - a brand for those in the know!

    

Lots of people do know about BECCA though - and they tell their friends! Among the divine products in the line are at least two creme compacts that have reached cult status and a mineral bronzer that is perpetually sold out! All the products are high quality with skin loving ingredients and everything is available in a wide variety of colours to cater to all skin tones.

I am lucky enough to own a few BECCA products which I'll blog about in the coming weeks.


Today, BECCA creme compacts: Bird of Paradise Gloss (cult product), Tuberose Lip & Cheek Creme and Brazilian Bronzing Sheen (cult product).

Bird of Paradise Gloss, Tuberose Lip &

Cheek Creme, Brazilian Bronzing Sheen



Bird of Paradise Gloss is a creamy, highlighting gloss for eyes, cheeks and lips. It applies clear with an iridescent, gold pearl sheen, which is ideal for pale skin. This product applies very sheerly and the pearl is only visible in daylight. Very pretty but not an essential product - use vaseline for a similar effect. 

Tuberose Lip & Cheek Creme is a gorgeous, bright watermelon multi-use cream for cheeks and lips. Looks extremely intense in the compact, but can be blended out to a sheer tint. Suitable for very fair to very tanned skin. I love this product and use it daily on the apples of my cheeks.
Brazilian Bronzing Sheen is an intense, bronze gloss, touted as the sister product to Bird of Paradise. Looks great on eyelids, lips and cheekbones. Not recommended for lighter skin tones, as it will look a bit muddy.

Each product costs AU$46 for 3gms and can be purchased from BECCA online, some David Jones stores and selected boutiques. For BECCA at a discount, try online.

Enjoy,

La x 

 

My love affair with Nicco

Nicco is my Zumba instructor - and don't worry, Ax knows all about him.

It's not really an affair per se but I do love him, the same way that I love boots, red wine, dark skinny jeans and other things that make me feel confident and sexy.

If you haven't tried Zumba yet, you really ought to, but here's the thing; it's all about the instructor. You need a great instructor like Nicco to build your energy and confidence, and to push you to your limit.

If you live in Melbourne, you might be lucky enough to get into one of Nicco's classes but if not, try a few different instructors until you find your Nicco.

You won't regret it!

Love La x

Product Rave: Jurlique Citrus Silk Finishing Powder

I've never been a powderer - but this product has converted me!

I had tried powder a couple of times in the past and found it to be heavy, uncomfortable and cakey on my skin. I decided that powder was a bit too serious, a product applied by makeup artists to keep the bride or the stage actor looking flawless through sweat, tears and harsh lighting.

I was encouraged to try Jurlique Citrus Silk Finishing Powder after watching my favourite YouTube beauty guru, Lisa Eldridge, use it a few times on her beauty channel. I bought the powder online and was not disappointed.

This powder is so finely milled - it's silky, translucent and invisible on the skin. Best of all, it makes your mouth water with the sweet smell of fresh, juicy lemons. The compact is excellent - featuring a mirror, puff and sieve.

I dust this powder lightly all over my face with my Smashbox powder brush after applying my foundation, concealer and cream blush. I then apply my powder bronzer over the top. My makeup definitely lasts longer when I dust with this powder. It also helps my bronzer to glide on more smoothly.

Jurlique Citrus Silk Finishing Powder, $45 for 10g

Heavenly.

La x

Perfect Pear Salad

This delicious pear and roquette salad has become a signature dish at our house. The peppery roquette, sweet pear, salty parmesan and crispy almond flakes combine perfectly to satisfy all flavour cravings. You'll definitely want seconds!

-Ingredients-
1 green pear (any sweet pears will do)
1 bag of roquette
1 small wedge of parmesan or peccorino
1/4 cup of slithered almonds
1 tbl spoon olive oil
1 tsp balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
(Serves four)

Wash the roquette and put into a large salad or mixing bowl. Thinly slice the pear and add to roquette.Toast the almonds in a fry pan over low heat until golden brown and crispy. Leave to cool then add to the roquette and pear. Dress the salad with the olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper, then toss to combine. Shave a generous amount of the cheese over the salad using a potato peeler. Serve.

Pear and roquette salad is great with chicken and fish, or at a summer barbeque.

Enjoy,

La x

(I'll post some pics next time I make it!)

Review: Tan Mousse by ModelCo

While I appreciate my fair skin and rosey cheeks during the colder months, in summer I crave a deep, golden tan that would make a Brazilian proud (or jealous). I've tried many tanning products over the years in hot pursuit of the ideal 'just got back from an exotic holiday' glow including affordable options from Palmers and Le Tan to pricier offerings from St Tropez and Estee Lauder.

Most beauty gurus claim that St Tropez mousse is the ultimate fake tan, but at AU$43.95 for 120mls it ought to be! I bought the St Tropez mousse from TVSN on sale once and did enjoy using it, but personally I wouldn't repurchase it - I can't bring myself to spend that much money for so little product.

This summer I decided to try the ModelCo Tan Mousse, it's a new formulation in their product line, and I wanted to see how it compared to the St Tropez mousse. ModelCo are known for their tanning range and their 'Tan in a Can' is famously the first of its kind.

www.ModelCo.com.au

The ModelCo Tan Mousse is a rich golden-brown colour with orange undertones, unlike the St Tropez mousse which looks almost greenish brown. The product is instantly visible on the skin and easy to blend, which allows for even application. Once dry, there is no sticky residue and no horrible chemical smell, just a sweet vanilla, pineapple fragrance. The developed tan is a natural, non-orange golden-brown.

ModelCo claims that Tan Mousse is their darkest tanning formulation yet, but I think their spray tan formulation is much darker. The Tan Mousse gives a more natural glow in comparison, which is probably better for paleys like me.

ModelCo Tan Mousse AU$35 180mls

Happy tanning,

love La x

YouTube Beauty Gurus: #1 Lisa Eldridge

I've recently developed an obsession for online beauty tutorials, and YouTube is the best place to find them!

Lots of girls (and guys) have their own beauty channels, but there are only a few that stand out from the rest.

My absolute favourite YouTube beauty guru (thats what they're called) is Lisa Eldridge, a working make-up artist boasting twenty years industry experience.

http://www.lisaeldridge.com/biography/

Lisa is the Nigella of beauty - gorgeous, talkative, completely watchable and English. Her raven hair and big, brown eyes remind me of one of my favourite actresses, Mary-Louise Parker, from Weeds.

On her YouTube channel, Lisa re-creates editorial looks she's created for celebrities and models, demonstrates techniques for basic and advanced make-up application, shares her favourite beauty products and reviews product lines.

I love watching Lisa because her tutorials aren't overly fussy or technical. Plus, she works with a mixture of budget and luxury products, which is great for anyone who's on a budget.

You can find Lisa's beauty channel here.

Enjoy!

La x

Editing...and other exciting things!

The reigning in of a new year always brings a surge of energy to pursue things that have fallen by the wayside during the later months of the year before.

I moved to Melbourne fourteen months ago with aspirations of forging a path for myself in publishing. I sent letter after letter, e-mail after e-mail, application after application, eventually becoming disheartened, distracted and comfortable enough in my reception position to forget what I had come here to do.

Now, energised by the fresh beginning that another year brings, I'm back on the publishing trail.

I'm getting my editing career on track and going freelance!

I've started building my website. Check it out here.

'Til next time,

La x

Best Bronzers

Becca: Mineral Bronzing Powder in Duende

Best Summer Bronzer!
The perfect bronzer for that rich, bronzed goddess glow. A warm, medium-brown, mineral powder with no orange whatsoever. Goes on sheer and can be layered to create a deep bronze complexion. Imparts skin with a healthy, luminous glow without looking shimmery or sparkly. Comes in a heavy, luxe compact, with mirror.

Duende by Becca

Benefit: Box 'o' Powder in Hoola

Best Bronzer for Contouring!
This cult classic is a silky, ultra matte, medium-brown powder, perfect for contouring. Hoola is best applied with an angled brush, or small cheek brush, to the temples, jawline and hollows of the cheeks with a light hand. This bronzer can also be used lightly all over to warm up your complexion. Comes in an iconic, colourful and collectable box.

Hoola by Benefit

Dior: Dior Bronze Matte Sunshine in 02 Honey

Best Natural Bronzer for Pale Skin/ Polished look!
This bronzer is a gorgeous, light, matte tan colour, perfect for gently defining the cheekbones or warming up the complexion. It has a soft, creamy texture that blends easily and feels luxurious to apply. Unlike the other two powders mentioned, this bronzer is lightly fragranced and reminds me of sliced cucumber. Comes in an ultra luxe Dior compact with mirror.

Matte Sunshine by Dior

Product Rave: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

I decided to try NARS Sheer Glow foundation after hearing a rave review by one of my favourite YouTube beauty gurus, Tanya Burr (also known as pixi2woo, but I'll blog about her and some other YouTube faves another day). Tanya said that she prefers Sheer Glow above every other foundation she's tried, which is quite a persuasive selling point given that she receives foundations everyday, from both luxe and budget brands, to try and review!

NARS isn't available very widely in Australia but you can find it at Mecca Cosmetica, both in store and online. I popped into the Mecca boutique at Chadstone to test the NARS Sheers Glow and check out the colours. I was colour matched to Santa Fe and (to my surprise) given a little sample pot to take home and try. I highly recommend going in to Mecca to find your colour, rather than relying on the swatches on the NARS site.

After trying NARS Sheer Glow at home for a couple of days, I was hooked. The formula is extremely lightweight, beautifully silky and highly blendable. Although sheer, this foundation is highly pigmented so it blends away redness and imperfections without looking heavy. Sheer Glow is an incredibly beautifying foundation- it leaves your skin looking moisturised, youthful and radiant.

This is the ultimate foundation- my search is over! I purchased Santa Fe (a light golden tan) for summer when I fake tan and Deauville (a neutral light shade) for winter when I'm pale.

Unfortunately, in Australia NARS is ridiculously expensive- Mecca charges AU$99 for 30mls. Due to the quality of this product, I would pay AU$99 (slightly begrudgingly) but you can have it shipped from the US and take advantage of Australia's booming exchange rates!

Check out Kiss and Makeup, they carry the entire NARS line.

Next time bronzers!

Love La x

Beauty Buzz

The welcoming of a new year has inspired me to get back on the blog, and although I can't promise that I'll blog frequently, I do have good intentons of posting semi-regularly. Blogging makes me feel a bit self-indulgent, but so does shopping on Strawberrynet, and hey, a girls gotta have a hobby!

Unfortunately, when I work alot and don't have time to explore my city (like now), I find it difficult to cultivate the enthusiasm necessary to blog. But, there is one topic that continues to capture my attention- beauty. So, this year I plan to blog more beauty product reviews, covets, etc.

I already have an abundance of material to draw inspiration from and my beauty collection continues to grow. Expect to see NARS, Becca cosmetics, Dior, M.A.C and Moroccan Oil featured here in the coming weeks.

Love La x