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.

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 

 

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

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

Date night

Ax and I ventured to 'Asakusa' on Waverley tonight. We hoped that the fare would live up to standard of 'Hana', the Japanese restaurant that we frequented in the Blue Mountains, and to our surprise, it came pretty damn close! The restaurant is quite small with minimal, modern decor. Each table is presented with an amuse bouche of edamame, traditional Japanese boiled soybeans, on arrival.

We ordered the tempura asparagus, and the fried eggplant with chicken mince for entree. The eggplant was ugly, yet delicious and sadly I was too busy stuffing my face to take a photograph. The asparagus was tender-crisp and perfectly complimented by the accompanying dipping sauce. Smiles all round.

For main, Ax slurped the nabeyaki udon soup, which came in a hot iron bowl, with a tempura prawn and some assorted tempura vegetables. And, although he claimed the broth was not quite as tasty as the nabeyaki at Hana, I did see the bottom of the bowl.

I ordered the beef glazed with teriyaki and it was absolutely delicious. It was a little one dimensional and could have done with a few more veggies, though.

With two entrees, two mains, a serve of rice and a bottle of BYO plonk, our bill came to $56, which is quite reasonable in my opinion.

As Ax says, 'the Japanese aren't really known for their deserts', so we strolled a bit further down Waverley in search of a moist slice of cake or a sweet pudding. We found ourselves at 'Red Rhumba', which serves modern Australian cuisine. Ax said he didn't feel like dessert, but I begged him to have a few bites so I wouldn't feel guilty, and bribed him with the promise of a drink.

We ordered wine and tiramisu, and the tiramisu was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! The perfect combination of creamy custard and moist ladyfinger sponge biscuits soaked in coffee and liqueur. Plus, it was presented beautifully in a large glass, and big enough to share, which was lucky, coz Ax ended up eating several more than a few bites. A wonderful saturday evening had by all!
(Pics by Ax)

Tune in next week for adventures in profiteroles!