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