New makeup from MAC Cosmetics

A few weeks ago I got some new products from MAC Cosmetics. I was lucky enough to have my sister visit me in India and she got these goodies duty free for me. It was a welcome injection of cosmetic commodity as I was starting to have severe withdrawals from visiting the shiny white counters and the new-makeup-haze that they ensue.

Purchases included Prep and Prime Loose Powder, Prep and Prime Lip, Paint Pot in Blackground and Lipstick in Rebel.

I have been using the loose powder over my foundation daily and have fallen in love. My skin is very oily and I usually have to reapply powder many times throughout the day, after using this to set my makeup I only need 1-2 touch ups during the day. If you have very dry skin I probably wouldn't recommend it as it feels quite dry and matte on the skin but that certainly isn't a problem for me. This product contains silica which can turn white under flash photography, I did a little trial and my face wasn't noticeably white or ashy but would probably be visible if you used a lot of product. It looks lovely when buffed in with a flat top brush, I have been using my duo fibre one from Crown Brush but have been eyeing off the Sigma flat top kabuki brush!

Used here was Prep and Prime Powder and also used a little of the Paint Pot smudged around the eye and set with shadow, lipstick is MAC Ruby Woo.

The lip primer is equally amazing, it has made even my cheapest lipsticks look better and last longer. I love the matte finish lipsticks but sometimes find they can be drying on the lips and using this underneath helps to keep your lips looking hydrated and smooth. A must have for you ladies who love to rock a bold lip.

The paint pots are a beautiful cream that is long-wearing, blendable and dries to a vibrant finish. I haven't played around with this much yet. So far I really love the consistency and layering shadow over the top. I have just been smudging this around the eye for a softer look and finishing with a taupe/grey shadow. This has been on my wish list after seeing one of Lisa Eldridges tutorials on a heavy smokey eye she did for Cheryl Cole, check it out on her blog page. 

Rebel is one of MAC's bestselling lipsticks, the berry-red number has a satin finish and gives a perfect pop of colour. I have been loving this colour on my lips, a change from my usual pinks and reds. 

Wearing lipstick in Rebel.

Hope you enjoyed reading about these products as much as I have enjoyed playing around with them. I will be heading back to Australia in a week so I'm sure the bright lights of the duty free cosmetic counters will draw me in and I'll have lots of new things to share. 

The reason for my belated blogging was visits from my sister, niece and boyfriend. We did some travelling together and saw the iconic Taj Mahal. I though I'd share one of my favourite snaps of this monumental building of love.

The Color Bug

I am loving the trend of dip dyed hair at the moment, there are so many awesome colour combinations and who wouldn't want a splash of pink for the weekend! I wanted to share this product I found called the Kevin Murphy Color Bug.

It is coloured hair shadow and the best thing about it is, it's wipe on, wipe off.  Even though most coloured hair dyes are semi permanent when they are starting to fade the colour can start to look sickly and this solves all those problems.

To use the Color Bug, you need to make sure you cover your shoulders with a towel, work some product through your hair, it is this product that the colour actually sticks to. Rub the Color Bug over the area you want coloured and then shake the hair to make sure there is no coloured dust fall out.

Love the fact that you can give yourself a rad pop of colour over the weekend and then it will be washed out for work on Monday, the perfect combination of party and business.  I can't wait to try this product when I get back to Australia, here is the link to buy online but they are unable to ship Kevin Murphy products out of Australia.

http://www.myhaircare.com.au/COLOR.BUG_1947.html

Scroll down the myhaircare web page to see a youtube demonstration of Kevin himself using the product and sharing his expert tips and tricks. Happy colouring!

Prissy polish

My obsession with nail polishes is bordering on unhealthy, I should enquire about buying shares in OPI... Thought I would share with you a few of my favourite looks for fingers.

Lucky Lucky Lavender with spot detail of Alpine Snow, What's With The Cattitude and Planks a Lot

Designer De Better with Black Shatter

Glow Up Already (Makes me feel like my fingers are shooting stars - super glam!)

Black Cherry Chutney with Silver Shatter

What's With The Cattitude, Teal The Cows Come Home, Lucky, Lucky Lavender and Alpine Snow

This was my first attempt at water marbling I did a base coat of Alpine Snow to begin and marbled over the top. The edges are a little messy but overall I was happy with the finished product. If you want to give this look a try, search for the OPI tutorial on your tube. You will need patience but it gives such an amazing look, there are endless colour combinations too.

All polishes pictured above are the fabulous OPI nail lacquers - my fav!

Mermaids and water babies

Reading the May issue of Indian Vogue I found the most amazing photo shoot. I am in love with everything about theses images, the styling, makeup and the whimsical fantasy they create. I have an affinity with white sands, blue waters, mermaids and anything to do with the wonderful world of under the sea. This shoot inspired me to share some of my favourite things that are the consequence of my connection to the sea.

Photography by Luis Monterio, Sumer Verma and Umeed Mistry

Styled by Anaita Shroff Adajania

Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish in Mermaid's Dream - This one is going on the wish list!

Illamasqua Liquid Metal in Phenomena

Nars Eyeshadow Duo in South Pacific

Napoleon Whipped Dream Tan Enhancer

OPI Nail Lacquer in Mermaids Tears and Sea Ya Later Sailor - Two of my favourite OPI polishes, I just found this swatch of them layered together, can't wait to try it myself! 

If mermaids had feet I'm sure they would want them to be in these gold Christian Louboutins

I can't wait to get back in the Australian waters and visit my old seaside home in Byron Bay. Counting down till summer, hope your excited about seeing the sun and crystal waters too. 

Bring on the bold lip

Loving bold statement lips at the moment and thought I would share a few of my fav lippies. I usually like to pair a bold lip with a very natural eye, either some light shading in the crease or nude eye shadow with some simple liner. It's best to just focus on one part of the face otherwise you can end up looking too over done and too colourful.

 L-R Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick in Electric Pink Matte, Chanel Rouge Allure in 64 Enthusiast, Mac Ruby Woo and Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Colour in 50 Black Cherry.

Both the Smashbox and Mac lipsticks are extremely matte, I love this finish on lips and they have serious staying power. I defiantly want to be adding a few more matte's to my collection soon. You can also pop a lip gloss over the top to change the finish if you like. I love the shade of the Bobbi Brown but am wanting to try the same in a matte to give a more heavy coverage. It is a great lipstick if you are just dipping your toe into the dark lip and are scared about looking like a vampire, just apply lightly and then blot. Enthusiast by Chanel to me is a classic, I always feel like a lady when I wear it and hey, it's Chanel who wouldn't!

Facial Oils

Using oils on the face is a great way to keep your skin supple, smooth and hydrated. All skin types can benefit from this, even the oily ones out there like me! I thought I would begin by showing you a new oil I have discovered here in India, Kumkumadi. I recently purchased the version by Kama, it is the company's best selling product and is marketed as 'miracoulas beauty fluid'.

This is an Ayurvedic formulation and many different brands make a similar product. The fluid contains a blend of oils and herbs including saffron which will illuminate your skin tone. Banyan tree helps smooth fine lines and liquorice acts as an antiseptic. This oil should only be used in the evenings as saffron can make the skin photosensitive in the sun. You are recommended to use this every night and should see results after one month, due to my oily skin I only use this a few nights a week but am finding my skin is glowing more than usual. I found a website that ships a similar product internationally if anyone is interested. http://www.emporiumonnet.com/beauty_health/vasu_pharma/Kum-Kumadi-Tailam.html

Some other oils that are great for using on your skin in the evenings are rose hip and jojoba. Rose hip contains Vitamin A which makes it a great choice if you have oily skin, it is considered one of the 'dry' oils. It also has Vitamin C and E which together can help improve signs of photo-ageing (from the sun), helps cell regeneration and can also increase the levels of collagen and elastin in the skin. The life span of rose hip oil is approximately three to six months depending on different products, a trick is to smell it, you will know if it has gone rancid.

Jojoba oil is fantastic for use on the face and body as it mimics sebum or skin oil more than any other natural compound. It has antibacterial properties which help balance your skin's pH level. This oil is a natural antioxidant which will help fight free radicals in your skin. Jojoba oil is stable and if stored correctly in a cool, dark place it won't diminish with age. Most oils go on easier when the skin is a little damp, you can use warm water or rosewater, it gives some slip and helps the oil disperse easily over the whole face. Massaging the product in will help give tone to your facial muscles and improve blood circulation for a true glow!

Bathing beauties

So I have an announcement, I have become obsessed with luxurious baths lately. There are so many different creations you can add to a bath to help give yourself an at home spa experience. Some of these products have benefits apart from relaxation, as if we needed more reasons!

Milk and rose bath - you can either add powdered milk (2 cups) or regular milk (2 litres). You can choose to add rosewater or essential oil of rose and then to make you feel like royalty add the petals of a few roses. This will leave your skin wonderfully hydrated and smooth!

Flower baths - adding these flowers to a bath can have fantastic benefits

• Carnations have a healing effect and can help reduce swelling.
• Chamomile flowers can breathe new life into your skin. It is also said to add shine to your hair so make sure you let your hair soak.
• Marigolds have anti-bacterial and soothing effects. 

Oil baths - I love adding coconut oil to my bath when my skin is feeling dry. You can also experiment with essential oils, add about 7 drops to a carrier oil (almond, jojoba or sesame oil) or you can add the essential oil to some shampoo to help it disperse in that bath. There are many essential oils each with their own benefits here are a few of my favourites. If you are pregnant you need to be careful when using these.

• Lavender has a very calming effect and can help give you a better night's sleep, a great choice if you want a super relaxing bath.
• Geranium can improve oily or acne skin and helps give life to dull skin.
• Sweet Orange is good if you have a cold/congestion and also to relive stress

Here are a few of my favourite bath products to help complete your home spa experience.

Voluspa candle in Crisp Champagne - notes of sparkling brut, vanilla and barrel oak. One word DIVINE!

The Body Shop Milk Bath - only one tablespoon transforms the water into a fragrant bath of creamy deliciousness.

iKou Turkish Rose Bath Salts - these salts are hand blended in the Blue Mountains, Australia. Designed to nurture, comfort and soothe.

Lastly a glass champagne, wine, juice, whatever it is that you enjoy to drink! To top it all off I like to have my latest book on hand to read. I hope you go and take some time out for yourself and become a bathing beauty xx