Category Archives: Foundation

Sephora and what I bought there

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You know how they refer to Disneyland as ‘The Magic Kingdom’? Sephora should be called that too. I would also be quite content to dub it The Happiest Place on Earth. The fact that the first Sephora I visited was actually inside Downtown Disneyland made it all the more magical.

Not only does the name deserve to be up in lights, but it should have an exclamation mark too.

Sephora! *jazz hands*

I’d run out of quite a few things before I left for the US and stubbornly refused to replace them (I actually lived without concealer and powder for several weeks. Let’s just say it wasn’t pretty). So I had a bit of a list.

I was like a kid at, erm… Disneyland.

Let me paint a picture for you: I stepped across the threshold, eyes darting around at the enormous (yet perfectly ordered) selection, my brain vaguely cataloguing brand names and locations as I went.

It’s like Mecca Cosmetica and the entire beauty floor of David Jones had a baby. And it got all the best genes.

I spent a solid hour browsing. I could have spent so much longer, but both the boy and his brother were waiting patiently and we did have a room check-out to make.

I didn’t get everything on my list, but I did do well. And picked up a few other things too.

Many of these were things I actually needed. Some were things I didn’t know I needed. Others were things I needed and so much more. Yet others were duplicates of things I needed.

(Meh… who among you wouldn’t try two different brands of black eyeliner?)

And then, of course, I splurged a little — as one does when on vacation — and grabbed a few things that I was all wanty for as well.

Alterna Caviar Replenishing Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner.

An essential buy because I was about to run out of both and was concerned I would have trouble finding hair care products that were free of sulfates and parabens (necessary as I have Great Lengths extensions and these ingredients aren’t good for the bonds.)

BareMinerals Ready Foundation SPF 20 in Golden Tan, Benefit Boi-ing Concealer in 03.

Both necessities. Although I didn’t buy the BareMinerals powder foundation to be a foundation, it was intended as a replacement for my M.A.C Prep+Prime Transparent Finishing Powder.

My helpful Sephora assistant colour matched me perfectly and pointed out that not only would it work as a powder, but it would also add more coverage. Helpful, as sometimes my foundation thins out a bit, around my lips, especially.

I was in desperate need of a new concealer. The Benefit Boi-ing won because I’ve heard great things about it and it was a perfect colour match.

Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner in Black (of which Who What Wear said “We’ve finally tracked down the perfect liquid eyeliner!” — stay tuned for my review soon) and Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes Eyeliner in 0L (matte black).

I know, it’s hard to believe I let myself almost run out of black eyeliner. *gasp*

I was using a liquid liner over the top of a dark purple M.A.C liner during my last week or so in Australia.

A special thank you to Kimmi at The Plastic Diaries and Tara of Keeping Up With Me for introducing me to MUFE Aqua Eyes (and for reminding me to buy it.) I am in love.

Those of you who have been paying attention will know how obsessed I am with YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain – which I already own in 12, Corail Fauve – the plan was to buy every shade available when I got to the US.

On my first trip to Sephora though, since it was still within the first few days of my month-long holiday, I happily swatched away until I found another shade I absolutely fell in love with.

Please meet YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain in 7 – Corail Aquatique. Swatches & review to come.

I’ve been obsessing over metallic nails for at least six months, so I was so happy to find these! Left is Sephora by OPI Trend Tips in Ornate (silver) and right is Sephora Nail Patch Art in A12 Gold Circles.

Michael Kors Gold – Rose Edition EDP 30ml.

“New Fragrances” was written on my beauty shopping list. I had a few ideas of which ones I wanted. This was not one of them. (Mainly because I didn’t know it existed.)

One spritz and I was sold. It had my name written all over it. (Plus, it actually had my name written all over it.)

I also loved the idea of wearing a brand new fragrance the entire time we were away. Scent can be such a powerful memory trigger, so I wanted a fragrance that would remind me of travelling around America.

Unfortunately, I can’t seem to find this fragrance anywhere in Australia (aside from on eBay.) I hope it eventually makes it to our shores.

Mini Sephora Makeup Be Gone Triple Action Cleansing Water.

Impulse buy… Near the register.

Also I forgot to bring my own makeup remover, Bioderma Créaline Micellear Water, which I’m still totally addicted to.

Total spend just over $270.00 US. Which I thought was a pretty darn good effort.

So lovelies, it’s my first Sephora haul. How did I do? Have you tried any of these products? Let me know!

Love,
Rosie xox

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Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

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Oh the last few days of Autumn and the first few days of Spring are just so delicious aren’t they? Gradually you stop reaching for your big woolly coat, those fun, floral prints work their way back into your wardrobe, your makeup becomes more fun, and you daydream of long days spent picnic-ing in the park or lazing on the sand as the waves roll in. It seems like ages since I’ve done a Face of the Day (that’s what the abbreviation “FOTD” means, for anyone who doesn’t actually write a beauty blog.) Actually looking back it hasn’t been THAT long, but still… This is a makeup look I’ve been wearing a bit lately, it feels fresh, fun and most certainly spring-worthy!

A lot of people have been asking me to do a “how-to” post on this particular look, so here it is guys: An easy peasy spring makeup look!

1. SKIN: Skin was prepped with Face of Australia Face Base Primer, then I applied Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation in Medium/Deep with my fingers, warming it first, before spreading it onto my skin. I followed with a light dusting of MAC Cosmetics Prep+Prime Transparent Finishing Powder. I used quite a stiff powder brush to then dust Dior Amber Diamond Highlighter onto my cheekbones, nose, and just above my brows. Then buffed the foundation over with the same powder brush. A little highlighter in the cupid’s bow above your lips never goes astray either.

2. EYES: Using the MAC Colour Added Eyeshadow Quad, from the Shop MAC range, I washed “Laundry Daze” on the inner corner of my eyes across the lid to about halfway. Then using “Self Serve” I filled in the outer corner, swept it into the crease and up towards the brow bone. I double lined my eyes, first with Australis StayPut Liner in Black, then with Smiink Eyeliner Pen in Black/Noir, flicking it out beyond my lashline a little. I finished by curling my lashes and applying a coat of Face of Australia Impact Curl Mascara — starting by placing the brush at the base of my lashes and zig-zagging it to get some product build up for added hold — then sweeping the brush upwards through my lashes. Two coats minimum, and then combed through with a final coat of Maybelline’s The Falsies Flared Mascara just on the tips of the lashes for good measure. Then blended the shadows out to remove the harsh edges.

3. BROWS: Using a q-tip dipped in makeup remover, I swiped it across my brows to remove any foundation residue, then combed my brows into place. I tamed and filled with SAX Cosmetics Perfect Brow Shaping Kit (awesome, awesome product, go and buy it now)!

4. CHEEKS: Rimmel London’s Sun Shimmer Matte Bronzing Powder works really well as a contour as well, I used the Medium shade for this look in the hollow underneath my cheekbones, across the top of my forehead near my hairline, under my jawline and down the bridge of my nose. NARS Blush in Sin provides a beautiful soft, berry pink glow on the apples of the cheeks.

5. LIPS: Face of Australia Sheer Gloss Crayon in Cupcake

6. HAIR: Bed hair by my bed

Has the warmer weather inspired you to change your makeup or your wardrobe? What changes have you made? Let me know!

Love,
Rosie
p.s. sorry ’bout the crappy photos, I’ve been snapping far too much with my phone lately. Need to take some time to stop, smell the roses and shoot things properly with my SLR!

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Delta Goodrem’s Vogue Cover + Get The Look

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I always get a little antsy waiting for the new Vogue to come out each month. And I’m even more excited to get my hot little hands on the July 2012 edition (on sale today) as everyone’s favourite singer/song-writer/TV personality/all-around glamour goddess Delta Goodrem makes her first-ever appearance on the cover and features in an 8-page fashion editorial.

The super secretive shoot took place at a private residence in Sydney and was directed by leading photographer Nicole Bentley. The makeup guru himself, Napoleon Perdis, designed and created what he described as an “old-world-meets-today” look for the shoot, combining classically flawless skin with strong, modern eye makeup and bold (swoon) almost-Androgynous eyebrows.
The images are HOT! Delta looks amazing, she seems to sizzle from within. It’s nice to see her looking a little harder around the edges and not so perfectly polished. I love the look that Napoleon has created for her, it’s sexy, sultry but still strong. It’s sirenic without being overly girly and ‘pretty pretty’, and wowza-inducing without suffering from bombshell syndrome. I think it’s perfectly pitched to catapult Delta into the next stratosphere of stardom, where you need a little bit of rockstar attitude and somethin somethin to kick it up a notch.
“Working with Delta was an amazing experience,” explains Napoleon. He describes her as incredibly down to earth, genuine and ‘the ultimate muse for any artist’. “With that flawless face and those incredible features, she is the perfect canvas and a true natural beauty!” he beamed.

And the feeling was certainly mutual. “It was my privilege to work with Napoleon,” said Delta. “Napoleon is a true artist and we shared such a special experience with all the Vogue Team. He gave me so much faith and took me into a mystical world of creativity with warmth, compassion and belief. He is truly amazing.”
 I managed to get my hands on a face chart from the shoot, (and… squeee! Napoleon’s notes) so you beauties can re-create Delta’s smoking look yourselves.

Your key products for this look: 1. Auto Pilot Pre-Foundation Skin Primer, 2. Sheer Genius Foundation in Look 1, 3. The Ultimate Contour Palette, 4. China Doll Eye Liner in Copper, 5. Color Disc in Green Living, 6. Dévine Goddess Lipstick in Demeter. All products available from Napoleon Perdis.

1. Apply Auto Pilot Pre-Foundation Skin Primer all over the face to smooth and hydrate the skin.

2. Apply Sheer Genius Liquid Foundation to the feature focus area of the face (triangle of features; eyes, nose, lips) using Artist Foundation Brush 19b. Blend away to nothing at the jaw and hair line.

3. Sculpt the face with Napoleon’s Couture Contouring technique: Using Foundation Stick in a shade 2-4 shades deeper than your skin tone shade under the cheek bones, temples, jaw line, inner bridge of the eye, socket and nose. The High Definition Foundation/Concealer Brush g20 is the perfect shape and density for sculpting the face, it will apply the product and blend as you go for easy application.

4. Highlight the face using Mighty Concealer Pen Mellow Yellow. Take product in a V shape under each eye (the tips of the V should meet the corners of your eye to smooth dark circles and continue product onto the top of the cheek bones to lift). Take a little product along the bridge of the nose, cupids bow and under the shading on the cheek to emphasise your contours.

5. Now set in place for a matte finish with Camera Finish. Use Polishing Brush 35r for larger areas and Contour Brush 16b for more hard-to-reach areas like under the eyes and around the nose.

6. For killer contours, set your shading (under the cheek bones, temples, jaw line, inner bridge of the eye, socket and nose) with The Ultimate Contour Palette contour colour. This will not only keep the cream textures in place but also strengthen the intensity of your sculpting.
7. Apply a very light coat of Mesmer-Eyes Mascara to the top lashes using the fine comb.

8. Using Contour Brush 16b sweep Color Disc Green Living across the mobile lid, through the socket and along the lower lash line.

9. Line the inner rim with China Doll Gel Eyeliner Copper and smudge a little into the top lash line.

10.  Line the inner corner of the upper and lower water line with Eye Pencil Onyx Factor to give the eye a feline finish.

11.  Strengthen the brow with Eyebrow Pencil Chocoholic. To create this more masculine shape, fill in your arch a little lower so the lower edge of your brow becomes straight.

12. Coat lips with DeVine Goddess Lipstick Demeter. Tap onto the lips with your finger tips for a modern finish.

13. For a very subtle sheen, tap a little Luminous Lip Veil Cafe Au Lait onto the centre of the lips.

What do you think of Delta’s Vogue debut? Let me know!

Love,
Rosie xox

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All images courtesy Vogue Australia. Photography by Nicole Bentley.  

Perfecting the Fundamentals

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Illamasqua is perfecting the fundamentals and pushing the boundaries with their newest collection Human Fundamentalism. This collection is packed with colour and bursting with products that just beg to be played with. The minute these divine shots landed in my inbox, I just had to share.

Swoon. Absolutely incredible! Illamasqua always makes me want new makeup.

My must-have picks from this collection:

Powder Eye Shadows – $39.00 in Burst (blue green), Pivot (yellow green) and Cancan (lilac purple) will have you colour-blocking your way through the week and give you loads of killer weekend and party options.
Nail Varnishes – $34.00 in Nomad (bright jade) and Stance (bright mauve) will brighten up any girls wardrobe. Statement nails, yes yes yes!

Limited Edition Skin Base Foundation – $65.00 in Au (the chemical symbol for gold). Illamasqua’s cult BB-inspired foundation with the addition of tiny flecks of metallic shimmer throughout. Perfect for glimmering, shimmering flawless skin. I love a great limited edition product!

And for those looking for the beauty bag staple of this collection: the Neutral Palette – $78.00 is my pick. Featuring new matt shades Stealth (creamy buttermilk), Wolf (chocolate brown) and Vintage (antiqued gold) as well as the divinely deep and dark metallic black Obsidian, it’s sure to become your go-to palette for gorgeous neutral looks.

The Human Fundamentalism Collection is available now from MYER Sydney City, Melbourne City, Brisbane, Chadstone, Robina & Bondi Junction.

Which Illamasqua products are you lusting after?

Enjoy,
Rose xox

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I’m breaking up with my foundation

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Well, we’re having some time apart. As much as I love my current foundation (and really, I do), I just feel like I haven’t had the chance to experience everything that’s out there. So we had a serious discussion about our future together on the weekend.

Me: We need to talk.
Foundation: That sounds… ominous.
Me: It’s not you, it’s me! Really, you’re wonderful.
Foundation: Are you breaking up with me?
Me: I think we just need some time apart… to figure things out.
Foundation: But I’ve given you everything you ever wanted: long wear, great coverage, a matte finish.
Me: I know, and I love you for it. I’m very happy and comfortable with you. But maybe I need to try some new things. How will I know you’re the one for me if I’ve never tried anything else?
Foundation: (sobbing) Well don’t come crying to me when your face is all shiny and you start breaking out!

There were tears, and some makeup remover was spilt. But I think I’ve made the right decision. Maybe I’ll realise that my current foundation is the love of my life. Or maybe I’ll find something even better. I need to play the field a bit. See what’s out there. And reassess what I want.

So I started at the top, with a little luxe foundation haul. Chanel Perfection Lumière and DiorSkin Forever. Let’s enjoy our freedom and ogle these gorgeous foundation bottles for a moment.

Right, I think I’ve successfully run that metaphor into the ground.

Wish me luck on my quest for the perfect foundation!

What’s your favourite base? Do you have one? Or are you a player? Let me know. Leave me a note, stop by facebook or tweet me!

Rosemary xox

2011 Top Products

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I was tagged by Tara* of Keeping Up With Me to write a post about my favourite 11 products of 2011. Initially I thought, “easy-peasy”… but as a began to attempt to whittle my favourites down, I realised what a difficult task this would be. 2011 has brought me so many awesome products, so much new knowledge and so many new favourites. I did, however, soldier on and with delight, I bring you my top 11 products of 2011.

A lot of these are relatively new finds. I think it’s because I started blogging this year, I’ve suddenly been surrounded by all these wonderfully knowledgeable people with fantastic tips on products to try, and many of the products listed below have been recommended to me by friends.

HAIR PRODUCTS:

I took the plunge and balayaged my hair this year. The change was refreshing, but the ends of my hair were a bit fried afterwards. I’ve been using Moroccan Oil religiously, so when I discovered they made an Extra Volume shampoo and conditioner, I was thrilled. You need very little of each product to get big results. The shampoo leaves your hair beautifully clean and the conditioner was finally able to bring some life and shine back into the ends of my hair. The combination gives bounce, volume and most importantly that beautiful healthy shine.

The David Babaii for Wildaid Bohemian Beach Spray is a “can’t live without” product for me. For those days when you really wish your hair was looking awesome, but it isn’t. Spritz a little on the ends, scrunch and fluff. The result is supermodel-esque beach hair that smells like honey.

SKIN PRODUCTS:

I’ve never had fabulous skin. I get the occasional breakout, blackhead and lots of blocked pores. I switched to using organic products on my skin about six months ago and the difference has been incredible. No more breakouts, no more dryness. My skin is plumper, dewier and much smoother. Planet Eve Certified Organics is the heart of my skincare routine. But the main product I absolutely adore is the Daily Face Moisturiser. It absorbs immediately into my skin, making it feel so quenched and soft. And the anti-aging ingredients aren’t doing me any harm either.

Trilogy Rosehip Oil was recommended to me recently and I cannot speak highly enough of it. It really is liquid gold. It has almost completely gotten rid of some old acne scars, smoothed out some fine lines around my eyes, softened dark circles and generally improved the tone and texture. It’s also beginning to assist with fading some sun damage on my cheeks. It is so cheap, you simply can’t afford to go without it.

FOUNDATIONS:

I’m a foundation junkie. That’s why I’m including two. Estée Lauder Double Wear is my holy grail foundation. I work long hours. Double Wear means I never have to worry about my makeup. I put it on at 5:30 in the morning and it’s still perfect at 8pm and beyond. It’s lasted me fifteen hours and longer without a single touch up.

Australis Paparazzi Perfect is my night-time, party foundation. The light reflecting minerals mean it matches my skin/body perfectly no matter if I’ve had a brand new tan, if I’m a little pale or even if I’m halfway between the two. I never have to worry about people photographing me, because my skin always looks flawless, dewy and perfect.

EYE PRODUCTS:

I LOVE eye makeup. I adore it. I used to use two mascaras, one on top of the other until I discovered Australis Killer Curves Mascara. It curls, it lengthens, it volumises and it doesn’t clump or stick your lashes together. You can put on two or even three coats and still no clumps. Round of applause from me.

Napoleon Perdis China Doll Gel Eyeliner (in Equinox – black) is a relatively new find. I’ve been a devotee of the kohl pencil for years, but I always ended up with panda eyes or fall out no matter which brand I used. This baby is black as can be, sets and doesn’t budge and can be used on your inner and outer lids with perfect results. Using a really fine angled brush means you can get a much finer line and you have much more control than with a pencil. I can see and long and happy relationship in the future.

LIP PRODUCTS:

I’ve never been much of a lipstick wearer until recently. I used to be happy with a slick of gloss or tinted lip balm, but my lipstick adventures of late have convinced me I’ve definitely been missing out. Lipstick is no longer drying, boring, dark or messy. My two favourites from 2011 are Face of Australia Lip Quench in Lychee Crush – because it’s so deliciously moisturising, packs an SPF 30+ punch and is the perfect combination of pink and nude. My other favourite is Inglot Slimline Gel Lipstick in #40 because the beautiful bright coral really lights up my face, it’s absolutely packed with pigment and leaves your lips feeling soft, smooth and plump. It also lasts beautifully.

What are your favourites from 2011? Did you make any wonderful beauty discoveries? Please let me know! I’m always on the lookout for new products. Leave your comments, stop by the new Lashes & Lattes facebook page or tweet me.

* Tara tagged all her readers, and I’m subsequently tagging all of you :)

Here’s to a wonderful, blessed and beautiful 2012!
Rosemary xox

Lights, Camera, Action with Paparazzi Perfect

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Foundation isn’t just foundation anymore. I should have known this, but until recently, I didn’t. Many foundations come with an SPF included, which is fantastic for daytime wear, but a big no-no for night time – especially if you’re going to be photographed. My makeup always looked fine in real life, but in some photographs I had an awful white ‘ghost face’.

Just for fun, here are some really bad before photos




See how my body looks nice and tan, but my face is really white? In real life, my makeup looked like it matched my body. Now, there’s a whole new generation of foundations that are designed specifically with photography in mind. Some of them contain SPFs (I’m still not quite sure how that works) and some of them don’t. One of these new camera-smart foundations is Australis’ Paparazzi Perfect Foundation. (RRP $12.95.)

The product description claims “The intelligent mix of High Definition balancing pigments with their amazing light reflecting properties creates flawless even skin perfection under any light…. skin tone appears smooth, and imperfections are corrected. A flawless, smooth complexion is achieved in any light. It provides a medium to heavy coverage with a subtly dewy finish.”

The first time I put it on (just because I simply had to try it out in front of a flash) even without primer or powder, I was impressed.


Suddenly my face matched the rest of my body! It blended perfectly, and I loved the beautiful dewy finish. Since my first test-drive, I’ve worn it to a few important work events, where I knew I was going to be photographed. And I’ve been really pleased with the results. Especially in photographs, Paparazzi Perfect creates an absolutely flawless base, it’s dewy, natural looking and finally my face matches my body! Perfectly in fact. The ‘colour balancing’ technology works. I have no need to fear the flash. My skin looks smooth, healthy and more importantly, glowing!

My only criticism is that it doesn’t last quite as long as I’d like. But I have oily skin and I’m used to long-wearing foundations. The first time I wore it was during the day, to work, and it only lasted a few hours. So I developed a method of application to try and get a few extra miles out of the dewy finish.

Here are my tips to make it last longer if you’ve got oily skin like me:

1. Always apply primer first –  I’m also quite fond of Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot and Mary Kay’s Timewise Foundation Primer Australis makes a great primer too.
2. Apply your Paparazzi Perfect foundation in a light layer (I use my fingertips as it helps to warm the product and disperse it evenly)
3. Apply a light dusting of powder. I use M.A.C Prep + Prime Translucent Finishing Powder , but your favourite pressed or loose powder will do.
4. Apply a second coat of Paparazzi Perfect Foundation.

The two layers, with the setting and oil-absorbing properties of the powder in between seem to make it last a lot longer. The event I was attending went for a solid four hours, and my makeup did not budge an inch. In fact, the last photograph was taken after I’d returned home from an event.

The colour I’m wearing is Natural Fawn. So lovelies – have you made any wonderful makeup discoveries lately? Please share!