Tag Archives: Favourite Products

Summer Tanning Essentials

Posted on by
5

We’ve been talking about tanning a bit lately, and I’ve had a few people ask about my prep and post-spray tan routine. Keeping an awesome spray tan looking fab isn’t hard work, but it does require a few killer products.

Summer Tanning EssentialsThese are my must-haves for keeping my salon spray tan looking amazing, and a few really rad home-tanning products of which I am also a fan-girl. From left to right, please meet:

Loving Tan Easy-To-Reach back applicator – perfect for that spot right in the middle of your back that you just can’t reach, no matter what ridiculous positions you manage to get yourself into. Forget the boy, this baby has got you covered.

Vani-T Brazilian Bronze 1 hour Self Tan Mousse – if I tan at home, this is my favourite. It gives a beautiful deep bronze colour that’s super-speedy developing. I leave it on for between four and five hours for a really natural colour.

Le Tan Instant Face Tan – Formulated specially for the delicate skin on your face (which can react to the DHA in tanning solution), this develops slowly and depending on the level of colour you want, may require a few applications. Big fan. And it smells like caramel.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion – A must-have for the Aussie sun. I love the fresh scent and the dry-touch finish. No greasy stricky sunscreen for me thanks!

Palmers Olive Butter Formula Cream Oil - cannot. rave. about this. enough. It packs the punch of a body oil, but without the slick factor. The moisturiser component means that the oil soaks right into your skin. It has a fresh, ‘mens beauty product’ scent, with high notes of lemon and a hint of mint.

ModelCo Tan Extender/Gradual Tan Everyday Body Moisturiser: Fantabulous for extending the life of your tan. With a touch of DHA, it’s a moisturiser and gradual tanner in one. It’ll keep your glow looking fresh.

Skinny Tan Pre-Tan Primer: Absolutely addicted to this stuff. I buff my old tan off with a Tan-Off Mitt (excluded from this photo because it’s currently drying) but I then do a full body scrub with this stuff. It’s a creamy, coconut-scented body scrub which not only removes any final traces of tan, but polishes your skin to a baby-soft, glowing finish. And it doesn’t leave any residue, so it ensures optimum tanning results. Even if you don’t tan, you should go buy this. It’s awesome.

What are your favourite summer beauty products? Let me know!
Love,
Rosie xox

Find me: Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest // Instagram

5 ways to combat the “blahs”

Posted on by
10

I’ve had a rough week. I’ve had a ghastly flu and been burderned with what my doctor referred to as “nuclear strength antibiotics”. You know those days when you just feel blah? Most mornings I walk out of the house feeling confident and amazing, but some days seem dull and drab before they’ve even begun. Luckily, I’ve developed a system for combatting blah, dull and drab. Here are my top 5 ways to pull yourself out of a blah day.

1. Wash and blow-dry (or straighten or curl) your hair. It will look fresh and shiny and smell amazing. Most of the time I am a dry shampoo addict and boy howdy it’s good stuff, but sometimes you just need supermodel hair. Favourite products: Moroccanoil Treatment Light $27.50 / 25ml, KMS California Free Shape Hot Flex Spray $31.95 / 200ml.


2. Fake bake it. There is nothing quite like a tan to make you feel glamorous, slim and sexy. But as we all know, real ones are terribly bad for us and so (hopefully) you’ve discovered the beauty of a faux glow. I’m a dedicated tanner in summer: I do a full scrub and application once a week, and a top-up application after a few days. In winter I’m lazier about it, but a gorgeous golden glow is sure to perk me up any day. Favourite products: Le Tan Fast Tan Mousse in Deep Bronze $12.99, Vani T Liquid Sunshine $28.95 and for those days where you can’t be bothered doing a full scrub and tan… Le Tan Flawless Legs Body Makeup is a lifesaver $17.99.


3. Be illuminating! An illuminator or highlighter is makeup’s answer to flat, dull and blah. It’s kind of like having your own personal lighting specialist follow you around every. single. second. Sweep a little across the high points of your face (that is: the bridge of your nose, tops of your cheekbones near the temple, on your forehead just above your brows and if you really feel super blah, dot a little in the inner corner of each eye – it makes your eyes look brighter -  and in your cupid’s bow, which is the hollow above your top lip.) Sneaky secret? Mix a liquid illuminator into your foundation for an all-over heavenly glow. Favourite products: Face of Australia Mineral Therapy Illuminator in Angel Mist $14.95 and M.A.C Mineralise Skin Finish in Lightscapade $47.00.

4. Wear a bright(er) lipstick. One thing that’s bound to put you in a good mood and put some colour in your face is a great bright lipstick. I’m pretty obsessed with some of the great corals out there at the moment. The great thing about coral is it’s like pink and orange had a baby together, which means it suits both warm and cool skintones! Coral is the perfect pick-me-up for mid-week. But if you’re after something a little more wow for the weekend, go for a deep fiery red or a boom-smash orange. Favourite products: Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipcolour in Coral Fire $16.95, Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss in Besotted $39.00 and Shop M.A.C Lipstick in Watch Me Simmer $36.00.

5. Give yourself a statement mani. There’s nothing quite like having fabulous nails. It gives you that extra bit of wow factor, it’s a conversation starter and it’s likely to get you noticed. I always get compliments when I choose a bright or unique nail colour. Plus, there’s something about having hands that look great that’s a real confidence booster. Neon yellow, bright orange, pretty pink with a glitter feature nail (like the one here) or a parade of pastel colours on your fingers (like here). Statement nails are a big blah-buster! Favourite products: Revlon Top Speed Nail Enamel in Electric and Pink Lingerie $15.95, OPI Nail Polishes in Pamplona Purple and Jade is the New Black $19.95, Sportsgirl Nail It! in Ginger $7.95, Face of Australia ProNail Enamel in Cool Cotton $6.95 and Barbados Nail Enamel in Another Daquiri Please $4.95.
Do you have a system or a great way to combat the “blahs”? Any parts of your beauty routine that instantly perk you up? Will you be trying any of my tips? Let me know!

Happy Friday!
Love,
Rosie xox

Find me: Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest x

Note: all images used above are PR shots. Layouts are my own.

2011 Top Products

Posted on by
8

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