Super Swap with mademoisellelorraine!!!!

Hello Friends!! I hope you have all been well! :) I have a swap to share with you today.

I'm really lucky cause it is with the beautiful and amazing mademoisellelorraine !!!

http://mademoisellelorraine.blogspot.ro/

She is so lovely and truly a girl who is beautiful inside and out. Do click on the link above to check out her amazing blog!

Link to her Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/makeupbymllelorraine

Isn't she beautiful?? So stunning. Wait... one more photo of her before we get into the goodies she sent me.

Woohoo! So GORGEOUS!! 

SORRY GUYS! She is absolutely happily married to the man of her dreams. :)

Now into the goodies!!

Oh boy! She really spoilt me! We did set a budget but both of us did not stick to it! Hahaha. 

We exchanged our gifts before Christmas, so when you see her video and my video, you will see a lot of Christmas wrapping. Uhmm... sorry, I guess you know by now that I have been and still am sick? Which can incapacitate me for days or weeks. So I am very thankful that Lorena (that's her) is so very very patient.

So, are you ready? Here it comes!!

iQ Cosmetics Color Collection Shadow Palette  

I am still playing with this palette and I can report that it is very pigmented!!

L’Oreal La Palette Nude in 01 Rose

So So lovely! I want to wear this everyday. I doubt if this will be available in Australia anytime soon, as we are yet to get the Maybelline Nudes palette.

Super spoiled with lots of beautiful high quality lipsticks! Look how pretty the colours are!!

Revlon Lip Palette in Hello Honey

Chantecaille Lipstick in Hibiscus

Oriflame More by Demi Lipstick in Hollywood Red

Oriflame More by Demi Lipstick in Princess Pink

Oriflame Giordani Gold Iconic Lipstick SPF 15 in Creamy Nude

Oriflame The One 5-In-1 Colour Stylist Lipstick Red Haute Couture

Close ups - they are all so creamy and very comfortable on the lips!

I love them so much, I wear them only once in a while because I don't want them to run out! Oriflame is not available in Australia - why?? why!?!

Ohhh these creme eye shadows are the bomb! The texture is mousse like and very light, yet the colour payoff is so amazingly strong. LOVE IT!

Oriflame Giordani Gold Luminous Cream Eyeshadow in Frosted White

Oriflame Giordani Gold Luminous Cream Eyeshadow in Bronzed Burgundy

Cute huh? When I saw this, I thought, Chocolates? Bon Bons?

Oriflame Tender Care Gift Box - four different flavours of balms that you can use on your lips, your hands, just about everywhere! They did amazing things for my very dry cuticles! A little goes a long way. :)

Oh la la! Look at this delicious plate of eyeshadows!

From the top - clockwise:

NYC 913 High Street - Blue eyeshadow single

Kiko Eyeshadow Palette Color Fever

Manhattan Cosmetics Eyemazing Effect Eyeshadow Top of the Taupe 96D

VS Shimmer Eyeshadow in Ultraviolet

All are simply stunning, but I must say I really do think the Kiko one is outstanding!! LOVE IT!!

WOW! WHAT? WHAT!

I was so stunned when I saw these. Flabbergasted. The two items go so well together and make the perfect night out on the town look. 

Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette Colour Coded Eyeshadows in the Golden Goddess

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Luminous Modern Matte Lipstick in Lost Cherry

Ahh Diego, whoever you are, you are amazing!

diego dalla palma la vie en beige nude eye palette

The perfect nude palette for the working girl. I love this palette so much. It takes the thinking out of getting ready quickly in the morning. The way I would use it is as a duo vertically - so there are 3 duos, then as a trio horizontally - so 2 (hurray for me I can count) and as quads with the middle colours overlapping, or skipped if you combine the outermost colours so 3 quads.

Hurray! I now own something from D&G & they certainly live up to the D&G style of "Sweet & Sharp"

Dolce & Gabbana Glam Liner in Dahlia 3

Dolce & Gabbana Eyeshadow Duo Desire 105 Tester

Dolce & Gabbana Eyeshadow Quad Stomboli 130 Tester

I am proud to report that these eyeshadows and the eyeliner are of a high quality and last very long. AND I LOVE THEM!!!!

So pretty!

Hand made Hair Band

Oriflame The One Black Khol Eye Pencil x 2

Pierre Rene Eye Matic in Black

Look by Bipa Blender Brush

That Pierre Rene eye pencil is crazy! It does not budge. After I tested it on the back of my hand, it did not come off with just water & soap. I had to use the heavy duty eye makeup remover!

OMG!!!

Oriflame Red Case Travel Makeup Kit.

Isn't this the coolest makeup kit ever? I love travel kits like this. So many pigmented colours to choose from!

I am so spoiled....

YSL Wildly Gold Complete Makeup Palette.

I was thinking about getting this as a Christmas present to myself, but she did it. She went and got it for me!!! OMG!! I love it. It's so perfect. From the packaging to the colours. You simply can't go wrong with YSL.

My eyes were so dazzled by this!

neve cosmetics Duochrome palette.

Yup. Truly. My eyes went a bit blurry when I saw this. The colours are amazing and so different from what I already have. I am so going to love creating looks with this. Every single colour is just amazing. LOVE IT!!!

SO, Please watch my youtube video

Here is the link: http://youtu.be/FMsRQ8hGZ4Y

Or click the photo below!

Watch her video here!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIBQ3eHqkac

Thanks for stopping by!! See you all real soon!

xoxo!

367 Hearts for my Love

So, as some of you might know, I have been very sick for the longest time. I've been on extended sick leave for close to 1.5 years now. That's a terribly long time. Most of that time was spent sleeping and resting or just hiding in fear under the covers (I suffer from panic attacks & depression). So I wanted to use the rare moments of time that I had when I felt well to make something for the love of my life.

I am so blessed to have someone, who has stuck with me through this terrible experience. Who has not judged me. Who cares for me no matter what.

So, I remembered this legend about origami cranes and how folding 1,000 of them would grant a wish (see this very poignant site Legend of the Origami Cranes ). I didn't want to fold cranes as my husband has made most my dreams come true and this was for him and NOT for me, so I did hearts instead.

I chose to do 367 hearts. 365, 1 for each day of the year. 1 extra for a leap year. And 1 more, well, just because.

I ended up folding over 500 hearts. Some I threw away, Some I kept as you can see in the photo below.

I'm not sure what I will do with the extra ones right now. I have a few ideas though ;P

This was the makeup I used for Valentine's Day.

Gosh that's A LOT of makeup isn't it! AND I SURE DO NEED IT! One of the terrible side effects from my medicines is that I have very bad cystic acne. 

For Valentine's Day, I think we just had takeaway for dinner. We did go walk around one of my fave suburbs which is called Newtown. I like that place, there are lots of creative shops there, and I get a lot of inspiration from just window shopping around there. It is a real treat for me to go there as my husband hates that place because it is crowded and parking is a hassle.

As you can see from the photo above, I used many of my everyday favourites. The only special items were the YSL Heart of Light Powder blush in No. 3 and the Becca Skin Perfector in Rose Gold (SOOO BEAUTIFUL). I only ever use these for "special days" as they are so costly.

In my 2014 Faves Video, I mention how much I have grown to love Bite Beauty's lip products. So of course, I had to use a combo of my two faves, The lipstick looking one is Bite Beauty's BB for Lips in Suede (it has SPF 15) and I then layered it with the crayon looking thing in the photo above which is Bite Beauty's Matte Creme Lip Crayon in Tatin. I gotta say, I am pretty lucky as Bite Beauty lip products are sold in our local organic supermarket (BUT at like 3x the price of what it is in the USA). So it is fairly easy for me to go swatch and play around with the testers and save up for the ones I like.

I wore simple (fake) gold heart studs by Lovisa. The wooden diamond box is by Areaware (a super cool brand that is known for cool house stuff like that).

For my hairstyle, I also wanted to keep it low key. So I just did a "twist + tuck" and pinned it into place with 3 hair pins. I love these hairpins (and I do collect ornamental ones). Their from Anthropologie and I was lucky enough to get them on sale during the Black Friday Sales. 

Finally, the dress. I am such a huge fan of dresses. 9 times out of 10, you will find me in dress. This one is from ASOS from the brand called Sugarhill and I got it on sale (I think it was like close to 70% off?!?). Another terrible side effect from my medicines is the humongous weight gain. For those of you who have followed me for a while, you can just see my face get rounder and rounder. ANYWAY, what I mean to say is, that this dress is amazing. It actually sucked in my tummy, and in the first time in 1.5 years, I actually had a waist :P

For my dearest husband. xoxo

Watch my GRWM + Me making the above art work video!

Link:   http://youtu.be/dWcttPWb5_g

Byebye for now!

xoxo and hugs!

Tumblr Inspired Gift Guide for Guys & Gals

Why Hello There!

Don'cha just love gift giving? I do!

I love the whole process. From thinking about it, hunting and gathering, the wrapping and then the actual giving and watching the delight spread on the face of your loved recipient of your carefully chosen gift. Let's call that person, your "giftee buddy".

Easy DIY Gift using a recycled Jam Jar & a Succulent Plant

I don't think a gift has to be expensive. I do, however, think that it has to be well thought out. What do you want this present to say about you and about your giftee buddy you are giving it to.

Do you want it to say, perhaps:"hey, I think you're great and you mean heaps to me and I think about you every day and I want you to think about me every day too".... okay that might sound kinda psycho, but I think you get what I mean. So, you could make a little present using a succulent plant (pretty hardy plant - almost impossible to kill) and a recycled jam jar like I have, that your giftee buddy can put on their desk and be reminded of you everyday.

Daytripper - Great for one charge and super light

Tech gifts are also pretty cool. I can almost guarantee that your giftee buddy will be happy/satisfied/trilled/amazed/comforted/etcetc and expect big hugs, if you give them a tech gift.

Try one of these Powerpods (which you can buy here SHOP). They come in heaps of colours and different features SO I'm pretty sure you can find one to suit your giftee buddy.

The Overnighter II - charges your Iphone Twice & your Ipad

Cool Bread Stamp 

On a tight budget? I've got'cha covered my friend! Like I've said, it doesn't have to be a material/expensive gift.

How about doing something extra special, like making your giftee buddy a special breakfast? Breakfast in bed anyone?

Christmas is the best time to grab these

I don't know what it is about stars, but, hey, the more the merrier.

Give these to your giftee buddy and light up their day (well night) literally.

For more Gift Ideas - click on the box below for my video guide!

Vintage looking jewellery holder 

Nest Fragrances Collection

Personalised Mug made using Vistaprint

Thanks for dropping by and I'll be seeing you real soon! 

xoxo

Ellis Faas - Glam Makeup without brushes!

Hello! How have you been? I'm sure you are all busy with preparing for the Holidays, so thanks for stopping by! 

I've finally tried Ellis Faas' makeup line! Here in Australia, it is sold at Mecca Cosmetica (if you are overseas you can buy it here, and I've always admired the Ellis Faas display with it's very modern and clean design. 

Vogue magazine and celebrities like Cate Blanchett, Mary J Blige and Gwyneth Paltrow have raved about this line. 

The Ellis Faas Makeup line offers a full range of foundations, face powders, concealers, eyeshadows in different finishes, lip products in various finishes, masacaras, and eyeliners, as well as accessories like holders.

As you can see, I bought quite a lot!! I got a bit carried away playing with it at the Mecca Cosmetica store in Balmain in Sydney. I think I was seduced by the sleek design and very pigmented colours.

The foundation is called "Skin Veil". I got the shade S103 which is the 3rd lightest shade. I thought it was a good match for me.

There are 8 shades to chose from. It is a mineral foundation and includes Vitamin E and also includes ingredients which give you up to SPF 15 PA+++.

You can choose to purchase the foundation either in a bottle or in the pen format.

The Foundation Bottle holds 1.01 fl oz of product and costs US$90 (in Australia it costs AU$110) . The Skin Veil Foundation pen comes with 0.23 fl oz of product and costs US$65 (in Australia it costs AU$76 - I won't be putting the Australian prices for the rest of the products but just a note that they all cost around AU$10 more than the USA prices). 

I chose to purchase the pen format for it's convenience and fast application. To be honest, when I found out how much MORE product comes in the bottle, I felt a bit miffed :( BUT I had to remind myself I was essentially paying for the cool silver pen.

Each Skin Veil pen comes with two foundation cartridges. It's pretty easy and quick to slot into the silver pen. I'm not sure, but I think it is possible to refill the cartridges with the foundation from the bottle is you wanted to. The pen is a click pen. I felt the product came out well and it was easy to control how much product I wanted. The brush was quite soft but still firm enough to make application easy.

The foundation is easy to blend and sets quickly. It has a very light texture.

I also got a matching concealer and a blush. It was very easy to pick the right concealer as the last number of the concealer corresponds with the last number on the Skin Veil pen/foundation. So as I was a S103, my concealer colour is S203. 

The "S" stands for Skin - I thought this was pretty neat 

The blush I chose is a peachy pink colour (there are 4 colours in the range). Both the concealer and the blush blended well and also set quickly, making them a very good product for days when you are in a rush.

The pens are in the twist up format unlike the Skin Veil which is a click format.

The brush on the concealer & blush pens are the same

I got 5 of the eyeshadows. 4 in the Creamy Eyes formula (E105, E106, E115 and E124) and 1 in the Lights formula (E301).  The Creamy eyes formula gives you a velvet matte finish. The Lights formula gives you a more metallic eyeshadow.

There are 21 shades in the Creamy Eyes formula and 5 shades in the Lights formula.

It is important to note that the brushes are quite stiff when new, and that it is best for you to brush it against your skin for a bit to loosen the brush up. This will make application much smoother.

I found that the eyeshadows in both formulas were smooth, easy to blend and buildable (as sheer as you like to opaque). The pens are in the twist up format.

Unfortunately, one of the Creamy Eyes pen did not work (the one in E105). I kept twisting and twisting and twisting but nothing came out. I was quite gutted by this as it is difficult to return makeup in Australia.

I was happy with the size of the brushes on the eyeshadow pens. 

Small enough to give you some precision and big enough that with a few swipes you can cover your eyelids and build up the colour.

For the lips, I got a Creamy Lips pen in L104 (deep fuchsia colour)  and a Glazed Lip pen in L309 (clear).

I liked how light the Creamy Lips formula feels on the lips. So pigmented, yet I did not feel like I was wearing anything on my lips. It also has a staining quality. It is meant to be a long wearing formula.

The Glazed Lips formula which is the brand's lip gloss was so so. I found it a bit slippery. It was not sticky though. Don't you hate it when your hair gets stuck in your lip gloss?

The brand also carries other formulas like the Milky Lips (a shinier and more liquid version of the Creamy Lips) and Hot Lips (bold striking colours in the Creamy Lips formula). 

The last item I purchased was the Ellis Holder. Yup that's the round tubey silver (and so seductive) thing you see in the photo above.

It has six slots for your conealer, lippies and eye colours.  The bigger middle slot is for your Skin Veil pen.

I weighed it with it fully loaded and it was about 321grams to 350grams. I was just using my cheapo kitchen scales.

In the lid, there is a mirror and space for you to put in your Ellis Faas face powder. The Ellis Faas powder is sold as a refill (does not come with it's own case), so you either have to put it in this holder or purchase a separate compact for around US$12. I didn't buy the powder as I felt it was similar in texture and finish to Rimmel's Stay Matte. 

I think this cylinder holder is a design marvel. As you twist the bottom, there is a mechanism that pushes your pens up one by one - HOW COOL!! The middle slot has a spring loaded action for your Skin Veil., so when you take of the top, your Skin Veil pen pops up and says "Hello!".

You can remove the bottom of the holder (in the photo above it is in the middle with that sponge like thingamajig).

Mini Rant

Ok. first up, I love, LOVE, L-O-V-E the makeup. The product is so pigmented and it's so easy to get ready with. The design of the packaging is divine. BUT... I was a bit grumpy because 2 of the 9 products I purchased were faulty. 

The first was the Creamy Eyes in E105 which had no product no matter how long I, my husband or the sales assistant tried to twist it.

Apparently there have been some issues with getting the product to come out of the pen. See below paragraphs which come from http://www.ellisfaas.com/contact/faq/:

The second was that the Holder I got was weird, as the lid of my Skin Veil pen just kept getting stuck in the container whenever I took my pen out and the only way it could come out was if my husband (using some amount of extra strength) pull the darn bottom out. 

Both I was able to exchange for working ones, but I find it hard for a brand that is quite expensive to have such poor quality control. 

Watch my video review

In my youtube video, I do a full face tutorial / demo.

My Video Demo

Thanks for hanging out with me, I'll be seeing you all real soon. Hugs & Kisses till then!