Lips that make you go MMmmMm..

Hands up if you love the lips?

I

Hands up if your not sure how to pull them off without looking scary?

I

Excellent, you agree then were all on the same page here!

I am dying to try this look, and i have just found some great, amiazing, cant live through summer without colours from Chi Chi, they have a great range of new brights and theyr cheap and to die for. Even better? They're matte in texture so it makes them easier to pull off.

I have done a bit of research and experimenting and have come up with the following things you probbably wanna tick off before you walk out that door with your lips all bright;

1. You've invested in teeth whitening (im not talking fluro white, just a decent white teeth at least) and waxing products. I've seen too many bad pictures of brides with overly yellow teeth and ladystaches with pink lipstick. Dark lip hair, yellow teeth and pink? Na-uhhhh girfriend.

2. You've aced your base. This is no time to not bother with a few swipes of concealer here or there. The right shade of bright can look crazy good on every skin type just test a few out.

3. You havent overdone the eyes or cheeks. A simple slick of mascara and the teensyest dab of blush or bronzer is all thats needed!

4. You defenetly, never, ever, do this in an attempt to look sexy.

Embarassment comes to me to put this on but i surely must show you what happens when you go overboard and ignore the rules above.

She probbably should have spent a little longer putting on under eye concealer than smooching her hand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ-QKOYQrcw

Sugar, ah, honey honey...

I'm sitting here at the uni library. People all around me are talking about essays and all things wonderful that will get them great marks. I, on the other hand have forgotten my bloody essay at home. Good student me. Ah well, there is always a silver lining when you forget things; now i have time to blog, and there is one thing I've been dying to blog about...

True story: Last Friday night, I was planning to give myself a hit of summer and fake tan. So with St. Tropez fake tan on standby I was ready to hop into the shower and exfoliate. Exxcepptttf or one teeny tiny problem, I had no more body scrub. Shit, I initially thought, but being my determined self I decided I would make scrub, from scratch. Turned out, it was very simple and I was very impressed with the results! I mixed half a teacup of honey, with a 1/4 amount of sugar. It was a much better alternative to some of the scrubs which I've tried which are too coarse, not coarse enough, too oily or too dry. Let me just say, after using this honey scrub, I had the most even all over body tan I've ever had. 'Nuff said.

Fact: Sugar is not as dehydrating as salt and natural honey as its both moisturising and antibacterial, aka good for problem or dry skin.

What not to do: When making your own masks and scrubs at home, don't add mint, lavender oil, lemon or lime. These ingredients can agitating, so whatever skin type you have, you can do without irritation.

Right, now I have to work on an at home quick fix for a 3month late essay. Some sort of fruit for bribery perhaps?

Review: Garnier Fructis Instant Melt-In Mask for Colour Treated Hair

Info: A product that asks the question, “Why hasn’t somebody thought of this sooner?” I chose to use the one for colour treated hair as the one meant for frizzy hair had too much silicone. Too much silicone in hair products (esp conditioners) tends to coat the hair in a dull product layer over time. It is good at keeping really frizzy hair in control, but make sure that you wash it off every week or two with a good claryfying shampoo such as the one in Tresemme's range.

What it’s meant to do: “...active fruit concentrate penetrates and strengthens the hair fibre. The mask also contains nourishing oils, avocado and apricot to help detangle, repair, nourish and strengthen hair. The mask can be used as an alternative to conditioner for a deeper and more penetrating treatment once or twice a week or as desired.”


What it did: It basically played the role of a basic conditioner. When I used it on my colour treated hair that was quite long, it didn’t provide as much nourishment and moisture as I would have liked from a treatment. When used on my newly cut above the shoulder hair, it was enough to give some softness and a fair amount of moisture. Don’t think I would buy it again though, I prefer my Redken All Soft as a conditioner and Terax Original Crema as a treatment much better. Sometimes when a product tries to be great at two things, it ends up only being average at both.

Rating: 2 KISSES. It smells fruity I guess.

Yay to new summer smells.

There are so many new perfumes popping up left right and centre. I’m a tad overwhelmed to be honest. There are so many scents that are quite worthy of being called ‘my signature scent’. But how are you suppose to find this one signature scent when there are so many you like? Having 20 of them really defeats the purpose; who has 20 signatures? (The bank window teller would have a heart attack; they get worked up when I can’t exactly replicate my own signature on a stupid little computer piece of crappy technology, so you can only imagine the fuss if I had 20 of them).

All this hoopla of a single signature scent has got me thinking that our signatures actually lie in the TYPE of smells we go for e.g. fresh, woody, musky... (did you know musk is originally extracted from the glands of animals. I love animals, but not so much their gland juices thanks.)

Be sure to check out some of these new summer smells that might tickle your fancy.

cK One Summer Limited Edition available August.
Oh my dear god, Im very excited about this one. I loved the cK One Summer of 07 and am eagerly waiting for August. It is a watery, woody fragrance with opening notes of watermelon, cucumber and watermint. Its the fresh, clean, yet zingy summer day smell that I personally adore. Oh, and the packaging makes you want to jump into the bottle and play.

Stella McCartney Limited Edition Sheer Stella available August 4th.
A sheer, feminine floral and musk scent. Opening notes of peony and white freesia and end notes of musk and raspberry. A very sweet sucle smell.

Calvin Klein Eternity Summer available in August.
A fresh, soft and floral fragrance with top notes of bamboo leaf, crushed basil and mandarin. An airy summer day fragrance with a touch of gingerroot that excites the senses. This fragrance is both uplifting and serene.

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess, now available.
My favourite pick for the ultimate ‘summer night’ scent. The notes include orange blossom, jasmine, mandarin, amber, sandalwood, vetiver, caramel and coconut cream. Very similar to Azuree Soleil from Tom Fords collection for Estee Lauder which is now over. It also comes in a body oil consistency that begs to be worn on a warm summer’s night with beach hair and bare, bronzed skin. Estee Lauder also launched a complimentary makeup collection. Once again, it is limited edition so snap it up. Oh how I’m missing summer...

P.S. Benefit is releasing a new fragrance called B Spot. Stay tuned.
P.P.S. I mentioned the words ‘scent’ and ‘fragrance’ too many times to count (aka 11)

Review: Clarins Body Shaping Supplement

Info: This is quite an innovative body product from Clarins. It’s basically a concentrated firming serum you can use alone for a more targeted result, or add a few drops to your favourite body moisturiser in order to give it firming and toning powers.

What it’s meant to do: “Smoothes away sponginess by blocking the formation of new adipocytes. Visibly shapes and tones skin by slowing down fat storage. Reduces stubborn curves by stimulating fat removal. Refines the body's contours by increasing blood circulation and lymphatic drainage."

What it did: The claims of this product are pretty high to achieve. Clarins uses big words to make those promises seem achievable. When mixed into my usual Palmers Coca Butter, it didn’t do much. However, when I applied the concentrated serum directly to the skin it showed a slightly visible firming effect which was temporary of course. If your thinking of purchasing this product, I’d suggest you ask for a sample first to try it out and see how well it works for you.

Rating: Highest being 5, I give the Clarins Body Shaping Supplement 2 KISSES.(I couldnt think of any other way to rate things so I had resort to using stars. Only one problem, I hate the damn stars. But I do like kisses. So kisses it shall be!)

Reinvented; The middle part

I have found a new, reinvented love for middle parts. They're the hair equivalent of natural makeup and give off that 'naturally polished yet still not high maintenance' vibe that i am in awe of at the moment. Contrary to many, I believe that they really can suit every face shape; it’s all in the way you need you face to be framed. The general rule of thumb is that the roots shouldn't’t be too flat or stuck to your head, unless you’re a supermodel that can carry off a weird hair and still look half decent.

(I can’t deny, it’s quite an impressive impression of an elephant; the fact that its fugly only kicks in after the amazement is gone)

But back to the point, it’s best to try a couple of styles out on yourself to see what suits you. You can never really tell from a picture. If you have an oval face shape, feel free to experiment with different styles. If however, you’re trying to hide a particular part of the face, like a wide jaw, square hairline or wide cheeks, allow the hair to fall on the area so that it can be disguised.

Middle part overload, I'm off to blow dry my hair.

Product Review: L.U.C.I Lancome Spring collection 2008

Lancome’s spring collection consists of three eyeshadow duos, a couple of pretty average lipsticks, glosses and some complextion enhancers.

For Gucci Westmans last collection for Lancome, I with a breath of disappointment, say she could have done a tad better. Its called L.U.C.I., which stands for Luminescent Colourless Colour Intelligence; sounds impressive right? As the company states, “Colourless colour: a landmark discovery....Makeup of the future.” Hrmm, sounds a bit like a load of fudge, especially when i seem to recall my grandmother owning a white lipstick that somehow turned into a very unflattering shade magenta when put on the lips. Well, what do you know, Lancome has put it in a pretty package, added glitter and called it the makeup of the future. Riigght.

The lipsticks, glosses and complextion enhancers are pretty average and not worth a mention. The eyeshadow duos, however, are worth a mention as they are probably what will attract people the most. The beautifully packaged but, oh so complicated to use eyeshades are just that; pretty to look at but not practical to use. If you buy just one of the duos, which will set you back a hefty $89, you will also additionally need to buy one of the Ombre Glacee $44, which is what gives the white shadow some colour. Soo basically your paying $133 for two eyeshades & a pretty crappy highlighter colour. Inventive? Yes, an inventive way to make somebody spend so much on so little. Yeah, you go Lancome.

What’s even more disappointing, the colours are not as vivid or anything close to how great they make them seem. Oh, and as for the look on the ad? Looks amazing but will probably give you a migraine from trying to recreate it.

So, overall not a great buy. The range isn’t completely tragic, but considering how much you would be paying it falls very short. Unless you’re willing to buy it just for the packaging I wouldn’t bother going any further than just having a play with it at the beauty counter.

What not to do: Marinade yourself in fake tan.

Deep, bronze sun kissed skin and summer go about as well together as cookies and cream. In winter though, the cooler weather calls for a more subtle golden approach. During, apply a 50-50 mixture of your trusted fake tan and your favourite moisturiser. There is, of course the option of the gradual tanner of your choice. Either summer or winter, it is absolutely crucial to get your application spot on. When buying and applying, keep this in mind.

- Look for a fake tan that has a tint within it so you can see where your applying it. Also look for one with a greenish tinge. Sounds yuck but it prevents the tan from turning a scary Donatella Versace-esque tangerine brown.
- Before every application you obviously cannot forget to exfoliate. Concoct a cheap but brilliant exfoliator by mixing your regular cleanser or body wash with enough Bicarb Soda to make it into paste consistency.
- Rub a bit of moisturiser into dry skin areas such as ankles, elbows and knees. When applying, use tight surgical gloves and buff the tan in with your palms not fingers to avoid streaks.
- If you prefer not to use gloves, and you kinda screw up your palms into an orang-y mess, nothing works better than smearing your palms with WhiteGlo toothpaste and scrubbing them with a toothbrush. Weird but true. You can also use this on any parts of the body where you make any doo doo’s (just not the face!)
- Don't go overboard with re-application when it starts to fade a bit. All that will happen is that you will go tragically overboard Wait at least about 3 days to reapply, unless it’s a gradual tanner.
- It goes without saying, but ill say it anyway. Don’t forget to moisturise everyday after a shower to keep your tan for longer.
Here is Lindsay Lohan to visually demonstrate what will most likely occur if you choose not to follow these tips. I think the face expressions say it all.

The Mineral Takeover.

Lately, you can’t bat an eyelash without seeing a new mineral range of makeup by every Tom, Dick and Harry brand name on the market. Those inexperienced with minerals can, and mostly probably will, assume that they are all quite similar, posses the same skin benefits and general long wear. Wrong. Unfortunately, (this may not come as a surprise) many cosmetics companies lie to get your money. Often products labelled “mineral” or “mineral rich” tend to be not very pure. A good example of such con-artistry is CoverGirl’s so called mineral makeup. Their powders say “mineral enriched”, yet they contain mostly the same ingredients as normal powders and only tiny amount of minerals, just so they can say “mineral” on the packaging and hence people will flock to the product. Clever. Very clever. Just not enough for those who know how to read an ingredient label.
Pure mineral makeup should only contain 4 to 7 ingredients, none of which are talc, or oils. They give very good sun protection are quite opaque. If you like the texture and feel of hybrid mineral powders (those with pure mineral and synthetic components), than feel free to purchase them and use them to the last particle. If, however, you are looking for 100% pure minerals and their skin friendly benefits, these are two of the best in the industry;

Jane Iredale was the first brand to base their products on minerals, and funnily enough, still has probably the best mineral bases and most natural looking colours you will find. They’re quite pricey but if they suit you and you like the feel, they are worth the money. Another bonus is that Iredale has a pressed powder which is a lot less messy than the usual loose one. There is also a liquid mineral base for those with dry skin.

i.d. BareEscentuals have loose powders similar to the ones from Jane Iredale. Their shades can sometimes be too peachy or pink for the skin, but otherwise give a nice glow.

..oh and fyi, big cosmetic companies such as L’oreal etc.; mineral makeup has been around for years, so don’t claim its the newest technology just because you only now are bothered to make them.

The blue and red light at the end of the tunnel.

Here’s is a random little fact: Dermatologists and professional spas have used red and blue light therapy for over 35 years to treat conditions such as acne and premature ageing.

Here is another little fact that actually, makes the first random fact not so random indeed: This magnificent technology is available for you to use right at home; Whenever Wherever to put it in Shakira talk.

Here are lots of little facts in a big jumble, with a few opinions chucked into the mix: Tända Skincare is the maker of at home light therapy systems or LEDs as they call them. The machines emit both blue and red light onto the skin. Let me explain before you knock it. The blue light kills ‘P.Acnes’; basically it kills the bacteria that causes mild to moderate acne while, at the same time, the red light, heals any existing blemishes and any signs of ageing. Its 100% healthy (I know they once said that about tanning beds but trust me on this one; its healthy and safe with no UV light used.) It might set you back a bit at around $400, but if you think about how much more it would be at the dermatologist, it becomes a worthy investment.

So here is tiny visual to put it all together.

Bambi called; he wants his eyelashes back.

Ahhh mascaras. Love love love. Love even more the new formulas and brushes. I feel no need for an intro, let’s just hop in; I’m excited!

L’Oreal Double Extension Beauty Tubes

This is L’Oreal’s version of tubing mascara. The concept has been around for a while, done by the likes of Becca and Blinc. In a nutshell, the formula forms lengthening tubes around each eyelash. Then when you’re ready to take them off you wet them with warm water and gently tug the tubes off. Sure, the concept was good, but the smarties (or skittles?) at L’Oreal went one step better and made a conditioning base. Score L’Oreal, score. It nourishes the eyelashes with Ceramide proteins plus it gives extra length and thickness while also giving something for the tubes to stick to, meaning less of your eyelashes being pulled off during removal. It gives excellent length but can look a bit clumpy at times. Still, a good mascara is a good mascara and this is definitely one of my top picks at the moment. Oh and I forgot to mention, no panda eyes in the morning. Doesn’t smudge one inch. Hoorayy!

Lancôme Hypnose Onyx Mascara
Oh how I love it. Too bad it’s virtually sold out in Sydney. I looked for it, but u can look harder for both of us. But, none the less its greatness deserves a proper review. It’s got the basic wand and similar formula to the original Hypnose, except the black is blacker (I know, right? How?) It also contains teeny tiny particles of glitter. Firstly, it is so glossy and black because it contains a higher concentration of the black pigment (oh, now it makes sense) and the glitter looks aa-mmaii-zing. It’s not the sort of big glitter you might expect to find falling off a 5 year olds fairy princess costume; it’s a much more subtle sparkle that shows when you blink. I don’t particularly love the original hypnose, but I adore this one. It’s perfect for playing up the eyes and adding a bit of interest to the smoky eye. I am, however, annoyed at Lancôme for not making more. I love it so much I’ll have to order it online.

I have to give an honourable mention to ModelCo as their mascaras have some of the best ever smudge proof formulas. Taking them off is also a piece of cake; cheese cake. Best pick for humid summers and beach outings.

Invisible Makeup

There isn’t much that looks as good as the, “Maybe she’s born with it” look. No, I’m not talking Maybelline, I’m talking fresh faced makeup that keeps people guessing if “Is she or isn’t she?” Yeah I bet you know what I mean. I know, that you know, that I know, that you know what I mean. It’s not a makeup trend to last you a week, it’s more like a skill that you learn and keep with you forever. The skilful art of applying invisible makeup. A good rule of thumb to remember; no lines should be seen anywhere. Spend more time blending then applying. Shown right is the queen of the natural look; Liv Tyler

Base
Go for a light tinted moisturiser. If you tan your body and your face looks a bit pale in comparison, choose a shade that matches your neck and blend reeeeallly well. If your skin needs better coverage than just a light tint, try Dior Hydraction Deep Hydration Tint SPF 20, which offers those with less than perfect skin a bit more coverage while still keeping with the natural theme. Chanel also recently launched the Hydramax Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 which is also a firm favourite.

Cheeks
Cream blush formulas work best as they keep with the dewy look and are easier to blend, but if you prefer a powder texture then feel free, but go lightly and blend really well. You can also go for a lip and cheek stain for lasting power. Can’t find the perfect shade of blush? Head straight off to MAC, if they don’t have one for you, nobody will. If blush isn’t your thing or you would like a bit more definition, go for an illuminator on the cheek and brow bones. A classic crème cheek colour in Coy, from Bloom looks great with most complexions

Eyes
Extend your tinted moisturizer to your eyelids so that you take away any discoloration. If you like, you can top it off with a barely there eyeshades of toffee or light peach. As for the eyelashes, add one coat of a dark brown, or if you have a darker skin tone, black mascara. Covergirl Professional All In One mascara is a bargain at around $10 and is perfect for the natural look.

Lips
If your lips are naturally rosy just finish them off with a moisturizing lip balm. If you like a bit more colour, go for a gloss that comes from the same shade family as your blush. If you like more the slightly nude lip, blend the tiniest amount of your tinted moisturizer out from the edges of lips in and finish with a soothing balm.

Beauty Sleep; not a myth like Sleeping Beauty.

After a hard days’ work of study, work or whatever unpleasant things we must do, waxing included, a long shower and a good night’s sleep are oh so good. Sure the next morning you’ll feel great, but why wouldn’t you wanna look better too... You would? I had a feeling. Which is why I took the time to make a little check list for you.

• At night our skin becomes all superwoman-y and regenerates, hence why we have separate night creams and serums which are more concentrated in active ingredients. In order for these ingredients to be able to seep into your skin, you must take off the old dry skin on top. Make friends with your scrub tonight. Puuh-leasse go for one that’s gentle and organic based, your skin will thank you. Bloom makes a mean little (read; good) apricot scrub you should give a try. Benefit also has a honey scrub with a really good texture you could use as an exfoliating mask too.

• Don' forget to scrub your body or dry brush it before the shower then slather it with heavy duty moisturiser while your skin is still steamy and damp so it retains more moisture. While in the shower give your tired little tresses a bit of TLC with a conditioning hair mask.

• Put it in first thing after you shampoo and do all your exfoliation and shaving while the mask does its work. I used Terax Original Crema to bring my hair back to life after my well trusted hairdresser decided our relationship and my hair could take the weight of a terrible bleach job. “I’m sorry hairdresser, it’s not me, it’s you.”
  
  
• After you come out of the shower, comb a bit of leave in conditioner through the hair, roughly dry it 70% and tightly pin it into a semi high bun. No hair ties, we don’t want any severe kinks in your soft, wavy, touch me hair the next morning. Giving your hair a bit of a shine boost with serum or hairspray the next morning is optional.
  
  
• If you want brighter skin overnight look no further than vitamin C. Look for the pure liquid capsules that you can cut open and use as a serum, otherwise, go for a serum containing a potent amount of vitamin C, such as Avon’s Anew Vitamin C Serum. If you want more hydration and glow, massage a layer of rosehip oil into the skin. I swear by the Trilogy Organic Rosehip Oil. If you have problem skin go for a moisturiser containing salicylic acid and then apply at least a 5% benzyl peroxide cream only directly onto any spots, (I can’t stress the importance of ‘directly on’ enough). Love your bronzer more than McDonalds? Mix your night cream with fake tan to get a natural glow.

Now just take the compliments graciously.

...A pocket full of Posies

Up on attending the media night of the new Benefit boutique at Paddington, I come bearing pretty pink-y blush-y news. The best selling lip and cheek (or nipple, as I’ve been told) stain Benetint has a little sister, Posie Tint. Oh there will be sibling rivalry, indeed. Posie Tint, 30 years in the making, is a more subtle, pink based colour, as opposed to Benetint's redder, rosy undertones. The Posie Tint is also a gel, making it easier to blend than its older sibling. The Posie is great for that dewy look as when I applied it I noticed it had a subtle glowy, shimmery effect on the cheeks. Prefect product for the “oh I can’t be bothered but I still wanna look alive” days. I have drawn a little (and very basic) colour diagram to show the difference between the two stains.


Oh and incase your wondering, the Benefit boutique looks like a big candy store with Benefit products left right and centre. It’s not your usual make up store, they have a “beauty bar” where you can get all your facial waxing and tinting done while you sit up (read: no spillage of dye into your eyes). They also have another room downstairs called the Pretty Room where they do all the body waxing in private. After you’ve been waxed tweezed and tinted, you can get all your redness covered up at the beauty tables. Oh, and I must make a mention of the pretty little pink “Posie” cakes made in the honour of the Posie Tint; they were yum-o and the perfect shade of pink like the stain itself.

In the Navy

Some beauty trends are timeless and never go out of style; shiny hair, vibrant skin, naturally shaped groomed eyebrows and white teeth. Some however, come and go. Usually a big fan of all things retro revamped, I’m loving the fact that navy blue makeup has been reinvented from the 80’s and placed onto the catwalks all shiny and new. When I say blue makeup, I mean stick to the eyes. There will be no bright blue lipsticks here people (sorry M.A.C)... on the catwalk yes, on the street no. But back to the point, rich dark blues are what to wear this winter.

Make sure you keep the, “Only play up one feature...” rule in your mind while you are putting on your blue eye makeup as it’s pretty easy to get carried away. Team your pretty blues with a light natural base, but do however, make sure that you conceal you under eye area well if you tend to get dark circles. Also, a light dusting of powder is good if you’re on the shiny side. Add a small dose of nude-coral blush on the apples of the cheeks and a soothing layer of your favourite lip balm and your good to go!

If you’re going for a powder shadow texture make sure you blend like there is no tomorrow. When working with the shadows apply near the lash line and blend up to the crease if you’re daring. A great navy shadow is the Elizabeth Arden Colour Intrigue Shadow in Indigo, $32. If you’re not daring enough for the shadow, go for eyeliner. It’s easier to use and more versatile. My top tip is to use pencil eyeliner such as the Rimmel Soft Kohl Eye Pencil in 024 Cool Blue, $7, and line the inner rims of the eyes. Combine that with blue mascara such as Benefit’s BadGal Lash in Blue, $36. Your eyes will look lighter and brighter. Hooray! If you want a very subtle office look, just add a bit of navy blue mascara to the tips of the lashes.

What to do; a few pictures to get you in the mood for navy.

Heres what getting carried away looks like;

Cleansers; The Good, The Bad and The Oily

My skin has been going through an identity crisis lately. It's multiple dry and oily personalities have been showing up rather unannounced, unwelcomed and frankly, I don’t enjoy the visits. So, off I went on a brand spankin' new cleanser hunt. The target? To find a good cleansing oil. If you haven’t heard the hype that follows the cleansing oil clan, I shall explain it to you in a much less complicated, no dictionary needed way (hopefully). Ok, so your skin produces its own oil, sebum, which in even quantities softens your skin and provides the skin with a great balance of oil and water; it’s all lovely. Add to this though, the layers product you wear day to day; SPF tinted moisturisers, premiers, foundations, concealers, bronzers, powders and well.. You get the idea. Seriously, have you noticed just how many beauty products in general you use in just one day? But, back to the point, all these artificial layers cause your lovely sebum oil to harden and create a layer on the surface of the skin giving it a rough, shiny appearance and blemishes. Now, if you've learnt anything from Chemistry class back in high school, it would be that water and oil do not mix. So, by using water based cleansers on the skin which foam more than your Morning Fresh dishwashing liquid, all that happens is that the skin gets stripped of its water and only a tiny part of the actual naughty harden oil is taken away. Your skin then starts to overproduce sebum in order to try and repair the balance from the missing water; basically it’s a vicious cycle. When, however, you use a plant based oil to cleanse the skin, its chemical composition is similar enough for it to actually dissolve the hardened oils and still leave the water and necessary sebum content in the skin balanced. The result... Taa- Daa!! Soft, clean comfortable skin! When looking for a oil cleanser try and avoid animal based oils like Mineral Oil or Petrolatum as they can aggravate the problem and lead to further breakouts. Mixed textures, such as a cream and oil, are good for those who have drier skin or want to baby step into the cleansing oil clan. Here are some of my top picks;

Bloom Nuts About You Sweet Almond Cleansing Oil, $28
Great for all skin types and does not contain any animal derived products, hence wont clog the pores. Also makes makeup removal a piece of cake.

Bloom Clean Sweep Sweet Orange Cream Cleanser, $20
A cleanser that’s part cream, part oil. Excellent if your skin is on the dry side or sensitive side.

Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel, $46
An ingenious cleanser. Seamlessly evolves from a light gel to an ultra fine Marula Oil then soft milk. True versatility in one product.

Pictures: AdoreBeauty

A very proud new owner

Happy birthday dearr blogggy, happy birthday to you! The first post of the bunch so its only appropriate that I give a little intro. Drum roll please! Ladies and (possibly) gentlmen I present to you, my just born beauty pet, The Beauty Cupboard. A fresh-faced blog to give you all the know how about beauty! Ofcourse, as any responsible pet owner, I shall love it and feed it many yummy beauty tips, updates and how-to's. I do it all in the hope that its velvety skin, sparkly eyes and shiny hair will brush off on to you. The internet blogging world (ie. me) is very happy with the new arrival and cannot wait to take on their owner responsibilites.
So, after much a do of postponing its arrival and fiddling with its appearance, I've finally given The Beauty Cupboard its wings and let it fly into the big shiny internet world.

P.S. Its a girl!