Hair style change!

Hey,

Today I wanted to write a quick post about my hair styling changes, I am always posting about my make-up and skin care but my hair is always left out. I have always had an issue with frizz as my hair is quite wavy so for years - since about 12 I have combated these issues by straightening my hair. Below I have a recent photo of my hair mostly straight, I have found that my hair has no body and gets really notty. 

Recently I have been whipping out my curling iron and adding some curls and a little bit of body to my hair. I have found that it is a lot more flattering and flirty looking. Below I have a couple of different photos of how I have been wearing it.

Thanks for reading,

Danny xx

Palette a week 11

Hey,

Today I wanted to explore both the palette I have used for the last week as well as introduce the palette I will be using for the next week. Last weeks palette was the Too Faced Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar eye shadow palette, which I have used for just about every day in the last week.

I wasn't overly creative with my eye looks this week, the benefit of this palette is there are a lot of brown shades and other warm shades that compliment these. I had quite natural but brown orientated eye shadow looks, tending to use the same shades over and over in my rush to get out the door and go to work.

Each day I used Coconut Creme - a yellow tinged white to set my eye primer, there was no variation in this. I then would follow that with the shade Mousse which is a light brow shade in my crease, after which I would blend a little Peanut Butter - which is a medium toned orange shadow. I would finish with one of three shadows; Truffled a warm medium toned brown, Frosting a shimmery medium toned brown or Puddin' a grey toned deep brown. These shadows all worked harmoniously together, every now and again I would blend the shadow Nougat - a purple nude colour into my crease after applying my lid colour just to blend all the other colours out.

Apart from being kind of boring with my eyeshadow choices this palette is a really good one to use every day. The shadows blend out really well and compliment each other. They are also pigmented and depending on how much you apply, depends on the intensity as they are buildable. 

The tenth palette that I have chosen for the week ahead is the Too Faced Sweet Peach palette, an impulse buy because of internet reviews which I haven't used a lot of since buying.
Thanks for reading,

Danny xx

Hollywood Mirror!

Hey,

Today I wanted to write a post to show off my Hollywood Mirror I purchased with money I received from my 24th birthday from friends and family. 

I went looking online for different mirrors and ended up on eBay where I came across a heap of different styles and sizes and realised I really wanted to go and suss them out in person. Nothing worse than purchasing something online and it isn't what you expected. After finding a style I liked the look of I emailed the seller on eBay, who sent back details to a showroom in Springvale.

 So Monday the 5th of June I drove over an hour and fell in love with a ridiculously sized mirror. I stupidly drove my car, which is a small sedan to the showroom which was an issue when they pulled the box out. It was massive. In the end I purchased a massive mirror and we had to take it out of the packaging and wrap it in bubble wrap to get it home. 

Below I have included photos of the mirror in my room, enjoy!

Thanks for reading,

Danny xx

How to combat being stressed and run down.

Hey,

Today I wanted to blog about a couple of products I have been using to combat cold sores, my bodies physical reaction to being stressed and run down. 

The natural ways I like to combat stress and feeling run down is to drink plenty of fluids, both of the water and tea variety as well as getting a lot of sleep. However when I am feeling this way my body decides a lovely comet sized cold sore on my bottom lip is its physical reminder that I am not looking after myself too well. I have naturally dry and chapped lips so cold sores tend to develop.

The two products I have purchased from Chemist Warehouse after a cold sore popped up over night are;

• Blackmores Lyp-Sine tablets
• 
  
• Compeed Cold Sore Patches

I purchased the tablets as they work from the inside out to battle cold sores and the patches work to contain the cold sore and stop the transference of the bacteria.




Thanks for reading,

Danny xx

Palette a Week 10

Hey,

Today I wanted to explore both the palette I have used for the last week as well as introduce the palette I will be using for the next week. Last weeks palette was the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance eye shadow palette, which I have used for just about every day in the last week.


I purchased this palette mostly because of the hype that was all over the internet. People were loosing their minds over the palette so I ordered it online to finally see what all the hype is about. I have to say that first time I used it I wasn't impressed with how many pink shades were in the palette. I hate the colour pink, especially in make up and was horrified that I had purchased one where I originally thought they were more red.

This last week has changed my opinion on the palette. When I first tried it out I missed how versatile the shades can be. They are creamy and pigmented but they also blend together well and can be layered to create a lot of different eye looks. Every day I used the shade Tempera to set my eye primer, this is a satin shadow that is quite close to my skin tone - pale with a touch of pink.

I used a few different shades in the palette as crease colours, some days on their own and on others as a combination. These shades included Raw Sienna, Burnt Orange, Warm Taupe, Buon Fresco and Realgar. Raw Sienna is a medium toned mustard colour, Burnt Orange is a warmer more orange version of Raw Sienna. Warm Taupe is a medium toned taupe shade, Buon Fresco a light lilac tone and Realgar a medium to deep burnt orange shadow.

The three shadows I interchanged as a lid shadow were Red Ochre, Antique Bronze and Cyprus Umber. Red Ochre is a deep red shadow that blends out quite brown, Antique Bronze is a brown tone that reflects a rose gold/ bronze tone which is quite elegant. Lastly Cyprus Umber is a deep brown.

My favourite look of the week was using both Buon Fresco an Antique Bronze, which I created a more elegant brown eye look.

The shades I didn't make use of during the week were Golden Ochre, Venetian Red and Love Letter.  

The tenth palette that I have chosen for the week ahead is the Too Faced Semi-Sweet palette, an impulse buy because of internet reviews which I haven't used a lot of since buying.

Thanks for reading,

Danny xx

x

Skin Care Decisions

Hey,

Today I wanted to write a small post detailing my skin care decisions I have been making. I have struggled with my skin for as long as I can remember, I have never had full blown acne but I am prone to pimples, break outs and dull dry skin. Since going off of the pill a few years back I have also struggled with hormonal break outs and cystic acne especially around my chin and neck area. 

After advertisements on Facebook and other social media I ordered myself a Real-U skin care bundle which includes a set of three items that Cleanse, Control and Hydrate. The first item, the cleanse section of the trio is a Gentle Foaming Wash. The second item, the control section of the trio is the Face gel and the third item, the hydrate section of the trio is a lite moisturiser. These skin care products are marketed towards people with problem skin - including oily skin, acne prone skin and break out. The products are made without Benzoyl Peroxide and Salicylic acid which are claimed to cause similar damage to skin as sunburn.

A week or two before these items arrived on my doorstep I started using three prodcuts from The Ordinary Brand. These items include two serums and a moisturiser; Salicylic Acid 2% Solution, Niacinamide 10% +Zinc 1% and the Natural Moisturizing Factors +HA. I would use the Natural Moisturizing Factors +HA moisturiser morning and night, the Salicylic Acid 2% Solution in the morning on spots and problem areas and the  Niacinamide 10% +Zinc 1% at night all over my face.  Within days of using these three products I noticed a series change in my skin. My skin felt plump and more hydrated and my previously hard to manage and get rid of pimples were moving through there natural cycle quicker and  fading away, with the added benefit of no new problem areas appearing. Any make up I was applying over the top of these products was sitting and staying on my skin better than ever.

 I was impressed with the products but was eager to get stuck in the the Real-U products that arrived. So I went into using the Real-U products with relatively barable skin. 

I received a sample of the Real-U Cleanse Gentle Foaming Wash with my order and started using that a week before trying out the full size products and did not notice any irritations or problems with how it was cleaning my skin. Adding the Control Face Gel and Hydrate Lite Moisturiser is where the problems arose. My skin immediately was not as plump when applying the moisturiser and my problem areas flared up with the face gel. This I figured was probably due to a detox period, which is what happens with new skin care. 

Applying primers and both powder and liquid foundations is where I noticed the next lot of issue. Nothing was sitting well on my skin. With previous break outs and uncontrollable skin I have still been able to apply my products and give my self a semblance of nice looking skin. Everything just looked wrong, I looked flakey and dry and products wouldn't build up and apply to my skin and once I got it on it would separate minutes after application. It just wasn't working but it was early days so I just put it down to changing skin.

Late in my second week after waking up late and only getting the skin care side to my beauty routine applied at home I applied my make up in the car. I put on my best high adherence primer by The Ordinary which I find makes everything stick to my face and then applied my liquid foundation over. Immediately the foundation bunched up and crumbled off my face. This freaked me out because it has never occurred on my whole face. I managed to save my face with some powder but the foundation was a lost cause. 

I went home, immediately wiped off my face and applied my Natural Moisturizing Factors -HA product by the Ordinary followed by the same primer and foundation I had used earlier. Both applied brilliantly over the top. I had similar issues with other primers and foundations earlier in the week but this incident was the one that cemented that this skin care line is just not for me. Waste of $69 for me but at least I gave it a go.

I have put the Real-U products aside and will now be using the following products;

Mario Badescu Acne Facial Cleanser (Face; AM + PM)
Pixi Glow Tonic (Face; AM + PM)
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution (Spots + Blemishes; AM)
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% +Zinc 1% (Face; PM)
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors +HA (Face; AM + PM)
Yesto Grapefruit Dark Circle Correcting Eye Cream (Eye; AM)
Egyptian Magic All Purpose skin Cream (Eye; PM)

I will be seeing how this combination of products work and update when I have worked out whether it is or is not going to work for my skin.


Thanks for reading,

Danny xx

May Favourites!

Hey,

Today I wanted to post about the different items in May that I enjoyed using the most. I have quite a few items that I have loved using as they are a part of my every day routine and other items that are every couple of days but are still just as amazing. I have included a photo of all these items as well as names and descriptions.

Elf Ultimate Blending Brush

I purchased this brush off of iHerb in the month of April, since its arrival I have used it every time I have applied liquid foundation. This brush is incredibly soft and doesn't soak up a hell of a lot of product. More that it picks majority of the product up and then transfers it to my face. It also blends out foundation incredibly well, not creating a lot of streakiness. 

MUD Beauty Sponge

I am still devastated that I did not go back to Woolworths in South Australia and purchase every single sponge they had in the store. This is an incredibly soft and flexible and wen dampened becomes quite large. I love this sponge and if I ever see another I will purchase any I can find.

Rimmel Wake me up Concealer

It still amazes me how much I love this concealer, I use it every single day. I use it with both my liquid foundation as well as my mineral powder foundation. It is a very light yellow colour but is full coverage with great spread ability and blend ability. I have noticed that the newer version of this concealer has added vitamin C which is something I will soon be purchasing.

Nyx Dark Circle Concealer

I purchased this product while I was in South Australia at the Priceline Cosmetics sale as I was looking for something to help with my dark circles. This product is has incredible coverage and covers not only discolouration in the under eye area as well as any redness near the eye area. I have been using this product every day underneath my Rimmel concealer and they are a match made in heaven.

MAC Painterly Pro Longwear Paint Pot

I purchased this product from Myer in South Australia as I wanted to try the product out after a MUA friend recommended it. I love this product, the coverage is incredible and the colour blends into my skin tone so well that I look like I have a flawless lid. 

Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer

I purchased this bronzer from the iHerb website after scouring every Priceline in my area and not finding it. This product smells incredible, kind of like that coconut fake tan smell. I have since been using this product just about every time I use a liquid foundation. The colour is also warm without being orange on my skin tone and is build able which I appreciate in a bronzer. 

L'oreal Pure Clay Masks

There are three types of these Pure Clay Masks; Eucalyptus, Charcoal and Red Algae. The Eucalyptus is green and purifies and mattifies, the charcoal is black and detoxifies and brightens and the red algae is red and exfoliates and smooths. I have been using these masks a lot since purchasing as they leave my skin feeling less inflamed and irritated, I would even go as far as to say they are helping my break outs.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA

I only received this moisturizer on the 15th of May and in the short amount of time that I have had it I have loved using it every minute. My skin feels constantly plump and hydrated. Previously my skin has been sallow and dehydrated no matter what moisturizer I use. 


Thanks for reading,

Danny xx

May Purchases!

Hey,

Today I wanted to post about the different beauty related products I have purchased during the month of May. Below I have listed where, price and items as well as photos. 

May 1:

Chemist Warehouse:
Byphasse Micellar Water $4.00
Byphasse Micellar Water $4.00
Nivea Clinical Protect Deoderant $3.99
Thursday Plantation Macadamia Oil $14.99
Loreal Pure Clay Mask $11.69
Loreal Pure Clay Mask $11.69
Loreal Pure Clay Mask $11.69
Coffee Bar $4.99

May 3:

Priceline:
Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes $3.99
Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes $3.99

Real-U:
3 Step Program $69.00

Coles:
Essano Rosehip Oil $13.82

May 4:

Target:
Rimmel Match Perfection  Foundation in 100 Ivory $11.37
Rimmel Wake me Up Foundation in 100 Ivory $11.97

May 5:

Priceline:
Revlon Contour shadow brush $8.21
Nyx Pore Filler $21.95
Australis Fresh $ Flawless Pressed Powder $7.77
Australis Make up Setting Spray $9.57

May 9:

Jeffree Star Cosmetics:
JSC x Manny MUA Collaboration $50 USD

May 10:

Coles:
Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment $6.34
Veet Sensitive Precision Beauty Styler $24.99
Colgate Optic White $5.00

May 15:

Sephora:
Kat Von D Alchemist Holographic Palette $50.00
Pixi Glow Tonic 250ml $45.00
Kat Von D Edge Foundation Brush $49.00

DECIEM:
The Ordinary High-Spreadability Fluid Primer 30ml $13.90
The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer 30ml $8.80
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA 30ml $9.80
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 30ml $9.90
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution 15ml $8.80

Chemist Warehouse:
Maybelline Matte + Poreless Foundation in 115 Ivory $9.98
Maybelline Colour Jolt in Stripped Down $7.98
Maybelline Master Fix Setting Spray $7.98
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara $6.48
Makeup Bag for spending of $30 on Maybelline Cosmetics

May 25

Priceline:
Modelsprefer Unicorn Highlighter Brush $16.99
Modelsprefer Unicorn Fan Brush $18.99

May 27

Sephora:
Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash $20.00
BeautyBlender Original $30.00
Zoeva Wing Liner $15.00


29 May

Priceline:
Modelsprefer Unicorn Powder Brush $19.99
Modelsprefer Unicorn Angled Contour Brush $18.99
Modelsprefer UnicornBlending Brush $13.99

Mecca:
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara Sample $17.00
Soap and Glory Creamy Clarifying Shower Gel Sample $4.00

Thanks for reading,

Danny xx

May Empties!

Hey,

Today I wanted to post about the different products that I finished using up in the month of May. Below I have a photo of all the products as well as small descriptions of how I feel about the products.

Monarch Conditioning Shampoo

This travel sized conditioning shampoo was from one of the motels that I stayed in with my family on our trip home from South Australia. I ended up with a couple of them and figured they would be great to use up to wash my make up brushes. This conditioning shampoo was great, not only did it cleanse my brushes it also added an element of softness.

Mecca Cosmetica Hydrating Primer Sample

I went to Mecca looking for samples of hydrating primers as I feel like I needed a more hydrating step in my makeup routine. I am on the fence about this primer, I don't know whether I like it or dislike it. It was function-able but I think I will need another sample to see whether it was really any good.

Schik Intuition Razor Head

This razor head is my absolute favourite razor to use when shaving any of my body hair. It is a really moisturising product  and makes it so a shaving cream is not needed. It leaves my skin feeling very soft and smooth and not angry and broken. 

Mamia Baby Wipes

These are a must have in my beauty routine. I mainly use them to take off any excess product after a shower before applying a toner and moisturiser. I will continuously purchase as it is convenient and cheap.

Neutrogena makeup remover cleansing towelettes

I purchased these makeup remover towelettes after my Aunty recommended them to me. I bought my first packet in South Australia and have only just started using them in the last week or so. These wipes take off all make up, without irritating my skin or my eyes. They are also convenient as it is one product, unlike my usual makeup removers which is a micellar water and cotton pads. 

The Body Shop Elderflower unpurfumed eye gel

I purchased this eye gel as the price was right and I was looking for a new eye cream. This eye gel is cool to the touch and when applied to the under eye are feels quite soothing. However once the gel dries the under eye are becomes quite dry as well. I do not feel this product is hydrating enough as an under eye cream and will not be repurchasing.

Kiehl's Blue Herbal Moisturiser

This is an extremely mattifying moisturiser, which leaves my skin feel mattified as well as less inflamed and less red. I have been using this moisturiser day and night since purchasing in South Australia and I was impressed with the results I had early on but I admit it did not do a lot for my monthly hormonal break outs. I have since purchased a new skin care routine and am going to see how that works with my skin before repurchasing this moisturiser.

Kiehl's Calendula Herbal Extract Toner

This toner is an alcohol free formula that has Calendula extracts which is made for normal to oily skin types. I have combination skin, some dry, some oily and some normal skin and while I really enjoyed using the samples of this product I received I am not sure I have enjoyed using the full sized product. As bad as alcohol is for the skin I feel like my Witch hazel toner which contains alcohol gives me a better end result.

T.N Dickinsons Witch Hazel Face Wipes

This is a wipe version of my favourite face toner. In this case I actually prefer this version of the product, it means I don't have to spend money on two products - a liquid and wipes. I can just buy these and swipe them on my face. I will consider repurchasing this item as I just love how it leaves my skin.

Nivea anti-perspirant Stress Protect 

This is the spray version of my usual roll on deodorant. I purchased this as I was a little sick of waiting for my roll on deodorant to dry so figured I would try out the spray version. I have been using this daily for the last couple of weeks or so and I have to admit it has quickened my morning routine. I also love that it is just as effective as the roll on version. My only issue is that a spray does not last as long, after a couple of weeks I had to buy a new one where as the roll on can last me a couple of months.

Oral B 3D White

I purchased this toothpaste as I felt like my previous toothpaste wasn't doing enough for my teeth in terms of whitening. This toothpaste leaves my teeth feeling clean and fresh, not so sure about how much whitening it is doing though. I will be purchasing another toothpaste. 

QV Wash

I was recommended by a chemist to use this as a body wash to help control any body eczema. I have been using this for the last 6-12 months and it has helped to keep any eczema I have easy to manage. I have since started using a tea tree oil body wash - I like the anti-bacterial nature of the oil and will see how that goes before I repurchase the QV wash.

Daiso Cotton Puff 90 pack

I use these morning and night for both applying a toner and wiping off makeup so I go through quite a few. These Daiso cotton puffs are convenient but I may have to go back to buying the Kmart pack of 200 for $2.00 as it is better value considering how often I go through them.

Pantene Sheer Volume Conditioner

I love using Pantene in my hair, it leaves it feeling soft and silky. While this conditioner did this for my hair I did not feel as if it necessarily added any volume. I will be looking at using a different conditioner and not repurchasing this one.

Kiehl's Blue Herbal Gel Cleanser

This cleanser left my skin feeling minty fresh, it had a tingling effect on the skin and made it so that my skin just felt clean. I purchased it as I was looking for an acne control formula but while I think it initially helped I feel like there were no long term benefits. I will be looking to purchase something that works better for my skin.

Beauty Essentials Sensitive Cleansing Wipes

These wipes are good for the price but not something I will be repurchasing.

Smashbox Hydrating Primer Sample

It is such a shame that this primer retails for $61 because I absolutely loved using the sample. The primer was cooling, which is such a soothing sensation on the skin and worked to create a smooth hydrated base for my foundation. When I have finished a few other primers I will contemplate purchasing this.

Model Rock Demi Wispies

I purchased these lashes a couple of years back and decided to wear a pair for my birthday dinner. They are the perfect flirty lash, adding both volume and length without looking full hooker. I have a couple of pairs left and look forward to using them.

QV revitalising eye cream

I really enjoyed this product, I had no irritation to my eye or face from it which is a benefit of using products in the QV line. I however have noticed that I need a more plumping and hydrating eye cream as I feel my excessive makeup use has made my under eye area extra dry.

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion

This product was great for pimple control, constant hormonal break outs like what I have on the other it will only help for so long before it essentially becomes obselete. I have since replaced this product with The Ordinary's Salicylic Acid 2% Solution which is proving much more effective.

Real-U Gentle Foaming Wash sample

I tried out this face wash sample first to see if my skin had any adverse reactions and found that it was a light cleanser that cleansed without stripping my skin. Once I moved onto the full size with the face gel and moisturiser that goes along with it I realised the face wash is more effective for my skin with my previous moisturiser and serums.

Shick intuition razor head x 2

These are my favourite razor heads, they have extra moisturizing stripes surrounding the blades which leave my skin shaved and moisturized. I will continuously purchase these for shaving my arms and legs.

Aldi Razor

I use these razors to shave before a lazer hair removal appointment. The blades are sharp and precise and I can use them to either dry or wet shave hair. Until my body is completely hair free via lazer I will continue to use these razors.


Essano Frangipani and Paw Paw Body Wash Sample

This sample smelt amazing but because of the small quantity did not lather as much as I needed. I did enjoy using it though and do plan on purchasing to give the full size product a go.

Lime & Fennel Facial Scrub

I purchased this facial scrub while in Hahndorf in South Australia. I did enjoy the size of the granules in the scrub as they were big enough to exfoliate but not big enough to scratch up my face. I have to admit though the fennel smell was strong and made it hard to use often.

Kiehls Breakout Control Targeted Blemish Spot Treatment Sample

I honestly didn't find that this product did anything for my skin. It was meant to be a targeted breakout control formula but I felt it made no difference here or there, I will therefore not be purchasing the full product.


Thanks for reading,

Danny xx