Monday 25 August 2014

TUTORIAL: MAC Cosmetics Alluring Aquatics Packaging Nail Art

'Limited Edition'.

Just that phrase can send beauty lovers into a frenzy! And what instills that frenzy more than a limited edition MAC collection?

If you missed out on the absolutely beautiful Alluring Aquatics collection earlier this year (like me - I'm still recovering), here's a way to get a little touch of the excitement!


The collection was best known for it's gorgeous packaging, which was metallic sea green casing topped with clear droplets to resemble splashed water. Incredible right? So that packaging was the inspiration for creating this super easy nail art tutorial, so you can get in on the Alluring Aquatics action!

Enjoy the pictorial I put together, and so without further ado, let's get aquatic!


And that's it! 


Simple right? And while it's not exactly an everyday nail art look (well, why not?), these nails would be perfect for a mermaid or ocean-themed costume party! 


Enjoy this nail art tutorial? If you have any requests, please do let me know in the comments below!


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Monday 18 August 2014

VIDEO: Friday Night Makeup Tutorial & Be MNY's Next Top Vlogger!

Exciting news beauties! 

Maybelline New York Australia is on the lookout for their Next Top Vlogger, who will become the newest member of the MNY Crew as well as win heaps of other rad prizes (tickets to Sydney Fashion Week anyone?!).

I've been beauty blogging for the MNY Crew for a few months now and it is so much fun! Getting to play with all of the Maybelline products and create tutorials? Sounds like a bit of beauty heaven!


So, want to join me on the MNY Crew? You can enter the Next Top Vlogger competition here, and in the meantime if you would like some inspo for your entry, here's the video that I created for MNY!

It's been forever since I filmed a video (if you've been with my blog and I from the start, you'll remember my Rimmel Beauty Insider videos way back when!), so I hope you guys enjoy what I put together. It was so much fun, so maybe I should invest in a proper filming camera and do it again?


What did you guys think of the video? Let me know in the comments below, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Enter MNY's Next Top Vlogger Competition
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Monday 11 August 2014

HAUL: Mecca Maxima, Cotton On, Priceline and more! (July/August)

It feels like it's been a while since I shared my last shopping haul and when I begun compiling all of the things I'd purchased in the past month or so, I found I was right!

Since I started working at an office job at an online content agency in fashion and beauty (oooh! #adult), I've had a little extra cash to treat myself with, which has been super good for my shopping-loving soul #pleasetellmeyoucanrelate...

So without further ado, here is what I have bought over July and August! Lots of fashion, lots of beauty and a few accessories thrown in for good measure.  


Scuba Body Booster Bra (BB Cream/BB Black) - Cotton On Body $29.95

There's something about wearing gorgeous underwear that just makes you feel happy. At least I do! I love this black and white set (obviously inspired by these Triangl ones) from Cotton On Body. The bra is made of a soft scuba type material, so it's super comfortable. I just adore how minimalistic it is! Plus wearing it makes me feel like a badass (hehe get it?) Bond Girl.



Fluffy Knit Sweater (Black) - Glassons $29.99

When it's cold outside, all you really want to do is snuggle up in a soft blanket right? That's where this cute little knit comes in! This jumper is super fluffy (like you're patting a rabbit!) and is pretty much the cosiest thing I own. It looks awesome with a fitted black wrap skirt, tights, boss-ass boots and some chunky neckwear. Glassons currently have two for $50 on their knit wear, so I'm totally contemplating getting another colour plus another black one as a back up...


Assorted Patterned Socks - Daiso, all $2.80 each

Speaking of warm and cosy, I've become completely obsessed with cute socks to wear with my winter boots! I love Gorman socks, but they're a little out of my price range at $16 a pair, so I bought myself around seven Daiso ones for just under $20. I think that's a pretty good deal! Plus they're pretty much the cutest, right?


Camille Lace Up Heel Boots - Rubi Shoes $29.95 (on sale)

And on the note of those winter boots, here is the latest addition to my shoe-drobe. Lace up, heeled boots pretty much infatuate me on sight - I just adore them! You can dress them up or down and they look bad-ass no matter which way you wear them. I now have three pairs (all from different stores) in black, oxblood and camo. #obsessed


Statement necklaces - All Lovisa, around $25.00 each

Lovisa always have such good sales, like buy-two-get-one-free, so I always stock up on big necklaces like these because I wear them pretty much with every outfit. They look so nice with a plain top, tucked under a shirt collar, or along the neckline of a dress. Which is your fave? Mine is the one in the middle - there's just something about it!



A bunch of the beauties on Instagram (you can follow me at @hijessicaanne - I just hit more than 1000 followers so a giveaway is coming up!) recommended Hand Food to me and I loved the mini size I bought so much that I went back to get the big one! My hands literally do eat this stuff up - and they feel super soft because of it. Winter saviour!



Get ready for some gorgeousness! I really wanted to treat myself to some products from a luxury beauty brand and I've been seeing Hourglass Cosmetics products all over Instagram, so the decision was simple! I picked up the primer because my skin needs a little extra love thanks to the winter wind, and since I've dyed my hair purple, orange toned products have really been popping on me, so this dual blush/highlighter adds the perfect sheen to my cheeks. I'm going to use them so sparingly!



I've been on the look out for the perfect sea blue for a nail tutorial that will be coming up very soon on my blog and I've narrowed it down to these two! They're both such lovely metallic blues and I know they're going to be used heaps in summer - mermaid manicures anyone? 


Maybelline New York Big Eyes Liner and Volum' Express The Falsies Big Eyes Mascara
- Priceline, $16.95 (bought as a pack)

There was so much hype surrounding these two products on Instagram, so I couldn't resist (I'm an advertiser's dream...). They've since become staples in my everyday makeup routine and I use the white end of the liner to line my waterline and the lower lashes wand on the mascara to do up my lashes.


Rimmel London Scandaleyes Waterproof Eye Liner Pencil in 'Black' - Priceline $9.95

Prepare to be shocked - if you're a long time reader of my blog, then you'll know that I'm a massive fan of winged liquid liner, BUT. Recently I've been wearing black pencil liner instead! I've been loving the effect of creating a very subtle smoked out wing at the outer corner and then just lining about halfway along my top lashes. It's such a subtle, grown up look and it's perfect for work. But don't worry, cat eye, I still haven't forgotten about you! 



What is it about makeup brands only releasing certain colours in certain countries? This is the second time that I've had to order off ASOS to get an Apocalips shade that wasn't available in Australia. At least it mixes things up! This is a gorgeous, deep red that is so stunning for night time and wintery days. Adore. Simply adore. 



Yes, I finally hopped on the bandwagon! And yes, I do see what all the fuss is about. This concealer is lovely and light in formulation, but it still covers my dark circles and any redness around my eyes really well. Plus it works as a great highlighter!



Unfortunately I didn't receive the limited edition packaging (even though I ordered it *sad face*), but I'm still very happy with this eyeshadow. It's a super soft, super pigmented single shadow that is great for keeping in my bag for quick highlight touch ups. I use it to highlight my inner corner mostly, though it also works well as a powder highlighter for the cheekbones. 


What have you treated yourself to recently? Let me know in the comments below! 

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Monday 4 August 2014

REVIEW: Australis Make-Up Finishing Spritz

Want that 'no makeup' makeup look? I've been asked by a few different people how my skin and makeup seems so 'luminous' and glowing in my photos and I can give pretty much all of the credit to this product (though awesome natural lighting does help!).


A cult favourite, the Australis Make-Up Finishing Spritz is a setting spray that helps to keep your makeup in place and hydrate your skin. It can be used both before and after you apply your makeup (though I really only use it afterwards) and during the day (or night!) to refresh your face.



I used to have oily skin as a teenager, but for the past year, I've somehow switched over into dry/combination territory. So after a day's worth of makeup wear, my skin can begin to look dry and slightly patchy in areas (not cute!).

But you can't exactly put more moisturiser on top of your makeup, so this has been the next best thing for keeping my makeup fresh and in place all day, while keeping my skin happy and hydrated.

I find that some setting powders and powder foundations can tend to look 'chalky' or heavy on the skin, which can cause the product to settle into fine lines and make dry areas more noticeable. Powder products tend to sit on top of the skin, so they often look more obvious that liquid or cream products. To combat this, using a setting spray in the place of (or simply on top of) your setting powder will help to keep your makeup on all day, while still looking natural.

Here's what my skin looked like before I used the setting spray. I've got my usual, everyday makeup look on (primer, liquid foundation, concealer, highlighting powder, blush, eye makeup, etc.).



Click on the photo to see an enlarged version, but basically my setting powder is not difficult to spot on the skin.

Sooooo I tend to spritz on a few sprays of the Make-Up Finishing Spritz onto my face after I've completed my makeup and it feels super refreshing and instantly makes my skin look more, well, like skin! It basically helps to make makeup look more natural and wear better during the day.

So here is after I've lightly misted my skin a few times with the Make-Up Finishing Spritz...



It's subtle, but can you see how in the first photo set my makeup looked slightly more 'muddy', whereas in the second set my skin seems more luminous and appear less powdery?

Here's a better close up - you can see how my skin appears to 'glow' and look plumper and healthier as opposed to before I used the spray. It almost does the job of a highlighter! And can you tell that I'm wearing powder underneath? I can't!



I do think that I still need to use a setting powder and the spray as I don't think it's strong enough to hold my makeup all day, so I mainly use it to refresh my makeup and make it appear more natural (especially on mornings where I'm accidentally a little heavy-handed with the powder brush!).

Just so you can see the longevity of the product, here are some pictures I took about eight hours after I spritzed my skin in the morning. I haven't touched up my makeup at all or re-spritzed my skin since.



The quality of the images aren't fantastic, but you can still see that my makeup looks even (no patches) and the only place where my makeup has begun to wear off is the bridge of my nose (because I wore glasses on this day). Other than that, my makeup looks pretty natural and just as glowing as it did when I first applied the spray.

This bottle has lasted me since the summer time when I bought it and I use it every time I do my makeup. It's even great to use during the day to 'wake up' my makeup and refresh my skin if it's feeling a little lacklustre (thanks winter wind).



It's often sold out when I go looking at the Australis shelves at Priceline or KMart, but you can also grab it online from their website. At all three stockists, it's $14.95. Bargain!

Have you ever used a makeup setting spray before? Let me know in the comments below which one you would recommend, or if you've tried this one before!

Disclaimer: All thoughts expressed in this post are my own and I bought this product with my own money.
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