Long time no blog, well 3 weeks..

Why hi there blogging world, excuse me for this huge delay in blog posts for 3 weeks now, time got the better of me. In a nutshell I’ve just been so busy with makeup trials, was sick just a few days ago, working, catching up with friends and yeah playing computer games and 3 weeks later here I am, ready to blog.

At least in these 3 weeks I have a heap of new products ready to try out for you all so I mean it’s not that bad.

Okay so I think the best part of shopping is buying something useful, something that might be a bit pricey but is just so convenient.

I love shopping at wholesalers, they just have so much stuff and it’s heaps cheaper, especially if you find a store that is a wholesaler and a retailer, so great! Disposable mascara wands in bulk anyone? Yes please.

A lot of beauty supplies you find out there today can really substitute for some makeup tools.

For example, I have a metal spatula that I use to dig out products like foundation and lipstick and concealer and all that but after every use, you’re going to have to wipe it before you dip it into another product. So say you were doing a bridal party by yourself and time is of the essence, little sticks that beauty therapists use for waxing the eyebrows can be really handy and so cheap, I got 100 pieces for $1.50. Once you’ve used it just throw it out, inexpensive and saves time.

It’s not always about having the right tool for a product. You don’t need a proper spatula to dig out your products, disposable paddle pop sticks can even work, ensuring they are clean of course. It’s about being smart about the tools you use and saving some money where it doesn’t need to be spent.

Another thing I got which I love and have been looking everywhere for is this liquid pump metal top. You’ve probably seen these in the nail salons for whenever you get acrylics done or whatever, it’s just a quick way to get the product out when you’re working with something that has a quick drying time.

For any of you sculpters out there, this is also great for putting the alcohol in there to help smooth out the clay without the alcohol just sitting there and giving you a headache you only need to pump it for the liquid to come out.

The reason I got this was so I could use it as my brush cleaner on makeup jobs when I have more than 2 people to do by myself. It’s just so convenient and makes it so much easier when you’re in a rush. It’s really easy to use, you just pour in your brush cleaner and secure the lid and pump the lid, you’ll find that it’ll leave a little pool of liquid on top for you to easily dip your brush into it and when you need more, just pump it. The best part is once you’ve pumped that liquid out, it doesn’t go back in, so no need to worry about it getting contaminated.

And if any of you were wondering this was super cheap I picked it up for $7.95.

Until next blog post, hopefully tomorrow. =) have a great day.

LOVE LOVE LOVE caroline.

SEE: Inglot freedom system palette

I use this product everyday or when I go out and it hasn’t occurred to me to blog about this. Sometimes when you just see things that are in front of you every single day, you forget that they’re even there.

Okay so trip to LA last year for IMATS, I bought so much stuff from brands we don’t even have here in Australia unless you buy online and we all know by now I am so not an online shopper.

What I really love is eye makeup. You can get so creative with eye makeup, the different coloured eye shadows and designs you can do, it’s basically unlimited. I also think the reason why I love eye makeup so much is because the first thing you will notice when meeting somebody are their eyes. Looking someone straight in the eyes shows confidence and of course having amazing eye makeup helps too.

Inglot 40 freedom palette - matte shades

I purchased the Freedom system palette by Inglot when I was at IMATS and it was crazy just to tell the person what I wanted, there were so many people at the Inglot stand and honestly now I know why.

I had in my kit already so many vibrant colours that were matte and I also had a lot of shimmery shadows too and the one thing I needed was earthy matte colours from the nudes to the browns. I needed A LOT of that.

What is it?

So the Freedom system is where they provide you with an empty palette where you can choose the colours of the shadows that you want to put in, it’s basically like customizing your own palette. To be honest, with that many people there and with other stuff I wanted to see I just said get me all those colours in the matte shades that you have on offer and bag it for me.

The refills are magnetised and so is the palette, so refilling and
changing  your eye shadow colours around has never been easier.

I was able to get 40 different shades all on one palette which was really great for me, the only thing is it’s kind of heavy but whatever right?

·        So, maybe you don’t need THAT many eye shadows, that’s fine they have palettes with 20 spots, with 2, 3 ,4 or 5 and 10 and you can either get the square or rounded eyeshadows.

·        Maybe you just want a palette for yourself that you can put your blush, eyeshadow and some pressed powder into it, they have that too.

One of the great things about the Freedom System is what the name entitles, freedom. Freedom to choose the products that are most suited for you.

Why I love it..

I thought this was really practical, once you’ve finished with a shadow because it’s all magnetized you can simply replace it by getting the same colour or something else. (Think a Z palette but just designed for Inglot shadows) They were wrapped up individually so as you can place the colours the way you wanted to place them on your palette.

Like my set out of the colours?

Sort the colours out however you like, I put mine in like this.

Simply slide the lid off! BONUS TIP: Use the
magnets on the lid to help get the refills
out once they're finished

The lid is also magnetized so all you have to do is slide it off, which I thought was pretty nifty, it just makes makeup more fun.

The different size palettes they have and the variety and colours of the eye shadows, pretty much makes your choices unlimited.

Money, money, money!

Okay guys want to know the price I got this amazing palette for? Of course you do!

I got it for $137 US that is.  Umm bargain beyond belief! This included the palette and 40 different eye shadows.

I definitely know though here for my Australian viewers it’s not going to be that price at all, I’m pretty sure it’s about $50 for the 40 palette and $10 each for the refill eye shadow, don’t quote me on that but I definitely got a good deal at IMATS, LA that is.

Let’s do some swatches..

The reason though the Inglot stand was pretty crazy, even for the IMATS in Sydney, not as crazy as LA but, this is a really good brand for eye shadow.

The colours are so pigmented and it has that strong and bold colour we all love, and it’s better to have a pigmented shadow compared to one that is not, so it won’t take you forever trying to build up that colour. Don’t worry if you’ve gone overboard with an eye shadow that is high in pigment, simply soften it with some loose translucent powder.

Here are some swatches, keeping in mind I swiped my finger once over the shadow then onto my arm.

Left to right: Matte 391, Matte 326, Matte 324, Matte 368, Matte  319,  Matte  361 

THE ONE DOWNSIDE, sort of

 The only downside that annoys me about this is I can’t get the refill out sometimes. This might not even be a problem for you but for me trying to get it out and move it somewhere else when it’s still full, my biggest fear. I just don’t want to damage it. (found this out when I was trying to take it out and see what the refill was called for the swatches and then I just used my tweezers to get it out, sometimes I just surprise myself.)

Some tips on kohl, liquid and gel eyeliners

Oh eyeliner, I mean come on who doesn’t love it. Eyeliner just puts that finishing touch to your eye makeup.

When I do my eyes, I like to put mascara on both the top and the bottom and with that I apply some eyeliner through the top lashes and the bottom lashes to fill in the tiny gaps and it gives your eyes that more defined look and that extra pop.

The downside, a kohl pencil eyeliner isn’t going to last you all day.

Kohl eyeliner, crayon kohl in the colour mousse

-        Kohl eyeliners, come in a variety of colours and they’re great for lining the bottom lash line with your favourite colour, try some blue on the lower lash line if you have brown eyes.

-        With kohl eyeliner, they are very easy to blend due to their creamy and smooth texture. Doing a smokey eye for the night, apply kohl liner first to the base of your lids and blend it out. Adding that kohl liner first before you apply the shadow, intensifies the colour.

-        Always apply concealer or foundation to your eyes when you’re working with kohl eyeliners and don’t forget to powder them lightly, it’s just easier to blend that way.

If you want some longer lasting eyeliner try:

-        Liquid liners, these are great for the top of your eyelids and drawing that little cat eye flick at the end.

Liquid eyeliner, by Missha The style in black

Never put liquid liner on the bottom lash line, they look best on top.

-        liquid liners as their name suggests, is wet and you need to allow that dry time before you open your eyes as it’ll smudge.

-        Can’t seem to get that exact straight line every time you apply liquid liner to the top, wait until the liner has dried and then use a cotton tip to buff away any mistakes.

-       

Gel eyeliners, these are one of my favourites at the moment. They just last that much longer and like liquid liners they’re quite smudge proof.

Gel eyeliner, by Lilan Vital extreme wear in black

-        Gels are very smooth in texture and glides on well.

-        It has more of a silkier feel to it compared to liquid liners

-        You can apply gel eyeliners to the top AND the bottom of your eyes as it has a softer finish.

With any eyeliner application especially on your top lids, make sure you lift the skin of your eyes so you can get the colour right to the base of your top lash line.

Dear diary: I'm writing a book!

Soo yeah did I tell you guys I’m writing a book?

I have absolutely no idea where this year is taking me, last year I was studying I had work experience in films and photo shoots, I travelled to LA last year for IMATS there, special workshops learning from the best and the experienced, it was also the first time I went overseas. Last year was a great year for me, I was busy I was studying and practicing something that I loved.

This year though, I felt a lot was going to change, it was the year that my life would sort of get started if you get me. This year has definitely been about growing up and figuring out what I really want to do and make some serious decisions that would affect the rest of my life.

I had absolutely no idea that this blog would be doing this well, or the fact that I was even going to start blogging, a huge surprise for me and a happy one too. It’s something I definitely look forward doing, chucking my thoughts out there and sharing some makeup and beauty tips we all love and of course this crazy world we call life in there as well.

So as a part of wanting to become not just a good makeup artist, or a great one, not just an ordinary one but I want to be amazing. I feel even though yeah okay I have my certificate I’m qualified to do make up, but I was only taught basics and I think there is a huge difference between getting your certificate in makeup and being a makeup artist.

A makeup artist puts in that effort, they give that bit more,  I’m not talking you just do amazing makeup I’m talking about everything, the whole deal.Skin care, skin prepping, knowing your skin types, knowing what products suit what person, how to deal with contra-indications, recognizing every contra-indication there is out there, the ingredients found in makeup and beauty products, what is it made of or what is it in general, understanding the skin’s pH balance, oil and water based products, face shapes, corrective work, eye shapes, the use of lighting and how it will affect your makeup, black and white photography, seriously I could go on.

 There’s so much we need to know about makeup, it’s not as simple as slapping on concealer and foundation, it’s about what products can we use to get that makeup to last longer to work for you. I think that’s why I was definitely turned off doing makeup on film sets, people are really mean and they treated makeup artists like we were nothing, that we’re all about being pretty and if only people could see what I see and that is every element in a film set needs to work harmoniously with one another and it’s a shame, it was great experience, but it was shocking, I know rude but that took rude to another level. You’d be surprised at how bad that would make you feel.

I want to be that makeup artist where people ask me anything and I’ll have an answer for them right away. I want to be able to fix problems on the spot and not to be afraid of what if they don’t like the look I do for them. So yeah because of ALL that (sorry about the rant, couldn’t help myself) I’m writing a makeup guide book, everything you need to know and more. Another project for me but it all works to becoming an extraordinary makeup artist, that and even if it doesn’t get anywhere it’s my makeup guide, I’ve put a lot of effort into it and learnt so much along the way.

Right now I’m still on chapter 1, all about skin care, there is a lot to it but I feel like I know even more now. 

Because we all have eyebrows..

 ..some just more plentiful than others.

Okay so checking the history of my blog, it hasn’t really turned out like what I expected it to be, I originally loved the idea of putting my thoughts out there but more makeup and beauty focused.

Since that idea kind of failed, I just, I get really side tracked okay. Sad face. Life just happens and problems, drama, I’m not going to lie people do some really weird things and I just can’t help but blog about it and things that I find funny or cool or weird it all goes up nowadays. (I mean come on I just introduced a series called the tea diaries, talk about being side tracked)

But it’s okay, I’m happy either way but to try and get some makeup and beauty related stuff back into my blog here’s a little tip I came up with the other day.

So for myself post makeup I like to call it when I didn’t know anything but slapping on foundation for that flawless look, that’s all I would really do. Foundation, some mascara and eyeliner going on and that’s it. No blush, no contouring just whatever was really quick and easy to do. Now that I know a bit more, well A LOT more my makeup application is more structured.

I don’t know how many of you out there fill in your eyebrows, I for one never use to do it because I didn’t think I needed to, my eyebrows held out a pretty good shape.

Okay so there are the brow pencils that people use or you can just use some eye shadow.  I prefer using eye shadow the only downside is it doesn’t last all day, we’re all about foundation needing to last a good while but what about your eyebrows especially if you’ve applied something there already.

So when you’re brushing some shadow through your brows, here are some tips:

-        After you put on your foundation be it with a brush or wedge, brush some of that foundation over your eyebrows. This will help the shadow to stick onto something and for you to get that stronger, fuller brow look that is so in right now.

The Body Shop brow & lash gel

-        Or, brush over your brows with your foundation and apply some clear brow gel, (I use The Body Shop brow & lash gel) over the hairs of your brows. This helps to comb your brows through and sets them in place. You’ll find that the gel is a little bit sticky, so brush through some shadow through your brows to fill in any gaps or extend them that little bit more. You’ll find that the shadow lasts that much longer than it would if you didn’t apply any foundation or brow gel there.

-        Or you can always get yourself a brow mascara, they come in heaps of colours, but I like doing it the other ways, it makes makeup more fun.

Brow comb they come in smaller lengths,
talk about convenience at your fingertips

And PLEASE remember, if you’re brushing shadow through your brows, comb it out! It helps to spread that shadow through your brows evenly and looks a lot more natural without people looking at you like what is going on with your overdrawn eyebrows.

SEE: Modelco Lash Fibre mascara review

Alright so I recently got my hands on another mascara, I’m sorry I can’t help it to be honest I think of it as an investment for my blog so whenever I buy something I can blog about it, I’m showing you guys some love from me to you.

For IMATS last year there was this whole craze about longer lashes with no mascara, the secret? Fibres. I just remember being like I really want longer lashes I want to try this fibre lash thing out but my friend stopped me because she thought it was lame and I was just like there’s nothing lame about wanting longer lashes.

Modelco lash fibre mascara

Modelco has a mascara called Fibre Lash and to be honest with you all I was extremely excited to try this product out (being a mascara lover and all).

Unfortunately it’s not as great as I anticipated it to be. When you think wow adding fibres to your lashes they must look extra long and flirty and fluttery looking, that sort of kind of didn’t happen.

Modelco Lash fibre mascara

Now don’t get me wrong it’s a great mascara but when I got it, I expected AMAZING STAND OUT lashes and it was kind of almost there but not really and to be truthful my Maybelline Falsies mascara works a lot better and application heaps quicker especially when you’re in a rush.

But because I believe in giving every makeup product out there a chance, If you do decide to purchase this particular mascara just don’t expect it to have that WOW factor.

So application is really easy but can be a bit of a pain because I’m so paranoid about having my mascara open for too long with the air getting in and drying up the mascara quicker I literally close it everytime I have to switch to apply the fibres.

So to give you an insight on how to apply this,

Extension macara in black

Step 1: Apply the extension mascara FIRST, don’t chuck a me and not read the instructions. I put the fibres on first and DUH where would you expect it to go but in your eyeball because it has nothing to stick to.

Step 2: Apply the lash fibres to the mascara already on

Step 3: Re apply that extension mascara to the lash fibres and you’re done.

Lash fibres

You might think it’s that simple and yeah it is, it’s just if you’re anything like me and being paranoid about mascara drying out, I closed the lid on that mascara everytime I had to swap it around to use the lash fibres and then back to the extension mascara.

Props for a makeup product that’s compact and versatile but for me personally, it gets annoying when you’re in a rush.

A tip for all you mascara lovers out there

I love being the makeup guru around my group of friends, they ask me the funniest questions and do the funniest things when it comes to makeup.

This post is dedicated to my good friend who is a makeup purist you could say, so no makeup worn hardly ever, only on super super special occasions and of course when she lets me practice makeup looks on her.

I love mascara, one of my favourite makeup products out there and I could never understand why some girls wouldn’t wear JUST mascara because to me sometimes that’s just all you need. So I put on mascara for my friend whilst I was doing a makeup look and she told me she doesn’t like wearing mascara and to that I replied, WHY????? and WHAT??? She said that she didn’t like taking it off because it was such a chore and it got everywhere and left black marks around her eyes and I laughed because it was so cute and funny.

So here’s how I take off my mascara and if you’re anything like my friend try it this way.

• Take a makeup removal cotton pad and put your eye makeup remover on it.
• If you have eye shadow on wipe from the inner corner out and then when you get to your lashes, eyes closed and roll downwards on your lashes, this helps to break the seal of the mascara and it won’t go everywhere.

Hope this helps makeup purists everywhere and if you didn’t know, well there you go. That’s another way to do it.


Another quick tip: Sometimes your eye makeup remover can substitute for lipstick removal too.

Look at all this stuff!

Okay that’s it ladies and gents. I officially have too many beauty products. And don’t be like you can never have enough beauty products, but uhh I think you can.

I have no idea what’s gotten into me lately maybe it’s called growing up, but I’ve started to really think about the money I spend and what I spend it on and if I really need something, sooooooooo what I’m trying to say is I need to stop being such an impulse buyer.

Okay yeah so what I work in retail and you would think that you would know the tactics on how they sell a product but I just can’t say no sometimes and just buy something because I really want it and don’t NEED it. I don’t like making people feel sad that they didn’t get a sale out of me. I could be their only sale that day, think about it like that. (not likely the case, but you never know) I’m a you never know kind of person, you know? Alright this is getting confusing even for me and I’m writing this.

So as part of becoming a smart buyer instead of an impulse one, I am going to finish all these beauty products before I invest in another beauty product.

Impulse buyer like me? Let me know what one product you have way too much of.

Alright so, here I have like a million trillion creams and lotions that I currently own (some have been untouched, some are almost finished.)

I am not kidding you these are all mine. This was when it hit me that I had too many products because I had nowhere to store these on my makeup table.

the creams and lotions for soft skin like a baby's bottom.

So here I have:

  - Kenkay skin relief sorbolene cream  (1kg of that, but i don't care best product ever)
- Escada marine groove body lotion

- Sudocrem
- Palmer's cocoa body butter

- Palmer's cocoa butter formula

- nutrimetics botanicals green tea body lotion

- Solace mineral spa body butter
-Solace mineral spa body lotion

- Vaseline intensive care lotion in aloe vera

                                                                                                
  I wasn't kidding when I say I  use A LOT of different brands.

Next up we have the day and night creams:

The day and night creams

- Nivea creme

- Nivea soft

- Aveeno positively radiant daily moisturiser

- Aveenooooooo positively radiant tinted moisturiser

- Garnier miracle skin perfector BB creme

Then over here we have my facial cleansers, yes I use more than one,  I want to give every beauty product out there a chance

The daily cleansers

- Formula 10.0.6 Best face forward daily foaming cleanser

- Clean & Clear essentials self-foaming facial wash

-  Shiseido The skincare rinse off cleansing gel

- QV gentle wash

Lip care, who doesn't own some sort of lip balm, no matter how tom boyish you are.

And because our lips need some loving too, I stocked up on more than a couple of these

- Vaseline white petroleum jelly style

- Ultraceuticals professional ultra lip protect

- Nivea lip care in cherry (my favourite of all time and it's almost finished)

- Blistex silk & shine

- Lip smacker in gum ball galaxy ( taking it back old school to when these were the coolest)

- Chapstick ( I just love the name for this brand) I have a slogan for it, want to hear it?  Chapped lips? Have no fear chapstick is here.

I vow that I will do my very best at using up all these products before I purchase any new ones, but no promises.

And don't even get me started on the makeup products.

Beg to differ: Lipstick vs Lipgloss

Lipstick is a powerful thing.

That is all. Thanks for reading my blog post today. =)

I’m just kidding I wish I could only say a few words and post that up, never going to happen.

So first of all YAYYY, you're reading my first post for one of my many ideas that have been on my wall waiting to be used, BEG TO DIFFER, which will be about looks that sort of, kind of work, but maybe don't and also products that you prefer but maybe others won't.

So let's get down to business, LIPSTICK vs LIPGLOSS

Which one do you prefer?

I personally hate lip gloss only because it’s sticky and when the wind blows your hair sticks to the gloss and then your hair gets sticky and it’s just a sticky mess.

So overall, sticky.

Lipstick on the other hand I LOVE! I love how the colours are matte and the different shades there are and even just wearing a statement lip can completely transform the way you present yourself and give you those instant beauty points.

Pros and Cons time.

Let’s start off with lipgloss.

LIPGLOSS

THE GLOSS

Here are the pros..

•  It gives your lips that plumper, fuller look
•  They make your lips look so kissable, but that’s bad too because who wants to kiss with lip gloss on. Gross. They should put a label on all lip glosses. Caution: Not good for kissing, illusion only.
•  Some glosses contain sunscreen so they give your lips that added protection from the sun
•  Adds a little colour to your natural lip.
• Perfect for anybody who’s not ready for the bold statement of a lipstick, seriously. You can work your way up.

With that said, here are the Cons..

•  IT BLEEDS!!!! So the gloss will just go all over your mouth and not stay where it’s meant to be.
• Doesn’t last that long on your lips. Reapplying is a necessity when it comes to wearing lip gloss
• Did I mention it was sticky? And sticks to your hair and just it’s sticky?
• Hard to make a statement with lip gloss, most glosses have a light sheer colour
• Not great if you already have fuller lips, the shine adds illusion and makes them look twice as plump.

LIPSTICK

THE STICK

The Pros...

• There are so many shades out there! Shades for daytime and shades for the night.
• Sometimes a bold colour lipstick is all you need to transform your day makeup to an awesome night out
• Colour stays on much longer than a gloss especially if you’ve prepped them properly
• Looks crazy sophisticated
• It’s very daring and I think it brings out a new found confidence

To be honest with you, I thought I would have more pros when I started typing this, but I just love lipstick and the feeling it gives you when you put it on.

The cons..

• It dries your lips so wear lip balm before you apply
• This hasn’t happened to me ever but maybe it gets on your teeth sometimes. Whoops.

And that’s all really, I can’t think of too many cons for lipsticks, maybe I’m just bias or maybe it’s true. =)

P.s. I love blogging and my wireless keyboard is spazzing out on me, so if there are any mistakes, I apologise.