Trials and Tribulations of a Wedding Guest + Possible Outfits

Exactly one month from now, I will be attending an asian wedding reception. This is a big deal to me, as I rarely get invited to anything (be it family BBQs, weddings, hen's night etc).  I suppose that has something to do with me being the black sheep of the family, which really deserves its own post.  But anyway, back to this wedding... 

If I were a celebrity, this family friend's wedding would be the equivalent of being invited to attend a major award show, such as the Golden Globe Awards or the Grammys (Grammies?).  Weeks in advance I would work on my body, losing weight so I can look hot in the outfit that I planned and picked out well before the event. My nails would be trimmed ahead of time, so that they'll have enough time to grow to the perfect length on the night.  Manicure and pedicure would follow.  My skin would be buffed and polished to as near perfection as possible.  Peach fuzz will be tackled, hair coiffed meticulously.

I suppose for the average person, a wedding reception is just like a night out: you decide on an outfit a few days beforehand and you do your hair and makeup on the night.  For the average Jolene, it's a great night to eat, socialise and look pretty.  For me?  It's a big fucking deal. Attending an asian wedding reception further compounds this as in my experience I find that asians tend to be very judgemental.  High regard is given to those with the most expensive car, the more exclusive brands of attire, whichever high end logo your clutch embodies.  Failing that, they judge you for your looks.

In the next coming weeks you will see many "getting ready for the wedding" related posts.  This is just the first of many.  Before what I deem a "major event", I like to plan it all out.  Since I won't be rocking up in a Porche or wearing high end couture, I will have to work on ME.  I know that in order to feel good about myself at this wedding, I need other people to look at me and be impressed with what they see.

Yes, I'm superficial.

Let's be real.  If I don't feel good about myself on the night, I will have a shit time.  I'll avoid talking to people. I'll try to sit in the dark, far off corner so no one can see me.  Is that how I want to remembered?  Something akin to a shadow?  Hell no!  I want to have a good time like everyone else!  And in order to achieve that, I need to look great.

Possible outfits that will make me feel great
Before I can decide on how to fix myself up for the night, I need to know what I'm going to wear.  Here are a few possible outfits I'm thinking of.  All the styles are similar.  That is because I already own one of the dresses featured (just in a different colour) and I like how it looks on me.  All the dresses are from Pilgrim and all the shoes are from ZU.  I prefer ZU shoes because most of their styles are more comfy than others that are of similar style but from a different store.

Outfit #1

Pilgrim dress: direct link
Zu shoes: direct link

Outfit #2

Pilgrim dress: direct link
Zu shoes: direct link

Outfit #3

Pilgrim dress: direct link
Zu shoes: direct link

Outfit #4

Pilgrim dress: direct link
Zu shoes: direct link

What do you think?  Do you like the look that I'm going for?  Is there a standout dress/shoe combo that you particularly admire?  Let me know so I can make a decision!

My Friday Night + Glasses FOTN

 

I no longer have anymore pairs of contacts to wear, so I have been wearing glasses.  I hate wearing glasses on top of makeup, but last night I was forced to do so for my dinner date.  I kept my makeup extremely light.  I also had only half an hour to get ready, so I very rushed for time.  In the 30 minutes I had, I needed to do my makeup AND hair!

Obviously, my hair wasn't looking too hot but I liked how my makeup looked: very natural.  I didn't bother with any primers, I just slapped on NARS sheer glow foundation with a damp sponge, brushed NARS deep throat blush on my cheeks then quickly did my eyes (using NARS pandora + Lancome e/s).  Of course, I couldn't find my favourite black eyeliner so I just used the black e/s from the NARS palette to line my upper and lower lash line.  Then I curled my lashes and applied Benefit Bad Gal mascara.  I wish I had had the time to apply false lashes, I would've felt much better about my eyes.  I didn't bother with any lip product, as I was going to be eating anyway.

I had a great night.  I had dinner at the Lobster Cave.  I ordered my usual pork belly dish and had a few glasses of... well, some kind of pink wine.  I always forget the name!  But, according to my date, it tastes like "lolly water".  Ha, I guess that's why I like it!

I have a headache (I'm writing this on Saturday at 12pm but am scheduling it to post on Sunday morning).  I can't really stand to look at my computer screen anymore, so I'll just finish off with some photos from the night.

We got seated next to the wall.  This was my view!

My yummy pork belly.  Oink oink!  Picture does not do it justice.

Been here several times but never noticed that the toilet had a chandelier!

Cam whoring in the toilets of Lobster Cave.

Cam whoring at home!  How to turn a boring outfit sexy: hitch it up and take off your pants. Haha I was a little intoxicated. 

Katy Perry and the 20’s Style

This winter there is a definite return to 1920s style with the catwalks showcasing 1920s style and TV programmes like Broadwalk Empire hitting the silver screen.  Even a remake of The Great Gatsby is due in cinemas.  The decade is very much in style.

As usual, ghd is well ahead of the trend and have released their new limited edition Scarlet stylers which have sexy red plates.

What's more, face of the brand Katy Perry was transformed in a 1920s, Snow White inspired advert. She is seen with two beautiful 20s style dos.

In one picture she is seen dressed as a flapper with long bouncy curls and in another she is dressed as the wicked queen from Snow White, with a short sleek black bob with waves running through it. She is seen wearing a vamp look with a sexy maxi dress with a daring split up the side.  The whole look was accessorised with sexy stockings and red stilettos.

The best thing about the look is that it can all be achieved with the new ghd limited edition Scarlet styler that you can find online at http://www.ghdhair.com/au/. The Scarlet styler has all the best bits of ghds including the rounded barrel so you can create a sleek straight 1920s style bob and, with the same tool sexy curls, as well. You can easily achieve both of Katy’s great hair looks with one styling tool.

The Scarlet has the same great smooth plates as ghd gold stylers so you know that it will easily glide through your hair and will protect it as well. However, the plates have been given a sexy makeover and turned red so they not only create great 20s style look, they also look the part too. It also has a sleep mode so you can go to work or out on the town knowing that if you have left your straightener on, they will switch off. To add to the deal you will also get a stylish clutch with your straightener.

*Non-sponsored guest post written by Maria.

Mecca Cosmetica - You Make My Heart Sing

This is just a post showcasing some very poorly swatched colours in the 6 set of mini nail polishes called "You Make My Heart Sing".  While Mecca Cosmetica really does make my heart sing, their set of mini polishes doesn't quite do it for me.  I'm not too big on the colours, but I do like that it sits very prettily on my vanity.  This was a christmas gift :)

Firstly, let's get into the general basics.  This set is available at Mecca Cosmetica stores or online (website here).  It costs $60 AUD for 6 x 9ml "classic glide on" nail polishes.  The colours are quite varied and ideal for someone who likes wearing nail polish but doesn't do much experimenting with colours.  So in other words, this set was ideal for me as I am a french manicure girl.  If I wear colour, it will almost always be red or pink and be on my toes.

Ironically, I decided to write this post because I was wearing the pinky-purple shade (Timandra) on my toes and thought it would be a good opportunity to put up some swatches.  Toe swatches are gross, but rest assured my photos are poor in quality so no harm will come to your mental health after seeing my horrific piggies.  Having said that, the colours you see are true to life.  So these swatches won't be completely useless!  I'm sorry about the poor quality of the swatches, though.  I am extremely lazy and halfway through painting my nails I got bored and wanted to do something else.  Such is life!

Anyway, while most of these so called "glide on" polishes did just that (glide on smoothly), I found that the lightest two shades of pink were quite gloppy and left a streaky finish, even after three applications.  But perhaps that was just my impatience at waiting for it to dry before putting on another coat?  All the other colours were very easy to apply and gave a streak free finish.  In fact, one coat would have been sufficient for the darker colours.

Two days old.  Two coats applied.

Freshly applied.   Perdita, Thaisa & Virgilia have two coats each.  Jessica and Rosaline have three coats each.

I love pink polish, but I am not too fond of the pink shades in this set. Timandra and Virgilia are the only two shades I like, all the others I don't think go well with my skin tone.  So I doubt that I will be getting much use out of this set.   The quality of the polishes itself are quite comparable to O.P.I. and have lasting staying power, so if there were shades I really liked I would most definitely be in love with this set.  It's just that the colours aren't my cup of tea.  I will continue to wear Virgilia and Timandra, but I think the rest are destined to remain decoration for my vanity.

MooGoo Fresh Cream Deodorant VS Harmoni's Kiss Organic Girl Roll On

Since the beginning of summer I have been trailing two different aluminium free deodorants, MooGoo and Harmoni's Kiss.  For two weeks I applied both to an underarm each and compared them in action, then later on I tested them individually, without comparison.  Read on to discover my findings!

MooGoo Fresh Cream Deodorant - 60ml - $9.95 AUD

Ingredients: Demineralized Water, Magnesium Hydroxide, Corn Starch, Xantham Gum, Witch Hazel, Organic Lemon Myrtle.

I must admit, I'm not a fan of the scent.  It smells rather bland and... damp. Or something.  I'm not sure, maybe it's the lemon myrtle?  Smell aside, it is very easy to apply.  It dries relatively fast to a powdery feel.  It does leave a slight white film on your skin which is annoying if you're wearing a singlet, but it keeps me feeling dry for a couple or hours.  By the end of a busy, active day, I'm just a teensy bit stinky.  Available online or in selected pharmacies and health stores.

Harmoni's Kiss Organic Girl Roll On - 50ml - $4.95 AUD

Ingredients: (*Organic) Lavender Hydrosol*, Witch Hazel Extract*, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Aloe Vera Powder*, Bicarb Soda, Zinc Oxide, Glycerine*, Lime Oil*, Orange Oil*, Lavender Tree Oil*, Geranium Oil*, Frankincense Oil*, Sweet Fennel Oil, Fragrance, Potassium Sorbate.

 

At first, I hated the scent of this roll on.  And while it was easy to apply, it took a while to dry on my skin.  But it was totally clear, so wearing a singlet was not a problem.  I eventually got used to the scent and now I actually quite like it!  It doesn't keep me feeling as dry as MooGoo, but by the end of a busy, active day, I'm not stinky AT ALL.  Available online or in Woolworth's supermarkets.

How do they compare?
For an everyday deodorant for days where I'm just home or not very active, I prefer to use the MooGoo Fresh Cream Deodorant because it keeps me relatively dry and smelling fresh throughout the day.  If it's a hot day and I know I'll be quite active, I use the Harmoni's Kiss Organic Girl Roll On because it keeps me from smelling like BO by the end of the day (even after a long, fast paced walk)!  If I could only choose one to use permanently, it would be Harmoni's Kiss.  For just under $5, it's great value for money and works very well.

In my opinion, the MooGoo deodorant would probably suit those who are sensitive to essential oils or just have general skin sensitivity.  It's list of ingredients is very short so would be less irritating.  However, as mentioned earlier, the MooGoo deodorant does leave a slight white film and can rub off onto dark coloured clothing.  Harmoni's Kiss does not have this problem.

That's not to say that Harmoni's Kiss is without its own problems.  I find that with continuous use (say 4 days in a row) my underarms get a bit itchy.  I do have eczema so I think my skin may be slightly sensitive to certain oils.  This is why I choose to continue using MooGoo.  It may be more expensive and harder to find than Harmoni's Kiss, but my underarms do not get irritated with continuous use.

Both deodorants do a great job.  Harmoni's Kiss does a slightly better job than MooGoo at keeping the BO at bay, but they both work very well, even with just one application in the morning.  By the end of a busy, active day, I don't feel embarrassed to raise my arms on a packed train carriage anymore!

Information on Breast Augmentation

The decision of whether or not to undergo breast augmentation is one that involves careful consideration of a number of different factors. Truly, this procedure is unlike any other sort of self-beautification, in that it entails making a permanent change through surgical methods that, in some cases, can be quite invasive and slightly uncomfortable. For these reasons, it is extremely necessary to do thorough research before making the decision to undergo surgery to alter your breasts. Much of this research can be done online and through consultations with your surgeon. However, here are a few facts and answers to help get you started.

- Choosing what size you would like to move up to is one of the most important steps, in that it will guide the rest of your decisions to a great extent. Fortunately, there are a number of tools and technologies available to help you make this decision. To begin with, there are extensive photo libraries that indicate before and after breast augmentation changes in all kinds of women choosing all different sizes. Additionally, there is computer software that many surgeons possess that can allow you to see, essentially, a digital preview of what the changes you are making will look like. These tools can allow you to be as certain as possible about the size of the implants that you would like.

- Another major decision that you will have to make is which sort of incision your surgeon will make. In some cases, this may not be up to you as the patient. However, often enough, you should be able to have some say over the incision. There are four main types of incisions for breast implants, and each of them occurs at a different entry point on the body. The Periareolar incision is made along the rim of the areola; the Inframammary incision occurs at the crease on the underside of the breast; the Transaxillary incision is made at the armpit; and, the Transumbilical incision is made through the belly button. There are pros and cons to each incision, and they are well worth researching before you make your decision.

- You may have also heard some information regarding the differences between saline and silicone implants. These are by far the most popular types of breast implants, and while both have proven to be effective, there are defined differences between them. Silicone implants use a gel, and have in recent years been proven to be safe and non-toxic (whereas they were once rather controversial, and frequently caused discomfort). Saline implants use saltwater solutions, and are generally less likely to cause discomfort or other problems. However, the majority of women prefer the silicone implants from an aesthetic standpoint. 

These are just a few of the more common factors to consider leading up to your decision of whether or not to undergo breast augmentation. However, making decisions with regard to these factors can help you to have a better idea of what your procedure will be like moving forward. With careful research and consideration, you ought to be able to design a surgery that will suit your needs and desires perfectly.

*This sponsored guest post was brought to you by AboutPlasticSurgery.com

Should I go ahead with breast implants?!

Burt's Bees Body Butter

I was a lucky one along with nineteen others who were selected to be a part of the Burt's Bees VIP trial team several weeks ago.  The products we got to try out were the body butter and sugar scrub.  I was sent both products nearly a month ago, and today I will be reviewing the Cranberry & Pomegranate Body Butter.

First off the bat, let me let you in on a little secret... I am not just a pretty face (if a pretty face at all, ha)!  Out of the 3 yummy scents, I chose cranberry & pomegranate for two reasons.   One: I have heard all about the anti-aging properties of both fruits and liked the idea of an anti-aging body care product.  Two: as much as I loved the sound of the other scents (mango & orange, and honey & shea) I decided to pick cranberry & pomegranate because I knew that I had more of a chance of winning (because it's not as popular as the other scents, therefore it increased my chances as I wouldn't have been up against so many others.  While I'm not sure if this was the case, it certainly worked for me, did it not?  Winner winner, chicken dinner!)

Close up of the inside of my tub of the Burt's Bees Cranberry & Pomegranate Body Butter.

Anyway.  Having said all that, I'm quite pleased I picked cranberry & pomegranate, because it smells rather yummy.  It has quite a light, soft fruit-ish scent.  Once rubbed in, you can't really smell it unless you put your nose to your skin and sniff.  I prefer heavily scented products, but this would be good for those who prefer a less obvious scented product, or for days you don't want to clash with your perfume.  It has been perfumed with a natural fragrance so there shouldn't be any issues for those with sensitive skin.  The first few ingredients listed for the body butter are quite pleasing to an organic & natural skincare lover such as myself: aqua, sunflower seed oil, glycerin, coconut oil... I already use coconut oil on its own as a body moisturiser, so I'm quite happy with the ingredients.  

The rest of the ingredients are as follows: cetyl alcohol, sweet almond oil, parfum (natural fragrance), sucrose stearate, cranberry seed oil, punica granatum seed oil, shea butter, jojoba butter, cocoa seed butter, tocopherol, lactic acid, magnesium aluminum silicate, sodium stearoyl lactylate, glyceryl laurate, sucrose polystearate, soybean oil, xanthan gum, phenoxyethanol, oakmoss extract, citral, citronellol, farnesol, geranoil, limonene, linalool.  Now I must admit, I'm no scientist and I have no idea what the last 14 ingredients are.  They don't look natural (but what do I know?)  On the website it states that it is a 99% natural product, so I suppose I will have to take their word for it.  Note to self: google is your best friend!

The rich, thick texture of the Burt's Bees Cranberry & Pomegranate Body Butter.  (Don't mind my extremely dry hands!)

Besides the lovely, natural fruit scent, I quite enjoyed the richness of the butter.  It is a butter, after all, so you would expect that it would be thick and extremely moisturising.  It is very smooth and easy to apply, but it takes a bit of work to rub in because it looks white until it starts to absorb into the skin.  So don't overdo it with this moisturiser!  A little goes a long way (as I learnt the hard way, haha).  It's been nearly a month and I have used this product every single day after a shower (sometimes twice a day), and my tub is still about half full.  A 185g/6.5oz tub retails for $29.95 here in Australia, so it's not too bad considering it is a natural product that will last you quite a while.

My only gripe with the Burt's Bees body butter is that it is thick... too thick for me!  Which is not a bad thing for dry skin, as I do have, but it's so thick that it doesn't seem to absorb quickly enough.  I like my moisturisers to leave no residue whatsoever.  The butter kind of leaves a sticky feeling on your skin, which annoys me because during hot days, who wants sticky skin?  I don't think I would mind so much if this were winter.   However, it doesn't last for long, just for a couple of minutes after I've applied it so I usually will just wander around the house naked before I get dressed (sorry, neighbours)!  The fact that it does that, though, tells me that it will keep my skin nice and hydrated.  Which, after using for nearly a month, I have seen that my skin no longer looks dry and scaly, even after I've shaved my legs (I usually look like a lizard afterwards).  So being rich and thick is a good thing!  It lasts all day, too.

Overall, I have enjoyed using the Burt's Bees Cranberry & Pomegranate Body Butter.  It has kept my skin soft and hydrated and I've had no adverse reactions from using it.  I do have keratosis pilaris, but it hasn't aggravated my skin condition at all.  It hasn't made it go away, but hey, nothing will!  Daily moisturising is key in maintaining kp, and this body butter has done it's job well.  I will most likely purchase this myself, but would want to try the other scents (available at Myer, David Jones, Priceline).

If you want to find out more about the product, or about any other Burt's Bees product, do have a peek at their website: burtsbees.com.au.  Thank you Burt's Bees for giving me the opportunity to give this a try!  It is honestly a product I would have overlooked, in favour of using just plain old coconut oil.  But I'm glad I've tried it, as now I know there is another product out there that will help keep my skin soft and smooth :)