Pimp Your Post!

Sarah is once again hosting a blog hop, but this one is a little different.  Instead of putting in your website link, you get to pick any post on your blog that is beauty related about summer.  You can enter more than one.  So go ahead and enter yours!  Can you guess which one is mine?  (Hint: it's "sexy"). For more information on how to use or add your post to this blog hop, please read here. Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

My Funny Valentine's Soleo Organics Sunscreen Giveaway

Jenny from myfunnyvalentineblog.com is hosting a sunscreen giveaway (for australian residents only, sorry).  The product up for grabs is a highly rated, organic and natural sunscreen that she reviewed here.  When I first read this review, I was really excited because the sunscreen is apparently one of the most safe and effective natural sunscreens on the market.  I have been using Invisible Zinc (won off another blog, how ironic!) and while I love the product, my skin doesn't quite agree with it.  So I have been on the hunt for an effective chemical free sunscreen that would do just as good a job as the Invisible Zinc.  

I really want to win!  But if I don't, I plan to order the Soleo Organics All Natural Sunscreen SPF30+ myself off the Echolife website or just try to find a local chemist that stocks it.  Jenny mentions that this sunscreen would be very well suited to dry skin types, and while I don't have dry skin (I have normal), I still want to give this a try because it sounds like my ideal sunscreen: natural, effective & safe.  If you want to enter the giveaway, click here.

Photo from myfunnyvalentineblog.com

KORA Organics Clay Purifying Mask

A few months ago KORA Organics came out with a mask range, the Clay Purifying mask and the Hydrating mask.  I will be reviewing the Clay Purifying mask today.  It retails for $49.95 AUD (100ml) from the KORA Organics website, or you can find it at David Jones stores or select Terry White chemists.

I have normal to oily skin (sometimes normal to dry, depending on the season).  This mask is targeted at oily/combination skin, but it is really gentle and I think it would suit pretty much any skin type.  Using a clay mask is essential in my skincare routine to ensure my pores are deeply cleansed and skin looks bright and is purified.  I switch up my masks all the time, depending on my mood, and I try to use a mask at least once a week (although I'm often forgetful or lazy)!

How I use the mask: Before my shower, I use a small amount (about the size of a 20 cent coin) and apply to my face without washing beforehand, like most masks require you to do.  You could if you want, but like I said, I'm lazy!  I leave it on my face for about ten minutes, often longer.  Lately though, my skin has been breaking out in a rash so I only leave it on for five minutes (as stated "for sensitive skin" on the packaging).  Once I'm ready to wash it off, I jump in the shower and use just my hands and the warm water to gently wipe if off my skin.  I don't follow up with any sort of cleanser, as warm water is enough.

Results: The KORA Organics Clay Purifying mask is quite possibly the most gentle clay mask I have ever used.  The texture is just like a really thick, heavy moisturiser and is easily spread on the face. It dries quickly, too.

The smooth, thick consistency.  It feels more like a moisturiser than a clay mask!

Close up of the mask on my face.  Despite its moisturiser like texture, it dries very quickly like most clay masks.

With other clay masks, after washing it off I feel that my skin is quite tight and shiny looking, but with the KORA Organics Clay Purifying mask, I don't get that at all.  It's as if I've used a hydrating mask instead, with the benefits of clay.  This is why I think it would be suited to most skin types, rather than just the oily/combo that it's targeted at.  After use, my face is not shiny, rather it looks brightened, plump and pores aren't as noticeable.  It definitely feels heaps cleaner than it usually does, as if the clay has absorbed all the impurities.

I love the KORA Organics Clay Purifying Mask!

Here's a photo of me straight out of the shower, after I had dried my face and applied a tiny amount of lip balm (I'm OCD, I can't stand the feel of bare lips!)  I hope you're not too frightened by my appearance!  But see how my skin looks nice & hydrated, cleansed and soft?  (BTW, I did mention that I'm experiencing an awful rash on my face, and you can see it on my right cheek and forehead if you look close enough).

Fresh out of the shower.

After moisturising with the KORA hydrating cream, my skin looks bright, smooth and clear.

The KORA Organics Clay Purifying mask does not dry out my skin at all.

Overall, I really like the Clay Purifying mask as it is very gentle, yet does the job of cleansing my pores, refining and purifying my skin while also keeping it smooth and bright.  For the price,  it's not bad considering that this is a natural & certified organic product.  This is an ideal mask for those who have sensitive skin and are time poor, like me.  I also think it would be good for those with dry skin who wouldn't dare use a clay mask in the first place!  This mask has replaced my once favourite Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque, because it gives me the same results, but without the dryness & stinging sensation.  Holy grail?  Hmmm... I'll let you know in a couple of months time.  But it looks like it will be my favourite for awhile yet!  Check out koraorganics.com.au for more info, products, and to buy online.

Halloween FOTN & OOTN

I forgot to charge my camera, so my photos from the phone are really quite poor in quality, but I still want to show you my oh-so-original outfit for halloween. Wings with a little black dress, how awesome am I? LOL. It was very last minute, I wasn't even sure if I could go out anyway!  Thankfully my mum was able to take the kiddies.  At the time the photos were taken, I wasn't sure what shoes to wear with it, but just before I left the house I decided to wear my black Louboutin pumps, to go with the red and black theme. Smart, eh? Should have worn boots though, because it was quite cold that night!  So perhaps not so smart after all.

Wings I've had for a very long time, since 2005 which was from Bras'n'Things.  Dress by Guess.

It's no secret anymore... YES I am 4 months pregnant.  LOL, jokes!  I just have a fat belly from popping out kids :(

The shoes I wore.  Whoever said Christian Louboutin heels are comfy was a LIAR!  Yes I had to put those things on the soles to make it more cushy, but it still hurt like a b*tch.

My makeup was my typical smokey eye.  What a surprise.  However, it was my first time using Chanel's Illusion D'Ombre (Epatant) and OMG I am in LOVE!  All the hype on that product is true.  I want all the other colours now!  Several hours later, after many tipsy shenanigans, my eyeshadow still looked the same as it did when I first left the house.  In fact, my whole face still looked about the same as when I left, so I'm very pleased with all the products I used.  Especially since there were no touch ups at all, nor did I have to blot my face!  (Or maybe I wasn't drunk enough to ruin my makeup like I usually do, ha).

Eyeshadow from the side.  FYI: I never do my brows, even though I should.  I'm just too lazy, and I always scratch my eyebrows when I'm nervous so I would've looked like a mess by the end of the night.

Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in Epatant is such a pretty colour!  And I don't do my eyebrows because they're dark and thick anyway :)

Yep, I couldn't be bothered getting rid of the fall out of glitter on my face.  To me, it's the same as trying to remove glitter nail polish: impossible!

This was posted not only to show you my makeup, but is my little cry for help to any surgeon who can fix my ugly nose for free.  Please?  You'll be doing the world a lot of good, because no will have to be subjected to it anymore!

This is a shot of me once I got home several hours later.  Besides the lips, my makeup still looked practically the same as when I left the house.  No touch ups or blotting!  And yes, I am looking a little worse for wear because I am tipsy in this photo.  As if you couldn't tell!

Products used:

Eyes: Rimmel Colour Rush trio in Orion (light brown for crease, salmon colour for highlight) Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in Epatant (all over lids, used wet with M.A.C. Fix + spray), NARS duo in Pandora (matte black for outer crease), Urban Decay 24/7  Glide on eye pencil in Zero, Benefit Bad Gal Lash mascara in black.

Foundation: NARS Sheer Glow in Barcelona (applied with damp sponge to prevent oxidisation) and a dusting of Bare Minerals original powder in Golden Medium.
Concealer: M.A.C. Studio Sculpt NC30 (undereyes) & M.A.C. Studio Finish NC35 on blemishes.  (Rash is barely visible, thanks concealer!)

Contour: NARS Laguna bronzer

Blush: NARS Deep Throat 

Highlight: NARS Multiple in Luxor

Setting powder: M.A.C. Prep + Prime transparent finishing powder
Lips: NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Sex Machine (base), M.A.C. Viva Glam V lipstick 

Boring Brown OOTD

 

Ok, so the colours aren't all that spectacular, but it's not really a boring outfit.  I think it's quite interesting.  The top is a sheer fabric (hello, bra!) and is a bit short in the front, so you get flashes of skin here and there.  It has opalescent buttons, which I've matched to my shiny-ish snake patterned belt.  The jeans are your basic skinny leg dark wash denim, and the shoes (tan strappy platforms) match the top quite well.  Overall, a typical combo of mine for a casual night out (top, jeans, heels) but still a little different.  I will be wearing this to a dinner & movie :)  The sunnies are in case we go for a walk along the beach... (yeah, right!  Dream on!)

Top: Pilgrim

Belt: Fossil
Jeans: True Religion
Shoes: Zu
Sunglasses: Calvin Klein

The Grudge Halloween Tutorial

Hi!  I have finally finished editing and uploading my halloween tutorial for MissPixieLulu's "Scream for Halloween" contest (click here for her video).  I decided to do Toshio from The Grudge (the ghost of the missing boy who was killed) because I had been watching the original japanese version just a few weeks earlier.  It is such a simple look and can be used as the basis for a lot of other looks, for example: zombie, dead person, Sadako (from The Ring), scary clown, etc.  You can easily find the 3 products used in your home already, or buy it from any makeup or craft store.

Here's a little story that I thought was relevant: When Tony (my 9 year old son) was about 4 years old, he had long black hair that almost covered his eyes and quite a chubby little face.  I already thought he looked like Toshio.  One day I found him sitting in his shorts and teeshirt (same thing as what Toshio wears) on the bed against the wall.  He was hugging his legs, humming very quietly and just staring into space (he often does this, as he has autism).  I was so freaked out, I couldn't go in the room and had to get my mum to get him off the bed!  These days, Tony has gotten quite skinny and has shorter hair, but he still occasionally reminds me of Toshio...

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the tutorial.  While it took me quite a long time to put together this short 2 minute video, I had a lot of fun choosing the music for it and such.  If I had a better camera and a laptop that wasn't 6 years old, I would actually love to do more looks for YouTube.  The girls who make videos regularly, I applaud you.  It is not as easy as it seems.  It takes a lot of time and patience.  Enjoy!

Skin Woes Part II

Today I finally saw a doctor about the spots of dry, itchy, persistent rash on my face/neck/torso (and this morning I discovered a new one on my right arm, grrr).  I didn't see a doctor in the first place because I knew he would just prescribe me a hydrocortisone cream.  I can get that myself from a pharmacy!

As predicted, the doctor prescribed me a hydrocortisone combined with an anti-fungal, but he told me he didn't really want me to use the cream.  Reason being, if I had already tried it, had it clear up but then come back, my skin would clear up in the short term but might become dependant on the cream, resulting in flare ups.  Instead, he urged me to see a skin specialist and wrote a referral for me.

I'm actually quite excited to be seeing a dermatologist for the first time in my life.  Lord knows why I've never seen one before, especially because of my keratosis pilaris.  I called up the clinic and the first appointment will cost me $150 for a 15 minute consult with the doctor.  Ouch!  I don't know when I'll get to see the doctor, but I'm hoping I can get the money soon so that I don't have to feel so depressed about my skin, on top of everything else going on in my life.

Fingers crossed he will cure all my skin ailments!