ACV - my absolute skin saviour!

Ahoy hoy everyone! Wholy moly...we haven't blogged in FOREVER! 

Update with us: 

Twin #1 - recently just relocated to Sydney for work, living with zee bf has been great! Still have our mini battles about him not putting the lid back on some stuff (honestly!). Having said that, moving away hasn't stopped this twinne from hoarding over $500 worth of new beauty stuff - mostly just makeup! (Will most likely do a separate post on that as there's simply too many things to talk about!)

Twin #2 - currently over in the US with the hubby - eating up like a mother flipping #fatcat (it's what we say when we mean "going all out"), doing all the tourist-y stuff, shopping up a storm and hitting Sephora hard! HA!

OK so back to the subject matter.

Ahh...so my skin went proper mental roughly 3 months ago. I broke out ALL over my cheeks (both sides) which was rather unusual for me as I hardly/never get spots there. It was during makeup school and I believe it was a bad combo of SHIT makeup that they provided there for the students(for intents and purposes, I won't name this crappy-ass brand) as well as me trying to find the miracle product that would make my skin GLOW. I tried an organic turmeric and natural yogurt face mask - definitely a no go for me. That and the combination of shit house makeup made me break out like no tomorrow. I became so conscious and depressed as I was able to make it out of my teen years without suffering from too many spots and here I was, well into my 20's with acne-like skin (not even an over-exaggeration) 

As per usual I turned to the internet to find a cure for the mess I had created...BING! Apple cider vinegar (ACV) - and not just any vinegar...it's gotta be BRAGG'S ORGANIC VINEGAR WITH THE MOTHER. Yeah, you read that correctly, with the mother. It reeks like smelly feet (someone even described it as  'wet dog' - and to some degree I think its true). I read SO many reviews on it before I ordered my first bottle which promptly arrived after only 3 days of ordering it (free shipping too!).

At first I consumed 2x tablespoons of ACV mixed with lots of water and 2x tablespoons of this blueberry syrup once daily. The taste wasn't too bad, I guess the blueberry syrup masked the nastiness of it although it still reeked pretty bad. 

NOTE: ACV is very acidic, so I recommend brushing your teeth promptly after you're done drinking it or at least rinse out your moth with some water - it's super bad for tooth enamel.

Within a week I instantly saw results - my spots stopped growing larger and were actually going away sooner. Spot that would usually linger for at least a week were gone in 3 days. The redness was also going away much faster too. After about a month I buffed up the courage and decided to try it as a toner all over my face diluted with water in conjunction with drinking it. I used a 50:50 ratio as a facial toner and it worked out really well. The smell is horrendous but in 10 minutes or so the smell is gone and no longer lingers. I've used it everyday since then and I really can't imagine not using it. Old pigmentation marks are now going away a lot faster (also with the aid of  the Kosmea organic rosehip oil)!

Yes it stinks but the results are SOOOO worth it. So much so I purchased a 3L bottle when I moved away to Sydney(didn't want to look like a fool bringing a bottle of ACV through to the airport). The texture of my skin has improved greatly and any signs of big spots are now barely noticeable. It makes applying makeup so much faster now that my skin has improved so much. 

Usually spots that stick around for a week take months and months to heal and disappear completely (for my skin anyway) but with ACV they are gone within 1-2 months. I use it morning and night and now I can use ACV straight up, undiluted. However, if I did happen to pick at my skin (which is rare), then I will dilute it with some water as it will sting like a mother XXXX. 

I can't rate it enough. Thank you to all of those MakeupAlley reviews...I'm so glad I took the plunge! I will continue to use ACV as my facial toner and consume 1-2 tablespoons daily. I believe the combination of applying it topically and consuming it internally has assisted my skin to get back on track and keep the spots away. 10/10 for me...heck, if I could give it a higher rating than that I would!

Lots of love,

Twinnie #1 

rosehip oil saved my skin this winter

Heya peeps! Okay first and foremost, I am SO sorry for the lack of blogging lately. It has been super hectic with my course as well as sorting out some relocation stuff (will blog about this some other time).

Anyways back to beauty related stuffs. So one of the reasons for my lack of blogging was because I have been dealing with super troublesome skin (an understatement) this winter...dry patches/ flaky skin/ blemishes (not just one or two here and there - it was a lot)/ redness/ uneven skintone...the whole shaa-baam. I spent a lot of my time reading online articles and blogs about how to "treat" all of the above-mentioned issues as my regular night regime simply wasn't cutting it. Thankfully I had a chat with a friend of mine who resides in Sydney and is into organic skincare. I told her my skin situation and she recommended me to use organic rosehip oil. At first I was a bit like "errrr..." but after reading some glowing reviews about the effectiveness of organic rosehip oil, I took the plunge and have never looked back since.

There are lots of labels out there on the market which claim to have all these amazing benefits packed into a neat little bottle for you. However upon closer inspection I noticed that some of these products were a blend of ingredients - not something I was after. I was after the real deal. 100% organic rosehip oil - that's whats up.  Then I came across a label called "Kosmea". This label is Australian owned, uses ethically sourced rosehip, is 100% certified organic, extracts the rosehip oil without heat or solvents = the best of everything?! I did some further research on Kosmea rosehip oil on makeup alley  and was convinced it was worth my while to try out (so thanks to all those MUA'ers!). The next day I went into the city and picked up a 20ml bottle for $20 AUD. I didn't want to get the larger bottle because apparently rosehip oil is most potent/effective for the first 6 months after opening and seeing as I was trying this for the first time, I didn't want to go crazy and purchase something which might not work for me. The bottle comes with a glass pipette, making it easy to dispense the oil. 

MY ROUTINE: I strictly only apply this on at night as I feel it would be too heavy in the morning with my moisterising lotion plus sunscreen and makeup. So straight after I get out of the shower I take about 3-4 droplets into the palms of my hands, rub my palms together and then gently pat it all over my damp face and down my neck . Sometimes I will take an extra 2 droplets and apply it to the decolletage. The oil sinks into the skin beautifully within a few minutes and you won't feel any tacky or sticky residue. It feels super light weight on the skin and leaves my skin feeling hydrated. I'll be honest, at first I was apprehensive about applying rosehip oil to my face as I was weary my skin wouldn't take to it, but thankfully I woke up the next day with no new break outs and super duper soft skin (baby bottom soft!).

The rosehip oil itself is a rich orange/red colour and smells somewhat earthy which I find to be quite relaxing. For those of you who aren't fond of scents - this one would still be okay as the smell doesn't linger. I have been applying rosehip oil to my face every night for the past 2 weeks now and I really believe it has saved my skin. The redness has definitely calmed down; the spots are going away much faster, I no longer have any dry spots/flaky skin and the best part, all the hyper pigmentation spots (left behind by former blemishes) are slowly but surely fading away. Overall my skin feels a lot smoother and softer than it did before I started using the rosehip oil. My skin seriously loves this stuff and I am kicking myself for not getting onto it sooner. Kosmea rosehip oil is rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants. This is the only product I apply to my skin at night and it seems to be working wonders! I will continue to use rosehip oil and will keep you guys updated! Rosehip oil is good for people of all ages and all skin types (yes, even the oily/ acne prone). It is an inexpensive and very effective product - I recommend this for everyone! Kosmea rosehip oil definitely gets my stamp of approval and a 10/10 rating!

Hugs and kisses from my place to yours!

Twin #1 x

dehydrated skin? HYDRALURON to the rescue!

Now I'm not some sort of qualified beautician/ skin specialist however I don't think it takes a genius to figure out that our skin can change depending on the season. So as a result of the change in season, it's somewhat necessary to change up our skincare routine in order to cater for these additional needs (doesn't need to be dramatic however). Lots of people with oily/combination skin are of the view it is impossible for them to have dehydrated skin. I also can't emphasise this misconception enough - people with oily/combination skin can also have dehydrated skin too.

Anyway, back to the point. I myself have combination skin and seldom get breakouts. For most of my teenage - adult life I didn't try/use that many serums despite being aware of their added benefits for the skin (oops). Having said that, I have found that as I'm getting older my skin is becoming less oily around the t-zone area and more on the drier side once the cooler and colder seasons come around. So what did I do? I turned to Caroline Hiron's blog of course! I would say she's my go-to lady/ skin hero when I have a skin situation going on or if I'm itching to try new products. I'd be much more inclined to try new products that she recommends rather than simply going out on a whim on my own as I am a self-confessed sucker when it comes to marketing strategies and packaging. 

So after some reading and conducting some online research, I came across HYDRALURON by Indeed Laboratories which claims to increase the skin hydration from below the surface with an ultra-high-quality hyaluronic acid that holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water. Getting your hands on this serum isn't always easy due to limited stock and in Australia Hydraluron is available in Priceline/ My Chemist/ Chemist Warehouse. The serum is currently $34.99 AUD for 1.0 fl oz/ 30 ml. The serum also states that the result is a more youthful, supple appearance that looks healthy and elastic. I'll be completely honest, I was TOTALLY SOLD! Who doesn't want to have supple and healthy looking skin way into their 20-30-40-50's + ?! 

For those international viewers of this blog who are looking to get a hold of Hydraluron - the product is available at the following places:
UK/ Europe - Boots/ Romella/ Apotek;
Canada - Shoppers Drug Mart;
United States of America - Walgreens/ Duane Reade;
Malaysia - MUSE by Watsons;
Thailand - Boots Thailand; and
South Africa - Clicks.

It's an odourless, clear gel like serum that quickly absorbs into the skin. I like to rub about a generous pea sized amount into my palms and then spread it all over my face and down my neck. Then I like to finish off by doing some patting motions on the face. I find it absorbs much faster this way. After a minute or so after application, there is absolutely no sticky reside from the serum which is fantastic as I hate any skin care product that leaves a sticky/tacky residual feeling on the skin. Hyaluronic acid enables our skin to retain as much moisture as possible, and this formulation has it in a very pure form. My skin always feels instantly refreshed and hydrated after application. I love it and I'm already going on my 3rd tube! 

NOTE: this serum isn't meant to replace your usual moisteriser/ lotion/ cream. It's meant to be an additional product to your usual routine. Applying this serum alone isn't sufficient to prep your skin for makeup application nor is it sufficient to protect your skin from the natural elements. 

(Above: The Hydraluron serum comes in a gel-like formula in an easy-to-squeeze hygienic tube. The packaging is super simple which is a huge bonus as it is easy to pack and travel friendly)

(Above: After rubbing and patting the serum into the skin, the serum dries completely and there is no sticky/tacky residue left on the skin = amazing).

In the Autumn and Winter months I cannot live without my Hydraluron serum. It's an absolute life saver. I apply it to clean skin the morning after cleansing but before I properly moisterise/apply SPF to my skin. I do the same at night however the only difference is I apply a much richer night cream. 

I love this product - it definitely gives my skin that extra boost of hydration during the cooler/colder months. It is extremely lightweight and even when you do layer it under your day/ night moisteriser it doesn't feel heavy at all. As mentioned above, I do have combination skin however I have had no adverse reaction to using this product. I can't recommend this serum enough!  So for those of you who like me, occasionally need that extra boost of hydration or who simply just want to try out a new serum, this one is definitely worth checking out. I think it is extremely value for money as in my opinion, the serum lives up to the hype and delivers what it promises to do. I'm aware there are loads of other serums out there on the market but I haven't felt the need to try other ones since this one works so well for me. Hydraluron definitely gets a 10/10 and I will continue to repurchase this product. In fact, I already have 2 back up serums - haha no surprise there! Oh and before I forget...remember to keep hydrated so drink plenty of water!

Love, Twin #1

the reason why I don't own lots of cream blusher

You guys probably already this know by now. I love my lipsticks. I have lots and want to collect even more (crazy, I know!). But surprisingly, I don't have that many cream blushes. I mean, sure, I have the staple pinks, peaches, corals, but in no way do I have as many blushes as I do lipsticks. Heck, I just went and checked my makeup collection and realised that I actually only own three cream blushes (!!!) - the rest are in powder form (probably because after I apply foundation and concealer, I get super keen to seal it all in with a thin layer of face powder).

I'm much more of a lipstick person than a blush person, so I prefer to spend mah money on lipsticks seeing as (1) I'm obsessed with lipsticks (duh!); and (2) lipsticks can double up as cream blusher for me as the lipstick formulation leaves a nice long lasting "stain" on the cheek. In my opinion, it wears for much longer compared to other cream blushes plus it isn't prone to moving around/ looking patchy within a few hours after initial application. 

I tend to use my lipsticks as my cream blushers on occasions when:

1.  I don't have any blush on hand and need some colour on dem chubby cheeks (I pretty much carry a lipstick in my handbag at all times and I'm fairly pale so I can kinda look washed out at times); or

2.  I don't have a blush colour that suits the lip colour I'm wearing (In my opinion, it's good to keep the lip and blush within the same colour family or else one of the two will look slightly off. For instance, I will never wear a pink blush whilst wearing a red orange lipstick - WRONG on so many levels!); or

3.  When I'm going for a very natural/ glowy/ dewy makeup look slash I'm doing a no makeup makeup look. In these instances I only want a sheer splash of colour and nothing too heavy. Since the majority of my blush products are in powder form and they can sometimes look "full on" if you get what I mean.

4.  The lipstick colours don't sit well on my lips - meaning they are colours that look gorgeous in the bullet but once applied to my lips, they just don't look right even when I have applied a lip balm before applying the lipstick shade (this is often the result of the formula -   too milky/creamy looking = creases into all the lip lines - which isn't really my thing if ya know what I mean).

How I apply my lipsticks as blusher? - EASY!

1. Either take the lipstick bullet and apply directly onto my cheeks by dabbing small dots into a centralised area (this allows you to get excellent colour pay off); or

2. Apply the lipstick shade to my fingers first and from there apply the lipstick onto my cheeks. Pat - pat - pat until the lipstick formula is well blended. I find the intensity of the lipstick shade can be lost when doing this. However, this method does prevent the "over blushed" look. Instead it provides an ever so lightly flush of colour which is perfect when you're not going for statement cheeks (so I guess that can be a good thing too). This method may be those who can be a bit heavy handed; or

3. Apply and blend the lipstick formula onto the cheeks with a brush - preferably a buffing brush for ease. 

From personal experience, I find the warmth of your fingers will enable the lipstick to blend more seamlessly than what you could do with a brush. I also note that since these are my personal lippies and I rarely ever use my lipsticks on anyone else I have no qualms about applying the lipstick from the bullet right onto my skin. 

Also, for those lipsticks with a bit of a sheen/gloss to them - I wouldn't apply them as cream blusher as the chances of your hair getting caught up in the sticky formula on your cheeks is very, very likely.

I will be doing an updated skin routine post soon so be sure to watch this space! Have a splendid day wherever you are. Hugs and kisses from my house to yours!

Love, Twin #1 x

REVIEW: Clarasonic Mia 2

Heya peeps! It's Twinnie #2 here - sorry I've been MIA - work has been absolutely hectic lately. But I'm back now!  So for my birthday this year my amazing husband remembered that I mentioned that I wanted to get a Clarasonic as Twinnie #1 had the Clarasonic Mia and when I had used hers (with a different brush head of course!) I found it absolutely life changing! So what was my first experience with the Clarasonic Mia like? It was bye bye dry skin patches and HELLO smooth, exfoliated skin without having to use any harsh scrubs! I think I wanted it even more when I found out that both Twinnie #1 and her boyfriend were avid fans of their Clarasonic (FYI - they have one each). 

Anyway, when I opened up one of my birthday presents (yes, I am a very spoilt girl but my husband does follow the general rule of 'happy wife happy life'!) I was absolutely thrilled when I unwrapped my Clarasonic Mia 2! It came with a cleanser, brush head, bristle head protector, charger and a case which I find so handy for travelling as my precious Clarasonic won't get damaged when my luggage bag is being tossed around.

(Above: Clarasonic Mia 2 - super portable and easy to pack)

I should note that I have normal-dry skin and luckily enough, I don't suffer from acne/blemishes.  Most times I can get away with  not powdering my face when applying makeup. However having said that, getting dry patches on the face is one of my biggest skin concerns (#firstworldproblems = when makeup clings to dry patches!). I find that in the colder months especially I often get dry patches on my forehead, a little bit on my cheeks and occasionally around my nose. 

A feature of the Clarasonic Mia 2 is that it buzzes every 20 seconds to let you know it's time to rotate to another area of the face. It buzzes 3 times (so only 1 minute in total is required with this baby!) and wah-lah, you are left with baby smooth skin. I think the only difference between the Clarasonic Mia 2 and the original Clarasonic Mia (the Twin#1 has), is that the original Mia doesn't beep and doesn't come with a case for the Clarasonic. Other than that, they appear to be about the same size, both being small and handy to travel with. 

I adore, no... I LOVE this product SO much! I use it every second day or so (in the morning) with a gentle cleanser if I've got dry patches or if I feel that my skin needs some exfoliating action.  I now use the Clarasonic Mia 2 almost exclusively as my exfoliating product as I haven't felt the need to use other exfoliating scrubs. The bristles on the brush heads are soft, yet they are able to get deep down into the pores to really lift the dead skin cells and increase skin cell turnover rate. I've read some reviews out there which indicate that some Clarasonic users go through some sort of "purging" stage - where the skin breaks out for about 1-3 weeks and then calms right down. I'll admit, reading about that did scare me a little but thank goodness I never experienced a purging stage with my Clarasonic Mia 2. 

This is such a quick, easy and fool-proof product to use. You really can't mess it up! It is a bit pricey at ~$200AUS but in our opinion, it is worth every dollar. It is such a good investment and let's face it, who doesn't want soft, smooth and clear skin? There are plenty of dupes out on the market but in to me, nothing beats getting the real deal! If your skin is sensitive and reacts to various scrubs that are out there on the market, then the Clarasonic Mia 2 (or any Clarasonic for that matter) would be worthwhile to try as you can simply use your usual cleanser with the Clarasonic to exfoliate your skin. Think about never having to waste money and time trying out those harsh scrubs again! Or you can switch up your skin routine like Twin #1 who likes to alternate between using her Clarasonic Mia and her at home sugar scrubs. Click on the link if you haven't already read her post on sugar scrubs!

I would definitely give the Clarasonic Mia 2 a 9/10 because there's nothing to complain about except that it needs to be charged for 18 hours for 24 minutes of use! This Clarasonic has revolutionised my skin and has been effective enough to keep those dry patches at bay. My husband also uses and loves this exfoliating product as much as I do so I guess it was a win-win purchase! I hope this review has been helpful!

Love, Twin #2

                                                              

AT HOME: make your own facial/body scrub!

The key ingredient to this scrub is *drumroll* sugar! Yep, you read that correctly, it's sugar! I have indeed significantly reduced my sugar intake however I have been using white sugar (the regular kind you all most likely already have in your kitchen cupboards) as my exfoliator. 

I have always been weary about over-exfoliating (those moments when your skin just looks bright red for days...urgh!) so I'll be honest, I went for months and months without using any exfoliator at all. At first, I didn't realise the importance of exfoliating and felt as though I could get away without doing it. My skin wasn't going red and I wasn't getting any spots. However, I did find that the longer I went without exfoliating my skin, the more "rougher" it would feel, meaning that although the surface of my skin wasn't majorly bumpy, it wasn't exactly smooth either. I have a Clarasonic Mia that I like to use every now and then however I prefer not to use it too much as my skin is a bit more sensitive. 

Of course our skin isn't entirely the same all year round. It may be more oily/ combination during the warmer months and much drier during the colder months. I for one, don't often experience dry patches on my face, but it does get "rough" during the winter season. As we age, our cell turnover rate decelerates, thus potentially giving our skin a dull/ lifeless complexion. Exfoliating the skin lifts away old dead skin cells and stimulates the newer skin cells to reveal brighter, radiant looking skin. In addition to that, when you exfoliate your skin, your moisterisers and serums will absorb and penetrate into the skin much more effectively. 

So when is the best time to exfoliate? According to experts, the best time to exfoliate your skin is actually in the mornings as the skin goes into "repair" mode whilst you sleep at night. By the time morning comes, you will wake up with lots of dead skin cells which are simply sitting on the surface of your skin. It has also been recommended that we exfoliate our skin approximately 2-3 times a week. You simply don't want to over-do it. 

Okay let's get down to business. There are three (3) sugar scrub variations that I like to alternate with:

1. Sugar + your facial cleanser 

I find that gel cleansers and sugar work really well together. So I essentially wash my face using my ordinary Avene  Cleanance Soapless Gel Cleanser and leave the cleanser on my face. Then I take about 1-2 tablespoons of white sugar and apply it in circular motions to my face whilst avoiding the eye area. Work it into a nice lather but don't be too rough on your skin.  I like give my face a bit of a massage for about 3-4 minutes to really lift and remove those dead skin cells. Then simply rinse your face and remove all traces of sugar on your face. It is super important to remove ALL traces of sugar to avoid any left over residue/stickiness. Then complete your routine with your usual moisteriser(s)/ serum(s).

2. Sugar + honey

This is one of the simplest sugar scrub recipes that I like doing which also doubles up as a facial mask too. The sugar granules are rough enough to lift and remove the dead skin cells whilst the honey moisterises and soothes the skin without stripping your skin of its natural oils. I mix about 2x tablespoons of sugar along with 2x tablespoons of organic/ manuka honey into a small bowl. After cleansing the face with your usual cleanser, proceed to apply the sugar and honey scrub to your face as you would when exfoliating. As honey has antibacterial properties, I like to keep it on as a mask after really working it on my skin. I let it sit for approximately 10-15 minutes before I rinse it off and pat the skin dry. Again, complete your routine with usual moisteriser(s)/ serum(s). This sugar and honey combo also works really well as a lip scrub and you can only need to mix 1x teaspoon of sugar with 1x teaspoon of honey for this. In my opinion, exfoliating the lips prior to lipstick application is one of the key steps in ensuring that the lipstick lasts longer!

3. Sugar + honey + olive oil

This is pretty much the same as the scrub recipe as listed above (sugar + honey) however, we're adding some extra virgin olive oil into the mix. I only like to do this scrub when my skin is feeling super duper dry. In my opinion, the olive oil works as a moisterising booster. So in a small bowl, mix together 2x tablespoon sugar, 2x tablespoon honey, 1x tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and massage it into your face after cleansing (I say after cleansing because you wouldn't want to jump right into exfoliating if you have a face full of makeup). Work it all over the face for a few minutes and again, this recipe can double up as a face mask. Let it sit for about 10-15 minutes if you're looking to to give your skin that extra "umph of hydration" if it needs it. Then rinse off, pat your skin dry and proceed to apply your moisteriser(s)/ serum(s). This recipe is also excellent as an all over body scrub to really exfoliate other areas of your body which may become dry such as legs, knees and elbows. 

I hope this post has been helpful! Give it a try and see for yourself how awesome using sugar as a scrub really is! Sugar is such an inexpensive yet effective exfoliating product to use on the face!

Love, Twin #1 x

makeups and expiration dates?!

OK guys, I can't stress the importance of makeup expiration dates enough. Too often I hear people saying "I've kept this at the back of my drawer just in case I decide to use it one day, I've had it for years and years though"...*cringe*

I'm sorry I'm not sorry but - my best advice would be to check out when those products were manufactured and to see whether or not the products are still okay to be used.

You can check the manufacture date by using looking up the batch code via this link. So check up on your makeup stash today! You might even be surprised at how long ago some products were made! I did a very thorough check up on all of my cosmetics items about a month ago and I'm glad to say most of them were still in the "safe" zone - although some only have another 6 months or so until it's time to be tossed out.

Case in point, when you buy cosmetic items (especially the expensive sort), then use them, don't save them up because eventually saving them up might mean that they won't be as good as from the time you first purchased them! Exposure to air or even the bacteria from your fingers (for foundation packages that don't have a pump) can significantly reduce the lifespan of a cosmetic item. I have definitely been my NARS sheer glow foundation much more these days. It's such a beautiful foundation - why save it? I paid lots of money for it so I might as well enjoy it whilst it's still good right?!

Of course, if you are unable to locate a batch code on your cosmetic item, then I suggest you simply use some common sense. Does it look different? Does it smell different? Has the texture changed? All those questions need to be asked. If for any reason, something does appear off, then you know what to do...toss it!

I remember watching an interview with Caroline Hirons (one of my skin heroes of all time) and she said something to the effect of "we only have one face - so why mess with it?" We can cover up parts of our bodies but our face is constantly exposed. So take care of it and be mindful of what you put on to it. Amen sista!

Love, Twin#1

contoured cheeks for days

Contouring: Is it necessary? It sure is for me!

So I've been using and loving the Illamasqua eyeshadow in "Heroine" as my contour powder for the past year. Quick side story:  I was in Sydney and the makeup artist at the Illamasqua counter was helping me pick out a bunch of blushes and as always, I inquired about a contour colour for my chubby face. Instead of directing me to "Disobey" (a super popular contour powder colour from the brand), he suggested I use Heroine as he thought Disobey would come up too orange on my fair Asian skin (MAC NC 25-30 for reference). I'm so glad he took the time apply some Heroine on my face and show me how well it worked because never in a million years would I have thought to use an eyeshadow colour as a contour colour! The only time I've used eyeshadow somewhere else other than on the eyelids was through my eyebrows (matte grey eyeshadows works really well through dark brows). 

The Illamasqua eyeshadow in "Heroine" is super pigmented (so are the rest of the Illamasqua products for that matter), easily buildable and in my opinion, one of the best shades out there for contouring the face! It's an ashy sort of taupe colour (but not too ashy) and the texture is soft and smooth without being too powdery. The eyeshadow has a very cool undertone and usually one dip in the pan per cheekbone works perfectly to give you a natural contoured look. Considering it is only 2g in weight, this product has lasted me so long due to the high levels of pigment...and that's what I look for the most in my powder products! 

(Above: Illamasqua eyeshadow colour in Heroine - which I used and still continue to use as a contour powder. I only ever hit on on stuff I really love and dang, I've hit pan hard on this one!)

As I had hit pan on the eyeshadow powder, I was looking for another contour shade to try (not that I didn't like the Illamasqua shade, I simply just wanted to check what else there was on the market). Then wholy moley...I had caught wind from the online beauty community that NARS had recently released a contour blush range (and this occurred just before my friends and I were about to put through our makeup order from a US website). It was meant to be!

Many people consider contouring an optional step in their makeup routine, but for me, its pretty much a necessary step as I want to add some dimension to my face (aka make my face less chubby looking). The new NARS contour blush range will now form part of the permanent NARS cosmetics range and consists of three shades:

1.  Olympia (lighest shade - Ivory/rose);

2.  Paloma (medium shade - Pink beige/ deep rose); and

3.  Gienah (darkest shade - Honey/ Amber). 

Of course as always, I did some online research. This means scouring the internet looking for swatches from American bloggers as the range had already been released in the U.S. but not yet in Australia. My initial plan was to get the lightest shade as I am fairly pale however upon research through online pictures I thought it looked more like a dusty pink blush colour than a contour (still a bit confused about that shade to be honest). So I ended up ordering the medium shade in Paloma. On the NARS website it does kinda look dark but when I read the numerous blogs and looked at swatches I was convinced the shade didn't look too dark or too orange (oompa loompa?)for my skin tone.

The contour shade in "Paloma" would in my opinion, suit a vast variety of people. From the super pale to the golden tanned skin tones. But any deeper than that then I suggest trying Gienah. All three NARS contour blushes come as a duo with a contour shade as well as a highlight shade. 

(Above: Nars contour blush in Paloma)

(Above: L-R Nars Paloma highlight shade + contour shade and Illamasqua eyeshadow in Heroine)

(Above: Swatches when the powder shades have been slightly blended out)

I contour pretty much everyday unless I'm just popping to the grocery store then I don't bother too much with makeup. The contour blush and highlight shade in Paloma are both matte with absolutely no shimmer. The powder formulations are soft, buildable and has decent colour pay off on the skin (again, hands down to NARS for great pigment in their products). I'd say compared to the Illamasqua eyeshadow, the NARS contour blush shade in Paloma has a much warmer undertone to it and could even be used as an all over bronzer for the face, a blusher colour and as a socket shade for the eyelids (whereas I would apply Illamasqua in "Heroine" only for eyelids/ contouring). That's another thing I love about NARS products; the products themselves can be used for multiple purposes! When contouring, I like to lightly powder my cheeks down first (after foundation application), then start with very little contour product and build slowly until I reach my desired effect. If I do however, accidentally apply too much contour, then I gently buff over the area using my powder brush and some face powder - works every time! I have found that the NARS contour lasts very well on my skin which may also be due to the fact my cheeks aren't oily. I'm personally not a fan of matte highlighters because I like my highlighters to have some shimmer in - which provides this overall glowy, youthful skin effect. Instead, I use the matte highlighting shade in the contour pan as a base eyeshadow colour to neutralise the skin on my eyelids and take out any redness caused by lack of sleep. 

I like to alternate between the two products and if I'm travelling, I like to take the Illamasqua powder since it's smaller thus easier to pack. So for those who are interested in getting into contouring or purchasing a new contour powder, I recommend the Illamasqua eyeshadow in Heroine or alternatively, the NARS contour blushes. I like that both products don't look too orange or too ashy on my fair Asian skin causing me to look like I've got two orange stripes across my cheeks. Instead, they're the right tone to add dimension to your face. I hope this was helpful!

Love, Twin #1

the ILLAMASQUA petition

Illamasqua - a brand many of you may or may not have come across. It's an independent British cosmetics label which was predominantly founded on principles of self-expression. Their take on makeup is that the consumers are beauty, and that the Illamasqua products themselves are simply just colour.

The emerging brand is committed to making their cosmetics line more accessible and affordable for  Australian consumers and have adjusted their cosmetics prices in Australia to reflect the current economic climate. In addition, the label has launched a "Australia fight for a fair beauty price" campaign.  The campaign is aimed at making their prices as well as other iconic cosmetics brand prices uniform across the globe.  

Illamasqua's determination to bring a lasting change to the Australian beauty industry is one that I am all for - why should Australians be paying more for their cosmetics items compared to consumers in other parts of the world?! I constantly find myself purchasing items online from international websites due to the price difference (essentially $80 AUD may only get me 2x lippies in Australia, but from an online US store I could get 3x lippies - SAY WHAT!). So it would definitely be nice to be able to try and purchase items in Australia knowing I'm not paying any more for it than for instance, a consumer over in the United States. Getting ripped off sucks.

If you're interested, you can read more about Illamasqua's campaign and sign the petition here.

Love, x

COLLECTION: NARS Lipsticks & Swatches

I've finally have had time to write this post and as promised, it's lipstick related! Horay!  So as I mentioned previously, I am a lipstick collector/ junkie/ hoarder (you can say whatever you want, it really doesn't bother me because I know it's true!). This post is all about my NARS lipstick collection *squeal*  

I have tried and tested numerous lippies across the board and have narrowed down my pre-requisites to: - 

1.  MUST be highly pigmented; this means I can choose to wear the lipstick as a sheer stain or in between sheer and heavy or very heavily as a statement lip (the option I tend to lean towards more);

2.  MUST not be over drying but rather, hydrating enough that it feels comfortable on the lips - let's face it...it ain't a good look when your foundation base, eye shadow and cheeks look perfect and then you have some flakey lip action going on - EW;

3.  Lipstick packaging needs to be practical - meaning the lid must "click" into place securely. I don't want my lipsticks rolling around at the bottom of my handbag making marks all over the insides of my Alexander Wang hand bag. That would be in all honestly, a real nightmare for any Alexander Wang handbag owner;

4.  Matte lipstick formulations (some satin formulations are an exception in my books, just not the super glossy ones). I personally am not one for a very glossy lipstick look and the only time when I sport a sheen on my lips is when I am simply wearing lip balm (with nothing else underneath or on top);

5.  NO glitter in the lipstick formulation. I don't know about you, but I feel a bit weird with frosty lips :\

Also, in my opinion, it would be an added bonus if the lipstick packaging looks sleek and pretty (purely aesthetic I know). This leads me onto my next point. You probably either get the gist or already know that I am a self-confessed NARS fanatic, however in all honesty - NARS lipsticks tick all the boxes for me including the additional bonus criteria (the black sleek and chic packaging gets me every time!). Thus my favourite lippies are in fact, all NARS. But in case you were wondering, I do enjoy other non-nars lipstick items every now and then.

*drumroll* it's time for the swatches! 

NOTE: I have swatched the the Satin & Semi Matte Lipsticks separately from the Satin & Matte Lipstick Pencils.

Nars Lipsticks

(From left to right: Pigalle, Scarlet Empress, Afghan Red, Jungle Red, Red Lizard, Heatwave, Manhunt, Schiap, Funny Face, Goodbye Emmanuelle [limited edition], Niagra & Barbarella)

 (Taken with flash)

Something I recommend doing prior to any lipstick application is applying a very thin layer of your lip balm or my personal favourite, the Egyptian Magic balm/ Elizabeth Arden 8 hr cream all over the lips. Then using a cotton tip, gently roll over your lips and push away any loose bits of skin. This will not only remove excess dry skin, but also work as an additional hydrating layer. If I really had to choose a favourite from the swatches above, then I'd have to say "Heat Wave" and "Schiap" are hands down my go-to lipsticks. Both have a beautiful semi-matte finish, and can be matted down even more by blotting the lips with tissue or by applying a 1ply tissue layer over the lips and lightly dusting some finishing powder on top of it. I love how vibrant both lipstick colours are and I often receive a lot of compliments when wearing them. 

Nars Lipstick Pencils

(From left to right: Never Say Never, Mysterious Red [limited edition], Dragon Girl, Red Square, Bolero, Torres Del Paine [limited edition] & Biscayne Park)

(Taken with flash)

Please excuse the extremely messy swatches for the lipstick pencil collection. I had to swatch the lipsticks on my right arm using my left hand as my left arm still had lipstick stains from previous swatches done above. Oh and for reference I am right handed.

At first I was a bit hesitant to venture into this range, purely because it came in pencil form and it meant I had to sharpen the lipstick pencils after continued use. But alas, I had convinced myself it was worth a try and I am so glad I did! Having the lipsticks in the form of a pencil makes application so much easier to apply and take around with me. I should probably add that since I've started my NARS lipstick collection, I've never had to use any lip liner (for reals!). I guess don't feel a need for them anymore. The lasting power is simply divine. I kid you not, I have worn each and every one of these bad boys out on dinner dates with the boyfriend and I am constantly amazed at how well they wear and last (even through pasta and pho). And sometimes touch ups aren't even necessary! My most used lipstick from the Pencil Lipstick range would definitely have to be "Dragon Girl" although "Red Square" is definitely making it's way up on the list as well.  They are both matte formulations and are super comfortable to wear on the lips. I've never had any dry lips problems or any feathering whilst wearing them.  The satin lip pencils by NARS provide high levels of pigment but with much more hydration compared to the matte formulations (you can see from the swatches above that Torres Del Paine and Biscayne Park have more of a sheen to them compared to the rest).

Wow - I really can go on about lipsticks...but I will leave it there for today. So case in point, I definitely think NARS lipsticks are a worthwhile investment! Go on, you know you want to!

Hugs and kisses from my house to yours!

Twin #1 

REVIEW: EVE LOM Cleanser

OK I'll be honest, I initially had inquired at a Mecca store whether or not they stocked the Emma Hardie Amazing Face cleansing balm. To my surprise, none of the assistants had even heard of the Emma Hardie skincare line to begin with! I mean, it was all the rage and all over youtube! LKWETNFAKDLFNA

Since the store did not stock the Emma Hardie skincare range, an assistant directed me to the EVE LOM range. Fun fact#101 the EVE LOM cleanser is known in the beauty industry as the the original balm cleanser; it cleanses, decongests, tones, exfoliates, and removes even the most stubborn waterproof makeup AND is a multi-award winning product.  OK - she totally got me hooked at that point.  I decided to fork out the big bucks ($172 AU) and purchased the biggest possible tub (200ml 6.8floz) as it came with a muslin cloth and I justified (in my head) that the tub should last me quite a while.

Naturally, I couldn't wait to tick off work so that I could rush home and try this cleansing balm (first cleansing balm I had ever purchased = excitement overload). I read the instructions probably 5 times over before I really understood what I was meant to do. So you're meant to massage a small amount directly onto dry skin over the grime & makeup, run the muslin cloth under hot water, wring it out, "steam" your face with it and then in circular motions, rub around the face to remove all traces of the cleanser and makeup. Repeat three times.  HUH?! This was totally bizarre to me as I had always religiously taken off my makeup using makeup wipes before going into my actual cleansing routine.

(Above: The 200ml tub of Eve Lom cleansing balm comes with a muslin cloth which is key to the cleansing routine. The balm is quite thick in consistency and only a small amount is needed each time) 

The initial feeling I had was "this feels as though I am just moving makeup around my face with grease - EW". But to my delight the 5-10 minute routine is super relaxing and is more or less like a facial spa treatment in the comfort of your own home. In addition, the cleansing balm removed all traces of my makeup - even the heavy duty waterproof mascara that I use (I pretty much use waterproof mascara exclusively). I even did the toner test and again, I was thrilled with how well the cleanser performed as there was no remaining residue on the cotton rounds. My skin did not at all feel tight or greasy. It just felt super clean and super supple. 

I use the EVE LOM cleanser to remove my makeup only on nights when I'm sporting quite a heavy makeup look. Due to the cleansing balm containing mineral oil as an ingredient, I avoid using it as an everyday cleanser as I'm weary it may block my pores. Some reviewers have noted that the mineral oil content isn't high, thus it shouldn't affect the skin too much - but I'd rather be on the safe side of things. So would I repurchase this product again? Hmm...it definitely is a luxurious product, but I'm not too sure if it's worth the money because I feel as though there are other cleansers that do the same job just as effectively minus the hefty price tag. I really want to try other cleansing balms that are out there on the market (that don't contain any mineral oil) before I decide whether or not I want to repurchase this again. I'd give it a 7/10 - which means I do like it and it does work, but I can't say it has HG status for me.

Love, Twin #1

lets get vampy

Hey again peeps!

So we are now into the season of Autumn (here in Australia)and I couldn't be happier! Why you ask? Because I get to whip out my Autumn lipstick colours that I have abandoned for many months now. Don't get me wrong, I love my red lippies (blue-reds, orange-reds, tomato-reds...I just love red okay?!) but I am super excited to use take out my deep plums and do those vampy makeup looks again. I love those Lorde-esque types of plummy colours.

For those who don't already know who Lorde is, she's a New Zealand singer/songwriter. In fact, I have been listening to her album "Heroine" on repeat. Check her out, she's pretty rad. On a side note, Lorde is doing a collaboration with MAC cosmetics and will be releasing a MAC lipstick line which of course, will include lots of purple/plummy colours, so be sure to keep an eye out for that!

On another note, I just love the cold chill that Autumn/Winter brings and not to mention Autumn/ Winter fashion! Fat Eskimo look here I come! Just kidding...or am I?!

From left to right: NARS Scarlet Empress; MAC Media; NARS Afghan Red

Hugs and kisses from my house to yours.

Twin #1 x

REVIEW: Nars Sheer Glow foundation

After owning and using the Nars Sheer Glow foundation for some months now I thought it was time to do a full on review on it. So here it is!

Initially the makeup consultant had matched me up with the shade "Santa Fe" and when he had swatched a little bit of it on my wrist as well as on the side of my face and neck, I was convinced it was too pink and too light for my liking. I have yellow undertones and me being me, had done a tonne of research online prior to going in store.  So I asked to see the other colours in the range and matched myself up to "Fiji" which is described as Light#5 in the range. After debating for a few minutes if it was the right shade for me, I decided to trust my instincts and I am SO glad I did. Fiji suits my skin perfectly! It has yellow undertones but isn't too yellow. [For reference I am MAC NC 25-30; Asian with yellow undertones]

On the Nars website Nars Sheer Glow foundation is described as a glowy foundation with sheer and buildable coverage. I couldn't agree more. It definitely is a buidable foundation. It has a satin like finish and in my opinion is a light weight foundation (but by no means is it sheer like a tinted moisteriser). It doesn't feel heavy on the skin and I prefer to apply this particular foundation with my fingertips as the warmth from my hands allow the foundation to blend in seamlessly. By using this method I am also able to control how sheer I want the foundation to be. A tip with this foundation (and all other foundations) is that less is more; so I always like to start off with a tiny amount (usually one pump is more than enough for my entire face) and building more only in areas that require a bit more coverage. I like foundations that allow my natural skin to show through underneath the foundation and Nars Sheer Glow definitely does that for me. 

I have combination skin and this foundation lasts so well for me. Since my skin is combination/oily, I like to lightly powder down my T-zone using the Nars loose powder in the shade "Beach" to ensure that my foundation doesn't move around/rub off. I usually just need to blot down my t-zone with blotting paper every 4-5 hours and no actual touch ups are necessary. Since it is a high end and hence fairly expensive foundation, I tend to save it for special occasions such as special dates, birthdays and weddings. Did I mention how beautifully this foundation photographs?! It makes your skin looks so flawless even in flash photography (and without the white cast).  My only recommendation is for those who have dry skin should exfoliate prior to using this foundation as it may cling to dry patches.

(Nars Sheer Glow foundation in the shade "Fiji" - 4th picture demonstrates what the foundation looks like once it has been blended out)

(Above: Full face foundation using Nars Sheer glow foundation. This was roughly 6 hours after initial makeup application and I had not yet blotted the skin)

So does this get my HG stamp of approval? Hells yeah it does! I give it 10/10. It's pricey but a little bit definitely goes a long way and it does everything I want a foundation to do. I will definitely be repurchasing this when I run out of it without hesitation!

Love, Twin #1