My current favourite nude lip combo: MAC's Creme Cup and Colourpop's Button Pencil

Better together: Colourpop's Button and MAC's Creme Cup

I'm pretty lazy when it comes to my lips -- most days I opt for chapstick and a pale pinky/nude lippie, and if we're being totally honest here, I didn't see the point in applying lip liner until I finished beauty school. Lip liner not only defines your lips, it also evens out the colour of your them and helps make any run-of-the-mill lipstick last.

Armed with a bit more insight, I picked up a few cheap-o lip liners from Colourpop to see what all the fuss was about and MAC's Creme Cup, because this shade is the gateway to endless possibilities. When worn alone, I can't pull either shade off, but together. Oh, man, say hello to #kyliejenner calibre lips. 

Tip: if you can't get your hands on Colourpop's Pencil in Button, MAC's Spice is a close match, albeit a tad more expensive.

Swatches from left to right: Colourpop's Button, MAC's Creme Cup and blended together

Wearing MAC's Creme Cup over Colourpop's Button

What's your current favourite lip combo?

Where there's smoke, there's By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Bronze Moon

By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Bronze Moon

I had an 'ohhh, that's how' moment a few months back while watching vlogger, Anna, do her makeup, and thought 'I want try that.' In a flash I found myself in Mecca picking up yet another Ombre Blackstar, but this time I grabbed Bronze Moon. One of the many #goodexcuses to buy makeup.

Bronze Moon swatched on the inside of my arm

For a lazy, smoky brown eye I messily applied bronze moon (a shimmery, warm golden brown) all over the eye lid one eye at a time to prevent bronze moon from setting, and went in with Zoeva's 228 Luxe Crease Eyeshadow brush and blended the crap out of the rough edges for a softer, sultry look. I finished the rest of the look with Urban Decay's Sunburn (neon red/orange), Marc Jacob's Ro(Cocoa), my go-to brown eyeliner, and smudged a small amount of bronze moon along the outer corner of the lower lash line.

The thing I love the most about bronze moon is its ability to intensify the green in my hazel eyes.

Wearing Bronze Moon on my eyes

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for By Terry Ombre Backstair in Bronze Moon:

• $56.00 AUS / $43.50 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 10 out of 10 bags — Tattoo like hold (the temporary kind), with amazing colour payoff.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• This palette.

The beauty bits you need to know about before your wedding day

Well, your P.I.C. popped the question, now it's time to start planning one of the biggest days of your life. Truth be told I was the anti-bride which makes me the worst person in the entire world to ask about flowers, limos, and napkin holders or debate about mermaid-style versus ball gown. After all, I did wear black when we eloped, and if he asked me to marry him again we'd do it all the same way. But we're not here to talk about me today, today's all about Lori, who recently asked..

"I came across your blog whilst trying to find a one stop shop in Melbourne for all my beauty needs (getting married in nine months; waxing; rehabilitating brows and lashes). Your blog is really great, but I was wondering if you had any suggestions as to a place (ideally Melbourne CBD or eastern suburbs of Melbourne) that could take care of all of these?"

After a bit of back forth we pinned down Lori's budget (mid-range), Miss Fox is out of the question, unless of course you're looking to treat yo self. The atmosphere is great up there (they even have a bar with bubbles!), however, be prepared to drop some serious cash for this particular one stop shop. 

There's the elusive Made Beauty Space in Hawthorn, I've been itching to get into this place for ages, but they're always booked out. Scheduling issues aside, we're talking the whole enchilada here, facials, manis, pedis, waxing, the lot. Go ahead and book online in your onesie from the comfort of your own home.

If chains are your thing (not the gold kind), Endota Day Spa is another enticing option. I've only visited their location on Flinders Lane, and not once did it ever feel generic. Om-like, and a tad drool-inducing thanks to their massage options.

Before Romina (my brow saviour) relocated to the UK, I used to frequent Allure Skin and Body in Malvern. The ladies here will take care of you from head to toe, to boot they use two of my favourite skincare ranges, Dermaviduals and Aspect. 

I can't leave out Red Carpet Face Spa. Neelu kindly had me over for a facial back in April -- we took things slow with a facial cocktail and brow tint. Facials start at $65, not too shabby. Since writing my review, Neelu has since relocated to Edward Beale's Salon in Armadale.

If you don't mind doing a bit of trotting about, let's break things down a bit further..

Nails

• French Pink in Melbourne - Mira, Georgia, Katie and Tiffany will dazzle your digits
• Blonde Tiger Nail Salon in Collingwood - Erin, queen of shellac
• Missy Lui in Armadale - sleek, simple, and they have iPads!

Brows & Lash Lifting

• Brow Theory in Armadale, Melbourne and Hawthorn - "Best Brows Ever." Would you believe me if I told you my brows looked like thin, horizontal question marks?
• Allison Browning Therapies in Brunswick - a little exy, tho the before and after photos might lure you in
• Lash and Brow Boudoir in Richmond - their salon menu is vast
• Miss Brow Bar in Melbourne and South Melbourne - her website is too cute, that is all.

Waxing

I'm at a loss for waxing, I've only ever been to Miss Fox and surprisingly her price is fairly reasonable for this particular service.

Facials

The French Facialist in Prahran - my religion.

Makeup Artist

Cindy Siegemund is all peaches and cream with her glowing skin and flowing red mane. She makes makeup relatable, undaunting, and easy. Cindy is my makeup whisperer.

Finally, if you ever need help making your way around the beauty counters (a personal makeup shopper), there's me. I'll help you get in and out of Myer/David Jones/Mecca unscathed with things you'll actually use.

What about the bits, can't forget about those!

• Always test out treatments well in advance, especially for those with sensitive skin. Say no-no to redness.
• The same theory applies for waxing/brow threading, be sure to schedule your last session a week before the big day. 
• Trial makeup at any of the beauty counters, oh, and ask for samples! The perk here is most of the counters will do your whole face for around $50, which can then be put toward purchasing makeup.

I think that covers it! Congratulations, Lori and best wishes. Let me know how you go.

//Photo Credit

The law of averages: mixing foundations to get something you'll love

Organised chaos

Last month I picked up Chanel's reformulated CC Cream as soon as it dropped in Australia. I was really after a 'my skin but better' routine in the morning, unfortunately Chanel's latest iteration left me wanting more.

Chanel's CC Cream promises to soothe, protect, moisturise, correct and perfect, but what I experienced was a mottled, pale mess -- my favourite primer (Stila's One Step Correct) couldn't even compensate. Upon reflection, most foundations don't have a prayer when it comes to lasting on my skin; its a treacherous game of push and pull between midday oil production and dehydrated skin thanks, in part, to the dry winter months. The elastic will inevitably break, or in my case lead to foundation failure.

Here I am a few weeks ago wearing Chanel's CC Cream in shade 20 on its own. While my skin initially appears brighter and luminous, the formula created a white cast and left me looking ghost-like. Personally, I prefer a warmer complexion; why couldn't I be as lucky as my brother, Richard, with his beautiful olive undertones, big brows and eyelashes?!

Wearing Chanel's CC Cream

In an attempt to bolster colour and longevity I mixed Chanel's CC Cream with Make Up For Ever's HD Foundation in shade 118 (my preferred summer foundation). This concoction isn't probably the most economical, nor convenient, but in a pinch between seasons it can certainly work wonders and restore faith in underperforming products.

Wearing equal parts Chanel CC Cream and MUFE HD Foundation

The moral to the story here is to not be afraid of mixing, matching and blending your products in order to achieve a desired outcome. Be the beautiful scientist you were always meant to be.

Side note: Seriously obsessed with my new Dogeared makeup bag.