By far, definitely one of the best eye primer I have ever used considering I have annoying inward lids where nothing will stay in place aside of liquid eyeliners. Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base is lightweight, sinks right into creases to prevent any eyeshadow smudges, creasing and annoying caking.
While I won’t say I don’t suffer from the occasional eye shadow smudges anymore (I think it’s more to the actual eye makeup product rather than the primer); 95% of the time my eye makeup stays put in place all day/night long since I’ve started using Smudge Proof.
Just dab very tiny amount onto each eye lid and blend away with finger tips.
RRP AUD$49
Available on MECCA Cosmetic counters now
Black Ruby Sparkle Eye Palette (RRP AUD$90) is not your usual eye palette. It’s smaller than usual and is roughly the size of my palm, which isn’t big by the way. I think this is so that the palette fits right into even the smallest clutch of them all during this incoming party season. The palette is easy to open without having to force/scratch it with my nails (crappy packaging from others makeup brands please take note!).
Shades: Pink Rose / Crushed Silver / Black Ruby / Onyx
All shades are sparkly (aka grown up sparkly none of the tacky glitter), I have find that sponge applicator or synthetic brush helps to pick up more pigments as these eye shadow shades are quite sheer. Alternatively, apply with a wet sponge applicator for a defined look. I love how the eye shadow shades are sheer to medium sheer as I can easily use this palette all day long and transition to a more defined look in the evening just by wetting the brush a little.
Definitely my go to palette for this Christmas party season.
Available at selected David Jones & Myer counters now
Recently, while we were at IMATS, I had a mission. My mission was to look, touch, feel and purchase all Hakuhodo that was available. True to its name, these brushes are indeed the Rolls Royce of brushes, they are hand made and are of the finest quality.
I was a little disappointed  the new collection brushes were not available to be purchased as a brush set at IMATS, hence I walked away with 3 eye/brows brushes that were not included in any brush set and decided to try my luck at their official site.
If you haven’t checked out Hakuhodo (Made in Japan) makeup brushes, you should and I’ll guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
Why I love it:Â
- Pump bottle packaging helps to control the right amount of foundation to use
- Available in 6 shades to choose from (I am using #natural beige)
- Uses invisiblend technology – blends into my skin effortlessly with skin matching pigments
- Coverage is sheer – medium, if you need more coverage, try using a concealer on top and over foundation
- Feel very lightweight on skin and doesn’t feel like you have a heavy cakey layer of makeup on or clogs up pores
- Comes with SPF 15
- Smooth, semi-glowy finish
- Best of all, it’s dirt cheap!
RRP AUD$11
Available online now
“Not to prime is a crime!”
Even a classic needs an upgrade, with the same brilliant formula and a gorgeous new gold packaging, Napoleon Perdis is set to relaunch his best selling Auto Pilot skin primer.
Beauty Tip: Did you know you can give your skin a quick hydration boost by using Auto Pilot as a cream cleanser to remove your existing foundation and reapply foundation with a mix of Autopilot to get glowy skin. You can also mix primer with a little foundation for a DIY tinted moisturiser
RRP AUD$55
Available on Napoleon Perdis counters today and onlineÂ
As previously raved by Makeup for Life, this lightweight makeup finishing spray (founded in 2005) is now available in Australia. For many of you who are not sure what makeup finishing spray is, it’s basically a very fine mist designed to be sprayed onto skin after your makeup routine to help keep makeup looking fresh and long lasting for up to 16 hours.
Traditionally, Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray is widely used during Hollywood filming sets to help prevent makeup from moving. More recently, it was used on Dancing with the Stars contestants, so with its debut to wider market last year in the US, it was featured in TOP 10 products of the year in US Vogue and was used in Oscar attendees.
Skindinavia makes theirs oil free, paraben free and color less so it is great for all skin time and helps to keep makeup from melting during summer. I have major issues with creases, caking and shininess usually around lunch time so this is definitely a blessing for me. Regardless of temperature, weather condition; I find my makeup (foundation + blush exclusing eye makeup) last longer than they usually do since I’ve started using this.
This works on all types of foundation and makeup, even on powder. Usually I’d mist 2-4 sprays on my face working in an X shapre movement over finished makeup. Even though it is an additional step it only takes 2 secs to do and let dry on its own.
$29.95 60ml
$49.95 120ml
Available from selected spas, salons & pharmacies
Alternatively you can purchase online via Adorebeauty, Skincare Store & Advance Cosmeceuticals
Say hello to Clinique’s limited edition  Almost Bronzer SPF 15 in#01 Light/Medium. For years, I have been complaining about bronzer being too shimmery, too brown, too dirty looking and I have stayed clear and away from them for years.
Lately, a few brands has released “new” technology bronzers. Bronzers that are natural looking, that isn’t dirty looking, doesn’t appear too dark and brown and are totally wearable. Lancome is one of them and now Clinique is doing a bronzing duo that comes with broad spectrum SPF.
The lighter shade is very light in shade and the darker shades suits my skin tone perfectly. I have been using this (a combination of both shades in a large powder brush) as a contouring shade rather than a bronzer.
RRP AUD$59
Available on Clinique counters nowÂ
Great news ladies, bareMinerals is now available in KIT Cosmetics nationwide.
If that’s not good enough, all their products are now a whole lot cheaper than what it was previously retailed as well.
Recently I got to play with some of bareMinerals products and skin colour matched at one of the KIT Cosmetic counter.
I am a #Fairly Light, in case you’re wondering and I got to trial their Get Started Complexion kit.
The kit came with a detailed ‘Get Started’ kit and how-to DVD.
A Prime Time sample and 3 brushes – Full Flawless Face Brush, Flawless Application Face Brush and Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush. Depending on your kit, some kit comes with the concealer brush and come comes with a different brush call the Light Stroke Brush.
My kit came with 5 pots of powder.
A little disappointed that not all the pots came with the click-lock system to minimise messiness.
As I am matched with #Fairly Light, my kit came with #Light in case I get darker during Summer (how thoughtful!), a mineral veil, an overall warmth (the colour look shockingly dark in the pot but it’s very natural on skin) and a concealer.
I particularly loved the Prime Time Brightening (yes you use a silicone based liquid primer before powder foundation application) it’s very lightweight, brightens my skin and feels extremely comfortable on the skin. Always remember to use a little at a time, swirl, tap and buff all over face.
Well, when I got home I got a little too heavy handed on the powder and didn’t use enough of the primer. As a result, my pores were amplified and the finish was un-natural. I was so close to giving up until I gave it another try.
This time, I made sure my skin is free from any flakiness (by scrubbing my face the night prior), used enough silicon based primer especially around the T-zone area, and used very little powder at a time (using flawless face brush) and 10 seconds later, voila gorgeous finish, natural looking skin. This finish lasted all day long including my oily T-zone area. Needless to say, I am impressed with the finish and time saving of this whole foundation process.
No doubt this will be my go-to foundation during the warmer months.
Lesson learnt: Always remember that just because something failed the first time doesn’t mean you should give up straight away. Give it a couple tries to fully learn how to use something new. For me, powder foundation is definitely is something new.
AUD $84.95
Available now in all KIT Cosmetic counters
