You can take it home with you: the nail lady

Sporting Illamasqua's Marquise over OPI's Where Did Suzi's Man-go? (nails by me)

I l-o-v-e getting manicures, it's probably my biggest treat. In order to reign in my spending I cut back on weekly manicures, thankfully I took loads of mental notes and pictures and I think I'm now well equipped to paint my own talons every now and again.

My one takeaway tip from watching the pros do what they do is properly wiping off excess polish on the rim of the bottle before bringing the brush to the nail. A giant glob of polish is far more difficult and messier to deal with and takes entirely too long to dry.

Essie's Apricot Cuticle Oil

To keep my cuticles in fighting form (especially in winter) I invested in a bottle of Essie's Apricot Cuticle Oil. Simply dab a small drop where the nail meets the cuticle and gently massage in. I find that if I keep the bottle near the sink it serves as a gentle reminder for me to apply it before hitting the pillow.

Another favourite product of mine is OPI's Avoplex Exfoliating Cuticle Treatment. This mighty tube of goodness helps to prevent hangnails by keeping my cuticles properly hydrated.

Elemis' Pro-Radiance Hand and Nail Cream

For those times when I don't have cuticle oil in close proximity, I count on moisturiser (the workhorse kind) to keep my hands soft.

These are my go-to hand moisturisers:

• Elemis' Pro-Radiance Hand and Nail Cream* - I keep this baby at my desk. The lotion melts into my skin and nails without leaving behind a greasy residue.
• Provence Sante's Hand Cream - merely purchased to keep the French Pink memories alive. This stuff is the cat's pajamas.
• The Body Shop's Spa Wisdom Africa Honey & Beeswax Hand and Foot Butter - Personally, I really hate the jar it's packaged in, but I'm willing to deal because the scent and texture is pure magic.
• The Body Shop's Almond & Nail Cream - Why Body Shop, why did you have to break something which didn't need to be fixed? The texture and overall performance is still the same, but the scent! Why?!?!

Hand lotion is my BFFL, can't you tell?

Also, be sure to invest in a really good pair of cuticle trimmers and remember to be super careful when nipping off dry bits of skin around your nail. Here's a helpful video from Cute Polish which showcases her nail care techniques.

Finally, I take one Flaxseed Oil supplement every day which helps to keep joint soreness in my knees at bay (yes I'm getting older) and the other added benefit is my nails have become noticeably stronger.

Healthy hands and nails make for happy hands and nails.

*PR sample provided  –  Thoughts and ramblings written here are completely my own.

Eyes to mesmerize: Chanel's Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow in Tisse Vendome

Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow

In my lifetime I'll probably never be able to afford Chanel's Tweed Jacket, so I bought the next best thing -- an eyeshadow quad from the Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect range. The reformulated eyeshadow drew its inspiration from the individual threads and fibres used to create the iconic tweed jacket. 

Tisse Vendome

Each palette features two contrasting shades, one to highlight and one to intensify; in Tisse Vendome's case: salmon, golden brown, warm vanilla and deep taupe. The new spherical formulation aids with application in terms of blending, colour intensity and finish.

Side by side comparison: the new slurry-like formula vs. the current baked formula

Close up of one of the shades from the Multi-Effect Eyeshadow Palette

Close up of one of the shades from the Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eyeshadow Palette

The preexisting formula is much dryer in appearance and often leaves a powdery finish, whereas the new finish looks and feels silkier and luminous. In order to get properly acquainted with the Multi-Effect Eyeshadow Palette I sat down with Chanel Makeup Artist Dayna for a quick tutorial.

Here are her top tips:

1. Prep and prime the eye area prior to applying eyeshadow.
2. Dab or tap your eyeshadow on in order to build up the colour's intensity.
3. Toss the applicators provided with the palette, Dayna believes these are useless.
4. Don't press down too hard on the eyeshadow or it will crumble when too much pressure is applied.

Swatches of Tisse Vendome

Tisse Vendome swatches on closer inspection

Because I'm on a tighter than usual budget I could only justify splashing out on Tisse Vendome, the rest of the items used to recreate Dayna's look are from my own arsenal.

Wearing all four shades from the Tisse Vendome palette

In no particular order here's a list of the other products I used on my eyes:

• Tarina Tarantino's Eye Dream Hyperliner in Amethyst Android in lieu of Chanel's Long Lasting Eyeliner in Violine
• Clinique's Lash Power Mascara in Black Onyx
• Chanel's New Moon applied along my lower lash line
• Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon in Ro(Cocoa) to tight line. Tight lining gives the appearance of having fuller lashes.

You're now probably wondering how well Tisse Vendome performed? Only ok, certainly not wonderful enough to warrant the nutso price tag. Don't get me wrong the colours lasted, but they didn't stay put -- the creasing was bananas. That said, I might skip my usual eye primer and try another approach.

The saga continues..

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Chanel's Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow:

• $98.00 AUS / $61.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• I'll rate Tisse Vendome once I figure out how to prevent it from creasing.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• Must behave, but how good does this look?

Addicted to Dior Addict Fluid Sticks

Dior Addict Fluid Sticks (from top to bottom) in Mirage, Vertigo and Kiss Me

All three are being put through their paces. Dior Addict Fluid Sticks aren't your typical lip gloss formula -- lightweight, non-sticky and unscented.

I'm in love. Review and swatches to follow.

Travelling abroad: Preparing for the unexpected

Wish you were here...

Scott and I are both planners, but sometimes we overlook packing some of the smallest, yet vital necessities.

In Italy the mosquitoes turned Scott's legs into Swiss cheese, the insect repellent we borrowed on the eleventh hour was in reality hours too late. One visit to a hospital and several vials of blood drawn determined poor Scott had an infection from all the bites. If only we had packed a bottle of bug spray – did I mention we didn't have screens on the windows (minor detail)?

Before leaving for Singapore I remembered to pack my razor and never thought to grab my shaving cream. Ten Singaporean dollars later I was good to go, but the expensive, albeit unnecessary, purchase still stings.

Sun blisters, you can get those (I did). Unfortunately, I applied my sunscreen with a light hand on our first day in Kauai – my pasty winter skin was well and truly shocked and went into overdrive. A bottle of aloe from the Hyatt's sundry shop, a tube of hydrocortisone cream and a day spent indoors helped calm things down.

So, where am I going with this? You can't plan for the unexpected, especially when new surroundings can sometimes be unkind to us and even put a damper on our adventures. For these "oh, crap I forgot the thing-a-ma-bob" moments or times when you don't feel like packing your whole entire bathroom, pick up travel size toiletries – perhaps, even, purchase a couple of products that’ll push you out of your comfort zone.

Here are the places I hit up to get most of my travel essentials:

• Sephora – I always buy brands I’ve never tried before
• Priceline in Australia or Target in the US – for the basics (shampoo, lotion, wipes, etc.)
• MiniBarCo – It’s the sort of site you’ll hit back up for seconds and thirds and they’re currently having a month-long sale. Simply enter EOFY14 when you’re ready to checkout!

Bonus: leftover products often make their way into my gym bag, which oftentimes bring back memories from the amazing places I’ve visited.

Good things really do come in small packages and TSA will never be compelled to snatch them away from you!

Where do you go for your must-have travel essentials?

Got any travel oh nos?