March 29, 2015

The lemming list for Autumn Winter 2015

March 29, 2015/ Nicole McIntyre

Virtual shopping, it's akin to window shopping minus the cardio -- no shirt, no shoes, no problem!

Let's spend some time together surfing the Internet without the guilt. Without further ado, here's my Autumn Winter edit for 2015 for your viewing pleasure.

The Shirt

APOM's (A Part of Me) Dino Cross Back Top - It's fun, it's playful, and it's got dinosaurs! If the price tag weren't so hefty it would already be mine.

The Shoes

Nicole Warne of Gary Pepper collects the best accessories, so it was no surprise when she sported fellow style blogger and friend Chiara Ferragni's Flirting Flat Sandals. Don't take these shoes too seriously, and accept them for what they are -- a wink-y perk me up for any day of the week.

The Handbag

There's no denying the creative duo behind newish accessories label Mansur Gavriel's star is rising. Seriously hoping to hitch my wagon to their very fashionable Crossbody Bag, but it looks like I'll have to hang out for its September release.

The Lipstick

Shanghai Suzy has eight more shades set to drop some time this April. Miss Victorine and Miss Nina are both begging to make their way into my makeup bag.

The Dress

The Pleated Pyramid Dress featuring gold, navy, cerulean blue, and loads of symmetry hits all the right notes for me. Please stop it, Gorman -- my wallet can't handle it!

The Palette

The grown up version of all the nude eyeshadow palettes out there. YSL has come to the party, and they pulled out the stops with the Couture Variation Palette. Expect to blow your makeup budget on this little gem.

March 27, 2015

Urban Decay hits Australia today, finally!

March 27, 2015/ Nicole McIntyre

A smattering of my Urban Decay collection

Urban Decay's launch is nigh, we're talking less than a few hours to go, ladies! Now, I can't tell you about all things Urban Decay, but I'll certainly give you my two cents on what to grab immediately, what to consider, and what to walk away from.

Buy Now

Buy a palette, and make it a good one. My personal faves are Naked, Naked 3, and the Electric Pressed Pigment palette. For whatever reason Naked 2 has eluded me, but chances are I'll be changing that this weekend.

UD's Primer Potion in Enigma, because it looks like Mac's Painterly, except you don't have to faff about with a glass jar. Plus, 100% of the proceeds from this particular purchase goes directly to their foundation, The Ultraviolet Edge. I'd like to think I'm helping to educate another woman somewhere in this world, one tube at a time.

Because the lovely Lily Pebbles rates this stuff so highly, be sure to grab Urban Decay's Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer.

Think About It

During your visit go play with the Naked Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss, this stuff is seriously like MLBB (my lips but better). The colour range may be whisper soft, yet they make for a no fuss, swipe and go sort of look. This particular gloss is never tacky, and always minty. Yum!

An item that's been on my radar is UD's Super-Saturated High Gloss Lip Colour in Love Child. I first spied it the Shattered Face Case back in 2013, but I never nibbled. If Love Child is too muted for you, there are seven other colours to choose from. Also, be sure to swatch their Glide-On Lip Pencils.

Leave at Mecca Maxima

Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner was such a bomb for me -- application issues aplenty. While I revelled in the idea of glitter in a bottle, in execution it bombed, and not the glittery sort.

Naked Basics is the annoying little sister to the larger Naked Palettes. This palette may be streamlined, but it's not without its faults. Chalky, lacklustre, blech. A definite skip. Surprisingly, I gave Naked Basics a positive review waaaay back in 2012, but for some reason I felt the need to purge this baby during a fall cleaning session last year.

Still can't make up your mind? Buy an all-inclusive palette such as Naked On the Run.

The only point of contention I'll throw out there is pricing. Let's discuss this topic once the UD high has worn off.

Finally, Mecca Maxima's been pretty coy about what will be on offer in store, but I'd put my money on the fact that you'll be able to shop the full range judging by the amount of PR pushing this launch. Happy shopping!

March 22, 2015

At home nail necessities (revisited) and tracking down a dupe for Essie's Mint Candy Apple

March 22, 2015/ Nicole McIntyre

Recently I've gotten myself in bit of a financial pickle by dropping a small fortune at the dentist. To halt teeth grinding I now wear an eye-poppingly expensive night guard (sans Swarovski crystals, and platinum). To help recoup my fun fund I've nixed frivolous expenses for the next few months -- salon manis/pedis are now done at home, eyebrow threading and tinting will have to wait, and the ends of my hair must keep their crap together a few weeks longer than usual. Please?

The struggle is real.

Snaggle nail is non-negotiable, so I'm putting my French Pink mental notes to the test by dusting off the nail artillery for battle.

If you're ever in a pinch and need to get polished nails fast, CND's Vinylux fully sets in eight minutes (curing lamp not required), evenly covers nails in two coats, and can last up to ten days. I realise I sound like a broken record here, but this nail polish is too legit to quit.

Time to serve up the best nail polish sandwich out there. While I do love Essie's protein base coat, and Seche Vite's top coat, Orly has dropped the ultimate Blimpie. Bonder leaves behind a slightly tacky base to keep polish on the nail, while Polished gives any hue a high shine, finally Flash Dry speeds up the drying process. *Ding* Order's up!

Keep things hydrated with Essie's Apricot Cuticle Oil, and Provence Sante's Hand Cream -- two decadent treats I always keep on hand in order to relive the French Pink experience. Shea Butter, calendula, sweet almond oil, and apricot send me to my happy place, and even quells the noxious scent of acetone.

Yesterday I went hunting for a cheaper dupe of Essie's Mint Candy Apple thanks in part to my pastel nail obsession of late. When most of the options on hand at Priceline just wouldn't do (too dark, shimmery, or not minty enough), my gaze locked on a lone bottle of L'Oreal's Perle de Jade.

Slight gripe, dipping the brush in for second, and third helpings grew awkward whenever errant bristles lagged behind. Despite this L'Oreal still gets props for the low price point, colour selection, and contoured brush head.

March 15, 2015

How to apply Nars All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation

March 15, 2015/ Nicole McIntyre

Stumped on how to apply Nars' All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation? I certainly was!

Despite my tireless pursuit to learn how to make this persnickety foundation work for me, I've officially thrown in the towel. In other words, I'll be returning this bottle ASAP.

Fret not normal skinned people, Nars' All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation might just be the foundation for you. For oily/combination gals, be sure to check out Kitsch Snitch's review.

Other products used and/or mentioned in this tutorial:

Eve Lom's Mineral Powder Foundation in shade no. 4 Petal
Chanel's Vitalumiere Loose Powder Foundation
Laura Mercier's Secret Concealer in shade 1.5
Cosmedics Antioxidant Hydra-Mist

*Edit* I suffered some sort of reaction to Cosmedics Antioxidant Hydra-Mist shortly after filming this video. If you have sensitive skin, please do not use this product.