July 26, 2015

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

July 26, 2015/ Nicole McIntyre

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?!

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.

July 15, 2015

This duo does not disappoint: Victoria, Victoria Beckham for Nails Inc. Duo Collection

July 15, 2015/ Nicole McIntyre

Nails Inc Bamboo White (left) and Judo Red (right)

Favourite Spice Girl.

Lover of polished nails.

A nail polish formula that doesn't quit.

This stuff is seriously bottled magic and a lemming in the making. Let's start with the anatomy of the bottle -- removable false cap for looks (think Butter London), matte black and white porcelain exteriors for a sleeker look and feel, complete with viewfinder-like sides serving as windows into the souls of these two opposing nail colours.

These polarising brushes are chubby and contoured to speed the nail painting process along, and promote control to assist with staying inside the lines. Reduced clean up, FTW!

Typical drying time is to be expected, but the wait is so worth it. This polish lasts. By day four expect to see the unavoidable tip wear from shuffling paper about, typing and dish washing. And by day 7, nary a chip in sight.

The boxed packaging, while nice, is a bit of a gimmick to get you to spend more money. Originally I intended to have Scott purchase Bamboo White, but the Sephora gods in Sydney wouldn't have it -- Judo Red and Bamboo White were a package deal with an eye popping price tag of $60.00! Is this duo really worth it?

Yes. Individually, I suspect a LE bottle would set you back $27.50 at least. So, if you love all things Victoria, pale pink and coral red, scoop these up while you can.

Nails Inc is onto something with their revamped formula and packaging. Now, here's some food for though, NailKale. Anyone?

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Victoria, Victoria Beckham for Nails Inc. Duo Collection:

$60.00 AUS / $45.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

9 out of 10 bags — Next to CND's Vinylux, Nails Inc is hands down my second favourite nail polish brand.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

Pale Perfect.

July 12, 2015

true story: I went to beauty school

July 12, 2015/ Nicole McIntyre

And I graduated.

Why did I go? It's been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, yet it always remained in the 'too hard basket', lumped with 'can I afford it' and nestled right next to 'I think I know what I'm doing'. Makeup school, for me, ended up validating my skills, while also breaking me at the same time -- how is that even possible? It shakes your confidence. You're working with absolute strangers who are either brutally honest to the point where you want to drop your brush and hide in the corner or are too nice not to say anything at all. Before clicking 'add to cart', here are 10 things about beauty school I think you should know.

Check your ego at the door -- this is an absolute must.
You can do your own makeup really well and that's great! Some of your makeup skills will not transfer, do not become disheartened by this.
Know what you want to get out of this course. Some of my classmates were looking to change career paths, while others just wanted to learn the basics of applying makeup.
Visit the school before committing in order to meet the instructor(s) and check out the facilities to make sure it's a good fit for you.
Do your homework. I researched several schools based on value for money, location, and scheduling. I knew I didn't want to go the full hog and have a hand at stage makeup, so I searched for good quality, basic makeup schools in the Melbourne-area that held classes on Saturdays. A difficult feat for sure, but I found something that worked for me in the end.
Breath mints, hand sanitiser and deodorant. Enough said.
Practice classroom etiquette. Arrive on time, listen, ask questions, and become one with the sponge -- absorb everything. When you really enjoy all things makeup I can guarantee these classes will fly by.
Observe your fellow classmates handiwork and try to work with people you admire. I paired up with a girl (hi Eliza!) who really knocked my socks off.
Practice makes perfect. Find friends who are willing to lend their faces and time.
Fake eyelashes are a pain in the butt to apply. Here are a few tricks of the trade...
- Trim full lashes from the side that starts at the outer corner of your eye. You can use the trimmed excess for a fuller effect by stacking the fake lashes.
- Apply eyeliner first to hide glue mishaps.
- Tweezers are your friend.

Over the course of seven weeks I learned about colour theory, proper makeup application techniques from an industry professional, gained new-found appreciation for applying makeup on "mature" skin and still fully believe that less is more.

Finally, if you're interested in attending beauty school and live in the Melbourne-area definitely check out Elite Make Up Academy (this is not a paid advertisement) and ask for Marie-Louise, she's the best!

May 24, 2015

Feeling nostalgic: MAC's Real Doll

May 24, 2015/ Nicole McIntyre

Wearing MAC's Real Doll while getting my best Barbie/Skipper/Stacie face on

*sets scene*

When: April 2007

En route to Vegas with the latest issue of In Style magazine -- these were the days when blogging pretty much only existed on Live Journal, Makeup and Beauty Blog wasn't yet a part of my life, and reading magazines was a necessity in order to learn about upcoming seasonal makeup releases.

Tucked in the last quarter of the magazine (somewhere between healthy recipe ideas and diet ads I undoubtedly flicked past) laid a makeup editorial featuring a model whose hair and skin were true glow-y perfection, and those lips, well, they were sporting MAC's Real Doll. As our Jet Blue flight flew 30,000 feet over Lake Michigan I earmarked the corner of the page, shut off my overhead light, and envisioned Real Doll adorning my very own lips.

News Flash, pervs: Get your mind out of the gutter!

My latest lemming eluded me. The hunt from Las Vegas' Town Square with P-Cakes and Grammy, all the way back to Braintree's South Shore Plaza left me weary, and eventually forced me to throw in the towel. In a last ditch effort I even went as far as calling the indexed telephone number for MAC in the back of In Style with the hope Real Doll would turn up somewhere, alas.

Eight years later and a world away from my humble beginnings, Real Doll popped back on the scene as part of the MAC is Beauty campaign. The lengthy wait didn't kill me, it only helped to fuel my obsession with makeup. This creamy baby pink/lilac lippie will forever hold my heart.

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for MAC's Lipstick in Real Doll:

$36.00 AUS / $16.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

10 out of 10 bags — Despite my darkish features Real Doll refuses to wash my out complexion. Tho, it does little to brighten your teeth.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

Sadly Real Doll is limited edition. That said I better track down a back up, fast!

Love my dress? I know I do! I'm wearing Gorman's Wing It Dress. It's got pockets, it conceals the presence of food baby, and it's made in the softest corduroy.