A healthy holiday helping of Chanel

Over a week ago I raced into the city to purchase the latest release from Chanel. I have yet to try it on myself, but let's take a gander at what I bought.

Gold, taupe, burnt cranberry and soft pink are tied together with their subtle shimmery finishes in this quad. I was taken aback (in a good way) by the orange undertones as I swatched the berry shade on my arm. Minimal elbow grease was expended during my swatch session, full opacity was reached with very little effort. The texture of the shadow is a soft powder, yet it felt creamy to the touch. I think a good primer will help to keep your look in check.

L'Impatiente for me is a stunning deep berry shade. Please hold my merlot so I can give you a proper kiss underneath the mistletoe.

A review and look will hopefully appear by next weekend.

What do you think of the rest of Chanel's Holiday 2012 collection?

Eyes to mesmerize: NARS Eyeliner Stylo in Koala

Did I ever tell you about the time I met and held a koala at work? Well, I did about a year ago. The funny thing about it all was before I moved here from Massachusetts, I think all of my friends and family fully expected me to be handed a koala bear and a kangaroo upon landing in Melbourne. Australia is very much a first world with a bit of old world mentality. I say this because I actually overheard a woman talk about going 'walk about' in the bush -- much like a hiker who heads for remote trails, this woman took off for several weeks and took in the purest and most untouched parts of Australia. You really don't see that happen often in the US, do you now? Where was I? Ah yes, the koala. One of the executives' wives of the company I work for rescues animals from the wild and takes care of them until they're ready to be introduced to a wildlife reserve here in Melbourne. Last October I was fortunate enough to meet and hold this little bundle of joy.

Koala!

Little tiny Koala Bear!

Now, you might be thinking what does NARS have to do with koalas? If you look up at the cute and cuddly Gae, you'll notice it's silky soft grey fur. Francois Nars encapsulated the colour and essence of a koala in one of four new shades found within his Eyeliner Stylo range.

Sharp, precise and easy to use, NARS Eyeliner Stylo is exactly those things. When it comes to liner, I liken myself to a bull in a china shop; I'm clumsy, unskilled and one of these days I just might poke my eye out. But with the Eyeliner Stylo, the skills come from the pen itself. The colour flows from the pen with ease and manages to follow the contour of my lids. Depending on the pressure you apply, you can go from thin to thick strokes easily and seamlessly.

Props to Kate over at la beaute et le bloguer for convincing me to add this to my collection. Be sure to check out her review and swatches of Carpates (the blackest of blacks).

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for NARS Eyeliner Stylo in Koala:

• $44.00 AUS / $27.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 9 out of 10 bags – easy and long-lasting. A must buy!

Likelihood to purchase:

• Carpates (black), Nuku Hiva (brown) and Atlantic (deep blue) are next on my list.

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Deborah Lippmann's Hollaback Girl with glitter fade - weekly nail review

Recently Deborah Lippmann put together a nail collection called Run the World (Girls) and wouldn't you know, each polish is named after a hit single containing the word "girl".  Run the World (Girls) does neon, but all grown up; thanks for this late 80's time capsule. For my first manicure experience with Blonde Tiger, Erin (formerly of French Pink) chose to do a glitter fade atop Lippmann's Hollaback Girl -- a matte neon orange.

Before painting my nails, Erin filed my nails and trimmed my cuticles and then she treated me to her homemade scrub. Erin's witches brew smelled so fantastic I could've lapped it out of the bowl; from what I can recall, her scrub combined lemon, gritty sugar and vanilla scented oil. After rinsing my hands, the aroma and feel left behind was decadent and soft.

The conversation and environment was solid -- we discussed her recent trip to the States, the upcoming election (g(O)bama!) and the salon space she shares with an eyebrow waxer and eyelash extension-air.

If you're looking for a day to treat yo' self, then please leave your worries at the doorstep of the beauty compilation, if you will, over on Level 1, 270 Russell Street, Melbourne.

An afternoon with Romina

After my eyebrows were complete, I really tried to hold onto the sound of the music, continue the conversation and follow her voice -- but, the facial, it took me in.  I don't know how long I slept for, maybe a few minutes, but it was the first time I really and truly relaxed all week.

During a recent visit with Romina, I rambled on about my skin and its unpredictability around Rosacea flare-ups; this is when Romina tasked herself with the challenge of getting my skin in fighting shape. To be honest I was hesitant, because the dermatologist I sought help from last year claimed facials (amongst many other potential triggers) would become a thing of my past.

Once my skin calmed down a few weeks ago, Romina and I felt it was time to let her work her magic. Armed with Dermaviduals (the skin range she sells and believes in) and a lot of research, Romina set my nerves at ease and brought me to a happy place -- blissful sleep.

From what I can remember from last Thursday, Romina first washed my skin with a citrus-y scented cleanser. Then she used a gentle fruit enzyme peel to help exfoliate my dry skin; I've been too scared to use toners or even fathom bringing my DDF brush to my face as of late. Once my skin was properly exfoliated, Romina applied a mask and let it sit for about 30 minutes (I think) :) While the mask worked hard, Romina did the same; I was treated to a shoulder, arm and hand massage -- this was the moment where I fell asleep. After an indeterminable amount of time had passed, Romina peeled off the mask in one fell swoop and massaged moisturiser into my skin.

In the end I was left with baby soft skin that was creamy in colour and not a single red spot was able to be found. Three days have passed since I received my facial and my skin is still soft and going through a bit of detox. A few small spots have bubbled up, but I'm chalking that up to the lack of elapsed time since my skin healed. For me, this facial was just what I needed during a hellish work week.

If facials aren't your thing and you're after an impeccable eyebrow specialist, here's a glimpse of Romina's handiwork.

Get to know Romina...

Romina De Corso is an eyebrow and skin specialist who hails from South Australia. In her late teens, Romina attended beauty therapy school and learned the art of creating the perfect full brow. A few years ago Romina then moved to Melbourne (yay) and worked as one of three national MAC Eyebrow Specialists. From there, Romina decided to move on and set up her very own shop in order to practise and hone her skills as a skincare specialist. Thanks to Carly, a colleague of mine and Romina's best friend, passed along a business card and the rest is history.

Romina's salon is located on 72 Toorak Road, South Yarra. For more information, please visit Facebook.

*I've been a faithful brow customer of Romina's for almost a year -- however, this facial was provided as a complimentary service in preparation for this review. Thoughts and ramblings written here are completely my own.