Halloween nails and makeup

I'm not super adventurous in the makeup department, but I do know what works for me and how far I'm willing to push my own personal boundaries.

But sometimes, a girl's gotta play -- with makeup, of course.  Yesterday I rounded up some oldies and a few new things in order to create a darker look for Halloween.

The end result: While not perfect, I think it'd fly as a softer version of the Wicked Witch of the West. Minus the nose, chin wart and piss poor attitude. 

Sorry about the house, lady.

I kept my normal makeup routine and played up my eyes. Here's a list of what you'll need: 

• a tissue or first-aid tape to help create sharp lines
• matte black eyeshadow
• iridescent eyeshadow - mint green, pale blue, light pink, silver, white or purple will work the best
• black eyeliner
• black mascara
• a loose shimmer powder or liquid in white

First, take the tissue and place it at the outer corner of your eye and angle it up so it almost meets with end of your eyebrow. Next, apply the matte black eyeshadow from the edge of the tissue to the middle of your eye and blend so you're left with a wash of black. Then apply your iridescent eyeshadow all over your eye lid; make sure you don't carry the colour beyond the crease. Now highlight the centre of your lid with the white powder/liquid. Finish the look by lining your eyes and painting your lashes. 

You might need to go back in with a clean brush or q-tip in order to dust off any fallout. 

Wearing CND's Vinylux in Black Pool and Electric Orange

Don't forget about your nails. 

Happy Halloween! 

Why I love Sample Size Beauty Products

Gotta love Fresh & Caudalie

Going to places like Sephora, Ulta and Mecca is an amazing and magical experience. 

You get to try everything right then and there and if you're not brave enough to fully commit, they'll even send you home with miniature pots of the products the jury is still out on. 

Then comes the back and forth.. Can I? Should I? Do I really need another..

• facial cleanser
• moisturizer
• beauty balm
• serum
• eye lotion

But in between the commitment stage and the full blown yes, the whole full size bottle is mine, lies the samples.

I love trying out samples, because I find it gives me a reason to get out of bed early in the morning. These samples are tucked in my overnight kit waiting with baited breath to wash, scrub and hydrate. 

As for my overnight kit, it's hanging out in my gym bag. I figure, the quicker I finish my workout, the sooner I'll get to experience that petite bottle of Fresh Soy Cleanser -- it's my carrot.

Eventually, I will commit. I just don't know when. 

Do you sneak away little treasures in order to treat/reward yourself? 

Note: I picked up the Caudalie set for free after spending $350 at Sephora.

Beauty in a tick: Clarins Age-Control Hand Lotion

Clarins Age-Control Hand Lotion with SPF 15

My hands are always dry no matter what time of year it is and when I find a hand lotion that works I try to buy vats of it.  

Clarins Age-Control Hand Lotion is, how do I put this nicely, well, a dud. It's a lotion, I'll give it that, but it doesn't hydrate my hands and cuticles. 

Just look at it. It reminds me of Elmer's glue, smells (faintly) similar to toilet cleaner and sunscreen and the effort expended on massaging this stuff onto my hands isn't even worth it. I've tried to like it, but this hand lotion has failed to deliver repeatedly.

A scathing review for a brand that has otherwise, pleasantly surprised me on other occasions. 

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Clarins Age-Control Hand Lotion with SPF 15:

• $38.00 AUS  

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 1 out of 10 bags — I'll be reaching for my far superior and better smelling staple hand lotion.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• I think I'm good for the moment. Sorry, Clarins. 

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

A little book about Bobbi & Katie

I love books, I fell first for Amelia Bedelia's unwitting hijinks and Angelina Ballerina's delicate moves. Almost 25 years later I've replaced paperbacks with my iPad and I know I don't read as much literary fiction as I should. 

Whether it be pictures, touch, your mother's voice or even makeup -- books help our imaginations to thrive, they also offer a few moments of pure bliss and escapism. Ultimately, it's up to you and the feverish pace you've chosen to gobble all of the words told from front to back.

I too want to know where the sidewalk ends and see all the places Harold was able to visit because of his purple crayon.

Bobbi & Katie might not be your traditional story, but its contents inside are certainly telling. 

Eyeshadows, Lip Pots and Eye Pencils, oh my!

If this book had a jacket, this is what it would say..

Created by Bobbi Brown and curated by Katie Holmes, Bobbi and Katie features possibilities, new opportunities, a chance to fall in love, a way to colour your world and eventually, you'll be intoxicated by the presence of such subtlety.

A must read! 

Bobbi & Katie swatches

A little bit closer now (from left to right): Pretty Powerful Pot Rouge, Raspberry Pot Rouge, Cream, Antique Rose, Stone & Black Cocoa; the last four are powder eyeshadows

eyeshadow swatches continued (from left to right): Pink Chiffon, Brown Sugar, Pink Quartz, Ballet Pink & Chocolate (eye pencil)

If you're a makeup newbie, a Bobbi-phile or appreciate softer colours, then I suggest you pick up your very own copy of Bobbi & Katie.

The pot rouges are multi-taskers -- perfect for painting your pout or for cheering up your cheeks. Flip back to the index and search for eyeshadows, you'll find three metallics, a shimmer, a sparkle and three basics listed there. Finally, neatly tucked in the spine is a sickly sweet Chocolate Eye Pencil.

Doing my best Joey Potter sideways smile

In the look above I'm wearing six of the eight eyeshadows (Pink Chiffon and Cream didn't make the final cut),  on my lips I'm wearing Pretty Powerful and last but not least, I applied Chocolate to my upper waterline (this technique is known as tightlining).

As for the rest of the look I'm wearing Benefit's Gimme Brow and Bobbi Brown's French Pink on my cheeks.

The colours are easy to use, last and will suit light and medium complexions.

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for the Bobbi Brown's Bobbi & Katie Palette:

• $115.00 AUS / $68.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 9 out of 10 bags — Despite having to dig a bit deeper in my pockets, I'm glad I picked up Bobbi & Katie.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• Jenny of My Funny Valentine may've convinced me to pick up Bobbi's Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner. Gotta go and brush up on my cat eye skills now.