pretty dresses in the laundry

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Apr 29

DIY Matte Nails

I’m the first admit that I am the biggest cheapskate when it comes to make up and beauty. I’d much prefer to mix up food colouring or eye shadow as lipstick rather than splurge and actually buy the shade I want, so it’s only natural that I would find a way around buying the Chanel matte nail polish that’s virtually impossible to find in Australia. This afternoon, I experimented with two different ways tor create matte nails, they were quick and easy and I’ll definitely try it again. I think the steam was the easiest and nicest in the end though.

TYPE ONE: STEAM

I have been desperate to try this technique on my nails for a while, but considering I am so clumsy I can hurt myself sitting on the lounge, I thought I should give this one a miss. Today though, I worked up the courage to attempt it, and I am proud to say, there were no accidents and I did not burn myself. If I had though, it definitely would have been worth it.

What you need:

Step One:

Paint your nails like you normally would. For this tutorial, I used a deep, dark Alex Perry nail polish. It worked perfectly because it had no shine or glitter, and almost ended up looking black. Any colour would work though.

Step Two:

After you have painted your nails, carefully fill a bowl with boiling water.

Step Three:

Hold your fingers over the bowl of steam water. Move your hands around and rotate to ensure that all fingers come into contact with the steam. Your finger nails need to still be wet for this step. Make sure you do not hold your hand too close to the water, and move your hand regularly to prevent any burns.

And you’re done…

TYPE TWO: POWDER

This was the first tutorial I attempted, I don’t think it worked as well as the first, but I think that was probably my fault. In this tutorial, I used a Sportsgirl black nail polish that was nearly empty and was supposed to have added shine and glitter, so it’s no wonder that they did not turn out entirely matte. Using powder is a very simple way to get matte nails though, it halves the drying time and is safer.

What you will need:

For this tutorial, you will need some form of powder. I used baking powder and it worked pretty well, but baby powder and corn starch will also work. You also will need some nail polish and a brush. The brush will not be damaged, so any brush will do.

Step One:

The first step is to paint your nails.

Step Two:

While your nails are still wet, brush powder over your nails and leave it on for about a minute.

Step Three:

Run it over your nails, removing the powder. If you have left it on too long and it has dried into your polish, dip the brush in water and then try brushing it of again.

And you’re done!

If you want to make the powder tutorial easier and aren’t too worried about dedicating a bottle of nail polish entirely to matte, make a funnel using paper, and pour the powder into the nail polish bottle. Put the lid back on and shake to mix through the powder. Then just apply your nail polish like normal. I didn’t want to ruin my nail polish so I didn’t want to ruin any of my colours, but if you try this one, let me know! I’d love to hear how it works.

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Apr 06

This afternoon, I kind of decided that maybe I do actually need more than the few shades of lipstick I have, instead of just mixing colours, eye shadow and food colouring to get the look I desire. I’ll probably just end up recreating all of these gorgeous colours, but I can dream can’t I? After making this collage, I renewed my passion for Lime Crime and found one for Ka’Oir, both of their colours are just so cute.

P.S. I am sorry for the bad editing in the collage, I didn’t realise it was so bad until I finished.

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Mar 21

Remember when you were my boat and I was your sea

I get a lot of beauty related questions, so I thought my yearly tip post was in order. All my tips are probably a cheapskates version of beauty, but nonetheless, they’re the tips I live by.

1. Use eye shadow as lip colour. The purple lips that I have been masquerading lately, are just a layer of a violet eye shadow, with a light pink lipstick brushed over the top. You can do it with any colour though, I’ve been seen to do it with pinks, reds and blacks if my small lip stick collection doesn’t offer the colour I’m craving that day.

2. Use baby shampoo to wash your make up brushes. Don’t waste your money on brush cleaner or time watching YouTube videos on how to correctly fan them. Just rinse your brush in warm water, then coat it in in a bowl of shampoo. Once you have done this, you can rinse again and you’re done! A bottle of baby shampoo lasts forever and because it’s so gentle, it doesn’t damage the brush at all.

3. Don’t condition your scalp. Your body naturally conditions your scalp itself with natural oils. Instead, focus on conditioning the rest of your hair. It will save your conditioner and make your locks luscious.

4. Keep your nail polish in the fridge. It will make it a lot easier to paint onto your nails as it dries faster and is thicker. It will also increase the life span of your nail polish dramatically as keeping it in the fridge slows down the discolouration.

5. Use baby powder in your hair when you run out of time to wash it. I’m pretty sure I’ve shared this one with you before in my A-Z of Beauty Tips, but it’s definitely a winner. Just sprinkle baby powder onto your scalp or your hairbrush and brush your hair. It certainly saves buying dry shampoo and is just as effective. It definitely saves the day if you have dirty hair.

6. If you’re trying to cover up a blemish, apply your concealer after your foundation. Applying it the other way round is futile, the foundation just rubs off the concealer. The other thing I often do if I have a stubborn spot I want to cover, is using a little brush, cover it with foundation and then go over my face again normally with a big brush.

7. For shiny hair, use cool air. After you have finished drying your hair, flick your hair dryer onto the cool setting and run it over your head. This will give your hair back a bit of life and make it shinier.

8. Don’t bother buying remover to remove water proof mascara. Just dip a cotton bud in olive oil and rub it over your eyes lids.

9. If you want your lipstick to last all day, just keep blotting. I know it seems stupid and as though it completely defeats the purpose, but it doesn’t. Reapply and blot about four times to create a long lasting lip colour.

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Feb 18

Nothing haunts us like the things we don’t say

Chi Chi eye shadow, MAC Studio Fix Foundation, Impulse Paris, Maybelline concealer, Victoria’s Secret lip gloss, MAC mascara, Clean & Clear Moisturiser, Lucas’ Paw Paw Ointment, Bio Oil

Seeing as my beauty posts have been quite irregular for quite some time, I thought I would follow up with another. These are all of my beauty essentials, the products I use every single day.

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Feb 16

Seeing as though bold lip colours are the thing this season, I fgured a post of my favourite colours was probably in order.

I’m away this weekend, so all the posts you’re seeing are queued!

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Oct 20

Natural beauty alternatives

I’m a huge supporter of using only natural products on my face and body, that’s why I decided to share with you some of my favourite alternatives. I love these alternatives because they are all things that are hiding in the back of your pantry or your fridge and are much much cheaper and fun!

1. Swap olive oil for make-up/sunscreen remover and as an oil cleanser. Olive oil is also a good base for a rich face mask and hair conditioning treatments. I always like to use it as body moisturiser in dire situations too as it holds in your skins natural moisture and prevents it from drying out. Olive oil is also a brilliant hand moisturiser as it will make your nail polish last longer and moisturise your cuticles.

2. When I am in need of a natural toner, I swap the bottled stuff for green tea. Green tea is full of antioxidant properties and it brightens and softens your skin. I just soak a tea bag in some water and then wash my face with the water. You can also add the water to face masks or even use warm teabags as an eye treatment. You can also strain lose leaves and add them to a face mask.

3. Another one of my favourites is coconut oil. Coconut oil is deeply penetrating and a highly emollient moisturiser. I always use it as a hydrating mask or as a deep hair conditioner. It always leaves my skin and hair so soft! I also like to use it a lip balm for the same reasons. I’ve never tried it, but coconut oil is also known for being able to clear up acne and pimples.

4. Whenever I’m in the mood to make a simple face mask, I mix up some rolled oats. It’s perfect for dry, irritated and sensitive skin. By grinding up the oats and adding egg yolk and honey, you can make a mask, exfoliant or a face cleanser depending on the constituency. Oats are also great to put in a bath to soothe sore, itchy, dry skin.

5. Because it is so easily obtainable and so good for your skin, I love to use plain, full fat yoghurt as an alternative to cleansers and masks. The lactic acid in yoghurt exfoliates, nourishes and bleaches your skin, helping to even out your skin tone. I always love to use to cold as a mask or cleanser when I am feeling particularly natural. Yoghurt is also a wonderful conditioner and is particularly good and soothing for itchy scalps.

6. I am a huge fan of honey and my love for it translates onto my face. When my hair needs a good condition, I mix it with olive oil, heat it in the microwave and apply it to my hair for half an hour. As you saw in my last beauty DIY post, I nearly always add it to my face masks because it is helps clear up blemishes and pimples.

7. This alternative I love because it always makes for a good snack if you inadvertently have some left over. Because chocolate and cocoa power is naturally anti-septic and anti-inflammatory and skin plumping and firming, it makes for a nourishing face or body mask. It always leaves my skin soft and supple.

8. As much as I absolutely detest the smell and taste, apple cider vinegar is a life saviour in so many respects. It helps with digestion, weight loss, detoxing, cleaning and just about every other aspect of your body in need of a beauty treatment. Apple cider vinegar is perfect as a final step hair rinse because it removes product build up and leaves your hair incredibly shiny and soft. It’s also good for removing dandruff. It can also help regulate the pH of your skin by mixing it with water and applying it onto your face with a cotton ball. In Summer, I almost find myself carrying a bottle of apple cider vinegar under my arm to the beach. By just adding some of it to your bath, it will help your sunburn heal and remove some of the pain. I’ve also heard that soaking and massaging swollen limbs in it can also help reduce swelling.

9. I’m not sure if this one is much of a secret because apparently all models do it, but adding bicarb soda to your cleanser makes it a brilliant exfoliant. It’s also a good alternative to toothpaste (by mixing it with water and peppermint oil) or as a natural deodorant. If you use hair products regularly, mixing bicarb soda in with your conditioner every once in a while is also a good idea as it will remove all build up.

10. Another natural alternative I am absolutely smitten for at the moment are lemons. I’m sure everyone knows this one, but it doesn’t dull my love. It is a perfect hair lightener on hot summer days and toner to even out your complexion all year round. Pressing your nails into a lemon will also make them whiter, creating a faux French manicure look.

10. I’m sure I’ve talked about this alternative before, but I think even so, it deserves another mention. Strawberries are a excellent cleanser and exfoliant for your face, hands and body. When oily skin strikes, I also like to use it as a face mask. Strawberries are also known to freshen your breath and whiten your teeth.

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Oct 13

I’ve been a fool and I’ve been blind, I can never leave the past behind.

I’m a huge believer that trends and colour shouldn’t be reserved for your clothes and accessories, but should extend to your make up. That’s why I am absolutely in love with Beginning Boutique’s range of Lime Crime lipstick at the moment, all in beautiful shades that are bang on trend.

This lipstick is a lovely tangerine/orange colour and is just so perfect for the spring and summer ahead. I had seen it popping up everywhere lately and was lusting after some for myself but I wasn’t quite sure of where to find it. That’s why I was so ecstatic when I found that Beginning Boutique were now stocking make up products and this lovely coloured lipstick. This lipstick lasts for a very long time and is very soft and smooth and opaque.

For some reason, my blog has taken away the quality of these photos so I have uploaded the photos onto my blogs Facebook page too for you to look at (link).

I would highly recommend you have a look at Beginning Boutique’s new beauty range! I will be definitely featuring it in my outfit posts soon because I am in love!

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Oct 07

DIY: Moisturising Face Mask

I’m sorry for the delay between tutorials. I just haven’t had time to create any. Today I whipped up a moisturising face mask out of honey and olive oil and here is the result! This face mask will heal and hydrate your face as honey is a natural humectant and draws moisture to your skin.