Product Review | Marc Jacobs Lolita Palette

This beautiful baby was gifted to me for my birthday from my lovely friend Kim. I'd never really paid much thought to Marc Jacobs products because as far as I know they're only available at Sephora, however when I saw this palette I fell in love.

Shu Uemura vs Shiseido Lash Curlers | Compare the Pair

We all know the Shu Uemura is the cult favourite when it comes to eyelash curlers, however I'm personally not the hugest fan of it. That's not to say it doesn't do a decent job (because it does), however it's just not my favourite. In this post I'll be comparing my personal favourite (by Shiseido) to the classic cult favourite (Shu Uemura). 

Product Review | Bondi Sands Gradual Tanning Milk

For those of you who aren't familiar with gradual tanners, basically they are a moisturiser that contains a small amount of tanning agent, so when applied regularly they have a... gradual tanning effect. I personally prefer gradual tanners over actual fake tans for several reasons. 

Firstly they're a lot more forgiving than fake tans - because one application alone does not apply a lot of colour, gradual tanners are far less susceptible to streaking and patchiness. This is especially good if you're new to fake tan. 

Secondly the result is far more natural than a regular fake tan. Obviously not a pro if you're after a super dark tan, but if you're looking for a light, natural looking tan, this is your product. I find this to be a good option during winter when you might want to add a bit of colour back into your skin without actually looking too tanned. 

Thirdly, gradual tanners can be used to extend the life of a spray tan or fake tan. Applied in place of a moisturiser they can help even out any faded areas and add a bit of colour back in, as well as the obvious moisturising benefit which we all know is a must to help the longevity of your tan.

Finally, because there is so little colour in it compared to a fake tan, you can get away with wearing it it during the day without leaving marks all over clothes and furniture, or if you decide to apply it before you sleep, less stains on your sheets. 

Now we know a bit about gradual tanners, so what do I think of this Bondi Sands one in particular? 

Product Review: Laura Mercier Foundation Primer - Oil Free

In the past I've found myself a little bit dubious towards the idea of primers - sometimes I feel that they're just adding another unnecessary layer, however that idea may have just come from using bad primers in the past.  After using this primer, I'm completely converted. 

This product claims to be a "lightweight, water based gel that creates the perfect canvas for makeup application. Formulated for sensitive, oily and acne prone skin."

Read on to find out more. 

What (was) In My Makeup Bag!

I had been planning on making a "What's In My Makeup Bag" post for quite some time, however my bag was recently stolen, meaning I lost everything in it - phone, wallet, makeup bag and lots of other stuff. However I decided I would still show you guys what was in my makeup bag, seeing as these were a lot of my favourites and I'll most likely end up replacing them soon anyway. 

*I do not own any of the images used, all credit goes to original owners.*

If you would like to find out more about each of the products shown, read on.

Illamasqua Mini Haul

I've been meaning to try out Illamasqua products for a while now, since I found out how fairly priced they are (read about their price drop here). For some reason I find it's a brand I tend to overlook a lot of the time, but last week I finally stopped by their counter at Myer and picked up a couple of things.

Formal/Prom Makeup Tips

I know it's a little bit late for proms seeing as prom season in America has just passed, however formal season is upon us here in Australia, and I've been receiving questions asking for tips on formal makeup.

If you've decided to do your own makeup for formal, good on you! Here I will share with you a few tips and suggestions to ensure the night runs as smoothly as possible for you.

• Practice your makeup beforehand
  This is the absolute most important piece of advice I can give you. Particularly if you are trying something new or attempting a look you've never created before, make sure you practice at least once at home so you get an idea of how long it will take, and how it will turn out. Better to mess it up at home when you have no plans than mess it up on the night of your formal and have to stress about fixing it or starting again.
• Take test photos of your makeupWhen you practice your makeup, be sure to take a few pictures with and without flash, just to check how your makeup will come out in photos. You will also notice that photos (particularly flash photography) lessens the intensity of your makep (meaning it shows up less), therefore you can afford to go heavier with the makeup than you would normally. Not too heavy though!
• Do not use products that contain SPF or light reflecting particles
  I know, you hear it all the time, but there's a reason for that. If your foundation or concealer is high in SPF or contains light reflecting partciles, it's going to show up far lighter in flash photogprahy, causing your face to look ghostly and white.
• Set your makeupIn order to avoid looking oily in photos (and in person) make sure you set your face makeup with a powder! It's also a good idea to use a primer if you have oily skin, just to help with staying power. You want your makeup to last all night!
• Do your eyes first
  This is something that I often just completely forget to do - even on clients sometimes - but it really does help to save a lot of bother later on. This tip is particularly helpful if you're doing dark/smokey eye makeup where eyeshadow fallout tends to occur. Do your eyes first, then once you're done with them, wipe any eyeshadow fallout off your face, prime and apply the rest of your makeup as usual.
• Make your lipstick last
  To maximise the staying power of your lipstick, blot and repeat! Along with filling your lips in with lip liner prior to applying your liptick, this well help to make your lipstick last a lot longer by staining it onto your lips. Simply do one layer of lipstick, blot with a tissue, reapply, then blot with a tissue again. When you're done, stick your finger in your mouth, close your lips, and slide your finger out. Sounds weird, I know, but it helps to stop your lipstick from getting on your teeth. This is particularly helpful if you're wearing red lipstick.
• Bring your lip color and eyelash glue with you
  Regardless of how well you applied it, your lip color is bound to wear off throughout the night, just through eating and drinking and whatever else. Be sure to bring your lip color with you (whether it's lipstick or gloss), so you can touch up whenever your lips are starting to fade. Eyelashes also tend to have a nasty habit of coming up at the corners or falling off, so make sure you or a friend brings along some eyelash glue in case of emergency!

Those are all the makeup tips I can think of for now, but remember, the most important thing is to have fun and don't let anything ruin your night! Try not to stress out, and make the most of your night because formals are one of the best times to make good memories and take lots of pictures!

If anybody in the Melbourne area is interested in having their makeup done for a cheaper price, I am available to freelance. Check out my page and folio here: http://carajademakeup.carbonmade.com/about

All the best!