SEVEN TO TRY . FOR WIDE AWAKE E¥ES

We've all been there. Partied a little two hard and woken up with big black bags under our eyes – not a good look. This weekend I have a few events that will require me to stay up past my typical 10:30pm bed time, so I've compiled a kit of seven products to ensure I look bright-eyed come morning – yes, I'm that much of a grandma.

The first savior for tired eyes is a product that is entirely new to me, and contains dragon's blood... you heard me, dragon's blood. The Rodial Dragon's Blood Eye Masks[*] use bio-cellulose technology and dragon's blood [a natural plant extract] to intensely hydrate and plump the under eye region. Much needed for those of us who forget to guzzle water before bed after a night of drinking. I further hydrate this delicate area with my most-loved Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado – the unique formula applies as a cream but quickly transforms, giving a water-like feel as you massage it in. Now to the makeup, the most compelling way to fake that you've had a full 8 hours of sleep. My go-to for concealing under the eyes is my Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light Bisque – I've been using it for years now as it instantly hides dark circles and never creases, which can accentuate my naturally puffy eyes. What a lot of people don't recognize is that it's equally as important to colour correct your eyelids as well, and my mom has got me hooked on Benefit's Lemon-Aid for this. The soft-yellow shade corrects redness that may occur if you 'forgot' to wash your makeup off – I say 'forgot' because I often know that I should wash my face and simply choose sleep instead. The next step is to line the waterline with a nude eye liner – this will make your eyes appear larger without having the stark effect that a white pencil can have. I love the Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Liner in Nude because the creamy formula ensures I'm not tugging at my eyes. I then pop a bit of my Stila Smudge Crayon in Kitten in the inner corners and blend with my ring finger – the pearl champagne shade has an instant brightening effect and can double as a brow bone highlight. The final step is mascara, and lots of it. I received a sample of the Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara[*] in the Double Exposure Palette and have been obsessed with it ever since. The thick brush is similar to Make Up For Ever's Smoky Lash, which was formerly my HG mascara, creating thick bold lashes, without clumps. And if all that fails... well, you're most likely a zombie and should just throw on some sunglasses.

What are your go-to products for the day after a sleepless night?

AM¥     XO

[*]Some of the items in this post have been sent to THE PRETT¥ VAIN for purpose of review. All views expressed reflect my own opinion on the product. For additional information please see the Disclaimer.  

FACE OF THE DAY . MINIMALIST FT. A STRONG BROW + LIP

A new year and a new me – transforming into a woman who is going to be bold with her choices at the vanity and beyond. Bold choice number one: matte skin, heavy brows and a dark lip with minimal to no eye makeup. I saw this look on a girl working at an Urban Outfitters on Queen St., always ahead of the trend, and was taken back by how striking it was. Her face was a pale canvas and the only thing the artist had painted was eyebrows and lips – I loved it. But the old me would never dare to try a bold look like that – it was shockingly beautiful and demanded attention. But why not demand attention? So today I step outside of my comfort zone to re-create the look that had me in awe.

There are two key products for this look, a gel brow product and a deep aubergine lip product. Application must be meticulous, which means finding the right tools and beginning with a primed, perfected base. I shaped my brows using an angled brush and a tiny amount of the Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade in Medium Brown. This pomade is heavily pigmented, can easily create defined lines and won’t budge all day, making it my go-to brow product for every look. Once you’re happy with your brow shape, simply give them a quick brush upwards with a brow gel and move onto the lips. For me, a deep aubergine lip can be created using a single product, the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Train Bleu. This is a staple for beauty junkie’s everywhere, and is a favourite of Beyoncé’s – the colour is perfection, housed in a pencil so it’s easy to apply, and it’s long wearing. The final look falls somewhere between 80’s grunge and eclectic chic, setting you apart from the rest.

Products Used: Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer, Marc Jacobs Beauty Marvelous Mousse Transformative OilFree Foundation, Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit, Rimmel Stay Matte Powder, Urban Decay Original Primer Potion, Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade, Benefit Gimme Brows, No Bleeding Lips Secret Lip Liner, and NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Train Bleu. 

AM¥     XO

THE GAME CHANGERS OF 2014

My views on beauty, blogging and life have changed a lot over the course of 2014. As most of you have probably already noticed I've been the most indecisive person, with everything from the blog to love. I changed the name of my site then reverted back to THE PRETT¥ VAIN within a week, stopped blogging entirely for two months and was absolutely stunned that you all stuck by my side.  I'm entering 2015 with a much clearer mind, and a focus on the aesthetic I've been sharing with you over the past few weeks. But 2014 wasn't a complete rollercoaster ride – there were a number of products that stuck with me through thick and thin, along with a handful of new releases that completely changed my beauty game.

SKIN

At the age of 25 I finally cemented a skincare regime that I've grown to love. My focus this year truly was on my skin – ensuring it looked flawless without an ounce of makeup. And while I'm not completely there, I'm pretty damn close. I owe that perfected skin to one product in particular, the Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum. This serum is highly concentrated with Viniferine, which helped to reduce the appearance of dark spots caused from those pesky period pimples I get around that time of the month. It also improved my skins overall radiance, giving me a fresh and bright complexion. I also enhanced my complexion through the use of face masks, which I tried by the hoards. Two of my absolute favourites were the Boscia Luminizing Black Mask and the Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask. They both give my skin an instant pick me up when it's looking dull or I've partied a little too hard.

Complete reviews can be found here: luminizing black mask, pumpkin enzyme mask

MAKEUP

For makeup I kept things classic and polished with a focus on finding the perfect foundation – and I somehow ended up with three I can't live without. I was hooked to the Make Up For Ever Face & Body Liquid Makeup all spring/summer thanks to it's lightweight, long-lasting formula, and fall/winter has been all about the Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream, which came as a complete shock to me – you can see my full review here. The final foundation I've been addicted to is the Marc Jacobs Beauty Marvelous Mousse Transformative OilFree Foundation – nothing perfects my skin like it, unfortunately it's matte finish has a drying effect on my already dry skin meaning I can only wear it once or twice a week.

The rest of my look has maintained an ease and simplicity that I've really come to enjoy. I've developed a stronger brow game thanks to the Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade, a quick 2-minute Mary-Kate Olsen eye thanks to the Make Up For Ever Aqua Matic in Diamond Golden Grey and Satiny Warm Brown, and found the perfect everyday lip colour in MAC's Lipstick in Lipblossom. And although I'm not entirely sure whether it's appropriate to include in this years game changers, as I know it's going to be a sell-out for 2015, the Smashbox Double Exposure Palette has given me everything I could ever want in an eyeshadow palette and more. Fourteen shadows that transform to twenty-eight with the simple addition of water! I could say more... or you can read my full review of it, seen here.   

HAIR

My hair game was turned upside down this year when I decided to chop it all off – and with the chop went my incessant need for hair products. But there were three products that made my life a little easier and my hair a little sleeker. For starters I gave myself a weekly hair routine – a deep cleanse with the Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo to rid my locks of any excess product, followed with the Bumble and Bumble Creme de Coco Masque to help restore it's moisture. On days when I decided to blow-dry and heat-style my hair I turned to the Living Proof Prime Style Extender. It is simply the best at keeping frizz at bay, smoothing ends and extending your style – an absolute must have for, well, anyone with hair. I can't decide whether I'll be growing or trimming for 2015, but these products will most definitely stick with me.

ETC

Sometimes the etc is the most important part, completely pulling a look/vibe together – and that couldn't be more true for these three stunners. First, an innovation in self tanning that has kept my pins bronzed and my shimmer level high, the St. Tropez Self Tan Luxe Dry Oil. I've spoke a lot about the Karora Express Bronzing Mousse, but this luxe oil is great for overnight use when you want to wake up to glowing, 'post-vacation' skin, and has been my go-to before parties – you can tan as you dance, and the shimmer makes your skin look radiant from a distance. The other ever important etc is your signature scent. I've been drawn to sensual, dark, verging on too masculine perfumes this year, and topping my charts are: Nirvana Black by Elizabeth and James and Atelier Cologne in Vanille Insensée Cologne Absolue. Both fragrances offer a different vibe, while still containing my favourite notes, vanilla and wood.

Safe to say I've allowed the minimalistic, 'homie' side of me come out in full effect this year.

What are some of the products that changed your beauty game in 2014?

SHOP MY FAVOURITES

AM¥     XO

SKINCARE SHAKE UP . AVEENO . FRESH ESSENTIALS

Friends has arrived to Netflix and I've found myself in love with Jennifer Aniston all over again – she and I have something in common this week, Aveeno. For the past seven days I've traded my high-end skincare regime in, with the exception of my Purity Cleanser by Philosophy, for three products from the Aveeno Fresh Essentials line – the Daily Nourishing Moisturizer ($11), Daily Exfoliating Scrub ($6) and the Hydrating Night Cream ($11). I was initially a tad nervous to trade in my skincare favourites for a drugstore line for an entire week, but the promise of natural ingredients and high standards gave me hope – and I'm glad I stuck it out because I've been pleasantly surprised by the results. The Fresh Essentials line contains an extract of the southernwood plant, which contains a 'natural combination of sugars and polyphenols that provide antioxidant activity to help restore the skin’s moisture barrier for fresher and healthier-looking skin'.

For the past week I've continued cleansing my skin with my Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser, adding the Aveeno Fresh Essentials Daily Exfoliating Scrub to my evening routine to help brighten and even my complexion. Since I've been sick I've had a lot of flakes around my nose due to excess blowing, the Exfoliating Scrub gently buffed these bits away leaving my face soft and even, without irritating my nose further. I've never previously thought to incorporate a daily exfoliating scrub into my regime, but now it's something I've grown accustom to so it's staying! During the day I've been applying the Aveeno Fresh Essentials Daily Nourishing Moisturizer to my cleansed skin, which contains SPF 30. I absolutely love the weight of this moisturizer for day use – it's thick, yet sinks into the skin quickly and is loaded with beneficial ingredients like vitamin A, C & E. However, even though I appreciate that it contains SPF 30 I don't find myself outdoors enough this time of the year, and I've noticed a sticky film that develops once the lotion dries, which I can only attribute to the SPF. Therefore, I wasn't as thrilled with this product and probably won't be reaching for it until the summer sun comes back. The opposite can be said about the Aveeno Fresh Essenitals Hydrating Night Cream – it's a winter essential. I featured it in my blog post yesterday as well, seen here, because I've been seriously addicted to applying it to my face while battling this flu. As I mentioned in the previous post this moisturizer stings slightly when applied, even on non-dry patches, but that sensation settles quickly leaving your skin to reap the benefits. It's one of the thickest creams I've ever owned, richly hydrating – and my skin CRAVES it before bed now. When I wake up I look bright-eyed, glowy and my skin feels heavenly moisturized, free of any rough patches. And the best part is that a little goes a long way – so if I'm careful with how often I apply it I may have this little pot last me all the way to spring.

Have you tried the Fresh Essentials range? What were your thoughts?

AM¥     XO

*The items in this post have been sent to THE PRETT¥ VAIN for purpose of review. All views expressed reflect my own opinion on the product. For additional information please see the Disclaimer. 

BEEN TRILL? NAH, JUST ILL

Five days into the new year and I've already been MIA. I wish that I could pretend it was because I got caught up with the merriment of the occasion and the 'newness', but sadly that's not the case. I've been down, out, and back to momma bears for a little TLC to help battle the horrid flu I had caught. Thankfully with a bit of motherly love, a lot of liquids and an absurdly long Keeping Up With The Kardashians marathon I've made it out alive. But there are a few beauty products that were absolute life-savers when it came to coping with this virus, and they definitely deserve an honorable mention – I mean we've basically been bff's the past week. 

The flu has this nasty habit of draining every last ounce of moisture from your body. I've been combating this issue two ways: drinking lots of water/tea/anything fluid, and restoring my skin with moisture-packed products. For tea I've been turning to cold 911, one of the loose leaf tea's found in my David's Tea David's Top 12 gift set – it's caffeine free and packed with peppermint, juniper, and citrus to soothe. I'm not going to pretend that it was the cure, but it certainly made my throat feel more comfortable and was delicious to sip on while watching those Kardashian girls – plus the lack of caffeine meant I could sip at all hours. I was also, at all hours (and on repeat), applying cream to my poor red nose, layering lip balm on my chapped lips, and replenishing my hands from over-washing. For my nose I turned to the Aveeno Fresh Essentials Hydrating Night Cream, being the thickest cream in my vanity I knew it would work wonders – when applied it stung slightly, but also instantly rid my nose of flakes. My lips were healed with my favourite lip balm, the Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm, which also provided an intense minty scent that worked nearly as well as Vicks VapoRub at clearing my sinuses. And the Royal Apothic Hand Cream in Holland Park remained my go-to after washing my hands, which I did incessantly. There is absolutely nothing worse than feeling dry and chapped, so it has been essential to have these 'flu-saviors' within arms length all week.

I also found myself bored, which lead to frequent showers. But who can blame me? Nothing feels better than lingering in the shower, letting the hot steam open your airways. Which also gave me ample time to treat my hair with my Bumble and Bumble Créme de Coco Masque – a hair mask I can't seem to shut up about. I may have looked worse for wear but my hair was soft and full of shine. I also cured my boredom with a stellar hour of removing my shellac manicure (note the sarcasm), followed by a full at-home manicure featuring Shine For Me, a new shade released by OPI for their 50 Shades Of Grey Collection. This polish is so unexpectedly beautiful – a shimmering silver base with small blue and purple hex glitter. I may not have read the novel, however I'm sure if I had I'd be telling you that this polish makes me wet... Too far?

I wouldn't wish this illness on anyone, not even an enemy, but it seems to be spreading quickly so be prepared! 

What helps you get past the flu?

AM¥     XO