Cleaning Makeup Brushes

Cleaning your makeup brushes is probably one of the biggest beauty chores. It can be so boring and time consuming! A lot of people also don't really know how to clean them properly so I thought i'd write up a quick post on how I like to clean mine. 

1. Put on some music!... I know how boring washing your makeup brushes can be! So when I do it I often like to have music playing in the background or even a Youtube video playing on my iPad propped up near my sink. It makes the time go by much faster and makes washing your brushes less of a chore. 

2. Use shampoo and cleanser mixture... I definitely prefer using a mixture of shampoo and any cleanser when it comes to deep cleaning my brushes. I've tried the whole shampoo and olive oil thing but I found it just left my brushes greasy and took forever to dry. I find the shampoo mixed with the cleanser gives your brushes the deepest clean and if you're only doing this once every 2-3 weeks it shouldn't ruin your brushes. I like to take equal amounts of both into a little bowl and mix it together. 

3. Use circular motions and water... Wet your brush a little under running water facing downwards to avoid getting the water to the glue that holds the bristles. Then dip your brush into the mixture, and using circular motions- swirl the brush in your hand, running it under the water every now and then to remove the excess. Repeat the step again for the difficult brushes (foundation and concealer brushes are the worst!)

4. Do 2/3 eye brushes at a time... I like to do the smaller eye brushes in groups as they are small and quick and don't need the vigorous cleaning that the bigger brushes need. This also saves time!

5. Clean your BeautyBlender!... Any sponge you use on your face should be deep cleaned at least once a week whether its a beauty blender or the sponges that come with some powder foundations. Especially with the beauty blender, because it remains damp for quite a while it can harbour bacteria a lot quicker than most brushes. I like to clean mine with antibacterial soap and a cleanser. I squeeze the sponge under water and then massage the mixture into it, followed by squeezing it under warm running water again. I repeat this process until there are no more brown spots or marks on it (this can take a couple repeats). Ps. Beauty Blender review coming soon! Watch this space. 

6. Allow to dry overnight... Allowing your brushes to dry overnight ensures they are completely dry when you need to use them the next day! There's also nothing better than using a freshly cleaned brush on a Monday morning ;) I like to dry my brushes sitting on a towel with the bristles hanging off the edge of a table/window sill. 

Do you have any tips on how you clean your brushes? 

Desk Makeover: The Details

I recently decided to do up some things in my room, so I picked a weekend and James and I went out to Bunnings to pick up a few things (paint, primer, sandpaper, brushes etc) we actually made three trips for the brushes...top tip: primer ruins everything. 

We sanded, primed and painted my desk and chest of drawers. The top of the desk was originally a dark stained wood and the drawers were a orangey stained wood. I really didn't like either, i'd been dreaming of a white room for months now and I finally did it. The whole process took 2 days of sanding everything down, priming, drying, painting, drying, painting and drying again. At the end of it I couldn't wait to decorate my desk in the way I wanted it. Its still not 100% perfect but its getting there. I've got a fake plant in the corner (because who has the time to maintain a real one) and some magazines stacked up for inspiration. Other than that the layout is pretty minimal which is just the way I like it. Eventually I'd like to introduce a more interesting desk lamp but for now I love the way it looks and I can't wait to start working at it! 

SEOUL 2015 | Photos and Tips

Seoul is one of the coolest cities i've been to so far. It's also the first Asian city i've ever been to where i've thought "I could live here...". We left Sydney for Seoul at 7am and arrived in Seoul around 6pm. If you're thinking of travelling to Seoul then I've got a few tips- even though we were only there as a stopover (which we extended to 3 days) we made the most of it and really got to experience the city. 

Use the subway! The subway is the easiest and most efficient way to get around Seoul. Even though we barely spoke a word of Korean we still found it easier to navigate than Sydney's public transport system. Grab a subway map from the airport on your way out and pick up a T-Money card. Its a reloadable card that lets you travel on all public transport (you can even use it on cabs, although we only took one cab the whole trip). Not only is it reloadable, its also unloadable! (is that a word? eh.) So if you've reached the end of your trip and accidentally loaded more money than you thought you needed then you can pop your card into one of the machines and it'll give you back your money. Genius! 

Download this app... James was trying to find an offline map for Seoul in the app store since google maps requires internet and the streets of Seoul are extremely confusing! He stumbled across this app called Triposo which is basically a city guide (they have an app for every city) complete with offline maps of the city, sights to see and the station you need to get off at to get there (sooo helpful), options for food places, and a subway map! We actually used the New York version of the app in NYC as well and will probably use the app again for every city we travel to. 

Go to Gangnam..."Oppa Gangnam Style!" Yes Gangnam is actually a place in South Korea and a very cool place at that. Gangnam is sort of the "cool" area of South Korea- where all the young hip people go, and also where all the shops are! The main street is lined with high rise buildings and a Starbucks on every corner (actually...there's a Starbucks on every corner in Seoul period.) But the real magic happens when you step off the main street and walk down a side street. This is where you'll find the tiny streets with hundreds of flashing colourful signs. 

Korean BBQ... Korean BBQ is the best! And it's the best in Korea. We went to a place in the district of Mapo Gung. The menu was completely in Korean and none of the waiters there spoke a word of English yet somehow we managed to order some delicious food and drinks (The universal choice of drink: Coca-Cola). 

Visit the Palaces...We visited two palaces whilst in Seoul. Gyebokeung palace and Deoksugung palace. Luck was on our side as we decided to go on a Wednesday and it turns out that all palaces have free entry for 'cultural day' on the last Wednesday of every month as well as traditional performances. Gyebokeung palace was massive  and full of tourists but nonetheless incredible. You can see the famous Bhukansan mountain behind it (which we tried to climb....we soon learned we're not really outdoorsy people). Deoksugung was closer to where we were staying and was relatively smaller and quieter. There we watched a traditional performance with swords, dancers and music. 

Overall, despite being a short trip we loved Seoul and would highly recommend it! I also filmed parts of this trip so stay tuned for a vlog-style video coming soon :)

THE HORSE

Who doesn't love a classic leather watch with a pretty face? I am an avid watch-wearer and have been for many years. More recently however, watches have proved to be more than just a time telling device that sits on your wrist. They have also become serious fashion statements and currently sit in the jewellery or accessories category.

With the introduction of the Apple Watch I worry that beautiful, timeless, analogue watches will become a thing of the past. Yes a watch that can receive texts and calls and hold a calendar is super cool but theres something so beautiful and timeless about a classic watch.

I recently purchased this piece from The Horse. An Australian leather goods company run by Sydney couple Scott & Amy who started out in the shoe cobbler business. Originally making leather shoes they eventually delved into watches and have recently come out with other leather products. The face of the watch is a perfect statement size and the brushed gold goes perfectly with the gold jewellery I wear. It's reasonably priced and I wear it every single day! To the point where I have an awesome watch tan on my left wrist ;)

MUJI in Sydney

MUJI is a Japanese retail store that sells a bunch of different home/clothing/travel items. Its sort of like a Japanese version of Ikea I guess you could say. When I heard it was coming to Sydney I was extremely excited because MUJI products are raved about all over the blogging and youtube community and I couldn't wait to peruse all of the beautiful things!

I recently went in and picked out a couple of things including a black mesh cosmetic bag type thing which I like to use as my "emergency kit" in my handbag. I usually have it in some lip balm, hand cream, Panadol, Telfast (because my allergies are on a whole new level), Tissues, Feminine products (because you can never be too prepared) and a rollerball of perfume. It's the perfect size to hold everything and the fact that it's clear means its easy to find stuff and great for travelling!

I also picked up some of their "Cut Cotton" which is great to use with makeup remover, nail polish remover, touching up makeup etc etc etc. It comes with 80 pieces of cotton and costs about $2 if I remember correctly. Bargain! I also got some of their cotton tips which are conveniently packed in groups of 20 cotton buds, perfect for your handbag or to take travelling!

The last thing I picked up was this little squeezy tube that I will be using with me when I go away next week. They have so many different types and sizes of these- they're great for decanting your big products into.

I love everything i've bought so far! I've already got some things on my list to get when I go back. Have you tried anything from MUJI? 

Travel Tips

I am heading to Seoul and New York in less than 2 weeks (so. much. excitement.) and so I thought it would be fitting to share some of my travel-planning tips with you all

6 MONTHS PRIOR: Plan ahead! Start early with certain things like checking your passport validity. It can take a while to renew your passport so it is definitely not something to leave to the last minute. Book your airport transfers so there aren't any dramas or hassles when you're at the airport. The last thing you want after a long flight in a foreign country is to be stressed about getting to your hotel. Arrange travel insurance- something you definitely don't want to forget.

1 MONTH PRIOR: Buy any clothing/accessories/travel items you think you might need for the holiday. This also means you aren't spending so much money right before your trip and end up with no spending money (I've done this before)

1 WEEK PRIOR: Start packing. This might seem extreme, but I find slowly starting to pack in the week leading up to travel is the best way to ensure you don't forget things. As soon as you remember things you need to pack, just add it into your suitcase. Do any laundry that needs to be done.

1-2 DAYS PRIOR: Paint your nails, wash and blow dry your hair, get your eyebrows waxed/threaded/plucked, wash your brushes etc. All of your beauty chores basically.  Finalise your packing. Set aside clothing you are going to wear on the plane so you don't forget anything. Pack your carry on luggage. I like to take with me extra underwear and a couple of toiletry items with me on international flights. You don't want to end up with lost luggage and have no clean underwear or a toothbrush!

ON THE DAY: Add last minute items to your luggage; toothbrush, moisturiser etc. Lock your doors, lock your bags and off you go!

CASUAL SUNDAYS | SHOPPING

I've decided to start doing fashion posts on this blog. I must admit, i'm not the best at fashion. I love looking at fashion and researching different outfits, looks, celebrity outfits and other bloggers' fashion posts but when it comes to dressing myself in the mornings, I tend to get into a rut of wearing the same things over and over again. Im not very adventurous, each season I have about 5-7 items that I love and wear in rotation (despite having a wardrobe full of clothes). 

Im hoping that these kind of posts where i properly research outfits i'd like to wear will help me change that and also share my sense of style with you. 

This post is all about casual weekend style thats comfortable but still a little classy. Something i'd imagine myself wearing to a casual lunch but then also be able to wear out to an evening drinks or dinner. I absolutely love the denim + black heels look, its classy, edgy, and casual all in one. 

Essie Obsession

I used to be one of those girls who loved having their nails painted but never actually could do it themselves. So I used to pay twenty dollars at a salon every time i got my nails done. Which was quite a lot! But this year I have found Essie nail polish, and it's been a game changer. I haven't gotten my nails done in months! The formula is just incomparable to the other drugstore brands. Its creamy and super opaque. That black shade literally needed one coat to be completely opaque. The brush is probably what sold me on it though. Its a slightly wider flatter brush so it makes covering the entire nail extremely easy! And lastly, the colour range- ohh the colour range. I love looking at the Essie displays in my local Priceline. Its literally a rainbow and I love it. My favourite shades from the line are; Sand Tropez (the perfect nude), ChinChilly (the perfect taupe), Mint Candy Apple (the perfect minty blue), and liquorice (the perfect black).

Now lets talk about the real game changer here- the Fast Dry Top Coat. It really does what it says. Not only does it not chip for up to 5 days, it dries completely in under 5 minutes. (to the point where I can wash my hands and lather in hand cream. I know. Crazy stuff) The main reason I never used to enjoy painting my own nails was because of how long it took to dry- I am not the most patient of people so i'd always end up smudging it or denting it. This top coat however has completely changed that! I now paint my nails probably once or twice a week! 

My Dry Skin Saviour

With this intense change of weather my skin has been freaking out. More than my usual sensitive skin dramas! I've had dry skin patches, chapped lips and sore eyes. One thing that has actually helped my skin is this overnight mask by Origins. 

The way this works is you apply it at night before bed, almost like a moisturiser and leave it on overnight. Its a very thick creamy consistency that smells so delicious! When it's on you can feel the hydration and moisture sinking in immediately. At $34 it isn't the cheapest option, but I think it's worth it to invest in products that stay on your skin longer (moisturisers, serums, oils, toners etc). 

Have you tried any great hydrating masks? 

Aesop Skincare

Aesop is a brand I have only recently begun trying out. It is definitely one of the most luxurious skincare brands out there so I've never really been able to justify spending a hundred dollars on a face cream. Last Christmas however I was lucky enough to receive a gift of Aesop skincare pieces and I thought it might be a good idea to see whether it really is worth the hype and the money.
Lets talk packaging first, Aesop seriously get it right when it comes to not only packaging but the design of their stores to the bag that the products come in. Everything is well thought out and as a design student I definitely appreciate that. Theres something quite luxurious about holding a glass bottle. Practically- It's not ideal for travelling but its pretty and that's usually enough for me when it comes to packaging. *Insert heart eyed-emojis here*

The Fabulous Face cleanser is extremely gentle on the skin, it begins as a gel consistency but once mixed with water turns into a gentle foamy texture. Because of its gel consistency it's not the best at removing waterproof mascara, however it works beautifully as a second cleanser and doesn't irritate my dry sensitive skin like most foam cleansers do.

The toner is beautiful with vitamin B and Tea Tree, it is once again a gentle formula. Doesn't irritate my skin at all and leaves it feeling fresh and awake. I like using this in the mornings. A great alternative to this is the Lush Tea Tree toner water.

The Camellia Nut Facial Hydrating Cream (worlds longest name for a cream) is something I truthfully didn't love straight away. Since Christmas is in the middle of summer in Australia, I found this cream too heavy to wear during the day as it left my skin feeling quite greasy- which is not something you want before you apply makeup. Recently however, as it has gotten much cooler in Sydney and as my skin begins to require some extra TLC it has been the perfect match. Again, super gentle on the skin yet so incredibly hydrating and sinks into the skin effortlessly.

The hand sanitiser is probably the one I am not really blown away by. Don't get me wrong it totally works as a hand sanitiser and is compact and cute etc etc. But I just expected a non-alcohol formula for something nearly 3 times the price of regular hand sanitiser. It definitely smells a lot less like alcohol, and much more like the resurrection hand wash/cream that Aesop is renowned for, but sure enough in the ingredients list is alcohol- which just isn't that great for your skin!

Have you tried anything from Aesop? 

5 Things | The Instagram Edit

      @saraeshu

     @ohroanna

   @krystal.brooke

     @efflorescences

     @tullcarson

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It's been a while since I last wrote up a round up of my favourite instagrams, and recently I have been seriously obsessed with a few. You may notice there's a theme running through these images... I seem to be obsessed with white, clean instagram pages. I just think they look really simple, minimal and beautiful really! These are 5 accounts that I have truly been swooning over and constantly re-checking for new updates. Actually, recently I have clicked the option to be notified whenever they post (a new and fabulous instagram feature) so I never miss a new beautiful post! I also tried to include some accounts that didn't have thousands of followers because I think there are so many accounts out there that are beautiful and deserve way more attention than they get. Hope you enjoy scrolling through these beautiful accounts!

Choosing High End Foundations

When it comes to high end foundations, the price tag can seem quite ridiculous. $90 for a foundation?? Is it made of gold?! Most of the times though, these price tags are pretty justified. The formulas of higher end foundations can tend to be of higher quality and made with better-for-your-skin ingredients. That said however, I think its definitely important to do your research before splashing out!

I have recently been on the hunt for the perfect foundation and to do so I have begun a little collection of samples from different brands of various different foundations- all of which, I have read great reviews on. Obtaining said samples is actually pretty easy, most department store counters will happily colour match you and then give you a reasonable sized sample. These samples have about 2-3 uses depending on how heavy handed you are with your application. I think it's a great way of trying out an expensive foundation for free before you spend your hard earned money on it. Its important to make sure the formula is right for you. For me this means its long-lasting, doesn't look cakey, has a medium coverage and blends nicely.

So far I'm pretty impressed with the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation but I will keep you up to date with my findings in a future post!

Which are your favourite high end foundations? 

Rimmel Provocalips | Review

When it comes to a bold lip- I need it to be long lasting because I struggle to keep anything on my lips in general. I am also not someone who wears bold colours very often, in fact I could probably count on one hand the number of times I've ever ventured into the scary world of bold lips but recently, i've been trying to change that. Be a little bold with my bold lip per say!

So when I read the reviews of this Rimmel Provocalips I was instantly excited! Here's how it works; you apply the coloured side first, wait for it to dry and then apply the top coat which gives it shine and locks the colour into place. Imma get really real here- I didn't get to the second step of this lip recipe. The coloured formula itself is soooooooooooooo long lasting it's ridiculous. I used cleansing water, waterproof makeup remover, oil cleanser and olive oil to try to remove this bad boy and nothing worked. In the end I had to scrub my lips with Lush lip scrub till they were raw, red and painful. And that's without the top coat!

In my opinion, it's not worth the effort that it takes to take it off. Yes its super long lasting, but there are other long lasting formulas out there- without the hassle!