Nude Cork Wedges

These have such a modest but perfectly sized wedge, so they can be worn out to uni or dinner. The nude colour goes great with denimn and colourful maxi dresses. Definitely a must for the current season! What do you think?

Crossover Strap Black Wedges - Rubi Shoes

As soon as I brought home these shoes, they became a wardrobe staple for me. Because of the straps and the zip, they are so simple to walk in for long periods of time. I adore them! They do so well with dresses, and work wonders when I wear leggings, considering I'm only 5'1. They really do elongate the leg. I've worn them out so much already, and I've only had them about a month. Need to write myself a reminder to start looking out for a second pair, assuming these will only last another couple months with the amount of use I'm going to give them. Thoughts on these shoes? I'd love to hear them!!

Black Gladiator Flats!

I adore the gladiator trend, even though it is somewhat outdated! But these are always a lot of fun to wear when it's warm outside! I love having cute shoes to wear to uni, while everybody else is wearing thongs/flip flops.

Scandaleyes Mascara - Rimmel London - Volume Flash - Review !

This mascara is pretty great. It's definitely not my favourite, but it does give fairly good length. Do any of you own this mascara?

Tell Me About Yourself Award

Olive And An Arrow nominated me for this award! She's such a gorgeous girl and has an incredible blog!

The rules of accepting the award are:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you.

2. Write 7 random things about yourself.

3. Spread the love to more bloggers!

1. I change the colour of my nails at least every second day
2. I have completed nearly half of my New Years Resolutions for 2012!
3. I study Psychology at University, and also do an Exercise Science class
4. I have been blogging for about 5-6 years now
5. I live in a country town where we get kangaroos on the side of the road a lot!
6. I really, really want a ferret
7. I am starting a placement with a Speech Pathologist tomorrow!

If you have read this post, feel free to take the award! I nominate you all! Seriously! I'd love to hear 7 facts about you and see who you think deserves the award.

Lots of love!

First Attempt At False Eyelashes

Okay. I admit it. I spent about 20 minutes getting these eyelashes on. But I fell in love hardcore afterwards. I even went down the street and purchased two more pairs. I can tell already that they will be an absolute MUST for nights out!

Liebster Award

This award is courtesy of Dreamy Sapna! I'm such a fan of this gorgeous girl who recently did a guest post for me!

If you would like to participate:

1. Link the person who gave you the award in your post.

2. Put the award in your post.

3. Choose 5 blogs with under 200 followers to receive the award.

4. Let them know you awarded them.

I nominate:

1. Emma Kershaw at Beauty By Emma

2. Francesca at Ma Chic Vie

3. Dannah Enopre at Fashion Is The Sweetest Form Of Art

4. Felicia at The Reflets Etincelants

5. Giovanna at Olive And An Arrow

These blogs were easy choices! There are so many amazing blogs out there. I am seriously considering doing some feature posts to share their talents.

Tagged Post!

I've been tagged by Emma to do this get to know me post so here goes!

The Rules
1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves on their blog.
2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you plus eleven questions for the people you have tagged to answer
3. Choose eleven people and link them in your tag
4. Go to their page and tell them
5. No tag backs
6. You legitimately have to tag

11 facts about me
1. I live in Victoria, Australia and truly believe there is no other place I would rather be

2. I study Psychology at uni, and plan on pursuing Speech Pathology next year

3. I own two pugs

4. I manicure and paint my nails almost every single day

5. I own a ridiculous number of nail polish colours, and an outrageous amount of books

6. I love to buy things off eBay

7. I have a babysitting business going. :P I generally babysit around twice each week, and I adore it.

8. I drive a dark blue Holden Commordore

9. I own another blog, with over 650 followers

10. I have a strange facination in school shooters. From a psychological point of view, of course! :P

11. I love organisation and storage

Emma's questions were:
 1.  What beauty product can you not live without?
Under eye concealer! LOVE it!

2.  Have you ever seen a ghost?
I have not. I'm not really into that sort of stuff, but I think it's a cool thing!

3.  What is your favourite film?
I'm not quite sure! Maybe 2.36?

4.  What car do you drive?
A Holden Commodore

5.  Do you have any siblings?
Two younger brothers, 16 and 18

6.  What is your dream job?
Speech Pathologist!

7.  What type of music do you like?
Top 40. I know it's not "cool" as such, but I do enjoy it.

8.  Are you a cat person or a dog person?
Definitely a dog person.  

9.  What skin type do you have? e.g. oily, dry etc
Neither. I'm actually super lucky, somehow.  

10. What is your favourite perfume?
At the moment, Ralph Lauren "Ralph", but it's always changing.

11. How long have you been a blogger?
At least 5 years or so. :) I do enjoy it.

My 11 questions are:
1. What is your favourite place to shop, either in real life or on the net?

2. Do you like to read books?

3. Do you wear makeup every day?

4. Do you like to shop online?

5. Do you study?

6. What is your favourite dessert?

7. Would you consider yourself lucky?

8. Do you have a secret talent?

9. Can you play an instrument or sing?

10. How many pairs of shoes do you own?

11. Do you prefer Summer or Winter?

The blogs I've chosen
1.  Boho Vanity
2.  Kelsey Loves Cosmetics
3.  Le Material Girl
4.  Life Through A Number Of Lenses
5.  Melody Louise
6.  Obsession Du Jour
7.  Rollolollo
8.  Shining Alanys
9.  Sister Couture
10. Style Delights
11. The Reflects Etincelants

Guest Post - Sapna - Products That I Regret Buying!

Hey guys. I have a very special blog post for you today written by up-and-coming beauty blogger Sapna from I Heart Dreamy. She has a gorgeous style of writing that totally suits the beauty blogging world. I hope you enjoy this post!

Products That I Regret Buying

Hey people. Thank you firstly for reading this post. It really means a lot. Hopefully you guys will enjoy it and check out my blog later! Today I will be telling you about several products that I actually regret buying in the first place. Read and learn, girls!

2true Smooth Matte Foundation
This foundation does not do what it says on the packaging. Firstly, if you get oily on your t-zone then this is definitely not for you. 'Oil free' is what it says on the product packaging but trust me, it is not oil free. The first time I applied this foundation, it made my face more oily. Secondly, it doesn't blend properly on the skin. It might just be me, but this foundation also tends to give me the feeling where you feel as if its burning and irritating the skin a lot. I definitely wouldn't recommend this foundation!

NYC lipstick
The lipstick I have is the shade 404 Air Kiss. To be honest, this product sucks. It doesn't have any consistency, doesn't last longer than a regular lipstick, and is not pigmented. The colour also tends to fade away quickly, so it's a big 'NO' for this product.

2true Eyeliner Dazzler
This is another 2true product that I am quite disappointed with. It is a glitter liquid eyeliner. Firstly, it has no consistency and it is hard to actually apply. I love the glitter and the shade but the product simply doesn't work well. Secondly, there is not enough product inside, and it comes with a terrible brush. I wouldn't buy this product ever again!

Chocomania Soap
I bought this product when it was first launched. I hate to admit that I didn't really like this product at all. Firstly, it doesn't produce much lather as other soaps. I had to keep on rubbing it to finally produce some lather to wash my hands properly. Secondly, the smell doesn't last long at all. I'd rather use my Dove soap as the smell lasts a lot longer than this soap. This last one is kind of my own thing: there are small grains in the soap for exfoliating, but it kind of irritates me a lot. I can't work out exactly why, but I know that it's not worth using!

ColorTrend Total Curl

This mascara is something I wouldn't use even if it was given to me for free! Trust me! Firstly, it doesn't give any volume or length to your eyelashes at all. The product is kind of watery inside which is something I don't like. I got this product from Avon. It would be much better spending money on a high quality mascara instead!

Hope this was bit of a help to you guys! Have fun and take care! x

Sapna 

How To Use Dry Shampoo!

Dry shampoo is the best thing since sliced bread. I remember the days when the only option was baby powder, and I'd be covering myself and my floor in a white dust whilst rushing to get ready! Gone are the messy mornings, where your hair would turn three shades lighter and look awful. Thank you to the inventors of dry shampoo.

As wonderful as dry shampoo is, it can't just be sprayed onto your hair. Doing so gives a similar result to baby powder! The process is simple and fast, and knowing what you're doing will reap rewards!

Note: while general shampoo removes the hair's natural oils and the dirt, dry shampoo absorbs it.

Step 1: Brush through your hair, ensuring there are no tangles.

Step 2: Spray the dry shampoo into your hair, focusing on the roots. Hold it about 8in/30cm from your head.

Step 3: Work it in using your finger tips, doing your best to absorb the oils/dirt. This is the most important part, so make sure you rub it in until you're happy with the texture.

Step 4: Brush out the dry shampoo! It's not meant to stay in your hair.

Step 3: Style!

The best part of dry shampoo is that as well as giving you an extra day or two without washing, it also gives a wonderful body to your hair. For this reason, you can even spray some on after straightening your hair to puff it up a bit!

Lastly, dry shampoo does lighten your hair. For you blonde girls, this can be great when you want to brighten your style up a bit. It is important for you dark brunette and black haired girls that you use a dry shampoo specifically for dark hair. Batiste have a great range, with various colours and fragrances. Definitely check them out if it's your first time!

So, what's your opinion on dry shampoo? Do you use it? If so, what brand do you use?

Batiste Dry Shampoo, Blush

Dry shampoo has been around for a while, but it's only been in the past 12 months that the beauty magazines and blogs have started writing about it. This is the second type of dry shampoo I've tried, the first being Klorane. The Batiste dry shampoo was quite cheap, compared to the Klorane, so I knew that I couldn't expect the wonderous results that Klorane gives. I found it was a little bit heavier, and therefore didn't give as nice results as the Klorane does. However, the "Blush" fragrance was quite lovely!

It is important to know how to use dry shampoo. There IS an art to it; you can't just spray it on and go. I will do a post on applying dry shampoo very soon! Stay tuned!

Denimn Bow Wedges - Rubi Shoes

I fell in love with these wedges as soon as I saw them. The little 'bow' on the front is gorgeous, especially as it sits over the peep toe. The wedges and platform give a lovely height and shape, and don't cause too much strain on the foot. I definitely wouldn't wear these for long walks, considering the strap is elastic, and falls down with too much walking. It would drive me mad. As a shoe for going out for a Summer dinner in, they're lovely. Thoughts on these shoes? I'd love to hear them.

I am back!

After that short hiatus I am back! I got everything under control, and have a number of queued posts lined up and ready to go over the next couple weeks! Stay tuned for shoes, makeup, hair, and fashion!

How to Care for Blonde Hair

The majority of people are born with a hair colour that complements their skin tone and eye colour. Your natural locks will generally suit you more than any other colour you could put through your hair. If you were blessed with blonde hair, read on to find out how to work your natural blonde hair colour to its best.

For a homemade hair moisturiser, mix a quarter cup of coconut oil with a few drops of essential oils. Comb the mixture in, cover your head in cling wrap, and leave it in over night. It works wonders for blonde hair, so you will wake up with shining locks.

Choose a brow pencil that is around two shades darker than your hair colour. This is usually the perfect contrast to make your eyes pop.

Blonde hair can sometimes end up looking quite thin, so you could consider putting in some clip-in extensions to give an illusion of thickness.

Oily hair is a big complaint of blondes, so using dry shampoo or baby powder in your hair can make a huge difference. Just brush it in and your hair will feel as if it’s just been washed.

Spending a lot of time in chlorine and the water can really fade your hair colour from the shine that it gets from the sun. Using a blonde toner once a week can fix this right up.

How to Care for Red Hair

The majority of people are born with a hair colour that complements their skin tone and eye colour. Your natural locks will generally suit you more than any other colour you could put through your hair. If you were blessed with blonde hair, read on to find out how to work your natural red hair colour to its best.

Make your hair look amazing by weaving through ribbons, flowers or scarves. This style is everywhere at the moment, and for good reason. It looks beautiful of naturally red hair.

Wearing gold jewellery can enhance the vibrancy of your hair, so go find some golden bracelets, necklaces and rings!

Red hair sometimes has a problem with an ability to create split ends very easy. Using a leave-in cream can help them stay stronger for longer, and let you look amazing.

To really intensify your colour, you can wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo, followed by a treatment of tomato juice. Sounds kinda gross, but after leaving it covered in plastic for 15 minutes, you’ll be going back for more!

Red hair tends to require a heat protectant moreso than other colours, so consider purchasing one if you frequently use your hairdryer or straghtener.

VS Sassoon Studio Tools Expert Turbo Dryer - IONIC TECHNOLOGY

I love this hairdryer! I spent years using a huge, heavy, ancient one that didn't have a diffuser. It was awful. I bought this one for Christmas from the money a family member gave me, and I'm so glad that I did.

As any beauty-obsessed person would know, a diffuser is totally important for reducing damage to your hair while blow drying. It really does work, and if you have curly hair like myself, it helps to keep the curls.

Ionic Technology is a new feature in the best hair dryers. It helps reduce static by emitting negative ions (think back to high school Biology class).

Ceramic Tourmaline Technology is even more important. It works to dry the underside of your hair first, helping to keep the topside from getting even more burnt. In this way, you don't have to dry your hair with your head thrown over. It's amazing, and it really does work.

Here are the important details of the Expert Turbo Dryer: 

• 3 heat and 2 speed settings for more control
• Ionic conditioning technology and tourmaline-ceramic technology for silky, shiny hair with reduced frizz
• Slim 13mm concentrator nozzle for controlled airflow, best for drying hair before straightening
• Diffuser for drying naturally curly hair
• Turbo and cool shot button for customisation

My favourite parts of the Expert Turbo Dryer:

• Ionic technology for better drying
• Diffuser to keep my hair curly
• Cool shot button, important for setting style
• The hanging loop, so I can hang it up on the shelf

How To Get Clear Skin – For Real

For so many girls, skin problems can easily damage their self-esteem. Waking up with breakouts is incredibly annoying, and they always seem to come when a big day is close (note: stress). Getting a clean complexion takes dedication. Cleansing twice a day for 5 days and then expecting to have clear skin is completely unrealistic; you need to give it time. It’s a matter of motivation, not ability. Here are my steps for achieving clear skin.

1.       You must remove your makeup

Before you go to bed, you should always use either an oil-based cleanser, a makeup remover, or wipes to move heavy foundation, eye makeup and sunscreen that can block pores. Spending eight hours in bed with your makeup on, smudging over your face, is both unattractive and very unhealthy for your skin.

2.       You should gently cleanse your skin daily

Cleanser should be applied at least once a day with clean hands. The best thing to do is spend around a minute massaging it into your skin using your fingers or a facial brush. It might be useful to perform the cleansing process twice to ensure that all dirt is being removed, particularly if you’ve worn a lot of makeup, or your skin is feeling rough.

3.       You need to wash your face thoroughly

Removing all cleanser is important, so you should splash water on your face or use a warm washcloth to remove all traces of it. Skipping this step risks blockages and congestion caused by the product that you’re using to stop that from happening!

4.       You should exfoliate regularly

To avoid dehydration and help with fighting blockages, you should exfoliate two to three times a week. Of course this also removes dead skin cells, resulting in much smoother skin.

For most of the time, my skin is generally clear. The few breakouts that I get usually appear when I’m stressed or rundown, but they tend to clear up quite fast. Before I started a proper skin care routine I had permanent blackheads which have disappeared. Personally, this is what I do:

1.       I don’t sleep with my makeup on. I almost always use at least a wipe before bed to clear up my skin, unless I’ve had a shower and cleansed.

2.       I find cleansing over a sink impossible. Water gets everywhere, including all over the mirror and in my hair. This used to be my excuse for not bothering, but here is my solution. I leave my cleanser in my shower, and cleanse while I’m bathing. It makes things so much more simple.

3.       Generally, most people shower daily. Every time I shower, after I cleanse, I let water run over my face to ensure that all the cleanser is removed. This ensures no chance of blocked pores due to the cleanser.

4.       About twice a week, I exfoliate after cleansing (while in the shower). Personally I like to use a scrub glove and exfoliate my décolletage and back as well. I really find that this smooths my skin so much. Usually twice a month I exfoliate my legs and arms as well. I’m a big fan of smooth skin after exfoliating!

Gladiator Flats - Mustique in Sage by Therapy Shoes

I'm so glad I bought these shoes. I've been a fan of gladiator shoes since they first took the fashion world by storm, and I'm glad they're still around. I can wear them with a simple singlet and jean combo, or a hippie ouifit with a maxi skirt. The small wedge adds that perfect bit of height that looks natural and is comfortable to wear. Also, the long zip at the back does well at keeping the shoe on properly and close to the foot at all times, as well as being much easier to put on and take off than the buckle shoes I own.

Mustique is a mid wedge sandal featuring chain and stud detailing on the upper. In an imitation leather upper, it will add some edge to your look, whilst being comfortable.
Material: PU/Metal Trim
  Sole: Synthetic       

I bought them for AU$50. There's a black version, but these definitely look better for this Summer, particularly with the maxi dresses I so love at the moment. Thoughts on these shoes? I'd love to hear them.

The Biggest Skin Myths

I did some research for those of you worrying about what you're doing to your skin!

Myth: If I don’t wear makeup, I don’t need to wash my face at night

Fact: Whether you wear makeup or not, your skin naturally collects dirt and oil during the day. Cleansing removes these things that can clog your pores, which is what causes pimples and blackheads. For those of you who do wear makeup, it is best to use a wipe first and then cleanse.

Try the Clean and Clear Deep Action Cream Cleanser for Sensitive Skin

Myth: Wipes work just as well as cleansers

Fact: Wipes work to shift any makeup you put on, while cleansers go deeper into the skin to remove any nasties from your pores. It's best to use these as a general clean up at the end of the day, or to freshen up in the morning, but don't substitute them for your cleanser and other skin care routine activities.
Hint - wipes are perfect to bring with you on sleepovers or when you go away camping!

Consider Nivea's Daily Essentials 2 in 1 Wash & Scrub


Myth: If I have oily skin, I don’t need to moisturise

Fact: Using treatments filled with products designed to dry out you pimples can end up drying out your skin. Ironically, this drying process can cause your skin to produce even more oil, and therefore more pimples. You should consider using a light, oil-free moisturiser daily before applying your makeup.

Try Clearasil's Ultra Pimples + Marks Lotion

Myth: If my moisturiser or foundation has SPF, I don’t need to worry about sunscreen

Fact: Most moisturisers or foundations that include SPF don’t have them in high-enough concentrates to block out all of the suns UV rays. Applying a good sunscreen before your put on your makeup is very effective, and doesn’t add that much time to your morning routine. Personally, when the sun is very strong, I like to mix some tinted moisturiser with some sunscreen and put that on. It provides good skin protection and feels more like moisturiser than sunscreen.

Try this already tinted sunscreen: SunSense Daily Face SPF 30+ 

Myth: If I have oily skin, I should wash it as often as possible

Fact: Over washing oily skin can cause the skin to produce even more oil as it’s tricked into thinking it’s dry. This, of course, leads to more breakouts. Your skin should only be cleansed at most twice a day. If your skin is feeling shiny during the day, it is best to use blotting papers.

Check out: Gentle Complexion Correction Pads


Myth: If I use a tissue, it’s okay to pop my pimples

Fact: It is never good to pop a pimple. Ever. Especially using your fingernails. Even a tissue is not sterile, and still leads to scarring. It’s not worth it! It is best to use a good spot treatment directly to your face – no fingers involved!

I love this one: Avon Clearskin Blemish Clearing Spot Treatment