Sensational Sable

MAC Sable is one of my all time favourite eye shadows. I got this shade years ago and have repurchased it several times since then! MAC describes it as a Gold-Plum with bronze pearl (Velvet). It goes on super smooth, it's blendable and it can be paired with many different colours. This is a must have eyeshadow!

My favourite ways to wear this eye shadow:
♥ I love wearing it alone with just some black liner on my water line, upper lash line and some mascara. So effortless but polished.
♥ Sable on the lid and a bright colour underneath the eye (I love a flash of turquoise. MAC Steamy e/s looks great under the eye with Sable on the lid).
♥ Sable & Woodwinked (golds) combination. E.g.: Woodwinked on lid & Sable in the crease (or reversed) or also Sable on lid and Woodwinked on lower lash line(or reversed).
♥ Dazzlelight or Shroom (a highlight shade) on inner third of the eye, Sable on the middle and Antiqued/Bronze/Twinks in the outer third.
♥ All that Glitters (or any other shimmery base colour) on the lid and Sable in the crease
♥ Sable on the lid with a darker colour (black tied, carbon) in the outer corner & crease.
♥ A brighter colour on the lid (usually green, purple or pink) and sable smudged right under the eye

Today I created a very simple Sable EOTD:

♥ Eyes:
NYX Jumbo Pencil - French Fries (base)
MAC Sable (all over lid, lower lash line & blended into crease)
MAC Crochet (on orbital bone/outer crease, blended into sable)
MAC Grain (tear duct)

MAC Carbon (outer crease)
MAC Smolder (waterline)
MAC Liquid Eye Liner (top lash line)
Nutrimetics Curvy Lash XL Mascara



On the lips am wearing Lancôme Juicy Tube in Pamplemousse. I tastes of pink grapefruit, yum!
I love pink grapefruits but because am on the pill am not allowed grapefruit or it's juice, so this is a little indulgent way to enjoy the taste haha ;)

Also sharing a quick OOTD:

Wearing Country Road Black Skinny Jeans, Tan Boots, 

Bardot striped navy top & Country Road blazer.

Sharing Beauty Tips & Tricks from the experts!=

Here are some great little beauty tricks and tips from the leading makeup artists, hair stylists and dermatologists in the world right now!

♥ "Don't stop your make up at your neck; apply a soft wash of foundation to the area" Rae Morris, Makeup Director, L'Oreal Paris
♥ "Do your eye makeup first. To prevent under-eye smudges, use a big blush brush to put loose powder under your eyes. That way, you can sweep it (along with any stray eye shadow) away after you finish." Val Garland, Artistic Makeup Advisor, YSL

♥ "Squeeze your eyelash curler at the lash roots and then pump the curler as you move outward toward the ends." Dick Page, Creative Director, Shiseido Makeup

♥ "To properly curl your whole head, separate the hair into three horizontal layers: bottom, middle and top. Start with the bottom layer and make sure you pull all the hair forward over your shoulders to curl it." Sam McKnigh, Global Ambassador, Pantene

♥ "As you get older, avoid dark lipstick. As you age, your lips sag and are more lined and harsh lipstick draws attention to this. Try softer colours" Rae Morris, Makeup Director, L'Oreal Paris

♥ "When applying eyeliner, do your worst side first. That way it will be easier to match it on your "good" side. Val Garland, Artistic Makeup Advisor, YSL

♥ "If you have a cold, wear more blush than normal but try to steer away from a bronzer as this can go yellowy when you are washed out making the complexion muddy." Charlotte Tilbury,Ccelebrity Makeup Artist
♥ "Use the ring finger-the weakest- to pat concealer in place, that way, you won't tug or pull the skin unnecessarily." Laura Mercier

♥ "A dot of pale gold cream shadow at the inner corners makes the eye look wide open and beautiful in the light." Tom Pecheux, Creative Makeup Director, Estee Lauder

♥ "If you love bold red lips but feel it's a little OTT, apply the colour just in the centre of the lips, then spread it over the mouth with your finger so there are no hard edges." Pat McGrath, Global Creative Design Director, Procter and Gamble

♥ "Try a touch of eye cream on your lips at bedtime, it makes a great lip moisturiser" Bobbi Brown

♥ "Apply lip liner after lipstick. The method helps to define the lips, keeps lipstick from fading and doesn't leave you with that dated, over-lined look. It also acts as a guard against lipstick "bleed" and blends with your lip colour more naturally than if it were applied first." Bobbi Brown
♥ "Tired skin won't absorb makeup. Spritz with facial spray before applying creams and powder. Gucci Westman, Global Artistic Director, Revlon

♥ "Dad concealer on the outer corners of the mouth to give a lifting effect so you can look like you're slightly smiling all the time." Napoleon Perdis

♥ "Remove any dead flakes of skin on the lips by using a cotton swab dipped in Visine (eye drops)." Brigitte Reiss-Anderson, Celebrity Makeup Artist

♥ "Apply up to three mascara formula's on lashes and you won't need falsies. Start by defining them, then add either the volume or the length or the curl." Bruce Grayson, Olay spokesperson & Celebrity Makeup Artist.

♥ "Dab a damp cotton pad around the hairline and roots to eliminate any excess oil. If you wish, mist the pad with a light oil free fragrance or squeeze a few drops from a fresh lemon to give the hair that fresh smell." David Babaii, Celebrity Hair Stylist.

And to finish off a sweet little tip from me:

♥ Never respond to a compliment with anything deflecting or self-deprecating. It rips away all the joy and goodwill of the person giving you the compliment. Instead, smile and say, "Thank you so much!"

Happy Hump Day %

I really like this quote as it reflects my current state of mind.

Why? Well, I have recently made quite a BIG decision that leaves my future a little in the  unknown. Without sharing my full on life story (that could take a while to type up) this is  pretty much the basics:

I was born in The Hague, The Netherlands in 1984 and was raised there by my (100% Dutch) parents. After I finished high school I wasn't quite ready to go to University yet and I loved the language English so I decided to take a gap year. I moved to NZ at 17 for this one year, attended an all girls school and lived with my mum's cousins family in Auckland.  It was a great experience and I fell in love with the down under lifestyle..... & fell in love with a boy, sigh!
Isn't this so the classic story :p

So anyways, after my year was up I had to go back home as had already enrolled in University back in Holland and this had always my 'life plan'. But because of the guy I had met in NZ I was a little "confused". I went back home and we continued a long distance relationship and he visited me in Europe after about 6 months. We decided I would quit university and move back to NZ to give our relationship a proper go & would see what would happen from there. I ended up being with this guy for almost 7 years and stayed in NZ all that time. We split up about just over 1 year ago, which was quite a difficult time for me. I was never really planning on going back to Europe when we broke up, I felt that NZ was like my home and this was where my life and friends now were. I did need a change of city so I moved from Auckland to Wellington and have been here for a year now.

Over Christmas my parents came to visit me (they do every 3-4 years or so) and ever since that visit my mind has been a little uncertain about what do I want & where do I want to live?!


Soo...after a lot (and I mean A LOT haha) of thinking I recently have made the BIG decision to quit my job in Wellington and go back to Europe for about 3 months. I want to spend some quality time back home with my family and see what life is like as an adult in Europe. The "plan" at this stage is to go back for 3 months (July/Aug & September - summer in Europe WOOP WOOP) and then most likely to move to Sydney, Australia after that

However, for the first time in my life I am not going to set things in concrete (I am quite the planner and organiser if you must know) and just see where life takes me. I have said to myself, Roz keep your options open. If you love it back in Europe just consider it, you only live once and I feel I once and for all need to decide where I want to live..

I need a time out, I have worked non-stop since was 18 and have got a good job now but I need time to just "be" for a bit and think about the things I want.

One of the things that's on my "to do list" over this period for example is attending a professional make up course in London for a week! Just to see if makeup is something I want to pursue further & because I have such an "obsession" with makeup (duh).

Anyway, this was probably quite a long story and may not have interested you but felt it was quite a big decision and wanted to share it with you all.I will be leaving NZ at the end of June and time is flying by! (sooo much to organise) But I am excited (and a little scared) for what the future could bring me!

Who knows right? The world is my oyster :)

HAPPY HUMP DAY! xoxo

Gold & Brown Tutorial

Hey girlies,

I have done it, another tutorial! 
This time a Gold/Brown Eye look using MAC eyeshadows.

Please see the list of products I used below & watch the video if you want see how I created this look.  Every time I see myself on camera I still cringe (from embarrassment).....but anyways at least I hope you all enjoy it :)

Why does YouTube always choose the most random shot for your "thumbnail picture"? Really charming....not! :p
List of products used:
♥Face:

MAC Studio Fix Fluid & Powder in NC20

Revlon Concealer

MAC Bronzer - Refined Golden

NARS Orgasm Blush

♥Eyes:

MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque (base)

MAC Woodwinked e/s (all over lid)

MAC Mulch (crease)

MAC Carbon (outer crease)

MAC Dazzelight (brow highlight & tearduct)

CoastalScents Gel Liner - True Black

MAC Smolder (waterline)

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara

♥Lips:

NYX Round Lipgloss in Whipped

NOTD - For Audrey >

I finally tried out my new China Glaze Nail Polish in 'For Audrey'. As a true Tiffany & Co lover, this colour and I were just meant to be. I really like it - nice and bright and something different! It must stand out because I have definitely received comments from people on this this nail polish (positive and 'negative'). 

It just means 'For Audrey' may not be right for everyone...but it's right for me :)

I will end this post with some famous quotes from one of the most classic movies of all time. You guessed it - Breakfast at Tiffany's ♥

        

        Holly: You know those days when you get the mean reds?

        Paul: The mean reds, you mean like the blues?

Holly: No. The blues are because you're getting fat and maybe it's been raining too long, you're just sad that's all. The mean reds are horrible. Suddenly you're afraid and you don't know what you're afraid of. Do you ever get that feeling?

Paul: Sure.

Holly: Well, when I get it the only thing that does any good is to jump in a cab and go to Tiffany's. Calms me down right away. The quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there. If I could find a real-life place that'd make me feel like Tiffany's, then - then I'd buy some furniture and give the cat a name!

Holly: I don't want to own anything until I know I've found the place where me and things belong together.  I'm not quite sure where that is just yet.  But I know what it's like.... It's like Tiffany's.... Not that I give a hoot about jewelry.  Diamonds, yes.  But it's tacky to wear diamonds before you're forty..

Holly: No longer will I play the field.  The field stinks, both economically and socially, and I'm giving it up

Holly: You could always tell what kind of a person a man thinks you are by the earrings he gives you. I must say, the mind reels

Holly: I'll tell you one thing, Fred, darling... I'd marry you for your money in a minute. Would you marry me for my money?

Paul: In a minute.

Holly: I guess it's pretty lucky neither of us is rich, huh?
Paul: Yeah.

Paul: You know what's wrong with you, Miss Whoever-You-Are?  You're chicken, you've got no guts.  You're afraid to stick out your chin and say, "Okay, life's a fact, people do fall in love, people do belong to each other, because that's the only chance anybody's got for real happiness."  You call yourself a free spirit, a wild thing, and you're terrified somebody's going to stick you in a cage.  Well, baby, you're already in that cage.  You built it yourself.  And it's not bounded in the west by Tulip, Texas, or in the east by Somaliland.  It's wherever you go.  Because no matter where you run, you just end up running into yourself.

The end ♥

Jest & Shale EOTD

YAY it is Friday! Today I am wearing one of my Sydney purchases that I just adore; the Rodeo Show silk dress.
Love the mix of colours (pink, purple, grey, black, blues and greens). So  many make up options can go with this outfit, but I decided on a pink/purple look today using Jest & Shale from MAC.

♥ Eyes:

UDPP (base)
NYX Jumbo pencil - milk (inner corner of eye - base)

MAC Jest e/s (inner corner to mid of eyelid)

MAC Shale e/s (mid of eyelid, crease and outer V)
MAC Carbon (little bit in outer crease to darken)

MAC Brule (brow highlight)

MAC Smolder (waterline)
CS Gel Liner, true black (upper lash line)

MAC Zoom Lash Mascara

♥ Lips:

MAC Plink! Lipstick
NYX Round lip gloss in Sorbet

Are you PhotoReady?

Ever since Revlon PhotoReady Foundation came out several month's ago it hit the beauty blogosphere like crazy!  The foundation took a little bit longer to be launched here in little old NZ so am only finally catching up on the craze that has been surrounding this new foundation. I admit that I am normally a bit of a bore with my foundation. I found my holy grail foundation in MAC's Studio Fix and haven't really switched it up for years. 

I was always of the philosophy, if it works...why change it? However after reading SO many positive reviews on blogs & the idea of a perfect drug store foundation kind of  excited me...so I gave into the hype and headed for the Revlon counter! One of the assistants there colour matched me and suggested the 008 shade in golden beige.

It seemed a lot darker in the bottle than my (beloved) NC20 from MAC 

but it somehow still seemed to blend in well with my skin colour.

What does Revlon promise?

"Poreless, airbrushed skin in any light. 
Photochromatic pigments that bend and reflect light to erase every flaw. Complete, yet undetectable coverage. Soft luminous finish. 

Oil free, fragrance free and SPF 20."

So what do I think?

In terms of coverage and finish, Revlon's PhotoReady Foundation gives a medium coverage that is buildable. Personally don't think it will hide all your flaws but it will give you a nice medium coverage.  

The foundation comes with a great pump for practical and easy application. It  blends easily with fingertips or a stippling brush, which is my preferred way of applying liquid foundation for the most precise & smooth application.  

It gives a luminous, dewy finish but there is quite a bit of shimmer to the formula, which in the beginning made me a little anxious about looking too shimmery or "edward cullen like" as I already tend to wear quite a bit of shimmer on a daily basis from eyeshadows, blushes and highlighters. The shimmer in this foundation is supposed to make you look perfect in photo's but personally feel it doesn't make me that much more 'photo ready' than with my normal foundation...

Longevity? This was a real disappointment for me. What I love so much about my Studio Fix is that it lasts all day. Revlon PhotoReady however starts looking "blotchy" after a couple of hours on my skin with the need for me to re-apply or touch up more regularly with powder.

Overall? Hmmm am still a little undecided. I like how it feels light on my skin whilst still providing good medium coverage. I have gotten used to the shimmer and quite like it sometimes for a more luminous look. Plus it sells at a good price (about $25 cheaper than my MAC Studio Fix) for a quality product!

Final decision: I suppose I would say I really like it but I don't LURVE it. My HG will remain MAC Studio Fix. Would I re-purchase? Oh gosh, maybe! Indecisive much? haha :)

What are your thoughts on PhotoReady, would love to hear!

Happy Hump Day %

Sharing my > for Tim Walker

Hi lovelies

Wanted to share some beautiful pictures with you today by famous photographer Tim Walker. I discovered some of his work on the internet a about half a year ago and just fell in LOVE them!

Some information on Tim Walker:

Tim Walker is a photgrapher based in London (born in 1970).  Tim’s interest in photgraphy began at condé nast library in london while working on the  cecil beaton archive.  When he graduated from the Exeter college of art in 1994,  he became richard avedon's full-time assistant in new york. When returning back to england,  he began concentrating on portrait and documentary work for UK newspapers, before committing himself to fashion photography. At the age of 25, he shot his first fashion story for vogue and has photographed for the British, Italian and American editions ever since. In the spring of 2008 his first major show was held at the Design Museum in London, which coincided with the publication of his first book "Pictures".

The Victoria & Albert Museum and the National Portrait Gallery in London include the photographs of Tim Walker in their permanent collections.

"Walker's images evoke a sublime moment in time, evoking a sense of epic drama and beauty. The sets in which his pictures are captured are lavish locations which are juxtaposed against the everyday, mixed with the slightly absurd and outrageous. His photographs tell a narrative which is derived from an imagination which most of us have left behind in our childhood.  He presents to his viewer a glimpse into his own imagination, his work reminding us of our capacity to dream the unthinkable. Though his images are whimsical, they are real as they have been meticulously executed and have not been modified by computer."

Above: This is my favourite photograph! ♥ 

I really want this as a poster , frame it and hang it on my wall

His photo's are so full of imagination and dreams, incredible! 

I really want to buy his book "Pictures" & have it on my coffee table in my, one day, fabulous house :)

PS: I have recently added the feature "subscribe to my blog via email". So if you are interested in that, please check it out in the side bar! Thank you.

Sydney Purchases - No. 2

Sorry sorry for the lateness of this post! It took me a little while to photograph the clothes & am still not really happy the way the photos turned but oh well......anyways so here are some more of my Sydney shopping purchases :)

Rodeo Show

100% Silk Print Dress

 I think it looks a bit fuddy duddy in this pic but it's real cute :)

Bardot 

Dark Navy Striped Top

with cute gold button details on shoulders

Living Doll

Woolen Leopard Print Cardi

Super soft and comfy!

Review

Sheer black shirt with drawstrings around hips.

Looks real weird in photo :( but it's quite a classic blouse with mainly sheer black silky fabric with some satin detailing.

Wittner

"Shelby" Design Leather Tan Shoes - Size 37

Like the solid (not too high) heel :)

Levi's

Cut off denim shorts - 501 Original

Lollipop

White silky dress with pretty cream lace details

This  dress was given to me by my dear friend Emma because I loved it & it was something in her closet she said she never really wore!  

MWAH thanks again darling ♥

There are a couple more items, but I haven't had chance to photograph them yet so will post it later (promise)! Have a great day everyone :)

Happy 101 Award

A BIG thank you to STEPH of Not just another blonde in Beijing  for nominating me for the Happy 101 Award!

To accept the award, I am to list ten things that make me happy, then pass the award to five other bloggers.

Our society so often focuses on the negative rather than positive, on what's wrong rather than what's right, on unhappiness rather than happiness. So I'm delighted to talk about things that make me happy and hope you take a few minutes to think about what makes you happy as well :)

Ten things that make me happy (in no particular order haha):

1.       Waking up (without my friendly alarm clock) to a gorgeous sunny day!

2.       Shopping

3.       Spending time with my friends

4.       Porridge for breakfast (with melted banana, cinnamon & sultana's!) Yummm!

5.       Make up! (duh)

6.       Sitting by a fireplace/candles with hot chocolate, cup of tea or glass of wine

7.       Getting parcels or an unexpected surprise!

8.      Travelling

9.       Cuddles & Hugs (and kisses)

10.    Blogging, interacting with followers and reading & commenting on other blogs gives me great enjoyment!

I'm passing the award on to five of the many blogs that I'm always happy to read:
♥ Carly of Glitterdollz7
♥ Faye of Love Chile Style 

♥ MICHELLE of Beauty & the Blog 

♥ EMILY of Emily Loves

♥ SARAH of I Heart Cosmetics

What are some things that make YOU happy?