My Beauty-Full Life

Lip and Nail Candy

2011-09-19T13:44:00.000-07:00

I haven't tried these little beauty treats yet, but I'm somewhat of a magpie and they are winking gaudily in my direction.

I'm not entirely sure how New Zealand will react to me busting out stripy lip glitter and leopard print nails down at the Viaduct, but i'm damn well going to find out.

Nail Wraps and Temporary Lip Tattoos - you are top of the lust list. Buy them at www.asos.com

I heart my Tangle Teezer

2011-09-06T16:45:00.000-07:00

I love rooting for the underdog and I especially love it when those puffed up Dragons' Den nitwits are proved wrong.

Such is the case for the wonderful Tangle Teezer invented by hairdresser Shaun Pulfrey. He was told on the BBC show that his Tangle Teezer - designed to smooth knotted hair - 'was not a business'.

Pulfrey’s having the last laugh now, as it’s being stocked in over 600 Boots stores and zillions of salons nationwide.

It may sound like a gimmick but it’s my new favourite toy and I actually look forward to brushing my hair every day. I got mine (a hot pink little number) from Boots and instantly noticed the improvement in the condition of my hair.

Now not only do I feel like I’m grooming a Barbie/My Little Pony every day, but also my hair is shinier, less broken and singing out with happiness. Small things eh…

The Tangle Teezer is available from Boots stores and salons over the UK for about $20.

Get it while it's hot.

Shattered...

2011-03-29T17:09:00.000-07:00

Forget Mr i-phone, the real genius of this world is the person who invented the OPI Black Shatter nail polish from the new Katy Perry range.

I know I’m a little behind on the hype about this, but I’m in NZ people, give me a break, it’s not even out here until 8th April!

And when it does hit the shelves, I bet my bottom dollar that it is going to cause pandemonium amongst all the girls and gays...

All you have to do is paint your nails in any colour of your choice, wait for it to dry and then slap on a coat of OPI Black shatter over the top.

The result is this fantastic leopard print-ish creation which gets you more attention on the streets than if you were to walk down them naked...well almost.

Go buy from all Farmers stores or OPI stockists from the 8th April. And at $26.90, it’s an absolute bargain.

Click here for a demo on the whole range. Happy experimenting!

No pain no gain...

2010-12-09T19:34:00.000-08:00

I am an absolute self confessed blow-dry fan (blow wave they call it in NZ). It's the one thing I just can't do myself no matter how hard I try and I just love how the curls come out so big, bouncy and stay in for days.

I haven't found anyone in NZ who can do one as good as they can back in the UK and I’ve been on a constant quest to find my blow wave hero since I got here...and thank the hair gods, I think I’ve finally found her.

Anouska at Amanda Baker Hair and Make Up in Browns Bay had a rather unique method of getting my curls to stay in place (hanging 25 hairbrushes on my head - ouch) however it worked and I now give goldilocks a run for her money. and ps the cut was awesome too.

Call 09 478 8395 for appointments or click here for their website.

CSI Lipgloss...

2010-12-08T19:07:00.000-08:00

Why do we wear lip gloss? To make us look pretty. Why do we want plumping lip gloss? So that men think we have juicy Angelina lips. What could happen if we look too pretty and too juicy? An evil man could spike our drink and then we could be…well…screwed.

The clever people at British brand 2 Love my Lips have put two and two together and come up with some sort of anti-sex-pest-plumping-lip-gloss device. Yes you read that correctly.

Their beauty-full range of plumping lip glosses come with a drug testing kit in the form of a pink taper that you dip into your drink before taking any sip out of it. The strip detects the drugs GHB and Ketamine by turning blue...
Imagine pulling that out on your date. “Errrmmm excuse me mr, I know you just bought me a pinot and all, but I need to just first check if you are in fact a date raper.”

In NZ? You can pick up these devilishly clever weapons of man destruction at Love My Look on Ponsonby Road. They come in 5 shades and are pretty god darn cool.

When in Paris...

2010-12-01T19:41:00.000-08:00

I spent my first few days wandering the streets of Paris looking like a bit of a scruff really; a tired, bare faced, un groomed, un-fashionable scruff. By the time day three arrived, I’d seen enough effortlessly beauty-full Parisian girls to make me want to go live my whole life in the ugly tree.

Then I found Sephora; Heavenly heavenly, heavenly Sephora.

The shop itself was like a beauty playground filled with all the coolest brands, gidgets and gazmos I’d ever seen. After poking things and walking around in awe, I found myself sat at the Sephora make up stand where an amazing make up artist got to work on my face until I looked like Paris had thrown up all over it (in a good way) I was a walking cliché, see...

Loved the make up and thought it was like a (dare I say) better, cheaper version of Mac with a huge colour range and professional quality. J`adore Sephora!

Click here to see the range.

2 gadgets that don’t do it for me…

2010-11-18T20:04:00.000-08:00

I hate to diss but I feel it is my duty as a beauty blogger to separate the good from the ugly and let y’all know when a product is a load of old codswallop. Which these two well and truly are…

Put these on your don’t buy ever list…

1. Eyelure heated lash curlers

They say: The Eylure Heated Eyelash curler has been specially created to offer the best and most pleasant curling experience. No more trapped eyelashes (or worse - eyelid!). The curler heats up in under 20 seconds and is then ready to use.

I say: Is this thing on yet? Ah yes, it’s been on for ten minutes. Can I see any difference? Hell no.

2. Sephora French Manicure Nail Patch

They say: Say "yes" to the French manicure revolution. Sephora Brand Nail Patches - French Manicure make sophisticated glamour a breeze. These defect-free strips add shine and brilliance to nails with zero drying time and no smudging! Just stick on the patches and go—it's that easy.

I say: rubbish, fiddly, crap, absolute gimick - stick to nail varnish.

Stay tuned for more beauty bad mouthing...naughty me.

slack attack...

2010-11-07T16:01:00.000-08:00

Dear blog readers and beauty lovers,

I'm so sorry for the lack of blogs over this past month, but I’ve been up over in the UK visiting friends and family and generally being either drunk/hungover or shopping. I'm sure you can understand.

What I do have for you though is a huge list of beauty-full things that I’m just dying to share with you including all the beauty buzz from the land of Eng. It's all locked up safely in my little head and as soon as I catch up with the horrid 3 week backlog of work accumulated, I promise to share them with you.

Watch this space. Claire xx

Remmington's Pearl of Wisdom...

2010-08-30T22:13:00.000-07:00

Move over GHD, there’s a new kid on the block and she’s hot hot hot!

Hailed as the new queen of straighteners, I was very excited to be invited to the launch of the Remington Salon Pro Pearl styler at The Grove in St Patrick’s Square, Auckland.

Following a beyond delicious lunch with a side of bubbly and gossip with all the beauty-full beauty editors in town, I listened intently as hairdresser and make up artist, Ashlee Kellett demonstrated to us how the new smoother and hotter Pearl is a really "good hair day.”

It appears that Remmington have done their homework thoroughly and incorporated all the best bits from our favourite straighteners and got rid of all the bits that we don’t like.

These bad boys heat up by a digital touch control which lets you go as low as 150°C up to 235°C in under ten seconds giving them the fastest heat up time, the fastest heat recovery, and the smoothest performance compared to ghd under testing. The exclusive dual layer ceramic coated plates contain real pearl, and have 15 times more ceramic than standard single layer or solid ceramic plates. The glide is eight times smoother ensuring the hair's cuticle lays flat while straightening and imparting incredible shine.

Pre-Pearl Curl Post-Pearl Curl

Switch off at the science? Well here’s the proof; I gave them a whirl at the weekend and they sure do work wonders. My hair is notoriously straight and limp, but with a dash of Volupt Spray by Sebastian in my roots and a going through with the Remmington Pearls, I had curls to rival Goldilocks and they stayed in all night.

I like. Go buy.

The Remington Pearl styler retails for $199.95. For more info see http://www.remington-products.com.au/. For stockists call 0800 736 776.

A weekend of indulgence...

2010-08-29T17:04:00.000-07:00

I slipped on a wet rock on the beach last weekend and tore all the ligaments in my ankle. This has rendered me incapable of doing ANYTHING and in short it really hurts and really really sucks.

So, feeling a bit sorry for myself, called on a few of my favourite sins; greed, sloth, lust and gluttony and dedicated my entire weekend to them.

Now a few pounds heavier and many dollars lighter, I share with you my weekend of indulgence…

We began Saturday with brunch at The Paper Moon Café in Mairangi bay. The coffee’s great, the food is amazing and the ambience and service is spot on.

We sat outside in the sun, drinking coffee and eating the Beans n Bacon special (muffins, beans, bacon, chorizo sausage, eggs, hollandaise sauce and pesto) we finished a crossword and watched the world sail by – Bliss.

I gave into temptation, headed to World in Ponsonby and am now a proud owner of Lady Vengeance; Juliette has a gun – well if I can’t walk, I might as well smell good.

Then after a great little afternoon nap, I spruced myself up with my brand new Remington Pearl Straightners and hit the Jervois Steak House in Ponsonby for the best meal I’ve had possibly ever.

We called up on Friday and pre-ordered the prime rib – their signature dish, selected from the finest 150 day grain fed Black Angus and then slow roasted for ten hours in a special oven.

Holy cow, that steak was HUGE! The picture doesn’t do it justice, it was MASSIVE. And also the yummiest, most melt in your mouth feed, I’ve ever had the pleasure of munching.

We made the mistake of ordering French Onion Soup for starters and then ordering truffle mash and creamed spinach to go with our cow – we walked out of that place so full and so fat that no amount of Tequila shots at The Long Room and Cosh could penetrate our systems.

We gave up; rolled home with meat sweats and bursting belly's and slept for a cazillion hours, waking up only because a hungry kitten began licking my face and batting me with its paws.

Two fat happy piggy's

I Should Be So Lucky

2010-08-26T18:38:00.000-07:00

So you all know I love beauty products, but I don’t think I’ve told you that I’m a secret nana and have a fetish for bedding.

If I won the lottery, I know the first thing that I’d buy before the vintage jag and the shopping spree in Harrods; it would be the entire Kylie at Home bedding range. It is swanky, (what a word) and it was Love at First Sight.

My boyfriend says I’m a magpie and just go for anything that glitters, which is completely true, so some of you may find this on the tacky side, but I think it is just divine and I want to lie in it and do the Loco-motion on it and cry tears on my Kylie pillow in it, like now.
I should be so lucky, sigh.

Check out some of these beauties…

Carita

Brava

Ritz

Luxe

Click here for the full range and here for the stockists.

If you're anywhere near Ponsonby then I found a great little shop called Chambers Linen & Gifts at 289 Ponsonby Road that stocks it...

Dalmation face

2010-08-25T16:10:00.000-07:00

I've 90% decided to take the IPL plunge and zap away my freckles. But after 25 years of hating them, I'm suddenly turning a bit nostalgic for them and need your help to decide!

My dad is horrified that I'm changing what he gave me, my friends say I won't be the same without them and my boss Rachel wonders why I want to look like everyone else, when they are what make me unique.
And did I mention that IPL will leave me with black scabs all over my face for a week?

Speak now or forever see these freckles!

This lady bites

2010-08-20T01:23:00.000-07:00

I'm a little bit in love with a perfume, I actually can't stop thinking about it, I don't even own it but every time I walk past World in Ponsonby, I check who's working, make sure it isn't the same person as last time, dowse myself in the stuff and walk around inhaling it all day.

Why don't you buy this alleged perfume? I hear thee proclaim...Because I'm flipping trying to save the mulah for England next month you see, and it is so freaking hard to not hand over the $179 for it!

The perfume in question is ACTUALLY the sexiest thing I have ever sniffed. Juliette Has a Gun - Lady Vengence by Francis Kurkdjian, I salute you. It's masculine meets whore-house meets vampires meets rich skinny bitch in Prada meets fresh delicate flower - totally contradicts itself and works.

Screw England, what would $179 buy me there anyway? Like a glass of wine...I'm buying it.

SkinFit

2010-08-19T23:45:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across SkinFit after being stranded in the rain without a car - I gravitated for shelter towards the wafts of hairspray and nail varnish like a bee to honey.

I was impressed with their marketing techniques - putting a twist on your average beauty treatment by pitching themselves as thus:

"We are all about energy and excitement; if you are running low you will find an abundance at SkinFit. Treatments custom designed for you, never one size fits all. Please don't be alarmed, we do things a little differently, we have broken the rules and we are proud of it."

Sounds pretty cool right?

I went for a 40 minute High Impact Facial and it was relaxing and felt nice and smelled nice and all the usual reasons you have a facial. It wasn’t however ‘different’ In fact, I got a little bee in my bonnet that my ‘SkinFit Trainer’ left the room for like ten minutes whilst the mask was on. Hello! Rub my back, tickle my feet, do something...

Other than that, it was totally wonderful and my Skin is Fit. Well I did tell you I was high maintenance.

She-like Shellac

2010-07-25T21:03:00.000-07:00

I’ve always been totally pessimistic when cosmetics companies declare their new nail varnish to be chip proof, because I’ve never managed to get past day 3 without a nail blemish.

I will admit that I’m a tad heavy handed and clomp away on my keyboard in-between chewing my nails off, but still, 3 days? Come on. It gets so boring having to reapply all the time.

But, I swear, by the beard of Zeus that I have found an actual miracle worker, not just a pretend one, but the ACTUAL empress of chip proof nail varnishes, and she goes by the name of SHELLAC Hybrid Nail Color by Creative Nail Design (CND).

How it works:

You get to choose from 12 pretty shades (I went for Hot Chilis) and a CND nail technician applies a Shellac UV Base Coat, two coats of Shellac UV Color coat and finishes off with a UV Top Coat. You then pop your hands under a CND UV Lamp for a minute or so and you are left with rock hard, completely dry nails, with the whole process taking about 20 minutes.

My lovely technician, Helen, told me that my nails were peeling at the top so that’s why I was chipping so easily. She prescribed some CND Solar Oil and told me that my peely nails may affect the length that the Shellac stays on. (Here we go I thought) But no, she was wrong, Shellac clung on strong for two whole weeks without a chip! Amazing.

The only pain in the butt is that to remove the nail varnish, you have to go through a ten minute removal with Shellac Remover Wraps, which apparently limits the finger and skin to acetone - this baby doesn’t come off with just any ol’ nail varnish remover you know. Never mind, this was a small price to pay for 14 days of perfect nailness.

Shellac is available at CND salons globally. Click here for stockists and here for the science.

Mor, Mor, Mor, how do you like it?

2010-07-25T03:34:00.000-07:00

...alot actually. For anyone out there who's ever received a Jo Malone gift and gone into endorphin overload at the sight of the cream box, understated black trimmings and perfectly tied ribbon, you will probably have become a die-hard Jo Malone devotee for life...Until you discovered Mor that is.

It hurts me to say this (and I'm truly sorry queen JoMo) but Mor has officially leaped into first place as the most exciting, beautifully packaged present a girl can receive.

Say buh-bye to cream and black and hel-llo to a range of decadent, luxurious and gilded packaging which immediately give your boudoir or bathroom the x factor and make you feel like a cooler version of yourself - and that's before you've even got past the outer shell to the divine smelling goodies inside.

I've had a taster and now I need Mor. Watch out Jo Mo, there's a new kid in town and she's younger and sexier.

Click here for stockists.

My pick of the bunch:

EMPORIUM - Black collection, Lychee Flower Candle, $39.95 AUD

EMPORIUM - White collection, Feijoa Lime Body Butter - $29.95 AUD,

EMPORIUM - Black collection, Italian Blood Orange Soap Bar, $19.95 AUD

LITTLE LUXURIES, Belladonna Lip Nectar, $19.95 AUD

Man gone metrosexual

2010-07-18T02:26:00.000-07:00

This is what I wake up to on any given morning...He likes to think he's Wolverine, I tend to think more along the lines of Igor, on a bad hair day, pre the invention of razor's.

After months spent waxing lyrical to my manly man about the benefits of a good skin regime and all round metrosexualness, I got my hands on some Vitaman grooming goodies; the all-natural male skin and hair care range from Australia. Check out his transformation to metrosexuality...

Step one: Convince manly man to step away from the cheapest brand of soap found in the discount aisle of Countdown, used as an all round cleanser for face, body and hair.

Step two: Replace said soap with Vitaman Oil Control Shampoo & lotion followed by Vitaman Face & Body Cleanser to prepare the stubble.

Step three: Apply Vitaman Shave Oil to the face before shaving, this is a warming and softening oil to prevent stubble rash and ingrowers.

Step four: Lather up with Vitaman Shave Crème and give yourself a smooth, friction free shave. (Or get your girlfriend to do it for subjecting you to metro-ness)

Step five: Slap on a bit of After Shave Balm - the sprinkler system for the face, designed to take the burning feeling out of shaving and leave you with no ouching.

Step five: Polish off with a dollop of VitaMan's Skin Protector; a blend of powerful anti-oxidant plant extracts which protects the skin and prevents damage from daily environmental pollution.

The result: Softer, shinier hair and skin with a scent that will make your knees buckle. It's kinda herby meets fruity meets musky manly goodness. Hurrah for Vitaman, Hurrah for metrosexuality!

Click here for NZ Vitaman stockists and here for Australia.

My beauty bible and a bit of a rant...

2010-07-13T21:48:00.000-07:00

I think I’m doing pretty well on my hunt to suss out the best of the beauty-full things down under. I'm slowly starting to speak the beauty language of the antipodeans, and breathing a huge sigh of relief that you actually have some bloody good brands down here. (Whoever said things are slower down under was a bit of a wally, really)

My quest for knowledge on all things pretty would not have been so easy if it weren't for the discovery of http://www.beautydirectory.co.nz/

This brilliant insider’s guide to the media and beauty industry took me on a trail of discovery leading to loads of pretty golden nuggets of information on beauty brands in Australia and NZ. I felt like Charlie-etta in a beauty factory.

Just one quibble; thanks to a contact I made on Beauty Directory with a certain PR company that shall remain nameless, I received a box the other day about the size of a small house, filled to the brim with those little polystyrene thingy’s surrounding TWO, yes TWO small products.

Guys, was there really a need for all the wastage? Think about Mother Earth, she’s pretty too…

Don’t be dull…

2010-07-01T02:23:00.000-07:00

Hands up if your summer skin has packed its bag and emigrated to the northern hem? Hands up if it kindly left you with the skin of a dead dodo?

The change of weather; lower temperatures outside, higher temperatures inside, hotter showers, wind assault and general all round skin battering, can leave us with dull, dry, lifeless and quite frankly...crappy skin.

Here are my TRIED, TESTED AND RECOMMENDED skin soldiers that will rev the engine, rejuvenate and kick start your skin back to life…

The brand: A'kin
The product: Multi-Fruit & Willow Bark Instant Radiance Facial Masque
The goods: Multi-fruit AHA and willow bark BHA, helps to enhance surface skin renewal, improving skin tone and reducing the appearance of imperfections, fine lines and pores. Vitamin B3, hyaluronic acid, rosehip and pomegranate helps restore skin elasticity, tone and plumpness.
The price: AUD $29.95, NZD $37
The stockists: Click here

The brand: Sasy n Savy
The product: Whiten n Brighten Intensive Serum
The goods: Effectively improves your skin’s radiance. Leaving your skin feeling soft, smooth and more youthful. Ideal for all skin types.
The Price: AUD $50, NZD $62
The website: http://www.sasynsavy.com.au/

The brand: DANNÉ Montague-King (DMK)

The Product: Direct delivery vitamin c serum
The goods: Direct delivery vitamin c serum contains a specially designed high concentration of a pharmaceutical grade blend of Vitamin C, three additional powerful anti oxidants and Vitamin B5 is added for faster and superior results.

The Price: AUD $159, NZD $195
The website: http://www.dannemking.com/

The doctor's prescription...

It's all well and good trying out beautiful products and liking what i see/smell/feel but what i really want to know is the science behind what i'm putting onto my skin. What works, how does it work and why? Here's what Dr. Van Park from CPRx has to say about winter skin...
Winter skin can appear dry and dull so it’s important to use products that can help revitalise the skin.

To exfoliate dead skin of the surface and resurface dry, rough skin, use a daily exfoliant cream with alpha and beta hydroxy acids such as Try CPRX SURFACE (AUD $79) - an extreme resurfacing formula. Designed to remove dull layers of skin and reveal bright new, healthy skin under the surface.

At night, kick start the cell renewal process with a vitamin A cream such as CPRx Retain A.

Some important info on Retinol...

Retinol is the most common of the vitamin A ingredients in cosmetic formulations.

Retinol is one of the favourite ingredients in skincare because it’s clinically proven to not only smooth and resurface the skin, but also to lift and firm the skin as well as make the body produce more collagen.

Another great benefit of retinol in winter is that it has also been shown to increase hyaluronic acid in the skin providing a moisturizing effect in the cold, winter months.

Something that’s not commonly known is that Retinol itself cannot benefit the skin unless it is broken down into retinoic acid. In order to do this, the retinol must be both stable and able to penetrate the skin.

The good news is that the skin is naturally equipped with enzymes that break retinol down into retinoic acid.

The bad news is that retinol is highly unstable. Any exposure to light or air will degrade retinol and it will lose its activity. It’s absolutely vital that any vitamin A product you buy comes in air tight packaging and that the levels of Retinol are high enough for the skin to convert into Retinoic acid.

Retain A contains not only contains high levels of Retinol, in airless, light protective packaging – it’s also highly stable using a microencapsulation process that guarantees the activity of retinol on the skin.

Dr Park’s tips for winter...

Exfoliate daily with a cream that contains alpha and beta hydroxy acids

Use a stable, high potency retinol at night to increase cell turnover, refresh and renew the skin

Have regular dermabrasion treatments or mini peels throughout winter to prevent dry, dead skin building up.

For stockist information on CPRx call Stockists: 1300 692 779

Nail it

2010-06-22T22:43:00.000-07:00

If eyes are the windows to your soul, then nails are the icing on your cake. The colour of your nails can be a major style definer, and just like a handbag, you wouldn’t want to be caught out wearing last season’s colour would you? Sacrilege.

Lucky then that the team at CND nails are here to keep us up to date with the latest trends, and I’ve fallen in lust with this particular shade of Asphalt (don’t tell anyone but I’m going to wear it for like the next decade).

CND nails recently used Asphalt teamed with Super Matte Top Coat at New York Fashion Week (fall/winter) with the designer Rag & Bone.

CND’s Co-Founder Jan Arnold’s comments; "Asphalt nails topped with Super Matte were the perfect complement to Rag & Bone’s high modern structure, interesting texture and strong, menswear-inspired silhouettes.”

Get it whilst it’s hot.

Both colours are AUD $19.95 (NZD $25)
Call 1800 449 109 from Australia or 0800 624 569 from NZ

Get the eyes: Effy from Skins

2010-06-16T03:06:00.000-07:00

Ok, i'll admit it, every time I watch Skins I get a serious case of the green eyed monster over Effy (Kaya Scodelario) and her 'vampy, grungy, bad-ass, i don't give an Eff' style.

Fear not girls, i've figured out her secret and it's mostly about the eyes...

After seriously lusting after her eye make up in Series 3, episode 4, where they visit the woods, I spoke to a make up artist at Musq Mineral Cosmetics who helped me with step by step instructions to getting the Effy eyes; an absolute Musq have...

To create the perfect smokey eye, with no eye irritation, you only have to use 4 Musq mineral makeup products. Musq products have 100% natural ingredients, so there'll be no eye watering or fly-away mascara fibers.

1. Apply Oyster eyeshadow over the entire lid, a little more heavily in the centre for the light to catch the natural radiance of the minerals. This shade keep the eyelid looking wide open and works with all skin tones.

2. Blend Chocolate Pewter eyeshadow into crease, subtly at inner eye and increasing its intensity at outer eye. Using angle or eyeliner brush, apply the Chocolate Pewter all along upper lash line, and generously along the outer half of the lower lashes. For extra drama, convert the Chocolate Pewter to a liquid eyeliner by adding 1 drop of water to a little eyeshadow before applying. To soften edge use a cotton tip.

3. Brush Blue Topaz eyeshadow along the inner half of the lower lashes using an angle or eyeliner brush, blending into the Chocolate Pewter.

4. Coat tips of lashes with Musq have Mascara in Onyx (black) Let dry, then apply again to entire length of lashes to create fullness.

And there you have it, Effy fantastic.

- Eyeshadow $27
- Mascara $38

All available on http://www.musq.com.au/

The Fab, the Brit and her wardrobe…

2010-06-13T01:26:00.000-07:00

I seem to automatically gravitate towards other Brit girls no matter where I am in the world. One look at Ana-Mari in Takapuna bar and it was pals at first sight.

Not only did she mention the buzz words ‘Cheryl Cole’, and ‘Topshop’, but she also had rocking hair, make-up and a killer outfit. I had to check out the source and my oh my, what a source. Low and behold Ana-Mari Gates-Bowey and her fabulous wardrobe…

If Carlsberg made wardrobes...

-What’s the story behind the epicness that is your wardrobe? An ex boyfriend built it for me as a surprise. I came back from holiday and there it was in all its glory. (ahem, what’s his number?)

- What’s the majority of the labels? Topshop, Zara, Mango and ASOS.(Note to self: Give up on hunt to find UK shop equivalents in NZ )

- When you buy here, where do you go? I love The Department Store, especially now that it stocks Topshop. I also love Karen Walker and LeJose, a great little boutique shop in Mairangi Bay.

- What is your fave item? My beautiful Chloe shoes!

- Designer vs high street? A mix; most of my clothes are from Topshop, but I’m not adverse to a designer garb or two. I love my Roberto Cavali dress and Anya Hindmarch bag, but I also love this leather skirt from a charity shop in Whangamata.

- How many items do you think are in your wardrobe? I honestly couldn't guess. I think I have about 300 dresses, 1,000 t-shirts and don't even get me started on the shoes...

Jealous much?

Get the Carrie Curls...

2010-06-03T20:09:00.000-07:00

Well I may as well jump on the Sex and the City blogger bandwagon if you’re all doing it…I don’t care what any of the critics said, I thought it was fab-u-larse.

If anyone can rock a parachute skirt, Aladdin shoes and high heels in the desert, it’s the SATC girls. And did anyone else make a mental note to curl their hair, apply a full face of make up and don a ball gown before lying on the sofa with their BF to watch TV? Just me then?

Silly clothes and cheesy story lines aside – I did have massive SJP hair envy. I went to my fave hairdressers Servilles in Takapuna today and begged them to recreate her old time glamorous curly waves on me. Here’s what the lovely Stephanie did to get the look…
She rubbed a bit of Moroccan oil and heat protector in my hair to smooth and condition, then she used a Babyliss Pro curling wand to create the curl/wave effect. To finish it off, she pulled and brushed the curls to make them appear less ‘styled’ and with a bit of Kerastase hairspray to finish the look, tada there it was, simple as that…SJP eat your hat out.

Babyliss Pro Wand - $110 from Servilles in Takapuna.

Image taken from http://www.elle.com

Freckles; friend or foe?

2010-06-01T20:00:00.000-07:00

I just can’t make up my mind about the splattering of melanin deposits all over my face. One day I’m all ‘A face without freckles is like a sky without stars’ and the next I’m like ‘Wow, I’ve been hideously mauled by a pigmentation bomb, why me?’

Anyway, after a long, hot NZ summer, my face resembled a paint-by-numbers even though I’d lathered myself in SPF 30 every day. I marched on down to Beauty Spot in Milford on the North Shore where the therapist recommended I use a product called Even Tones by Priori for 6 weeks before trying a course of IPL to reduce the frecklage.

I winced at the $220 price tag for 30ml of the cream and was instantly reassured that it was worth it for being the first ever pigmentation product to combine idebenone with the lightening agent, methyl gentisate, to scientifically combat uneven pigmentation.

Well when they throw that many big words at you, how can you refuse?

6 weeks later and my skin looks and feels really good, more plump, more radiant and soft as a she-mouse's belly. The freckles are still there in full force, but slightly less noticeable, i guess. Could be due to the fact it’s not summer anymore, but anyway...

Click here for the science. And watch this space to see if i'm brave enough to get IPL.

Image taken from http://www.outlineskincare.co.uk/

Kelly Christie on beauty...

2010-06-01T19:05:00.000-07:00

Kelly is a freelance copywriter for ad agencies in Auckland. If she'd followed her childhood dream she'd be a Mack truck racer and fashion designer. But instead she's into anything creative, loves sport, cooking and travelling, especially if it's to somewhere dangerous.

- If you could snap your fingers and look like any celeb, whos face and body would you want to borrow? I like my face, but I'd happily take Eva Mendez's body

- Sum up your style in a few words e.g tight and bright/ quirky and original/fashionista… Hmmm, this is making me realise I have no defined style! I guess I could describe it as casual, colourful with quirky jewellery.

- An evil troll has come to steal all your beauty products – he says you can keep only one. What is it? Dove moisturiser

- Mirror Mirror on the wall, what’s your fairest feature of them all? My husband says my ass (haha, what a joker)... I'd say my face

- Mirror Mirror on the wall, do any of your features make you recoil? Anything below the waist really!

- You’ve been given $200 to spend on beauty products or treatments, what do you buy? To be honest, I don't really give two hoots about particular beauty products... I'd probably spend it on a cut and colour, or maybe a spa treatment as I've never done that

- What are your views on beauty in NZ? Most women don't try very hard! Natural is good, but I think a lot of women are afraid of makeup or doing anything radical with it, but even just a little bit can make a huge difference

- If you could pass on a pearl of wisdom about beauty to future generations what would it be? MOISTURISE and care for your skin. The results will show, and sooner than you think. Plus, don't be afraid of colour and have some fun with your style - life's too short to worry about what people think (I should really listen to my own advice!

Amy Parker on beauty...

2010-06-01T08:39:00.000-07:00

Amy is an Account Manager at an Ad Agency in Auckland. She loves all things 1950s and wishes she had been born 60 years ago so she could buy up on dresses. She owns way too many shoes and believes nothing beats a night out with friends, bright red lippy, a vintage dress, 4 inch heels and Roy Orbison on the Stereo.

- If you could snap your fingers and look like any celeb, whos face and body would you want to borrow? None to be honest – its taken a long time but i am happy with my own body. If a man doesn’t like it then they aren’t good enough for me

- Sum up your style in a few words e.g tight and bright/ quirky and original/fashionista…When im not at work – rockabilly / pinup (for those that don't know what rockabilly is, click here)

- An evil troll has come to steal all your beauty products – he says you can keep only one. What is it? NXY Mascara

- Mirror Mirror on the wall, what’s your fairest feature of them all? My juju lips (kissable haha)

- Mirror Mirror on the wall, do any of your features make you recoil? My bottom and my man feet

- You’ve been given $200 to spend on beauty products or treatments, what do you buy? A whole bunch of Clarins products or a micro derm treatment

- What are your views on beauty in NZ? Most women don’t seem to care about their health or bodies – it amazes me how few women actually cleanse, tone and moisturise. My mum still just uses soap!

- If you could pass on a pearl of wisdom about beauty to future generations what would it be? Start looking after your skin from a young age... it's working for me...I’m 24 and everyone still thinks i look 18. I started using Clarins products at 13 as i had very bad skin and it was the only brand that actually worked

Hot, Eggy and Heavenly...

2010-05-20T16:42:00.000-07:00

Hot sulphur pools are a bit of a novelty to me seeing as cool Britannia was sadly lacking in its geothermal mineral springs. Shame really, because our grizzly weather, would have had everyone lusting after a steamy session or two.

The best I’ve come across on my travels has to be The Lost Spring in Whitianga. Not only is it kind to the eye with its private caves, soothing waterfalls, champagne bubbles and foliage, but the owner is one of the nicest people ever!

We went on a chilly evening, when the stars were twinkling and the pacific music was playing and he kindly brought us cocktails to sip in the pools. Then told us all about his painstaking 16 year crusade to find and drill the perfect spring that now fills the spa with its healing mineral waters.

Well the boy did good, because this place is eggy smelling heaven. When you’re not floating, you can put on a cosy robe and visit the Lost Spring Thermal Spa or dine in the restaurant. Bliss. Visit their website here.

The best of the rest:
The Polynesian Day Spa
Waiwera Thermal Resort
Maruia Springs
Hamner Springs

image taken from www.newzealand.com

Cat Danby on Beauty...

2010-05-19T21:06:00.000-07:00

Cat is a graphic designer in Auckland. She loves keeping fit, adrenaline sports and watching Spartacus re-runs with her boyfriend Jayson. She’s also got an identical twin sister called Anna, so there’s double dollops of beauty to go around…

- If you could snap your fingers and look like any celeb, whos face and body would you want to borrow? Jennifer Aniston

- Sum up your style in a few words e.g tight and bright/ quirky and original/fashionista…Quick and simple

- An evil troll has come to steal all your beauty products – he says you can keep only one. What is it? YSL False Lash Mascara

- Mirror Mirror on the wall, what’s your fairest feature of them all? I work hard to keep in shape at Just Workout so I would say my body

- Mirror Mirror on the wall, do any of your features make you recoil? My very fair skin

- You’ve been given $200 to spend on beauty products or treatments, what do you buy? A trip to the Fraser John Hairdresser’s in Herne bay and a spray tan

- What are your views on beauty in NZ? I think a large proportion of New Zealand women let themselves go after marriage and get a bit frumpy

- If you could pass on a pearl of wisdom about beauty to future generations what would it be? Always wear sunscreen...old, haggard sun damaged skin is not a good look!

Beauty-Full Kiwi's

2010-05-19T20:22:00.000-07:00

I’ve been told that there is a completely different attitude toward beauty between Kiwi women and their English counterparts. From what I’ve seen, it seems like Kiwi girls generally have a more relaxed and natural approach to beauty, whereas we Brits feel the need to ‘glam up’ more often. (Perhaps a little too much ahem Katie Price)

Back in the UK, if I went out to a bar or club without make up and high heels, I would have been ridiculed and probably asked to sit in the corner with a dunces hat on, but here it’s totally acceptable to turn up anywhere in flip flops (sorry jandals) and a t-shirt.

That’s not to say Kiwi’s don’t know how to glam up, when they go to town, they really go to town. Take the Topshop launch in The Department Store for example. I stupidly turned up in my special ‘I’m a slob’ hangover attire and was met by hundreds of girls that wouldn’t have looked out of place on the front cover of Vogue.

To really get to grips with how you girls and guys think down here, I’m going to have to ask you myself. So what’s the deal Kiwi’s? What are your views on beauty?

Email me at becker_claire@hotmail.com if you want to be featured.

Image taken from http://blogs.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/

My Top 5 Beauties of NZ...

2010-05-16T21:58:00.000-07:00

I travelled a large area of New Zealand over Christmas and then again over Easter and it completely redefined my idea of the word ‘breathtaking’.
Some of these places literally punched me in the gut and left me standing open mouthed drooling in awe of their loveliness.

I always knew that New Zealand was meant to be beautiful, but I could never have imagined just how much of it was quite so beautiful.

This is a really tough decision but I’m going to cull the list of NZ experiences I’ve had into a list of my top five beauties of NZ…so far.

*Please excuse the overuse of gushy mushy adjectives. But in this case, it deserves them.

Image taken from www.shutterstock.com

1. Cruising @ Milford Sound

Picture this; an eerily still fiord surrounded by sheer, looming snow-capped mountains. Now throw in some high tumbling waterfalls with a boat to cruise around in and you won’t even be close to imagining how good Milford Sound is.

This is one of the most photographed places in New Zealand and a world renowned natural beauty. We cruised dreamily on a hot summer’s day, but I hear it’s just as amazing in mist or rain as it adds to the moodiness.

Take the Scenic Cruise with Southern Discoveries from $60

2. Tramping the Tongariro Crossing

This challenging 20km(ish) trek over volcanic terrain left me with black toenails, achy muscles and sunburn but it was so worth it.

We panted our way up the aptly named devils staircase, scrambled up basalt rubble and twisted lava formations, stopped for sandwiches at the incredible Emerald Lakes and enjoyed magnificent views of Lake Rotoaira and Taupo in the distance. The Tongariro Crossing is described as the best 1 day hike in New Zealand and one of the best in the world, and I certainly agree.

…And p.s it was the settings for Lord of the Rings if that floats your boat.

Click here to book transport to and from the Crossing.

3. Wine and Cheese @ Waiheke Island

This is the place that sealed the deal for me on New Zealand. A few hours here and you won’t ever want to leave.

We grabbed a comfy sofa at the beautiful Mudbrick Vineyard on Waiheke Island enjoying views of Rangitoto and Auckland city in the distance, grabbed a few bottles of Sauvignon Blanc and a platter of cheese and then basked in the hot sun whilst nattering and watching the world sail by. Simply divine.

4. Skydiving in Queenstown

Queenstown is possibly my favourite spot in New Zealand. I love it for its quaintness, its funky ski town vibe, its great pubs with big log fires, its superb mountain-on-lake scenery and its world famous Fergburgers of course.

My birthday surprise was to fly 12,000ft over the Remarkables and then jump out of the plane; the single most thrilling and exhilarating moment of my life, I recommend it to everyone. Book with NZone from $249

5. Pondering life @ Lake Tekapo and Pukaki

Whilst driving towards Mount Cook, we accidentally stumbled on the bluest lakes I have ever seen or could ever imagine would exist.

You could spend hours at Lake Tekapo or Pukaki just looking across the water towards the mountains and pondering life. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more peaceful.

Oil Be Damned...

2010-05-12T22:24:00.000-07:00

I’d been using the magical skin potion that is Trilogy Rosehip Oil years before I got to NZ, but as it is a Kiwi brand, and one of my ‘can’t live withouts’ I think it’s worth a giant tribute. Girls don’t be scared of the oil, it’s not greasy, it’s your friend.

Things I know:
If you’ve got combination skin like me then you’ll love this. It’s certified organic, it smells delicious, it’s ultra moisturising and it leaves your skin with that ‘dewy, I’ve just got back from Fiji’ look.

Things I can’t see but they tell me:
It contains Omega 3, 6 & 9, essential fatty acids and antioxidants which restore optimum skin health and reduce wrinkles. (I’m too young for the wrinkles, but I do know that it plumps out those post alcohol dehydration lines like polyfiller)

My favourite thing:
Use this before putting on your make up and it will slide over the top like a silky nighty.

Trilogy Rosehip Oil $38.90 for 45ml click here for their website.

image taken from http://www.trilogyproducts.com/

Don't Judge a Massage By Its Cover...

2010-05-11T20:08:00.000-07:00

Thanks to years of slouching at my computer and lugging around a Mary Poppins bag filled with my entire life, I’ve developed a magnitude of knots in my shoulders that can only be relieved with a good hard massage.

Being time short and on a budget, I opted against the $150 massage I really wanted and went for a 15 minute for $15 job at Rejuvenation Massage. I strolled over in my lunch break to the very unglamorous and very public location in Takapuna Westfield Mall and dubiously sat down for one of the best massages of my life…

These guys don’t natter, they don’t take off your clothes, they don’t rub in any oils, they don’t light candles, they don’t play soothing music and they don’t get all fancy with their strokes. But holy cow, when their giant man hands get to work, you forget where you are and become catapulted into massage heaven.

If you want a cheap massage without the frills that does the job and does it well, I seriously recommend you hit your nearest Westfield Mall for one of these.

Image taken from http://www.redstaplerchronicles.com/

Bloomin' Marvelous...

2010-05-07T22:38:00.000-07:00

I’ve never understood the whole ‘flowers as a gift’ thing. To me they seem a bit like an easy and un-creative way of sending a present that ultimately has to be maintained and then dies after a few days…more boring than having a goldfish as a pet.

Me, I’d much prefer something clever and unique. Cue Edible Bloom. Their idea is so simple, so incredibly ingenious and so something I wish I'd thought of doing.

They create bright and colourful bouquets of paper flowers which hold yummy luxury chocolates in their Stigma. Even when the chocs are devoured, the bloom still looks pretty in your house, and doesn’t wilt like its fresher faced cousin.

Boys take heed. The squeals of delight from women all around the office at the sight of one of these being delivered, is proof that they are bloomin’ marvelous. Click here to go to their website.

Image take from http://www.edibleblooms.co.nz/

Absolutely Fabulous...

2010-05-03T22:51:00.000-07:00

Back in London town, I landed myself a career in the beauty industry and was suddenly exposed to all things bright and beautiful, all make-up great and small...

Since then I’ve gone a bit fussy and don’t like to settle for anything less than fabulous; fabulous products, fabulous spas, fabulous restaurants, fabulous scenery, fabulous places, fabulous clothes…you get the picture, I like it Absolutely Fabulous.

Since meeting a nice Kiwi man whilst working at Chillisauce, I've been swept off of my stilettos and whisked away to the paradise island that is New Zealand. After spending many years building up my ‘fabulous’ list in London, I suddenly find myself back at square one and completely clueless.

Join me on my expedition as I hunt down all the greatest and most beautiful things this side of the big line and don't forget to email me if you think i should be checking something, somewhere or someone out…

Image taken from www.insidesocal.com/