Counter Obsession

It's ALIVE!!!

2010-06-30T01:54:00.000-07:00

My new blog is officially LIVE! Hussah!!
Aside from some small tweaking to happen in the next few weeks I'm finally settled at my own domain, which is very exciting :)

Come and check it out, and don't forget that you will need to re-subscribe - www.counterobsession.com

And look out very soon for a giveaway to celebrate!!

What's going on??

2010-06-21T23:39:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed it's been a bit quiet around here at Counter Obsession... well, I can tell you I'm in the middle of a war. With Wordpress. My big plans to revamp the blog at its own domain are in its final stages, but Wordpress and I aren't seeing eye to eye. If we were dating I would have broken up with him about two weeks ago. But instead we've been seeing a counsellor, talking through our problems and working on our relationship.

So I just wanted to say STAY TUNED for an all new, super-fabulous relaunch of COUNTER OBSESSION!! I've got some great products to review, and maybe even a giveaway to celebrate!!

xoxo

Burt's Bees Essential Body Kit - Part 2

2010-05-24T00:46:00.000-07:00

Four products down, four to go! See part 1 here.

Peppermint Foot Lotion - I'm not a fan of peppermint scented foot products. I understand the peppermint is cooling and all that, but you usually put it on after they've been washed, so wouldn't they be cool anyway? It's lightly moisturising, and non-greasy. It's ok.

Extra Energising Body Wash - It's nice enough - not a strong lather but enough, the scent is nice and refreshing but faded quickly so it didn't clash with my perfume. Wouldn't buy again as I don't see anything particularly special, but I'll keep it for when I travel.

Naturally Nourishing Body Lotion - The big thing to note here is that it's a lotion, not a cream. As my skin is drying out with the seasonal change it wasn't hydrating enough for my tastes, but if you just want something light it's quite nice. The smell wasn't offputting but also something I wouldn't specifically choose.

Radiance Day Creme (with royal jelly) - My clear favourite out of these four! Again it's a lighter formulation, but I still found it really hydrating. Makeup application was also nice and smooth. I'd consider buying this again for my day cream, if I had a richer moisturiser at night. I wish I'd known about this one in summer!

So overall I think it's a great deal for only $24.95! Some products were great, some weren't to my fancy but I'm glad I tried them out. And it's really piqued my interest for the rest of the Burt's Bees products - will see what else I can pick up!

NOTD - Three colours from OPI

2010-05-23T05:47:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd show you some of the new OPI nail polish colours that have appeared in my collection lately!

Don't Know... Beets Me!

I really like this pink! It's fun and bright, without being too fluoro and tacky. The creamy consistency was easy to work with, and the brush was nice and wide for foolproof application. Not something I would choose to wear on my fingers, but would be great for a 'secret' pedicure - you know, the pedicure you get when you know you'll be wearing closed shoes and you're the only one who knows your toenails are pretty? It's your girly little secret :)

I'd Like To Thank...

Sparkly! The bottle shows pink, bronze and gold reflects but the photos bring out the bronze. I gave my mum a pedicure with this colour and it really highlighted her (very faint, Australian winter) tan! Would look great on the beach or in fabulous sandals - pity it's getting cold here :( the Prowide brush was wide (funny about that!) but also really strong, so I felt like I had great control. I'll be looking for that brush in future polishes.

Over The Taupe

I caved to peer pressure and bought this colour - and I have to say, I'm not a fan. I don't think the colour does anything for me, but more annoying was the really watery texture of the polish itself. You can see in the pic that it's a bit uneven in coverage, which is probably because it's still a bit wet but I had to work a lot to get it as non-streaky as this. I expect more from OPI polishes.

Next on the shopping list - grey polish. Maybe it's to match my new grey handbag, but I'm obsessed. What is everybody else coveting? Do you like the idea of the 'secret' pedicure?

Burt's Bees Essential Body Kit - Part 1

2010-05-21T15:09:00.000-07:00

I've decided that I need a new skincare regime. My skin is really suffering with the change in the weather, and this gives me a perfect chance to test out some new products - from my local health food store!

Natural skincare isn't revolutionary, but I've never made a conscious effort to use it. But it makes a lot of sense, and the environmental benefits are great as well.

I was surprised by the range of skincare lines that my local store carried! There's so many products that got me excited, but since I was after an exfoliater to start with and my hands need some love, I found a pack that had it all - Burt's Bees Essential Body Kit.

Contents - Replenishing Lip Balm, Peppermint Foot Lotion, Extra Energising Body Wash, Deep Pore Scrub, Radiance Day Creme, Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme, Hand Salve and Naturally Nourishing Body Lotion. 8 products for $24.95. Pretty nifty, huh!

Since it's late at night I tested out half the products now, and I'll review the others when I use them tomorrow morning.

Replenishing Lip Balm (with pomegranate oil) - nice! Really smooth texture, and moisturised my lips without feeling too waxy. I really like the pomegranate scent too!

Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme - I expected this to be 'creamy', but it was more like a gel/balm. I had to warm the product up before I could apply it, but it was quickly absorbed and surprised me with how moisturising it was. Lemon smell was really refreshing too. Another thumbs up.

Hand Salve - I'm actually not too sure what to do with this. Like the cuticle cream the texture is like a balm, and it smells like eucalyptus. It doesn't really work as a hand cream because of the consistency. Maybe it could be a spot treatment, but because I have the cuticle creme I don't really have a use for it.

Deep Pore Scrub (peach and willowbark) - this disappointed me to start with. My first thought was that the grains were way too large for a facial scrub - they feel like they're scratching my skin rather than buffing it smooth. And the grains felt too few and far between, so it took more product than I would like in order to feel like I had enough. What I did love was the 'waxy' residue that was left behind - it wasn't actually wax, but more like a moisturising 'barrier' which meant I could get out of the shower and not make my skin feel tight and make me run for the moisturiser. Now, after my moisturiser has absorbed my skin feels much more hydrated than normal, and very soft. Maybe it will win me over with time?

Interesting results so far... wonder how the other products will perform?

Fyrinnae - Lip Lustres

2010-05-20T22:11:00.000-07:00

I received my first Fyrinnae order two days ago, and I've been busting to show you all! I'm still playing with the shadows, but I wanted to show you all the Lip Lustres I picked up. These really surprised me - I wasn't prepared for the texture at all! Imagine a liquid lipstick, but with a 'dry' feeling. That's the best I can describe it. They feel 'dry' to wear as well, and although the stronger colours leave a stain you will still see a transfer onto your coffee cup (or Diet Coke bottle if you're like me!). They've packed a lot of pigment into these tubes though, so what you see is what you get on your lips.

The other surprise was the scent - some were barely fragrant, some were so strong they made me sick. If you're sensitive to scented products I'd be wary.

First up - Bare Shoulders.

This was pretty, a bit of a mauve/pink shimmer through what otherwise would just be a nude. I could wear this easily, except for one thing - the Cafe Au Lait smell. Oh god, it's gross. My stomach was churning as I put it on. And then the smell lingered as I wore it. Such a shame.

Next, let me introduce you to Lollipop-Pop.

Pretty in pink with a blue shimmer twist. I'm not a pink kinda gal, but this will be pretty to layer over others. The scent was lychee - not bad, it was bearable. Very strong again. Why does it have to be so strong? :(

Now it's Meloncholy.

It's a strong coral, which the site warns can lean to orange but almost brings out brown tones on my lips. Too strong for me, but I'm going to sheer this down and I think I'll be onto a winner. Scent is melon (funny about that), but was nowhere near as strong as the first two. Thank god.

Aah, my favourite - Romantique.

Oh god, this is so pretty. So pretty! Described on the site as a 'semi-sheer soft warm pink with gold shimmer', it's just gorgeous. I'd wear this with other colours, but just as easily on its own. Would be interesting on the cheeks too... must try that out! Toasted Marshmallow scent smelt more like coffee, but wasn't as potent as Bare Shoulders and disappeared quickly.

Now, to cross over to the dark side! I grabbed some vampy shades to test out application as well as to compare to the Lip Tars (which many bloggers have drawn similarities between the two).

This is Diabolical Masquerade.

Disappointed. I was hoping for a stronger red or glitter component, but in real life it just looks black. And the application was pretty patchy. The worst part? THIS was the unscented one! WHY couldn't it have been Bare Shoulders?

Lastly, it's the jet-black Monochrome.

Again - patchy application, even worse than before. Once the gloss dries a bit it's rather unremarkable. If I want jet-black lips I'll go for Tarred Lip Tar every time. I'll use this to layer perhaps, but otherwise I don't recommend.

Overall there were some winners and losers, but the biggest request I have of Fyrinnae would to be make ALL the Lustres unscented. It's so offputting. And I'll steer clear of any of the darker colours. I'll only purchase these if I see a really unique colour, but otherwise a traditional lipstick or gloss would be more comfortable to wear.

Keep an eye out for my Fyrinnae shadow swatches - no disappointments there!
Which one was your favourite?

Breaking News - MAC and Disney's Venomous Villains Collection

2010-05-18T17:03:00.000-07:00

Wow! MAC and Disney have joined forces to announce the venomous Villains collection, to be released worldwide in September! This is the first collection in a LONG time that I've been so excited about!

Four villains will be featured (which ones? They're not telling us yet!) and the collection will have lipstick, lip gloss, powder and blush shades. I'm thinking dark and vampy...

Check out the teaser trailer here - now, who might those villains be.... let me know your guesses!

Beauty of the Earth EOTD/COTD

2010-05-17T05:05:00.000-07:00

COTD? Does Cheek of the Day even exist?

Well, in this blog it does! :)

Ok, so first look - Peacock on the mobile lid (up to the crease) and under the eye, with Mississippi Mud in the crease, black liner on inner rim and black mascara. These shadows are a breeze to blend, but just be warned - being a loose powder means that you really need to place the shadow where you want it, rather than brushing the shadow on. Otherwise it will spread too far - and with dark colours it can mean starting over again.

Second - Big Ego with Wicked blended over the top.

Now for the cheek! Obviously this is Georgia Peach...

... but what happens when I blend a little bit of Wicked over the top?

Amazing! Not just a highlight, but it actually brings it to more of a pink rather than peach! It did need to be buffed back, which is testament to the strong pigment. But so easy to use.

I love blending - it's always full of surprises :)

P.S. Oops! Forgot to show you the gloss - I really like it! A soft nude, but the sparkle keeps it interesting. Super smooth and non-sticky texture, yet slightly thicker to keep it on the lip for longer. I'm buying more for sure!

Haul - Beauty from the Earth!

2010-05-17T02:49:00.000-07:00

I placed an order with Beauty from the Earth as a test run for both shipping time as well as the products. I placed the order on the 4th May, and it was in my mailbox today (17th May). That's nine working days to ship to Australia - not bad!

Here's the haul:

I got a little bit of everything to test out the range - two sets of lashes (US$2 each), five eyeshadows (four samples @ US$2 each, one full size on special for US$2, one free sample in pouch), one blush (sample size, US$2), one lip gloss (US$9.99), one gel liner (US$8.99) and a blush brush (US$12.99). This cost me US$47.97 (AUD$53.06) in total including shipping, which I think is great.

This is the gel liner ('Tanzanite') and the blush ('Georgia Peach' in sample size). The gel liner wasn't as opaque as I had hoped, as this is two or three coats. My initial thought is that I'd rather use this as a cream base for a smokey eye - I'll try and do an EOTD tomorrow. The blush is more of a summer colour, but the peach is soft and girly with a strong shimmer effect. As it's winter now this may become a highlight over a darker blush, but I like it!

Here are the shadows! These are just gorgeous, with a smooth texture and easy to build opacity.
Peacock has that sometimes-blue, sometimes-green effect to it which is really pretty.
Fire Dancer was more glittery than the rest but I was surprised to find I loved it! In my next order I'm going to get a lot more of the glitters - the super-fine particles give the great effect without being gritty on your lids.
Big Ego is an instant favourite. A deep purple that is perfect for winter.
Wicked is a light mauve that gives off a green reflect - a gorgeous highlight or mobile lid colour. Do I dare to use it as a cheek highlight??
Lastly is Mississippi Mud, which is a true matte chocolate brown. Ignore any sparkles you see, as it's just fallout from the others. Great deep brown, but I'm hesitant to use dark colours in loose powders as it's so easy to get it out of control.

The lip gloss was Belladonna, which is a sheer champagne-nude colour. This will be great to tone down colours, or just to add a bit of a disco effect. The texture is nice and smooth, and bonus points for the brush applicator.

I can't wait to create some looks with these products! And I'll definitely be placing another order!
What do you think? Do you like to use loose pigments?

RAFW Follow Up - MAC Speaks!

2010-05-11T03:23:00.000-07:00

I thought I would share with you some of the information I was just sent by MAC about some of my favourite looks that they created for RAFW. It's great to know the inspiration behind the looks and the products used, just in case something caught your eye!

Show: Ginger & Smart
Key Make up Artist: Natasha Sevorino for M.A.C
Inspiration: “The inspiration for this collection comes from inner feminine strength and self-awareness. I wanted the make up to be naturally sexy for this show. Skin has been left raw yet made luminous, concealing only minor imperfections. Eye's are defined and sculpted and gold pigment has been used on the eyes and peak of lips to give a 'futuristic goddess' feel to the make up. Soft cream coloured paint has been used as future tribal war paint in the centre of the forehead and temples, to relate directly to ones ‘third eye’ and one’s own self-awareness.

My take: I LOVE the gold accents on the inner corner and cupid's bow of the lips. Such an easy look to recreate at home. Those of us not blessed with model skin might need some coverage, but keep it as light as possible.

Show: Zimmerman

Key MakeUp Artist: Linda Jefferyes for M.A.C

Linda said the “Inspiration behind the look: Cool and modern. Nothing is overdone or underdone. Strength yet soft. Balanced. Fresh creamy pure skin is highlighted by a strong deep plum lip”.
Description of the look: Perfectly manicured creamy skin. Eyebrow are slightly defined and lips are painted a matt deep plum colour.

Key Products used to create the look:
Face: prep + prime skin, prep + prime lip filler, face & body foundation, set powder invisible and porcelain. Select moisture cover in light colours.

Contour face with sculpting powder pro palette bone beige and shaping powder Lightsweep.
Eyes: Brow set clear, impeccable brow pencil taupe, black dirty blonde. Pro long lash barelash.
Lips: lipmix Burgundy and I mixed some red into the plum lipmix which made it more red/plum

My take: Those lips are outstanding. I would be using a lipliner to ensure a crisp edge that stops the colour bleeding throughout the day. I totally agree with the 'strength yet soft' comment by Linda - exactly what this look projects. This is also a look you can rock for winter, rather than holding back until warmer weather begins.

Show: Manning Cartell
Key Make-up Director: Natasha Severino for M.A.C The direction for make up in this collection is one of a polished, modern Spanish woman.

We wanted the make up to be in tonal hues of warm, coffee like colours. The skin is flawless and polished, highlighted in areas to reflect the summer sun. Eyebrows are strong and sculpted to give the make up a sophisticated sexiness.

My take: Brows. Make them strong and proud. As you can see on the image (oh, so Cassie from ANTM did go into modelling...) you don't have to follow your own brow. Create the shape that you want. I really like the sweep of the shadow towards the temple too.

Show: Romance Was Born

Key Makeup Artist: Natasha Severino for M.A.C

Natasha said that the “Inspiration for Romance Was Born S/S 10/11 is Renaissance Dinosaur”. The collection has been broken up into a ready to wear section and 11 Haute Couture, one off pieces.

The RTW section consists of beautiful, ethereal sirens that are adorned with lace body art. Faces are polished and eyes are lined to create mystical beauties.

The 11 one off creatures has had make ups specifically created to be an extension of their magnificent gowns. They are:

Nail Dress

Dino Bird

Crystal Dress Volcano Girl

Snake Guts

Dino Tail

Kate Tribute

Renaissance Dino

Dino Slut

Renaissance Bride

Scale Girl

My take: Dino Slut! LOL! Just looking at this pictures makes me sigh with delight. And readjust my creative boundaries.

Review - Stila Smudge Pot in 'Little Black Dress'

2010-05-06T04:30:00.000-07:00

I picked up this little gem in a blog sale with Too Much Blush (thanks doll!) and I must say I like it! It reminds me a lot of the Plumkin cream shadow I reviewed yesterday, but with the ease of application and consistent texture that it lacked.

Here is the swatch on my arm:

Pretty huh! It's really glittery in this photo but it's quite dark on application. Here are my peepers using this as an eyeliner AND a smudged-shadow-kinda-thing.

See - not so sparkly! I could see myself rocking the smokey eye for a big night out, or using it as a liner at work when I want to sneak some 'makeup artist' into my 'corporate' look.

As an extra she threw in Clinique Quick Eyes cream shadow in Lucky Penny, which I used as a base underneath the liner. No creasing, easy to blend, and a pretty colour. I scored!!

What do you think? Pretty? Or disco?

RAFW - Gary Bigeni, Kate Sylvester, Konstantina Mittas

2010-05-06T03:37:00.000-07:00

Gary Bigeni - I know I've said it before, but I love it when the looks are varied within a show. These models were either 'aqua' or 'peach', and it consisted of a colour wash over the eye up to the brow bone. Interesting tidbit - no mascara was used. Apparently there was a 'black ban' for the whole show. Weird.

Kate Sylvester - this picture is extra large because it is extra gorgeous. Feast your eyes on your new makeup look. That is if you want to look young, sexy and amazingly feminine. It's all about cheeks and lips here - colour stains provide a softer edge and a more subtle flush than lipstick or straight blush would supply. Eyes are gently defined with mascara and undetectable (well, maybe a little) liner. Hair is straight, but not ghd-straight. Just... natural straight. Men will be putty in your well-manicured hands.

Konstantina Mittas - Super fun! I had never heard of this designer, but I love the styling here! Pastel blue temples, bright pink cheeks, massive hair that looks like you were caught up in a cyclone? Why on earth not! This is fashion after all!

RAFW - Anna and Boy, Dhini, Dion Lee

2010-05-06T03:24:00.000-07:00

Anna and Boy - this is adorable! The freckles, the coloured eyes... cute as a button!! Super soft lips and a curled updo reminiscent of orphan Annie add to the youthful look. Black liner and lashings of mascara keep it from being too doll-like and add a hint of grown-up sexiness. Retro playful fun.

Dhini - look at that hair - clearly volume is in vogue. I'm loving the mushroom cloud explosion of teased goodness. I just want to poke my finger into it. Is that weird? You can see the white pearl highlight across the forehead and stretching to underneath the eyes. Dewy skin again... trend alert!

Dion Lee - the hair is slicked back on top and straight from the ears down. I don't like girls with wet-look gel in their hair unless it's short enough to cover all their hair, otherwise it just looks dirty and greasy. But the makeup is barely-there and glowy. Glossy lips are prominent, and I swear they go way over the lip line. Don't try that at home, kids.

RAFW - Romance Was Born

2010-05-06T02:36:00.000-07:00

Ugh. Adore. Divine. Magic. Sigh.

It's theatre in motion. Just... enjoy.

RAFW - Bianca Spender, Alice McCall, Friedrich Gray

2010-05-05T19:57:00.000-07:00

Bianca Spender - let's get the obvious out of the way. There are feathers on the brows. I assume you won't be doing that yourself, so let's see what else is there. The inner corners have a divine bluish/teal colour that is kept quite defined, and the rest of the eye is soft neutral-browns. The cheeks are softly contoured and the lips are bare. It's all about the eyes here.

Alice McCall - love this look!! Clearly it's not a street look, but the colour on the temples is fabulous! The eyes are really drawn to the temple area, which is usually not very interesting. If you look at the inner portion of the face the skin is dewy, the eyes just have mascara and the lips are soft (what colour is that? Must... have... it...) so there are no elements competing for attention, yet it is fresh and youthful. The super-fun braids in the hair are a great and easily-replicated summer look - the key here is keep the ends long and with a bit of a kink - don't plait to the very end of the strand, and don't straighten your hair first.

Friedrich Gray - this is all about the inner corner of the eyes (again! Seeing a trend emerge is fascinating, no?). The silver started in the peak of the crease and drawn in a straight horizontal line until it is in line with the inner corner, then drawn down. This creates light where usually there is darkness and shadow, so the eyes open up and the model looks fresh. Hooray!

RAFW - Little Joe Woman, Nicola Finetti, Alex Perry

2010-05-05T19:56:00.000-07:00

Little Joe Woman - I've been rocking the 'pop-of-colour-on-lower-lashline' look for a while now, and Gail Elliot has validated my love by using this in her debut parade for Little Joe Woman. It's a super-fun look but can be as subtle or as out-there as you like.

Nicola Finetti - Oh, this is my style. All over. Eyeliner is strong , starting in the crease and finishing with a 60's flick at the end. White shadow on the lid helps to highlight the contrast. Modern-day Twiggy. Hair is teased into a massive beehive but the finish still has texture and life rather than drowned in hairspray and rock hard.

Alex Perry - I know I'm all about makeup, but it's the hair that got me here. Look at that height! The volume screams glamourous and ends in soft, sexy curls that look like they were set yesterday (and the movement is amazing on the runway). Eyes are a sexy, feline shape that extends until the temples with a gorgeous pewter in the inner third to highlight and add some metallic interest. Glitter is then flicked over the top half of the face, cementing sparkles as a major trend already emerging from RAFW. Peachy cheeks and soft lips ensure that the attention stays nose up.

Indelible Cream Shadows

2010-05-05T01:20:00.000-07:00

Another Makeup and Glow order, another sample. This time it was for their line of indelible cream shadows - I got Brownie Points (brown) and Plumkin (purple).

First of all, I found the application rather difficult. I've never used cream shadows before, and was confused how I was meant to blend these out to avoid a harsh line. In the end I just kept wiping product off my brush and blending out, but I didn't feel confident with it.

Here are the swatches:

Brownie Points - true brown, quite dark on application. This was the easiest of the two to use.

Plumkin - dark purple with flecks of glitter. This was HARD to blend. Maybe my sample was dry, but the consistency was much harder and blending was a nightmare. You can see in the photos that the coverage is patchy and uneven. Again, whether this was a dry sample or because of the glitter I can't tell you. Colour was pretty, the sparkle was only obvious on close inspection.

I decided to wear Brownie Points to work the next day, and again found application was hard to get right (but it is getting easier!). The amount of product needed is so small but it doesn't really spread, so I ended up patting the colour over the lid then blending out the edges to try and get an even application. No powder was put on top as I wanted to see if it would crease.

Currently it's been on my eyes for about 5 hours and my lids still feel a bit sticky - which is REALLY annoying. I have no doubt that this would disappear with a dusting of powder (note: yes it does, just tried it), but then I wouldn't be testing out the product, would I? It certainly hasn't creased which is great, however the colour has definitely faded to a more subtle brown wash.

Overall these cream shadows aren't for me. The difficulty in blending, the time spent to get an even application and the residual sticky feeling turned me off. Maybe in my next order I'll pick up a lighter colour (maybe Gold Frost or Immortal) and test whether it could be used as an eyeshadow base, like a MAC Paint Pot. Brownie Points might be good as a base for a smokey eye, but I wouldn't buy Plumkin - pretty colour, but too patchy and inconsistent.

Lip Tars - Katricia, Demure and Hoochie

2010-05-05T01:13:00.000-07:00

The darlings at Makeup and Glow love to throw in some samples when you order - and with all the theatrical makeup I've been doing lately I've been ordering a lot! I asked to try the latest OCC Lip Tars, which are all about the purples.

Katricia
OCC says: Creamy violet.

I say: Yeah, it's purple. Almost Cadbury purple. I wouldn't wear this on its own, but it's a great base purple to own. I'd be looking to add a drop of red to bring it to a more wearable colour. In fact... how does NSFW (red, for those unfamiliar with LT shade names) look blended with it?

HOT! Still purple, but much more wearable with a pink edge in it. This is my favourite 'blend' that I did for this post.

Demure
OCC says: Rich, purplish fuschia. (swatch below is Demure first, and Anime underneath for comparison)

I say: Fuschia, baby! Bright bright bright. Not as bright as Anime, but you can see the 'purplish' tint when they are side by side. Still freaking bright though. But let's try to tone it down... with Grandma (coral).

Ooh, now this is nice. In real life it's still strong, but the 'electric' edge has been taken off. I really like this combination.

Hoochie
OCC says: Vivid, true magenta.

I say: neon purple! This would be great for a high fashion look, but also remember the amazing mixing quality of lip tars and you could easily create some divine shades. Use it to lighten up a colour that you think is a little deep, but you don't want to use white (since it just looks like a pastel of the original version). If I felt like mixing a new colour with this I would add... Fondue (dark brown). Because I can.

I'm always surprised when I mix the Lip Tars - this is still a statement lip, but more 'winter' than 'Ibiza Disco'. In real life it's very dark and vampy, not something I would do myself but I wouldn't look twice if I saw this on someone else. Really nice.

Personally I don't think I would add any of these to my collection - I have ten (yes, I know...) and I've covered all the primary colours with a few extras, so I can mix almost anything I need. If I was going to add anything I'd love to have Katricia as I think it's the most 'wearable' of the three when mixed with other colours.

I'll have to do a post on my favourite Lip Tar hybrids. What's your favourite blend?

RAFW - Rachel Gilbert, Aurelio Costarella, Zimmerman

2010-05-04T16:15:00.000-07:00

Rachel Gilbert - Strong brows are an easy look that almost any woman could pull off. Napoleon took this to the next level at Rachel Gilbert and literally painted on thick, shapely brows. Yeah it's OTT, but this is fashion! Lips were oh-so-soft pink and cheeks had a hint of colour but it was the skin that was a standout for me. Dewy and fresh, and illuminated to the nth degree. Rumour is that Napoleon slathered on his new Suto Pilot Skin Renewal Serum onto all the models for hydrated, plump skin. Gotta get me some of that. And there's that high bun again - well, we all know how we're wearing our hair this season...

Aurelio Costarella - Now THIS is what I call catwalk makeup! Wearable is great, but you see that in fashion magazines every day. Catwalk is the chance to step out of the ordinary and into the realm of fantasy and aspiration. Gold leaf stuck to your temples? You'll look like a crazy person. Gold shimmer on your temples? Now that's achievable. Adding to the look is slicked back hair that erupts into a crimped explosion of fabulousness. This is a low bun on steroids, and I love it.

Zimmerman - strong lips ahoy! This gorgeous burgandy is a custom blend from three MAC colours - Crimson, Burgandy and Brown (thanks Bella Sugar!). Strong brows and bare eyes kept the look balanced. And what about the hair caught in the metal neck cuff? I would have to keep fighting the urge to pull my hair out. And I'd sink to the bottom of the pool... oh, you can take it off? Nah. Fashion is sacrifice, darling.

(all images from Bella Sugar)

RAFW - Leona Edmiston, Ginger & Smart, Seventh Wonderland

2010-05-03T03:28:00.000-07:00

Leona Edmiston - oh dear, I'm in love. A statement lip is what I'm (trying to be) all about, and Leona Edmiston pulled it off to perfection. Keep the eyes pale and add a rose blush and I'm in red lip heaven. The forward knot in the hair was just genius - very high-fashion, not sure if I could do this in real life. But I may use it for a photo shoot. The side curl adds a quirk which I love.

Ginger & Smart - I hate to say it, but I didn't like this hair look. This reminds me of my own hair after I've lazily straightened it and pulled my growing-out-fringe back out of my eyes. Poker-straight hair is out in my book - volume is much more flattering on most people. I like the golden eyes that get a bit dark and smokey in the outer corner, with some false lashes adding extra drama. Cheeks are softly contoured and the lips are coated with a pinky gloss.

Seventh Wonderland - yay! Creative hair! Wet-look gel is generously applied before the hair is flattened to the scalp and shapes are sculpted over the face. I assume it's a more stylised version of your own hair as you emerge from the ocean and you casually swipe it out of your eyes. Minimal makeup is used - but as we're looking at beachwear that's kinda fitting as you're not meant to wear makeup to the beach (although I do).

RAFW - Camilla, Lisa Ho, Marnie Skillings

2010-05-03T03:04:00.000-07:00

Three different looks, three very different designers.

Lisa Ho (by Linda Jeffreys - MAC) - holy natural, Batman! Barely there, soft bronzed makeup with gorgeous skin. But the hair was a clear winner for me - it's the J-Lo beehive but moved to the back of the head, making it instantly wearable. The sheer volume creates drama but is yet easy to create and would work for most people. Next time you go to twist that ponytail, stop and give it a quick tease before you pin. You'll be so cool your 15 year old neighbour won't even have anything to say.

Camilla (by Napoleon Perdis) - the kaftan queen. This was a colour explosion! Bright fabrics floated down the catwalk with even brighter makeup and crazy headpieces. I loved the variety of the looks - it's nice when it's not the same makeup on every model. Napoleon says they reflect the four different looks in the show - (left to right, top to bottom) Fluro, Atlantis, Pastel and Tribal.

To bring this back to the street, take note that the colour is on the eyes and the lips and cheeks are nude. Pick a colour that features in your outfit but tone it down and think about coloured liner instead. If you're feeling brave try using a bright colour in the outer corners and into the crease - if you use it all over you run the risk of looking cartoonish.

Marnie Skillings - this will be my winter look. Pale eyes and gorgeous plum lips. I love the colour here (will let you know when I find out what it is!) because it's not too dark and gothic (which can be easy to do when it comes to purple lips). Skip the gloss to keep the lips more flat and velvet-like. Soft hair and feminine dresses make this vintage look one of my favourites of the day.

(Photos from Marie Claire and Primped)

RAFW - Rosemount Australian Fashion Week

2010-05-03T02:24:00.000-07:00

RAFW starts today! I'm looking forward to seeing not only the up and coming trends for the seasons, but hopefully some outrageous avant garde looks as well. Just for fun :)

I'll be trying to keep on top of the beauty looks, so watch out - this week will be blog heavy!

Logies 2010 - Hair and Makeup Wrap Up

2010-05-03T01:28:00.000-07:00

Well you've read my Logies fashion post (I hope!) so now it's time for the hair and makeup!

Hair - updos were popular, with many variations seen across the red carpet. Catriona Rowntree did a beautiful sleek plaited bun which is timeless, while Nat Bass went for volume and messy-sexiness to match the soft smokey eye.

J-Lo has a lot to answer for with two stars (Erin McNaught and Tessa James) being inspired and went for the beehive-style top bun. I think it worked on Erin, but Tessa fell short. Then again, I didn't like much about her look - too many elements competing for attention. Tandoori tan, brassy yellow hair, dark eyes with her small features, pouffy dress - officially trying too hard.

Some wore their hair down, and volume was the key here. Jen Hawkins wore her hair big and wavy, and I loved it. Georgie Parker kept it straight-ish, but glossy and with lots of movement. Who said older women can't keep their hair long??

Makeup - I love polished looks. Especially if your dress is already competing for attention, tone down the makeup and keep it classic and sleek. Jessica Marais kept her look strong with lots of liner but not the full-on smokey eye (see Nat Bass above), soft pink lips and a subtle cheek glow. Or is that just love?

Smokey eyes is always a popular choice, but you have to make it work. I am a firm believer in the 'eyes OR lips' theory of makeup, so smokey eyes should mean nude or soft lips. Megan Gale = yes (although it's the SAME look she always does... yawn). Jessica McNamee = NO (dark eyes, strong lips, standout dress... too much!).

A couple of stars really missed the mark for me with their hair and makeup, despite wearing stunning dresses. I felt the eye makeup and pulled-back hair on Esther Anderson was way too harsh for her soft dress colour, and the tan is WAY too dark. Camille Keenan kept to her natural pale skin but with the red lip, lined eyes, sideswept ringlets and strange black necktie she ended up looking like an extra from a spaghetti western. This look ages her by 15 years.

My favourite overall look came from Livinia Nixon. Her soft-yet-polished updo had the perfect loose curl to frame the face, while her makeup was fresh and understated yet red-carpet appropriate. Minimal jewellry meant the beautiful fabric of her dress made the statement. Does she ever age? Stunning.

Worst look - Brynne Gordon. No contest.

So what do you think? Do you agree with my choices? Will you be trying the J-Lo top bun?

Logies 2010 - Fashion Wrap Up

2010-05-02T19:42:00.000-07:00

God bless the Logies. It's just a popularity contest, determined by the readers of TV Week (read: grandmas) and people who still bother to enter contests by SMS voting (read: teenage girls). So the results mean very little to me, although massive props to Ray Meagher who nabbed the Gold Logie from Rebecca Gibney in a last-minute voting surge.

The most exciting thing about the Logies will always be the fashion. As Australia doesn't have the plethora of awards nights like our overseas counterparts it means that the stars usually go all out - and it shows. Some go overboard (I'm looking at you Neighbours/Home and Away kids), some play it safe for fear of being branded 'worst dressed' for the next 12 months. And although this was true for 2010, overall it was.... dull. Same styles we've been seeing for the last few seasons. Nothing that made the world tremble and my knees go weak. But still - there were some noteworthy efforts, some of which are below.

Black-lace-over-nude-dress was a HUGE trend, spotted on many of the stars. Some did it well (Jessica Marais - DIVINE) and some missed the mark (Sigrid Thornton).

The colour palette was safe for most, with white featuring strongly along with blush tones. I loved the way these soft colours were mixed with jewels to keep them interesting - Margot Robbie's sparkling shoulder was outstanding (I LOVE structured features at the moment).

One disappointment for me was the lack of statement jewellery - I love a simple dress with an amazing necklace or a jewelled cuff. Some outfits would have benefited from some extra bling to take them from average to amazing. I adore Rebecca Gibney, but I felt that the look lacked something - stronger earrings would have been my pick.

My best dressed of the evening went to Gigi Edgly. I saw this dress and gasped. The white is crisp, the black adds amazing shape and the jewelled neckline brought the look up to a red-carpet standard. Modern elegance - this whole ensemble made my heart sing.

Highly commended goes to Claudia Karvan, who showed that you don't always need a gown to look amazing. Her hair colour distracted me (don't think that blonde is the best tone for her) but the old-world alternative style of this outfit made her a standout.

Now let's look at some of the fashion shockers of the night:

First of all, let's get Brynne Gordon out of the way. It's horrid. But she's an attention seeker in the tackiest way, so this was expected.

What about Carrie Bickmore? This is one of those strapless dresses that make your breasts look like eyeballs. All it needed was some fringing on top to make eyelashes... oh hold on, that's there as well. The bustier looks like cheap satin and wrinkles in all the wrong places. The puffball at the bottom could have worked if the top was more streamlines. She's got a GORGEOUS figure though.

Thumbs down also to Jessica McNamee. This dress is AWFUL. Why is there ruching down the stomach? What is that awful colour? And is that velvet??? I think it's different elements that just don't work together well - change the colour to a bold red and it would look 1000% better already. The ruching in the middle is awful, but maybe a different fabric would be more forgiving. And if the neckline sat an inch or two lower the bust might look better. Overall it's just... bad.

Other shockers included Tasma Walton (garbage-bag dress), Tessa James (typical trying-too-hard H&A star), Erin McNaught (way to hide a good body, Erin) and Ashleigh Brewer (my mum sews better than that and even she wouldn't do such a hideous 90's style neckline).

I'd like to finish with a high-five to Georgie Parker, who wore a Katies dress that costs less than $100 and proving to women that you don't have to spend your life savings to look great. I suspect this dress will sell out across Australia.

Keep an eye out for my next post where I'll analyse the hair and makeup choices.

Who were your favourites on the red carpet? And who should be hanging their head in shame?

(Photos from www.ninemsn.com.au and www.brisbanetimes.com.au)

New MAC comp - New York Fashion Week? Yes please!

2010-04-29T20:29:00.000-07:00

Hey all!

If you didn't win the chance to be the MAC correspondant at RAFW, then dry your eyes as you could be jetting off to New York Fashion Week and experiencing the thrill of a fashion show for yourself!!!

Simply enter at www.maccosmetics.com.au/rafwsweeps - and according to the terms and conditions you can enter once a day, so add it to your bookmarks and put a reminder in your calendar!

Entries close May 7th - good luck everyone!!

Australis Haul - Part Two!

2010-04-17T22:55:00.000-07:00

After the pleasant surprises of my first post, would the good times continue? A lip gloss and a brush set were awaiting my review... and the results are in!

Let's start with the Colour Inject Mineral Lip Gloss in Hip Hop (RRP $11.95)

I was initially worried as bronzes aren't my colour of choice. I'm not a fan of tanning or bronzing after seeing so many bad examples walking down the Brisbane streets every day. But this product came out quite sheer, and was actually really wearable.

The smell was like a fruit that I can't put my finger on (but nice - not off-putting at all), and the texture wasn't at all sticky - just smooth and easy to wear. The colour was almost like a nude that had a subtle bronze tone to it, and the small glitter particles add a touch of fun without being too 'disco' for daytime.. I could see myself wearing this on its own, or over other colours that are too pink for my tastes. I like it!

And now the Brush Set (RRP $18.95)and Angled Liner Brush (RRP $6.95)- which I have to say I don't hold high hopes for. I hate scratchy brushes, so I'm very picky with what I use.

First points go for size - great for travel. Short handles mean they fit in my cosmetic bags. Good start.

The brush set says it has a 'domed eyeshadow brush, eyeshadow applicator, tapered lip brush, brown brush, mineral powder brush and foundation sponge'. I would consider it to have an 'eyeshadow brush, lip brush, lash comb/ brow brush, cheap sponge and two useless applicators'. The mineral powder brush is cheap and scratchy, and the 'eyeshadow applicator' is a cheap sponge-tip that will last one swipe before it splits. The foundation sponge has the texture of a disposable, so will disintegrate quickly. But the eyeshadow brush is dense and soft on the eye, the lip brush is tight and will give a great line, and the lash comb/brow brush works well.

The angled liner brush is soft as well and applies shadow well, but it's too soft for a tight line. Keep it for smudged/smoky shadow.

If you want great brushes at a low price point, go for EcoTools (which is available at Priceline). Don't bother with these Australis ones. I'll be using these in emergencies only.

So there you go! More Australis than you can poke a stick at :)

Australis Haul - Part One!

2010-04-16T18:14:00.000-07:00

had the pleasure of attending some makeup artist workshops run by the awesome Mandi Levanah in Sydney, which were amazing. She willingly shared the secrets of the industry that she had to learn the hard way, and I am forever thankful for her. She's also sparked my obsession with manicures and OPI polishes, but that wasn't hard! So if she ever reads this - thank you so much, and I can't wait to do another workshop with you :)

As part of the workshops we got a goody bag! Yay for freebies! And it featured a number of Australis products, which was interesting as their low price point can often reflect poor quality. But she swore to us that times have changed, and we'd love these products. And, like so many other things, she was right!

First of all - Colour Inject Mineral Lipstick in Cha Cha

This was surprisingly sheer, and took a couple of coats to build up to this intensity. This isn't a tone of red I would usually wear, but the smooth and moisturising formulation has me interested. I think I'll keep this to mix with other colours, but I may pick up a different colour in this range. A RRP of $12.95 for such a wearable formulation is music to my (poor) ears.

Next - Perfection Brush On Lip & Cheek Tint

I've always kept clear or lip & cheek tints, as I'm naturally (too) rosy and thought they would highlight my overall redness. But I was pleasantly surprised with this combo! I had an English-rose flush to my cheeks and a subtle stain to my lips that was totally wearable. Add some volumising mascara (vibrations anyone?) and I'd be ready to leave the house. This could be my new winter look!

RRP $10.95 (bargain!)

Lucky last - Jumbo Mineral Bronzing Powder

Mandi swore we'd be surprised at this product - she claimed it was the perfect bronzer colour. And she was totally right! A soft bronze sheen illumnated my cheeks but in an oh-so-subtle way. I did have to buff this colour after application to soften the edges, but that may be because it was applied straight over liquid foundation (for the smoothest result I should have powdered my face first). And I'm not a fan of tans or bronzing, but this was a great contour that just added warmth to my cheeks. And for RRP $19.95 for 35g of product, you get a lot of bronzing for your buck.

Check out the difference - the cheek tint is on the lips and the left cheek, the bronzer is on the right.

(gosh I look serious - makeup testing requires concentration!)

The lipstick will need some tweaking before it enters my makeup bag, but the lip/cheek tint and the bronzer are going straight to the pool room (oh, how very 'Aussie' of me!). I always wrote off Australis as poor quality, but these products have proved me wrong. I love it when that happens!

Next up: review of Australis brushes and a lip gloss - will the surprising results continue? Stay tuned!

WOW! Illamasqua to launch in AUSTRALIA!

2010-04-16T15:20:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited for this!! The amazing sensation that is Illamasqua is reaching the sunny shores of Australia! Myer Sydney is the first stop in June with other stores and states to follow.

This is AMAZING news for us Aussies who have to import this amazing range from OS. I love online ordering, but when it comes to makeup there's nothing quite like the touch/feel experience of seeing products in person.

Here's hoping for Alex Box to jump on a plane and make some appearances too!

Are you as excited as I am?!?!?!?!?

Eyeshadow Application - Quick Contoured Eye

2010-04-16T06:21:00.000-07:00

It's great to see all the amazing and creative looks that artists can do - but when it comes to everyday looks, who has the time? Personally I'd rather sleep for an extra 10mins than bother with a complicated eyeshadow routine. So I thought I'd show you my easy 'work' look that's quick to create yet a simple change of colour combinations can keep it from being boring.

It's two steps with one brush - that's it. An all-over colour wash, and a contoured crease. Anyone can do it.

Start with a light wash of foundation over the eyelid - this will help with the longevity of your eyeshadow.

Step one: A colour wash from lashline to brow with a tight but fluffy brush. Best to be done in a neutral colour - this makes sure any colour applied over the top stays soft and well-blended. Harsh lines are the enemy of a flawless look.

Base colour - Oradess eyeshadow in Vanilla Cream (RRP $19, www.oradess.com)

Step two: Contouring the crease. An understated look would dictate a taupe or other cool colour, but if you want to create interest be daring and choose a bolder colour. Deep purples can almost be as flexible as browns, or choose a complementary colour to your outfit (don't match - it's so 1990's!). What about a deep green, bright blue or even a hot pink?

Crease colour - Oradess eyeshadow in Purple Velvet (RRP $19, www.oradess.com)

Just pick up the colour in your brush, tap the handle on the back of your hand (to remove excess colour), keep your eyes open and place the brush in the outer corner of your socket line. Then use a window-wiper motion back and forth along the crease line, moving up ever so slightly so your last stroke sits on top of your crease. This will make sure that the edge of the shadow is soft and blended. If the colour isn't deep enough, repeat these movements. If the colour is too much or the edges aren't blended, pick up some of the neutral colour from step one and apply over the top.

Add mascara and you're done! I tend to skip eyeliner during the day as my lashes add all the definition I need.

This is a very typical work look for me - this features Australis Perfection cheek tint and Australis Colour Inject lip gloss in Hip Hop. These will be reviewed in upcoming posts.

Once you've practiced this eye technique this makeup look can be done in 5 minutes flat!

What's your super-quick makeup tip?

Mascara-palooza!

2010-04-16T02:31:00.000-07:00

I have two desert island essentials - foundation and mascara. And this week I've bought new supplies of both. So first I bring you the mascara review, since it's the most... satisfying. And prepare for lots of innuendo. You'll see why in a moment.

First up - Rimmel Sexy Curves. I scored this as a freebie at the Primped Look Book sessions.

My first thought when seeing the wand - are you KIDDING me? What IDIOT designed this wand? How could a wavy wand evenly coat all my lashes? I scoffed and felt superior in my opinions.

Then I tried it - and I shut the hell up.

This mascara separated my lashes like no other. Normally I have to wipe the excess off the wand to avoid too much product being applied, or comb them afterwards. Not with this baby. I'm lucky in that my lashes already have plenty of curl, but it held its shape well throughout the day.

For the price (RRP $17.95) I think this is an amazing mascara. If you want separated, defined lashes rather than thick and voluminous this is for you. This will be my everyday mascara, as I prefer something thicker and more dramatic for night. But it's definitely a sexy formula. And if there isn't a new mascara on the market I want to try, I'll definitely repurchase this.

And in keeping with the sexy theme... introducing Maybelline Pulse Perfection mascara (RRP $23.95). Otherwise known as 'The Vibrating Mascara'.

I couldn't help myself. Priceline's 20% off sale gave me the perfect excuse to try this baby out. Could this battery-operated buddy help my lashes reach their climax? (*giggle*) Send them into the throes of of ecstasy... I mean volume?? (*giggle*)

Maybelline promises clump-free definition, intense colour and shine, building lash volume with length and curl. With a vibrating wand. As this is my first vibrating device (*giggle*) I didn't know what to expect. But now, as a seasoned vibrator (*giggle*) I'm left rather satisfied (*giggle*).

It's a strange sensation having a vibrating wand near your eye. I kept flinching, but I learnt to place the wand at the base of my lashes with the vibration alrealy turned on. Otherwise you run the risk of starting the vibration and displacing the wand into your eye, which is not the idea. Then you slowly brush the wand up your lashes and let the vibrator do the work (*giggle*).

No mascara, one coat, two coats:

Separated? Absolutely. I was amazed. The subtle vibrations really do help the lashes stay defined. They looked long and volumised. And multiple coats didn't create any clumping. Me likey. To make sure it was the vibrations and not the design of the wand, I applied the mascara without vibration. And it definitely wasn't as effective. In fact the clumping happened almost instantly, and multiple coats made it much worse. So yeah, it was the vibrations making it work.

But in the end... is it worth it? Would I buy it again? Honestly - as much as this works, it's just a fad product. You can achieve the same result with a regular mascara and a lash comb. It's a fun novelty, but it does take time to make sure you did it right - vibrating wand + running late for work = watery eyes and ruined makeup.

I'll be using the mascara until the tube runs dry or the battery runs out. But I don't think they'll be any vibrating items in my bathroom in the long term. Well, not a mascara anyway... oh dear, I've gone too far... ;)

Have you tried any of these mascaras? What's your verdict?

Want to be the official MAC correspondent for Australian Fashion Week??

2010-04-06T17:02:00.000-07:00

Would I lie to you about such an amazing opportunity??
I am NOT KIDDING PEOPLE!! Get aboard this gravy train NOW!!

Here's the scoop directly from the mouth (ok, email...) of Hannah from Splendid Communications:

I thought your readers might be interested in a competition MAC cosmetics is set to launch - it’s a very exciting opportunity to win the role of official Rosemount Australian Fashion Week correspondent for MAC Cosmetics. For any budding journalist or writer, this will be a one-off opportunity which involves a VIP access pass to the shows with all their fashion week musings posted on the official MAC cosmetics Facebook page. All they have to do is explain in 100 words or less why they should be MAC’s official Rosemount Australian Fashion Week correspondent.

Excited?? Me too! Head here for the scoop: www.maccosmetics.com.au/rafwsweeps
Are you entering? I will be!! Best of luck to everyone!!

Inglot Custom Palette - 5 Neutral Mattes

2010-03-31T01:12:00.000-07:00

Meet my 5 new best friends from Inglot. Mattes are so important in any makeup artist's kit, as they absorb the light and therefore won't highlight unfavourable things (like wrinkles) or can create contours where contours don't exist (like a socket on an Asian eye).

Case - black palette, magnetised cover. STRONG magnet - don't bother trying to pull it straight off, slide to the side to open.

Colours - From left to right - 390, 360, 363, 348, 376.

What do I think?
The colour payoff is amazing even with the lightest touch. The shadows are soft which means easy to blend, and these tricky palettes use magnets to not only keep the cover on but are strong enough so the palettes can stack on top of each other. Great for kit or bathroom/vanity organisation. If mattes aren't your thing check out the amazing range of colours they stock - incredible!

Price - only $40 (includes a 20% makeup artist discount - full price $50)! SOLD!

A massive THANK YOU to the gorgeous girls in the Chermside store - they were so sweet as I ummed and ahhed over my choices and asked all sorts of stupid questions.

Have you tried Inglot?

Counter Obsession's Travel Karma

2010-03-30T04:27:00.000-07:00

If you have an important meeting that you have to fly to - no matter how much time you allow, you will be delayed enough to be late.
If you're in a hurry, your bag will be last off the carousel.
Similarly, all the hot, good-looking people get their baggage first, leaving you with no eye candy.
You will arrive at the train station mere moments after a train just departed. You will have to wait 27 minutes for the next one. And you only need to travel two stops.
Catching the first flight of the day means there are no cafes open. No food. No coffee. Not good.
There will be dead people on your train. Specifically zombies. Watch they don't drip blood on your luggage.

Leaving on a jet plane!

2010-03-25T05:43:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry I've been slack on this blog, this last couple of weeks have been mental! I think I need some time off from my day job just to get my life in order. I still love you all, I promise!

So this weekend Counter Obsession leaves BrisVegas behind for the splendour of Sydney! I'm going for some artist workshops, but I'm using the quiet nights alone to catch up on blogging and test some products from the Primped goody bag! Since I've got so many travel-size products and samples I may as well leave more room in my bag for shoes :)

I've certainly got a lot to catch up on! The Kosmea skincare is coming with me, along with the Endota hand cream and the Kora body lotion. I'll take all the lip glosses too (I never have enough!). Oh, and the hair care products. That should keep me busy!

On top of that, I'm treating myself to an eyebrow shape at the Benefit Brow Bar in Paddington. Eek! No more disgusting, furry caterpillars in my EOTD posts! Growing out eyebrows is so annoying, but they are so much thicker and already my natural shape is coming back. A quick wax and tint and I'll be chic and polished!

I've only really got Monday to explore, so if you've got any recommendations as to where I should go let me know!

EOTD - A Pop Of Colour

2010-03-22T02:48:00.000-07:00

Well today was Monday and I felt a little blue - so I decided to show it! This was a really fun look and I got a lot of compliments! A pop of colour on the lower lashline is a great way to modernise your corporate style and have some fun with your look.

This was all created with my 88 matte palette - it's such a godsend on a busy morning. You grab one product and it's your entire eye look. Just add mascara and you're ready to go!

Base: Neutral - first colour in second row
Top liner: Black - last colour in last row
Bottom liner: Blue - fifth colour in last row

What do you think?!?

Exciting News!!

2010-03-16T19:42:00.000-07:00

Those of you who follow me on Twitter (@counterobsess) would know that I haven been appointed as the new beauty blogger for Beyond the Bride! I am so incredibly excited about this opportunity and can't wait to get started! The blog is just in the design stages, so I've got a few weeks to get organised :)

I'm not sure what will happen with this blog, I'd dearly love to keep doing both but I'll see - as the new blog isn't solely focused on bridal beauty many of the posts will double up, and I've only got a limited number of hours in a day! But I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

I'll keep you posted as it develops :)

Update: PRIMPED Goodies!

2010-03-16T03:14:00.000-07:00

This is dedicated to @hollyjcurtis - look at what you can look forward to in Melbourne!!

The contents of the PRIMPED Look Book session goody bags - drool, my pretties!
And look out for reviews when I can get through them all :)

Kora, Kosmea, A'kin, Sally Hansen, Rimmel, Natio, Ultraceuticals, Living Nature, OPI, YSL, Hissy Fit, Burt's Bees, Napoleon Perdis, St Tropez, Dr Hauschka, Ojin...

... Abahna, more Rimmel, Bare Minerals, ModelCo, Revlon, Priori, Antipodes, Terax, Gucci, Endota Spa, YSL again... is that it? Phew!!

What a haul!!

Oradess Lash Confidence Mascara

2010-03-16T02:41:00.000-07:00

As karma would have it I found my camera charger - 24hrs after ordering a new one from Ebay. Humpf. But it means that you no longer have to wait for new blogs, so... YAY!!

One benefit of a lengthy blog hiatus is a chance to really test out new products, and my latest was the Lash Confidence mascara from Oradess. Umm... who?? Oradess is a gorgeous makeup brand created by Brisbane makeup artist Julia Dickenson. The beauty of this range is that it doesn't focus just on products - there is a heavy emphasis on educating women how to actually use the products. Isn't that clever?!? She runs workshops all over Brisbane working with small groups of women and teaching them the tricks to applying makeup to suit their individual features. And she's made sure that her products are very user-friendly as well - I've had a quick play with the eyeshadows and they're SO soft and blendable, but still with great colour payoff! But that's for another blog...

As luck would have it I met Julia when she needed an assistant for a bridal party. We hit it off from the start and she was kind enough to give me this mascara as a thank you. Yes ladies, I didn't pay for this. But for the record that doesn't change my review of the product.

Personally - I love this mascara. I have long but sparse lashes, and I find anything that is a creamy or thick formula just makes them clump together. Which makes it look like I have three lashes in total. Being a more liquid formula this mascara could give me spidery lashes which is what I want. And after two coats I gave an extra wiggle at the base for added definition - and it worked a treat. Plus it's a true 'black' - another benefit of more liquid formulas.

No mascara, then after two coats (with no combing):

The only downside is the liquid formulation - if you don't know how to make it work. If you don't like Maybelline Great Lash then this probably isn't for you. But as long as you wipe the wand of excess product and comb after application I don't see how they can't work for almost everyone.

Check out the line at www.oradess.com - and as I'm going to an Oradess makeup party on Saturday hopefully I can show you more of the range!

Still here!

2010-03-14T20:07:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I'm still here... just cameraless :( so hence the no-new-postness! Just ordered a new charger from eBay so *hopefully* I'll be back in business by the weekend. Which means I have to keep my paws off all the goodies I got from the PRIMPED Look Book session on Friday night!!

After meeting the oh-so-delightful Zoe Foster (who is just a bundle of fun and knowledge wrapped up in amazing shoes - I was in awe! *girl crush*) our group got a summary of the hot trends for Winter 2010 and a tour of the David Jones' cosmetic floor. We were introduced to some new brands as well as old favourites. Endota Spa really stuck out to me since I'm looking for new skincare, and their hand cream is AMAZING - with a lavendar and alpine pepper fragrance. Loved! Another standout was Kora, which we all know as Miranda Kerr's new organic line. Her bestie and brother were there as ambassadors, and I think the line shows a lot of promise.

So, what's the trends for winter 2010? Natural and easy. Fall in love with brown again. Zoe rocked a taupe eyeshadow which was a simple colour wash - no contouring, no liner. With just the shadow and mascara her blue eyes popped and she looked fresh and youthful. Foundation is semi-matte with a luminous glow that brings health and life into your face. Hair goes back to its natural state - embrace your waves and love your 'original' natural colour. Skincare focuses on organic products and anything natural.

The goody bag was just AMAZING - I promise I will post pics as soon as I get my camera working - but it was chock-full of samples and FULL SIZE products from most of the brands that we looked at and many that we didn't. It will take me some time to test them all... what a shame :)

A massive THANK YOU to Zoe Foster and the PRIMPED team for an amazing night! See you next season!!

40 Questions!

2010-03-10T16:47:00.000-08:00

Since I have misplaced my camera battery charger (*WAIL*) I thought I'd give this a try. It's really just a ploy to buy myself more time. I have SO many things I want to show you all... but I want pretty pictures first!

And somehow it has become 42 questions... it's like the Chinese Whispers of the internet :)

1) How many times do you wash your face daily?
Twice. Once in the morning with a foaming cleanser in the shower, and once at night with a facial wipe. I find if I use water twice a day my skin gets very dehydrated. Which then makes me sad.

2) What skin type do you have?
Mainly oily and prone to breakouts, with dryness on the outer cheeks. It's a bit beyond combination, so I usually choose products suitable for oily skin. I can also be sensitive, but I've never figured out the trigger.

3) What is your current facial wash?
Garnier Anti-Dullness Foaming Gel. I really love this, and not just because I can get it at the supermarket. It takes off all my makeup without stripping the skin too much. But I think it's been discontinued, so the hunt will be on for a replacement.

4) Do you exfoliate?
Absolutely. I love it. Although this is where the sensitivity comes in - anything grainy or rough and my face will start to burn. I only exfoliate when I feel the need (again, the sensitivity) but my skin feels like magic after.

5) What brand do you use?
My current favourite is Dermalogica Microexfoliant. I've had mine for YEARS and it's still going.

6) What moisturiser do you use?
Garnier Nutritionist Moisturiser with SPF15+. This was on special and thought I would give it a try. It's nice, but god forbid you get the tiniest amount in your eyes - sting city.

7) Do you have freckles?
No, not really. And if I did they're hidden underneath the redness on my nose and cheeks.

8) Do you use eye cream?
No. And that is really bad. But I've tried them, and I just don't see any benefit. But at the ripe old age of 27 I really should start. *adds it to the already-extensive wishlist*

9) Do you or did you have acne prone skin?
My skin was easily the worst in my group at high school. It wasn't full-blown acne (thank god) but there was ALWAYS serious breakouts happening. I think it was a mix of oily skin, youthful hormones and trying to remedy it with strong face products that just made it worse (Clean & Clear - I'm looking at you!). Now I still get the occasional breakout and blackheads are still an issue, but it's much better than it used to be.

10) Did you ever have to use Pro-Activ?
My sister used it for a while and I gave it a test run - ouch! BURNING!!!

~ Make-up ~

11) What foundation do you use?
Graftobian HD cream foundation in Vixen, which is becoming way too dark for me as I'm not in the sun so much anymore. It's an oil-based foundation, but as it is 'good' oil (like lanolin) it's actually moisturising for me. I was just noticing this morning how clear my skin was. Can be a pain to apply (hint: Beuaty Blender) but it has the coverage I want and with a good powder it stays all day. And it's only $20 a pop!

12) How about concealer?
I use my Graftobian foundation as a concealer, but just apply it with my fingers for heavier coverage. I'm big on streamlining.

13) Do you know your undertone colour?
I think I'm fairly neutral, probably leaning towards a slight yellow undertone. Put anything pink-based on my face and I just look horrid. And it accentuates the redness in my skin. Ick.

14) What do you think of fake eyelashes?
ADORE. My natural lashes are long but very sparse, so I use falsies on special occasions to create fullness. Every woman should learn to wear false lashes. And I do say learn, because it's not just the application that's tricky - it's getting used to having something weighing down your eyes. Sounds strange, but you know what I mean. Then again I wear the lovely thick ones, so maybe it's just me with that problem!!

15) Did you know you were supposed to change your mascara every 3 months?
Yes I do know that. I am religious about changing the mascara in my kit, but on myself - not so much. If it doesn't smell weird and it still works, I'm holding onto it until a magazine comes out with a free mascara :)

16) What brand of mascara do you use?
I'm a mascara tart, I have no loyalty whatsoever. Favourites for myself include Maybelline Colossal Volume and Oradess Lash Confidence (review coming soon). For my kit I use Maybelline Great Lash - I know I know, everyone says how terrible it is, but when you consider that I'm using disposable wands and I only brush a small amount of product on, it's actually a great formulation. Very buildable, and a nice dark black.

17) Sephora or Mac?
Australia doesn't have Sephora, and I only buy MAC after I've been to a Masterclass and have redeemable product. So... I suppose MAC by default?

18) Do you have a Mac Pro card?
Yes, but only for access to Masterclasses. My kit has all sorts of brands so I can usually find what I want at a cheaper price in another brand. Sorry MAC, but you're very expensive in Australia!

19) What makeup tools do you use in makeup application?
On myself - Beauty Blender for foundation, fingers for concealer, brushes for pretty much everything else.
On clients - Beauty Blender, disposable mascara wands, and brushes. No fingers if I can help it.

20) Do you use makeup base/primer for the eyes?
On myself no, since I'm lazy and usually I'm just going to sit in an office where nobody cares how I look. On clients I use Gorgeous Cosmetics iPrime, but only because it came in my kit. Looking into MAC Paint Pots or Fluidline (yes, Fluidline!) as my next experiment - I like how they already add the base colour, rather than something like UDPP which is clear and you need to add colour onto that. Sounds silly, but time is everything.

21) For the face?
Again - for myself no, but I'm lazy and haven't found a primer that I adore. On clients I use Graftobian Anti-Shine.

22) What is your favourite eyeshadow colour or shade?
Just one? Really? I have to say that the Yaby Neutrals palette has every colour I would ever want (for myself).

23) Do you use pencil or liquid liner?
Both, and gel as well. Pencil is quick, but when I wear liquid I usually wear no eyeshadow and just let the liner do the talking. Gel is amazing on clients, as it is more versatile and can give a pencil OR a liquid look in the one product

24) How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?
Not often... actually I can't remember ever doing this! It's usually the mascara wand that gets me :S

25) What do you think of pigment eyeshadows?
Sorry, not a fan. Too messy for me, lots of cleanup not just on the face but in my kit as well. Pressed shadows keep things cleaner and easier.

26) Do you use mineral makeup?
No. Tried it, hated it. Just doesn't give me the coverage. And it photographs terribly!

27) What is your favourite lipstick?
I'm only wearing lip balm at the moment, but if I break out lip colour it's usually liner and a gloss. I do love the texture of the one MAC lipstick that I own though.

28) How about lipgloss?
I've got Napoleon Lip Lacquer in my kit which is great for a wet look but it's super sticky, and the Gorgeous Cosmetics glosses are nothing to rave about. But I've recently ordered some that a local MUA stocks, so I'll let you know how they go :)

29) What is your favourite blush to use?
Benefit Coralista is a go-to if my redness is really blocked out, otherwise I use the light peach tones in the Yaby palette.

30) Do you buy your makeup on Ebay?
I have, yes! But never a 'brand' item as there are too many fakes. I got my 88 palette (original matte one) and my black gel liner, both of which are great

31) Do you like drugstore makeup?
Absolutely! It's all about what works for you. And I don't want to pay top dollar for certain items that have a short shelf-life or you can't tell the difference anyway. Maybelline mascaras are great, Prestige liquid liners are awesome and I have a Rimmel lip gloss that I adore.

32) Do you go to CCO's?Cosmetic Company Outlet?
No, but I only know of one in Brisbane and you have to donate a kidney to get in. But I'm not fussed by the brands stocked there anyway, so it's no big loss.

33) Did you ever consider taking makeup classes?
Does a five month Certificate IV in Makeup count? No? Ok, well I've also taken two MAC Masterclasses and one Makeup and Glow workshop as well as hairstyling training.

34) Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?
YES! On myself anyway. Unless I have a makeup gig or I'm going out I just don't put the effort in - bad I know!

35) Name a makeup crime that you hate?
Just one? Well, at the moment I have 'brandists' - people who judge me as a MUA based on the brands I stock. Usually it's the fact I don't have a lot of MAC. It really bothers me that consumers believe that one single brand is superior over all. Product is only part of the equation - application tools and technique play an equal part.
My other pet hate is people who wear eye makeup but no mascara - WHY would you do that??

36) Do you like colourful shades of makeup (lipstick or eyeshadow) or neutral ones?
With eyeshadow I play with both. Neutrals are easy to do, but brights add a sense of fun to your look. It's rare that I wear anything other than lip balm because I'm a messy person in general and can't maintain a gorgeous red lip without getting it on my chin or forgetting to touch it up.

37) Which celebrity always has great makeup?
Wow, this is hard since many celebrities have hit-or-miss moments. In general I think Anne Hathaway always looks stunning and Kate Hudson does casual like nobody else. But the ultimate perfection in makeup has to go to Dita Von Teese - she's just incredible. She even wears a full face of makeup to work out - that's my kinda gal!!

38) If you could leave the house using just ONE makeup item, what would you use?
Some type of skin coverage, either foundation or concealer. Nobody needs to see my skin bare!

39) Could you leave the house without any makeup on?
I've done it but I feel really uncomfortable. My boyfriend gets frustrated with it, but the redness in my skin seriously looks like I've just had a bad reaction to something. And my eyes look lost without something to define them. So even if it's just foundation and mascara I'm happy.

40) Do you think you look good even without any makeup on?
No way, I think I look really plain. And like I've had a reaction to something.

41) In your opinion what is the BEST makeup line?
I hate this question... I'm going to exclude foundation from this since I believe that it is the one thing that is SO personal that you can't hold yourself to one brand for that. For the rest I love Yaby - I have all three eyeshadow palettes, two blush palettes and some cake liners and I love them all.

42) What do you think of makeup?
Aside from the fact that it's my career, I think makeup is powerful. It can change your overall look, your attitude to the day ahead and even your attitude to yourself. It's also a chance to show your individuality and have a little bit of fun. Don't take it too seriously - it washes off!

Mecca Cosmetica, you disappoint me :( Warning: rant post!

2010-03-08T21:51:00.000-08:00

I was very excited to get an email regarding a Stila makeup event happening instore at Mecca Cosmeticas across the country. I'm a Stila virgin and thought this was a great way to learn about some of their amazing products from one of their top makeup artists. And $50 booking fee (redeemable) was very reasonable.

When I called to make the booking, I was excited. When I hung up the phone, I felt (and still feel) insecure and embarassed.

I spoke to someone on the phone whom I believe is new to the company, as she kept referring to her supervisor. This is no problem at all, she was quite sweet and endearing. Then her supervisor gets on the phone, and the conversation changes. Suddenly I'm getting fed 'lines' from a script. The supervisor gets my name, all my details and we confirm a booking time. And then the one line that stumbled the conversation was 'So you're ready to invest in a new makeup look?'

My answer to this was to explain that while I was looking for a new look I was also a makeup artist, and I wanted to learn about Stilas products. You would think this was a good thing, but I got a sigh. A loud sigh. She went on to explain that the makeup artists come to Australia for only nine days. And in these nine days they go to many different Mecca stores. And so the appointments with these artists are in high demand. And they are 'designed' for people who want to 'invest in a new makeup look'. At this point she pauses.... and so do I. I didn't understand what part of this speech was a question. So she sighs again and says 'so it's designed for people who are prepared to spend a lot of money on the day'. Ahh, I get it now. She was trying to discourage me from booking. She doesn't know me from a bar of soap, she has no idea what my income is or what I am prepared to spend, but she somehow got the impression I was cheap. And therefore, I was not up to the standards of Mecca.

Her final line was 'So do you put yourself into this category?' By now I am so embarassed, but I've already given her all my details so I feel like I can't back out. I was being bullied, and even though I didn't like it I said 'yes'. I paid the deposit. And I hung up the phone. Feeling like Kmart in a sea of couture.

I will admit, I've never bought from Mecca before. But that's because I buy most of the brands that they sell from online retailers (and for better prices). So does being a new customer equate to being unworthy? To not having the money to shop there? Maybe it's because the attitude of your employees leaves me feeling like I've been hit by a bus - did you ever think of that?

And even if I don't have a high disposable income, it shouldn't matter. If I want to save up and have a one-off splurge on Stila products, you should make me feel as special as the customers who buy every week. The experience should be the same.

I'll go to my appointment. I won't make a fuss. I will buy whatever products I actually like, but I may only buy enough to redeem my booking fee. And you can't stop me from doing that. But it will take a pretty amazing experience to make me step back into that store. I'll either buy when I'm interstate or just go back to my online stores that have the stock I want, at a better price, and don't make judgements based on the tone of my voice.

You disappoint me Mecca :(

Academy Awards - Hair and Makeup

2010-03-07T19:07:00.000-08:00

Well now that we've seen the fashion, let's dissect the hair and makeup. Most of the hair was up in a bun or some form or updo, which makes sense with all the bare shoulders. Hair up is sexy for showing off great backs and gorgeous earrings. If it wasn't up, it was blowdried and pushed over one shoulder, which is my favourite. Most lips were nude, with the occasional shock of colour to keep it interesting.

And here come the stars:

Rachel McAdams looks polished to perfection. The hair isn't too tight, the lashes add a bit of drama but the soft colour choices mean she's let her dress do the talking. Although those earrings need to be in my collection.

Sandra goes for a pink lip! Red is usually the colour-pop-of-choice but this rocks. Much more modern. Eyes don't overpower yet the liner and lashes add definition. The sleek blowdry and side part are classic and so flattering - I love sideswept looks. This will look great when she accepts her award...

Nicole misses the mark for me here. I get the whole 60's vibe is her MO, but this looks too harsh and unblended. At least the nude lips and soft cheeks don't compete - she chose one feature to play up, which is the way it should be. The high bun lifts her face and lengthens her whole look.

Kate Winslet has the most amazing hair and makeup artists. Look at that hair! Oh my god, it's perfection. The eyeliner on top gives a sexy shape and makes the eyes pop out, and adds the strength to the look so she's not fading into obscurity. And the best brows in the business.

Holy hairpiece Batman! This is BIG! But you know what - I LOVE big hair! This is statement hair, this is standout hair. Wallflowers need not apply. Eyes are heavy which makes her eyes look tiny, but it's becoming her go-to look for big events.

All looking a bit neat for your tastes? Bring on Jennifer Lopez's messed-up updo. I like it! 'Messy on purpose' can be hard to pull off but this is how to do it. The 'mess' stays in the bun, while the front is soft but not messy. It's controlled chaos. Makeup is her standard, although reports say her bronzing was messy. I don't have HD so it looked fine to me!

I may not have liked the dress, but I love the updo. There wasn't much detail in the hair this year, so this really stands out. And the jewel in the hair - love. Her eyes are soft and the lips are almost bare, I would have liked more on one or the other but in general it's a winner.

I get the feeling that a lot of these pics will be brought to me by formal girls throughout the year, and with good reason. Who were your favourites?

** All pictures are courtesy of the delightful www.bellasugar.com.au **

Academy Awards - Fashion

2010-03-07T18:36:00.000-08:00

As you all have been warned I'm tweeting the Oscars live. So far we've had the red carpet and three awards presented, and I'm EXHAUSTED. So I'm taking a break during the minor awards to bring you some fashion!

In general it was similar silhouettes and safe choices. One-shoulder, off-shoulder and strapless dominated. So start looking after your decolletage, it's THE accessory of the season! Nobody took any major risks, and some even took steps back. Maybe they're all afraid to be on the Worst Dressed List, but it's a bit dull for us watching!

I've already been slammed by some of my Twitter followers for my opinions, but it's just my personal opinion.

Carey Mulligan, I knew you could do it. Fun and age appropriate, love the beading and the new blonde hair! Minimal jewellery doesn't overpower, but I don't know about the crossover strap on the shoes. It makes you look shorter.

Charlize Theron with scrolls on her boobs. And the soft purple tones just look... cheap. Why would a beautiful girl do this to herself?? Love the strong lip though.

Rachel McAdams is my girl crush. As one Tweeter put it 'THIS is how you wear print on a red carpet'. The updo and simple jewellery keep the dress in focus. And she's just gorgeous.

Sandra I'm not loving this on you. The lace on the top doesn't blend well with the fabric below, and it's just a bit drab. She's looked much better this season.

Maggie G is just adorable. There isn't the drama of the Lanvin leopard-print dress, but I do love a print. Blue really suits her.

Nicole needs to try a different style of dress. It looks like everything else she's stepped out in. And the makeup... I'll deal with that on another post. Sorry Nicole, but you're getting predictable.

I hope JLo and Amanda Seyfried aren't sitting together. This was almost a serious malfunction!! But who did it better? My vote is JLo - Amanda looks washed out, and the hair is a bit too tight.

Diane Kruger in Chanel Couture - I'm going to be controversial and say I don't like this. The black looks too harsh against the nude, and it's *almost* trying to overpower it. If there was less black it would have been more 'framing', if there was more it would have been more of a feature. And the straight-ruffle-straight pattern of the nude panels means it just ends up looking too much. But this is one of the opinions I got in trouble for, so I know others adore!

And another controversial one - theinfamous SJP in Chanel Couture. I'm bordering on dislike, I'm afraid. I like the idea, I like the old-school hair, I like the makeup (it's what she always has though). I think it's the silver (?) roses around the neckline that throw me. But I love the unexpected design compared to all the strapless gowns that was out there.

Miley - for crying out loud, you're on the Oscars red carpet! STAND UP STRAIGHT! Apart from that this is a nice dress, but all the maturity and style she exudes here is dispelled as soon as she opens her mouth. That girl sounds like a 12 year old. And her mother kept jumping into her interviews, showing off her tattoos and generally being trailer trash. Miley in 15 years???

That's just a sampling of the red carpet fashions! Who did you love?

NOTD - China Glaze 'Seduce Me'

2010-03-06T18:38:00.000-08:00

I LOVE this colour. This will be on my toenails ALL WINTER. Divine.

When I saw this bottle I thought it was a purple-red colour, but when I photographed it the purple disappeared! It's much darker in daylight, but I can't get a good photo because of (yet another) overcast day. I need some sunlight!!

NOTD - China Glaze 'Black Diamond'

2010-03-05T15:30:00.000-08:00

As soon as the weather cools more than 4 degrees I bring out my dark polishes. This was a new addition that caught my eye.

Grey is apparently the 'It' colour for winter, and I love this gun-metal grey version. The shimmer keeps the colour from falling too flat, and I think it's also really versatile to complement winter wardrobes. I was surprised with the watery consistency of the polish though, and you need a good three coats for an opaque look.

Excuse the dodgy paint job! I usually keep dark polish to the toes because of my dodgy skills, but I'm trying to get better!

What's your verdict on grey nails?

MAC 'Naked Liner' lipliner, 'Myself' lipstick and a Lip Tar experiment

2010-03-04T21:31:00.000-08:00

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As soon as I saw the Too Fabulous collection from MAC I knew this was a collection calling my name. Gorgeous creamy textures, soft colours and a very girly feel. That being said, I'm trying to behave myself and not spend so much on makeup, so I limited myself to the one product that immediately drew me in.

'Naked Liner' seemed to be the nude I have been looking for - so often a 'nude' lipliner is too dark, especially for people who have naturally lighter lips. This looked perfect!

This is my natural lip, then with Naked Liner applied:

Yeah - it's REALLY nude. As in skin-colour nude, not lip-colour nude. This freaked me out at the counter, but now I see so many uses for this. Not only is it great for cancelling out your lip colour altogether, but it's great to totally block out your natural lip shape so you can then redraw it! The touch of pink works really well to avoid looking deathly.

To prove this I did a little experiment. I lined half my lips with Naked Liner:

Then I added RX Lip Tar:

Can you see how much smoother the texture is? The colour more vibrant? And it was so easy to get the intensity with the liner, in comparison to the non-lined side which took a lot more blending and layering. And added bonus is that the liner gets rid of any redness or discolouration around the lip, so your lipstick line looks really crisp.

And just for fun, I added Anime Lip Tar to the bottom lip:

It constantly amazes me how versatile Lip Tars are. The colours blend well whether you're mixing them first or just applying straight on the lip (like I did here). I've got ten colours, but there are new ones coming out - I'll see if I can swatch them for you!

Anyway, back to MAC...

While I was at the counter I looked for a nude lipstick (I don't own one - what's with that??) and I picked up 'Myself' lustre lipstick from the All Ages, All Races, All Sexes collection.

I really like this colour! It's nude, but it's more on the mauve-side so it's still interesting to wear. The tiniest amount of shimmer keeps it from looking too flat. Really like!

Here is Naked Liner with Myself lipstick:

I'm really glad I got these two colours. Naked Liner is probably a little too 'nude' on it's own for me, but it makes other colours so vibrant and your lip line so clear. Myself will now live in my handbag as my go-to lipstick, as it's so versatile.

MAC can be purchased all over the place, and the Lip Tars were from the lovely Rachael at Makeup and Glow - www.makeupandglow.com.au.

It's almost my favourite day of the year!!

2010-03-03T15:01:00.000-08:00

It's not my birthday... it's not Christmas...

It's OSCARS DAY!! *happy dance*
Monday is the day, Australia!! The 82nd Annual Academy Awards are on!!

I love the awards season with an unhealthy passion. Everything about them intrigues me - the fashion, the trends, the politics between winners and losers (Hurt Locker vs Avatar anyone?), the crocodile tears during speeches - I love it all. I love it so much that I take the day off work to watch the live red carpet and awards ceremony on Foxtel. I sit in my living room, live blogs on the laptop, E! red carpet coverage and a brand new pedicure in progress. And this year, like I did with the Golden Globes, I'll be tweeting up a storm!

If you want to be kept up to date with everything that is happening, add me on Twitter! @counterobsess
If you have a proper grown up job that you can't watch all the action or follow the feeds, then I'll post a wrap up of all the fashion and beauty looks from the stars.

You can always count on certain celebrities to turn on the glamour and look amazing, while others can be a bit hit-and-miss. Kate Winslet is yet to let me down this season, sticking to the failsafe old-school Hollywood glamour and polished perfection. I'll be keen to see what she wears, along with Drew Barrymore - who is a bit more unpredictable, but I love the risks that she takes. Carey Mulligan is part of the young, up-and-coming starlets who continually looks fresh and amazing - I wonder if her new boyf Shia LaBeouf will be her arm candy?

Who are you looking forward to seeing on Monday??

Makeup For Ever Aqua Eyes

2010-03-02T21:16:00.000-08:00

I bought these pencils last year at IMATS, and just fell in love. Beautiful colour, smooth as silk to apply, and great longevity (they're waterproof!). They are pricey ($32 each from http://www.mediamakeup.com.au/) and the application needs to be smooth to get a long-lasting result, but the payoff is worth it.

Since I already had black and brown pencil liners (and they look so dull compared to this range) I went for some colour -

From top to bottom - 10L (Copper), 11L (Purple), 22L (Silver) and 12L (Blue with Green Highlights)

Here are the swatches. You can see that the Copper is a little chunky, which can happen. The pencils are so soft, but if you sharpen them and wipe them clean any clumps should be taken care of.

Then to test the 'waterproofness' (I like to make up words!) I washed my arm with soap five times, and patted it dry in between each wash. The results are below:

The clumps that were in the original swatch are the first to go, which is another great reason to ensure no chunky bits. The others have faded slightly, but otherwise the colour is still strong. I love this since the humidity in Brisbane gives me panda eyes, or I'm having a teary moment watching The Notebook I can recover with no telltale signs.

These liners are some of my favourites in my kit, because the vibrancy always shows up well in photos and the models love it! I often use the Copper colour on a model's waterline to give some dimension to her eyes, and the result is amazing.

If you want a pop of colour that's going to last and you're prepared to pay for it, then I highly recommend these liners. But I won't be spending the money on the standard black/brown tones - I think there are other brands that are easier to get hold of and a better price.

Do you wear coloured liner? What's your preferred brand?

P.S. Don't forget to subscribe and vote in my poll!! xx

EOTD - Neutral Work Look

2010-03-01T13:35:00.000-08:00

My first Eye of the Day post! This was a super neutral look, brought to you by the Yaby Neutrals palette. This is the first palette I break out on ANY job, and it always serves me well. It's much more than neutrals - the blues are amazing as well. My only complaint is the small number of truly matte shades, which I need to use a lot for mature clients and bridal.

So this is how I looked today!

Now I count rows (R) top to bottom, and columns (C) left to right. Try to keep up!
Base: didn't use one. I usually don't if it's a pretty natural look.
Colour wash: R2C5 to just above crease
Brow highlight: R1C5
Crease contour: R4C7
Top Liner: R5C1
Bottom Liner: R4C7
Mascara: Gorgeous Cosmetics Formula Five in Onyx Black

This is my 'fallback' look when I don't have time to experiment and need to look polished in a hurry. I'm usually running late so I like something that is quick and pretty foolproof. Since I've already got my base on I just add blush and lip balm and I'm out the door. Complicated looks are for weekends when I have more time!

I'll try to be more adventurous next time :)

What's your 'fallback' look?

Graftobian High Definition Foundation and Beauty Blender

2010-03-01T03:23:00.000-08:00

First blog for my March blogging bonanza! A blog every day - that's 31 posts of goodness!

I thought I would start by showing you my everyday foundation - Graftobian High Definition Foundation. I actually bought a palette for my makeup kit, and liked it so much I bought a full-size tub in my colour. And at $20, it was cheaper than a lot of 'drugstore' foundations, so there was nothing to lose!

Let's get something out of the way early - it's an oil based foundation. Now before you run to the hills, let me explain that it is GOOD oil. Yes, there is such a thing. They use lanolin oil in this foundation, which actually is very moisturising and has a lot of healing properties. I have oily skin, and my skin ADORES this foundation. I no longer have issues with the air con at work drying out my skin, and it's only the second time that I still have found foundation on my entire face at the end of the day (first time was Colourstay).

An important thing to remember is that a little goes a long, long, LONG way. Seriously. If you use a brush, barely touch your brush to the pan and then buff like you've never buffed before. But you can also use it as your foundation AND concealer, by just using your fingers for a heavier coverage. Just pressing my ring finger gives me enough to conceal under eyes, chin, nose and eyelids. Crazy. This also means that this 14g pot will last you a LONG TIME. I'm at least three months in and I haven't even finished half. Amazing.

I used to try to blend with a foundation brush, but since my discovery of the Beauty Blender it's cut my application time in half. Instantly blended, easy to build up coverage and a gorgeous finish. There are heaps of reviews out there, and it's as good as everyone says. Pricey ($49.95 for 1 sponge + cleanser - and you NEED to use the special cleanser, as others start to break the sponge down) but well worth it. A makeup artist I know said her longest sponge lasted 18 months, and only got rid of it because it 'looked' worn. It's genius lies in the rounded end which is great for large areas and doesn't leave any hard edges, then the pointed end gets into small nooks and crannies for flawless application in seconds.

This foundation definitely needs to be set with a powder, as the oils mean it's prone to sliding around your face. I used the Ben Nye Neutral Set here, and although I use a brush I give it a decent powder. A puff wouldn't hurt. Set that puppy well and you'll be a happy camper all day.

Both of these products can be purchased from my favourite online store Makeup and Glow - www.makeupandglow.com.au.

What's your favourite foundation?

First poll is up!

2010-02-28T03:05:00.000-08:00

Hey guys - first poll is in the side bar! This will help me to know how you like to buy your makeup, which reflects what brands you have access to. I don't want to blog about amazing stuff that you can't get your hands on!

So subscribe to the blog and vote - poll will close Sunday 7th March at midday.

In the meantime, I'm going to aim to blog every single day in March - so check back daily and leave me some comments! I would love to know what you think.

Have a great March! xx

Sneak peek at yesterday's shoot!

2010-02-27T23:26:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd occasionally share with you some of my professional work, to get an idea of what it's like to work as a professional MUA. And I'm always happy to answer questions about my career, so ask away!

I had the pleasure of working with a great team yesterday - our photographer was Chris Fatseas, with whom I've worked with five times previously. I don't work with someone that many times if they're not amazing! His assistant and friend Matyas came along as always to lend a hand and tell wild stories. The model was Emma, whose gorgeous skin just made my day. And for the first time I had a designer on the shoot - Anna Peng, whose dresses made me ooh and aah all day. She's only a student, so expect to hear a lot more from her!!

From left to right: Matyas, Chris talking to Anna, and Emma

The weather was overcast and drizzly, our locations had to be changed halfway through the shoot and for a few minutes we thought we had to pull the shoot after only 2 of the 5 outfits! But the weather held out, and with some last-minute location scouting it all came together. Can't wait to see the pro images!

This dress was amazing - the fabric in the skirt was 50% silk, 50% metal so it was able to hold its rounded shape on its own. Amazing.

And this was my favourite piece - just stunning. She was up in a railway carriage and I was on the ground, so excuse the angle!

Will show you the pro results when they come through :)

Revlon Photo Ready Foundation

2010-02-27T21:31:00.000-08:00

Well, I bought into the hype! After reading amazing reviews about Revlon Photo Ready Foundation, I was excited by the promise of picture-perfect skin! But for me, sadly the product didn't live up to its hype.

Don't get me wrong, it's a nice foundation. Medium coverage, easy to apply (and no quick-dry issues like Colourstay) and a decent colour range for a 'drugstore' foundation. I think I've chosen the wrong colour (was a bit 'pink' for my skin), which is my fault for trying to swatch under the fluoroescent lights at night, but I could look past that and see that there were some other issues that I was concerned about.

The big one for me is the 'shimmer' or as Revlon puts it 'photochromatic pigments that bend, reflect and diffuse light to erase every flaw'. When I took a photo of myself after application (and the flash went off as it was overcast), I looked at the image on my camera and thought 'oh god - I'm shimmery all over!' Which is not a look that I like. As an oily gal I try to keep my foundation finish semi-matte to matte, and then just highlight specific areas (cheekbones, under brow etc). Even when I powdered with a matte powder like Gorgeous Cosmetics powder #2 (from my makeup kit) I still came off as 'highlighted' all over in my photos. Maybe this is the way they detract from your flaws, but I didn't like it at all. Especially when you consider when you go out at night, all photos will have a flash.

This photo used a flash, but you can really see the shimmer in usually non-highlighted areas - I don't want my chin or cheeks as they get oily all on their own.

This photo has no flash, so you can see that it does look great in natural light:

On the plus side it didn't settle into my pores. That should also means that it won't settle into fine lines either.

Throughout the day the wear wasn't particularly long-lasting, but then again it's not something promised by this product. But the interesting thing was that every time I looked in the mirror I thought the foundation matched my skin tone really well (except for being a tad pink), but when I took a photo my face was rather pale. Considering I used a colour-matched powder, this indicates to me an issue with the foundation. It does have sun protection (SPF20) but I think these 'photochromatic pigments' may have a hand in that as well.

I would say this foundation would be AMAZING for some people, but it's certainly not going to suit everyone. If you have the skin to carry off an all-over highlight and don't need full coverage definitely give it a go. Personally the highlighting was an issue for me, especially when flash photography was used. But if your skin is a bit on the dry side it could be just what you need, but choose your colour carefully - bring a hand mirror and go out into natural light to check your swatches.

Have you had any luck with Photo Ready?

Swisspers Blot-Off Oil Tissues

2010-02-26T02:45:00.000-08:00

This was an impulse purchase during my Priceline haul - I've always wanted to try blotting papers, especially as my skin gets super-oily and shiny during the day. So I'm a perfect candidate!

Upon opening I saw that they actually come in a cute, clear plastic envelope that would be so handy to have in your bag. I'm known for just throwing things into my handbag, so this was the papers don't get ruined.

I've seen some that have a powder on one side (which is really blot powder), but these are different. There seems to be no difference between the two sides, and the instructions say you can use either side. It felt a bit waxy to me, but I was preparing myself for powdered sheets so maybe it was just a surprise. The size is probably a bit bigger than a business card - one sheet would stretch from my nose to my outer cheek, and from under my eye to the lip area.

Here's the before and after - it certainly has taken the 'super' shine away - I suppose it's now more 'dewy'.

They certainly feel soft against your skin - they are super light, and once your oil hits the paper they turn almost translucent. All you do is press the sheet against your skin and the excess oil is absorbed immediately. I waited until lunchtime to really test their power, and I had to use five sheets to degrease my face (one on each cheek, one chin & nose, two on forehead). I was a little disappointed to see that there was a decent amount of foundation colour transfer as well as oil - usually having the powdered surface means that your foundation isn't disrupted. But it certaintly took the only the excess oil away - I didn't look matte (again, the powder would have helped there), but I didn't look shiny.

In the end for the price ($4.99) they are a cheap, but I would bet that there are better papers out there. I liked the idea of the powder as it would avoid losing foundation every time you have to blot. The sheet size was great as well, as one sheet would fit my entire cheek area. But if I keep using them I will have to bring my powder compact as well to mattify the skin and add back some coverage, so really I could just blot with a tissue and get the same effect.

L'Oreal Studio Secrets Anti-Redness Primer

2010-02-26T01:52:00.000-08:00

L'Oreal are appealing to the makeup artist inside all of us and have created the Studio Secrets range that boasts it will 'share all the secrets' of the world's top makeup artists. There are five secrets - two of which are primer ranges, one foundation range, one eye range and one lip range. I don't agree with their theory of choosing lip and eye colours (based on hair and eye colour - pft. Break those rules, baby!) but I do like that they are introducing primers (and a RANGE of primers) into the bathrooms of the general makeup-wearing population. They can iron out many skin issues before foundation comes into play (dullness, redness, shine and fine lines are targeted in this range) and makes it easier for us normal women to look picture perfect. Even if we're just popping out to get the milk.

There were two that caught my eye - first one was the Anti-Shine, but when I tested it at Priceline it left a greasy film on my hand, and the assistant said they have had a lot of negative feedback from customers for that reason. An anti-shine primer that's oily... that's a problem L'Oreal really needs to deal with. So I picked up the Anti-Redness primer which promised to 'eliminate my red patches', which is why it is a delightful green colour.

Basic colour theory tells us that to cancel out a colour on the face, the opposite colour on the colour wheel must be used to counteract it. So if you have purple under-eye circles, you'll go for a yellow concealer. If your circles are more of a bluish tone, then try for a peach/salmon colour. And if you have redness - green is your friend. Your best friend.

There is one obvious issue with this - nobody wants a green face. It's not attractive. So can you see the green in your skin after you apply your foundation? For me, that was a resounding NO. But you have to use the product sparingly. Blend it out, get rid of the green tone without wiping away all the product. And it's easy to do. The primer feels very hydrating on the skin and is easily blendable.

See the comparison here - the primer is on the left, the non-primer is on the right. That's obvious.

With foundation over the top, the effect was dulled but there was definitely a smoother skin tone going on:

Look, I'll be honest - my foundation didn't wear longer. But I expected that. I will admit that I love the idea of primer in that regard, but to be honest I've never found one yet that my makeup lasts longer whether I do or don't use it. But e redness was certainly knocked out of my skin though, and as you can see the difference was amazing. It did fade along with my foundation, but I would love to see the results on a normal-dry skin.

Have you tried any of the primers? What did you think?

Coming up!

2010-02-25T03:27:00.000-08:00

Well, someone spent a little too much money at Priceline... but look what I got out of it!
I'm excited to put these three items to the test tomorrow :)

Revlon Photo Ready foundation in 003 Shell
Swisspers Blot-Off Oil Tissues
L'Oreal Studio Secrets Anti-Redness Primer

Nail Polish Test - Phase 1

2010-02-22T01:39:00.000-08:00

I'm forever painting my nails, just to see them chip the next day. Uber annoying. So I thought I would conduct some simple tests to see what brands and techniques work the best.

Phase 1 - Top Coat vs No Top Coat

As much as I love pretty nails, I'm over the process by the time it gets to the top coat. But I'm also impatient when it comes to waiting for them to dry. So at my last trip to the beauty wholesaler (oh the joys of being a makeup artist - wholesale beauty supplies!) I treated myself to some new polishes and a rapid-dry top coat. I know they don't last as long as other top coats, but it's the 'something is better than nothing' philosophy.

And just to make things interesting - I painted each nail a different colour. Which I got so many compliments on, I might do it again in the future!

All nails had no base coat, two coats of polish, and the left hand had one coat of the rapid dry top coat. I'm very scientific :)

So - on the left hand we had:

Thumb: OPI 'Thanks So Muchness' (Alice in Wonderland collection)
Fingers (L-R): OPI 'Mad as a Hatter' (AIW collection), OPI 'Absolutely Alice (AIW collection), Zoya 'Juno', OPI 'Russian Navy' matte

All had CND Air Dry Fast Set Top Coat

And on the right hand:

Thumb: OPI 'Merry Midnight' (Xmas 2009 collection)
Fingers L-R: OPI 'Off With Her Red!) (AIW collection), OPI 'At First Sight', OPI 'Russian Navy' matte, Zoya 'Tangy'

Please excuse the claws :S what was I thinking????

Anyways, after a jam-packed 24 hours which included a photo shoot doing hair and makeup, 4 hours of driving, cleaning out my kit and having a barbeque, this is what they looked like:

So what have we learnt here?

Fingers together look much nicer than claws.
Glitter nail polish wears pretty badly. Keep in mind they both had a top coat on. All the polish came off in one piece. Which makes me sad, because 'Thanks So Muchness!' is adorable.
Top coats do seem to help the life of the manicure, although they all did wear around the edges. But look at the difference between the 'Russian Navy' nails - that's massive.
Rapid dry top coats leave a really dull finish on the nail. Not a great idea if you want super-shine.
Multicoloured nails are quirky and get attention. This could be my new 'thing'.
I'm terrible at painting my own nails.
'At First Sight' is a GORGEOUS nude colour for everyday wear, and it was the most long lasting out of the bunch (and it didn't even have a top coat! *high five*)

Next step - different top coat. What different finishes can you get, and how do they last? Stay tuned...

CB xx

My current skin and makeup routine

2010-02-15T20:05:00.000-08:00

Before I get all excited about trying new products, I thought I should share with you what I'm wearing at the moment. Gives you an idea where I'll be starting from!

My skin - 80% oily, just my outer cheeks are normal. Can get very dehydrated. Large pores, and quite a lot of redness. Concerned about first signs of ageing (I'm 27) and making my makeup last all day.

Cleanser - Garnier Anti-Detox foaming gel. Which is now discontinued. Which is always my luck! Look out for cleanser testing in the future! At night I use alcohol-free baby wipes. Just like facial wipes, but cheaper :)
Toner - Witchhazel. It works nicely in summer to keep some balance in my skin, and gently exfoliate.
Moisturiser - During the day I use Garnier Nutritionist with SPF15. At night I don't have a solid routine, I tried to use Nivea but it was too rich for my skin. So it tends to be my rosehip oil with whatever moisturiser I have on hand that doesn't have SPF. Again, Garnier discontinued my favourite ('Stop' range). If they could 'Stop' doing that, it would be great!!

Foundation - Graftobian (pro makeup artist brand) applied with foundation brush. Colour is a tad dark for my liking, but it is summer after all.
Concealer - Graftobian. Trust me, you don't need another concealer. Just apply with your fingers for a heavier coverage.
Powder - Ben nye Neutral Set. This is me being lazy. It's a translucent powder (and a proper one, not a cheap makeup I-really-have-colour type) and it lightens my foundation just enough to make it look like my correct colour. I have hard skin to match for powders, as they can be too pink or too yellow.
Eyeshadow - an old Elizabeth Arden compact. Has nine colours, depending on how bright I want to be. I have many other eyeshadows, but during the work week this is enough to get me through.
Eyeliner - Prestige pencil liner in Black. Prestige has some great products that last well. Big fan. I spend so much on my kit I tend to buy cheaper makeup for myself.
Mascara - Gorgeous Cosmetics Formula Five in Black. Only because I got it as part of my makeup kit. It's quite good actually, does a great job of lengthening my thin, spidery lashes without clumping.
Cheeks - Cover Girl Trublend in Golden Sunrise. Too dark for anything but contouring my cheeks, but it does a nice job of that. Other than that I usually steer clear of blush, due to the redness in my face.
Lips - Whatever lip balm is in my handbag.

As you can see, I'm far from perfect with my makeup or my routine. But it does give me an idea of what I can focus on first.

I'm dying to try out the new Revlon Photo Ready Foundation, so I think that will be my first experiment. But remember - I'm doing this for you. I will get no pleasure out of it.

Yeah right.

Have a great day!!

What is Counter Obsession?

2010-02-15T19:44:00.000-08:00

When you walk into the makeup section of a department store and know the layout off by heart...
When you can spot a GWC at 50 paces...
When your hand looks like a rainbow and there's no room left to swatch...

... you've got Counter Obsession!! :)

I'm Hannah, and a makeup artist from Brisbane. I'm also a product junkie. This addiction is not limited to cosmetics - throw in hair, accessories, shoes and bags, and you have a better picture! For some reason I'm drawn to the stylish and fabulous, but I always imagine those things on *other* people. But I'm on a journey of style self-discovery, and I want to share with you what I find.

I have no allegiance to any brands, price points or preconceptions. Let's throw all that out the window. And have some fun in the process!

Looking forward to meeting you all!