Autumn Lookbook and new haircut!!

While I love Summer and warmer weather, I'm very excited that Autumn is now upon us! Time for change and a new wardrobe! So if you haven't noticed from the photos above, I chopped my hair off! My hair hasn't been this short since 2004! I also wanted to add some colour which I haven't done for nearly 3 years! I'm really happy with the hair cut and I also like the colour, although I might go a bit lighter on the ends once my virgin hair gets used to the dye again. My hair is pretty stubborn, and unless I use bleach, it will not budge! So I was shocked to see it change colour, even if at the roots only!

So today I wanted to share my first Autumn lookbook! I went shopping the other week and while it still felt very much like summer (30C degrees), all the stores began selling sweaters, knits, and boots! The weather this weekend was pretty miserable but made me feel better about starting to purchase autumn and winter clothes!

I recently bought some "autumn/winter" items I wanted to share: a flare skirt from Witchery - I absolutely LOVE the quilted detail and fullness of the skirt; a sporty cotton top from Country Road - I love the simple, relaxed and studded detail of this comfy top; and a silk blouse from Sportsgirl - love love love the colour.  Above is how I would wear these pieces for Autumn!

Outfit 1:
Skirt - Witchery
Singlet - Sportsgirl
Heels - Saba
Clutch - Collette
Necklace - House of Harlow
Watch - Michael Kors

Outfit 2:
Top - Country Road
Jeans - Zara
Wedges - Seed
Bag - Phillip Lim 3.1
Watch - Michael Kors

Outfit 3:
Blouse - Sportsgirl
Skirt - Sportsgirl
Boots - Zara
Bag - Botkier
Watch - Michael Kors
Necklace - Diva

Let me know what you think of the outfits! I'd also love to hear what your must-buy pieces are for Autumn?

Review! Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede lipsticks

L-R: Finale 095 and Backstage 035

Hi lovelies!  Today I'm reviewing the Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede lipsticks in the colours Finale 095 and Backstage 035.

These are longwear lipsticks designed to stay put for 16 hours even after meals while keeping your lips hydrated and smooth with moisturising ingredients including aloe and shea butter. 

I generally wear creamy lipsticks because they are moisturising and don't dry my lips out.  Although creamy lipsticks don't stay on my lips for very long, there is always touch ups after eating, etc.  I was interested in the long wear lipsticks but I hadn't found one that was comfortable on my lips (some of them felt like a plastic cling wrap on my lips...), or any hydrating ones.

Cue Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede.  I was impressed with the long-lasting colour and moisturised feeling of my lips.  This is how I applied it:

1) Start with hydrated lips.  Always! I use Lucas Paw Paw ointment but you only need a touch.  I found that if I put too much, the lipstick wouldn't stay on my lips very well and it would streak.
2) Apply the lipstick.  It felt very smooth and velvety when I was applying the colour.
3) In a few minutes, the lipstick would start to get sticky - this is expected.  The lipstick if working to stay put on your lips!
4) Once the tacky feeling of the lipstick is gone, your lips are now good to go! You can eat, drink and kiss without losing much of the colour! Fabulous!  

Pros!
* The lipstick felt very smooth and hydrating when first applied
* Once the lipstick settled, my lips didn't feel dry.  After a few hours when I felt my lips need a bit more hydration, I would either dab some Lucas Paw Paw Ointment or reapply the lipstick.
* When the lipstick had "set" on my lips, the colour is still pretty vivid and the colour does not transfer when you kiss someone or when you eat!
* I loved the colour Finale 095 - the perfect red!
* The product didn't smell which is exactly what I like!
* The packaging is simple and practical, the lid is clear so you can see exactly what colour the lipstick is.

Cons!
* When closely inspecting my lips after the lipstick had settled, I could see the lines/wrinkles on my lips.

My overall rating is 4 out of 5 stars! I thought the lipstick performed pretty well for a long-wear lippie! And I would definitely consider purchasing in other colours :)

Have you tried this lipstick? Let me know what your thoughts are if you have! Or let me know what are you favourite long-wear lippies?


Thank you beautyheaven for providing these products to trial and review!

My favourite healthy snacks!

My health - eating clean and fitness - has been a recent passion of mine.  Changing my lifestyle and perspective on healthy clean eating really began late last year/beginning of this year. And I haven't looked back since.

Personally, eating healthy and clean is my number one priority - who doesn't want good health and longevity?

So today I wanted to share with you my favourite healthy snacks!

• Fruit!  I try to go for organic and my favourites are bananas, apples and berries
• Peanut butter and nuts! My favourite peanut butter is Organic Peanut butter by Ambrosia,and my favourite nuts are macadamias, cashews and almonds
• Good quality dark chocolate, my favourite is Loving Earth luvju mint & a.f.a raw organic chocolate, sweetened with organic coconut nectar
• Coyo coconut yoghurt - dairy free!
• Fresh coconut juice
• Homemade wheat free, dairy free, and sugar free banana bread, cookies, protein bars
• Herbal teas, like Blueberry and Sleepytime Vanilla by Celestial
• Smoothies!

 What are your favourite healthy snacks??

FOTD! Everyday bronzy summer makeup

I was filming a "get ready with me" video and it wasn't until I replayed the footage that I realised it wasn't focused on me at all, i.e. blurry as!! I was so upset!! I didn't want to let this look 'go to waste' so here are the photos and the makeup I used :)

My everyday bronzy summer makeup:

- MUFE face and body foundation in #34
- Garnier roll on concealer
- Inglot face powder in #66
- Jemma Kidd bronzer
- Illamasqua blush in Hussy
- Rimmel eyebrow pencil in Black brown
- Bobbi brown gel eyeliner in Black (oops! not in the photo above)
- Gorgeous cosmetics lipstick in velvet rose
- Rimmel mascara scandaleyes
- L'oreal eyeliner
- Mac e/s in woodwinked, texture, embark
- Inglot e/s in #459

Hope you are enjoying your week! :)

Mad about "Mod About You" by OPI

Wow! Definitely going to become one of my holy grail nailpolishes - I absolutely love this colour!!

The first coat was a little streaky (as I've noticed with creamy pastels) but the second coat fixes that all up.

I ordered this polish on Catch Of the Day along with some other OPIs for $10 a bottle! Can't wait to try them all!  

FOTD! Wedding Guest makeup

Yesterday, two of my beautiful friend's were wed! They had a beautiful Hindu-Jewish wedding and I felt so blessed to be a part of it!

I wanted to share my FOTD with you guys! I went for very simple makeup with thick eyeliner and lashes and a pop of colour on my lips - this look is fail safe!! I also swept my hair to one side and curled the ends.

Hope you guys are enjoying your Australia Day long weekend!

Review time! The Clarisonic Mia

 I was lucky enough to trial the Clarisonic Mia from beautyheaven.  The Clarisonic is a device used as part of your daily cleansing skincare ritual and 'scrubs' the impurities, dirt and grime from your face in a more effective manner than simply using your hands or a washcloth.  The technology in the Clarisonic is similar to that of an electric toothbrush, with micro movements of the brush head.  As per the official Clarisonic website, it offers the following:

- Removes 6X more makeup than manual cleansing
- Leaves skin feeling and looking smoother
- Removes impurities that keep creams and serums from working their best
- Gentle enough to use twice a day
- Reduces oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes
- Minimizes the appearance of visible pores.

Now the Clarisonic has a very loyal following, so I had very high expectations and was super excited to try it out! My skin is normal/combination so I have an oily T-Zone otherwise I think my skin is pretty good - I usually receive compliments on my skin.  In terms of problem areas, I had some congestion on my forehead (little pimples) and also blackheads.  I've now been using the Clarisonic for two weeks, once a day (at night time).

Below is a before and after shot of my bare skin (i.e. no makeup!)...can you see the difference?

Here are my thoughts on the product!

Pros!
* Straight after using the Clarisonic, my skin felt super soft and this feeling lasted even the next morning.  As I kept using the Clarisonic, my skin didn't feel as soft as before, this could be because I was getting used to how soft my skin was feeling
* My moisturiser was being absorbed better, I think this also contributed to soft-feeling skin
* My skin felt very clean afterwards - similar to how it feels after exfoliating but not to that extent (as the Clarisonic is gentle enought to use twice a day!)
* My blackheads particularly around my nose has become less visible (hurray!)
* Very easy to use, only takes a minute out of your day 
* My skin is looking smoother!

Cons!
* My congestion on my forehead was still there. This could be attributable to other things, like weather (we have had a couple or ridic heatwaves in Sydney lately(!) causing me to sweat like crazy), seasonality, etc

I can't really comment on visible pores, as I think my pores are not very visible anyway.  Also, it would be difficult to tell if the oiliness or dry areas on my skin were reduced because it is summer in Australia at the moment, and I will be oily and sweaty on my face no matter what haha!

Star rating: 4 out of 5 stars
I'm giving the Clarisonic Mia a 4 out of 5 stars because my skin does feel more softer and cleaner, but given I have been using it for only two weeks, it is difficult to see any material changes on my bare skin.  I do think skincare products are being absorbed better and with makeup on, my skin also looks much smoother! I don't think I would repurchase though.

What do you think of the product?