BellaBox – October Box

I'm sure by now you are all very versed in the Beauty Sample Boxes that have launched here in Australia. And this month another box launched...Bellabox! And I got my very own in the mail.

I have to admit that I was a lot a little skeptical that another company was launching, but once I saw some of the brands that Bellabox had on-board I started to take notice. And I'm very glad I did because their 1st box was amazing!

And the lovely products that we got in our box were...

Napoleon Perdis’ Auto Pilot Pre-Foundation Primer – I have used this primer before and I really like it.

A’Kin’s Lavender, Geranium & Jojoba hand and nail cream – I haven’t used any A’Kin products before but this hand and nail cream sounds really good, and smells really good.

Alpha-H’s Gentle Daily Exfoliant – I have been using Alpha-H’s Liquid Gold range and I LOVE IT! (you can check out my Liquid Gold Post here) So I’m uber-excited to try out this daily exfoliant.

Savoir Faire’s Lipstick in Miss You – This lipstick is divine! The packaging is amazing, the color is great and it looks really nice on. It’s also a great texture.

One’s Skin System Daily Hydrate – This luxury sample looked pretty amazing! I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but I really can’t help it. I haven’t heard of ONE before, but if the packaging is anything to go by it’s going to be good.

Wines’ Wipes – I think this product is a great idea. It’s a wipe for your lips/teeth when you have been drinking wine to remove the stains! Don’t you hate it when you go to the bathroom during a night out and realize you’ve got wine stains?? I know I do. So really keen to give this product a whirl the next time I’m indulging in a glass of red (which will be tonight actually). But the hard question is Merlot or Pinot Noir?

And that's it folks. I was really so happy with this box and I can't wait to see what Bellabox have planned for their next box.

Nat xoxo

IMATS - Finally!

As I have mentioned numerous times, I attended the IMATS as part of the ABBW. I was really excited about the IMATS because as being part of the ABBW I had the opportunity to e-mail interview Elessa Jade, Donna Mee and Napoleon Perdis prior to the IMATS event.

So by the time the event came around I was pretty excited and I’m very happy to report that the event was excellent. The overload of beauty stands and information was overwhelming, but in a very good way. I was able to find out information on some really great brands that I hadn’t heard of or tired before. I could really write an endless post about everything from the IMAST, but I have summarised it down to my highlights. 

Illamasqua were selling products for about 1/3 of the price that they are normally. I haven’t tried Illamasqua products before but I have heard friends, blogger and make-up artists all mention how great their products are. So I thought while they were so cheap I would take advantage and grab a few for myself.

I picked myself up a nail varnish in Propaganda (Love the name! LOVE!), 2x fine eye pencils in Classic and Uncanny and a precision ink gel liner in Alchemy. So far I have tried the fine liner in Uncanny and the precision ink in Alchemy and love them!

I’ve heard some really great things about Inglot, who also had a stand at the IMATS. I have wanted to try Inglot’s Freedom Palattes for a while, so I picked myself up a really awesome palette with 4 x rainbow palettes.

I know I could have gone all out and got some crazy colors, but I wear neutral colors all the time so I thought it would be the best way to try them out.

Not to brag, but since we were part of the ABBW we did get some special treatment. We were offered a free lucky drip gift from Serge Louis Alvarez. SLA is a make-up company from France and will be launching a new bio collection soon. I spoke to one of the brand mangers about the range sounds really nice.

On to the lucky dip!

I got a blush mirage in Peach. This product is actually really cool. It looks like a lipgloss and goes on like a powder. Once blended in it turned into a cream-like blush. It’s pretty impressive.

We also had some lovely VIP treatment from Royal & Langickel. They booked a private area for all the ABBWers where we could relax, have some nibbles and also get our make-up touched up and nails done. If that wasn’t enough they also gave us a lovely brush kit.

This actually came at a really good time because my brushes are starting to look a bit gross and I’ve been thinking about investing in some more.

While I was at the IMATS I thought it would be good to see one of the speakers that they had. And I saw Elessa Jade do a make-up demonstration.

I was also able to do a short interview with Elessa Jade after, and I have to say she is so lovely. She is really friendly and also really easy to talk to (which makes interviewing a lot easier! Trust me!).

Elessa Jade said that when she started her beauty site pursebuzz.com she didn’t start a blog, but it ended up getting labelled that way. She also said that it was important to find your niche when blogging a stick to it. Moving on to make-up, Elessa said that due to the brights and prints that Australian women wear, they tend to stick to “natural” make-up looks. A good way to introduce colour into your make-up routine is through eyeliner. It’s a very subtle way to add colour without being over the top.

I would also like to point out that Elessa was wearing Jeffery Campbell shoes.

And that was my IMATS experience!

Nat xoxo 

The ABBW is THIS weekend…

Yep you heard me, this weekend! I’m so excited!

If you don’t know what the ABBW is, you are missing out let me educate you. The Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend is a weekend for about 80 beauty bloggers to get together and discuss all things beauty.

We will be going to the IMATS (YAY), going to a number of beauty events and also have the pleasure of attending an amazing Gala dinner event on Saturday night. I don’t know about you but it sounds pretty awesome to me.

There are also some amazing Event and Product Sponsors on-board.

The event sponsors are the IMATS, Face Of Australia, Alpha-H, Maxted Thomas.PR, Rescu.com.au, P&G beauty & grooming and the Beauty Directory

The product sponsers are fashion addict.com.au, sukin, L’Oreal Professionnel, Australis, Innoxa, Le Tan, Dove, Shoemistress, Lust Have It, Goldwell, Neutrogena, Mirenesse, Ulta3, Tan-Off, Bio-Oil, SLA, KMS, Australian Hair & Beauty, Carmex, Pureau, Kevin.Murphy, Royal & Langnickel, VS Sassoon, Garnier, Taut and Ocean Spray

Pretty amazing brands and products huh?!

No dobut there will be lots to blog about after so watch this space next week for the ABBW blog posts.

In the mean time you can check out my IMATS blog post and my IMATS interviews with Donna Mee, Elessa Jade and Napoleon Perdis.

Nat xoxo

IMATS – Interview with Napoleon Perdis

This is my last IMATS keynote speaker interview! Sad I know! I was really excited about this interview because Napoleon is really such a force in the beauty industry.

I have used a number of Napoleon products over the years and they are really great. So the man behind it must really know his stuff. And good news, he really does!

Check out the interview…

NM: As a major influencer in the beauty industry, what is your number one beauty tip?

NP: Not to prime is a crime! It’s been my career-long mantra. Not only does my Auto Pilot Pre-Foundation Primer create a flawlessly smooth base for makeup, it also a fabulous multi-tasker. I tell models to use the primer as a cream cleanser to remove foundation and then reapply for a revitalizing glow. And for a great low-fi look, I like to mix primer with equal parts foundation for a DIY tinted moisturiser.

This is really so true! I love a good primer and it really does make such a difference. Here are my top primer picks.

Napoleon's Auto Pilot Primer



Benefit's POREfessional

 

Smashbox's Photo Finish Primer

 NM: What new trends will be coming out as we move towards summer?

NP: Summer is the perfect time to wear berry lip shades like raspberry and cranberry. For the eyes, try neon liners or creamy metallics for an updated bronzed eye look. And lots of bronzer, naturally.

NM: We have seen a lot of bold, bright colours coming out recently. What are your top colours picks at the moment?

NP: It’s definitely not a time for chromophobia (fear of colour)! I’m loving precious jewel-toned shades like emerald greens, sapphire blues, amethyst purples and ruby reds at the moment.

Colour is HUGE at the moment! It’s not “apparently going to be huge” (quoting Ron Burgundy) it is HUGE!

NM: What new product is a “must have” for every women?

NP: The Ultimate Contour Palette. I love beautiful, contoured cheekbones and I wanted to create a palette that made it easy for all women. This one lets you colour, highlight and shape your face for an instant image upgrade. I’m confident it’s going to become a cult product for us.

Check out the Contour Palette. It looks pretty awesome.

 NM: What is your all-time favorite beauty product?

NP: Mascara. It’s a non-negotiable. A couple of coats of black mascara instantly opens up the face.

You can see Napoleon at the IMATS on Saturday 24^th September at 4-5pm.

And that’s it folks! You can check out my other interviews with Donna Mee and Elessa Jade.

Hope you see you all at the IMATS. It looks like it’s going to be an amazing event and would be a shame to miss if you are obsessed with everything in the realm of beauty.

Nat xoxo

IMATS

In a month I have the pleasure of participating in the Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend (or ABBW). For those of you that don’t know, the ABBW is a weekend long event for about 80 beauty bloggers here in Australia. Since numbers are limited I really do feel special lucky to get to attend. I know just what my ego needs!

Anyway it’s going to be an amazing event with some amazing beauty bloggers!

Part of the event is going to the IMATS or International Make-Up Artist Trade Show. This is going to be fab because it’s pretty much a whole bunch of make-up crazy people and brands in the one place together. As well as being stalls from a number of different companies, there are also keynote speakers, a make-up museum and even has its own after party.

Some of the speakers are amazing. Napoleon Perdis, Donna Mee, Rae Morris and Nicole Thompson will keynote speakers. How awesome it that??

I’m personally really excited by some of the brands/companies that will be there! I will definitely be checking out:

MAC

Inglot

Napoleon Perdis

Naked Cosmetics

Smiink

No doubt I will find a lot more things to entertain myself once I’m there as well. Just want to make a special call out for Smiink. They do fake eyelashes. I have used them before and they are awesome! And they wear really well.

The IMATS is an international event that is held in Sydney, Toronto, London, Vancouver, New York and LA. Lucky Sydney is part of it all! Check out the images for each city:

Sydney

Toronto

Vancouver

New York

London

LA

How amazing are they?? Personally I love New York and Vancouver. Really such amazing work. If these images are anything to go by it really is going to be an amazing event!

The IMATS will be held on the 24^th & 25^th of September and for a 1 day pass it is $40 and for a 2 day pass $65. Personally for an extra $25 I think it’s totally worth going both days since there is going to be so much to see and do.

Hope to see you all there!

Nat xoxo