makeup mondays: teased top knot.

à la Lauren Conrad.

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This has definitely been my go-to hairstyle of late. Well, every Saturday night anyway.

And I am absolutely loving how simple it really is.

I keep a few tools handy for this style, but honestly, you don’t need much at all to master this look. I’ve done it before with only two bobby pins and an elastic – no product and using my fingers to tease. Easy.

Now most people will often use a comb to do their tease, but for this I would definitely suggest giving it a try with a good quality bristle brush. You end up with a beautiful ‘fairy floss’ look throughout and it really makes the style simply perfect.

So, the one-two-three step process?

1 Smooth back hair and tie up in a high ponytail.

2 Tease back the ponytail as much or as little as you like.
(Start small, get bigger, I say.)

3 Wrap the teased ponytail around the base, from front to back, pinning in place as you go.

 For products you might want to throw in the mix: a dry shampoo can help dirty hair for body and texture; a light hairspray for a light hold; even a little gloss spray for finishing.

And if you didn’t get any of that, well, visual instructions are sure to do the trick.

 

Product suggestions:
Kevin Murphy Smoothing Brush
Tresemme Dry Shampoo
Herbal Essences Set Me Up Hairspray
Redken Shine Flash 02 Glistening Spray
Scunci No Damage Elastics
Scunci No Slip Grip Bobby Pins 

makeup mondays: skin secrets.

Seeing as Mondays can be a bit of a drag, I thought it would be great to introduce a little beauty-lovin’ to make the beginning of each week just that bit more beautiful.

I’m an absolute skincare nut. Always have been, always will be. While I tend to blog about fashion and my deep, never-ending love for amazing attire, I actually started out my PR career as more of a beauty guru.

As a young girl, the beauty pages in magazines were the ones I read most thoroughly. When I left high school, the first thing I did was enroll in beauty school. And the day I got a job interview with (what I believe to be) one of the world’s best skincare companies, my life really began. I’ll let you in on a little secret: when I got the call at 9.30PM from the MD to tell me I’d got the job, I may have cried… just a little.

So, with that being said, this week’s “makeup monday” starts with my favourite daily skin secrets. Or, the brands and products I think will rock your world as much as they do mine.

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Never in my life have I found a skincare brand that is truly this amazing. DMK is not just any skincare, they are the leaders in paramedical skincare; this means they don’t just make your skin look pretty, they actually make it healthy, too.

I learnt that my skin has a ‘high skin cell turnover’. This is the reason I will get the odd breakout and I tend to have what the professionals call ‘skin thickening’, which leaves me with a less-than-ideal complexion.

This little three product combo is just the perfect solution.

(Absolutely the best cleanser out.)

DMK (Danné Montague-King)

I grew up in the generation of young girls who were taught that Clinique was no good for your skin. I’m still not quite sure where this skincare rumour began, or why.

As I approached my wedding day last year, I went a little credit-card-happy on StrawberryNET (seriously, who hasn’t?!). Amongst those purchases were a fabulous Clinique foundation-concealer combo and their 7 day scrub cream. I instantly fell in love.

Since – only a few weeks ago – I have made a quick clarifying lotion purchase (thanks to some unnecessary hormonal breakouts) and have watched my skin heal faster than ever before.

Seriously, in love.

Clinique

 

Now these little babies haven’t found their way into my beauty cupboard just yet. These just so happen to be on me “please buy me” list.

While I’m an avid supporter of Bio-Oil, I will never forget the post-surgery benefits that Rosehip Oil really served me. Thanks to that little bottle of liquid gold, the not-so-small scar across my throat doesn’t even get noticed until I mention it in conversation.

Very impressed.
I can only imagine what you could do to my face.

KORA Organics

nye in style.

The most fun part about NYE? Matching your beauty with your style.

Trust me, try it next time: pick out your killer beauty prod and match your look.

Inspired.

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Dolce & Gabbana The One

1. Gucci Two-Tone Silk and Leather Dress
2. YSL Boots
3. House of Harlow Starburst Cocktail Ring

Nars Body Glow

1. Joseph Garcon Off White Shirt
2. Rosamosario B-Amami Lace Shorts
3. Charlotte Olympia Dolly Heels
4. ASOS Gold Sequin Collar

Benefit Cha Cha Tint

1. Abercrombie Tank
2.  Limedrop Tail Skirt from The Grand Social
3. Triple Threat Bib Necklace
4. Jeffrey Campbell Lita’s
5.  Marc by Marc Jacobs Heart Pavé Crystal Ring