MAKEUP SKILLZ: APPLYING FOUNDATION WITH A BRUSH

This time, I've made you guys an awesome tutorial video about how I apply foundation with a brush.


Tomorrow, I'll show you the rest of the look, using my Models Prefer Sweet Kisses tin!

REVLON NEARLY NAKED MAKEUP - REVIEW

The awesome folks at Revlon were kind enough to send me some samples of their new Nearly Naked foundation and pressed powder to try, and I was quite impressed with both products!

Hear what I have to say about my first impressions of these products in my video below.

The foundation is available in 12 shades, the powder is available in 6 shades, and there's something for every skin tone. Very impressive light to medium coverage products that let your natural awesomeness shine through, whilst providing coverage where you need it.

Pick it up today, available at most cosmetic outlets and pharmacies.



Fair and full disclosure: I was provided with these products free of charge for my consideration. I was under no obligation to review these products and always endeavour to bring you open, honest reviews of products I have used and genuinely enjoyed.

Review: Palmers Eventone BB Cream

 I got a sample of this in the mail, and I loved it so much that I rushed straight out and bought it! Palmers just released this BB cream in 2 colours, and the fair/light happens to suit me perfectly.
It's specially formulated to combat uneven skintone, whilst also providing coverage, hydration, and UV protection. It's definitely an all-in-one product, perfect for everyday wear.


The coverage is what I'd call medium, giving the ideal coverage for me to have on a daily basis. I can wear it without worrying that I'm wearing makeup too often and going to break out.

I'd definitely recommend trying it out. It's exclusive to My Chemist and Chemist Warehouse, and costs less than $10.

Give it a go!

Review: Australis stayput foundation and Ready set go finishing powder.

Happy Monday, readers! I know I've been really slack over the last week or so, but I've been very busy putting together some new Youtube content, and updating the look of the blog basics and the YouTube channel, which should be updated sometime this week.

This look was created using Australis
products. If you'd like to see a tutorial,
let me know in the comments.

And here is the
"flash photography" picture that was missing
from the video.
As you can see, for a face that looks so flawless under natural light,
 it's certainly not a great look when the flash illuminates it.

Today, I have a review for you. I've got a new way to achieve a flawless-looking face, and I've found some really awesome products to help me out with that. First is Australis Stayput Foundation, which is so smooth, medium-full coverage and feels like absolutely nothing on your skin! This stuff just stays and stays all day. I went out to work my butt off at Point Nepean on Thursday and after 10km of hiking and climbing, sweating and wiping my face, it stayed put. I'm really impressed with it.

Next, is their Ready set go finishing powder, a true translucent powder (HD powder) that sets makeup amazingly.

I loved both products, and put together a video review for you guys to watch.


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Review: Lush Colour Supplement - Jackie Oates

On my last trip to the always-yummy-scented Lush, I decided to check out their new Emotional Brilliance cosmetics range. I was actually looking more for their amazing highly pigmented colour products, but one little gem caught my eye and I just had to check it out for myself.

Now, you need to keep in mind that I generally use MAC foundation, which I consider(ed) to be the best of the best in cosmetics for everyday use. I have to tell you that I've ditched my Matchmaster foundation in favour of Lush Jackie Oates colour supplement. I absolutely lovelovelove this product and I use it every single time I apply makeup now. It's the perfect neutral shade. I'm generally a little bit on the pink side, so yellow-based foundations make me look sick, and pink-based foundations tend to bring out the redness in my skin that little bit more.

As you can see here in my picture, it provides a lovely full coverage base, and when applied with a kabuki brush and set with a pressed powder to finish, it gives a lovely airbrushed look without too much effort.

If you wanted a more casual, everyday look, you can mix it with your favourite day moisturiser and turn it into a BB Cream! It's really, really versatile. Build it up over blemish-prone areas, or dress it down with simple application techniques.

The best part about this product is the price. At $17.95, this is the best value-for-money product I've used. Even if Jackie Oates isn't for you, colour-wise, there are 4 other colour supplements to choose from!


You can pick up Lush colour supplements in Lush stores or at www.lush.com.au


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Monday How-to: Applying cream/liquid foundations with brushes.

My favourite kind of foundation is the liquid/creamy kind. I've always applied it with sponges because every time I tried with brushes, I failed miserably. I couldn't figure out why I had streak marks all over, and cakey-looking base.

As it turns out, I was using way, way WAY too much product, hence the streaky cakiness. It also helps that I have a really great kabuki brush now, from my January Lust Have It box.

So... the key to perfecting that airbrushed, perfect base look is in the application. Start with a tiny (and I mean TINY) amount of product on the back of your hand (or in the lid of your colour supplement pot, if you happen to use lush foundation) and build it up. You can use your kabuki brush dry or slightly damp, but don't get it really wet. Using small, circular motions, sweep the product onto your face, working all over to create an even base. You can build up the coverage by allowing the product to dry, then applying another coat.

Then simply set it with your powder, use blush, highlighter and bronzer for contouring and continue with your makeup look. Simple!

Review Thursday: Samantha Chapman Real Techniques stippling brush

I picked up this brush when I went into my local beauty supply store for nail polish remover and files. I just really liked the aesthetic of it.

For those of you who don't know what it is, a stippling brush is awesome for application of pretty much any base product; foundations, blushes, highlighters, whether they are cream or powder.

This one is a duo-fibre brush, with a really dense head of shorter bristles, and the perfect amount of longer, finer, softer bristles.

I don't ever apply cream products with a brush because I just never got the hang of it, so I have had lots of success with powders using this brush. It really buffs the powder on beautifully and gives you a perfect finish.

The last two benefits of this brush are simple, yet unusual for a brush of this quality. First, it has a flat end, so you can load it up with powder and sit it up on the counter so that you don't lose any product if you need to put the brush down for any reason.

Last of all is the price. You won't find a better brush for ten bucks anywhere.
You can find it here: http://realtechniques.com/shop-collection/your-finish-perfected/stippling-brush

What's your favourite cosmetics brush?

How-to Monday: Avoid a heat-induced face-melt.

We all know the feeling. It's a hot day, we've spent ages applying makeup only to have it melt all over our faces in the middle of a party/the races/dancing at the club.

This picture ----------------------> is how that makes me feel.

So, how can we avoid this particular mishap? Well, if you want to keep using the same products that have melted in the past...I can't help you. However, I can suggest some alternatives to get you through the upcoming (Australian) summer months.

First, if you've been taking care of your skin all through winter like I have, this is the time that really pays off. I find during the summer, if I've been really good with my skin care routine, and drinking lots of water, I can get away with a tinted moisturiser or BB cream for foundation makeup. As an alternative that won't melt off, try mineral powder foundation. It will give you a bit more coverage and still allow your skin to breathe.

To avoid panda-eyes caused by sweat/heated up eyeliner and mascara, use a good waterproof eyeliner and mascara. Apart from that, you can use your usual glosses, blush, bronzer, eyeshadow, etc.

Don't forget to use a sunscreen on your face (Dermalogica have an awesome tinted sunscreen which I use as a base in summer) to avoid sun damage. The sun's rays are so strong, even a few minutes out in the sunshine is enough to start burning my English skin.

Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise, and keep drinking lots of water to keep your insides healthy. It will show on the outside, I promise.

Review Thursday: Exciting new products from Innoxa!

It's not often that I get all excited about a foundation and primer, but when I got my hands on these ones and tried them out, I did a little bit of a happy dance. You can find them at David Jones, Myer, Priceline, Terry White Chemists, My Chemist, Chemist Warehouse and leading pharmacies nationally.






First, let's start with the primer. Innoxa Pure silk skin primer is a really superlight formulation, almost a gel consistency, and clear in colour. I almost expected it to feel like water on my skin, but it really feels like smoothing a layer of silk over your face. I have some very high end products that cost a fortune, and do roughly the same thing. I'd even go as far as to say that this product is better, at half the price.
The primer provides a gorgeous, smooth, silky base for your foundation, and if you're a primer user (like most girls should be) this is definitely well trying. You won't look back.



Then the foundation. I am a big fan of high end foundations, and I've tried just about every awesome $70 foundation there is to try. Innoxa Long Lasting foundation is amazing. It's my new favourite base product. Its anti-ageing, light-reflecting. 16 hour lasting formula really does what it says it will do. I even (naughty, I know) fell asleep last night after a party with my makeup still on and woke this morning with a perfect face of makeup still applied. A good base makes all the difference when it comes to things like your colour products smudging, migrating, or wearing off altogether. Even my eyeliner (which sometimes moves into the outer corners of my eyes and smudges) was still exactly where I'd put it almost 24 hours earlier!
If you're looking for a new foundation to try, and you're in the market for something really awesome, save the extra money you'd spend of a really fancy product and get into a store (specified at the top of this post) to pick up this foundation. You won't regret it. At $29.95 it's a total steal, and I will definitely be replacing this product again and again. It's earned a place in my makeup staples.

These products were provided for review by the lovely people at Innoxa. As always, my opinions are my own.

PS...I really, truly love these products!

Base basics: which foundation product is right for you?

There are endless options when it comes to choosing a base formulation that works for you. I've been known, in the past, to combine any number of these products in the quest for the perfect base. Over the years, my outlook has evolved into what I feel is the mature way to look at skin and makeup and how it all works together, and I now feel that if you can make your skin, the canvas upon which we work with makeup, as good and healthy as possible, then it only needs a light coverage to correct colour and smooth out the overall look. Let your own beauty shine through instead of trying to cover "flaws" with lots of heavy makeup.

So...some of my favourite products to use are:

BB cream; a light coverage product that works on your skin's health whilst providing a base cover for your makeup.

Powder/mineral foundation; initially a light coverage product, which can be built up for more coverage. Doesn't clog pores or sit heavily on the skin. I like MAC studio fix powder (powder cake).

Liquid foundation; my favourite liquid is MAC matchmaster. It's a medium coverage product that works with your skintone to provide a natural-looking base.

Other formulations I've tried:

This base is MAC matchmaster liquid foundation and
Rimmel Stay Matte powder to set it.

Mousse foundation; is a medium coverage product that I actually really liked. It tends to sit lighter on the skin, but I found I got more breakout activity when I was using it. It could have just been a brand I was incompatible with. I'll have to try a different brand of mousse to be sure.

Stick/Pancake/heavy foundation; is a full coverage product that I have used onstage for years. It's very heavy and pore-clogging and needs to be washed off as soon as possible after wear, but it provides a full cover, non-shiny, non-reflective base perfect for if you have bright lights shining on your face or for flash photography situations.

No matter what formulation you prefer, it's always a good idea to use a translucent powder to set the makeup base before applying the rest of your look.

Last, but certainly not least, always make sure that your face matches the rest of you. As you can see in the picture here, my face colour is the same as my shoulders and chest, and that's what we want, to avoid a "mask" look. To achieve this, always test foundation colours on your jawline or neck, instead of on your hand or arm.

How to: avoid a makeup faux-pas

There are a few little tricks up my sleeve when it comes to keeping makeup fresh and natural-looking, and many, many times I've noticed women with the classic makeup faux-pas. We all know the "different coloured face" one, which can be overcome by choosing foundation based on the colour of the skin in your jawline/neck, rather than on the back of your hand/inside of your arm/forehead/nose, etc. Blend, blend, blend away the "line" where your foundation ends, and use a good powder to set your makeup that you can brush down over your neck and chest to keep the colour continuity. But there are some other makeup tips and tricks to help us overcome a little makeup disaster or make the most out of our makeup looks;

The first one is this little area right here: the nostrils. Often, we put on our face and forget that the skin around our nostrils curves inwards, and we need to get some foundation on that inward curve to avoid a "flaring nostril line", or a band of skin directly around the nostril which is a different colour. This is another very good reason to always use clean sponges, because you're going to have to edge your sponge just inside the nostril to get a good coverage.

Then there's the bleeding lips. Usually this will happen if you haven't used a lip liner, or if you're using bright glosses very close to the edge of the lip line. I've come across women in the past that just shouldn't wear lipgloss. It ends up all over their face. If you're one of those girls, take heed: lipliner, lipliner, lipliner and lipstick. A little bit of gloss goes a long way, so let's not slather it on like we don't care how fast it runs out. It's not a good look, your hair and makeup flawless, but your lippie looking like it's trying to escape up your nose. So, the key to avoiding this is not just lipliner, though that is important. You need to also make sure that when you apply your foundation, you also cover your entire lips. Then apply lip liner, and you're set to get your lipstick or gloss on there without a disaster.

Here's a little something that a lot of people don't even think about. When we apply mascara, we generally go in from underneath and coat the underside of the lash, but you can achieve a much fuller look by remembering that lashes are cylindrical, and a good coat from above is important to get the whole lash working for you. I often get comments about my lashes (twice now from heterosexual manly-men without makeup knowledge!), asking me where I got them, because people assume they are false lashes. Then when I explain that they are my real ones, I'm often asked how I get them looking so full....and now you all know my secret!


So, there you have it. Some of my tips and tricks for avoiding a makeup faux-pas and for making the most of your makeup looks. If you guys want to ask questions or request a tutorial, let me know and I'll get to work on that for you!

All about: BB cream

 Today's post comes courtesy of my very dear friend Elizabeth, who asked me on facebook "Katy, what on earth is BB cream?". It's becoming really, really popular, yet so many people have no idea what it is or how to use it. I admit that I did have to do a bit of research myself to get to the roots of BB cream, because it seemed to appear on the western market out of nowhere, but I got to the bottom of it, and here's what I now know:

BB cream was developed in Korea, where traditional western foundation formulas are often too heavy and pore-clogging for the women, whose ideal is to have clear, clean, porcelain-like skin. Many BB creams, particularly the ones made and market by asian compaies, contain whitening agents.

BB cream was originally marketed as an all-in-one product, replacing serum, moisturizer, foundation and sunblock. The tint is often mineral-based.

BB stands for Blemish Balm, Beauty Balm or Blemish Base. It actively helps to clear the skin of blemishes whilst providing SPF (check your brand for individual specs) and a light foundation base.

Here's how you use it:

Start exactly like a foundation. Use a clean sponge, or clean fingers to apply it, then either leave it (will give you a slightly dewy look), or finish with a powder (for a more matte finish with more coverage).

So, which local brands are offering BB creams?

Most of them, actually, but here are a couple that I found that I liked. The Garnier BB Cream comes in regular and oil free formula, and retails for around $14. The Natio BB Cream is really lovely at around $15. Last, but not least, the high end brand M.A.C. have a gorgeous BB Cream at around $50.

Most BB Creams are available in Light and medium tones, and some have dark tones, too, to suit every complexion.



I think the days of heavy foundation base for everyday wear are numbered. When you find a product that not only gives you a foundation base coverage, but actively treats your skin, you're onto a winner!