Skin Hydrator To The Rescue!...

 

 "Anyone can be an Aussie Bombshell" according to skincare and lifestyle product specialist, Aussie Bombshell. The brand is all for body confidence and happiness in your day to day life. They promote a healthy and active lifestyle and believe that as long as you love yourself you'll lead a happy life. What's not to love about these guys!

So... I got to try out their amazing new Skin Hydrators. They're one of those products that once you open the container, you sort of, maybe, kind of want to eat it. The fragrances aren't too heavy but they just smell so delicious and really fresh.

My mother constantly says to me that my skin is like leather. I'm so bad for not keeping well hydrated and it definitely shows on my skin. Since moving to Australia, drinking copious amounts of water and moisturising has become part of my day to day routine. Usually I would use Nivea Soft as an all over moisturiser. I love that it doesn't just sit on top of the skin for ages and it helps soothe dry/itchy skin fast. So these are qualities I look for in any sort of cream/moisturiser.

Aussie Bombshell ticks all the boxes. It comes in three different "flavours" and it's quite a generous amount!  It definitely quenched my thirsty skin although it's a lot less.. liquidy (that's not even a word) than my usual choices, I'd probably describe it as more of  a body butter. It wasn't sticky at all and blended in to my skin really well leaving it glowing and really smooth.
I Heart U is Oatmeal, Milk and Honey. Zen is White Tea and Sweet Ginger. And my favourite was Cool As which is Cucumber.
Definitely a fan of these guys!

Aussie Bombshell's website

RODEO SHOW!

So... I told you I'd keep you up to date with all things style and fashion from Oz.
I have been lusting after several Rodeo Show pieces since I started work in Villa Laguna. The quality of the clothes is amazing and there are some serious show stoppers in the collections that I've seen in the store and online.

Rodeo Show is a beautiful Australian brand, they are that little bit more pricey than the high street market, but they don't carry a horribly heavy, high-end price tag either. The price reflects the brilliant quality and fit of the garments and they are pieces that you could wear time and time again.

Ivy Dress in Purple, A/W 13

 

 

This purple draped dress is 100% silk, such a flattering fit and perfect for any occasion. Glamorous gardening a la Desperate Housewives anyone? I've teamed it with a statement Amber Sceats neck piece to accessorise and give it all a bit more detail.

*Queue awkward phone selfie*

 



I am obsessed with their fur vest. I'm not a massive fur fan at all. But rabbit fur seems to be a bit of a thing over here in Oz? This vest/waistcoat/gilet is cropped at the back and comes down longer on both sides. It's so so cosy and can probably be thrown over anything you're wearing for a bit of extra warmth and serious style. I've never worn fur to be honest, so I feel all rich and fancy wearing this.

Labrynth Dress in Rose, A/W 13

Another favourite from the Autumn/Winter 2013 collection is this structured, rose dress. The cute peplum detail can hide any lump and bump you're scared of cropping up in a party dress and it doesn't sit awkwardly on top of your hips. The bodice of the dress is also extremely flattering with structured detailing and a plunging neckline. The necklace I have teamed with this is "My Muse" by 8Other Reasons.

So there you go, a few of my favourite Rodeo Show pieces!

Country Heritage Photoshoot...

Eyelighting @ Up To My Eyes...

My plum coloured lashes from Up To My Eyes.

 Up To My Eyes have recently introduced a new coloured lash extension in the salon!

I had "Eyelighting" done recently and chose to go for the plum colour and think it really made the green in my eyes stand out. Like the regular full set of mink lashes that are done, Jessica applied a mixture of black and plum lashes to each of my own natural lashes.

The process took about 2 hours, it was so relaxing and had I not been chatting away to Jess I would have definitely fallen asleep, which seems to be quite a common thing when getting lash extensions applied!

The lashes fall out naturally with your own lash cycle so you can expect to get about 4-5 weeks out of them before coming back in for a refill. 

There are a few different colours to choose from, with warm violet, plum and green colours being popular choices coming in to winter.

A full set of mink eyelash extensions in Up To My Eyes costs €120 and a recommended refill after 4 or 5 weeks is €50.

A Vintage Tea Party

3 things I couldn't live without...

The most simple products. Nothing too fancy. I don't wear make up every day, I'd usually wear some mascara and lip gloss  I have no need for mascara any more thanks to my "Up To My Eyes" mink lash extensions (more about that later!). So it's usually just a bit of lip balm needed on a daily basis. 

However if myself and the girls are heading out or there's a special occasion, I love getting dolled up. I'll make another post about my make up essentials but these three products are my every day "go to" heroes.

Batiste Dry Shampoo

My hair tends to end up very flat... all the time. It's naturally quite straight but even if I've spent an hour or so curling it, the top of my hair can still end up quite flat. I've tried sleep in rollers, a large barreled tongs, GHD and a wand, still no luck of massive volume on the top of my head. Batiste to the rescue!! As well as being able to spritz some on my hair if I'm rushing around to get out after work, it really just boosts my hair at the tips. It really annoys me having my hair stuck to my head if it's in a bun or a pony tail, I like a bit of volume and this little can of tropical wonderful-ness does the trick!

Aloe Vera Lip Balm

My face can get quite dry, especially in the winter. And this doesn't exclude my lips. They can crack quite easily which just isn't attractive at all! I've found two lip balms that I love and think work wonders to keep chapped lips at bay. Aloe Vera is amazing, no matter which shape or form it takes. I was given an aloe vera plant by my auntie a while ago and the gel that comes out when the leaves are cracked can be used for numerous things. Sunburn, dry skin, acne, as a moisturiser, the list is endless. So when I found it in lip balm form I was thrilled! Another product that I love and can't always get my hands on is a Manuka Honey lip balm. And the same goes for manuka honey, it cures everything! 

Nivea Soft Moisturiser

As I said, my face can get particularly dry, so I always have this in my bag. I used to swear by E45 cream but I found it was quite liquid and I always felt I was rubbing it off on my hands rather than in to my face. I felt it could leave me looking a bit shiny and like it sort of just "sat" on my skin. Nivea Soft is a bit of a thicker cream but goes on light and I find it quite refreshing, my skin seems to absorb it a lot quicker and I don't feel like I have to put it on as much as other moisturisers I've used in the past. 

There you go guys! What are top 3?

Behind the scenes : Country Heritage

I recently shot with stylist Eimear O'Reilly from Suppose I Should Blog with a "Country Heritage" theme in mind.
We shot in a few locations around Greystones with our model for the day Suzi Coombs who is signed with Fraser Models and Actors.
Absolutely loved the clothes that Eimear pulled for the shoot. I fell in love with a Ted Baker pleated maxi skirt that she teamed with a purple blouse and a waist coat.
The week that was in it, we didn't think the weather would be great but I ended up sunburned and poor Suzi was boiling in all the heavy knit Autumn/Winter clothes.

I threw together a little behind the scenes video and took some sneaky shots of the girls at work:

Kelly Hope Murphy, Make up artist

Suzi and Eimear 

I'll post up the whole editorial and details soon!