The Fight Against Skin Cancer

Ellie-Jean Coffey is Pretty Shady

Summer may be coming to an end for us Australians. However, this does not mean that the sun stops blasting UV rays at us every day. Did you know that more UV rays are reflected around on a cloudy day? You might think it's shady but you should actually be keep your sunnies on!

Cancer Institute NSW recently launched a campaign, called Pretty Shady, to raise awareness, particularly amongst "young people" about skin cancer. I suppose the Slip Slop Slap campaign is more appealing to kids than young adults.

I am all for prevention because it's always better than cure. Instead of boring you with all the skin cancer facts, I'm just going to show you my "prevention arsenal". I've stocked up on sunscreen and have vowed to use it every day as part of my New Years' resolution. I can't wait to give the Neutrogena Wet Skin a try to see if it lives up to its claims.

I've had these sunglasses for 2 to 3 years now. They are by Maui Jim and they are polarised. I bought them from 1001 Optical. They've been serving me well and you'll almost never ever catch me without them during the day.

I don't wear hats because I don't own one. I am searching for one though. I'd always try to use an umbrella when I'm walking outside during daytime. Yes, it looks "very Asian" but it also means that the health of my skin is preserved.

Are you a pretty shady person? What steps do you take to prevent skin cancer?

Australia Day Makeup Tutorial Part 2

So here's Part 2 to my Australia Day makeup tutorial. If you haven't seen Part 1, please go check it out because this is a continuation of it. I'm showing you how I take a day look to a night one. Let's begin!

Step 1. Touch up your foundation/concealer/powder if needed. Fill in any areas that have been rubbed off, for example, by a piece of tasty barbeque chicken drumstick.

Step 2. Contour your cheeks, sides of your forehead and jaw. I used TheBalm's Bahama Mama Bronzer.

Step 3. Top up on blush. Instead of adding more cream blush, go over with some powder blush. It'll make the colour stay longer. I used MAC Blush in Dame.

Step 4. Apply false lashes. I used Ibiza from the hedkandi range by Eylure.

Step 5. Apply lipstick. A lovely pinky nude would go well with the whole look. The lip colour in this photo is Naked from Urban Decay.

Alternatively, you can go for a red lip like a did. I wanted to go all out. After all, it's for Australia Day. You could even draw white stars on your cheekbones. I didn't do that because I'm terrible at drawing the stars from our flag and I didn't want to risk insulting anyone.

I don't know if you can notice it but the false lash on my right eye does not look as nice. That's because as I was trying to apply glue onto the lash strip, I accidentally squirted a giant blob all over it. So the lashes all clumped together. So now I'm trying to wipe the glue off with some makeup remover and restore it back to its original condition.

Have you started planning what makeup/outfit you're going to wear for Australia Day? Do share! 

Australia Day Makeup Tutorial Part 1

Hey ladies! For this Australia Day, I'll be heading over to a family friend's for brunch and then watching tennis at home in the evening. I almost never miss the Men's Finals. Who's your favourite? Mine's Rafael Nadal.

Anyway, I came up with this makeup up for a day-time smokey Aussie BBQ or for whatever else you'll be doing on Australia day.

Step 1. Apply a pale creamy matte colour all over your eyelids, keeping the colour below the crease. I used In The Buff from my Too Faced Boudoir Eyes palette. Apply eye primer beforehand for more lasting power.

Step 2. Using a blending/crease brush, apply a brown eyeshadow to your crease. I used Buck from the Urban Decay Naked Palette. Be sure to blend and buff the colour out such that it joins the first eyeshadow colour seamlessly.

Step 3. Line your eyes with a long-wearing or waterproof navy eyeliner. I used Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Eye Pencil in Black Navy. You can do a cat liner if you want but I wanted a more natural look so I kept the edges blunt.

Step 4. Curl your lashes and apply mascara. Your eye makeup is now complete!

Step 5. Moving on to the rest of the face, I applied tinted moisturiser all over my face. I mixed my Laura Mercier one with my Garnier one to match my shade. Apply primer beforehand for better lasting power. Then I brightened my under-eye area with the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer.

Step 6. I powder my forehead, nose and chin with some translucent powder by Smashbox.

Step 7. Now apply some cream blush to your cheeks. I used Stila Convertible in Lilium. Remember to blend, blend, blend! with your fingers.

Step 8. Lastly, you can apply a pale pink/peachy lip colour if you like. I went with my regular lip balm because I don't like the idea of eating my lipstick together with my barbeque chicken. Organic lip balm, I don't mind so much.

Yes, it's the same photo. Just to save you from scrolling back up.

So there you have it! Part 2 will be an evening look. I'll show you how I take this day look into a night-time party look. I'll be posting it up tomorrow, so check back then!


What are your plans for Australia Day?

Skincare Favourites of 2013

Alrighty ladies! It's time for my skincare favourites. To entice you to watch my video, I've revealed a little skincare secret of mine in it!



List of products mentioned:
1. Michael Todd Honey and Oat Facial Wash
2. Michael Todd Blue Green Algae Toner
3. Simple Kind to Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes
4. Bioderma Sensibo H20
5. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream
6. Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
7. Creme de La Mer
8. Burt's Bees Ultra Conditioning Lip Balm
9. People for Plants Organic Lip Balm
10. Castor Oil

What are your skincare favourites? Do share! 

Makeup Favourites of 2013

Hey ladies! Sorry this is a bit late. I know we're already halfway through January 2014 but I've been really busy plus, I wanted to film this rather than type up another boring post. Wanted to change things up for the New Year, you know?

Anyway, here it goes.


If you're too lazy to watch this video, that's okay. I won't make you sit through 6 minutes of torture just to find out what my favourite makeup products are. Here's a list:
1. Benefit Primping with the Stars Kit
2. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer
3. Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder
4. Urban Decay Naked Palette
5. MAC Blush in Dame
6. MAC Lash #32
7. Shiseido Eyelash Curler
8. Kiss Me Heroine Long & Curl Mascara
9. Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers in Celestial and Apocaliptic
10. Benefit Hydra-smooth Lip Colour in Dare Me

I've written reviews for some of the products. If you'd like to read them, just click on the link of each individual product and it'll take you to the blog post.

What are your makeup favourites for 2013? 

Beauty Blogger Tag

Hey everyone, I was tagged by Lisa from Multitasking Damsel about a month ago and haven't gotten around to doing it until now. Sorry, Lisa! Anyway, here it goes!

Rules:

1. State that the tag was created by The Beau Bow 
2. Tag as many beauty bloggers as you would like 
3. Title this post the ‘Beauty Blogger Tag’ 

Questions & Answers: 
1. Name a beauty routine you barely do.
I never really do my brows 'cause they are ultra bushy and I'm too lazy. Even though, I have a patch that I should fill in, I feel like I can get away with a natural thick brow look. After all, Cara's brows are the trend right? 

2. Is washing your brushes something that you regularly do?
Hmmm, define "regularly"? Does whenever I feel like it's dirty count? I don't use makeup or brushes frequently, so it's a bit hard to answer this question.

3. How long do you last with chipped nail varnish?
One or two days? Can't stand them. Even a single small chip, makes me want to wipe all of it off.

4. How often do you put off buying/replacing a beauty item or nail polish, even if you need it? 
When it comes to buying beauty items, I never put it off!

5. What is your worst beauty habit? 
Not putting on sunscreen everyday. That's the only one I can think of at the moment.

6. Name something non-beauty related that you tend to put off all the time.

Uh, laundry? Chores? 

7. When going out somewhere do you leave getting ready until the last minute or not? 
No, I feel rushed if I have to get ready right up to the last minute.

8. Can you commit to spending bans?

So far, yes. But I think it's 'cause my spending bans haven't been that long or strict! 

9. How organised is your make up and nail polish collection? 

Err... They once were! 

10. What is the longest time you have gone without writing a blog post?Oooh, probably 6 months or more? But that was before I converted this into a beauty blog. 

Okay, now it's your turn! I'd like to tag the following bloggers: 

1. Sandy from Eyes for Makeup

2. Kerri from Beauty and Things 

3. Ms Jelena's Blog

4. Sarah from breathebeauty