Multipurpose Makeup for busy Ladies

The latest addition to my pro kit has been this handy little Nude&Noir palette.
It has a highlight, contour/bronze & lip&cheek colour, but really, they are all multipurpose colours!
Cream colours are my personal favourite, as a busy Mum, I always seem to end up doing my own makeup in a matter of minutes using my fingers (rather than brushes)...
Cream makeup works so well for this.
If you don't have much time that is what I recommend:
Get yourself some multipurpose colour pots that you can use as blush, eye and lip colour and simply blend with fingers. No cleaning brushes, nice and compact to throw into your bag these products are just perfect! Using the same colour for lips&cheeks gives a very nice look.
Another bonus of creams is that they are dewier due to their texture, so they add a bit of glow, which helps when you feel/look a little tired.
Of course, if you have time you can use them really well with brushes too and you can layer powder products over the top for longevity if you have an occasion coming up.
Check out the palettes by Nude&Noir which are super compact and luxurious, while being highly pigmented, all vegan and toxin-free. They have a lovely ingredient list and are very well formulated. My fave is the “Bijou” Palette.
I am also a real fan of Ere Perez New Carrot Colour Pots. They are super creamy and VERY high in pigment. I have been wearing them lately to test out and happy to announce that the quality really impressed me, so they are part of my pro-kit now as well. Again these beauties are vegan & toxin-free.
Do you love cream colours? Do you have a favourite natural multi-use product?


 

Sparkling Vegan Makeup Brushes

It feels like Christmas over here! Why? Well, I just received some brand spanking new, shiny, vegan & cruelty-free makeup brushes! 

There are many pro-quality brushes out there these days that no animal had to suffer for!

Besides the ethical issues, vegan brushes are also more durable and won't hold and accumulate bacteria! That's right: Your animal hair brushes have a tendency to spread germs pretty easily!

Of course, all makeup brushes need proper cleaning and sanitizing. And I will always clean all my brushes very thoroughly. Yet, it's good to know that vegan brushes are naturally "cleaner".

For all cream & liquid products, synthetic brushes have been the choice of pro artists for decades. Finally, we have now sophisticated man-made fibres which grab and apply powders fantastically well! 

I just got this set of eye brushes by Nanshy. If you are looking for new pro-quality brushes and makeup artist equipment, check them out! You can find them in Australia via The V-Spot.

All their brushes come in black as well. But I am quite a sucker for all things white!

Spring Hydration & Celebrating Gratitude With Verdura

This is a beauty review, BUT there is a little story of why these two products are so greatly appreciated by me right now. If you don't have time for my waffling, skip the italic part and jump straight to the bold writing!

"We did it!" said husband with a proud grin, let's celebrate tonight!
The last few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind, with me working at multiple destination weddings, photo-shoots & presenting two natural skincare/makeup workshops, Dave being busier at work than ever and both of us being parents to our little 4-month-old baby, Faye.
There are many projects ahead of us and so much to catch up on, but for right now:
Let's celebrate.
(Our celebration was cooking at home, after Dave came home late, making some delicious dessert and being in bed by 9.30pm.)

I do really feel grateful that I am able to work with my family in tow. They have been tagging along and supporting me so well! That said, I am trying to be really mindful of not letting our days get hectic or stressful. Faye is still so little and she deserves a calm nourishing environment and lots and lots of fun and cuddles and of course milk! Although I am doing some work she is still exclusively breastfed.
Moments of mindfulness, healthy plant-based food & aromatherapy are getting me through most days in grace.

Just in time, 2 especially beautiful Verdura Naturalalternatives Products arrived on my desk:
All Verdura Products are ♥ 100% vegan and gluten free ♥ Cruelty-free – no animal testing ♥ No parabens ♥ No artificial fragrance ♥ No synthetic colourants ♥ No petrochemicals ♥ Palm Oil free

Gratitude Botanical Perfume
This little roll-on invited me to pause and focus on gratitude!
It's very subtle scent is totally safe for me to use around bub, as it's  not overpowering nor does it linger for long. If you expect this to be a typical powerful fragrance you might be disappointed, but if you are like me and love to carry little uplifting aromatherapy oils with you, then you will like it. It sits here on my desk and will be my new handbag companion.
The scent is a blend of the sacred oil of Frankincense and notes of Rosewood, Spruce and Blue Tansy. It's calming and peaceful and melts away any worries, helping o be present in this moment...and: Grateful!

Lotus Hydrating Mist
Just the refresher that I needed, to clear my head and get on with things today!
It also has the most beautiful Spring Vibes!
This is going to be my Spring Desk staple! It's so beautiful... Not only to look at but also the way it feels on my skin and the gorgeous smell! Verdura formulated this with very clever &pure hydrating ingredients. Infused with Jasmine, Lotus and Hibiscus it is suitable for all skin types. Facial mists are one of my favourite skin care products and I have found another winner.

Both Products are exclusive to the vegan & toxin-free online shop The V-Spot. (within Australia)

Get The Look - Editorial Makeup Goes Natural

When I recently shared images of this shoot on Instagram, a few of you requested if I could share the products used to create this look! Of course, I am always happy to share which organic/natural/cruelty-free products can achieve pro-quality editorial results!
It actually gets me very excited.
I have been teaching makeup workshops on the topic of natural makeup lately again, so if you are interested in learning more and keen to attend an upcoming one, please get in touch, via comments or email and I will make sure you will be the first in the know, once new dates are confirmed! :)

This editorial look was a campaign for Bride La Boheme, the designer was after a very ethereal, natural no-makeup makeup look...

Get The Look:
Below are the products to achieve the look

Skin Prep:
Edible Beauty Exotic Goddess Ageless Serum, press into the skin for extra hydration and instant plumping
Vanilla Silk Hydrating Lotion, massage into the skin for glow, circulation and to create a smooth base for your foundation.
(remember to use code LIV15 if you want to purchase Edible Beauty Products, for 15% off!)

Base:
Jane Iredale Glow Time BB Creme & Beyond Matte HD Setting Powder, use a flat foundation brush and apply from the centre and blend outwards. Only a tiny amount needed. Use Powder very lightly through the centre/t-zone.
Setting: Jane Iredale D2O Setting Spray, spray generously as the last step to set makeup in place.
Undereye Concealer: Enlighten Concealer

Cheek/Highlight:
Using the Nude&Noir Bijou Palette, via The V-Spot Shade "Diamond" as a highlight on cheekbones, nose & cupid's bow. Shade "Jasper" as a blush on the apple of the cheek.

Lips:
"Wedding Cake" by The Beauty Archive as prep and vegan lip balm
Using "Jasper" from the Nude&Noir Bijou Palette, via The V-Spot

Eyes:
Ere Perez Waterproof Mascara
Nu Evolution Eye Shadow in Versailles
Jane Iredale Jelly Jar Eyeliner in Brown
Retractable Eyebrow Pencil in Brunette

There you have it! A great mix of so many great natural products by outstanding companies.
I hope this was helpful!

Bronzer-licious! My fave bronzer by NU Evolution

Have you tried NU Evolution Cosmetics?
This brand just really understands how to make clean makeup products without any questionable ingredients! One of the purest I have seen and worked with the formulations are pro quality and are being used backstage at New York Fashion Week.

I am currently testing out their foundations, the eyeshadows are excellent and my favourite is the
PORTOFINO BRONZER.
It's just perfect! Not glittery, not orange but rather that perfect natural bronze tone and a lovely texture. The ingredient list is impressive and the packaging sleek, slim and practical.

This is my new go-to in my pro kit. So, I thought I share!