Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer

A heavy duty, highly pigmented, blendable concealer that provides the ultimate coverage.  Create a flawless surface by covering birth marks, freckles, dark circles and even tattoos! I use such a small amount that I could see this tube seriously lasting forever, I use this concealer under whatever foundation or BB cream that I decide to use that day.

This concealer is reversed for facial use only, I have used it to cover my dark circles but found it to be too thick and heavy for the delicate skin under my eyes. This does however cover any other problem that you have, my acne doesn’t stay a chance of showing through this concealer and for the price I’d recommend that you all try it out.

There aren’t many different shades to choose from, but for fair and pale girls out there like me. The lightest shade is even fairer than my skin tone and I’m a MAC NC-15, I find it’s best to use clean fingers or a damp sponge as it seems to melt better into the skin than using a brush.

I love the squeezable tube as it’s way more sanitary compared to wands, twistables or pans. I’d tell beginnings to be careful with this concealer, it’s more difficult to work with and doesn't easily glide across skin well but definitely amazing once you master it.

Have you used Hard Candy’s concealer? What concealers do you enjoy using?

Current Top Coats

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri

Is an anti-chip top coat that I have used for a while now, I can’t say that it’s my favourite considering I want to try more top coats from the Sally Hansen range but it does work nicely and it dries quickly which is what I love. I wouldn’t say that it’s anti-chip because I do find my polish does chip at the same rate as when I use a different top coat, however if you are someone who’s busy than this top coat would works wonders. The consistency glides over the nail and gives the polish such a shiny appearance that I get compliments on my nails, people have even asked if I have gel polish which is a fantastic compliment to get.

Orly Flash Dry

I received a mini bottle in a monthly subscription box though I have used these quick dry drops during my time at beauty school, these drops don’t completely dry the nail polish but it dries enough where you can use your hands again and not worry too much about ruining your new manicure. One drop on each nail is enough and I would consider buying the full size bottle which will last a long time, I am the type of person who hates waiting for my polish to dry so the drops work perfectly for me and I’d high recommend this product to everyone.

What are your favourite top coats?

Autumn Nails

Here in Australia it is currently Autumn, meaning I get to start bringing out my darker nail polishes (though you can wear whatever colour in any season). I love this time of year when it’s starting to get colder after struggling through the heat of Summer, now we can enjoy hot drinks and hearty meals while snuggling up with a blanket.

Essie After Sex is a beautiful sultry pearlescent burgundy, it has to be one of my favourite reds to wear. I find that I need two coats of this polish to get an even colour across my nails, the light shimmer catches the light beautifully and would look wonderful on everyone.

OPI You Don’t Know Jacques! is a colour that I never thought I’d actually like, it’s a pretty taupe colour that can look plain or boring. I know many people don’t like this polish, but personally I do because it’s different and I had no other colour like this one.

China Glaze Dress Me Up, when I brought this polish I thought it’d be one of the run of the mill nude/mauvey colours. However the colour is even more beautiful when applied, it has a muted pink finish which only needs one coat but I apply a second coat to give it a richer look.

OPI Mrs. O’Leary’s BBQ is simply the best blackish red/deep oxblood red I've ever used, I use this colour all through autumn and winter because it’s stylish and chic. A big plus is that the colour doesn't get blacker and darker with every extra application, like some dark nail polishes can.

What nail polishes are you enjoying right now?

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

My Holy Grail foundation that I wear on a daily basis, I have oily skin though can be dry at times. Double Wear is a natural semi matte foundation that lasts 15 hours (however who actually wears makeup for 15 hours?), worry-free that stays fresh through heat, humidity and nonstop activity.

Something I love about this foundation is that the colour doesn’t change at least not on my skin, there is absolutely no smudging or transferring onto clothes which is what I struggle with. The feel is lightweight and comfortable, however can cling to dry patches so if you have drier skin than be careful of that.

I find that when I use this foundation I don’t need to powder throughout the day, the formula is easy to blend and is oil-free. There are seventeen shades but I’d advise everyone to visit a counter to be colour matched, it’s easier and better for the money you’ll be paying for it. Here in Australia a bottle costs AUD $50 which is pricey, but you only need to use a small amount of product and a single bottle lasts a long time.

I don’t even need to use a concealer under or over this foundation, the coverage is medium but can be buildable. I apply more foundation on my cheeks and chin as that’s where I have old acne scarring and new acne on occasion. Although I find this highlights my large pores across my cheeks, now this is pretty normal for any matte foundations but it’s something I can easily live with.

A con about this product is that the bottle doesn’t come with a pump, you have to pour the foundation out which can easily mean you pour out too much product. Right now I’m getting to the end of my bottle, which means it’s harder and slower to pour the foundation out which isn’t ideal and overall just plain annoying.

What is your favourite foundation?

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

I use the translucent shade and this had quickly become my favourite powder, it’s finely milled so no matter how many times this powder is applied it doesn’t become cakey or look chalky. This powder does alright at controlling oil but if I’m out all day than I will need to reapply at least once during that time although I’m not bothered by it.

Packaging is simple, cheap plastic with a lid that doesn't stay on too well - this is definitely not travel friendly unless you wrap a rubber band around it to secure it.

This product claims to provide up to 5 hours of natural shine control and to minimise the appearance of pores, this pressed powder definitely mattifies but I have large visible pores across my cheeks and this powder definitely doesn’t cover them.

I love using the Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder with my Real Techniques Powder Brush which applies the pressed powder like a charm, the softness of the brush is just divine.

I will be repurchasing this powder once I have used it up and will recommend anyone to at least try this powder.

Have you tried the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder and what do you think about it?

Best Nail Treatment

Having been to beauty school where you start of practicing treatments on the other students there, I found my nails were becoming weak from being overused in classes. They were very thin to the point where I could bend the tip downwards, I had formed ridges in the nail plate which I personal have never had before.

Overall my nails were in a disgusting shape which for a beauty student isn’t a great look, but nothing I did seemed to help me until my teacher at the time suggested I try the Revitanail Nail Strengthening Treatment. Depending on where you buy it from can cost between AUD $25 to $30, this treatment is widely available but it really does work wonders.

To have the full effect of this treatment you apply two coats and then one daily coat after that for the next five days, remove the polish and start over again. Now it did take a good five to six months for my nails to get back into shape, although keeping in mind working in beauty means that I’m using my hands often. I also use a cuticle oil either during the day or before I go to bed, not only will that help moisturize the cuticle area but will increase the health of the new nail that’s already growing.

The consistency is thick but still easy to work with though the drying power isn’t as fast as normal colour nail polish, I did find the product does become thicker the older it gets as you can see from my current bottle. This is my second bottle and I have found that it’s hard to use up all the product before it becomes nasty looking, which you can still use but just doesn’t look nice.

I do love this product for even times when maybe I don’t have enough calcium (which I find helps with having strong, healthy nails), I recommend this strengthening nail treatment to anyone you needs it for whatever reason. It works amazingly and it’s not overly expensive for what it does, it will bring your nails back to life and give you the nails that you deserve having.

Do you have a favourite nail treatment? What shape are your nails in right now?

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturiser

Over the past few months I have become a fan of the Aveeno products and this daily moisturiser is no exception. The consistency is great and thick enough to provide a great protective layer over the skin, though feels lightweight and doesn’t leave my skin looking or feeling greasy either. I have ance-prone skin and this lotion has never once broken me out, I use this moisturiser every morning and I absolutely love it.

There isn’t any harsh perfume smell and this product is handy if you’re in a rush, I always skip applying a separate sunscreen even though I know that I shouldn’t so having this moisturiser with a built in SPF 15 is just a bonus. However if you’ll be having your photo taken than there may be the normal white cast on your skin from the SPF, so on those days or nights I tend not to wear this product.

The price of $19.99 could be considered expensive for some people, though a bottle of this moisturiser does tend to last as you only need two pumps to completely cover the face and neck. I also don’t use this product as night, I find it a waste considering the SPF isn’t needed and I always like to use either an oil or just a richer night cream.

I do let this cream sink into my skin for about ten minutes or so before I apply any makeup, I do this just to make sure that my skin gets all the properties that the moisturiser has to offer.

What is your current or favourite daily moisturizer?