An unexpected pop of color by Urban Decay Kush

Hello everyone! I'm back again. Back with a major blogging-mojo kick! I am in one of those moods where I need to resort to girly & prety things to relieve my stress. The past week my stress levels have been shooting off the roof, and further aggravated by two major deadlines next week.

Today I'm using Urban Decay's Volume III NYC palette, an oldie of mine. Honestly, I bought this palette to force myself to use more daring colours. Instead, it has been quietly stashed for some time and well, I figured this is THE palette for today.

When I was using this palette, I thought of sweet Kas from Shine, Shimmer & Sparkle. I went on her blog this morning, reading through her funny entries on random makeup ramblings. I suddenly felt inspired to use the most shocking colour in this palette, one that I would never ever reach for. Kush, is probably one of the most weirdest colour in this palette - being the odd colour out, it's not something that I would typically use everyday (if at all!). Described as a dark yellowish lime green, I thought it would be impossible to pull off.  

Hmm... quite the contrary. 

I used Rockstar, Money and Loaded to give the eyes a little bit more depth.

I made a mess a few times and had to start all over again, because it has been so long since I've even worn elaborate makeup. And, I am pleasantly surprised that it turned out pretty good after my 3rd attempt. What do you think?



I need to get myself some new lashes... My current ones; Ardell 109s, are so old that there's no longer any shape to them. I popped them on nevertheless and suddenly loved how much bigger my eyes look with fakies.  

MAC's Razzle & Dazzler lipstick is creamy salmony tangerine colour, which I used my fingers to dab some colour on my lips. I love this shade, but it's not an easy colour to wear if you apply it directly from the tube. It comes out way too strong. But dabbing it is a different story!

Simple pieces to complete the look.

I love this look. While in theory, I loathe anything that is yellowish greens and bright blues, it's all about using a dash of bright all across the eyelid and then toning it down with safer shades; darker shades to smoke it out, or lighter shades to blend the harsh lines. I also reached for a very muted light rose blush, by Givency Prismissime Maharani Pinks, and dabbing a smidgen of tangerine orange by MAC Razzle-Dazzler to give my look a more fun-flirty feel.

It's worthwhile to mention that I applied my eyeshadow first. There was so much fallout and colour on my cheeks at the end of my experiment. I'm afraid Urban Decay eyeshadows tend to be quite messy. Hello, glitter cheeks!

So what's your plan this weekend? Mine will involve a nice lovely nap in the afternoon.

Addicitive accent to the cooler months

I realise that as my moods and outlook in life evolve, fragrances often reflect my transition. So when I feel like I need power in my life, to manage all the little stresses that prop up, I use fragrances that are predominantly masculine... Those that come to mind; Serge Lutens Chergui - there's nothing seductive about this scent, but it's surprisingly empowering.

When I have miserable days, I only seek comfort fragrances which I would then spritz on the pillows and fall deep in sleep... Narcisco Rodriguez for Her is reminiscent of my days in Australia, simply because every other lady will have this on her. I don't usually like to smell 'familiar' but on occasions, it's a great pick me up.

And now, when I'm appreciating the simplicity of life where I spend a good majority of my evenings with my boyfriend, I lean towards cleaner and more linear fragrances. Jo Malone springs in mind. Vanilla and Anise brings an elegant warmth to the skin. Nothing too complex, in fact a very simple single note. No character depth as you would typically expect in Tom Ford and Serge Lutens fragrances.

Jo Malone is atypical to the crowded duty free fragrance space. It brings a touch of 'home' with her candles and bodycare products. Most of all, her large array of fragrances are clean, simple and elegant. Fuss free and goes down to the basics. Some would say that it lacks the 'artistic depth' that you will find in Parisian boutique fragrances. But heck it, I love that I don't have to think too much about the fragrance when you're short of time.



I picked up her one her new additions to her line; the Cologne Intense range, in Rose Water & Vanilla. When I took a whiff of this one day at the Dublin Airport, I was instantly drawn to the sweet exotic accent of rose with a comforting layer of warm vanila enveloping the skin. It now belongs on my must-have Autumn fragrances. Exquisitely deeper than her other clear bottles and so feminine that it makes all my other unisex fragrances jealous of her position in my ranks. 

Delicately composed of rose, vanila, neroli and petitgrain, designed by Christine Nagel who designed 'Miss Dior Cherie', 'Dolce & Gabanna the One' to name a few.

You can purchase this at stores for 80 pounds... a little bit pricier than the normal 100mL bottles. 

I have combined this with Jo Malone Nutmeg and Ginger, making this a more spicier version or worn it on its own. Either way, it's intense but clean enough to be layered.

And when winter is looming close, comforting vanila scents will make me feel that much more happier in within my candle-lit home with friends and family.