New hair

So, last week, I changed my hair. It was about time, since I hadn't touched it for almost a year after embracing a long bout of low maintenance balayage.

I showed my hairdresser this picture of Mila as a guide:

I wanted to steer away from balayage this time, since it doesn't always look as natural as I would like, so my hairdresser and I decided to mimic the dimension in Mila's hair by using two levels of the same shade of hair colour - darker through the roots, and slightly lighter towards the ends. I go to an Aveda salon, partly because the Aveda hair colours include a magnificent brown with absolutely no red ("warmth" is my hair's arch nemesis). 

He also cut in some new layers and lopped a few inches off the length.

Voila!

FOTD:

By Terry Soleil de Rose Freshtone Hydra-Reviver in #1 Sunlight

I use this as a primer, and it's beautiful. It smooths my skin, evens out my skintone (it has a subtle self-tanning agent) and gives me a glow underneath my foundation. 

Lancome Teint Idole 24H in #3 Beige

My original review is here, but I am loving this more and more.

By Terry Touche Veloutee in #3 Beige

Beautiful - hydrating, smoothing, flawless. HG.

By Terry Soleil Terrybly Hydra Bronzing Tinted Serum in #1 Summer Nude

I apply this as a contouring product with my Nars "Yachiyo" brush. So lovely - the perfect "tan" colour. (This has a tanning agent as well, so I use it sparingly!)

By Terry Voile Poudre in #4 Nude Beige

Gorgeous sheer texture with a satin finish. Can you tell how much I love By Terry?

Chanel Blush Horizon de Chanel

So pretty.

Dior Shimmer Powder in 002 Amber Diamond

Apparently this has been discontinued. Travesty!

Chanel Brow Set in Brunette

When I bought this, the sales lady told me it would last me 7 years (she was very specific!) I didn't believe her at the time but after having used it for a year and a half and barely making a dent, now I do.

By Terry Mascara Terrybly in Black

Long, defined, glossy black lashes. Plus, I swear it has helped my lashes grow! (It contains a "growth boosting serum".) HG. 

Estee Lauder Liquid Eyeliner in Black

HG, but discontinued.

[Other products on my eyes, that you can't see: Nars Cream Eyeshadow in Corfu, Nars Eyeshadow Duo in Melusine and Nars Eyeshadow Duo in Violetta.]

YSL Pur Couture Glossy Stain in #13

I bought this on Zoe Foster's recommendation. BRILLIANT. 

My hairdresser also introduced me to this fabulous stuff by Sebastien:

It's a leave-in conditioner/ styling whip that gives my hair moisture, smoothness, hold, texture and a beautiful scent. Gorgeous!

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My Adore Beauty haul

Adore Beauty is my favourite online beauty destination and every now and again I like to treat myself with some exciting new products. My orders always arrive promptly (with complimentary samples and chocolate), accompanied by beautiful, helpful service via email, twitter and Facebook.

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24H

I bought this because I absolutely love the Lancome Teint Miracle foundation and I liked the idea of a fuller coverage, longer lasting alternative.

I have to say, the Teint Miracle is still my favourite, but this is lovely. The main difference between them is the finish - this is matte, while the Teint Miracle is glowy. I prefer a glowy finish, even though I have a normal-to-oily skintype. The radiance is more flattering because it diffuses and deflects away from any flaws, rather than just providing coverage.

For a matte finish, though, it is perfect. It sits beautifully on my skin and it is not at all powdery or unnatural, just shine-free and velvety.

In conclusion, I think I will save this for my good skin days. I would highly recommend it for anyone looking for a full coverage, matte, long lasting, oil-free foundation.

(Psst: Adore Beauty currently offers a Lancome foundation brush as a Gift with Purchase.)

evo Haze Styling Powder

The Aveda Full Abundance Hair Potion is one of my HG products. Zoe Foster put me onto it. It creates that sexy, worn-in, textured finish to freshly washed and styled hair.

Zoe has since recommended this version as a viable alternative so I decided to try it. So far, so good! 

O&M Original Queenie Firm Hold Hairspray
I haven't used this yet but it is very pretty.Tweet

European Collection

In February, I travelled to Europe for three weeks so, naturally, had to cull my considerable beauty collection into a single (thankfully, fairly large!) cosmetics bag.

I always love "in my bag"-type posts so I thought I would share what I settled upon. 

Complexion: 

• Lancome Teint Miracle foundation.
• By Terry Touche Veloutee concealer. (Lovely liquid consistency with full coverage.)
• By Terry Teint Terrybly pressed powder. (Flawless, satiny finish.)
• By Terry Teint Terrybly Soleil in Exotic Bronze. (Matte with a glow... who thought it possible!)
• Nars Blush in Orgasm.
• Tom Ford for Estee Lauder Face Sheen. (This is beautiful, but long discontinued.)

Eyes: 

• Kevyn Aucoin Eyeshadow Palette #1. (This is no longer available in Australia - and the US website does not ship internationally - so I will be devastated when I eventually use it all up).
• Estee Lauder Liquid Eyeliner. (Also discontinued, but my favourite liquid eyeliner of all time.)
• By Terry Mascara Terrybly. (Lengthening, volumising and defining - no clumpy or spider-y lashes in sight.)
• MAC Powerpoint in Duck. (Gorgeous on the lower lashline for soft, matte definition.)
• Kevyn Aucoin Expert Brow Pencil. (HG.)

Lips: 

• [top picture] Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy with By Terry Gloss Delectation in Creamy Fig. (Prettiest, creamiest lipgloss of all time.)
• [middle picture] Chantecaille Lip Chic in Violetta. (The texture of these lipsticks is divine.)
• [bottom picture] Chanel Rouge Coco in Camellia with Chanel Aqualumiere Gloss in Diamond Rose. 

Since the trip, most of these products have become my daily staples - particularly Teint Miracle, Mascara Terrybly  and Touche Veloutee.

What are your travel essentials?

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Birthday gifts

I haven't made a beauty post in a while, but since I received some gorgeous products for my birthday, I thought this would be as good a time as ever to pick it up again. These were gifts from two of my good friends, including Kimberley at Hopeful Aspirations.

Dior Shimmer Powder in Amber Diamond

This is one of my all-time favourite products. You can read what I love so much about it here. My only complaint is that it crumbled long before it had actually run out, without being dropped (at least, not that I can remember). Fingers crossed that doesn't happen again!

Chanel Blush de Horizons

I fell in love with this at my local Chanel counter. Isn't it just so pretty? This provides a beautiful glow-from-within; a pretty soft pink with a touch of shimmer. It also comes with an adorable little brush, perfect for touching up.

Chanel Eyeshadow in Fauve

I have green eyes, and so purple eyeshadows are particularly flattering. I prefer to wear fairly neutral eyeshadow colours - it gets so hot in Perth that bright shadows tend to look awful by the end of the day/night - so this is the ideal compromise. It is soft to apply, wonderfully pigmented and blends like a dream. 

I have just made an order at my favourite online beauty store, Adore Beauty - including the new Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24H foundation, an alternative to my beloved Teint Miracle - so I will share my haul on here as soon as it arrives. I can't wait!

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