Packing post... by request

Hello! 

So, my lovely friend Loola has made a request: "I would love to see an itemised and picture supported list of everything packed on your blog ;)", to which I replied, "challenge accepted".

Unfortunately my packing is not very interesting or glamorous but here goes.

I am going to Bali on Friday for 10 days and I am determined to be minimalist, as inspired by Sarah Wilson in this post: what I pack to travel... 15kg and I'm outta here. (Sarah has gone to Europe for two months and her suitcase is less than 15kg. Respect.) Of course, I am not perfect to say the least (yes, three pairs of tan wedges... but they are all so different!, etc etc.)

Clothes:

Three day dresses. A coral jersey A-line shift from Review, lilac print by Antipodium, and pale blue polka dot A-line, also from Review.

Evening dress, by Leona Edmiston. I know this just looks like a sea of garishly pink fabric, but it's really lovely on! Plus it is jersey so perfect for travelling.

These were late additions, hence the mis-mash photo. "Goddess" one-piece, coral sarong, black maxi dress, cream soft cowboy-style hat & taupe thongs, all by Seafolly.

PJs. 2 pairs of Peter Alexander pants & 2 black singlet tops.

Accessories:

Bags: Tan leather mini satchel from Italy & bronze sequin Mimco clutch.

Turquoise necklace, gold locket (etched with the lyrics of Forever Young... a beautiful Christmas present from my friend Courtney) and Kookai beaded headband.

Django & Juliet wedges and Bottega wedges.

Cosmetics:

Teeth, hair & body care: GoSmile toothpaste, toothbrush, flossing thingys & whitening refresher ampoules; L'Occitane shampoo, conditioner, bath bomb, soap & loofah; Bumble & bumble Quenching Complex.

Makeup: mini By Terry Rose de Rose Liquid Blush in Coral Rose, mini Or de Rose foundation in #1 Romantic Blond, Soleil Terrybly in #2 Exotic Bronze & Terrybly Kohl Eyeliners in Black Print & Brown Stellar; Chanel Brow Set in Brunette; Bobbi Brown palette; Kevyn Aucoin eyelash curler; Nars sharpener. (NB this is not all the makeup... there is more in my handbag - below!)

Skincare: Wei eye pads, Bioderma Crealine H2O, mini Chantecaille Rice & Geranium Cleanser, Flower Harmonising Cream & Jasmine & Lily Healing Mask; mini SK-II Facial Treatment Essence; mini N.V. Perricone Cold Plasma x2; Kiehls Creamy Avocado Eye Cream; Mitchum anti-perspirant; Mecca To Save Face SPF30+ x2; Kai Body Glow; Eve Lom muslin cloth

Chantecaille travel brush set, Rubis tweezers & Nars kabuki eyeshadow brush

Other:

Books!

And the things that weren't pictured: my laptop, my camera, ghd and various chargers.

Plane wear:

White cotton May dress, Review trench, silk leopard scarf from Italy & Alberto Ferrari wedges.

Carry on luggage: Rachel Ruddick leather satchel, purse by Prada, Cutler & Gross sunglasses, Sass & Bide specs, Mason Pearson hairbrush, Game Change, mints, tissues. Cosmetics: Mecca hand cream, sunscreen, lip balm with SPF & mirror; Nars Lip Laquer in Baby Doll,  palette with Orgasm blush, Laguna bronzer & Albatross highlighter, & yachiyo kabuki brush; Chanel lipstick in Camellia; By Terry concealer; Philosophy The Supernatural Airbrushed Mineral Makeup.

So there you go! Now I am off to keep myself busy so I am not tempted to throw in more things... just in case!

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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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Just us two

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My summer wardrobe

These are the pieces I will be wearing this summer - some old, some new. I invest in just a few versatile key pieces per season - it keeps things simple!

Alexander McQueen khaki dress

Antipodium "Jolene" print dress

  

May "Mitchie" dress, in white cotton

Rachel Ruddick messenger bag

Alberto Fermani wedges

Matt Bernson "Nouer II" gold sandals

Jordy Askill rose-gold heart ring (modelled by Christine Centenera)

Mimco rose gold crystal studs

And styling...

A textured, breezy top knot (how-to instructions from hair stylist Brad Ngata here)

Chantecaille Lip Chic in Zinnia (swatched by gorgeous Jenny of My Funny Valentine here)

Ellis Faas Lights liquid eyeshadow in E303 (swatched by Jenny here)

Mecca Cosmetica "Cool Summer Nights" nail polish duo

What will you be wearing this summer?

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