tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7280124537324539382024-02-06T19:03:49.975-08:00I'm bored, and like pretty things.miaballerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07562353941627317913noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-728012453732453938.post-85455532561378038432012-01-16T14:32:00.001-08:002012-01-16T14:32:32.582-08:00Coming soon....<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stay tuned for the Golden Globes armchair fashion critique! </span>miaballerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07562353941627317913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-728012453732453938.post-74646774914435396602011-12-29T21:01:00.000-08:002011-12-30T03:58:14.767-08:00Adventures in Frivolity: Fake Tan<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Being an Australian in Utah was somewhat of a rarity. Whilst some Utahns may encounter the ski bogan working on the snow fields, most have never met your average, run-of-the-mill, overseas-born Aussie. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">During the first week of my internship I met an intern who considered himself very well-travelled. He was confident that he could pick where I was from. I queried his statement, asking him where he believed I hailed from, and was met with the common response of:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">"..... England!"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">No. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I informed my new friend that I was in fact Australian, born in Former Yugoslavia. He seemed stumped, and looked very confused as he asked:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">"... I thought Australians were tall and, like, tanned? Like crazy Amazonians!!".</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I politely responded that the Amazon was in South America. That seemed to go over his head. But on further reflection, his statement wasn't misguided as I had originally thought. The image of Australians presented to the world is lithe and tanned. Consider one of our recent tourism campaigns starring this woman: </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Lara+Bingle+Launches+New+iPhone+Sydney+gOWxgkPCYlDl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Lara+Bingle+Launches+New+iPhone+Sydney+gOWxgkPCYlDl.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Where the bloody hell am I? A place called obscurity!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Image from <a href="http://www.zimbo.com/">http://www.zimbo.com/</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are percieved to have either an "outback" or "beach" culture (nevermind the fact that most Australians have never been to the "outback", including yours truly). So, apparently, we have a reputation to uphold! And while beach-ing is a truly enjoyable passtime, basking in the sun and turning periodically to achieve a "natural" tan conjures up images of a chicken in a rotisserie. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Y'all might be aware of that <a href="http://www.theozonehole.com/consequences.htm">hole in the ozone layer thing</a>. Because of that, <a href="http://www.cancer.org.au/cancersmartlifestyle/SunSmart/Skincancerfactsandfigures.htm">2 in 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70</a>. Bloody scary statistic. And, after a particularly nasty burn at the age of 15 due to sun tanning (after half of my face-skin peeled off I resembled the <em>Phantom of the Opera</em>), I decided that I would embrace my Victorian features. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ladiesof2318.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/margaretcarpentersisters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" rea="true" src="http://ladiesof2318.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/margaretcarpentersisters.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm on the right. Clearly not impressed with my friend, bitch stole my rouge.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Image from <a href="http://ladiesof2318.wordpress.com/">http://ladiesof2318.wordpress.com/</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, for the last 12 years, I've been very happy to embrace my lily-white flesh. It looks great with hot pink lipstick. It requires very minimal effort, other than slathering on the SPF30+ (WHICH EVERYBODY SHOULD BE DOING EVERY DAY). But recent advances in fake tan got me curious. And frightened because despite such advances (natural looking! No smell!), I encounter people daily who resemble oompa-loompas, generally clad in a mullet skirt. I am perfectly comfortable with my fluorescent legs reflecting the light to tan those around me on the beach, but would once like to experience the feeling of a tan. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My good friend Nic at <a href="http://www.sugarsuite.net.au/">Sugar Suite</a> convinced me that she had a colour light enough to give me a "sunkissed glow". A spray-tan application ensures an even, streak-free finish. Okay, let's do this.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mintmagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/fake-tan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://www.mintmagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/fake-tan.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inspiration - Leather Chic.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Image from <a href="http://www.mintmagazine.co.uk/">http://www.mintmagazine.co.uk/</a></span></td></tr>
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Process</span></u></strong><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Spray tanners recommend that you exfoliate a day or so before getting the spray done. I exfoliate twice a week, so I wasn't concerned about this. On the day, you're supposed to have a shower and then skip the deodorant and moisturiser. Uh oh. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So, yeah, you've got to get a little bit naked. This is why it was great having Nic do it - I had no problem getting my gear (except for bottom underwear) off. Nic then made me stand with different sides facing her while she applied the tan. Then she dried off the tan, and got me to wear something loose and black. The directions then were to take a shower 2/3 hours later. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">While waiting/marinating, I began to get a little worried as the colour I turned was quite..... dark. Nic assured me that the colour that develops would be much lighter - and she was right. After the shower, my skin was only 2-ish shades darker, and not a lick of orange in sight! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Tomorrow I will post some pics of my arm, or another inconspicuous limb to show you the result.</span>miaballerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07562353941627317913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-728012453732453938.post-29590361108835892102011-12-28T15:10:00.000-08:002011-12-28T15:15:17.223-08:00The Protester.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://timethemoment.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/hapak_lightbox_bouazizi1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="http://timethemoment.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/hapak_lightbox_bouazizi1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Picture of Mannoubia Bouazizi and her son, Mohammed Bouazizi.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Image from TIME Magazine Online</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This post's original intent was to discuss <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/22/woman-of-the-year_n_1165914.html">Huffington Post's "Woman of the Year" article</a>. Whilst browsing the interwebs for further information on women I found to be inspirational in 2011, I stumbled upon <a href="http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2101745_2102132,00.html">TIME Magazine's feature "The Protester"</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">2011 has, undoubtedly, been a landmark year for social and political activism globally. From the Arab Spring uprising throughout much of the middle east to economic protests in Greece, people are banding together and fighting for a united cause: recognition of their basic human rights and an end to government/corporate corruption. I won't speak too much on the protests and movements themselves (and the fascinating role that social media has played in it) as I'm clearly not informed enough to create a cohesive, bloggable opinion on it. I will, however, direct you to the utterly incredible <a href="http://lightbox.time.com/2011/12/14/person-of-the-year-2011-revolution/#1">Yuri Kozyrev's Pictoral Essay </a>on the global movements.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">For me, one of the most fascinating aspects of these movements (particularly those in the Middle East) has been not only the involvement, but organisation and innovation of women, particularly online. If you have the time, I strongly encourage you to read or subscribe to the following:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">- <a href="http://egyptianchronicles.blogspot.com/">Egyptian Chronicles</a> - particularly this <a href="http://egyptianchronicles.blogspot.com/2011/12/virgintygate-more-than-important-court.html">article on #VirginityGate</a>;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">- <a href="http://atunisiangirl.blogspot.com/">A Tunisian Girl</a> - you might need to translate through Google;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">- <a href="http://www.opendemocracy.net/5050/deniz-kandiyoti/promise-and-peril-women-and-%E2%80%98arab-spring%E2%80%99">Promise and Peril: women and the "Arab Spring"</a> - very thought-provoking;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">- <a href="http://www.opendemocracy.net/5050/kathryn-spellman-poots/women-in-new-libya-challenges-ahead">Women in the new Libya - Challenges Ahead</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">- <a href="http://www.opendemocracy.net/5050/amel-gorani/sudanese-women-demand-justice">Sudanese Women Demand Justice</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">- <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_women_who_sparked_a_revolution">Wikipedia entry - List of Women who sparked a revolution</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Have any more? Please post them in the comments section.</span>miaballerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07562353941627317913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-728012453732453938.post-42968480339503983992011-12-27T16:19:00.000-08:002011-12-27T16:19:32.785-08:00Holiday blues.<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dearest three readers,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As the festive season draws to an end it is time to take stock of the year</span>, <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">celebrate achievements and attempt to ignore embarrassing poor life choices and mis-speakings (I understand this is not a word - however I am stumped to come up with a verified term for the illogical, non-sequential garbage that spews forth from my mouth and/or fingers). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Identifying non-work-related events of 2011 that I am proud of is suprisingly difficult, so herein lies my first resolution of 2012: put more effort into my home and personal life. Improve my relationships with those I am supposedly close to. Be a better wife, friend, daughter, blah blah blah.... because as it stands, I am pretty poor at these jobs. I am very fortunate in my life to have incredibly supportive and loving family and friends and I shall, nay <em>must</em>, work harder to show them my appreciation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In terms of personal satisfaction for 2012, I am determined to make it through a semester of my master's. I've got a career goal, and by gosh I am going to make it. I WILL also get a move-on in learning Arabic. Na'am atakallum al-arabiyya! (well, soon)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Here is where I insert the same list of resolutions as every year, including but not limited to:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">- lose weight and continue going to the gym regularly (BAD FEMINIST);</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">- eat better, and by "better" NOT mean better quality cocoa in my high-percentage snacks;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">- be a better cook/cleaner/interior designer/decorator/entertainer/minxed-drink maker/hostess etc. etc. I have always <em>wanted</em> to be an example of domestic divinity, but those aspirations have never quite been realised;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">- sleep more (not going to happen);</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">- improve self-confidence (see above); and</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">- get my musical instrument out from its dusty corner of the shelves and play it without having a panic attack (wishful thinking).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am also going to change the emphasis of this blog, and have it as "random entries" until I can decide on a direction for it. But never fear! Those random entries will still include blissfully unnecessary cosmetics posts. I would ideally like to post interesting news and opinion pieces and add my own editorial to it, but:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">a) my opinion would be drastically ill-informed; and</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">b) who on earth would want to hear/read it?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I may also add some of my painfully amateur photography and mundane life events. Don't get too excited!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So, dear readers who have now possibly been dropped to two, what would you like for 2012? </span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I dare you to be the first commenter on my blog! Ever!</span>miaballerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07562353941627317913noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-728012453732453938.post-58161047677857477432011-12-20T01:54:00.000-08:002011-12-20T01:54:04.176-08:00.....SOON.<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear few readers,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I apologise for the lack of posts this week. Expect a post by Friday!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">xox</span>miaballerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07562353941627317913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-728012453732453938.post-73902716739314573372011-12-12T02:52:00.000-08:002011-12-13T02:03:07.579-08:00Review: Urban Decay 24/7 Shadow Pencils<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been very excited about trying out these babies, as my general work-day face is done during traffic light stops in my car (don't tell Mr. T). The promise of smudge-and-budge proof, all-day wearing, super-quick-and-easy-to-apply colour appealed to this perpetually rushed workaholic. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">However, by the time they were released, I was already settled back in Australia with no Urban Decay stockist - egads! Luckily enough, a lovely seller on eBay had the gift "stash" for a good price. </span><br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJro2LRD-xfweFA5XTt1-XOG0xB1GwgQ2Eg5j0Cp5Cg2KMjl73_2bJKSkBKn3Efja01Xg-TsHtAROCCRu8-k3YPnhcsIgCWv6j9qVXB6t7H7-j92PKYYGJZmx4lrmmY81lNLrsBRBE0Zc/s1600/ud_box" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJro2LRD-xfweFA5XTt1-XOG0xB1GwgQ2Eg5j0Cp5Cg2KMjl73_2bJKSkBKn3Efja01Xg-TsHtAROCCRu8-k3YPnhcsIgCWv6j9qVXB6t7H7-j92PKYYGJZmx4lrmmY81lNLrsBRBE0Zc/s320/ud_box" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The lovely set! Excuse the crappy photo.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Note that the picture doesn't do justice to the size - these babies are big, at 2.5g each. So you'll need a big sharpener (the sharpener that came with my Tarte SmolderEYES works well with it).</span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Shades</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>- </strong><em>Delinquent</em> - a very deep plummy-purple with a violet shimmer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>-</strong></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Rehab</em> - a warm, deep brown.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>- </strong><em>Juju</em> - a mid-toned, warm taupe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>- </strong><em>Sin </em>- a warm yet slightly pink-toned champagne.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>- </strong><em>Clash</em> - a bright, vivid turquoise.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Verdict</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><u>Ease of use:</u> These guys don't lie about how easy the shadows are to use. You don't even really need a mirror if you're only applying the one shade all over your lid, just draw and smudge with your finger (if you like). They are pretty damn blendable as well, so it's a cinch to blend colours. They work pretty well with powder-formula shadows as well, unlike other stick/long-wearing cream shadows I've tried. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><u>Colour pay-off:</u> Urban Decay products are consistently well pigmented. I haven't had a product yet that disappointed me in those stakes. These are no different. The shades are metallic and vivid and gorgeous. My favourites of the set would have to be Sin (what a surprise, I love the Sin powder eyeshadow also!) and Clash.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><u>Longevity</u>: Now... here's where we get a bit iffy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">When worn as a liner, these guys last beautifully. Clash did not budge when I wore it on a rainy work day from 7:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. No fallout, no sweat-smearing, NOTHING. Muy impressed! Here's Clash worn as a liner, from a FOTD:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Wearing them as an all-over shadow, though.... not without a primer. I got about three hours' wear when wearing Sin and Rehab all over (blended) before it settled into my eyelid crease like a beigey-taupe creek. The next day I tried it with my Urban Decay Primer Potion, and it lasted all day. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><u>Recommended?</u> Abso-freaking-lutely! Anything reliable I can keep in my work or gym bag gets my thumbs up.</span><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Bought on eBay for AUD$44 inc. postage. Product available from <a href="http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml;jsessionid=4PXOBON1RBW0ACV0KQRQIGQ?id=P296021&categoryId=C7010">Sephora</a>.</span></em>miaballerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07562353941627317913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-728012453732453938.post-43820027198168730172011-12-11T14:48:00.001-08:002011-12-12T02:38:24.108-08:00Face Of The Day (FOTD) - Monday 12/12/2011<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Doing: Work. Alone today, there's been heavy storms and my colleagues and clients have been flooded in their homes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wearing: Too boring to post pics:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Loft red knee-length dress</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Black Witchery long-sleeve tee underneath</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Black opaques</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Black Wittner ballet flats</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Hair straightened still from hairdresser on Saturday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Face</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Korres quincertin and oak primer (silicone-free goodness - review to come soon!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- MAC Pro Longwear concealer</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- NARS Angelika blush</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Eyes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Last remnant of Urban Decay Primer Potion (sob!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Sephora pearl-gold shade all over lid</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Sephora dark silver/grey shade on crease and outer V (both Sephora shades from the Allure Beauty Editor palette)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Clinique Cream Shaper in Black Diamond on inner rims of eye</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Urban Decay 24/7 Shadow Stick in Clash to line top and bottom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lips</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Revlon colour burst gloss in Peony</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I even have iPhone pics! Please excuse the poor quality and mascara smudge on the eyelid.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not overly impressed with my efforts today, but I do love the UD shadow/liner.</span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFjqBOfOWHdwnFXRRo1IHpG1u5dTEuvpVByvZcbrzqMaQjdjJCNgraRjSX5zjI77Fzd3W9p8UqFMtKO9MMLE8vO6dKmM8Ju_ZZulUYbKV_LcwHFTuwS3n37q5wa7EzTmyD1hi8UzNyLg/s640/blogger-image-873700979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFjqBOfOWHdwnFXRRo1IHpG1u5dTEuvpVByvZcbrzqMaQjdjJCNgraRjSX5zjI77Fzd3W9p8UqFMtKO9MMLE8vO6dKmM8Ju_ZZulUYbKV_LcwHFTuwS3n37q5wa7EzTmyD1hi8UzNyLg/s320/blogger-image-873700979.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghELHUhdMLHZ0Ph1_BfixK2yRuKH9-MoZktod8LY5HKFuSwvLjIQgjR9JcWP1dJue5riO7uevpMgc6WXbhpsWGuvNij5Q5UWsrrpPT1-hgWgnMVX_ePtQLu9kN3QXpzViPCS9TOmekmCc/s640/blogger-image--1839152694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghELHUhdMLHZ0Ph1_BfixK2yRuKH9-MoZktod8LY5HKFuSwvLjIQgjR9JcWP1dJue5riO7uevpMgc6WXbhpsWGuvNij5Q5UWsrrpPT1-hgWgnMVX_ePtQLu9kN3QXpzViPCS9TOmekmCc/s320/blogger-image--1839152694.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>miaballerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07562353941627317913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-728012453732453938.post-12108319763967641192011-12-10T17:20:00.001-08:002011-12-28T15:12:15.710-08:00Welcome! And a little bit about moi...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello there! Welcome to the often-incoherent ramblings on blatantly superficial topics, penned by yours truly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By day, I am a <insert incredibly stressful, top-secret profession here>, grinding away and, at times, posing for photos in a lepoard-print sheet of fabric purchased for $1 at Deseret Industries (a Utah thrift store - bargain!). By night, I'm pretty much the same, however with a need to focus on something other than work, hence the creation of this blog (aka the "Sanity Restorer"). The thing is, I absolutely <em>love</em> cosmetics, beauty products, lotions, potions and goop. I spend enough of my (ahem) "disposable" income on pigment-rich beauties, so why not write about it? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">My love of all things frivolous stemmed from my mother, who shockingly enough has an even bigger obsession with limited-edition palettes. Growing up, I would watch her create extraordinary looks using absolutely gorgeous colours. I wanted to do that. So, at the age of 20, the fixation started. I was introduced to then-niche/cult brands such as Stila, NARS and the dearly departed Stephane Marais (I am still incredibly bitter that their creme foundation is un-dupeable). I also ventured into the world of cheap-and-cheerful cosmetics and found some <em>gorgeous</em> formulas and shades in lines such as Australis, Face of Australia (is there a theme here...?!), NYX etc. etc. So I am by no means a beauty snob - hey, buying high-street essentially means you're saving money, right? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">A few more tid bits, in bullet-point form:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">- I've worked in the beauty industry as a freelance make-up artist and cosmetics sales girl (2 different cosmetic houses). I am aware of the bullshit that is peddled to the masses. Everything that I review/recommend/diss on this blog is my opinion, and my opinion only. I've spent my own money on everything I review/recommend/diss. I am NOT a professional (at least, not anymore!). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">- I have a big issue with the cost of cosmetics in Australia. Essentially, there is absolutely no reason why high-end cosmetics here are approximately three times more expensive than in the USA. Accounting for higher salaries, import taxes and sales taxes still doesn't even make it close to justifying the exorbitant amounts cosmetics companies here do. I will provide a shout-out to companies who have adjusted their prices to reflect the reasonable cost of cosmetics (here's to you, <a href="http://www.kiehls.com.au/">Kiehl's</a> and <a href="http://www.kitcosmetics.com.au/">Mario Badescu</a>!). Even though I am an advocate of buying local, I do recommend using shipping services to purchase high-end cosmetics from overseas (particularly the USA) if it is significantly cheaper to do so. /end consumer rights rant</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">- If there's a product out there you think I'd like to try or review, please let me know! As much as I love trawling the interwebs for new and exciting products, there are only so many non-work hours in the day, and I imagine I can only get the tip of the product-iceberg. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So, happy reading! Next post will be a review on products by Sportsgirl, Australis and Urban Decay...</span></div>
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<br /></div>miaballerinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07562353941627317913noreply@blogger.com0