Maybelline Mascaras: The Falsies v. One by One

I have to say that I really can't go past Maybelline for mascaras. The formulas are impeccable, the effects are numerous and they last and last. I love discovering the new ones too!
In the last year or so the ones of note here in Australia would have to be The Falsies, and One by One, both are variations of their Volum' Express range, which is easily their most dramatic range.
I have been using The Falsies as my staple for months now, using it to build on top of a lengthening formula to give really knock out lashes, I have even had strangers come up to me on the street and ask what I use! The brush is terrific to wield, with the spoon shape helping to grip and coat each lash like no other brush I've used. I had fat, long and smooth lashes, and I love them.
So understandably when I picked up a tube of One by One my expectations were going to be incredibly high. One by One had a mission on its hands!
Firstly, the brush, it's not anything exciting but it is one of the newer technologically advanced rubber ones, with loads of tiny little rubber bristles coming off it, while The Falsies employs the traditional pipecleaner style bristles.

When putting on this mascara is where things start to get interesting, as I found it hard to apply without making a mess! The shape of the brush is a bit of a hinderance in this regard as it seems to pick up too much product at the end. I found I couldn't get a good application unless I cleaned a good amount of the product off with a tissue before applying. But my god when I did!
Beautiful! My lashes looked amazing, long, dramatic and stop-you-in-the-street good. But in the same breathe the volume just wasn't there like it is with The Falsies. This can be good or bad depending on the look you're going for. The gorgeous, doe-eyed "I wake up looking like this" effect was certainly perfect but for anyone looking for traffic stopping oomph and thick fat lashes I'd pick The Falsies.
Another point I'd like to make is that I would usually never use The Falsies without a base lengthening formula beforehand, while One by One works perfectly by itself, I wouldn't recommend a second coat of One by One as this was another time it started to get messy and the end effect didn't come off as lovely. This also makes One by One the choice to go for if you're racing the clock.

I hope I've helped you make up your mind between these two great mascaras, Let me know what you thought of them in the comments!

Bought by Birdette on Pinterest!

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Hope to see you there soon!

Marie Claire Up Late Event in Brisbane

Eek! Something else is happening this Thursday, I'm just going to have to go to both!
Marie Claire to me is a magazine that may be considered quite upper class, the clothing is to die for, but the articles have a habit of blowing my mind. I just can't put it down until I've read everything each month.
So when I spotted that they're putting on an "Up Late with Marie Claire and James Street" Event, naturally, I'm there!
The aim of these events is to take the shopping experience to a whole new level with designer appearances ( I read we'll be able to rub shoulders with Edwina Sinclair from emerging  label Soot, Sass & Bide’s Heidi Middleton and Easton Pearson’s Pamela Easton and Lydia Pearson (Who I have found to be incredibly nice ladies when I've met them through my old TAFE Lecturers) and many more will be around for the night. Also Marie Claire Editor Jackie Franks will also be about the event, meeting shoppers and giving advice.
It's really worth heading over as there will be great deals on offer and styling tips from professionals, even if you don't plan on buying, it will be one of the biggest fashion events in Brisbane for the year and it's open to everyone who wants to attend!
It starts after 5:00pm in James Street so head on over after work to check it out.


For more information and to see what deals will be available, check out the James Street Website here.

Source: James Street

Westfield Carindale Remodeling stage one opening this Thursday!

Finally, a follow up to my post some months ago about the Carindale Westfield Redevelopment. More shops can only mean more choice, more competition and better prices right?
Carindale is revealing the first stage of its new redevelopment this Thursday the 29th of March with more then 70 new stores in total, with some great opening days deals in both new shops and old. The new town square has been aptly named The Glasshouse and has an entirely new host of eateries. Also if you're having a hard time getting your boy to take you in on opening day, explain to him that there are free burritos from Guzman y Gomez available all day. That's all it took to convince mine.
I'm excited to see Collette, Kikki K, The Reject Shop (hey, you have to love a bargain!) and Wheel & Barrow the most, but I'm really hoping that the Myer redevelopment will be finish soon too, I have barely been in there since they started, It's just not comfortable. A number of the stores that closed during the remodelling will also be opening back up.
Many stores are also moving about the centre so it's also worth checking out the directories to see what's around, they're new and high-tech, and not working yet as far as I saw last Thursday, I'm guessing they already have all the new data on them and they'll come to life this Thursday
You can also check out a full list of new store opening here.

 I'll see you there! What are you looking forward to the most readers?


Edit: Hey, I just came back from a trip to Carindale and it looks like the Myer first floor remodelling is done, and some of the directories are up and running too. Definitely going to hit up that new Revlon Nail Bar soon!

Source: Westfield

Loving this week: Online Lipsy Sale

Oh dear, I am afraid my Credit card is about to take a beating. Lipsy is one of my favourite labels, gorgeous, feminine, and with a nice little quirky twist. Perfection.
And now they're having a sale, what are you doing to me! Here are my best spots online:

Check out this gorgeous jacket, I haven't seen anything else like it n the shops, it's a fitted waist to emphasise an hour glass figure, with short dolman cut sleeves, it's vampy, electic and oh so sexy.

Too cute, and bright pink too! Though I can't actually find how big it is I can't imagine it would be much bigger then 20cm across, 25 max to constitute as mini. Satchels are great for toting around your gear and have been spotted everywhere as handbags have made a move back to a more structured and ladylike shape.

Hot damn! I wish this was still in my size, I'd have bought it in a heartbeat. Spotty skirts are great, and I love how this one isn't just plain spots, the details really make it pop and stand out, sadface. If someone finds it in a size 12 you'll tell me about it right??

Go check out the rest of the sale at the Lipsy Website here!

Source: Lipsy

Polish your buns!

Tehheh, I just had to with that title. Of course I am talking about the buns you have on your head!
So I've found an awesome trick to give your buns a more polished look. Without doing this, you can get ends that stick out awkwardly and can ruin the look, and date it back to the nineties.
When you are prepping your hair, heat yourself up your curling iron and curl the very ends of your hair, for the sake of ease it's good to take a wide barrel with the wider bar to hold in the ends. Otherwise use your straightening iron to flick the ends.
What you'll find this does is help your hair shape itself back into your your bun a sleeker bun or topknot. Giving you a more polished and perfect look.
Give it a try next time you put your hair up!

Mix your Foundation and Primer

I have issues with Foundation, major issues. While the fact remains that I still haven't found anything that will get me through an entire day without sliding off my oily nose, there are still tricks I regularly hunt down to try and improve the durability. One of the goodies being Primer.
Primer creates a barrier between your skin and your make-up and gives the make-up something to adhere to. I've been using it for a few years now, but it was only recently that I've started mixing it with my mousse foundation, as well as applying a layer beforehand.
The benefits I'm finding with this technique is that my foundation doesn't cake, and it's lasting longer. I'm still applying it with a damp sponge because of the coverage it gives me over my nose, it melts over my skin without making my pores obvious to everyone.
It also doesn't take anything away from the coverage, which is also important for my skin, of course this depends on the ratios you use, you can up the amount of primer you mix with foundation to create a more sheer coverage too.

Loving this week: Review and Nail Art

Review is always a tempting place to spend all my money, I used to find I automatically hated them because of those awful mannequins they used to use, they were so unrealistic it was almost Barbie like in how ridiculous they were compared to any female body, but that's another matter.
Their new collection Carnaby St is a gorgeous interpretation of the Mod trend. Glamming up some of the signature styles of the 60's and popping on a cardigan for a lovely feminine look. I'm especially loving the girly coats. but the fairy floss blouse is at the top of my list to buy.

I'm giving in to the new art trend as well, but I am le lazy! What do I do? Thankfully they've come up with the awesome strip polishes that you just peel, stick and file the edges off. They last for up to ten days if taken care of and there are some awesomely cute designs. My personal favourites are Aflorable by Sally Hansen and Kiss Nail Dress in Mini.

Or there's always the traditionalist, I'm in love with the glittery explosion that is Sally Hansen's Gem Crush Range, I'll be showing you a tutorial on how I've used it later this week!

Sources:  Review, Sally Hansen & Kiss

How to style a Sweater

Bunny Jumper available from ASOS

The big fear I had when I spotted that sweaters were coming into fashion is that I kept wondering, how do I make it look like it isn't completely swamping me? It's easy to dismiss it as a trend only flattering those with the bodies of models, I almost did until I figured out a few styling tips.
The best trick is to wear it with a pencil skirt, yes it will still suit certain better body types more then other but give it a try. This is probably the most 'in' way to wear it this season as well.

To make it work better better and come out more flattering there are other tricks you can try too.
-Though baggier sweaters are what's in, shop around to find a length that flatters you, shorter girls can benefit from finding a longer slimmer style they can wear as a tunic with tights.
-Another thing you may want to consider are the body hugging styles, I find these work to flatter bustier girls because they nip in at the waist instead of hiding it.
-Think about the colours as well, if you wear lighter colours, it will look bigger, while darker colours will look smaller, the great jewel tones that are in are wonderful as they will make things appear smaller!
-Don't forget about hair. a loose high bun will add height (not too smooth or it may make you look a little odd). While leaving long hair down is a slimming look.
-Also you can add heels, Sky high and chunky are still having a moment and aren't as hard to walk in as other styles.

I think the best make-up you can wear with this is a slick of bright lipstick, perfect to polish it off and finish your look.

Ultimately the trick is to counterbalance, if you wear something baggy on top, be sure to bring your look back to flattering with something slim fitting on the bottom!

I hope I've given you some help on how to navigate this trend! Let me know how you style it.

Sources: ASOS, Wildfox Couture & Lipsy

Bought! Dotti Dress and Shirt

My birthday present to myself, on a bit of a budget unfortunately, but I still took myself out for a day of shopping, can't stop me from enjoying myself on that day of the year!
So I went for the cute mod dress in black and white, it also came in yellow but I'm not terribly fond of mustard as it doesn't work well with my skin tone. Great shape, and awesomely in right now. I plan on wearing it with pop bright tights and sweet flat shoes, and with a cute print cardi when the weather cools down for winter.

Madeline Peter Pan Dress by Dotti

I also felt the need to buy myself some burgundy for my wardrobe, for winter it is starting to run the risk of being the shade of the season, but the shape is a great staple that I know I'll have in my wardrobe for many years to come. It has a lovely sheen to the fabric as well, without being see through. I'm very over so many blouses being see through lately. I don't wear them outside of work, and I'm not comfortable wearing them to my office. I love sleeves I can roll up too, much more flattering them full sleeves. It looks great half tucked into jeans!

Chelsea Shirt by Dotti

Source: Dotti

Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner

Eyeliner can be a tricky makeup tool to use, with many girls I know shying away from it because they can never seem to get it even in both eyes or presentable. Over the years though I have found that new products come out that make it just that little bit easier, with Maybelline's new eyeliner being quite a goodie.
I have tried it a few times since I bought it the other day and if ladies out there want to dip their toe into the lined sixties looks that are hot right now I'd recommend this product as a great start. Because you apply it in an almost identical way as you would a pencil, it is surprisingly easy to use. The tip is ultra fine, and gentle, applying an opaque black line with little effort. You can have as dramatic a look as you want, but I do think it would be hard to do the design the American model has, Maybelline have also created an interactive Facebook page where you can doodle design ideas and submit them for a competition here. not a bad place to check out for inspiration!
I am fearful that this product would have a limited shelf life though, as other marker type eyeliners I have used in the past have worked great for a few months before the 'ink' started to apply thinly and required a few layers to achieve the same opacity it did when it was fresh. However for the price I don't think I would have a problem with replacing it a little more frequently. I also have a fondness for pencil shaped products as they're easy to use and easy to store, taking up very little space.
Also a bonus, it lasted like no eye product I have ever used! There was next to no bleeding which is quite an effort with my oily skin. Though at the end of the day when I took it off, it did take a bit of extra effort.

Have you tired this product? tell me what you thought about it in the comments!

How to make your eyes brighter

Eyes are one of the features that we notice first on each other, but unfortunately because of their fragility they're also the first to show when you're tired, and the first to age.
There's a few tricks you can employ to make your eyes pop, making them sparkle will lift up your whole look. These are just some quick cosmetic tricks, nothing will still beat good sleep and an effective skincare routine in the long term.

Eye Drops: When I went to an optometrist late last year to get some new specs and lenses I didn't expect him to comment on how dry my eyes are. Have you ever thought about how dry yours are? So I started using eye drops regularly and it's improved not only the moisture, but I look and feel more awake if I have used them in my morning routine. This step can go quite nicely with my saving time routine post from a few months back. It's a little tricky to learn to apply them but as with anything practise makes perfect, it's also a trick they use backstage on models. I'd recommend asking someone at your local pharmacy too recommend eye drops for your needs.

White eye pencil: While it can be hard to find one that will last all day and go the distance, this is one beauty booty product that I don't mind touching up throughout the day. Just lining the inner rim of your eyes will help make them completely pop and give you more of a doe-eyed Zooey Deschanel eye shape, find me someone who isn't startled by and adoring of her eyes!

Pop!

Opposite complementary colours: Back in art class we learnt all about how opposite colours work with each other to make the other colour stand out. This can easily be applied to your eyes too by using eye-shadows and liners. Make up Brand Almey has a range specifically created for this theory, with the idea that blue eyes suit brown shadows, brown suit purples, etc. they also have kits that follow the same colours as your eyes to complement eyes too, but for real  "Notice me!" eyes I'd recommend the Intense i-color satin-i kits. Just select the kit that is recommended for your eye colour and give it a try.

Almey Intense i-color satin-i kits

The colour wheel

Have you ever tried these ideas before? What do you find works for you?

Sources: Go4celebrity & Almey

Would you wear it? The novelty trend

Here we go kids, the trend of the season that makes me shake my head in wonder at how on earth do they expect the everyday girl to translate this into everyday wearable style? Novelty.
Firstly, what is novelty? Apparently it's what you get when you put Tavi Gevinson in charge of designing a collection, (or so I read) and it somehow trickles down into mass market. We're expected to start sporting sunglasses shaped like ice-cream cones with purses shaped like fruit ... No... really? No.
I remember baulking a few seasons ago at Prada's banana print shirts and skirts and hoping like hell it wouldn't take off, it didn't work. It's times like these I wonder if the fashion industry is having a giggle somewhere at the lengths we'll go to to be in fashion.
There are some cuter elements to it though, I have recently snapped up a sweater printed with little fox heads from Jay Jays, but don't really plan on wearing it about town too much, it's too cosy as a lounge about the house item. Possibly some kitschy earrings would go down well too? But I draw the line at all the smilie faces and neon colours. No one looks good in neon. No one looks good in something printed with fruits either.
So, from me that's a yes to Fox print sweaters:

And a rather loud and resounding NO to fruit anything.

(Lol, Watermelon skirt)

So what do you think of this trend? Do you think you could pull it off? What have you bought?

Sources: Jay Jays  & ASOS

We've had a facelift!

I am back from holidays and feel renergized and good, today is my birthday too so I'm feeling old but ambivalent.
Kind of old news, but better then never. It took some time for the full effect to unroll itself to the masses.

Announcement time! ( "Hurray ..." I hear you all saying.) We've given Bought by Birdette a facelift to go along with the launch of our domain. We can now be found at www.boughtbybirdette.com

You like? I aimed for more simplicity as the focus should be on the content, and nothing else.
Let me know what you think!