How to Stretch out too small Shoes

With the advent of the internet came internet shopping and with that, the oh too familiar cry of "It doesn't fit!" minutes after that shiny new parcel arrives in the post. The majority of retailers are actually quite good at letting customers know what size will suit them with measurements etc but there's still room for error, Brick and mortar stores invented change rooms for a reason after all.
Shoes seem to be an area of particular concern, with UK sizing and American sizing frequently being out of whack I have ended up with shoes that just don't fit on numerous occasion, too big can be dealt with thanks mostly to socks being back in fashion, however shoes that are too small? What can we do?
Lucky I have two techniques for stretching out small shoes involving common household items that you should already have lying around, and they're both easy to achieve. Method one will suit leather better, method two can be tried on other fabric shoes. Please note they will not work miracles when the shoes are sizes too small, but that extra 1/2 to one full size? Give them a go, you've got nothing to lose and wearable shoes to gain!

Shoes available from Dune London

Hair Dryer available from Priceline

Socks available from Topshop

Method one

You will need:
Two pairs of socks
Blow drier
Shoes in question. I have tried this with normal leather shoes with success, but I don't know how it would go with patent, let me know if you have tried it!

Put the two pairs of socks on your feet and the shoes over the top, it will be a very tight squeeze, but the socks should cushion so you don't feel pain, once you have all that on your feet, get your blow dryer out and give the shoes a blast all over for  few minutes on a hot setting, careful not to scorch them! You want the shoes nice and warm but not too hot. This will help make the leather pliable.
Once the shoes are warm, get up and walk around your house until they have cooled down.
Lather, rinse, repeat as necessary! Do it at least three times or until your shoes feel more comfortable without the socks.

Marc Jacobs Shoes available from StyleBop

Plastic Zip Lock bags available from Coles

Freezer available from The Good Guys

Method two

You will need:
A freezer
Tough zip lock plastic bags
Shoes in question

This method works particularly well for shoes that pinch, and where you would use some extra toe room.
Stuff the plastic bags into your shoe so that the opening is accessible, and the bag reaches into the nooks of your shoes.
Take this contraption over to the sink and pour some water into the bag, not too much, you need there to be room in the bag for the water to expand into, make sure you squeeze out air from the bag too before snap sealing it closed.
Pop the shoes into the freezer overnight with the toes angled down.
Again you may need to repeat the process, and I'd be hesitant to try this out with patent shoes, but I have done with with leather shoes without issue.

Thanks for reading! Have you tried these methods before? How did they work for you? Do you have any foolproof methods for stretching shoes? Let me know in the comments!

Chalky roots, Begone!

Chalky roots, ugh. Since becoming a pink haired fiend I've been washing my hair less and have become a slave to the wonderful world of dry shampoo. Always used it since it become the new thing but just never as much as I have in the last few months! Personally I love the Batiste brand as it comes in so many yummy varieties, but following that is Klorane, the scent may not be as delicious by but god it does the degreasing job like no other! Both of these varieties can be easily found at Priceline.

Anyway, I've discovered a neat little trick to avoid the chalky roots that makes it so obvious that you didn't have the time to wash your hair.
Spray your hair with dry shampoo the night before! You want to do it the usual way, shake the bottle, lift sections of your hair to focus on your roots and remember that a little can go a long way.
By doing this you ensure that while you're sleeping, the product will get dispersed throughout your hair and you won't get obvious marks. You may need to change your pillowcase, but to me that's a small price to pay for perfectly non greasy hair the next day.

Have you got any other nifty tricks for dry shampoo? What brands do you use?

How to choose the right Fake Tan for your Skintone

Summer's coming, for a lot of us out there it feels like it's already here too! So here I'm going to tell you how to avoid a common dilemma with an ubiquitous Summer product.
How many of you out there have used fake tan only to leave the experience looking like a Cheeto/human hybrid? Or even something more interesting? This has scared lot of girls into never going there again or worse, shelling out far too much money at the professional spray booths. Sunless Tans come in a massive array of brands and varieties that it can be hard to find which one will work for you, but hopefully you will know your skintone, and that can make selection a lot easier.

How to Fake a Beestung Pout in one step

I finally caved and bought the lipsick du jour and I'm so glad I did! Ruby Woo by MAC really is an excellent go to shade for those with cool colourings and the impact is amazing. When I wear it I feel like a gorgeous forties starlet, when lipstick was bold and glamorous. I find it really fascinating that when economies go down sales of prestige makeup actually goes up, even if ladies can't buy designer clothes they still want that designer pout!

My favourite tip for lips any day is to use a brow highlighting pencil to create that pillowy, Angelina Jolie look that both men guys and ladies swoon over. A good budget option I love is this one by Models Prefer, available from Priceline. Simply trace the outside edge of our cupids bow and the lower outside of your bottom lip before you apply lipstick and liner, to see what I mean have a look at the picture below:

Once you have drawn the lines, use your ring finger to gently pat the product to blend any harsh lines.

This is a great trick to use with any lip colour, but if you want to look even more pouty, dot a bit of complimentary shimmery eye shadow in the middle of your lips (gold or silver are ideal). I skipped this step as my lips need a little boost, not a full on transformation.

What I really find interesting is that when I went to a MAC counter some years ago and asked for a good matte red they didn't suggest this one. I may or may not have a large MAC red lip collection but when a brand does them so well it's hard to stop at just one.

Do you have a go to brand for lipsticks? What shade do you find yourself reaching for again and again?

How to hand wash your Delicates

Hand-washing. Ugh, who has the chance to do it honestly? So much time that I could be doing things I actually enjoy.That's why I'm glad I found this method, it makes it an utter cakewalk, and the results are much better then handwashing in a basin. This method is ideal for small delicate items, such as bras, knickers and slips made of lace and silk.

Take a large jar that you have washed thoroughly (or put through the dishwasher, we're talking low effort here!) I like to use Kilner jars, the ones with the slip top lid and rubber seal or giant Moccona coffee jars.

You will also need:
Laundry Powder suited to the items your washing
Water
Dirty Delicates!
That's about it actually ...

Put a small amount of washing powder in the jar along with some hot water. Seal the jar and shake shake shake!
Once the powder has dissolved, fill up the jar to about halfway, pop in your laundry. One item at a time works best but it depends on the size of your jar really. Continue to shake for a minute or two (See? It's a workout and laundry in one! Time saved!)
Repeat with any remaining smalls until you're done, you can use the same soapy water but replace it if the water becomes murky ...
Replace the soapy water with clean cold water and shakes again to rinse. Replace the water as required.
Once they're washed, lay your smalls on a clean dry towel  and blot them with the other end to mop up excess water. Delicate items don't tend to like being wrung out so please don't do that.
Hang them out to dry!

This method works much like a small washing machine in order to give great results with maximum safety for your clothes. Because fabrics such as silk actually get weaker when wet it's a common occurance for them to tear when washed in a machine.
Make sure you wash the lid properly too, We don't want bits of dinner on our freshly laundered bras!.

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Where to buy Jeans to Flatter your Figure

This post rounds out Birdette's three piece special on Denim for Winter 2013, Check out some great Skinny Jean styles or Top Trend Denim as well!

Anyone who has ever gone on the search for the perfect pair of jeans will know well and truly that one size does NOT fit all. Because of this shopping for your next pair can be a menacing heartache full of disappointment. Even worse is when you find a style that works amazingly for you, and just as you tear a nasty irreparable hole in them, you find that they're no longer in production.
So I've come up with this quick guide of brands that you'll find in Australia that may help you find your next pair of 'The ones',
Of course if you find something that you love that just doesn't quite fit right, the best option to add them to your wardrobe is to take them to a tailor for any minor adjustments.

Tch, where do you even begin?!

What to look for:
Feeling swamped by most clothing brands? Time to try some labels that cater especially to petite girls and those with youthful bodies out there, keep an eye for for brands that offer different leg sizes and extra small sizes.
Tailor them? Ask your tailor to take up the hem in a manner that retains the original hem, so you don't lose any of the detail. This normally requires cuffing them once, then sewing as close to the original hem seam as possible before cutting off the excess.
Brands that work for you:
Bettina Liano
Supre

What to look for:
Hello? Curves? Can I please have some of what Beyonce has happening?? If your figure leans towards an adolescent boy you're after a pair of jeans that will give you some booty and show off your beautiful legs (ever noticed how drag queens have amazing legs?)
Brands that work for you:
Just Jeans
Sportsgirl

Similar to the boyish shape,If you're tall and slim you're already pretty close to what a lot of girls aspire to anyway, you can really get away with and wear it all!
Tailor them? Some styles come untreated and you may be able to let them seam down as required, but it's much easier to look for brands that come with a longer leg option.
Brands that work for you:
Sportsgirl
Sass and Bide

What to look for:
With your ample hips and tiny waist it's a challenge to find anything that will fit both of these points of your curvy body at the same time right? We need brands that have a little extra room in the butt and thigh while nipping in at the waist with no gape.
Tailor them? Get the pair that fit your legs and take them to a tailor to adjust any waist gape.
Brands that work for you:
Jeanswest
7 For All Mankind


For girls who have a bit of a tummy or love handles, we define you as an Apple. Finding a pair that don't pinch in the waist is a dream come true. Keep an eye out for styles and brands that don't bring the waist in too much.
Tailor them? Make sure they fit your waist perfectly and then have your tailor streamline the legs to perfection.
Brands that work for you:
Levi's Curve ID in Slight style
Target

It can be really hard to try and find good modern cuts that will flatter a bigger frame while still being in Fashion, luckily with the boom in internet shopping it's easier then ever to fill the gap between retailer and customer and find jeans that suit Plus Sized girls out there.
Tailor them? Depending on where your weight lies you may need the hems taken up, the thighs slimmed or any waist gap taken in, choose a style that doesn't pinch anywhere, and adjust as required with your tailor.
Brands that work for you:
ASOS Curve
Jeanswest

Happy hunting girls! Have I missed anyone? Or if you have a particular body shape and a failproof store let me know about it so I can add it in!

Image Source:  Clean Wal-Mart

More Hot Denim for Winter

This is the second post in a three part special following Birdette's picks for Denim, Please find part one here and watch out for part three, helping you find what stores to shop for your figure later this week.

In this second part of my series this week I want to focus on Skinnies. They have become a featured style in the wardrobes of many girls out there because they can flatter a multitude of figures. It's all about finding the right cut as it is with all kinds of jeans. Skinny jeans should not be made without at least 2% Elastane to ensure a snug fit that will bounce back wash after wash.
This thing to remember this season for Skinny Jeans is avoid your basics and go all out with prints and colours. Put your everyday blacks and blues away for this season and say hello to great colours and look at me prints.



A great option for those who just can't go past their Skinnies are to find a gorgeous pair of coloured jeans. The perfect antidote for the plain denim for those who who find Printed Jeans a bit confronting, Skinny cuts are the ideal canvas to show off such a bold colour statement. To find your perfect pair it's best to go back to the makers of your favourites and see what incarnations they have for the upcoming season. Find a colour you love that will sink easily into your normal fashion scheme for the pair that will work best.

A - Boohoo Gemma Metallic Skinny Jeans

B - Sportsgirl Stevie Jeans

C - Jeanswest Super Skinny Jeans in Boyzenberry

Possibly the easiest way to add notable trends such as Baroque and to your wardrobe, Printed Jeans will take your anywhere this Winter. It's best to keep such graphic denim in a Slim cut before you run the risk of looking like you've stepped out in your Nan's Pajamas. (And no, I did not understand the Pajama dressing trend recently....)

A - Target Baroque Print Skinny Jeans

B - Forever 21 Floral Print Skinny Jeans

 C- Cotton On Maison Skinny Jeans in Portia Garden

I'm also a huge fan of union jack printed skinnies, I'm still on the prowl for a reasonably priced pair, let me know if you spot some before I do!

Hot Denim for this Winter

This is part one of a series of Three, Please check out my post on gorgeous skinny styles for this season too!

Jeans for most girls are the essential wardrobe staple. The ultimate go anywhere, do anything piece of clothing that can make you look fab in seconds. It can be a hard slog finding the right pair but by god when you've found them, you'll wonder what life was ever like without them.
This upcoming season as always there are a plethora of varieties out there and I'm always grateful for this, as it means that there should be something gorgeous for every body type. Here are my picks for the season.

For a few years I've been cuffing the legs of my old faithfuls and they've been cute in their own right, but they just lack the cool slouchy feel that come with the right cut and style. These are really quite flattering to all kinds of body types, even though they sit low on the hip which can be a little confronting after these years of high waisted styles. If in doubt (and they're sliding down your butt) remember that they are supposed to be loose, buy a size bigger because this style will shrink a little in the wash and wear them with a leather low slung belt. I love the look of heels with this style as the cuffs draw attention to anything on your feet, pull out your best statement shoes!

A - Jay Jays Ripped Boyfriend Jeans

B - ASOS Brand Boyfriend Jeans

C - Uniqlo Women's Slim Boyfriend Jeans

Dungarees (or Overalls as we call them here in Australia) are a little dubious to me but there's no use denying that they're everywhere right now. They're at that critical tipping point where you can't open a magazine without seeing a pair because Alexa Chung and the cool girls are embracing them but I am still yet to see them on the streets here in Brisbane. Heck, I can still remember the last time they were cool. I was 10! To style them it's best to stick to the modern slimline styles otherwise you'll look like you belong on a Dexy's Midnight Runner's Videoclip. Cuff them like boyfriends and follow the same shoe rule as above, (so hot and elongating with heels!) otherwise wear a shorts style with tights. Cute loosely slung tops and singlets are best, anything too tight and babydoll tees are way too much of a throwback.

A- Topshop Moto Bleach Denim Dungarees

B- ASOS Vintage Wash Dungarees

C- Boohoo Lexie Twill Denim Dungarees

What styles are you looking to add to your wardrobe this year? I personally can't wait to get my hands on my ASOS Boyfriends as featured above!

Bringing some modesty to Sheer and Bustier Fashion

It's a beautiful day when two fashion not-quite-right items come together to make a really wearable outfit. Take these two fashion forward trend items -sheer tops and crop tops, otherwise known as bustiers- on their own they just aren't something I think I could get away with, let alone a lot of the population. No one really wants to see my belly out on the street, and I don't want to display most of my bras to the world either.
So we combine the two together.

My fly totally wasn't undone in these photos...

Dolly Bustier - Sportsgirl

Sheer Shirt - Dotti

Shorts - Sass & Bide, similar available here

Brocade Skirt - Ally

It's hard to see, but this is what I had on underneath.

The crop top makes it more modest because that's not actually my bra on show, while the sheer top provides the cover over my belly I'd crave if I wore a crop on its own.
It's really easy to play with this look too. If you're feeling more daring and have THE body to show off, feel free to undo a few buttons or even tie your shirt over the top of your crop. there's also a massive amount of bustiers out there, that can fall into Tribal, Neon, or Pastel trends. Shop around, find a cut that suits your bra size and you can't go wrong.

Win win!

Link Love: Seven Amazing and Easy DIY Homewares

My inner craftster has been lurking lately, slowly coming out of hiding as I discover all these gorgeous DIY ideas! Here are seven of my favourite easy to do and full of impact DIY projects for your home.

Toilet Paper Roll Wall Art

Source: Made 2 Style

Don't let the word Toilet put you off, this is a genius idea to recycle something that every household has at one stage or another.

Painted & Stenciled Fabric Covered Padded Headboard

Source: Infarrently Creative

This one is a little more labour intensive and expensive but still stacks cheaper and more unique then anything you'll find in store. I love the chic look of it, and that it wouldn't look out of place in a glamorous Boudoir. (Hello Blair Waldorf!)

Turn a Chair into a Bedside Table

Source: Design Sponge

This tutorial was made specifically for an Ikea chair, but I think it could wok easily with any flat pack chair so long as it has a panel below the seat like the one used in the instructions.

Backlit Canvas Art

Source: The Scrap Shoppe Blog

A gorgeous and whimsical DIY the doubles as mood lighting, Make sure you have a steady hand for this one.

Doily Lampshade

Source: DosFamily

A variation of the popular strong lampshades and ornaments that are floating around the internet, this casts a dappled light around the room and you can make it any size you desire. Or make a bunch of them in different sizes to create a cluster with real character.

Recycled Glass Candle Chandelier

Source: CasaSugar

I'm going to rig up one of these our my patio using Moccona coffee jars, I have so damn many of them and I've been saving them for a good suitable DIY Project.

Fabric Bunting

Of course I couldn't do this post without including my favourite project that I made myself! Bunting is cute, very simple to sew and very flexible, you can make it any shape you can sew, any length you need and easily match it to any theme or decor.

XCSVQGDY4SQP

Tip of the day: Mistake proof nail art

Perhaps I should start this post off by explaining that I had my first ever Shellac Manicure and Pedicure last weekend. I am impressed, I'm rough and tumble with my hands and often have chips within a day of my nails drying, but more then a week later, nope nada, not a chip in sight. Perfect nails!
Mistake proof nail art may be a slight exaggeration, but it's only a slight one. When I started out doing designs on my nails I made more of a mess of my nails then successes, and to clean any errors was so painstaking or I'd have to take the entire nail of polish off. This is a much easier method.

This is where the Shellac comes into play. To avoid having to take off your entire nail of art when you make a mistake, get a base of Shellac applied. This trick works because Shellac requires more then a bit of elbow grease to get off, (In fact they recommend you only have professionals remove it in salon) and you can change your art however often you like. I decided to get a dark purple colour on my nails, I did a gorgeous galaxy nail over the top, then removed that after a few days and applied some nail stamping with my MLS 301 plate.

Now you see it

Now you don't

Oh Hai ice-cream and lightning!

It's worth noting that glitter is even more of a pain to remove with this idea though, because you're still trying to remove it without damaging the Shellac underneath. 

Do you have any hints and tips for making nail at easier? Or perhaps an awesome mani you'd like to show me? Let me know in the comments!

What on earth is dry body brushing and why you should do it

Dry body brushing is a beauty treatment that everyone should be doing regularly, but few even know what it is. One of the problems I had for a long time was knowing if I was doing it correctly, and making the effort to do it on a regular basis, but what exactly is it?

Using a stiff bristled brush created specifically created for the task, you brush your dry skin. Usually undertaken before a shower or another treatment to enhance the effects, it should be done on a daily basis for the best results.

So why should I do it?

There are a wide range of benefits from dry brushing your body, not just for beauty reasons but health too. I found after doing it on a daily basis that the look of my skin improved dramatically, it was no longer dull and had a much more healthy appearance, and my cellulite dimples were less noticeable. Here are some common benefits:

• Improving the appearance of cellulite.
• Helping the lymphatic system to drain toxins from the body.
• Excellent exfoliation.
• Encourages blood circulation.
• Awakens your skin.
• Helps to tone muscles.
• Enhance the effects of any lotions applied afterwards.

What is a dry body brush?

You can get dry body brushes with natural or synthetic bristles, Natural bristles are preferable as they are gentler on your body and are less likely to irritate your skin. You can get them with either a short or long handles, depending on your flexibility a long handled one could help you reach body parts you couldn't with a short handle.

Dry Body Brush available from The Body Shop

How do I properly dry brush my body?

The process can take as long as you like, but generally you can get it done in under five minutes. Firstly you'll have to nude up and be completely dry, just before you go for a shower is the ideal time to dry brush your body. Start by using the brush on the soles of your feet in a small circular motion, then use long sweeping strokes up your entire legs and body. It is proper technique to always stroke towards your heart. Finish off by brushing along your arms from wrist to shoulder, it's advisable not to brush your chest. Afterwards jump in the shower to clean off all the removed dead skin cells. After your shower dry yourself off briskly before applying any moisturisers of cellulite creams.
Ideally you should do it everyday for around five minutes, if you do it less often it's not a bad idea to turn up the time taken to around 10. If you are using the method to decrease cellulite then you'll want to focus on your problem areas for five to 10 minutes each day with great dedication.

Do you dry body brush? What benefits have you found?

Image Source

Link Love: August 25 2012

Styling tip: Bandannas Article by Erika of Asuyeta. Don't giggle! I've recently acquired a small collection of bandannas and headscarves and this has saved me styling block, it's a very cute way to finish of a hairdo.

Laser Nail Tute By KRetroK on totally loving it. Now to just find some nail art tape and away I go!

Paint your walls Ombre by Erika of PS I made this. It amazes me just how daft I can be, I never would've thought of applying this technique to my walls!


Also don't forget about the great giveaway happening on my blog right now! Also, if you like what you're reading, please follow me on Facebook, Twitter or on Blogger to stay in touch!

Quick style updates for items you already have

You guys are no doubt aware of my love for a a cheap fashion update, but what's better then a free one? Chances are you have the items to do any of these already in your wardrobe, the trick now is to style them in a few different ways to how you're used to and you'll come up with looks that are huge right now.


Hold your bag like a clutch.
A lot of high fashion labels sent their models down the runway with their handbags folded over into a clutch shape, and held on the side of the body with the hand scooped underneith. You can do this very easily with a bag you already own, it just has to have a sturdy base to hold some of it's shape (it helps if the bag can be totally zipped up as well, or you might get the contents of your daily life spilling out everywhere!
Do-ability rating: 3/5, This look works so well, so long as you use the right bag, but it can also be a little annoying not having that arm free, and annoying again having to fully seal your bag up every time you want something.

Original Source

Cuff your trousers
This will work the best with trousers that taper at the hem, or straight legs so things like your skinny jeans.The trick is to keep rolling them up just the once, look in the mirror, and if it's not flattering on your legs, either try another roll up or down until they do.
Do-ability rating: 5/5, I barely know a person without skinny jeans.

Nishe Blouse & Shorts Available from ASOS

Wear all your pastels at once.
A few seasons ago we started with the 'gelato' trend, lots of gorgeous pale colours, mostly in block items. It took a little while but now pastel colours are everywhere, and will be massive this Australian summer. lots of key looks this season are all over looks and this is another great one to try. Try pairing a pair of pastel skinny jeans with a floaty pastel print top, perhaps a white singlet with a light kimono style cover up? Nude heels too and top the look off with some nude or pastel coloured nails. Perfection.
Do-ability rating: 5/5, Because pastel colours can suit a myriad of skin tones and colours and styles of fashion, it's really quite failproof. You can also style them suitably with tan and beige coloured accessories.

Source

Learn to fishtail braid.
Braids are becoming the new top knot, (Hurray! The trend of looking like a pre-schooler at a dance recital is coming to an end!) You can find a stack of videos out there explaining how to do this hairstyle, but like anything else, practise (and the right tools!) make perfect. And this look is so much better messy then perfect anyway. Regular braids are just as good for the time poor (or just uncoordinated like myself).
Do-ability rating: 5/5, only thing standing in your way is the length of your hair.


Head to toe prints.
We've been wearing a lot of these in the past few season so I assume you have at least a small collection? As I bought mine I tried to buy ones that would suit the wardrobe I already had, so unsurprisingly they mostly followed my usual cool colour palette. My advice is to not wear the same print, as it is sort of reminiscent of pyjamas and growing up in the country, only daggy people wore their pyjamas out of the house. Wear maybe a top and a bottom, with a block coloured third item to break it up a bit, if you work with the colours in both the print, and they share perhaps a colour or two, you can't go too wrong.
Do-ability rating: 4/5, It's really not as hard as it looks, if in doubt, ask a friend or try again.

Sister Jane available from ASOS

Button your shirt to the top.
As a girl with a large bust this trend is something that still kind of feels odd to me, but with the right shirt it works! (just make sure it's big enough not to gape!) Button your shirt right to the neck and then pop either a statement necklace, collar chain or a tie over the top, there are some very cute bow ties out there, or one of the gorgeous 'look at me!' necklaces from recent seasons work perfectly too.
Doability raiting: 5/5, cuff your sleeves into whatever length suits you as well.

I hope I've given you some ideas for updating your style into the upcoming season. Don't be afraid to try something new if you haven't seen anyone else on the street wear it yet, it just means you're way ahead of them.

What are you doing differently to style your clothes this season?

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters

Revlon Lip Butters are a recent addition the the Revlon line of lip products, providing a large range of gorgeous wearable colours in an item that touts the colour of a lipstick with the caring qualities of a balm. Made with Mango, Shea and Coconut butters that amp up your lips moisture levels by 156%*, the formula is a gentle and soft option to wear.

I bought it in two shades to try out, Crème Brulee, a tawny nude colour, and Cherry Tart, the darkest blue red in the range.

Creme Brulee is now my daily if-in-doubt lip product, it doesn't compete with anything, works well with a eye focused look and just adds a little oomph to my lips. For my skin colouring I'm finding it's an ideal nude.

I bought Cherry Tart as well as it matches the shades of red lipstick that suit me the best, it's classy with a classic winged liner. It does come out deeper then this, I'm just hopeless with cameras.

Initially they go on beautifully, right from the tube. I reapply every few hours or so after eating, and when my lips felt a little dry. They are not long lasting formulas by any means but that is a sacrifice I'm willing to make for their soft and non sticky texture. They also bleed after a while so completely removing them and reapplying is sometimes necessary.

The only issues I have with these is that it can be very hard to tell what colour they will turn out like when actually applied, in the tube they are incredibly pigmented, to the point of looking like your normal everyday lippy, but once painted on your lips they are a lot more translucent and subtle. You really have to swatch them before you buy them, but I found that similar colours that work for me in their strongly pigmented guise also worked for me in the lip butters range.

*statistic given on the Revlon.com.au website.

Tip of the Day: Avoiding dark circles from lower lash mascara

With my ethnicity, I'm beyond prone to pesky dark circles below my eyes. You can eat as healthy as you like, get as much sleep as you need, use potions and lotions and ice cubes and everything else in the entire world aimed at solving the problem. But unfortunately, some people will never be rid of them completely. (Spackle has been rather tempting on very bad days.)
However they can go far in lessening the problem, and I find in an absolute bind, applying a cold compress can go far after a night of poor sleep or after having a right old sooky cry.
But enough about that.
One trick I have picked up after years of being too afraid to wear mascara on my lower lashes -and you may kick yourself for not thinking of it- is to use waterproof mascara on your lower lashes. I find using the Mascara Guard endlessly useful for this too, as the entire problem comes about when your mascara smudges onto your skin during the day, creating a nasty shade under your eyes that can make you look tired. Waterproof mascara also generally gives a more subtle effect then your usual mascara which again is a win for lower lashes, if you use a really oomphy-super-turbo-fat-ass-lash-creating mascara it can come back to bite you.

What tricks do you use to avoid shadows under your eyes?

Best time to stock up on accessories!

Hey girls, I know I've been a bit sparse lately, I've started up a new team sport and the training is often and brutal. I'm sorry that I've been lacking my usual post frequency. During the week I don't have much time to do stuff, but on the weekend I do, so I'll have to sort something out.

One thing I do want to draw your attention to is a particular facet of the sales that are going on. This is the best time of the year to go and stock up on costume jewellery at Diva and Lovisa. Arm yourself with about $100 and you will get a stack more then you would at any time of the year (also post-Christmas, amazing!), and it can be very surprising what you come away with. Stuff that has barely been dropped in store are often part of the markdowns. I always keep an eye out for things that look like they don't belong in there. I get asked time and time again where I bought my massive statement jewel necklace and I love saying smugly it got me change from $10.
I think some of the really trendy items that are worth picking up at the moment are collars and torques. IT's a slight blast from the nineties, solid colours and metal finishes are really hot right now too and will see you right into summer.

Tip of the day: Jeans with a tight waistband

I feel it's been far too long since I dished out some advice.
Back early last year I stood on the scales and had finally reached the weight that was my limit. I had to do something about myself before I just let myself go completely. I was barely fitting into half my clothes for one, and that was probably my biggest problem, I couldn't afford to get any bigger. But I did learn some tricks to extend my wardrobe.
This is a trick that comes in handy for girls who have the perfect pair of jeans, that fit everywhere but the waist. They just dig in unflatteringly and give you a dreaded muffin top, but your legs and butt look so good!
Put them back on the shelf right? I say no. If they really are that good it could be worth giving them a chance.
For one thing, you can take them to a tailor and get them to fix the waistband for you. There may be enough fabric in the band to move the button over. Otherwise there is a budget friendly trick you can use with just a hair elastic.
Double a thin hair elastic over itself and loop it through the button hole to create a new button hole, like so.

To cover up the adjustment, don't tuck in your top and wear a belt, you may find that you'll need one to help hold the jeans up now anyway!

What advice do you have to help extend your wardrobe? I'd love to know!