The right way to use a Hairpin; Discuss

I came across this Meme the other day and admittedly I had a giggle, but it also made me stop and think, it's a good point, have we been doing this wrong the whole time?

I have asked a few of my friends who work in hair and beauty and heard a myriad of opinions. Some of them had the same reaction as me (What is this witchcraft!) While some others had heard of it and tipped me off as to why this method is useful.

Apparently by using the hairpin (hair grips, kirby grips, whatever) with the grooves towards your head makes the pin fit your head better, as well as ensuring a better grip on the hair it's holding.

But why do pins normally curve to fit your head on the straight side? Why do they have pretty things glued to the side that kicks out too?

I tell you what, I am puzzled. It seems that manufacturers believe they should be used one way, but hairdressers and other frequent users of the product have developed new ideas.

So perhaps we look for hairpins that don't curve along the straight side and use them in this new way?

What do you think of this new information? Will you be changing the way you use hair pins from now on?

L'Oreal Lumi Magique Highlighter

Beautiful, glowy complexions are always in fashion. I have done a comparison post on two very effective Illuminating Concealers in the past but I thought I would try something new when my last one ran out, enter L'Oreal Lumi Magqiue Highlighting Pen.

L'Oreal Paris have created the Lumi Magique range (also including a Primer and foundation collection) to help give tired and fatigued complexions a nice bit of pep to look alive and awake, and really, who wouldn't want this? Even the best of us are often tired! By using something called 'liquid light technology' and the lovely and soft brush applicator you have a very potent weapon to bring some alert to your look.

Lumi Magique Pen Swatches in Medium

The product itself does a fantastic job of concealing in a highlighting manner. Great to use for concealing under eye bags and for application around the nose and above the cupids bow to add a three dimensional effect to your complexion, and battle any shadows on your face. The formula is creamy and dries with enough time to blend properly, with the ability to layer for those really pesky blemishes..
The pen like packaging is sleek and perfect for taking on the god, taking up very little room in your makeup case, ideal for touch ups through the day and tiny enough for any overnight bag.
While using Lumi Magique I found only one real negative, the amount of clicks to get enough product to use varies greatly from use to use, and I'd find myself getting frustrated too easily and ending up with too much product. Despite this, I felt the brush really was beautifully soft and ideal for applying the product (with some patting with my ring finger afterwards to blend).
One thing I did find interesting as well was that I ended up buying the medium shade, finding it suited my light complexion more then the light shade did, so make sure you do some testing in sunlight before you buy.

Have you tried any of the Lumi Magique range? Tell me what you thought in the comments!

Personal Style - Meow

Please don't be harsh, I haven't done many of these personal style posts before!

Trousers and Scarf - Asos

Blouse - Temt

Shoes - Sportsgirl

Bracelet - Gift from my mother

The most comfy flats

Cute kitty print scarf tied in a pussybow style

I've always been petrified of posting pictures of myself on here for a multitude of reasons, the biggest being that I'm not a 'model' size. It's taking me a lot of courage to rise up against that, and show that it doesn't mean I have no style. There was something I posted a while ago, and someone's search along the lines of  "fat girl in see through blouse" brought up a photo of me, I was mortified. Also curious and creeped out.

Haute Look - Labels for Less

There's a new way to find those chic buys on the internet without the audacious price tag. Welcome to the world of online outlets!

Haute Look have been operating out of America for a few years now and I was really excited to find that they are now shipping to us way out in Australia! Nordstrom acquired the site back in 2011 So you can be sure that the labels are top notch. For no membership fee there are new sales to be found every day at 8:00 am Pacific time (which suits Australia fine, we get the start of the sales in the evening here!) A factor I really like about Haute Look though is that they stock a tonne of labels that we would have a hard time finding in store here. With Beauty, Fashion Homewares and more at your fingertips -but only for a limited time- it's a site you'll want to bookmark and visit often.

So armed with my bargain hunter instinct, I dove right into the site on the hunt for something awesome. Here's what I picked up!

So much cuter then an elastic on your wrist right?

These gorgeous hair ties rock my socks, not just for me of course as they make brilliant gifts for friends as well. Of course I couldn't go past something with glitter in them either. They came in a variety of colours so I chose what went best with my wardrobe.

The other thing I picked up were these boots. How amazing are they! Also in this seasons must have hue of Ox Blood. I'm loving how last seasons wedge sneakers are transforming into more styles, they are mega comfy to wear. But I have to admit I laughed so hard when they arrived in a massive box. Seriously, it was about 1m (3' odd) tall! 

The only problem I've found is that not all items ship to Australia, which is a little disheartening, but this can be fixed through an American forwarding address company such as Prezoom.

All in all, it's a place I would go shopping again, especially for the hard-to-find in Australia items at great prices. Go check them out now at Hautelook.com

This has been a sponsored post.

Have we found the best Lip Balm?

'm not one to utter the acronym HG (Holy Grail) often, in fact I don't think I ever have on this blog before. But I'm so fond of this product, it deserves a massive pedestal to be placed beneath it.
I'm  talking about Nivea's Essential Care Lip Balm.

Lip balms are a beauty product that everyone who cares about their appearance tends to use, and use often! Caring for your lips is paramount to creating a youthful look, soft full lips are universally appealing. The reason why I love Nivea Essential Care Lip Balm so much is that it feels unlike any other balm I've used. It's just so damn nourishing! You know that awful addiction your lips can get with -lets face it- most lip balms on the market? Where if you don't reapply every two hours your lips start chapping more then they were to begin with? I've never had a trace of that with Essential care, instead lips are given great moisturisation, a soft and supple feel and absolutely with no signs of balm addiction. It lasts and lasts as well,

My favourite use for it is just before bedtime, apply it liberally to wake up with gorgeous soft lips ready to go for the next day.

Do you have a HG Lip balm? What do you use?