Tip of the day: Saving time in the morning

I'm not a morning person. At. All. So any time I can save in the morning is something I try to improve upon wherever I can, and it's not just for any who isn't a morning person. Just for the sake of getting out the door without wasting time is a huge help for anyone time poor too.
Tying in with this are a stack of little odd tasks in your routine that can overlap. Did you know that it is ideal to let your layers of make-up set between applying the next? Moisturiser, serums, primers, foundations, concealers That's five minutes of waiting just there! So here are some things you can do while you're waiting.

• Brush your teeth - This one is ideal for the earlier stages where you won't ruin your make up, just after moisturiser is ideal.
• Moisturise your legs - Takes two minutes if that.
• Apply deodorant and perfume - Something away for your face for a minute.
• Brush your hair/comb through any product - Rid your hair of its overnight tangles and apply any product you desire.

Another complete favourite of mine is during your shower, while you wait for your conditioner to develop (which is recommended by most brands for at least a couple of minutes) I find it good to cleanse your face, and either shave your legs or completely exfoliate your body with a pair of scrub gloves. Perfect amount of time!

Bottom Lash Mascara

I never thought about using mascara on my bottom lashes. I did it once, didn't like the effect it gave me then (shadows, and hard to do without getting it everywhere!) so I didn't bother with it again until recently when I was given a tube of Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara as a freebie, and since I've taught myself more then a few tricks since I started playing with make-up, here is how to use it effectively! ( I do apologise for my sub-par photography skills, every time I think I haven't wobbled a little, indeed, I have.)

Step one: Depending on whether you prefer to do your mascara early or later on in your routine, do your face up until that point, I prefer last of all, so I'd already have my eyeliner and any shadow on.

This is my bare eye, no make-up besides foundation and concealer. it's much easier to explain what's going on without my eyes lined!

Step two: Use your regular mascara on your top lashes, as many coast as your prefer. (I leave about 30 seconds and blink as much as I can to dry it a little before going for a second coat.)

I still use the combination of mascaras I outlined in this post, I'm hunting for a new lengthening formula though!

Step three: Bring out the bottom lash mascara! Note the itsy little brush? Not only is it good for using on your lower lashes, but it is epic for getting to lashes in the corners of your top lashes!

Woo! All done! Now flutter my pretties.

Tip of the day: How to make legs appear longer and slimmer

Of course I would make a post about this while the weather is utterly monsoonal in Brisbane ...
A quick trick for making your legs appear longer and slimmer is an oldie but a goody, and the more (Fake) tanned your legs are the better the effect will be.
Take one shimmery high lightening make up product. The best for this is some sort of stick, but you can also use liquids or even a nude shimmery eye-shadow if you're in a bind. Try to find one that is paler then the skin on your legs for the best effect, silver for pale legs, gold for tanned, and champagne will go with a lot of in between. The next thing you want to do is locate your shin bone down the front of your calves, it's pretty much dead centre, from kneecap to ankle. Swipe your product down the bone and then blend from side to side until there are no tell tale lines.
How this works, is a lot like those optical illusion dresses with darker panels down the sides, by placing a subtle lighter stripe down the centre of your legs, you are creating an optic trick that will fool onlookers into thinking your legs are incredible.
Isn't science fun?

Source: Digitally Refreshing

Priceline Haul: January Bargains

So there's not really enough buys to constitute a haul but I waned to tell you guys about these buys before the sale ends. (You have until the 30th of Jan, Go!)
First of all, Priceline have taken 50% off(!!) the price of their beauty tool range. So make-up sponges, nail clippers, tweezers, make-up brushes, the range is good quality for the price, and to be honest, their isn't much difference between a $5 pair of nail clippers and a $20 pair. I picked up a cuticle clipper for less then $12, I've never found one cheaper before. and I can do my own manicures at home now! (Yay! Budget!)
I also picked up a small bottle of Lee Stafford Argan Oil (at 20% off) to keep at work, I used to keep my large bottle there but found I needed it at home, as well as work. I love hair oil, yes, my hair is oily, but it's also frizzy as at the ends and this tames it beautifully. If you haven't tried a hair oil, I highly recommend it in humid conditions. Just ask your hairdresser about it next time you're having a cut!

Last but not least I also picked up a set of Lady Jane hair extensions (at 20% off), This three pack in particular go along great if you attach them close to the bun when you're doing the high bun tutorial I posted some time ago, you just tease them like the rest of the hair and blend them in. You can also take them to your hairdresser to get them cut to blend in with how long your hair is if you plan to use them as highlights. You can also heat style them up too 210 Celsius! A hot straightener will surpass that, but  a medium setting SHOULD be Ok.

All of the above products are available from Priceline Australia.

The new Block Colour trend: Mod

Translating last seasons clothes into this season can be tricky but always fun, when the new seasons looks start to trickle out it can pay to keep an eye out for what looks similar to what you're wearing! I'm glad to say that last seasons bright colours trend has a friend in the new Mod stylings coming out now.
So let's have a look at what we can do.
The shift dress is often the first thing anyone thinks of when they think of Mod, and for good reason. It was a style staple to have your hems tiny and dress like a baby-doll. There are some incredibly cute variations that actually will suit a stack of shapes an sizes. To really amp up it up, buy some bright tights in a coordinating colour to really oomph it up, Something I'm loving at the moment is mustard gold and deep burgundy. Of course if you're not quite feeling it, a pair of black opaques will go with almost anything, and black shoes with black tights will make your legs look longer.

Otherwise a tunic and skinny jeans is a modern take on this trend. Sportsgirl have taken this trend and run with it, with cute collars, boxy tops and the perfect pants to wear with them, their Stevie style is ideal.

If you already have some cute high necked tops and want to add something to them, a lot of collars are in the shops waiting to be added. I bought one a while ago too.

Loving Sportsgirl's range out this month, all the items in this post can be found instore now.