I not only blog about them but I use them!

Following my previous blogs on gel liners used as eyeshadows and my new favourite Stila Colour Convertibles here are some images using both...........my Easter Saturday prep.

Foundation - Chanel Matt Lumiere
MAC Concealer - NC 25
Bobbi Brown gel liner - Ivy Shimmer Ink
Mascara - Boujoirs Volume Glamour Max Definition Mascara
Cheeks/ Lips - Stila Colour Convertible - Peony

HAIR - Cloud Nine Curling Tong (JUST THE BEST ONE EVER!!!)

The best & worst gel liners!

Im a fan, huge fan actually, of gel liners and I've had the opportunity to work with many different brands.


Those of you who follow my blog know not only do I use the gel liners to line the eye but I often use them as eyeshadows particularly when doing a dark smokey eye. They are perfect for this look as the majority of them are smudge, crease & waterproof and add depth to eyeshadow.


Having said that not all gel liners are the same and Ive even found a huge contrast in liners from the same brand. Some glide on seamlessly and have intense colour while others either look dull or dry up the minute you twist the cap to open it! Below are my favourite and not so favourite liners.

Favourites:


MAC Fluideline in Blacktrack - my absolute favourite black gel liner. This product does exactly what its supposed to. It applies beautifully, gives you a real intense black finish and will not budge or smudge all day! 


Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Bronze Shimmer (not sure if this colour has been replaced with Chocolate Shimmer) - I LOVE THIS LINER!! I frequently use this to create an amazing brown smokey eye but it also makes a nice liner when you want a softer outline. 


Shu Uemura in G Silver- This is a lovely silver shimmer colour which is a nice alternative to a light liner. I like to use this product to highlight the inner eyes near the tear duct - just beautiful.


Not so favourite:

MAC Fluideline in Waveline - Bad, real bad if you thought this was going to give you a lovely blue colour. It applies quite transparent and you need layers to give you an intense colour. So disappointing as I love the colour.


Bobbi Brown and Shu Uemura in Black - my problem with both of these is their longevity. They dry out so quickly and they become unusable in a matter of no time.

A blush & lip colour in one!

Stila was a brand that made its way into my kit many moons ago with their award winning lip glaze. Since then they didn't give me much to sing about, or so I thought, until I rediscovered their convertible colour compacts.

These handy compacts come in 9 creamy dreamy shades and can be used as a cheek or lip colour to give you an unbelievable dewy finish on your cheek or a moisturising lip colour. All the colours are very wearable and compliment multiple skin tones. 

I thought Id be daring and tried the Fuchsia (which looks like a very bright pink), and was surprisingly pleased to see that the colour blended well and left me with what I only can describe as a romantic fun cheek and lip colour. Just beautiful! 

To apply simply use your finger tips and blend. If you're more comfortable using brushes a nice blush brush will do the trick. To keep the dewy look don't powder on top of this product. 

Stila Convertible Colour in Fuchsia. (Instyle)

And, how can you not love a 2 in 1 product? Think about all the room you can make for some more products. In true Zoe style I couldn't stop at one.............

Stockist in Australia: 

www.meccacosmetica.com.au

Because they are amazing, easy-peasy to apply and last a very long time.......

It's kind of like I've found the holy grail of nail polish but without the drying time and chip free for 10 days. Impossible? No!

Sally Hansen have geniusly created their new 'Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strip' which comes in the most amazing, creative, wearable, prints  and colours. After eyeing them off in the nail polish aisle day after day contemplating if they would be too hard to apply, and if they would really last 10 days without peeling, I felt brave and took the plunge. To my surprise they were soooooo easy to apply and best of all they lasted through my obsessive compulsive cleaning and detergents!! Typically I'd paint my nails or have them professionally done only to leave the salon, walk to my car and ruin them while scrounging around in my bag for my keys! There is no drying time with the strips and you can resume your daily tasks without a worry.

They come in a range of nail bed sizes so I have no doubt they cater for every ones pinkies and are easily removed with normal nail polish remover.

To prove how simple they are to apply visit the Sally Hansen website where they have a detailed video guiding you step by step! Just click on the link below:

HOW TO VIDEO

If that's not enticing enough they're now on sale at Priceline and come in the most amazing Easter prints right in time for the festive period. If prints are not your thing you'll adore their range of single colours!

How can you not love them!!!!

The trouble is they last so long its taking me forever to get through all the prints..........if that's a problem!?!?!

How to properly clean your Makeup Brushes!

SORRY! That's all I can say.

I'm terribly sorry its taken so long to post but I do have a great excuse and its called an Hawaiian holiday.

Very soon Ill be showing you ALL of my purchases (*gasp) there is a lot, with reviews and recommendations on them all.

But in the interim, and following my post on brushes, I wanted to share with you the way I clean my much loved brushes. With the right tender love & care brushes can last you a very long time and considering you're spending so much on them its only right you really look after them - right? Cleaning them regularly also rids them of all the yucky unwanted bacteria that lurks and breeds in your brushes particularly if you're a makeup artist!

There are several ways to clean them with my favourite simply being some baby shampoo and warm water. The reason for this is that its gentle and it thoroughly cleans them leaving them without any residue.

• All you need to do is place a small amount of the shampoo into the palm of your hand, wet the bristle part of the brush and gently massage the bristles in with the shampoo. 
• Once you've worked up a lather rinse the brush doing your best to avoid the ferrule (the metal part of the brush) to avoid the adhesive deteriorating. 
• Grab yourself a clean towel and squeeze the brush head/move it gently around the towel to remove excess waters.
• Lay them flat on a table edge NOT STANDING to dry. The reason you need to have them not  standing is to once again avoid any excess moisture moving down the brush particularly the ferrule section causing them to eventually come apart.

For quick and easy cleans in between you can purchase pure alcohol or brush cleanses (MAC stocks one), spritz a little onto a tissue and clean the head of your brush. I often find many brush cleansers leave a soapy/oily residue so I personally would choose the alcohol which instantly cleans and kills any bacteria.

MAC Brush Cleanser

BEN nye alcohol based cleaner

Fun tip!

When choosing a concealer and it's coverage swipe a little on the inside of your wrist - if it covers your veins it will cover anything!

What's the difference between synthetic & natural fibre brushes?

Ones made from synthetic fibres and the other natural right? Well yes, but there's a lot more to it than that.

When choosing brushes think about what you're going to be using them for. Generally speaking natural brushes work best with powdery textures such as eyeshadow, finishing powders, blush and bronzes. Synthetic fibre brushes work best with cream textures including foundations, concealers, lipsticks/gloss, liquid eyeliner, cream eyeshadow & blushes.

Quality brushes make all the difference when applying makeup but it doesn't necessarily mean they need to be expensive. Ensure the brushes don't absorb a lot of your product and they don't excessively shed when using them.

Some natural fibre brushes may cause a reaction if you or your client are allergic to animal hair. They can be made from goat, hoarse, squirrel or sable hair so always test first!