Can you spare 15 minutes?

Hello.

This is me approximately 15 minutes before heading over to the new Chanel Beauty Boutique, (which just so happens to be conveniently located in my backyard -- I smell trouble) for a flash 15 minute makeover.

As you can see, I'm not wearing a heck of a lot in the photo above.

Hi again.

The key players

The products..

• Les Beiges in Shade 20 to freshen up and minimise shine
• Les Beiges in Shade 30 to contour
• Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Malice (watermelon red)
• Les 4 Ombres Quadre Eyeshadow in Eclosion - three of the four shades were used as follows:
  • Garnet Purple was applied all over my eye lid and blended out just above my crease to create a purple smoky eye
  • Champagne Shimmer was used to highlight my brow bone
  • Pearlescent Melon was used to break up the Garnet Purple at the inner corners
• Stylo Yeux Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Grenat (a heavy leaning purple merlot) to line along the lower and upper lash line
• Inimitable Waterproof Volume Mascara in Noir
• Rouge Coco Shine Hydrating Sheer Lipshine in Satisfaction (nude-ish brown-y pink)

The experience was nice enough, granted it was on the Saturday before Mother's Day -- it was clear selling perfume was their focus. As soon as my 15 minutes were up I was asked what I liked, which I fully expected. When I finally blurted out I was waiting for the Summer 2014 release (btw, it hit shelves earlier this week in Australia) the makeup artist abandoned me. At least she did me a solid by painting my whole face.

The two standouts for me were the Les Beiges Powders and the brushes, especially Powder Brush No. 1 (far right).

This was a free service Chanel offers in all of their boutiques. If you're not after a flash 15 minute makeover you could indulge yourself by opting for a mini facial, a luxury hand treatment, an express hand massage and nail polish or even a fragrance journey.

And if you do visit the Chanel Boutique in Melbourne's Emporium, be sure to ask for Melissa -- she's my favourite.

In the news: Beauty

A few beauty-related stories caught my eyes this weekend -- be sure to share your thoughts..

• Animal testing isn't what it appears to be.
• Target Australia has taken the fall for counterfeit MAC products sold throughout the country up until September 2012.
• Will CND's Vinylux change the nail polish landscape?
• Food for thought: inside & out?
• One of these things is not like the other.

//Image Source

Day One @ Salon Melbourne

I got up bright and early today in preparation for Salon Melbourne -- it's "Victoria’s ultimate hair and beauty event. Bursting with products, shows, education and entertainment, Salon Melbourne is a one-stop-shop for sourcing, learning and inspiration."

• Products
• Inspiration
• Entertainment

What more could you want?

Salon Melbourne is a two day event which is currently being held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. If you're a beauty professional, lover of hair and beauty or just plain interested, then head on over if you have a few hours free today or tomorrow.

Can't make it? Lucky for you, I took lots of pictures :)

I stayed for a couple of hours as I got overwhelmed by the crowds and also wanted to keep my spending in check. There are so many great things available for purchase, unfortunately it's irrational to buy one of everything. Right?

The Hits...

• You can watch tons of professionals execute what they do best - hair, nails, makeup and loads more
• Purchase products at wholesale prices
• Rub elbows with your fellow beauticians
• Experience brands that aren't available for testing in-store
• Attend a class or two, keep your eyes glued on the catwalk or gawk at the beautiful models
• Head to the centre of the exhibit for cheese and bubbles

The Misses...

• The crowds - be prepared to wait a while at the insanely popular stalls. OPI, Makeup Forever, Napoleon Perdis and several brush stalls were hopping
• Bring cash as some exhibitors don't have EFT POS machines
• Don't bother wearing a jacket, you'll be too hot

In the end, I had a lot of fun. Tho, it would've been nice to share this experience with P-cakes or a good friend. There's always next year :)

*Special thanks to Maxted Thomas PR for the invitation.

The makeup sessions: an afternoon with Giorgio Armani's Sebastian

A few Saturdays ago Sebastian worked his magic and introduced me to Giorgio Armani's makeup line. The goal, primarily, was to learn more about the makeup and get the works -- foundation, blush, eyeshadow, lipstick, liner and mascara.  I've read the reviews, however I managed to keep Armani's makeup at arm's length out of fear.  The fear which conjured up thoughts of addiction, lust, envy and expense, well, sticker shock. For an hour Sebastian dished about his experience as a makeup artist while painting my face; he grabbed for colours and I just put all of my trust into his talented hands.

The results -- Copper Smoke, a hint of plum and a smattering of brown on the lips.

Out of the whole entire experience, I was pleased as punch with my eyes.  As for my favourite tip I learned that day, Sebastian taught me how to line my eyes with Armani's Smooth Silk Eye Pencil. First, he coloured a bit on his hand in order to warm up the product. Then Sebastian grabbed for his angled eye brush and picked up the freshly drawn on liner from his hand.  This practice, he believes, gives him more control and the ability to line the eyes far more precisely.

As for the goods I walked away with, here's what I purchased..

• Smooth Silk Eye Pencil in shade #1 black
• Eyes to Kill Silk Eyeshadow in shade #'s 3 and 5
• Rouge d' Armani Sheers Lipstick in shade Brown # 202

If you love Sebastian's handiwork, please pay him a visit inside David Jones on Bourke Street, Melbourne.