>>>tgif: DROP DEAD DOMESTIC

If you have to have an admin weekend why not make like Agent Provocateurs SS14 homage to the acquiescent and neurotic 1950s suburban housewife?  She's glossy and pristine and drop dead gorgeous even when getting down and dirty (scrubbing the floor...!!!). Grab some rollers and roll up hair when its all warm from the blow dryer and let your hair (in an ever so 50s fashion) "set". When hair has cooled take them out and brush them out with a Tangle Teezer  for big bouffant waves. Keep hair soft with a slick of hair oil - Keratase Elixir Ultime offer different kinds depending on your needs in perfect pastel tones (and dreamy fragrances to matchy-match). Alternatively throw some L'Oreal Paris Elvive Smooth Intense Anti Frizz Serum in your trolley while doing your obligatory (as a good housewife) grocery shop - it keeps hair soft and touchable too. Complete the (above) picture of domestic perfection with a lick of  lipstick and your favorite lingerie. Happy cleaning Mary-Sue!

>>>beauty banter: HOW TO FIGHT THE SHINE (AKA - KEEP YOUR FACE LOOKING FLAWLESS ALL DAY!!!) - PART TWO

Last week I shared my favorite tips to start a fight against 3pm shine – covering off skincare, as it is a two pronged attack. The careful and less is more approach to skincare needs to be taken to set the rest of your face up for shine free success. Below are my best bits of advice for making sure your makeup lasts the distance.

3. Foundation options

Seems like a no brainer but I think this is worth going over anyway. If you find you have a natural oil that peeps through your foundation I recommend using a foundation with more of a matte finish – this finish will ensure that you get a little more oil control because of the powders used in a matte finish product. Ask the sales assistant or do some snooping on line when pondering the purchase of a new foundation to see what skin type it is best suited for. A foundation that is hydrating for dry skin may not be best if you are on the oilier side. In fact if you seriously hate the shine I would consider avoiding hydrating foundations all together as you can get your much needed moisture from your moisturiser. I personally like Garnier BB Cream in the oily/combination skin formulation for sheer to medium matte coverage; and Lancome Teint Idole Ultra24HR if you like to cover up a bit more.

As for foundations that offer extra radiance and glow – proceed with caution, and even better, try before you buy! Generally “radiance and glow” can mean extra shine due to the mica particles used in them to give that glow. You don’t want to give your existing oily glow and more radiance than it already, so generously has. That said there has been some great new foundations launch lately that offer to fulfill your fantasies of flawless skin that I find to control oily shine very well. I expect these brands have realized the desire of us beauty birds to have a glowy but not shiny skin so have worked hard to develop formulations to fulfill this. Two great products for this are YSL Le Teint Touche Ecalt and Clarins Everlasting Foundation.

Another option worth exploring are foundations that specifically sell themselves on being long wearing. This category of foundations generally adhere to the skin really well so should stick for longer, keeping skin looking even. A great way I have found to judge how long wearing my “long-wearing” foundation really is, is to see how easily they wash off from my hand. If you really have to rub with soap then it should be a goodie (don’t worry, they do come off the face easily with a specific makeup remover). I absolutely love MAC Pro Longwear Foundation for medium coverage that lasts the distance – this one doesn’t have a matte finish so if you are oilier then try out Estee Lauder Double Wear Light, which has a medium coverage but more of a matte finish.
Regarding usage – take a less is more approach here much like your moistursier – try using less and dabbing all over the face first and then rubbing in to ensure you’re not overloading your skin with unnecessary extras (aka emollients found in foundation).

4. The power of powder 
This is your last line of defense and I promise you, it’s a solid one. I have complete faith in the endurance of my foundation when I have followed a powder process of first using a pressed powder and then a translucent setting powder.

 A pressed powder can be lovely to smooth out any edges and add additional coverage to your foundation – it will also ensure that your liquid foundation has something dry to set it so it doesn’t move around and slide off. To get the best result I recommend using a large fluffy powder brush to apply pressed powder in a light dusting all over the face, - again less is more, you only need enough to lightly set your liquid which is why a large brush is so great – due to its larger surface area it will cover more with less. When you use a sponge (often found in the compact) to apply pressed powder you will increase the coverage as you are pressing more firmly to the pan as well as the skin. A sponge will also disturb your liquid foundation more as you are quite literally rubbing over it again. Sponges are still great to have in your purse for on the go touch-ups or when you need lots of extra coverage but if you want to ace that base first thing, consider using a large natural bristled brush instead. I love MAC Studio Fix Powder for flawless matte coverage in a flash.
A translucent setting powder is the product that I think makes the most difference of all when fighting the shine – and they have multiple, glorious benefits beyond that. These powders add no extra colour or coverage so you won’t feel heavy or cakey as you might expect after having used two powders. (Do note though that if you are happy with the coverage and finish of your foundation alone, skip the pressed powder and start here).
Translucent setting powders started to hit the market about three to five years ago in response to HD filming techniques’ charming way of revealing skins every. last. flaw. A translucent setting powder will blur the skin making it look smooth and flawless. The texture is incredibly finely milled and light weight. Don’t be alarmed that they are white, as they are totally translucent (ie. see-through) so will not leave you looking ghostly pale. After using one of these powders all following products such as blush and bronzer will smooth over skin like a dream as you have just softened and smoothed the surface of skin they are adhering to.

Best of all and of the most interest to this particular post, these little tubs of white powder (not that kind) are truly magical in their ability to set makeup. They absorb oil and shine like nothing else. When my skin was an oil slick these powders kept my skin in check, by the end of the day my usual slick would less shiny slimy mess and more soft healthy glow. I can not recommend the use of one of these powders enough. The best way to apply these is either with a blush brush (dip in the tub and dab off the excess, usually the pots are quite small so be careful here) or, as you would you have it, with a puff. If you are super oily using a little more pressure with a velour puff to really press this onto the skin will ensure you are getting precise product placement and adhesion to the skin. I can’t go past MAC Prep and Prime Transparent Finishing Powder to keep my skin looking flawless and shine free all day long. NARS Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder is also incredibly effective. These little pots look tiny and may seem pricy, but a little goes a long way and the product should last as long as your normal powder and I truly believe the investment is well worth it for the extra time and product you waste trying to fix your face later in the day in their absence. These powders both come in pressed versions – I have to say I prefer the loose versions as I find they do make foundation last longer. They are a little messier than their pressed counterparts but by being careful you will get the benefits. Can’t handle the mess? Get the pressed and keep it in your bag for (although hopefully increasingly less necessary) touch ups late in the day. Bonus tip: Dust a tiny bit of this under your eyes (after foundation or under-eye concealer) to set – this will dry down the area and stop your mascara and eyeliner smudging all over the place.

So there you have it! A plan of attack to fight oily skin from someone who has been there, done that and come out the other end shine free and smiling. May the force of flawless skin be with you.

Have any specific questions? Any great advice of your own? Let us all know in the comments!

>>>candy crush: THREE MAGNIFICENT MASCARAS TO TRY TODAY (OR NEXT TIME)

My lash philosophy (in LE GLOSSIER land such a silly sounding thing is definitely acceptable) is basically the bigger, the bolder, the better. I like my lashes long, curled and thick. When you have a big bad lash look it can negate the need for any extra work with eye shadows and liners – a time poor girls best friend. Thick black lashes frame the eyes just perfectly make for a simple fluttery eye look.  Below I share my three absolute all time favorite mascaras for fattening and flattering your lashes. Start waving that wand!

1. MAC Haute and Naughty Lash  $48 *
This pink and purple powerhouse will thicken lashes up with its super black formula in only a few short swipes. Seriously -  in less than six seconds you have pretty satisfactory lashes. Spend a bit longer swiping and you will be very impressed with the thickening and lengthening properties of this bad boy. Perfect for a party lash or loaded onto lashes before falsies you can’t go wrong with the intensity of this mascara. If you do want to tone it down for a lazy day then you have the option of pulling out the pink section only and having soft fluffy lashes. Like I said I like mine long and thick so I only ever bother pulling out the purple part - where the wand goes through a wider wiper system for more deposit on your lashes. The pink end takes off more mascara and makes the brush slightly softer. For $48 you're really getting two in one and the best of both worlds.

2. YSL Baby Doll Mascara $64
If you like a little more definition with your lash length and thickness then the micro-faceted (this means that the brush, which is quite stiff and rubbery, has all different lengths of bristle to catch, separate and define your lashes) brush on this mascara is perfect for you. I love this mascara when I am after a big thick lash that is almost architectural in its line defined perfection. Cara Delevingne is the current face of this mascara, and lets face it with her fantastic face and feline eyes, we’ll take whatever she is having!

3. Maybelline Volume Express Falsies Flared Mascara $23.99
The best $24 you’ll ever spend at the supermarket will be spent on this incredible little purple tube of mascara magnificence. My ultimate favorite of the bunch (and alas, at a price you can’t really bat an eye at) it excels at all of the above while holding an impressive curl all day long. I can not fault this mascara, it doesn't smudge or smear but wears perfectly all day long. You get long thick loveliness in a flash.  Make sure you get the “Flared” version of this mascara as the curved brush really helps lift and curl your lashes for a full, flared fringe of lashes and a gorgeous wide eyed look.

*all prices are approximate.

>>>tgif: PASTEL, PEARLS AND FABULOUSNESS

Go glam this weekend in some killer sunglasses (this means you can keep it easy on your eyes... bonus!) and pastel tones that have been seen all over the Paris runways this past week. We all know MAC do great lippies so check out some of their pastel inspired colours such as my perennial favorite Please Me for a perfect pink. If you want your pop of pastel a little less pricey check out the ChiChi stand at your local department store or pharmacy - they do super cute colors with the most outrageous hoochi-Hollywood names you can't help but feel that bit more frivolous and fabulous as you pucker up in "Trolley Dolly" or "Valley Girl". These lipsticks will also keep you lips feeling pretty comfortable too - no dryness here.
Match your tips to your lips with a slick of pretty paleness - OPI Mod About You is a perfectly 60s shade of lilac pink. And then make like the lady to the top left and pile on diamonds and pearls (costume or real whatever you can get) for a fabulous weekend darlings. 

>>>beauty birdie: LOTTIE MOSS

Last week saw Kate the Great turn 30 and the world got to see her little sister Lottie step into the modelling world with her first major photo shoot. Little Miss Moss is all kinds of whimsical and dreamy in Dazed and Confused magazines female power issue. With her long limbs, whispy blonde hair and gorgeous little turned up nose there's no doubt that the sister of the most famous super is slated for Greatness as well. 

>>>beauty banter: HOW TO FIGHT THE SHINE (AKA - HOW TO STOP YOUR SKIN LOOKING LIKE A GREASY MESS COME 3PM) - PART ONE

One of the most common questions I am asked regarding personal grooming is how to stop your skin (when you're wearing make-up, that is) looking and feeling like a gross greasy mess by the end of the day. 

While I am all for a hyper glowy come greasy sheen on skin it has a time and a place. Generally on alien skinned models wearing Wang. On a runway. For five minutes max. It's time and place in real life is short lived and often impracticable. 

For years I suffered through a sheeny skin that only really felt fresh for a couple of hours after applying make-up. “Quelle horreur” I would shudder with a horrible sinking feeling when I would catch a glimpse of my shiny complexion in shop windows. I would simply avoid looking in the mirror on bathroom breaks so to not see the dreaded confirmation of my greasy skin fears. 

I can happily say I am now rid of this vanity crippling affliction. My makeup looks fresh for 12+ hours and I don't even need to touch up, I feel fully confident that I can go from work to drinks and not be the one offering the disco ball ambiance from my shiny round face. 

It wasn't easy to achieve this level of comfort and confidence and it took years of trial and error, product purchases and well-meaning but misguided advice from counter girls.

I often feel that for western skincare and cosmetics skin hydration is a major focus (in terms of skincare and benefits that our cosmetics have pumped into them) at the expense that those of us that are on the shiny side are left with few options that allow us to enjoy dreamy skin.

My dream skin is matte but not flat, it's glowy but not shiny and importantly it never feels slick or sticky. Unless you have suffered through the sheen it's very hard to understand let alone advise and recommend a regimen so I have put together here a comprehensive collection over two posts of some of my very best tips and learning’s on how to fight the shine and slime so you too can put your dream face forward. 

1. Never skip the prep step

It all starts with how you moisturise. It's so easy to be tempted to skip this step with the thought in mind that "I'm oily so I don't need any more moisture". Alas you do - if you skip moisturiser then you will create this horrible cycle whereby the skin feels dehydrated so it produces more oil to coat the skin in order to keep it balanced. This balance and natural skin regulation might be okay if you were to be sans maquillage however as soon as you start coating your skin with silicone-y and emollient products your natural oils are going to break on through and leave your careful makeup prep looking a mess. 

If you are currently using a moisturising cream in the morning you will notice a difference if you switch this to a lotion. If you are super oily look for a product that states that it is oil free, has a gel base or that it has oil controlling properties (I really like Kiehl's Sodium PCA Oil-Free Moisturizer). What you want to try and achieve with your moisturising step is light weight hydration that adequately moisturises the skin with out leaving a greasy residue or that over compensates later in the day. Other lotions that I found to achieve this are: MACMineralize Charged Water Face and Body Lotion (great for normal-super oily) and Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream (good if your normal-dry - dry skinned gals get shine too. It says cream but it really acts and feels like more of a lotion). I find with really gung-ho oil controlling moisturisers that mattify don't help a lot as the actually leave the skin feeling dry, like you haven't moisturised at all. I think it's best to avoid this as it's important for the surface of the skin to feel lightly hydrated and supple. 

If you are already using a moisturising lotion that promises all of the above then try using about half the amount. Worried you won't cover your whole face? If you place the product on your hand and then dab all parts on your face before massaging it in you'll be surprised how much less you manage to use. 

Further to switching up your moisturiser for a lotion you can cleanse and tone skin with an oil free formula that will make skin feel clean and grease free - the Kiehl's UltraFacial Oil-Free line is great for this. Look for a cleanser that has a moderate foaming action and a clear toning lotion. If you have time on your side during your grooming ritual do try to wait at least ten minutes after applying moisturiser before putting your base on. 

2. To prime or not to prime?

This is a great question. A primer is a product used to prepare the skin before foundation. It generally contains silicone which creates a super smooth, soft surface for foundation to stick to. A good primer should leave skin feeling silky and looking extra smooth. You should also use much less foundation. You'll often be recommended a primer to help keep foundation lasting longer however I think this is very much dependent on your skin type. Often the primer can do exactly the opposite as it is an extra layer of emollient product with the potential to slip and slide on the skin – also a primer will more than likely moisturize the skin which you may not need. At first it may leave the skin looking matte but as the day wears on I can find them to actually exacerbate the problem and cause skin to look shinier. My advice here would be to absolutely try before you buy. Some primers will keep your skin looking better for longer and some will leave you looking shinier, sooner. Ask the sales assistant to fill you up a sample so you can try it over a couple of days and see how it works with your skin. There's nothing more disappointing than buying a product that not only doesn't fix the issue, but makes if worse! I have tried out a few primers and have two absolute favorites. MAC Prep and Prime Skin leaves skin looking visibly smoother and more radiant. Lancôme La Base Pro is a beautiful velvety primer that makes skin feel incredibly smooth – so smooth I find my self using less than a third of the amount of foundation I would normally use – incredible! These are both super popular options but again, try before you buy as one woman’s wonder product may be another’s worst nightmare.

The above two tips should have your skin set up for shine-free success before cosmetics are even applied. Part two will help you choose the appropriate foundation and my favorite product for ensuring your base looks ace all day. Get prepping!

>>>monday mind (re)set: BARDOT BEAUTIFUL

This Monday I’ll be making an effort to change up hair and make-up to emulate the look of the much loved Brigitte Bardot, above. Think a sharp swipe of liquid liner to a little flick to smarten up eyes for the work day– I like YSL Shocking Faux Cils Eyeliner for a smooth inky black line. For cheeks – think peach. I went with MAC Peaches (throwback to the weekend) to keep the vintage feel to the look. Nude-y peach lips (MAC Peachstock lipstick is the perfect shade for this) are a must to complete the Bardot bombshell look. It’s easy to get Brigitte’s bed-hair with a postiche brush – lightly tease two sections on either side of the face with this brush and then smooth over and pin back – you should achieve a perfectly pretty poof on each side of the head that references Brigitte’s 60s signature hair just so. Happy Monday Bardot beauties x

>>>tgif: COUNTRY CHIC FOR WEEKEND EASE

After a week that was (as in it’s just SO HARD to go back to work after endless days of lounging around making unimportant decisions)  I know I won’t be the only one looking forward to a fleeting return to freedom this weekend. I am country bound and will the using the opportunity this presents to pair everything right back with a simple look like Sienna above. Hair will be as relaxed as I hope to be. I’ll let it air dry in a soft knot to give it a gentle (nothing too aggressive this weekend, please) wave. If effort allows I’ll smooth over some BB Cream (I like the Garnier BB Cream – its fresh and glowy and so easy to come by) followed by a pop of MAC Peaches blush on cheeks. Lips can take a break from a week of pink and be given some extra TLC with a patting of Lanolips – I love this lip balm as it is a lip moisturizer as opposed to a barrier, so it’ll keep them nice and supple.  A spritz of perennial weekend favorite - Marc Jacobs Daisy will finish up and lend ambiance to the relaxed atmosphere. And that’s all really, let's keep it casual. Long live paired back chic, long live the weekend!

>>>beauty banter: 2014 BEAUTY RESOLUTIONS - PART TWO

Part two of 2014’s new years beauty reso’s to make a girl look and feel great – how hard can self indulgence be?

4.    Rise and shine :
Or maybe I spoke to soon… I am going to attempt to rewind the time an hour or so for my morning wake up call. How does getting up earlier act as a beauty resolution? I’ll have more time to linger over my look in hopes to pull something more creative out of the bag than my bold but by now boring bright lip/nude eyes combo. This time will more than likely be spent lingering over breakfast/the news/instagram/daydreaming  but if it means I arrive at work wide awake fresh and less sweaty rushed mess then I am all for an extra hour of me time. Sleep when you’re dead.

5.    Use lip liner:
Many of my clever and well informed makeup artist friends extol  the virtues of using lip liner – to which I eye-roll and huff about a meaningless and excessive extra step. Lately though I have been experimenting with different colored lip liners under lippies to adjust the colour with the result being that other than creating a whole exciting new lipstick colour I have noted - remarkably that my lipstick has been lasting a lot longer. Who would have thought?! Smartie make-up artists that’s who.  So with those extra minutes I have up my sleeve from resolution #4 I vow to be more diligent with my lip prep – it’ll save me more in the long run anyway as my lipstick lasts from work through play.

6.    Find the perfect blush:
2013 saw me settling… Settling for blush colours that just were not giving me the chubby cheeks characteristic of a satisfied smile. I have tons of blushes, but none that really made my heart beat faster. It got under my skin all year – well no more! This year I will do something I preach so passionately to my friends – try before you buy. I’ll save money and avoid the raging red face of blush buyers remorse. I love a shimmer free satiny finish in peachy corally pink so I’ll be paying a visit to beauty mecca Mecca Cosmetica to try (before I buy) some NARS blush goodness. Wish me luck!

>>>monday mind (re)set: BRIGHT EYED BRIGHT LIPPED

As we fare the well to the weekend and stand on the precipice of five long days of daily grind, I think we can all be excused for feeling a little melancholy come Monday morning. It’s not all doom and gloom though, I am going to try and re set my mind set on Monday AM – it’s a fresh new week of sartorial opportunity after all. I am back from three weeks of holiday and this Monday I am going to think FRESH and think PINK. I may not be bushy tailed until the caffeine hits but I am going to fake bright eyes with a slick of white eye kohl (NARS Larger than Life Longwear Eye Liner in Santa Monica Blvd is a goodie) in my waterline followed by extra lashings of black mascara. I’ll leave the miserable Monday moping to other peoples mouths by slicking mine with a new favorite that hits counter later this month – L’AbslouVelours in Velours de Petale by Lancome. This liquid lipstick has a velvet matte finish that will last you through those required extra cups of coffee and panic nibbles but still feel super comfortable on lips – and the intense pigments packs a punch that will leave no one in any doubt that this Monday – you mean business. 

>>>tgif: A RED HOT LOOK YOU CAN SWIM IN

It's balmy outside so for all those that are beach bound (or beach inspired as one may be where the weather dictates your weekend wanderings) why not choose a look that will take you from beach to bar by amping up the glamour while turning down the effort factor (it's not a contradiction, I promise) like these two babes?

Achieve the look by applying a layer or two of facial self-tanner the night before for super fresh, naturally bronzed skin you can swim in. I love St Tropez Everyday Face and J Bronze Face Flawless Tan for a natural browny-bronze look. Brush brows up so they a bushy and fresh, smudge some chocolate brown eye kohl close to your lash line (my favorite is: MAC Teddy), and for a look as sweltering hot as that sun beaming down, finish with a super sexy orange-red lippy like YSL Rouge Pur Couture #13 or MAC Lady Danger. As for hair? Even easier, take a dip and let the salt water do its glorious thing. Happy splashing! X

>>>beauty banter: 2014 BEAUTY RESOLUTIONS - PART ONE

   I am pretty good with my beauty regimen, more out of need than actual motivation as I am ocd about keeping my skin clean (after hours of course) and also very unwilling to present my un-maquillage-d mug to the poor unsuspecting public. But in the spirit of it being a new year, a fresh new start, a time of change, personal development etc etc etc why not make a few fun, simple, self absorbed beauty promises to myself – all in aid of making one feel more beautiful – there could be harder more serious resolutions after all, non?

1.       Take better care of my oral health

A fresh clean mouth is as important to one’s personal grooming as applying deodorant. I am talking about going beyond the twice daily teeth brush – I vow to floss daily until I get my hands all over a Philips AirFloss, I will tongue scrape,  and I will pearl drop – all in pursuit of a fresh smelling (and feeling), brightly shining, (and by then) smug looking smile.

2.       Commit to the green juice

I know. But what better way to start the day than getting a whole bunch of your 5+ out of the way before breakfast? I have found my ultimate recipe here. We all know, deep down that beauty does start on the inside, and beyond the obvious health benefits of consuming a daily dose of greens I want for my eyes to shine brighter, hair to be swishier, my skin to glow ridiculously and my energy to be higher. I am putting a lot of eggs in your basket green juice...

3.       Get firm with my hairdresser

I love my hairdresser, I really do – he keeps my hair in tip top shape and foils it just so every time. But no amount of gently suggesting “BRIGHTER!”, “BLONDER!” seems to cut through. This year I shalt not gently suggest but firmly insist that he takes me to the perfect bright, buttery Bergdorf blonde of my fantasies.

>>>admin: HELLO

Long has been my love for all things beauty. Since I was a little girl my favourite place to visit would be the chemist. Imagine! - I would look forward to doctors visits as a child as they held the sweet promise of visiting the pharmacy for a prescription post appointment. Prescription, shmpscriptions, I was only interested in the puffs and pans of powdered colour, bullets of fiery red and vibrant fuchsia, perfectly painted ladies, wafts of Red Door and rows of lotions and potions sure to turn a young girl into a princess. Living rurally I would eagerly anticipate Avon catalogues and as I grew up this later turned into getting my (self-manicured) (Chanel – Ballerina) mitts on every fashion magazine I could buy, for these contained a treasure trove of products, tips and tricks I could try and twist and test. Today, World Wide Web presents a whole other portal of endless beauty-ful possibilities. From beauty blogs, to websites and social media the internet allows us to share and connect over mutual passions and fascinations that endlessly inspire and delight. Which brings me here now – my dossier – or glossier (aptly, a far more glamorous and glossy version) a place to store and file, but ultimately share all the bits of knowledge and ideas pertaining to the transformative power that is personal care and beauty.