MY TOP 5 WINTER LIPSTICKS

I know most people live for Summer but I personally love the Winter months. I'm all about the cold crisp mornings, hot chocolates in bed and getting cosy in my winter woolies. Not to mention, it's probably the only time of the year where it's totally acceptable to rock a smoky eye and dark lip simultaneously. So I wanted to show you guys my top 5 winter lipsticks which I have been absolutely killing this season... drum roll please... 

1. MAC Lipstick in Rebel

This is a gorgeous plumy/ purple shade looks good on just about everyone. It's one of the Satin formulas from Mac so it's not too drying on the lips either but you may want to use a lipliner to prevent bleeding (Rimmel lipliner in Cherry Kiss is a good match). 

2. Revlon Matte Balm Stain in Standout

I love love love this shade! It's a perfect everyday red plus it has a blue base so it makes your teeth look super white too. It does have a matte finish though so apply a lipgloss over the top if you prefer a glossy formula. 

3. Lime Crime Velvetine in Red Velvet

OK I just need to say that everyone needs to have this product in their makeup collection. I can't even tell you how many compliments I get when I wear this lipstick - all I'm going to say is that it's amazeballs and you need it in your life. 

4. Rimmel Apocolips Lip Lacquer in Stella

If you're new to the dark lip trend then I'd try something like this instead. It's an orange based red which is pretty much appropriate for any season + it lasts so well you won't need to touch up throughout the day.  

5. Rimmel London Kate Moss Lipstick in 107

This is a cult favourite amongst beauty bloggers and I definitely see why. It's the perfect burgundy red shade that will suit so many different skin tones. This has been my go-to lipstick for when I'm feeling extra glam - pair with a winged liner and you're done. 

Let me know which one is your favourite! Xx

kristina.k xx

GET READY WITH ME: FOR A WEDDING

Hello there!

So I recently went to a wedding and decided to film a 'Get Ready With Me' video because well, why not? I was running super late in the end but I did manage to film my makeup, hair and a glimpse of my outfit. Watch the video if you want to see everything in action but all products used will be listed below.

PRODUCTS USED:

MAKEUP:

Loreal Lumi Magique Primer

Benefit The Porefessional Primer

Arbonne Perfecting Liquid Foundation (Buff)

Mac Studio Finish Concealer (NC30)

Mac Pro Longwear Concealer (NC20)

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

Nars Laguna Bronzer

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush (Exposed)

Makeup Geek Eyeshadow (Cupcake)

Makeup Geek Eyeshadow (Peach Smoothie)

Makeup Geek Eyeshadow (Frappe)

Makeup Geek Eyeshadow (Mocha)

Urban Decay Eyeshadows (Dust & Burnout)

TheBalm Mary-Louminiser Highlight (inner corner highlight)

Maybelline Gel Studio Eyeliner (Black)

Maybelline One-by-One Mascara

Face of Australia HD Eyebrow Kit

TheBalm Mary-Louminiser Highlight

Face of Australia Lipliner (Sugar Rose)

NYX Soft Matte Lipcream (Istanbul)

Urban Decay Oil-Control Finishing Spray

HAIR:

Batiste Dry Shampoo (Sassy & Daring/ Wild)

Curled using GHD Straightener

OUTFIT:

Top: Bought from a boutique in Hong Kong many years ago 

Skirt: Portmans - http://www.portmans.com.au/shop/en/portmans/sale/sale-skirts---shorts/floral-pencil-skirt

Heels: Target

Clutch: Sportsgirl

Swarovski Ring: http://www.swarovski.com/Web_AU/en/1081949/product/Angelic_Ring.html

Swarovski Earrings: http://www.swarovski.com/Web_AU/en/1144261/product/Simplicity_Pierced_Earrings.html

Watch: Dior 

You can watch the full video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoq1YzVaBCo&list=UUul9KAZQuVkDJgDbpVBs7QA

kristina.k x

MAKEUP GEEK UTOPIA PIGMENT

Hello lovelies!

I just wanted to share a few snaps of a makeup look I just filmed using all Makeup Geek eyeshadows including this gorgeous pigment called Utopia. Photos do not do it justice - this pigment is absolutely amazeballs! Let me know what you think of this look and if it's something you would wear. Tutorial will be coming soon! :)

 kristina.k. xxx

MY FAVOURITE FOUNDATIONS FOR OILY SKIN

I'm usually quite hesitant to mix things up when it comes to changing my foundation. I have sensitive, acne prone skin so when I find something that works for me I tend to stick with it. However I decided to trial a few different products so that I could add some variety to my foundation collection. 

These are my top recommendations for all my oily skinned girls!  

1) Arbonne Perfecting Liquid Foundation (Shade: Buff) AUS$56.00

Full coverage

This has been my go-to foundation for when I want a really flawless 'airbrushed' finish. It applies like a dream and easily covers any blemishes or imperfections on the skin. This is a higher end foundation so I only use it for special occasions or when I want a really flawless base. Arbonne products need to be purchased through a consultant though - but this foundation is definitely worth the hassle! Trust me!

2) Rimmel Stay Matte BB Cream (Shade: Light): AUS$12.95

Medium Coverage

OK so this technically isn't a foundation but it's pretty damn close. This BB Cream is a great product for every day wear because it has a light formula, SPF 15 and still gives beautiful coverage (+ it's cheap). While it claims to be a matte formula I still find myself getting oily though out the day so touch ups are necessary. If you want to know more about this product then watch the first impression review I filmed on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS058cXwevA&list=UUul9KAZQuVkDJgDbpVBs7QA 

3) Loreal Nude Magique Foundation AUS$24.95

Light Coverage

I'm a big fan of this Loreal foundation! It's interesting because it's a liquid foundation that dries to a powder finish. Overall I really love the formula of this and it feels lovely on the skin, however it gives very light coverage so I only use this on my 'good skin days'. If you don't require too much coverage then definitely check out this foundation because I think it would be perfect for every day wear. 

kristina.k x

Urban Decay Review | Naked 1, 2 & 3

Hello Pretties!

So if you're not already familiar with the Urban Decay Naked Palettes then I'll assume you've been living under a rock because these bad boys are all the craze in the beauty blogging world! But seriously - they are undoubtably the most popular palettes on the market today and most of my friends already own one of these palettes or are looking to invest in one - which is exactly why I decided to do a review!

 If you want to see which palette I recommend then make sure you watch my full review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H35tHP-sVDA&feature=youtu.be

Here are some close up swatches of each palette: 

NAKED PALETTE

 NAKED 2 PALETTE

NAKED 3 PALETTE:

All 3 of my palettes were purchased from Sephora in the US however I know you can purchase Urban Decay from the following websites: 

Beautybay
http://www.beautybay.com/urbandecay

(Free international shipping however they do mark up the prices so they are a little more expensive)

or alternatively you can use a mail forwarding service and buy from the Urban Decay website or from Sephora directly:

Urban Decay

http://www.urbandecay.com

Sephora
http://www.sephora.com/makeup-cosmetics

If you already own one of these palettes yourself please leave a comment below and let me know how you like to wear it! Xx

HUGE Makeup Haul

Hello Gorgeous!   

So it's been a while since I did a Makeup Haul so I figured I would share some of my recent beauty buys with you. I've tried to include swatches where I could and I'll also have a video on my YouTube channel if you're interested in hearing more about these products. 

www.youtube/user/Bunchbox 

Macadamia Natural Oil | Deep Repair Masque

I really like this mask - it's so moisturising and leaves my hair incredibly soft the next day. Smells amazing too! 

Urban Decay | Naked 3 Palette

Needs no explanation. All Urban Decay products are just gorgeous and I find these shades really complement green and brown eyes. 

Tarte | Eye and Cheek Palette

How cute is the packaging! I absolute adore the blushes and the eyeshadows are amazing quality too. This would be a great palette for travelling as well. 

Eyelashes | Loveyelashes.com

I recently made an order with www.loveyelashes.com and I got 12 pairs of lashes for under $30 (and that included delivery to Oz). They have an amazing selection and I thought the price point was good too. 

Jordana Best Lash Extreme | Volumnising Mascara 

This is definitely my FAVOURITE mascara of the moment. I ordered mine from Beauty Joint www.beautyjoint.com. Definitely recommend checking it out if you're looking to try a new mascara. 

Eyeko Skinny Black Liquid Liner 

I still prefer to use a gel liner to do my wing but I really like the precision of this applicator. You can get a really thin line or thicken it up if you want. I'm slowlyyyy getting better at the liquid liner - yay me! 

NYX Glam Shadow Stick | 24 Karat

Absolutely LOVE the colour of this shadow stick but I wish it translated better on the eyes. Still a gorgeous colour though. 

NYX Cream Blush | Orange 

I just needed this colour in my life - it would look so gorgeous with a golden tan and bright lip. Creme blushes are great for the Summer too because they give a more natural finish. 

NYX Soft Matte Lipcream | San Paulo 

In case you didn't already know - I'm obsessed with the NYX Soft Matte Lipcreams. I already own Istanbul and Antwerp but San Paulo is my newest addition and it's so pweeetty. 

NYX Matte Lipstick | Nude

I think I may have found my perfect Nude shade. This isn't too pink or brown - it's just right for my skin tone. 

Essence Lipstick | 07 Natural Beauty

The best way to describe this lipstick is as 'your lips but better'. It's such a beautiful, natural colour and would suit many different skin tones. 

Essence Nail Polish | Off to Miami 

Absolutely love this coral shade. The essence nail polishes are great quality, cheap and don't chip too easily. Tick. Tick. Tick. 

Hope you all enjoyed! Let me know if you've tried any of these products and what you think of them! 

Love Kristina.K x

Favourite Beauty Products of 2013

Well Hello There!

I know it's been a while but I hope you're all having a fabulous start to 2014, I know I certainly am.  

Just in case you were wondering, I decided to film my habitual end of year favourites video that includes my top beauty products from the past year.

WARNING: You may want to grab a drink/ snack because this video is a little on the longer side... 

Please let me know if you've tried any of these products and what you think of them. 

Kristina.K xx

Tricks to make your eyes appear BIGGER!

Most of us secretly want goo goo eyes like Amanda Seyfried and Angelina Jolie but unfortunately few of us were blessed with naturally big eyes. So how can we fake gorgeous doe eyes? Here is a quick list of my DOs and DONTs when it comes to applying makeup.

DO:

Conceal dark under-eye circles: This will make the skin under your eyes look bright & fresh 

Define your crease and outer V: Defining the outer crease will make your eyes appear more deep-set and much larger

Curl your eyelashes and apply mascara: This will open your eyes and make them appear more awake

Add a light shimmer to your inner corner: A shimmer will bring light to your eyes and make them seem further apart 

Groom your eyebrows and add a brow highlight: This will frame your face and also lift your eyes 

Apply black/ brown eyeliner to your outer corner: A darker eyeliner on your bottom lash line will extend your eyes outwards

DONT:

Use heavy false lashes: Thick lashes will only make your eyelids seem heavy and droopy. Opt for wispy or individual lashes instead

Apply dark eye shadows to your entire lid: Dark shadows will make your eyes appear closer together and much smaller(this is a good technique if you have big eyes and want them to appear smaller)

Apply dark eyeliner on your waterline: A dark eyeliner will only close up your eyes. Use a white/ nude eyeliner instead to open the eye and make it bigger

Just use one eye shadow colour: Always use a light, medium and dark eye shadow to create angles and dimension 

Use too much shimmer: If you have a super shimmery lid then use a matte highlight on the brow bone and visa versa. Using both is just overkill and won't look natural

Love Kristina K. x

How to conceal: colour correcting

I get a lot of questions about the best way to cover problem spots. The important thing to know about concealing is that in order to cancel out one colour you must use an opposing colour to cover it. 

It's really that simple. 

Whether your problem is dark circles, redness, or blemishes, there’s an easy way to conceal without caking on the foundation. 

For example:

If you suffer with acne-prone skin/ blemishes/ scarring/ rosacea:

Use a GREEN/ BLUE toned concealer

If you want to cover redness then a green tinted concealer is what you need. This is because red and green are opposing colours and therefore, they cancel each other out.I know applying green on your face might seem a bit strange but I promise that once you blend it out no one will be able to tell!

 I’d recommend applying a light layer of concealer over your problem areas and blending it out with your finger. Follow with your favourite foundation. If you have acne-prone skin I’d opt for a medium to full coverage, oil-free foundation. One of my favourite green tinted concealers is the Maybelline coverstick colour corrector. 

If you suffer with dark under-eye circles

Use a PEACH/ PINK toned concealer:

Because the skin is naturally thinner under the eyes, veins are much more noticeable, particularly when we’re tired or fatigued. If you struggle with ‘bags’ or ‘dark circles’ then I’d suggest going for a peachy toned concealer to brighten under the eyes.

You can apply this either before or after your foundation but I’d recommend doing it after. Just make sure you blend everything out and set it with a powder so it lasts all day and doesn’t streak under your eyes. I'd recommend the Benefit Erase Paste – it covers absolutely everything and a little definitely goes a long way.  

If you have slight discolouration or want to brighten/ highlight

Use a YELLOW toned concealer:

Yellow concealers are the most versatile because they can be used for a number of different things. If you have slight discolouration or small spots then you can use a yellow concealer. It’s also very good for highlighting and brightening the face.

 I usually use a yellow concealer to blend out my other concealers and to contour my nose and cheekbones slightly. My favourite concealer is the MAC studio finish concealer.

So there you go guys. Very simple tips that make a big difference. I hope this post helped you and if you decide to try out any of these tips let me know how you go!

Love Kristina K

Less is more

Hello Beauties!

So it’s no secret that I absolutely love anything beauty/ glamour related. I’m a true girly girl at heart and I have a make-up collection that would rival Kim Kardashian’s. I love getting glammed up for a night out and occasionally I’ll pull out the whole shebang, i.e. fake tan, false eyelashes, bright lipstick, Bridget Jones undies etc. I’d like to think I come across more like a Victoria’s Secret Angel rather than a tragedy from Jersey Shore but after a few drinks you never really know.  

Like I said though, it’s something I like to do occasionally and most of the time I much prefer being natural (at least I try make it seem that way). I think many people forget that the secret to wearing make-up is making it look like you’re not wearing any.

So I am going to share with you a few of my favourite tips and tricks on how I achieve a flawless (natural) looking face in less than 5 minutes.

1) Invest in a BB cream

At the moment I'm using the Garnier Skin Perfector BB cream for oily/combination skin, I've been using it every day instead of a foundation. It events out my skin tone and moisturises and protects at the same time. 

2) Use the right concealer

Choosing the right concealer is a must. Ideally, if you have dark under eye circles then you should use a salmon/ pink toned concealer. Whereas, if you have redness or blemishes then you should use a yellow toned concealer. Having the right concealer makes all the difference.

3) Apply a tinted lip balm

I prefer not to wear lipstick on a day to day basis and I usually save it for when I'm going out. Instead I like to use a tinted lip balm to hydrate and protect my lips. 

4) Creme Blush

Creme blushes are great for summer time. They melt perfectly into the skin and give a dewy natural finish without seeming too obvious like a powder blush. 

5) Mascara

At night I'm all about the volume but during the day I prefer to use a light formula for a more subtle look. If you don't want to use mascara then just apply some Vaseline to your lashes and it will give the same illusion of longer thicker lashes.

And that there is all you need. It’s enough to give a little glow but it still lets your true beauty shine through. Remember girls; less is always more. 

Love,
Kristina. xx