Smile Brilliant! Teeth whitening DIY style

Smile and you will always look lovely! I truly believe in this. While enjoying coffee quite a bit I found myself in need for some teeth whitening help. My teeth are ok to start of with, but there is a slight discoloration. How about turning my admin and writing days in the home office into a tooth whitening session? DIY Style.

Most of my brides get their teeth whitened before their weddings and I do think that it makes a big difference in your appearance. Its important not to go overboard though, as completely bleeched super white teeth do look fake and unnatural and aren't really a good look at all, while healthy looking pearl white teeth look amazing.

While I was at first thinking that getting your teeth whitened at a professional dentist might be a better and safer option, my research showed that they will use the same products to achieve the result. Of course at home it's down to your won judgement of the strength and time and you will need to make your own custom trays too. At a fraction of the cost I decided to give it a go and was hoping not to damage my healthy happy teeth in the process, however I have recently talked to a few clients who happily did the process at home without any problems.

A little bit wary if it will work and be safe I agreed to test smile brilliant teeth whitening pen with the LED lights for a home treatment.

I started a week ago with my treatments and while it's not the most comfortable experience, I did notice a difference. It's super easy to use the clicky pen, the gel can directly be applied with a little brush straight of the pen. The smell of the product was really pleasant of peppermint and I was able to hold the LED light with my lips, so I could actually work while whitening my teeth, it was much easier then I thought. I did 4 sessions starting with 30min and then increasing the time to an hour. I am really happy with the result as my teeth are still natural looking but definitely brighter than before. It was really easy enough to do by myself.

My teeth are a little sensitive in general so I would like to try their desensitizing gel I might review this at a later time and will let you know if it makes any difference.

Did you ever try to bleach your teeth at home or did you go to a dentist?

The set was provided to me by PR for consideration without charge, however this does not affect my personal opinion.

Dress hunting inspiration- The different bridal POP UP shop

A little while ago I have received an email from the genius behind a totally new bridal store concept from San Francisco I was smitten by her enthusiasm about independent, up and coming designers from around the world and her style. This is my kinda shop...only that I am not in the USA nor am I in need of a wedding dress right now. Otherwise I would possibly hop in the next plane. While I can't be there in person I felt I really wanted to share the LOVE and hopefully inspire some of you lovely readers. In case any of you are around California, I had to share her Pop Up Invitation with you and hope you can make it. Otherwise do check out her website and stay tuned for updates! I am sure it will be worth it and I would love to see this for myself. This looks like fun and totally different to the conventional dusty and sometimes intimidating bridal stores out there.

Good luck with your dress hunt!

Luxury Line Your Eyes!

Luxury line? Yep, Eyeliner has just gone one step up! It is already a constant on all high fashion catwalks as much as in most of our staple makeup bag, to sum it up: Eyeliner is amazing!!!

My favourite product form are Gel Liners. They are easy peasy to apply and they last and last and .... yes. You got it. Last. They can mimic a defined line like a liquid liner or the smudge soft edges of a pencil, they can even be used in the inner rim.

Eyeliner suits any eye shape and colour and transform any look.

In my professional kit I use them A LOT. So I was super excited to hear that Jane Iredale just released a very luxurious version: The Jelly Jar Gel Eyeliner. As usual the ingredients go far beyond makeup, they contain skincare! As they combine new technologies they pair natural coconut oil with silicones. If you aren't a beauty geek, never mind, you will love this regardless even if you can't be impressed with new ingredient combinations and high tech formulas, in the end what you will notice is a smooth easy application and lasting result. I was instantly in love with the pretty little glass jar with the golden lid. It is water resistant which makes it great for humid weather and weddings, or for the movie theater, when you watch one of those films...you know?

PRO TIP: If you always struggle to get a smooth line with your eyeliner, try using an angled brush! It will do the work for you as you just stamp along your lashline! No more excuses :)

A week in Fiji...Hooray for desitination weddings

...or how to get the destination wedding tan on before getting on the plane! While it's beautifully sunny over here in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, we are all sometimes a little too busy to spend the day by the beach. Help is on the way the local Bondi based self tan label Sunescape creates wonderful products that help you look like you spend a week in Fiji (medium tan) a weekend in Bondi (light tan) or even a month in Maui (deep tan). All products are Australian made too packed with natural oils, antioxidants and skin pampering goodness! I have recenty booked my flights to upcoming destination weddings, and since many brides are after a very natural looking tan for their special day, it is good timing to tell you about my current favourite Sunescape tan! I love the smell of the products, summer, beach, coconuts and holiday come to my my mind immediately when I opened the bottles. The shower gel and body butter are sending me away to exotic beaches every time I have a shower, that's quite something. Like an instant holiday. And the tan makes me look like I have been on holiday too! I am hooked. The actual self tan comes as a hydrating mousse, which works best with the Sunescapes Tanning Mitt. Very easy and super quick to apply it goes on evenly and without creating mess in your bathroom. My tan came out very even and natural. My skin loves the products and feels moisturized and glowing after the application. No wonder the Hydrating Shower Gel is super gentle and suitable for sensitive skin as it's Sulfate and soap free and packed with natural hydrating oils and antioxidants. And so is the hydrating body butter, which feels really luxurious. It's pampering your skin while helping to make your tan last longer. I am impressed! And I am in the mood for my upcoming destination weddings and I won't go without my new favourite body products.

Thanks to the lovely Team at Sunescape for providing your products for a review.

Summer Glow for Sensitive Skins

Lately I had clients with extremely sensitive skin, not just the usual sensitive skin, that most Ladies like to claim for themselves, but the kind that actually has severe allergies, redness, dryness, eczema, dermatitis...you name it! It always a challenge to find products that work for those skin types and while every skin is different and no one (not even a dermatologist) knows what works and what doesn't it's a real trial and error for those people. Generally it's a good idea to stay away from heavily fragranced products, strong essential oils (although all natural they are usually too potent for sensitive skin) and most very active ingredients.

A lifesaver a thermal water sprays and really basic products. One I have been counting on a lot is the Mineral Primer by Youngblood, which works a treat in nourishing, protecting and preparing the skin for makeup application. A simple great quality product. As a staple in my kit, I was curious about trying more from this range and to see how these cruelty free, vegan and mineral products are holding up against the other Luxury and professional makeup brands, I usually use. As a professional makeup artist, I never stick to a single brand, but rather choose and pick the best products of each luxury or professional brands. Every brand has their strengths and weaknesses and so my kit included a huge variety of great international products from Chanel, over Nars, Hourglass, Laura Mercier, YSL, Urban Decay, Make Up Forever, Chantecaille, By Terry, Shu Uemura, to all natural cosmetics like Jane Irdale and Youngblood to suit all clients different needs and preferences that suit their skin and the occasion.

I created a wearable look for this time of year, when most girls have gotten a nice tan over the Summer months, but the wardrobe will change soon to deeper colours and evening looks will make their come back. Late Summer is my favourite time of year, and I wish it would last forever. At least this makeup look will last and last and last, while being gentle and kind to your skin. In fact the makeup products are pretty much perfect for humid weather and hot temperatures.

All products used were supplied by Youngblood and here is how to achieve the look: SIMPLE STEPS!

SKIN: Prime with Mineral Primer! Use a lightweight tinted moisturizer or just concealer where needed you want the skin to look as natural as possible Highlighting bronzer in Mineral Radiance in "SUNDANCE" on the highest points of your face, apply with a big fluffy brush for natural finish CHEEK: Add cream blush to Cheeks works best with fingers and gently pressed into the skin I used Luminous Creme Blush in Pink Cashmere. EYES: Use rosegold, as base colour, pale pink as highlight and chocolate to define the eye all in the gorgeous quad "ETERNITY", super easy to blend. To add an unexpected edge to all the warm colours use a cool grey liquid liner from the inner corner starting fine and flicking outwards to, which lasts and lasts and lasts, all summer night long! It's softer than black yest gives definition and shape while being more natural looking than the usual black vintage flick. Lips: Cranberry coloured creamy gorgeousness is the lipstick Kranberry which goes on like a lip balm but has lots of pigment for a real red lip look which transforms this summery beachy look into a cocktail time summer night style! Finish the face for a flawless and lasting look with "Hi-Definition" Hydrating Mineral Powder, which has a cooling effect and is really perfect for hot summer evenings.

My skin loved all this products and didn't make me break out or cause any reactions. However everyone is different, if you are sensitive Try Before You Buy. I found the quality and texture of the products outstanding, they feel truly good on the skin and I would recommend them as natural addition to your makeup bag, you can achieve professional results! Perfect for your day to day makeup.