Pretty Pretty Pretty

Online auctioning: the goods and the bads June 30, 2008

This weekend was a wet n wild one in windy Wellington. So I was indoors playing SingStar on my PS3, WiiFit on my Wii, and surfing the interweb in between. I totally rocked ‘Standing in the way of control’ (Gossip) by the way. And I found tonnes of great cosmetics on Trademe. I haven’t bought anything yet, but next time pay-day rolls around I might sneak in a bid or two. I recommend having a rifle through trademe next time you need a cosmetic fix.

But it gots me to thinking about how many fakes there are on the net - even in the cosmetics industry.

Here’s a few tips from interesting finds on ebay by my heroine pursebuzz:

• Look out for the typo on the box and the incorrect weight for standard products.
• Look out for funny fonts and pottles or packaging that isn’t in correct proportions.
• Check the seller’s profile to get a sense of how trustworthy they may be.

It’s especially important not to get fake cosmetics because you won’t know what ingredients these fraudsters put in their products. And since you’re likely to be sticking it in your eyes, slapping it on your lips, or slathering it on your bod, it’s best to steer clear of it.

How to: Contouring with blusher June 28, 2008

Here’s a little video I made for you lovelies. It shows how to contour cheeks and nose to define and highlight. It only takes a dark blusher (or bronzer or even eyeshadow) and a light one, and brushes to blend.

The thing I love most about contouring is the way it looks in photos - it gives real depth and definition to your face in pics, instead of the washed-out, flat look I often get in photos.

Oh, and by ‘convex’ i meant ‘concave’ - doh!  Anyway, here it is.

Review: Clinique Moisture Tint June 27, 2008

OMG, Pursebuzz uses the same foundation as me!! Here is her review of Clinique Moisture Tint.

At first I felt the same way as Pursebuzz - it’s a lovely product to use and very natural, dewy looking . BUT it is a very light coverage foundation, and sometimes I feel like I just need a bit more. Good for everyday but not when you wanna glam-up. I did get some free gifts from Clinique with this purchase which is one thing I (perhaps stupidly) love about Clinique.

I used to use Estee Lauder something or other, and I loved that too. And just recently I tried a sample of Revlon Color Stay foundation which I’m liking (and I’ll review that properly later).

Help wanted June 26, 2008

After all this talk of hairdressers, I’m slightly tempted to walk up and take the ‘help wanted’ sign out of The Powder Room’s window (here in Welly). You know, I once promised myself that if I failed first year calculus I’d give up uni for hairdresser training. Still bummed I didn’t do hairdressing but at least I can integrate over just about any curve I want.

Thanks for the tip Stephen!

Yay for Spain’s Apes

After my rant at being turfed out of that horrible hair salon (I’m looking at you Henri!), I booked an appointment for later this morning at Sable - I’ve been there a few times and they’re super nice. I’ll let you know how I go. And I also read this great bit of news that made me happier. Peter Singer’s da bomb!

Bad H-dresser vent

You feel like you take your life into your own hands when going to a new hairdresser right? I’ve been fearful for my eyes with an exctied hairdresser cutting my bangs with big-ass scissors; I’ve had clumps of hair fall out after being brunt by a hair-straightening gone wrong; and my ears blasted with hot hairdriers way too close. So walking into a salon for a free haircut with an apprentice is pretty brave. Which is what I did this morning.

I made the appointment over a week ago, and I’ve been at odds with the thought of ‘free’ versus the thought of a newby stabbing at my locks. So I’m a bit keyed up when I walked into Henri on Featherston St this morning. They sit me down, and then Henri has a chat to the apprentice, who then says she’s too busy to cut my hair now, and asks me to come back next week. That’s way rude I reckon, even if it was a free cut. I went to all the bother of showing up (when i should be at work), taking a big risk myself, and they hoof me out! So I’m not going back. You just lost a potential paying customer Henri!

IMATS 2008

Last weekend was the IMATS 2008 show in Pasadena, CA. IMATS = International Makeup Artists’ Trade Show.

There’s some more amazing pics here and here and on the IMATS site. (This pic isn’t the best but the  it was the best one on flickr that would let me imbed it here.)

I wish I was a makeup artist! or prosthetics artist!

Me meme June 25, 2008

I’m right on that band wagon with you megan. Here’s a fun meme, you guys should leave your info in a comment.

What was I doing 10 years ago?

Shacking up with Big H. Studying at Auckland Uni. Spending my student loan on cosmetics. Wearing platform sneakers. Hanging out at DKDs.

Five snacks I enjoy in a perfect, non weight-gaining world:

Marshmellows, mallopuffs, candy corn, Maltesers, pineapple lumps. (hence the root canals).

Five snacks I enjoy in the real world:

Seaweed rice crackers, cereal out of the box, marshmellow anything, cheese & crackers, chippies.

Five things I would do if I were a billionaire:

Holiday in Hawaii for like a few months a year. Make a movie. Slap Paris Hilton/Kim Kardashian or anyone who annoys me on E! news. Put a geolocator/catcam on my cat to find out where he goes. And lavish my mum and friends of course.

Five jobs that I have had:

Pamphlet delivery, Canton Takeaways in Waiuku, Bridal Consultant at Smith and Caugheys, Note-taker for disabled students, Mathematician (no joke).

Three of my habits:

Finding split ends and breaking them off, stomping when i walk, taking deep breaths before saying something when i’m excited.

Five places I have lived:

Mangere, Waiuku, Auckland, Wellington, London

Five people I want to get to know better:

The Girls of the Playboy Mansion (that’s 3), and you guys

Mineral Make-up June 24, 2008

I little while ago I posted about my BareMinerals make-over. I’ve just found this site on mineral make-up. It gives heaps of info about brands and reviews.

Just about every cosmetic brand has a minerals range now, including Revlon and Maybelline (not reviewed on the site) so it’s worth shopping around.

Pretty Pretty Pretty Three Month Party

Amy and Jo are stoked to announce that in July, our beloved PrettyPrettyPretty.com will be three months old, and to celebrate, we’re throwing the most girlie of all parties to celebrate. Ladies, book in 4pm on Saturday July 12 to come to Newtown and participate in all the funness.

There’ll be signature cocktails, cupcakes and giveaways, new products to try, a great clothes and accessories swap, eating and drinking, makeovers, home spas, good times and maybe even a little Singstar to get the night going.

Want to come along? You should! So sign up to attend to stay up to date with the plans, clean out your wardrobe and cabinets so you can bring along any unwanted clothes, accessories and beauty products to trade. Please feel free to bring along any other lady friends you might have, and be aware that the menfolk are planning a Chap’s Night Out you can ship yours off to if he’s the type to get lonely.

On the day, we recommend you come in your PJs or similar comfortable attire, and bring along some products and makeup to share, a towel in case you need one, some extra booze, and a change of clothes in case you feel like heading in to town afterwards.

We are so looking forward to this!

Email amy(at)prettyprettypretty(dot)com for address or other details, and add yourself to the event on Facebook here.

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