the very talented Rosemary Hamiltonis the self-publisher behind Australia's first fully dedicated glossy makeup & beauty magazine 'Heart Beauty Magazine', which is about to hit our newsstands launching the first ever hard copy edition Easter 2013. written by professional beauty experts on all things makeup & beauty, your going to be a very happy addict just like me... & i've already bought my subscription for the year!!
Heart Beauty Magazinelaunched on facebook last year, & in that time the posts have been limitless with copious amounts of expert makeup & beauty advice, tips, trends, gossip... pretty much everything you need to know. i haven't missed a post yet :-) making me most happy that ill be owning my first hard copy edition very very soon! Totally excited about this magazine & what it represents for me, as a makeup artist myself, HBM is all about supporting upcoming generations of artists, enthusiasts & addicts alike.
this magazine breathes fresh air for the Australian makeup & beauty industry, giving every beauty enthusiast a panoramic view of whats to come for Australian makeup artists, hair stylists, & of course expert knowledge straight from the leaders of the global beauty/fashion industry. HBM is supported by Reload Agency, Australia's most respected agency.
all i have to say is WELL DONEHeart Beauty Magazine, finally a quarterly magazine dedicated to what i love & adore most, & what i'm certain will be a huge stepping stone for Australian glossy magazines, & for all the beauty lovers!!
head over to Heart Beauty Magazine facebook page hit like... be inspired... HBM is about to be your no.1 must have magazine ♥ ♥ ♥ superscription's are available at HBM website or head to your nearest newsstand Easter 2013.
If you havent heard of Rachel Montgomery before... I suggest you go & check out her amazing portfolio!!
This talented woman is an inspirational icon for up & coming makeup artists (like me), & also an inspiration for girls who just adore the realms of makeup, beauty & fashion! There's not a day that goes by I don't look at Rachel's website... every-time I look at her portfolio I remember why I love makeup & what it stands for!!
If you have been reading SereneMuse blog you might notice Rachel's name & work pop up throughout the blog.. what can I say, shes a superstar!
I also love that Rachel works closely with the stunning fashion brand Wish with their fashion campaigns; if you haven't noticed the trend from previous posts.. I love love love Wish!
Well I could go on & on about Rachel's amazing work & kind heart, but I think you should go visit her website, & take a look at her portfolio for yourself so you can see just how incredibly talented & beautiful she is!!
SereneMuse were lucky enough to celebrate the new year in beautiful Bondi. Soaking up all the sun rays at the iconic beach, you can expect to get burnt, no matter how much sunscreen you apply. So here are a few remedies, tried & tested by us, to help sooth your burning skin.
Aloe Vera
We all know nothing beats pure aloe from an aloe vera plant, but if you haven't got one of those handy you can purchase many aloe based gels, sprays or creams to act as an anti-inflammatory.
Lavender Oil
A few teaspoons added to a base oil (such as Almond oil) will become a restorative moisturiser... and leave you smelling like a goddess!
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is great for sunscreen - either take the capsules or add the contents of the capsules to your moisturiser - it really does work!! This powerful little vitamin also helps heal burnt lips; take with lysine tablets.
Rolled Oats
Mix some rolled oats with cold water. Make into a paste and apply to skin. Leave for 5mins then gently blot off. This remedy is especially good for those who suffer from dermatitis or have sensative skin.
Moisturise, Moisturise, Moisturise!
Replace lost fluids by applying moisturiser several times a day.
So go on get out there and enjoy the outdoors...but remember drink plenty of water, apply sunscreen, wear a smile & enjoy life!
One of our most loved fashion brands have put together an amazing 'supermodel' like gift package competition... do you want to know what it feels like to be a supermodel? Well my friend, this competition will blow your fashion & beauty conscious mind!!
The new face of Wish Winter Fashion 2012 will be, for the second time in her modeling career, the face of the 'Aussie' fashion brand. Wish are giving you the chance to win their 'Shangri La' competition, & all you have to do is guess the correct supermodels name! Check out the full competition details on the Wish website for hints on who the supermodel is.
What you win: Jet-set away & live it up for 2 nights at Sydney's top hotel 'Shangri La', $1000 to spend on Wish Winter Fashion& indulge your-self with the most intense supermodel beauty gift package ever!! Gift package includes products from these dazzling beauty brands ...
Original & Mineral hair treatment & gift Set
Non artificial, no ammonia haircare products that help you free your hair from stress & restore it to its natural beauty. O&M products will inspire you to live naturally & feel amazing about your healthy, clean & vibrant hair!O&M says call time on chemical overload.Check out their website & blog for all their haircare secrets.
Nvey Eco pure organic make-up gift set
I've only just been introduced to this makeup brand and I'm already in love. Good for your skin and good for the environment, free of parabens, synthetic fragrances, talc, sodium laureth sulphate (SLS) & is NOT tested on animals ♥
I cant wait to get my hands on their full organic range! Curious? check out their website or enter this competition :-)
Vani-T sunless tan treatment at Dr Naomi
This gift package is amazing! As a tan (sunless tan) fanatic I absolutely adore Vani-T fake tans. Natural oils, high in vitamins, & organic ingredients with no parabens, sulphates, talc, artificial colours, & they DON'T test on animals, oh & their packaging is 100% recycable.. voted number one fake tan with celebrities! If you haven't already tried Vani-T's sunless tans, I highly recommend you do. Full range on their website.
Two sets of Lash Republic Parisian Romance Signature Collection Lashes
These amazing lashes will not only enhance your natural eyelashes but add volume & lengthen your look, bringing out your inner goddess...perfect for a holiday to Sydney, or where ever your heart takes you!
Lash Republic by Milan & Co is an online luxury brand where you can buy high quality, light weight & beautifully designed false eyelashes. Deemed by leading make-up artists (such as my favourite make-up artist Rachel Montgomery) as their favourite custom designed false eyelashes ever!
Check out the Lash Republic website for all their unique eyelash styles.
This competition is bound to make you feel relaxed & well pampered; with breathtaking beauty gifts, $1000 spending money on Wish winter fashion & a 2 night stay at Sydney's top hotel 'Shangri La'...how could you not be smiling til your cheeks hurt!?
Having tried many self tanning products I feel confident in recommending St. Tropez to everyone. The Bronzed Babe range will give you a streak free, natural looking tan with a delightful smell. Number one for tanning experts; this product will last for days and is suitable for most skin types.
St. Tropez Self Tan Bronze Mousse
(favourite!!)
With it's easy application and lightweight velvety mousse you can rest assured that, unlike other products on the market, St. Tropez will leave you with a natural-looking, even and streak-free tan.
Through innovative fragrance technology they've created a self tanning product with a beautiful fragrance that won't leave you with the tell-tale tanning aroma.
St. Tropez Naturals
Self tan for sensitive skin
I just heard about this product and can't wait to try it! Occasionally tans can irritate my skin but the self tanning St. Tropez bronze mousse seems to be the only one that doesn't react; so I'm excited to see whether the Naturals range by St. Tropez feels more hydrating for my skin as it boasts super hydrating qualities. I must be too eager though as I went looking at Priceline and David Jones last week; neither of the retailers had heard of it (which wasn't a good sign they stocked it). As soon as I track some down, I'll let you know how it goes. Remember, a safe tan is a fake tan!
St. Tropez Naturals Self Tan Milk
This lightweight milk comes with a subtle hint of tan. This is achieved through the use of Vegetan, a naturally derived tanning ingredient. Included is Melanobronze, a melanin-stimulator "distilled from the berries of the monk's pepper tree". Your skin is lovingly hydrated through the infusion of grape and blackcurrant seed oils. All of this, plus babassu oil, makes for their most gentle natural formula.
St. Tropez Naturals Self Tan Lotion
Much like the St. Tropez Naturals Self Tan Milk, this melt-in-your-skin lotion delivers a subtle tan through Vegetal and Melanobronze. The lotion is infused with grape and mango seed oil ensuring deep hydration. The addition of avocado butter just adds emphasis to the gentleness of the formula.
As a Makeup Artist, I often get asked what skin care products I love & use on myself & my clients. I frequently add photos to FaceBook of different makeup products I have tried & tested on myself. I find photos give me a better understanding of how my makeup will sit & look, especially when I try skin care products; you never know if that SPF in your moisturizer or foundation will make you look white in a camera flash, or that cleanser/primer isn't really doing anything cause you can see your pores more prominently, whatever the reason, I like to test everything, so that's how I do it!
I'm the kind of girl who loves diversity when it comes to products & brands. I try not to stick to one brand; however, I do have my favorites; just like every girl I have beauty products that I cant live without. Over the years I have found, for my sensitive skin type, that simple & less is better.
I've tried everything from budget to luxury & I would have to say personally, I prefer home-made, natural & organic products to big brand luxury products; that's not to say I wouldn't buy them & try them out, & maybe even fall in love, but I also live in the real world & there are so many other things a girl needs, so with my skin care i try to keep it natural, simple & as affordable as possible.
So here are are the skin care products I adore & have worked for me & my clients over the years...
CLEANSERS
Sukin Cream Cleanser
I have been using this product for years, in fact my mum first introduced me to Sukin products many moons ago & they are here to stay in my world.
This cleanser is so gentle & nourishing, it leaves my skin feeling soft & refreshed. It has a creamy texture, & removes makeup & grime. With oils from rose hip, avocado & wheat germ, your skin feels well nourished.
Perfect for all skin types, especially dry and sensitive.
Application: Massage into skin in a gentle circular motion. Remove with cotton wool or a warm face cloth. It's water-soluble which makes it ideal to use in the shower. I use 1-2 times daily.
I even use this when I do makeup for weddings. I like to give my bride & bridesmaids mini gentle facials, so they start their day feeling refreshed & leaves their skin in beautiful condition for me to work with. Firstly I cover the face & decolletage area sparingly with the cleanser & leave on skin for 5-10 minutes. Remove with a warm face cloth or cotton wool. I then use Sukin Toner Mist spray (more info on toner later on) to get rid of any residue from the cleanser, then blot with high quality fragrance free tissues.
Sukin products are hypoallergenic & sodium lauryl sulfate free. Sold at Priceline & pharmacies, there are no excuses not to have a face cleanser and on budget too!
♥ More info on Bridal Skin Care & Makeup tricks to come soon ♥
This beautiful non-foaming gel cleanser leaves my skin feeling amazing. Thoroughly removes the days makeup, dirt & oil without drying the skin or feeling tight. With Alpha Hydroxy Acids that help prevent dulling build-up that can cause blackheads & pimples, papaya & grapefruit extracts exfoliate away all the nasties leaving your skin feeling refreshed, ultra clean & healthy.
Application: I use 1-2 times daily (I usually alternate between my Sukin Cream Cleanser & this one) in circular motions on wet skin avoiding the eye area. Use a warm damp face cloth to remove cleanser, pat dry with clean dry face cloth and follow with toner. I sometimes, on the weekends or Friday nights, leave the cleanser on for 20 minutes; perfect as a mask!
This cleanser is a little more expensive then Sukin but is well worth it. Try it & see the results for yourself. You can find Mario Badescu products from Kit Cosmetics, at Myers, Amazon & Online.
Let me know what you think if you have tried this Gel :-)
SCRUBS
Our skin is our largest organ in the body & yet is forgotten about frequently. Healthy glowing skin is partially a result of deeply cleansed skin, cleared pores & healthy living. I have 2 facial scrubs that I love & both are totally affordable & natural. One is my home-made recipe that I have been using since before I can remember & the other is from Sukin which is organic & budget friendly.
Home-Made Raw Sugar Facial Scrub
I'm like every girl, drawn to all things that relate to beauty & skin care, so when choosing scrubs for my skin, I find myself lost with all the different brands out there. I get overwhelmed when I read the listed ingredients on ALOT of the products; shouldn't what we put on our skin not read like you need a science degree? In my opinion, less is best!
The best part about this scrub, is that you can use it anywhere on the body, it leaves your skin feeling so soft that you just have to try it!! Your skin glows & feels heavenly, especially your face.
Application: Create a sugar scrub by mixing two parts granulated raw sugar with your regular cleanser. Apply as you would an exfoliant & wash thoroughly.
Note: Please don't over mix, as the sugar granules will dissolve, & remember to be gentle as you don't want to scratch your skin.
* I do this once a week, after a warm shower so my pores are open.
I occasionally add honey to the mix, as honey can be used as an Alpha Hydroxy mask because of its high content of acid. It's also completely safe for sensitive skin.
Not to mention that you can use honey as a moisturizing mask for your skin as well as your hair. To use it as a conditioner, mix honey with olive oil. Be sure to wash your hair thoroughly before you go outside though!
Like any homemade remedies, it is important to know which ingredients have what properties. I always use a high quality natural honey, as I find it works better & is kinder to your skin.
So this is my other favorite facial scrub that I use, once again introduced to me by my mum (this is actually her favorite scrub ever). It's gentle & promotes healthy skin circulation, leaving skin feeling refined, smooth & radiant. Suitable for all skin types.
With bamboo extract & ground walnut shells that exfoliate dirt & impurities that can dull the appearance, plus aloe vera, rose-hip oil & German chamomile to soothe & relax.
Application: Rinse face with warm water first, then apply a small amount of product in a circular motion, massaging into face & neck. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. I use it 1-2 times a week, while I'm in the shower.
Sold at Priceline & most pharmacies.
TONERS
These days when I talk to women, a lot of them don't use toners anymore, maybe it was over hyped? But I believe in toner, as its an astringent that dries & removes excess oils, tightens pores & hardens the tissue of the skin.
Here are my favorite toners that I've tried & loved so far...
Witch Hazel Dickinson Astringent Blue Label
I think everyone under the sun would of heard of this product by now, Dickinson has been around since the 1800's & women have been using Witch Hazel as toner for years.
As it's a multi-use formula, it relieves skin irritations due to minor cuts, scrapes & insect bites. It's 100% natural astringent for face and body, won’t dry like alcohol, contains no artificial fragrances or dyes, & is dermatologist tested and recommended.
Application: I personally use a spray bottle (I bought mine from Priceline), which I dilute with a little bit of water. This way I can use it as a mist. Using cotton balls, gently wipe away the excess, or you can let it dry naturally.
Pretty much every pharmacy, supermarket or Priceline stocks Dikinson Witch Hazel & the prices range from $3 - $10, depending where you purchase it from.
I absolutely love this toner, a must-have for summer! This alcohol-free, skin hydrating mist has German chamomile & rosewater to help sooth, tone & cool tired skin.
I use this quite a lot, especially because it comes in the cutest little spray bottle that can be carried anywhere. It's light on the skin, feels so hydrating instead of drying & doesn't leave any residue.
Application: Use after cleansing or after a facial scrub, close eyes & spray onto face & decolletage area. Perfect for hot days, long flights, long days in air-con & the perfect toner to shrink those pores!
Sold at Priceline & most pharmacies.
FACE MOISTURIZERS
There are so many out there its overwhelming. I tend to use a lot of different types, such as Redwin Sorbolene, Cetaphil Lotion, & many others for my face & body.
I've really only found one face moisturizer I can truly say I love. The others I use when I run out of my favorite moisturizer or if it's not available.
My favorite face moisturizer is Mario Badescu Buttermilk Moisturizer (available here for $18),which I have previously blogged about. I use this as a night moisturizer also, as it contains no SPF.
Eyelash Curler
Heat your eyelash curler with your hair dryer before use. The heat will help curl your lashes more effectively.Note: Please be careful as the curler can heat up really fast, so always make sure you test the curler on the back of your wrist before use!
Dark Circles
A slice of raw potato can be placed on your eyes to reduce dark circles.
Eyeshadow Match
Blue eyes - use taupe, gray, violet, purple or deep blue eyeshadow.
Green/ hazel eyes - use brown, apricot, purple, plum, deep khaki or forest green eyeshadow.
Brown eyes - use copper, bronze or brown eyeshadow.
Skin
Eat wheat germ each day to get rid of pimples. By adding wheat germ to your cereal, yoghurt or cottage cheese, it can be made tastier.
Mario Badescu Buttermilk Moisturizer $49.95
or available here for just $18.
For many years I have had trouble finding a light rejuvenating daily moisturizer for my sensitive skin type. A dear friend of mine who manages Kit Cosmetics at Myers Brisbane store introduced MB Buttermilk Moisturizer this time last year.
As soon as I applied it to my skin I fell deeply in love; in love with the way it instantly hydrated and rejuvenated my skin. I adore the smell, the creamy but light texture & the cute sky blue colour.
It contains lactic acid which is the rejuvenating AHA that makes it an absorbent and soothing daily moisturizer for all types of skin. Formulated with non-pore clogging carnation oil & allantoin, an anti-inflammatory, botanical ingredient.
Application: After cleansing & toning, apply daily all over face, avoiding eye area.
