Portugal The Man.

Purple Yellow Red & Blue

Clarisonic Mia 2.

Deep Clean Your Way to Clear Skin.

I picked myself up the clarisonic just a little while ago and I'm so glad I finally did. It's a great tool for oily/acne prone skin, to really deep clean your pores. Also on the other hand though I could see people with more dry skin loving this as well, to buff away any flakes, clear away dead skin cells, and allow their moisturizer to more effectively treat their dry skin. Personally I love this tool for night time use. I use this on my second cleanse to help fully clean off any makeup residue from the day. 

You want to find either a creamy type cleanser for dry skin, or a very foamy cleanser for oily skin to use with this product. Currently I am using Aveda's outer peace foaming cleanser which I got for my birthday, and the foam to this wash is PERFECT. I also loved using this with Eminence Organics Eucalyptus wash, I do feel the eucalyptus helped treat my blemishes a little better as well, you just need a tad more water to have this foam as easily. A friend of mine is using the Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleanser for her oily acne prone skin and it is working wonderfully, I will have to try it next.

Stick to once a day to avoid irritation, and NEVER SKIP using this after a night of drinking. On the plus, it is fun to use when you're a little tipsy. And you won't wake up with gross party skin the next morning. 

When you are using this tool do not apply pressure, just gently move the brush in circles around your face, and it actually has a timer to give you a heads up when to change areas on your face! 

Banks -Waiting Game.

Banks.

"Bad Bitches Are Taking Over The World"

#GIRLBOSS

"A #GIRLBOSS is in charge of her own life. She gets what she wants because she works for it.”

Sophia Amoruso, founder of Nasty Gal clothing, ex OG hipster and the coolest chick ever. I'm so glad she decided to write this book. I find her story extremely fascinating. Mainly because she honestly didn't intend for any of this to happen. She started her company with no expectations and let it grow at its own pace. I had been waiting for something like this forever. It's the perfect inspirational book for young female entrepreneurs. Sophia gives it to you straight, while sharing some pretty funny stories. She is extremely relatable, and stayed true to her edgy roots, while giving great business and life advice. Thank you Sophia for writing the #GIRLBOSS bible. 

“Money looks better in the bank than on your feet.” 
― Sophia Amoruso, #GIRLBOSS

“You have to kick people out of your head as forcefully as you'd kick someone out of your house.” 
― Sophia Amoruso, #GIRLBOSS

Ellie Goulding -Take Me To Church Cover

Ellie.

Smokey.

What is better than a blown out smokey eye? Nothing. I put together this grungy look using Too Faced semi sweet palette with shades 'pudding' and 'liquorice' on the lips I have Sephoras liner 'candid candy' and of course Anastassia Beverly Hills brow wiz in ebony. I decided to class this look up with a braided updo just for fun. 

What Skin Type Are You?

What Is My Skin Type?

Thinking about investing in a new skin care routine? Not sure what products to look for? Overwhelmed by the product choices, not sure what your skin type even is? Have no fear. This is the easiest way to find out.

Step 1:

Cleanse your skin. Easy enough right?

Step 2:

Wait a bit. You will only need to wait about 30 minutes for the skin to return to normal.

Step 3:

Blot your skin, any blotting paper will work.

Step 4:

Observe and diagnose.

Oily Skin?
Your skin feels fine, though there is an oily residue on the blotting paper.

Dry Skin?
Your skin feels tight all over.

Combination skin?
Your T-zone shows oil on the tissue but the rest of your face feels tight and dry.

This is the most simple way to determine your skin type, for more information about each skin type and forming a complete skin care routine for your skin, visit my post about creating a customizable routine.

*LINK HERE!*

Bobbi!

BOBBI BROWN

After hearing rave reviews, I gave the Bobbi Brown SPF 15 foundation a go. I love the feel of this product. It is super light, but at the same time has great coverage. I would categorize this as a medium coverage foundation, but you could build onto it for more coverage if you would like. I don't feel cakey, or greasy, such a nice consistency. I wouldn't say this has the best staying power for oily skin, I would purchase the Long Wear Even Finish SPF 15 Foundation if I wanted something a little longer lasting, though so far this has been totally fine for me, of course don't forget to prime and set!

Vamp.

Transylvania

Rolling with the dark colours here. Finally back to brunette, a nice soft ombre transition. I went for a very neutral eye with natural looking lashes, and bold lips. The deep purple of this lip cream really amps up the vampy feel.

Lashes: Red Cherry #DW

Lip: NYX Transylania

Ear Jewelry: Flaming Bones

The NYX soft matte lip creams are to die for though. Really. They are so velvety when applied, you barely notice you are wearing anything at all, and they last quite a while. If applied sparingly over lip bam they make for a nice lip  stain as well.

MAC Cosmetics Young Punk Shadow.

 Shameless Impulse Buy.

MAC, You've done it again. I don't normally wear black shadows, but this was too pretty to resist! It is so gorgeous in a smoky eye. If you apply this over a cream shadow the sparkles will appear more vibrant, but when you apply it alone it is a nice light shimmer. I didn't need to re stock any items so I decided to try something new, and out of the ordinary.  Mac 'Poung Punk' Mineralize eye shadow is perfect for those nights you want to rock out.


Worth a try if you are looking for a fun new shade to add to your collection.

Too Faced Semi Sweet Chocolate Bar Palette.

What A Sweet Treat!

 Everybody was raving about this palette, I had to get in on the action. I have used these shadows for all of my recent makeup looks. The quality is fantastic! Super pigmented, top notch. Thank you Too Faced! + the packaging is worth a mention as well.. HELLO! It's a chocolate bar. nuff said. If you are needing a versatile palette, just do it.

Warm Up Your Skin This Winter.

A Gentle Clarifying Cleanser.

I am trying out the Thermal Black Cleanser by Boscia, it is a gentle warming cleanser that opens your pores and draws out impurities. The warmth is super relaxing, really nice to use before bed. Not a cleanser I would use with my Clarisonic, you can't really feel the warmth that way, but it is great on its own. I would recommend this cleanser to people with normal to oily skin with minimal breakouts. I feel like you could find a more clearing cleanser if you have problematic skin, though for easier skin types this is perfect to detoxify and purify. It leaves your skin soft, happy, and clean. 

Contact Joanna.

Email: joannalivelyxo@gmail.com

Twitter: @joannalivelyxo                        Instagram: @joannalivelyxo                          Suicide Girls: LittleCalypso

Make Up Removing Miracle.

I have to talk to you guys about my new favourite way to remove my makeup.

Ole Henriksen has a product called the Pure truth melting cleanser.

How do you use it?

You take a little bit of this gel with dry hands, you massage it onto a dry face, after you feel your makeup is breaking down, add some water and rinse away! 

My makeup washes away super easily, and I love how you can use this on your eyes as well, so gentle and it smells so nice.

This product would be great as a cleanser on its own for people with dry skin, though since I have oily skin and tend to breakout I go in with a second cleanse, something to target breakouts, after I use this product. 

Peach lips and winged liner.

It felt like spring for a second.

I wanted to try out some new NYX cosmetics lippies. I used the Peach Cobbler gloss with Indie Flick underneath.

A bold orange lip, makes it feel like spring at least. 

For my eyes I used Too Faced Semi Sweet palette, Mousse and Frosting all over to make that blown out brown smokey eye. 

I used the Anastasia Dip Brow in Blonde to give the look of more natural brows + I took her brow wiz in ebony to make hairlike strokes throughout the hairs.

Bronzed Eyes and Burgundy Lips.

I used the Too Faced semi sweet palette, yet again. My favourite palette right now!

For my eyes:

Crease + Lid: mousse

Inner Crease: puddin

Centre Lid + Inner Corner: caramel

Lower Lashes: caramel + puddin

For my lips I finally found NYX cosmetics Matte Lip in Copenhagen! So much love for this colour.

Lashes: Red Cherry #42

A Mauve Smokey Eye ft. Too Faced.

Inspired by Jlos Golden Globes look, I used the Too Faced Semi Sweet Chocolate Bar Palette to create a blended out mauve smokey eye paired with a pinky nude lip and a dark lower lash line.

Crease: nougat + rum raisin

Inner Crease: hot fudge + liquorice

Lid: puddin

All blended out, using NARS 'albatross' to highlight the eyes and cheek bones.

Lashes: Red Cherry #110

Bronzer: MAC 'harmony'

Tarte's Maracuja Creaseless Concealer.

It's like I was born with dark circles.

It's hard for me to find a concealer that hides my under eye circles without me having to cake it on. Such a waste of product. Thanks to a lovely lady at Sephora, I found this gem. It's very rich, but you do not need to use a lot at all, it spreads out, easily, and evenly. The formula is moisturizing as to not dry out my sensitive under eye skin, but durable enough to last all day.

I choose to apply this with the Sephora Pro Airbrush Concealer Brush #57 

*Peep it here*

And set it with the Laura Mercier Invisible Loose Setting Powder.

*Grab it at Sephora Online*

A little about the brand:

The leader in high-performance natural™ beauty, tarte proves that glamour can be good for you by offering the widest selection of clinically-proven cosmetics full of natural, skinvigorating™ ingredients. tarte’s luxe compacts are more than just pretty packages for makeup…they’re eco-friendly, too.  So remember to be green, be smart, be tarte!

Not So Hopeless.

"Hopeless Lingerie"

"Be as fiercely independent and unique as you possibly can be." 

-Gabrielle Adamidis

I had a chance to talk with the CEO and founder of Hopeless Lingerie, Gabrielle Adamidis. Combining her  entrepreneurial spirit and her love for beautiful undergarments, she created one of the most alluring  lingerie lines taking over the internet right now.

With her creativity, passion, and drive, she caught my attention. Drawing inspiration from the most unique sources, such as old horror movies, she has been able to create the most romantic memorable pieces.  

The aesthetic and feel behind the brand is hard to beat.  I am featuring photos from her line: 'Blood and Roses' as seen on her website. Photographs credited to: Steph Cammarano.

See more from Hopeless:

Website: Hopeless Lingerie

Facebook: Hopeless Facebook 

Tumblr: Tumbl Hopeless

Instagram: @hopelesslingerie

Twitter:@lovehopeless

Talk with Gaby

Describe your brand in one sentence.

Dark, modern, and romantic lingerie for girls who like horror movies. 

How was your experience starting up hopeless lingerie?

Long and difficult, very much an uphill battle. But I loved every second of it and still do. 

What was the hardest part about starting up your business?

Not having any money. For the first four years I worked multiple other jobs alongside running Hopeless full time - completely by myself. 

The most rewarding?

Knowing that it is 100% the result of my hard work and persistence 

Do you have any formal design training?

Yes I studied Fashion at Box Hill Tafe, I learned a lot about pattern making, grading, and garment construction. In terms of lingerie and working with stretch fabrics I am self-taught, and its been very challenging applying what I did learn at school to such a different medium.

Tell us about your light bulb moment, when hopeless lingerie was thought up.

I had been wanting to start my own brand since leaving high school, my sister Dominique actually thought of the name a year or so before I actually properly started the brand. But the whole aesthetic of Hopeless literally woke me up one night, I sat bolt upright and just wrote out a very messy and rough business plan, and just went from there. 

Had you had any other business ventures before hopeless?

I sold earrings and handbags to a few stores in Melbourne while studying my other degree before fashion. 

Why lingerie?

I love working on small detailed things, and when I started no-one else was really doing handmade lingerie. Also given that I've worked from home right from the beginning space has always been a bit of an issue - lingerie is small so its a good arrangement. 

What makes your designs unique?

I look for inspiration in unique places, and I don't look at other brands to imitate. I always try and make things I haven't seen before. 

Where does your inspiration come from?

Mainly old movies, especially B-Grade movies, but I'm also obsessed with nature and the ocean. I have tonnes of old National Geographic magazines, and love reading about the science of nature and how I can bring that into my work. 

What is your favourite fabric to work with?

Anything sheer, and bamboo. 

Do you remember the first time you discovered really beautiful lingerie?

My first proper bra was bright yellow and from Simone Perele, made from the most beautiful sunflower lace. That was a pretty important moment. 

What advice do you have for the women who don't feel comfortable or confident in lingerie?

Start with beautiful fabrics, and don't wear it for anyone but yourself. Try starting with a simpler pair of bamboo knickers and just sleep in them. Confidence doesn't necessarily mean showing them off or taking photos in them - it can just mean knowing you are spoiling yourself with something special that only you know about. 

The photos and feel of your website are incredible, what is your creative team like? How does everybody involved add to the brand?

Thank you! :)  I usually start with a film and design the collection around that - then the editorial and shop photos will follow from that inspiration. I owe a huge amount of the brands aesthetic to my photographer Steph Cammarano, who always completely understands the look I'm going for and has pretty much the exact same taste as me. We put together a mood board for the shoot and then on the day its very collaborative. 

What is your favourite marketing tool?

Definitely Instagram! I love it. I feel like I get to be a little bit creative with it everyday - which makes up for those days when Im not designing or sewing. I also love being able to speak to people about everything from the brand to social issues, and especially old movies. 

Over 100k followers on instagram, crazy! How did it feel when you broke the 100k mark?

Pretty crazy, and a little stressful hahah, I have to admit I do worry sometimes that people won't like what I post  especially when its inspiration related! But I have to constantly shake that feeling off and remember that I got this far by doing my own thing - so thats what I should keep doing. 

What does a day in your world look like?

On an ideal day I get up at 5.30 and go the gym or boxing class (but to be honest I've missed quite a few of these lately!) - then I have a good proper breakfast usually involving toast, fruit, a smoothie, or yoghurt. I like to try and get emails done between around 8-10am. From there it depends on who is coming in and what we have planned - if its my cutting girl Diana I will plan what she has for the day, or if its our posting girl Emily I will make sure the weeks orders are organised and ready for her to send out. My sister Domi works full time here so we usually have a little chat about what needs to get done, from wholesale to press loans and lots of other things, and I also have 3 other sewing girls and another amazing new girl who is helping with our accounts and web design and managing the office. So once everyone knows what they are doing I will try and sew as many orders as I can - which is usually until somewhere around 6 or 7pm. After dinner I might do a little social media, Tumblr or Pinterest, while hanging out with my partner Nick. Then try and get to bed around 10. As everything is growing so quickly the days just fly by, and there is still so much to do!

Your favourite me-time activity, to wind you down?

The beach, the zoo, or the aquarium, or dinner and drinks with friends. 

Do you have a 5 year plan? If so, where do you see yourself?

Not really! But I hope to still be working hard at making Hopeless into an established brand, maybe not working from the back room of my house anymore!

What has your greatest achievement been so far?

When South Park did a parody episode of the Britney Spears film clip my pieces were used in - so I can kind of say I was on South Park. 

What is your advice to other young entrepreneurs looking to break into this industry?

Learn and study your craft. Don't look at other brands. Be as fiercely independent and unique as you possibly can be. Carve out your own niche, work really, really hard, for a really long time, and you will succeed. Above all, be nice to people. 

What is next for hopeless lingerie?

The next collection is inspired by Volcanoes and old disaster movies. Its all black and I'm really excited. 

She has those Classy Claws.

You can call her Bee. The artist, the founder, the queen.

"Classy Claws"

Having created the brand, and gaining a strong online following as well as a loyal client base, Bee is doing very well for herself. She isn't tied down to a 9-5 job, and she likes it that way. A self-made woman, and entrepreneur. 

I was curious to learn more about the girl behind the claws, and I am sure you are as well.  

"Ain't nothin like a bad bitch with dope nails." -Bee Lalli

Follow her on:

Instagram: @ClassyClaws

Tumblr: Classy Claws

Facebook: Classy Claws

To book an appointment: b.classyclaws@gmail.com

Had you always known you would get into this industry?

Not at all. I’m actually half way through my accounting degree and unsure where life is going to take me. What I do know, is that I love what I do at the moment, and I am so grateful for being one of the few people in the world that can truly love their job! 

Did you attend courses or schooling?

I did! A 400 hour, 4 month nail technician program here in Vancouver.

 Have nails always been your favourite part of the beauty industry?

Absolutely. There is something so satisfying at looking down at your freshly manicured hands. Aint nothin’ like a bad bitch with dope nails right?

 Describe a typical day of work for you.

I find that I personally like working long hours 3 times a week rather than holding down a typical 10-6 work day. So a typical day for me starts by putting on my sweats and hat, sometimes I’ll spike my coffee and start my 10-10 day. Throughout that day I typically will see around 8-9 clients and majority of them get full sets or fills with some sort of gel art on them. We talk about what’s gone on since I’ve seen them last- if they need me to murder anyone for them- you know the regular chit chat, we’ll blast music and make their hands pretty. 

What is your favourite part about being a nail tech and working for yourself?

I love that I get to meet so many amazing women! Working for myself is great because I can base it around my own life and never worry if I’ll be on call or whether the boss has me using product that I don’t agree with or the absolute worst was when I was working in a salon I’d have to censor my conversations with my clients. At Classy Claws there is nothing we don’t discuss. My clients are my girls, they see their appointments as girl time and over time we build a friendship so I always know what is going on with them and I’ll even text them between their appointments to check in if I knew theyre going through a rough patch. It’s little things that mean a lot to women and I do what I can to support them like they support Classy Claws.

 Least favourite?

Disrespectful clients. The no-showers, the 10-20 minutes late clients, or the last minute appointment beggers. Drives me nuts I swear. If I ever open up a salon I can not wait to have someone scheduling for me.

 How did you decide to go on your own vs. working for a nail spa?

Girl, I hated working in salons/spas. Lets start with the uniform. Making a nail tech wear all black is cruel because after our first client we’re already lookin hella dusty. Secondly I wear a hat every work day because I’m more concentrated and plus the dust gets in your hair then you look like you got dandruff. So I get to wear what I want. Also as previously mentioned I like working long days, so when I worked in a salon I typically had to work 5-7 hour days 5 times a week but now I get to do my 40 hours in 3 days. Thirdly, my girls and I talk about vulgar, perverted things that most spa owners wouldn’t want their clients to hear, so its more of a private/ exclusive environment. Lastly, I get to use the products that I love and stand by rather than what the salon can afford, this way I can stand by my work and put out great quality. So essentially the flexibility was the key factor in deciding to work for myself.

 What should girls look for in a good nail technician?

Look for someone that actually loves what they do. Because those people will continually grow and keep up with the current trends not because they have to but because they want to.

 What is your favourite style of nails to do?

Crystalized nails.

 Acrylic vs. Gel, what is your favourite?

GEL GEL GEL!

 Do you have a favourite polish colour right now?

Mystery and blue moon by akzentz.

 Favourite polish brand?

I don’t use polish I use gel polish so my favourite brand would definitely be Akzentz. I love the variety of colours and how smoothly the product applies and the minimal shrinkage is great!

 Your favourite current nail trend?

Bling fingers and negative space, I love.

 Worst nail trend?

Wide nails/duck feet.

 Favourite nail accessories?

Everyone knows I love Swarovski Crystal placement.

 How do you stay motivated? 

Seeing people work a 9-5 they hate is my motivation to keep killin the nail game so I don’t have to be a part of a corporate lifestyle.

 How do you prefer to have your nails?

I like keeping my natural nails with gel polish on them; I can naturally grow them pretty long so most people think they are extensions regardless. They always have some sort of art goin on. Whether it be crystals or painted art.

 How should girls be taking care of their nails at home in between appointments?

Just don’t use them as tools, keep them out of your mouth and don’t pick at them. Leave the rest to your tech. 

Joanna's Favourite line: "Your nails are jewels, not tools!"

What are some of your personal and professional goals for the future?

I’d like to open the go-to beauty studio in Vancouver in about two years after I finish my degree. I’m thinking of possibly starting to do competitions in 2016 but I think I have a ways to go before I start.

 Any last bits of advice for anybody looking to get into the nail technician industry?

 If you love what you do you will be successful. Don’t let people discourage you and make you feel like your work isn’t perfect, We all start somewhere. If I let all the people that told me my work wasn’t good get to my head I wouldn’t be where I am today.