Tom Ford Private Blend Santal Blush - fragrance review

I snagged a sample vial of Santal Blush online, and was so excited to sniff it that I spritzed some on the bus, No complaints from the other riders, Santal Blush is approachable and cuddly,with a hint of something a little more exotic. 


As with all Tom Ford scents, the bottle is classically gorgeous, crafted from a clear glass with a warm gold coloured name plate. The juice is a delicate peach shade and would be a fab addition to perfume cupboards from a purely aesthetic view.

High Tea at The Intercontinental's Café Opera.

Top: Scones! Bottom, L to R: Yogurt Creme Brulee, Opera Cake, Flourless Carrot Cake, Chocolate Caramel Slice and Raspberry Macarons

It’s not even slightly beauty related, but I just had to share this. Sydney’s Intercontinental Hotel was lovely enough to invite me and a few other ladies to high tea at the rejuvenated Café Opera. I was seated next to Lee Tulloch, who is as friendly is she is fab (so very!). It was great to meet her in person, as her books have always been a fave of mine and she's a bit of an idol.

Oh my god, the high tea. I have the biggest sweet tooth possible. I would be happy to eat nothing but cakes and lollies for every, with nary a savoury passing these lips. Candy Blog and Chocolate Suze are part of my daily blog rotation, and I can’t pass a bakery without buying a tart (plus another for the road). So I pretty much started slobbering in anticipation when I saw this spread.

Animal print nails

A v messy leopard print, done during an episode of Nip/Tuck (Matt the mime gets shot/is a jerk/is arrested, I rejoice).

Grrrrr!

I followed Jenna's instruction on Jezebel (jezebel.com/5825805/how-to-paint-your-nails-with-a-charming-leopard-print) and seeing I actually had similar colours to what she used, borrowed the colour scheme too.

I used two OPI colours, Lincoln Park After Dark and the light blue from their Shrek Minis collection. The hot pink is a cheapie from maybe Target, Modelista's Flash Nails line.

Australis Show Stopper Gloss Stick & Mint Condition Lip Gloss review and swatches

When I was a single gal, glossy red lips were my works-every-time secret weapon. Guys would swarm adoringly, the ladies would unabashedly ask what colour I was wearing in line for the loos. Nothing boosts confidence more than a pair of rouged up, sex-pot lips and the promise their kiss mark leaves on a glass, napkin or cheek.

Now I’m all (v happily) coupled up, the red gloss doesn’t come out as often as it should. My man-friend hates the stains he gets on his lips and shirt collars (sorry babe!) and the attention a ruby pout draws is more than his ego can handle. So I’ve retired some of my old favourites, the Sisley orange red that drew compliments from none other than MAC’s Terry Barber (!!), to the classic Revlon Fire & Ice. Even my worn tube of scarlet gloss, so old that the brand has rubbed away and I can’t find it anywhere (although the shade is called ‘Glenelg’, so let me know if you’ve ever spotted it in the wild).

Despite my adherence to more subdued peaches, browns and baby pink slicks of colour, sometimes that single gal raise her slinky little head and points her freshly-manicured finger my way. And the red lips ride again.

New on my desk this week is two lip products from the v pocket friendly Australis, the ‘Mint Condition’ lip gloss in An Evening With and their ‘Show Stopper’ gloss stick, in Hoola Hoop.

Top is An Evening with, bottom is Hoola Hoop

Estee Lauder Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator - product review

Shiny, pretty shiny-ness.

They say: This intensive, yet gentle oil-free serum features powerful technologies to address the look of every key sign of uneven skintone:

Triple-Optic Technology provides skin with a brighter, more luminous look from the very first application. CorrectTone Technology visibly reduces uneven skintone in 2 weeks, while anti-oxidants help prevent its re-appearance. 

One of my favourite things about beauty products is the pretty, pretty packaging. Este Lauder isn’t known for having the most excitement designs, so I was pleasantly surprised to see the glossy, metallic baby blue this lotion was housed in. It looks gorgeous on my bathroom shelf, in a sea of predominately white, matte and glass containers. The ‘oooh shiny!’ effect also wins major points.

Focusing on the actual content, the lotion (way too thin to be a serum, cream, or even a crème, if you want to get all fancy about it) is a very pale white-gold, with a beautiful shimmer to it. It reminds me of a watery highlighting fluid. Aside from the shimmeryness (oooh shiny!), I also notice a sweet orange scent, more of a earl grey bergamot than navel orange. It’s a little unexpected, but welcome, especially as it disappears after absorption. 

My boyfriend made a rather rude comment after seeing this photo.

I shall not repeat it here as I am a lady-like lady. Besides, I don't want to be set off giggling again.