How To: Three Looks for Sexy Eyes

I love a good DIY video as much as the next person so I had to share this great demo of how to apply eye make-up. It was created using the new Smashbox Softbox Eye Palette, but even if you have no intention of buying one of these sets for yourself, there's a couple of great techniques in there you can pinch as well as some insight into what the eye makeup trends will be come next summer.



If you are dying to get your hands on one of these you can get them in Perth from Kit Cosmetics for $69.95.

I Have a Secret

I have a job that could be described as cool.  I interviewed Joel Madden from Good Charlotte just before his wedding to Nicole Richie, I spoke to Matt Damon about hanging out with 'Angie and Brad', I've directed fashion shoots, I get to see all the movies before they hit the cinemas and I get sent free products from brands like Mac and Napoleon Perdis.

But the terrible truth is I am actually a nerd. I was in my element on the weekend at Perth's Supanova pop culture expo, which I dragged my long-suffering husband along to. I was so excited to see Amy Acker (Angel), Julie White (Transformers), Sean Maher (Firefly), Corin Nemec (SG-1 & Parker Lewis Can't Lose) and David Nykl (Atlantis). I didn't do anything as horrible as queue up for autographs or photos with the stars, but I was sufficiently creepy to go and stare at them while other people forked out their cash.

This year though, I have to admit I was really all about the villains and I was really there to see Tom Felton (Harry Potter's Draco Malfoy) and James Marsters (Spike from Buffy). I went to Q&A seminars with both these stars and laughed as James challenged the audience to embarrass him - and boy did they try - and sympathised with Tom as he blushed while turning down a marriage proposal from a want-to-be teen bride.

Before you ask - no I didn't get dressed up, but I thought you might enjoy a few snaps of people who did.

Did you head down to Supanova and if so what did you think? Or if you've got a secret passion, here's your chance to share - that's what the anonymous posting option is for!

Sale: Oroton the Outlet

If you're a fan of Oroton don't miss out on 'The Outlet'! It's a super special sale, but it ends Wednesday. Click here to check it out!

Feeling Blue?

Here's something I bet you didn't know. This Saturday has been declared Global Smurfs Day! On June 25, people around the world will be turning themselves blue to celebrate the birthday of Smurfs creator Peyo.

Don't you just love the word Smurfs? The more I write it the weirder it looks. Smurfs. Smurfy, Smurf, Smurf.

In case you've ever had the urge to get your Smurf on, here's your chance. There is going to be an attempt to break the Guinness World Records title for the largest gathering of people dressed as Smurfs within a 24-hour period in multiple venues. Yes, I am completely serious! To beat the world record they need more than 2,510 Smurfs.

Unfournately Perth isn't one of the cities where Guinness World Records judges will be appearing but there are plenty of cities getting into the blue groove as far afield as Mexico, Brussels, Dublin, Moscow, Johannesburg, New York and London.

In Spain, one of the famous White Towns of Andalusia will be painting the entire town blue. “Life-size” (that is, 7½-inch tall) Smurf figurines will inhabit Paris’s Trocadero Terrace in front of the Eiffel Tower, the main square in Reykjavik, Iceland, Bogotá, Colombia’s El Dorado International Airport, and high-traffic areas in Geneva and Zurich, Switzerland. Can you imagine being on your honeymoon in romantic Paris only to see a plethora of little blue men everywhere?

Aussie Smurf afficianados are being asked to visit www.GlobalSmurfsDay.com to share their support, however I would also encourage all Smurf-lovers to head to their local shopping centre dressed head to toe as their favourite Smurf. Or you could hit your favourite nightspot in your best Smurfette costume (why is there only one lady Smurf anyway, doesn't that cause a whole host of Smurf-sized problems?) Any takers? No?

The Smurfs are also coming to the big screen. The new 3D movie The Smurfs will hit Aussie cinemas on September 1 (TAS), September 8 (QLD) and September 15 (NSW, VIC, WA, SA). 

It's a Beauty Sale!

If your beauty bag is looking sadly empty, here's a great opportunity to stock it up again for the new season. Napoleon Perdis (one of my personal favourite make-up brands) is having an end-of-financial-year clearance and even WA isn't missing out on the goodies.

Apparently the sale will include 20-70% of limited edition products, gift sets and other store wide discounts. Details of when and where are all listed below by state. Happy shopping!

WA
Napoleon Perdis Makeup Academy

5/8 Alvan Street, Subiaco
Friday 24 June 10am-8pm

Saturday 25 June 10am-6pm

NSW

Napoleon Perdis Makeup Academy
90 Euston Road Alexandria
Friday 17th June 10am-7pm
Saturday 18th June 10am-5pm

VIC
Napoleon Perdis Makeup Academy
Como Centre Level 1/299 Toorak Road, South Yarra
Friday 17th June 10am-8pm
Saturday 18th June 10am-5pm

QLD
Napoleon Perdis Makeup Academy

2/243 Edward Street, Brisbane
Thursday 23 June 10am-7pm

Friday 24 June 10am-8pm

Napoleon Perdis Makeup Academy

Cnr Cavill and Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise
Friday 24 June 10am-8pm

Saturday 25 June 10am-5pm

You can keep your eye on sale news at NP's Facebook page. 

Win: Last Summer by Kylie Ladd

In preparation for interviewing the divine Kylie Ladd last week, I was lucky enough to receive a special advance copy of her new novel Last Summer. Imagine my surprise at opening yesterday's mail only to find a second copy nestled innocently inside a brown shipping bag.

As I know this book is in high demand (even her agent took to Twitter bemoaning her lack of a finished copy) it is quite an exciting turn of events. Call it a twist of fate or divine intervention, but at the suggestion of the lovely author herself I am now putting this spare book up here for one of my WA Stylers to win.

All you need to do is hit comment below and tell me why you deserves to win this highly sought after tome. The most creative entry will win. Entries are open to all Australian residents and close Sunday June 19. The winners name will be announced here on Monday.

If you'd like to buy a copy of your very own (and why wouldn't you) Kylie's book will be officially available on June 27 from all good* bookstores, rrp $29.99.

* Clearly any stores not stocking this book is not a good bookstore. 

It's Not You, It's Me

Break ups are always hard, no matter how amicable there are always hurt feelings on both sides. On Saturday I made the difficult decision to end one of my longest-term relationships. I felt ashamed and disloyal but I set my shoulders and did what had to be done.

After many, many years of having a mobile with 3 (in fact, I was one of the first Perth customers to take up the service), I have traded them in for... well... an older model and now have that shiny spanking new white iPhone I had been dreaming about through Telstra.

I have to admit, I wasn't Telstra's winning customer service that made me change - in fact my calls to their service centre to see what kind of deals they would do to move two phones over from a competitor were lacklustre to say the least. After being incorrectly transferred to the billing department I finally had a lovely lady with a barely understandable accent tell me 'there's nothing they can offer at this time'.

We also had to wait nearly an hour to even get a customer service assistant in the store to see us and then a further hour before the deal was done. However, now my husband and I actually have signal and can make and receive calls, check emails and surf the web pretty much everywhere in the metro area. Pretty amazing right? (please sense the sarcasm)

I actually think the service in the telecommunications industry in Australia is pretty darn lacking, but I guess that's a conversation for another day.

What I want to know today is, who have you had to break up with? Like me do you feel disloyal when you change brands or shop at a competitors store or do you waltz between suppliers without a care in the world?

What Do You Like About Yourself?

Ask any woman what they hate most about their body and your likely to get a quick response. Stomach, thighs, bum that's too big or too small, chicken wing arms - we've all got a list of flaws we're perpetually conscious of. But ask a woman what she thinks is her best physical attribute and she's likely to stare at you blankly. Trust me I know.

Seated across the table from a fashion stylist about to take me on a two hour shopping session for an article I was writing, I was asked to write down some key details about myself and my style. But when asked what are my best attributes I'd like to play up, I was floored. The truth is, I had always chosen my clothes by what would hide my flaws not to play up any assets and had absolutely no idea what attributes I actually liked. In the end I think I stuttered something about being tall.

The stylist told me in a very matter of fact way they I had 'great legs' and proceeded to dress me in a succession of cigarette-leg pants, tights and stretchy figure-hugging jodhpurs. It was an interesting experience and I ended up buying some clothes I wouldn't have normally worn. It also made me ask the question, why are women always so tough on ourselves?

I think it's high time we all celebrated our strengths instead of our failings, so what I want to ask you is -  what attribute to you like most about yourself? Don't be shy ladies, the answer is there if you look for it!

 If you want to know more about the styling experience, keep your eye on the Style section in The West Australian later this month for the full run down as well as the 'after' pictures of me in outfits the stylist chose.

Trend: 5 Hot Hair Looks

Perth has gone from sweltering heat to winter in the blink of an eye and chances are your hair hasn't had time to catch up with the change. Choosing a new do is always a harrowing adventure (just see my earlier post about my own recent experience!) but we thought you might be inspired by the five signature looks developed by Perth's own House of Ernest.

The trends range from urban glam to vintage charm and includes shorter, solid and structured hair designs to longer, grunge inspired cuts with warmer tones. The burlesque feel of ‘50s fever’ draws comparisons to American model and actress Dita Von Teese, while the arctic white ‘80s bob’ is reminiscent of the bold hair styles sported by Lady Gaga. 

House of Ernest artistic director Nakia Stevens styled for L’Oreal at London Fashion Week and predicts the ‘country’ look will be the most popular of the season with edgy curls, a rich brown colour and a hint of light. “The colour is called ‘blondette’ – a subtle combination of blonde and brunette tones,” Nakia says.

Nakia says the reflective coppery gold tones of the ‘county’ look, combined with vanillas and warm honeys gives an illusion of a full head colour when it is actually intrinsically woven pieces of coloured hair. 

So what do you think of these five looks. Love them or hate them? Is there one you'd like to try?