Manicure Monday & Memorial Day

Just a quick post to show you guys my Memorial Day nails. It's not a big holiday for me since I'm Australian, but I love any excuse for my husband to be home with us and to wear pretty nail polish! I love this gorgeous sparkly blue, Sinful Colors Nail Junkie. I'm going to do a proper swatch post with it and maybe a scotch tape nail art design. I'm kind of dreading the removal, but it's such a pretty shade it's worth it.

I've been using Orly Sec n' Dry top coat but i've noticed quite a bit of shrinkage so I think I'm going to return it and try something else.

Sorry they aren't high quality pictures but I've been out and about all weekend! We went to karaoke and bowling on Saturday night, a BBQ on Sunday, and right now we're at a friend's place after another BBQ.. oh and after this we're heading to my mother in law's for ANOTHER BBQ. Yeah, we're kind of event crazy over here. Tomorrow I'll have a review and a FOTD for you guys :) it's the makeup I have on right now, just something really light and fresh and summery. Hope you all had a great weekend!

Ishah xx

Review: e.l.f. Studio Pigment Eyeshadow in Golden Goddess

Hey Beauties!

I’m really excited to be reviewing this Studio Pigment Eyeshadow from e.l.f. because pigments are EVERYWHERE at the moment, in many different Summer beauty collections. The great thing about these little dynamos is that they are really versatile and can be used for a number of different looks, subtle or striking.

eyes lips face, or e.l.f., is a beauty brand that has a very low price point. Most of their products are in the $1 – $10 range and in this case a low price point doesn’t mean low quality. The quality on the e.l.f. products I’ve tried is actually pretty good. I’ve also read some great things about this pigment on the e.l.f. website.

That being said, does this Studio Pigment Eyeshadow live up to the hype?

e.l.f.’s Studio line is marketed as more for professional use and is a bit more expensive than their Essentials line (although at around $3 a product it’s still not breaking the bank).

From the e.l.f. website:
Color Golden Goddess
Price $3.00
Weight 0.05oz/1.5g
Create a bold and beautiful statement with these jewel-toned, multi-dimensional pigments that impart lustrous high-color payoff and long-lasting wear. The buildable, powdery-fine formula blends seamlessly for ease of application and can be layered for a variety of looks. From soft and neutral to strikingly colorful these six silky and shimmery shades compliment every eye color for a fun, flirty look. Includes Eyeshadow Brush.
Ingredients:
Mica, Nylon-12, Born Nitdide, Silica, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate. 
MAY CONTAIN: Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Chromium Oxide Greens (CI 77288), Blue 1 Lake (CI 77742), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Ultramarines (CI 77077)

Manicure Monday: Essie Turquoise & Caicos with Nubar 2010

Hey Beauties!

Summer is just around the corner and I am breaking out the brights again. Turquoise is one of my all time favourite colours so when I saw this one lonely bottle of Turquoise & Caicos sitting on the shelf at my local Walmart, I automatically grabbed for it before I even knew what I was doing. I used to be pretty conservative with my nail polish, sticking with pinks and reds and the good old french mani, but since I’ve become a reader (stalker) of nail polish blogs I have broadened my horizons A LOT. Therefore, while before I would have reserved this shade for pedicures, now I eagerly painted it on my nails as a tribute to Summer.

I layered 1 thick coat of Nubar 2010 over 3 thin coats of Essie Turquoise & Caicos and 1 coat of Rush top coat. Essie T&C is pretty sheer, so if I was wearing it by itself I probably would have gone 4 thin coats or 3 thicker coats.





Nubar 2010 is absolutely gorgeous over everything! I love the effect here so much, the sparkly flakies over the vibrant turquoise reminds me of the sparkling ocean in the islands of Malaysia. We went to Tioman Island for a holiday with my Aunt, Uncle and baby niece (can’t believe she’s a teenager now!!) when I was a kid and I’ve always remembered those beautiful turquoise waters.



I’m going to try and keep up regular nail posts, hence ‘Manicure Monday’. I have some Urban Decay polishes I’ve been meaning to try out, so look out for one next week :)

Ishah xx

FOTD Friday: Hello Kitty Memoirs of a Kitty Say Hello Palette

Morning, Beauties :)
I have been a little absent lately, after the whole Blogger kerfuffle I got caught up doing a website design (my side job)and haven't really had time for posting! To bribe your forgiveness I give you this FOTD post :D

The Hello Kitty Memoirs of a Kitty Say Hello Palette is a mouthful to say, but what a pretty mouthful it is. The cherry blossom design still gives me that warm, fuzzy feeling when I look at it... I'm such a sucker for cutesy stuff! I digress.. I promised you a FOTD using this palette and so now I am delivering ;)

Skincare Event and free goodies at Saks Fifth Avenue South Coast Plaza

Hey Beauties!

A while back I went to a DDF skincare event at Sephora, South Coast Plaza and had an absolute ball. We got pampered, got some great info on their microdermabrasion product and scored some free goodies as well.

The marketing agent for the event, Eve, recently forwarded me information on another event for 40+ ladies that is happening on the 25th of May at Saks Fifth Avenue, South Coast Plaza.

Picture: OC Register

Here is the information that she sent me:

We are looking for women (40 yrs and older) who take their skin care regime seriously, and in particular, those who seek out the most trusted and effective skin care brands, even if it means that investing more.  This is an invite-only event with very limited space as it takes place on 1 day only (May 25th). If chosen, you and 2 friends of your choice will be invited to experience a private 1.5 hour consultation with the skin care brand representative at Saks Fifth Avenue, during which time you'll be introduced to the product line and, receive a mini facial, as well as experience the brand's coveted skin mask!  

This luxurious skin care brand provides solutions to address different skin concerns such as purifying, renewal, brightening, anti-aging, nourishing and finishing.  Consumers feel an immediate improvement and may begin to visualize clearer skin in just 14 days.

As a thank you for attending, you and your guests will each receive the following:

* Goodie bag with complimentary face mask and eye mask

* Access to make up counter within Saks to refresh your makeup as needed after your facial

* $60 (per person) food voucher to nearby restaurant within South Coast Plaza where you and your girlfriends can go to enjoy a glass of bubbly and a bite to eat, to continue your day of pampering

* Exclusive gift with purchase will be extended only to invited guests who wish to purchase product on-site

If you are interested, please complete this brief survey (3 minutes or less, I promise!): http://tinyurl.com/3kvqcoz.  If chosen, I will follow up with you in the next few days and be able to provide much more specific info about the brand and overall experience.

To be clear: I work for a marketing agency that is partnering with the brand to create a unique and memorable skin care event for a small group of fabulous women; there are no strings attached and we want you to enjoy an afternoon of pampering, education and fun!  I am happy to answer any questions along the way - my contact info is below.

Cheers,

Eve

eve diamond

grow marketing

415-939-8993

eve.diamond@grow-marketing.com

This event sounds like so much fun and the best part is that you get to share it with 2 of your girlfriends! Any of you ladies that are 40+, want to learn about a new skincare product and live in Orange County should apply :)

For the record, I have not been paid or compensated to advertise this, I just think it is a great opportunity for you guys to be a part of a fun event and score some free goodies! Obviously I'm not 40+ and can't be involved, but I will definitely be passing it on to my friends and family who are and I hope you guys do the same.

Let me know if you do apply or if someone you know does, and if you are chosen to participate maybe we can share your experience on the Beauty Mamas blog!

Ishah xx

New season, new hair.

I posted this again because Blogger erased it :'( I hope you guys don't mind!

Just in case you hadn't noticed.... It’s Spring!!

I revel in the changing of the seasons. I grew up in a place where there are two seasons… Hot and Hotter. Well, technically they are called the Wet and the Dry Seasons, but it’s hot and wet and hot and dry. As a result, I love the fact that (as mild as they are in SoCal) I now have different seasons and can dress weather appropriately for different times of the year.

Spring is all about rebirth... light and fresh looks… so what better way to celebrate spring than a new cut and colour??

I was going for something similar to Victoria Beckham's wavy bob, but longer in the front.

 I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, although I feel like the stylist could have blended it a little more from the back to the sides.  I went a little lighter, nothing crazy just a warm medium brown. I actually want to go a bit lighter and I'm thinking about using a Palty hair dye. This one in Milk Tea is pretty!

I'm a little scared to go that light though. What do you think, lighter or should I keep the colour I have now?

Do you ever feel the need to change your look for a new season?

Ishah xx

Giveaway Winner(s)!

TGIBF Beauties! That's: Thank God It's Black Friday!

And why, you might ask, am I so happy that it's Friday the 13th? A day usually associated with bad luck?

Well, I'll tell you. This Black Friday is someone's lucky day!!

The winner of the e.l.f., Urban Decay and nail art giveaway is......

Drumroll please...............





Jebba! :)

Congratulations and thanks for being a follower :)

I was so surprised and pleased that so many people got involved and entered the giveaway, I decided to draw two little runner up prizes as well (both also using random.org).

The 2 winners of the runner up prizes both get a cute sheet of Hello Kitty nail stickers.

The runners up are:

YoshiLove
liz

Thank you everyone who entered the giveaway, I have emailed the winners and hopefully they get back to me soon!

I will be having more giveaways in the future, so stay tuned ;)

Ishah xx