One epic hair fail and buns for all occasions

Earlier this year my eldest sister (I’m the youngest of three all spaced 2 years apart – I bet you can imagine what our household was like during our teenage years!) and her boyfriend took a relaxing vacation to Thailand. Knowing my fondness for all things beauty, especially hard-to-find international prods, she kindly brought me back a delightful looking Rosemary and Vanilla Hair Oil by Lemongrass House – “fresh handmade spa products” or so the bottle says.

Looks innocent enough doesn’t it? And it certainly sounds inviting, frivolously bandying about words like “vanilla”, “handmade”, “spa product” so what could go wrong?

A LOT my beauties, a lot can go wrong! Now this product didn’t come with instructions so I, being the smart cookie I sometimes am, decided to use as I would my Moroccan Oil Light. After washing and towel drying my hair I applied a small amount of the product through the ends of my hair then blow dried as usual. And blow dried .... and blow dried, but my hair didn’t dry. Instead it stayed damp and stringy with the “oil” refusing to dry, leaving my hair all damp and lank looking. To top it all off I didn’t have time to re-wash it and left the house the next morning with it slicked back in pony only to be immediately asked by a co-worker why my hair smelled like petrol  = EPIC HAIR FAIL.

See how stringy it is? Touching it was even worse, felt all slimy. Ewwww.

Now I’m going to keep moving right along to some much more positive hair experiences – buns! Over the past few years I have become quite the bun connoisseur and who doesn’t like a good ole bun? A bun, A.K.A its more stylish name the Top Knot, works on a multitude of platforms to make you look A) elegant and B) fashionable. However, I for one believe that you should not be strolling through life with the same Ballerina Bun you wore as a seven year old. Your bun should reflect where you are and what you’re doing.

Want some examples? Ok.

Bun 1. The Work Appropriate Bun

As you can see this is quite neat and semi difficult for me to achieve as I’ve never really belonged to the Not a Hair Out of Place club. The hair is brushed back into a tight ponytail and secured on the crown of my head. It is then divided into two sections which I twist around each and wrap around the base of the hair tie before pinning into place with bobby pins. To finish I sparingly spritz a fine-tooth comb with hair spray and lightly sweep through from my hairline and back towards the bun to keep flyaways at bay and everything looking sleek. I have aptly named it the WAB as it’s ideal for work, job interviews, court appearances and other times when one wants be taken seriously. 

Bun 2. Effortlessly Chic Bun

This pic was taken in March this year at a family dinner (please excuse my shiny nose and forehead). The Effortlessly Chic Bun is a staple in my hair wardrobe as it can take you from dinner with the girls (or family), to a festival, to a black tie event and even to pilates. Unlike its stern cousin the WAB, the Effortlessly Chic Bun is bit more relaxed, a bit more thrown together and lets be honest a bit more fun! To achieve, I begin by pulling the hair back in to a loose high ponytail positioned a few centimetres forward from where you would have started for the WAB. Now split the pony in to three sections and tease each section before giving a quick spritz with the hair spray as this creates some luxe volume – I like Schwarzkopf Extra Care Hairspray 10 Carat Shine. Loosely plait or twist the three sections together then wrap around the base of the ponytail and secure with bobby pins. Softly rub the palm of your hand around your hairline to add texture and loosen flyaways as this enhances the overall look.

Now please be kind and tell me if you have ever experienced a hair disaster like me?

Do you enjoy buns also? I hope so! All the better to see your pretty face with and show off those expert makeup skillzzzzzzzz.  

Couldn't help it ... Lauren's amazeballs bun.

"Higher the hair, closer to god... Tonight I'm feeling like saint haha."

Thrifty Thursday: Beauty products that don’t cost an arm and well heeled (shaved, toned, tanned) leg

Firstly, I’d just like to say that I do indeed adore the chic packaging of a Chanel lipstick and the delectable scent of a Diptyque candle as much as the next mauve manicured girl sitting next to me but there are certain times in a girl's life when only bargain buys will do.

Certain times example:

Receiving a $120.00 parking ticket, while on a coffee run, for stoping in a “NO PARKING BEFORE 9AM ZONE” at 8:45am last Friday morning. Great huh? Certainly put me in a delightful mood for the weekend (sorry, I know sarcasm is bad for wrinkles). However it did make me reflect on my spending habits and I realised that a few of my absolute favourite beauty purchases are actually very affordable. So I have decided to share ...

BYS Bronzer with Ripple Pattern

 This tri-coloured bronzer contains warm, golden and bronzed shades with a unique ripple pattern. I actually only use this product for highlighting as I have a tendency to develop an oil slick for a face in summer (ok I’m being kind, sometimes in winter too) and it would be far too shimmery for normal bronzing/contouring. It looks simply divine dusted on top of cheekbones or swirled on the brow bone. The disc of “bronzer” contains three shades moving from light to dark and these colours can be blended to achieve a multitude of looks or can be used alone depending on how your tan develops throughout the year.  Available in Light Shine and Heavy Glow.

RRP $7.95 Available at Kmart, Gloss Accessories, Cosmetics Plus, Ice Accessories, selected pharmacies, discount stores & independent retailers.

Suvana Paw Paw and Honey Certified Organic Lipbalm

Whoaaaa this prod is Cracked Lip Heaven. Not only is this super lush balm organic but it contains absolutely ZERO petroleum jelly, synthetic preservatives, chemicals and fragrances. In addition, the two key ingredients Paw Paw and Honey are well known natural healing actives. Also working hard to soothe your poor chapped smackers are delicious Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E which help to soften and moisten flakey lips.

RRP $8.95 I got mine from a Go Vita health food store after searching Priceline and many chemists so I would guess health food stores are they way to go if you’re interested in purchasing this bright yellow balm – very helpful for locating it in my overflowing handbag! PS It smells like honey, nom nom.

Manicare Perfume Atomiser  

This one is pretty self explanatory ... Manicare Perfume Atomiser is a convenient purse-size refillable perfume atomiser that keeps fragrances fresh and ready to apply at any time. I like the 80s style glass and gold design as it reminds me of some of my grandmothers old scents I used to borrow as a little girl. This atomiser is the perfect size for travel and every-day-handbag-use.

RRP $11.95  Available at Priceline, Myer, Target, K-Mart, Big W and leading pharmacies.

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Leg Gloss

I was first introduced to this multi use prod by my friend Amanda while getting ready for a night out with the gals and might I just say this is sooo much more than a sparkly moisturiser. Yes, yes, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Leg Gloss contains pure cocoa butter and vitamin E to moisturise deeply however it also boasts ultra-fine light reflecting particles to impart a subtle sheen, while a slight tint helps mask imperfections and acts kind of like a body foundation. I worship this product because I have a few scars on my knees and shins from years of nippers, netball, hockey and skateboarding and this leg gloss actually conceals imperfections while adding a healthy dose of colour.

Note: This is not a fake tan or gradual tan! You can wash it right off like makeup. I usually mix it with my normal body moisturiser as this makes it easier to apply and not as obvious as it does dry quite quickly and if you’re not careful it can look slightly uneven and streaky.

RRP $10.99  Available at Priceline, Target, Kmart, Big W, Price Attack, Hairhouse Warehouse, pharmacies and supermarkets.  

MOR Dolce Candle in Honey

I’m not the best sleeper and therefore usually have to read in bed each night in order to become sleepy enough for slumber. This being the case, I have become fond of trying to make my room as comfy and sleep friendly as possible which has resulted in me permanently keeping a scrumptious smelling candle on my bedside table.  The MOR Dolce Candle range is exclusive to Target and the Honey scent is heavenly! Fragrant may bell and honey top notes combined with base notes of amber, cotton candy and vanilla make your room smell super inviting and calming without being overpowering. The best bit about this candle is that it’s made of natural soy wax, 100 per cent cotton lead-free wick and features a 35-hour burn time. Affordable for everyday use, the product is free from animal testing and is made in Australia.   

RRP$15.00 Available in select Target stores only across Australia.

So tell me my lovely P & L readers, what are your favourite budget buys?

Any sleeping tips?



I'll have what she's having

For future reference on make-an-effort-Mondays and gloomy Wednesdays. Some entirely covetable looks.

Fendi 2011 Spring  Elle.com

Alex Spencer Australian model and blogger 4th and bleeker

Blake and her impressively plaited rats nest PRIMPED

A bun at the beach? Genius! Oracle Fox

Christine Centenera Now With Guns

Ohhh Abbey Circa Now

The stunning Minka from Friday Night Lights check out those locks! PRIMPED

Illamasqua is the bombdiggity

1.       Bombdiggity

{adj} - A description of something that is better than excellent, great, good, amazing, et cetera.

A few weeks ago now I had the absolutely pleasure of trotting along to Illamasqua’s first Brisbane Beauty Bloggers event.

Deets were:

• What: Illamasqua Brisbane Beauty Bloggers Event
• Where: Illamasqua Counter at Myer, Queen Street Mall, Brisbane
• When: Friday June 03, 2011
• Time: 6:30-8:30pm

On arrival we were warmly welcomed by Illamasqua’s Australian PR chick Christabel Draffin, who did a stellar job of introducing us to the brand’s ethos of self expression and the alter ego. She also made sure I had champagne flute of sparkling apple juice and a delightful mini cupcake firmly placed in my hot little hands within five minutes of being there – a sure fire way to leave a pleasant impression at a pre-dinner-time event.

For those of you unacquainted with the brand, Illamasqua made a huge splash on the beauty scene due to their high impact, other worldly advertising campaigns and emphasis on women and men alike embracing their "unique selves".

Illamasqua describes itself as:

Self-expression through make-up is an idea that is spreading outside alternative cultures. Illamasqua’s mission is to provide high-performance, professional make-up to anyone who wants to self-express and accentuate their look beyond the norm.

Developed by leading chemists, manufacturers of stage and screen make-up and make-up artists, Illamasqua brings truly professional make-up to the high street for the first time.

Designed to be colour-intense, colour-true and long lasting, Illamasqua offers an unprecedented range – giving you a huge palette with which to express yourself, whoever you are and whatever look you want to achieve.

Illamasqua brings its rich heritage to life by providing make-up lessons rather than ‘makeovers’. Illamasqua’s make-up artists spend time getting to know individuals, helping them explore their alter ego and create the look they want to achieve. This is self-expression at its most creative, allowing women and men who dare to be different to create a look that can be achieved confidently at home and flaunted at night.

We're also a brand with a conscience, and are proud of the fact that none of our products, from blushers to brushes, are tested on animals.

From my experience with the brand so far this description is spot on. You need only to take a glance at the gorgeous creatures makeup artists who work behind the counter to be enticed into a world where highly pigmented bright orange lipstick is not only ok but PREFERABLE and purple eye brows are the norm.

At the event we were lucky enough to be treated to a demonstration by Illamasqua MUA Tiarah who showed us a look from the Toxic Nature collection. Here are some fabulously shitty pics taken on my iPhone.

As these images show, the really cool thing about this brand is that it stresses that makeup is not just about looking pretty or covering up self perceived “flaws”. It’s about self expression and celebrating one’s individuality, all the while using a product of the highest quality to do so.

If you haven’t already caught on by my super subtle writing style, this makeup is, "FULLY SICK MATEEEEE." No but for reals, all Illamasqua's makeup is HIGHLY pigmented with  impressive durability, my kind of prod!

I feel very lucky to have been given the following products to trial and play with.

Powder Eye Shadow in Bronx

This coppery shade is just gorg! The warm undertones in it really wakes up the eye area as unlike most metallic shadows it maintains its depth of colour whilst still giving some pretty gal sparkle.

Sheer Lipgloss in Torture

A warm, coral peach. I like to pop this over a matte orange lippy like Innoxa’s Tangerine  - I guarantee you’ll get an inquiry and/or compliment every time you wear these two together.

Powder Blusher in Nymph

Now this was a surprise for me! Barbie doll pink blush is something I normally shy away from but to my surprise I found this colour added a youthful rosy hint of colour when applied with a light touch to the apples of my cheeks. Very feminine and pretty when paired with lashings of mascara and some well placed bronzer.

Ok wow so this post is getting a little OC in length (that stands for outta control, not The Real Housewives of Orange County – I know how you think you scallywag!) so I’ll stop and let you get back to watching The Kardashians and petting your cat.

But first, pleaseeeee tell me if you’ve tried any Illamasqua products and if so do you like them as much as me? What's your favourite?

Until next time, wishing you a full and defined brow and blemish-free week.

I really like what y’all had going on at the 2011 MTV Movie Awards

The annual MTV Movie Awards is a night usually reserved for pounds of fake tanned flesh on display, inappropriate use of blush and eye-poppin’ cleavage (AKA Britney’s green-bra-wearing, snake toting performance in 2001). But alas, this year the starlets somewhat surprisingly decided to underplay their chosen beauty “looks” and I for one really, really, really dug it. For the most part, Hollywood’s A/B/C List went with decidedly understated makeup and hairstyles and this was the end result ...

Brooklyn Decker looking all windswept and carefree with her new-ish chop and minimal makeup. Way less Sports Illustrated model and a whole lot more stylish!

Reese Witherspoon rocking some super-duper flattering coppery/bronze eyeshadow that makes her baby blues positively POP. Want to emulate this look? Try M.A.C’s Pigment in Copper Sparkle.

Blake Lively looking extremely babelish. I’m sorry but that’s the best adjective to describe this kind of perfectly bronzed, peach-lipped hotness. Also, I love that she slicked her hair back in this ultra chic pony, I adore a good pony.

Mila Kunis – that hair!!! Sooo shiny I gotta put some sunglasses on in my room and look like one of those creeps that skulk around nightclubs, because it is just too sparkly and blinding. Ok dramatics aside, she is perfection to me. LOVE the embellished Balmain mini paired with a simple black top. She got it going on (cue finger snap) AND she got to grab JT’s junk.

And then there are the people who didn't get it right ....

Come on Amanda Bynes, what were you thinking gal? The dry-looking blonde ropey extensions and tight dress combo went out a while back, even P. Hilton’s over that look these days.

Jessica Szohr ... Hmmm at least she hasn’t gone OTT on the makeup. I think this may not have looked quite so bad if she had done a cute, sleek high pony with a bright lip to make it more fresh and youthful – see I’m nothing if not constructive haha.

Leighton Meester – now technically there is nothing wrong with this. While the makeup looks quite heavy in comparison to the other fresh faced looks floating around, I actually rather enjoy the dark eye/nude lip combo on Blaire, sorry, Leighton. It’s the hair that’s bothering me, yes I like me some balayage but it just looks a bit straggly and not in a cool Erin Wasson way, but in a needs-a-mask-and-trim way. Ekkk.

What are your thoughts beauties?

Who had your favourite beauty look this year?

The other way to be chubby ...

While on my lunch break the other day I somehow managed to stumble in to PRICELINE, which is a HUGE no-no as I have this stooo-pid blind spot when it comes to the big P and always manage to convince myself it’s totally O.K to buy beauty products from there ‘cause it’s, “cheap as chips man”.

Wrong, soooo wrong!

I usually end up leaving with: a Rimmel lipstick (just to see if I can pull off a blue based red), an Australis polish (because they do great on trend hues), a Natio concealer (it gets really expensive buying the Laura Mercier and YSL ones all the time!), a Revlon gloss (love their punchy bright colours) and some Klorane dry shampoo (this stuff is soooo dope – much better then Batiste). As you can imagine the total bill winds up being around 80 clams. Good one Tess!

But not this time, joy! THIS time I wandered into my local P and quickly made a beeline for something looking suspiciously like Clinique’s famed Chubby Stick which is basically a short, stubby looking lip “pencil” that applies like a gloss but looks like a sheer lipstick.

Models Prefer Ultra Lipgloss Pencil in Cocktail Hour RRP: Approx $6-$7

This copycat specimen I had spied (with my liquid linered eye HA!) was actually the Models Prefer Ultra Lipgloss Pencil. Now they don’t seem to have a website, well they do but it redirects you to a new website that’s called something different entirely (WTF?) so I can’t confirm the price as I lost my receipt but I believe it retailed at $6.95ish uhh score. I went for a deep plummy shade called Cocktail Hour and let me say, don’t let the cheap price fool you. This nifty little buy comes in five shades – all quite pretty, but Cocktail Hour really did it for me. The colour is rich and vibrant yet sheer enough to wear to work without worrying about getting it on your teeth. Definitely a cheap and fabulous alternative to the Chubby Stick. Minor downside was that it doesn’t having amazing staying power (approx 1-2 hours) but hey at about $7 a pop I ain’t sweating it as my lips looked just delightful during those two hours.

My smackers all dolled up

I also ended up getting the 6-sided nail file to: 1) shorten, 2) file, 3) even out, 4) smooth, 5) buff, 6) shine and some blotting tissues (which made my day since The Body Shop has stopped making theirs which I loved for years). And I got all three products for under $20 pretty impressive I’d say.

My Models Prefer loot!

 See! Cheryl did a plummy/red pout at Cannes just last week

What do you say Parlour and Loot readers, do you get sucked in by Priceline’s wily ways?

Have you tried any other imitation Chubby Sticks?

New research shows girls who wear coral lipstick become 63% more dazzling to the human (and animal) race

O.K. you got me you sneaky rascals, I made that statistic up but I swear it is TRUE Parlour and Looters, I swear it on my favourite gold mens-style Michael Kors watch, which means I’m really serious.

While I haven't ever hid the fact that I like to think of myself as Queen of the Coral Club, I can’t believe I haven’t dedicated a post to this topic until now.

Unlike a violent slash of red across the lips which can be A) tricky to apply B) messy if you plan on eating, drinking or kissing your boyf or C) ageing and 90s looking if you’re not careful, a coral lip WILL: brightening your complexion, awaken tired looking eyes and undoubtedly reassure onlookers of your pretty-come-understated feminine allure.

When it comes to joining the Bright Lip Brigade, coral would be the recommended shade for new members as it is soooo easy to wear (work to bar? cinch!) and it instantly updates your overall look.

M.A.C Tinted Lipglass in Pink Lemonade RRP: $35.00

My love affair with coral began when my dad (under my older sister’s leadership) brought me back M.A.C’s Tinted Lipglass in Pink Lemonade from Canada (Pink Lemonade is a flamingo pinkish shade with bright orange undertones). I was fifteen at the time and literally thought I was, “THE SHIT” pulling that baby out of my pocket at lunchtime in the canteen line. While I’ve moved on to more grownup coral-based prods like a matte lippy, this trusty gloss will always be a permanent fixture in my makeup box. 

Quick fact: M.A.C was founded in Toronto, Canada and therefore is stupidly cheap when bought in the land of maple syrup and ice hockey so stock up if you are ever there.

*Yes I have recently purchased a black and clear plastic makeup box with five slidey draws (is actually meant to function as office paper filing system) it’s working out really well so far, I feel all efficient and organised!

Soooo moving on, here are some coral lip prods I am currently hoarding like a bowerbird looking for sparkle.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Melonade RRP: $21.95

Can you say sexpot? This bright mouth decorator is a pinky/orange hue that suits both blondes and brunettes and looks fabulous during the day with a little gloss or applied heavily at night. This is NOT a matte formula which makes it a favourite for me during winter when my pout needs some extra hydration. While having a pretty impressive shiney-finish for a lippy, it still delivers on colour – not quite opaque but half way between a gloss and highly pigment matte lippy.

NARS Limited Edition Lipstick in Love Devotion RRP: approx $60.00

Next to join the Coral Appreciation Society list is NARS’ ultra-sheer, creamy, guava coloured lipstick called Love Devotion. I cannot tell you how much I adore this little star of a product. Bought last year, it was a limited edition prod so I’m not 100% sure of its availability from MECCA (where I got mine) however I’m sure with some clever online scouring you could come up trumps. Perfect for those who are just a wee bit intimidated by the thought of slapping on a bright lip, this may be your most beloved soft coral friend  ever.

Like you needed a better reason to give orangey hues a go, it’s also BANG on trend this season - here’s one of the models being made-up backstage at the Yeojin Bae show at last week’s RAFW. Stunning right? They paired a bright lip with luminous cheeks and minimal mascara (skip your bottom lashes if you can bare it) for a gorgeous modelesque approach.

Budget babes try out these little winners:


Australis Colour Inject Mineral Lip Gloss in “Disco” RRP: $11.95


FACE OF AUSTRALIA Lip Quench Moisturising Lipstick SPF 30+
in “Coral Bay” RRP: $9.49


Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in “Coral in Gold” RRP: $9.95


Do you like a bold, coral lip?


Are you going to run out and buy something pinky-orange for your lips in time for the weekend?


I would... Just sayin'!


NOTE: The second image in this post of the Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Melonade was nicked borrowed from the beautiful Sarah, author of Hip & Haute  http://hipnhaute.wordpress.com/ as my pics were coming up totally shithouse! XXX