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



Polish junkies beware! There’s a new prod in town that will have you coming back for your fix again and again.

Ok so what I’m about to talk about isn’t exactly brand spankin’ new but heck, it’s new to me! By now I’m sure most of you have at least heard of Shellac, an extremely innovative product launched by CND late last year that gives you a perfect looking manicure. Shocking no? Ahh but you see the catch is that it lasts up to fourteen days without chipping and stays ultra shiny and glossy looking – like acrylic but without the tacky plastic extensions.

If we’re going to get all explanatory about it I would describe it as a crossbred species between nail polish and gel. It looks just like a regular polish however boasts impressive durability, it’s also super shiny, making it look like the nails of really organised girls who actually apply top coat every second day.

Shellac has a base coat, colour and top coat but is cured in a UV light so there is zero dry time. (Tip: Some manicurists will try get away with using a different brand for the clear base and top coat as it’s probably cheaper. RUN. This is dodgy! Your Shellac will last longer and have a better finish using the correct three-step system). Removal is quick and easy with remover wraps that limit finger and skin exposure to acetone by keeping it pinpointed on just one nail.

Make sure you have your talons shaped short and squarish as this always makes a manicure look neat and ultra chic. CND’s Shellac comes in a wide range of dazzling colours with everything from the perfect nude, to jewel coloured plum to richest of blacks so there is something to suit all tastes.

I decided to go with one of the new shades “Masquerade”. This colour is to die for, a rich maroon in the nicest shimmery-without-being-glittery way possible. So I put this innovative prod through my own little test to see just what kind of staying power it really had and these were the results ....

Day 1

Day 6 (looking like fat, white slug fingers in this light eww)

Day 11

Overall I was super impressed. Beautifully coloured, shiny perfect looking claws for a good week and a half. At about day 12 I noticed that the edges were lifting a little on one or two nails and it took ALL my will power not to peel the Shellac off – yes it even comes off that easy at the end but I don’t advise doing this as it certainly isn’t recommended for optimum nail health.

One of the most significant benefits of this professional nail service for me was that it left it me with 'perfect girl', “I just stepped out of the salon” nails for pretty much two weeks!

Price varies depending on nail salon. You can visit the CND website HERE to find your nearest nail salon offering Shellac.

Have you ever tried CND Shellac? What did you think?

And ... here's a little cheeky floral nail inspo just for fun!

KINDA/MAJORLY NEWSWORTHY Lauren Conrad update

Lauren Conrad will soon be launching a new website called ‘The Beauty Department’. If you haven’t already guessed I’m quite a fan of hers. Not because she’s the most daring of celebs when it comes to taking beauty/hair risks but because she never looks bad, like, ever. That’s quite a triumph for someone who has starred in “reality” TV for five years and been photographed about trillion and seven times.

Here is a sneak peek at a few photos from Lauren's new website 'The Beauty Department' that “LC” will be launching along with her make-up artist Amy Nadine and hair stylist Kristin Ess.

 

This is how Lauren described the site to Allure.com: "The site will offer beauty tips: how to do the hottest runway tricks. How to wear purple eyeliner. How to do beach curls.” And best of all? Lauren will be starring in some of the video tutorials! I’m guessing the idea is to eventually roll out a cosmetics and hair line and you can bet your last coral coloured lip gloss I would line up to buy it.

I can't wait to see it! You?

Until then ... here are a few of Miss Conrads looks over the years since gracing our screens on Laguna Beach.

Um ... She has come a long way since this ^

Ultra tan and still friends with freak-face



I love this up do'

Tortoiseshell reading specs - keen!

Nice to see her hair pulled back for once, works brill with the jet black, flicked liquid eyeliner

The deep side part of 2005 haha

Getting into "signature hair" looks here

Ahhh the twist, one of my favs for her and pretty natural-ish makeup

Mixing it up a little with some curl

All American Girl

"The higher the hair, the closer to God y'all." (LOL)

As she is in 2011. Beautiful. Good brows too!

The luxe(ish) list

Soooo I do realise that most of the prods I’ve been featuring lately have been on the lighter side of the coin purse and this is no bad thing (in fact my savings account named “UK Christmas trip” is applauding quite loudly), however this post is dedicated to my top 5 product picks (for right now) that I hold close to my heart and to whom I owe many favours for keeping me from looking: A) hung over B) tired and C) fugly.

Let's begin.

Numero uno

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer in “SC-3” (for medium with yellow or pink skin tones) RRP: $65.00

Secret Camouflage contains a unique two-shade system, one to match the skin's depth of colour and one to match the skin's undertone, making it possible for every woman to custom-blend her own perfect shade. The high level of pigment requires very little product to achieve complete coverage. I really love this concealer as it completely camouflages dark circles, minor imperfections and discolourations. When I’m running low on makeup supplies, this is the product I save and only use for night time outings when I want to look my best as it provides coverage like no other. The texture is thicker then most concealers, perfect for oily skin types or those who like a matte finish.

Two

M.A.C Sheertone Blush in “Peaches” RRP: $41.00

Pure peach in the most darling way possible. This blush is super pretty and comes out quite light so it’s up to you how much product you want to apply for a, “barely there coral glow” or a “ thoroughly flushed and fabulous – I am just brimming with health and wellbeing” look. This shade really brightens the complexion and can make even the most tired and dehydrated of skins look FRESHHHHHH. I like to pair w/ some white Chanel eye liner on my water line (for an extra wide-awake look) and a slick of Smith's Rosebud Salve.

Three

Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder RRP: $65.00

LOVE THIS. No really, I adore it. Spent a good two years being a makeup slut with no bronzer brand loyalty going between M.A.C, YSL, Australis, Rimmel and Benefit ... until I tried Bobbi Brown. With all the brilliant illuminating products on the market there is absolutely no reason why chicolas should be applying brown glittery bronzers all over their pretty mugs. The Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder has a delicate matte finish that gives a subtle yet flattering sun kissed glow. I’m not saying that a shimmer based bronzer is a bad thing but it should be used for contouring and highlighting, NOT darkening the overall appearance of your skin and leaving a decidedly unflattering bronzer moustache. Ick.

Four

Too Faced Lash Injection Mascara RRP: $38.95

This gem is lash extension in a tube! The exclusive 3D formula builds actual tubes around each lash whilst unique elastic polymers curl, fatten and stretch far beyond the natural lash to add extreme volume. If you've heard of "tubey mascaras" before you'll know what I'm harping on about. With a flick of the specially-designed gigantic wand, lashes are injected with indelible weather-proof colour. Easily removable with soap and warm water or eye make-up remover this amazing mascara doesn't dissolve and smudge like any ordinary mascara but rather comes off in tiny tube-like little socks - ca-ute!

Five

Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss in “Mistress” RRP: $32.00

(note: I was under very white lights for this pic so it looks a lot pinker here then usual)

Bright coral, sitting on the orange side of the fence. This colour is STUNNING!!! This high-shine, colour-rich (opaque-ish) lip enhancer gives you a pout that is full and glossy, without feeling sticky. The packaging is simple and chic with an angled application top allowing for a more precise finish if you don't have a lip brush on hand. I can not communicate just how GREAT I think Illamasqua's products are, huge blog to come on that later. If you like "Mistress" get hunting because when I got mine it was sold out at Robina and Brisbane Myer (I had to sweet talk the assistant into selling me stock meant to kept for the display haha desperato but I HAD TO HAVE IT!).

So Parlour and Looters, what are your favourite products at the moment? 

Apologies my darlings ...

Dear Parlour and Looters,

I do realise I have been neglecting you of late and for this I am terribly sorry. I started a new job a few weeks ago and am now learning the not-so-easy art of juggling two PR/Media jobs at once, writing a blog, doing freelance work, maintaining a social life (and its required attendance at good friends birthday celebrations), managing THREE twitter accounts off my iPhone4 – two of which are for work and giving Dallas all the love, care and attention he totally deserves even though his attitude stinks.

I’m off to Sydney tomorrow for our media launch of the new products and won’t be home till the weekend as I’m going to stay an extra night and visit my Sydneysiding sis (we’re going to Ms G’s in Potts Point for dinner Friday can’t wait it’s meant to be delish!). I promise to write a proper post by next Monday. IF I don’t deliver you can vote me off the island. In the mean time, here’s a list of things I’m frothing over right now in no particular order, genre or species.

Remember Wednesday Addams?

HOT. I love a strong brow!

Almond Magnum

Good lordy these are DIVINE, the ultimate treat. 

Individual fake eyelash home jobs

I’m not thrilled that this image is super fugly and I look like a booze hag, BUT with my eyes downcast in such a timid manner (HA) you get a really good view at the goods and my handiwork – which appears to be a tad stingy on my inner left lash. 1000Hour Individual lashes (if you were wondering) and I will definitely be posting on this next week.

Dallas the man.

What can I say? It’s lurvvvvv.

Cat Power sang it best, "Once I wanted to be the greatest" ... Autumn lip gloss under $15.00"

That may or may not have been the mantra used by the Face of Australia team when they set about creating the Divine Shine Lip Plumper in “Lavish Instincts” cause this prod is THE SHIT! Best Autumn find I’ve stumbled across (or in this case been sent for consideration) so far. You want to know why? OK I’ll tell you – geez SO demanding!

Divine Shine Lip Plumper in "Lavish Instincts" RRP: $10.95

It’s getting cooler and windier = dry, non-pretty, flakey lips. This also means that the bright matte fuschia lipstick we’ve all been flaunting throughout the warmer months is no longer looking so flash. (Especially on my not-so-soft and actually quite chapped lips, despite my best efforts with a pot of Carmex, Chapstick AND home exfoliation remedy of very scientifically “rubbing sugar on my lips”).

This particular gloss is IDEAL for cool weather as it is enriched with natural emollients to moisturise and condition lips, which is super important if you are trying to avoid a windburnt pout.

It’s a PLUMPING lip gloss infused with Cinnamon & Ginger to stimulate circulation below the skin's surface, encouraging lips to flush and plump. Menthol combines to produce a longer lasting plumping effect for bigger lips while good ole’ Lanolin fills fine lines and makes lips appear smoother & fuller. An added benefit are the intense light reflecting pigments used to ensure a mirror-like gloss effect meaning that I can FAKE smooth, lush, plump lips even when mine are actually being very naughty and dry.

The colour! A warm nudey-brown not unlike golden syrup. This looks sooo good on -None of that kinda-corpsey effect achieved with some nudes. I urge you, don’t be afraid of brown toned lips, paired with a neutral base and smoky eye (not specifically black – bronze looks gorgeous too!) this gloss adds definition and a certain sultry effect. Of course if you are lucky enough to have a peaches and cream complexion this hue may not be the best for you, however there is a delightful shade named “Sterling Blossom” which is a similar colour to the cranberry/red wine lipsticks I was banging on about in my last post which looks just darling on fair skinned maidens. Just be sure to add a light sweeping of bronzer to avoid looking like a vampire. Face Of Australia’s Pressed Bronzer (just the one shade) is actually very lovely and luminous however quite dark and I’m kinda olivey anyways so I like to use my standard matte Bobbi Brown bronzer then lightly dust FOA’s on the tip of my nose, chin, forehead and top of my cheek bones to try make me look all glowy and Giselle-y.

 

Sorry about the terrible quality (Iphone4 tut!). Here's me wearing the Divine Shine Gloss and Pressed Bronzer (RRP: $11.95) available from Big W, Priceline, Kmart and selected pharmacies.

NOTE: I think it is super important to update your makeup the same way you do your wardrobe. A barely-there application of tinted moisturiser and paw paw lip balm aint going to cut it for Autumn. So get experimenting and embrace the stunning burnt-gold eye shadows and ultra chic taupe nail polishes that will never be more appropriate then right now.

PS (Gosh I'm being chatty today!) Like that nail colour in the first pic? It's the SHELLAC I finally tried out on Friday - loving it so far. Will blog after the 14 days it's meant to last and let you know how it endured.

* I was very kindly sent these products for consideration, however this did not influence my opinion and ALL reviews are of my own honest to God/Buddah/Allah opinion. No bullshit here beauties, I only write about products I acutally like and have tried.

Getting lippy like Drew Barrymore circa 1992 in Poison Ivy

Please tell me you’ve seen this flick? The hair, the clothes, the makeup - so much to feast your eyes on!  As promised (two weeks ago – sorry) this post is dedicated to the luscious berry lip phase I’m going through. Ok, so I know this trend is nothing new, but for me it’s a huge leap from the coral and nude lipstick world I call home.

Now lets look at some berry lipped team mates.

While it is undeniable that Drew is killing it with that cranberry pout, it does look quite dry and not in a cool “bright-matte-lips” way but more, “this lippy’s getting crusty and making my lips feel like shrivelled prunes” way.

And here's Lauren Conrad, taking a modern twist on the trend. Her lips look anything but dull, in fact, they look like juicy plums mmm ... 

I went to Good Vibes music festival a few weekends ago with a group of friends, and maybe it was the floppy felt hat I could hide behind that gave me the boost I needed to try it out, but either way I was happy with my cherry-soaked pout. It also seems very appropriate seeing as it’s now official autumn; the perfect transeasonal  time for honing your winter-lust looks.

On my way to see Phoenix and Kelis! 

When trying out a new makeup trend I often like to start out with an inexpensive version and work my way up to the high-end brands as my obsession grows – yeah I live on the EDGE. I’ve bought three dark hued lippys in the last week and a half. Yes ma'am I have a problem.

It started innocently enough with a stroll into my local Price Line where I purchased Face of Australia’s Lip Quench Moisturising Lipstick SPF 30+ in Ruby Delight ($9.45). Two days later I upgraded to Revlon’s ColourBurst in Plum ($23.95) then yesterday I succumbed to MAC’s Original Lippy in Hang-up ($35.00).To be honest there’s not a huge difference in "feel" between the three, although the pigment in MAC's was a bit richer and stayed put for longer. If you're smart, you’ll just buy one because chances are you’ll look back at a picture of yourself in ten years time and think, “Why the F did Sarah/Betty/Gertrude let me out of the house with stripper/goth lipstick smeared on my trap?” Just joshin’ you’ll be blaming me!

 MAC's Hang-up, available at Myer RRP: 35 clams

So what's the verdict dolls? Are you tempted to give this red-wine-soaked lips thing a go? Any other looks your dying to whip out in time for winter?