Ginger and spice and all things nice

Image: Rous Iland Boutique
When you're a 20-something with reasonable levels of disposable income regularly at your fingertips, what does a global recession really mean to you?

Well, if you're like me, one direct impact it will have is the horror you experience when you visit your favourite US online store and discover that the prices of everything have skyrocketed by about 30%. So. Not. Appreciated.

So although I will sadly have to wait for the economy to improve before I purchase said items, I am content with a few bargains I have managed to acquire during the month at various PR and studio sales (God how I love them). Most treasured item: a Ginger and Smart leather skirt from winter 08 that I managed to score for $200 (RRP $898). Totally awesome--pics to follow shortly when I have time!

NSO beauty: Madam Lash

Lately I have noticed that lashes have become to beauty what shoes are to fashion—the way we choose to enhance this feature can dramatically impact our overall look. Just as 5 inch stilettos can vamp up an LBD, a set of fluttering falsies can similarly set heads turning.

The sneaker or thong of the eyelash world would have to be the eyelash tint. Especially handy in the summer months when lounging around on the beach or by the pool, eyelash tints are a great fuss free way to ensure your lashes always look groomed and healthy without having to worry about panda eyes. Many beauty salons offer eyelash tinting, or if you’re game you can try an at-home kit which you can purchase from chemists. My daily life requires that I dress more formally however, so for me a lash tint and thongs isn’t quite enough.

Mascara is a daily essential I believe most beauty enthusiasts reach for. Personally I can’t bear to leave the house without at least one coat on (I use Max Factor Masterpiece Max ). Mascara I believe is the ballet flat or kitten heel shoe equivalent—it provides enough volume, length and colour to keep you looking polished in most environments. Also with mascara you can achieve different effects depending on your application, whether you opt for a dramatic eye using multiple coats, or a coat of clear or brown mascara if you’re already lucky in the lash department.

I have over the years mastered my mascara application technique: in order to get as close as possible to the lash line (which helps make lashes look longer and fuller) look down into a mirror. Wiggle the wand as you move up the lashes, and use the tip to separate any clumps. I also like to give my lower lashes a light coat to frame my eyes.

False eyelashes are the stilettos of the beauty realm—for a special occasion they are perfect for completing a high glam look. Shu Uemura which is now available in Australia make some gorgeous lashes, from the dramatic feathered kind to the more demure individual lashes. Personally I find applying a full set of falsies extremely difficult, so I tend to stick with individual lashes that I can place strategically along the lash line (I recommend MAC’s 30 lash ).

To apply, complete your eye makeup (including mascara), then coat the base of the falsies with eyelash glue. Wait a few moments for the glue to become tacky, look down into a mirror and place them as close to the lash line as possible using a pair of pointed tweezers. The glue should dry clear, but you can always cover any boo boos with some liquid eyeliner. Most cosmetic counters which sell false eyelashes will apply them for you for free at the time of purchasing, so if you need a personalised lesson it is definitely worth an ask.

So the next time you are going out and can’t afford that pair of Jimmy Choos you’ve been eyeing off, try reaching for some falsies instead to add some instant (and cheaper) glamour.

Fuzz design

jacket: bonadrag; dress: fleur wood; heels: oxygen@zomp; necklace: fuzz design workshop


I adore a good statement necklace, and this one would have to be one of my favourites--it always receives comments, and I was once surprised to find that one of the clipboard guys at the le black book party I went to a while ago even knew who it was by! And you can't get much more kitschy than a giant metal panther head stuck to a cream piece of jagged perspex strung onto an industrial piece of chain. Mmmm.

Hopefully after the next few weeks I will be able to devote more time to writing about things less vacuous than what I have been wearing (but only a little less =p).