Collette Dinnigan in Hamilton Island

Instead of launching her latest collection at Mercedes Benz Sydney Fashion Week or any other fashion week, Collette Dinnigan has launched her 2014 resort collection in the beautiful Hamilton Island - Whitsundays.

She describes it as "The Sweet Bird of Youth", hmmm not sure what that represents well, the colours were from canary yellow to blue and whites. There are fun patterns and has been designed for people while they are holidaying.

But she has also designed really glamorous dresses (her signature glamour dresses) for those special nights whilst you are on holidays.

Check out the below pictures.

True to her style, understanding how to fit a woman's body

Fun patterns

Collette with Montana Cox (most recent winner from Australia's Next Top Model) wearing a canary dress

Collette in the Finale with all of her models

Collette on location with models showing a beautiful orange dress and swimwear

Xo

L'oreal Professional Volumetry Spray

L'oreal Professional Volumetry Spray

So this nifty hair product will purify (so refresh and semi-clean) and increase the volume (so my hair is not dull and sticking to the side of my face!)

See below for the product

See below for the 'before' picture.

I spray it a few times and ran my fingers through my hair from the root to the tips and then tied it up by doing a simple braid.

See below for my 'after' picture.

Ready to head out to spend a day with my family!

Xo

Music Review: Anthony Callea : Thirty

So Anthony Callea is 30 years old.

I still remember his memorable rendition of the 'The Prayer' on Australian Idol. It's been a few years since then and he has recorded his latest album of his favourite songs (with two he wrote himself).

The famous songs included Go the Distance and When You Believe from the movie 'The Prince of Egypt'.

The first song is 'Go the Distance' is beautiful. The music is beautiful, however, I get up to the third song and I am struggling with the thought that I have another 9 songs to get through...(he has these habits in his singing e.g. in parts you can't understand what words he is pronouncing)

I had high hopes for When You Believe because I love Whitney and Mariah's original but I was let down. It was underwhelming. It didn't have the highs that the original had.

But he has a great voice, and the album on the whole is great

Xo

Hair Oil

Hair Oils

When I think of oil, I immediately think yuck! But this oil for the hair is amazing for people with dry tips and split ends!

But the two below babies really make the tips of the hair feel really moisturised, not dry and not coarse.

The smell of the Schwarkopf Daily Oil Elixir smells so lovely and you can put it in your hair before you shampoo or after you shampoo. You leave it in your hair to dry and do not need to rinse out.


On the cheaper end of the market is Dove's Nutri Oil. It works the same but I find I do need a lot more of it compared to Schwarkopf's oil.

But both are great! One is $22.95 and the other $9.99.

Till next time!

Xo

Skincare - 3 Steps, which one?

3 Step skincare.

You would have heard something or use this all the time and swear by it.


Right now, I don't use a 3 step skincare regime but I am going to try different brands for at least a week to test drive the feel and result of each range.

And by the way, while you are reading below, please remember everyone's skin is different and mine is combination/dry in winter so please don't assume what works or doesn't work for me will be the same situation for you.

What has motivated me to do this?
Well, I have pretty bad skin right now. I keep getting told it's lack of rest and sleep and I am over-stressing/stressing but I am hoping that my blemished skin will turn into just normal skin if I stick to a 3 step skincare so let's see how it goes...

This is Part 1 out of 2 parts. :)

First Up!

Elizabeth Arden's Visible Difference $20 - $80

• Skin Balancing Exfoliating Cleanser
• Optimising Skin Serum
• Skin Balancing Lotion with SPF 15

On first impressions, they all have a faint but lovely fragrance (the same fragrance for all three products). Whilst, using the cleanser, my skin does feel a little tight. But after applying the serum and day lotion, it feels alright. Not overly oily and funnily enough balanced.

After a week

So the life cycle of my blemishes have decreased slightly and the volume has decreased by a bit. But I am unsure if this is because this week is that good week in every month. The morning routine is nice and makes me skin feel comfortable and I love how it's got SPF in it.

Next up!

Jurlique mix of Balancing Foaming Cleanser & Calendula Cream

Jurlique has a large range of skincare.

I went along for a consultation (and most Jurlique stores and counters at DJs and Myers do consultations) to talk through what I want.

I got assigned the Balancing Foaming Cleanser, Herbal Recovery Gel Serum, Calendula Cream and Herbal Recovery Eye cream.

After a day, my skin doesn't feel moisturised enough. It's winter and my skin is feeling itchy and dry. So the serum and Calendular cream is not doing enough. (Read about my new serums on the market post in a few days) But I have backup moisturisers that I know are working but I'm hoping I don't have to rely on them for this trial.

After four days, I have used up the same amount of cleanser and moisturiser as the above Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference range. So I needed almost double the amount to clean my face.

As well as that, I applied layers of serum and moisturiser on my face as the Herbal Recovery Gel Serum and Calendula Cream was not moisturising enough. It was drying and I ended up getting more pimples from the dryness.

But it's natural and it smells so lovely to use.

Biotherm's Nomal and Combination Skin Regime

There is a cleanser, toner and moisturiser gel (there is no SPF)

I have also paired this skincare regime with Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair.

The cleanser left my skin feeling really tight and I chose not to use the toner because I didn't want to strip my skin any further. The moisturiser gel is not moisturising enough.

Perhaps this skincare will be good in the summer but not in winter.

Just a note from me to you, finding the right skincare brand and range is really hard so I absolutely recommend you asking for testers to try at home or try it there in store. Don't give into staff being pushy. It's not cheap and there are many brands out there so there's nothing to stop you from trying a brand right next to it.

The skin on your face can react differently to what you expect.

Get ready for Part 2 in coming weeks.

Keep your eyes peeled.

Xo

Australia's Next Top Model 2013 So far...

Every season of Australia's Next Top Model has produced drama and stars.

Our version of the Next Top Model is definitely more grounded, like our well-known Aussie attitude.

The American version is OTT (over the top) and without the constant screams and yelling, not much really happens (and not many of the contestants become successful after the show ends).

Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model, sorry to say is boring. Even though, the current season is hosted by our beautiful, Elle Macpherson and judged by male supermodel Tyson and our Dannii Minogue, who in my opinion is the real star of the show.

So far in this season, a contestant has choked another (and she acknowledged that she overreacted and was correctly called by Jen Hawkins and disqualified from the competition)

Who are the standouts?

A quiet and stunning Indian and Fijian 16-year-old girl who has never been kissed. (How sweet)

Shanali is so versatile, she can do editorial (below) and commercial (above)

Jade, who is a personal trainer, bubbly and very grounded (which is great to see in this competition)

Jade does sporty (check out those abs!!!) She is the right role model, sporty, eat healthy and a great model.

Jade does elegant and wins her first campaign for new Colgate toothpaste. Love that smile.

Duckie, bubbly and she has a killer smile.

Below are the girls that are eliminated but still amazing.

Madeline who lacked confidence but look how stunning she photographs. And she has the height. Watch out for her.

Taylah who bullied a fellow contestant and was eliminated.

April is so beautiful in this photo.

Brooke who is that girl next door and absolutely so beautiful.

Stay tuned for weekly updates on ANTM!!

It's an exciting season.

Xo

Event: Strand Arcade: Evening with Designers

Event: Strand Arcade: Evening with Designers

As part of the Mercedes Benz Sydney Fashion Week in the third last week of August, the Strand Arcade in the Sydney CBD hosted a special evening with their designers

The night went along like this...

At 10 past 6, the line from the entrance was already 10 metres long. Whilst waiting to enter, a photographer from his blog had asked if he could take a photo of us (that's coz my plus 1 was dressed oh so on trend and chic).

When we entered, guests were wishing to get their hands on the complimentary Cointeau cocktails and roasted nuts. It was flooded with people so we escaped by heading upstairs.

The Strand Arcade was transformed into a place that looked so magical with all of the adorable lights and a bit like a tea party in a beautiful garden.

We sipped on Chandon bubbly, indulged in a creme brulee tart where the pastry was a little burnt (maybe not worth the $6) and discovered a store called 'Sweet Art'. They offered us the most wonderful red velvet cake with the most delicious vanilla, creamy icing. They cater and decorate corporate events and other types of pastries.

See below for visual summary.

Upper floor of Strand Arcade

Table Setting in Secret Art

Inside Secret Art, beautiful chandelier and floral arrangement

Entrance into the Strand Arcade for Evening with Our Designers

Stay tuned for a skincare blog post tomorrow!

Xo