Beauty Q&A: Clinique It Girl, Paige

By Tammi Ireland

We’ve met Perth’s own 2012 Clinique It Girl, Rebecca, so now it’s time to meet one from the east coast of Australia, where Coveted Canvas is now located. Introducing Paige Penning…

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Paige Penning, 19, Student of Psychology and Marketing

You’re 6 months in – what’s been the best thing so far? Being able to use and show off all my brand new and exclusive Clinique products! I also enjoy that it’s help me kind of get some direction to what I want to do career wise, I love beauty and makeup things and being an It Girl has shown me a whole other world in the industry rather than just painting on makeup.

THE MEN’S ROOM: Reduce Eye Puffiness and Darkness

By Mark Reed

Let’s face it; We’re not getting any younger. Time marches on, and our bodies find it harder to keep up, no matter how much drinking you eschew, exercise you embark on, bizarre diets you commit to. Only Madonna has the secret to eternal youth, and look what it’s done to her arms: It’s not worth it.  So should we embrace it? Grow old with grace? Break out the blue rinse hair dye and the bingo? Not quite.  While Clinique have yet to develop an Age-Reversing Cooling Eye Gel, they have at least produced an Anti-Fatigue Cooling Eye Gel.

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In a handy pen form, easy to carry, easy to use, perfect for on the go. Clinique claims the pens reduces puffiness and dark circles. While I certainly noticed it’s effect on puffiness, I didn’t see a discernible difference in the dark circle department. Mind you, I’m not exactly a “bed by nine” type of guy, so I’m not sure how much I can blame a cosmetics company for that, and how much I can blame my continued and concerning idolisation of Keith Richards, a man whose own dark circles would almost certainly cause the Clinique eye pen to simply disintegrate under pressure.

Review: Refresh Plus Eye Drops

By Tammi Ireland

When it comes to a hangover, your eyes will always give you away. Whether it was copious amounts of red wine catching up with friends, an all-nighter in front of the computer, or too much sugary birthday cake at your cousin’s 21st the night before – bleary eyes scream ‘hungover and dead tired’ no matter how much you smile.

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So what’s the best way to look great at work the day after a big night out? Eye drops. Wine, lack of sleep and sugar all dehydrate the eyeballs, so an eye drop or two in each eye before you start to get ready for the day will have you heading forward in leaps and bounds.

Trend to Try: Plum Eyeliner

By Tammi Ireland

With cooler weather comes a longing for something different in the makeup department; something a little… spicy.  I’ve often turned to a burgundy lip (as seen at the recent Met Gala) when the mercury has dropped, but this season it’s time to let the eyes take the spotlight. Introducing my new winter makeup obsession – the plum eyeliner.

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Used exactly as you would a black kohl liner, the plum look gives an alternative from the predictable black line.  Best of all – it’s suitable for all skin types.  In the photo above, I’ve used Estee Lauder Pure Colour Intense Kajal EyeLiner in ‘Blackened Plum’, on my top and bottom waterline, as well as along the top lashline on my lid.  Using my finger to help melt the waxy pencil texture, I’ve smudged it lightly for a worn-in feel.  The Estee Lauder liner goes on a dream, and is my pick for best Plum Eyeliner on the market.  It has a blue-black look, which was piercing against my pale skin and deep brown eyes.  I wore it with a sweep of Tom Ford Cheek Color in ‘Savage’ and Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara in ‘Black’ only.  Let the eyes do the talking.

The Best Beauty Tip I Learned Last Year

By Tammi Ireland

Last year was a huge year for Coveted Canvas.  We increased our Facebook followers by hundreds as more and more beauty lovers joined the conversation.  We won an award from beautyheaven for our blog post on epilating.  We made friends from blogs in Australia and overseas.  And we grew the Coveted Canvas community in Western Australia, where it all began. But what you may not know is I’m learning as the site grows and grows, and it’s only fair for me to pass on my knowledge to Coveted Canvas’ loyal readers – it’s why I started the site after all.

So, without further ado, here’s the top beauty tip I learned in 2011…

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As with most of the Aussie beauty industry’s great hunks of knowledge, the tip came from our country’s star beauty writer Zoë Foster (who now writes over at our favourite current affairs site, Mamamia).  

Christmas Make-Up

By Tammi Ireland

Yay, Christmas is just days away.  Eating with the family, drinking with friends, and being merry all weekend, we can’t wait here in the Coveted Canvas office!  What are you doing for Christmas?

Whichever way you celebrate, the key for your makeup is to keep it simple. You don’t want to be running to the bathroom to check your foundation or fix your lippy in between the prawn cocktail entree and turkey main.  The key is a little in the prep, a lot in the application.  Here’s the look we’re aiming for this year…

Chloë Moretz

Kickin’ 3.30-itis to the Curb.

By Tammi Ireland

I have a new addiction and I can’t keep it secret any longer.  Those who follow our Twitter will know I’ve said goodbye to reaching for the chocolate when the day is dragging at 3.30pm, substituting it for a much-healthier, more delicious energy boost  - coconut water.

When I was a Bikram yoga fanatic, I used to dream about the coconut water we could have after class, but then life happened, I got too busy and alongside my daily ‘sweat stretch’, drinking coconut water fell by the wayside.  However, it’s been in magazines and online as celebs drink the stuff after their workouts and if these gorgeous girls are continuously sculling it down, there must be something right about it, right?

Erin McNaught and Kasia Z are fashionable coconut water lovers.

What’s in a bag?

By Tammi Ireland

Our handbags are filled with a plethora of items, most of which come from the beauty cupboard.  These products have become essential additions to my carry-all, and I suggest you go out, stock up, and make them your essentials, too.

We bet Kim K carries a lot of beauty haul.

Innoxa Lovely Lips lipstick in ‘Poppy’ (RRP $14.95):  The ultimate deep red colour, incredibly cheap and with staying power that lets you say,”I’ll have the steak, please”, this red lipstick has become my most coveted colours.  New to the market, the Lovely Lips range come in a long list of decadent shades, each worthy of a spot in your purse.

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Rodial Glamoxy Snake Serum Pen (RRP $95):  Now the ultimate snake serum comes in a handy pen to keep in your handbag and pump out the good stuff whenever you like.  Cooling silver roller balls help to soothe eyes and reduce puffiness while the serum removes lines and wrinkles.  I love this product!

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Everyday Essentials: Taupe Eye Shadow

By Tammi Ireland

When I’m busy at work, I find it easy to slip into a beauty routine that shaves minutes off my departure but miles off my sex appeal.  Instead of brushing and running a ghd through my locks, I twist them up into a chignon.  Instead of glowing bronzer, I simply mix some illuminating moisturiser into my foundation.  And instead of colouring my eyes in delicious taupe eye shadow, lined with chocolate liner, I slick on some mascara and run out the door.  Fast, yes.  Less than impressive, also.

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Yesterday, when I woke thirty minutes earlier than usual, I decided enough was enough.  While it wasn’t long enough to turn my Curly Sue-bob into a sleek lob, I did take the time to blend some bronze colour onto my lids.  HUGE difference (and it really only took 30 seconds)!  Thus, I dub thee taupe eye shadow an ‘Everyday Essential’.

Here are my favourite shades:

The Men’s Room: A Guy’s First Skincare Routine

By Mark Reed

Mark is our resident male writer, bringing you the low-down on everything masculine in beauty.  Not afraid to hold back, he’ll be honest when reviewing products you may consider as grooming tools for your husband/boyfriend/brother/Dad.   – Ed.

 

Cleanse, tone, moisturise. A mantra I was unfamiliar with until a week ago.

Sure, I use a face wash, and yes, I moisturise. But what on earth was a toner? And how long would it take? Am I going to have to factor this into my morning pre-work prep time?

“But Mark, it’ll do wonders for your skin. And your partner will thank you for it.”  Leaving aside for a second my increasing paranoia vis a vis my girlfriend’s feelings RE: my skin, lets talk about Olay for Men.

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The Multi Solution Smooth Cream Foaming Cleanser (RRP$10.95) is essentially a face wash. It feels softer than other men’s products on the market, notably L’Oreal’s line. Mind you, who said these things had to be rough? The fact is it works, and since it’s only replacing an action you already perform every day, why wouldn’t you use it?

Fresh out of the shower, and we get to the mysterious Multi Solution Refreshing Toner (RRP$16.95). For the blokes, the closest comparison I can make is aftershave in look and texture. A few drops massaged into the face and YOU CAN FEEL IT WORKING. It’s strange. The skin tightens ever so slightly. The good news? Takes three seconds. So far, so good.