A Natural Summer

By Tammi Ireland

Summer is well and truly on its way, and with that comes everyone’s promise to themselves to put less processed foods in their bodies. But what about on your body?

My lovely housemates and I are on a health kick, rising at 6am every morning for a self-run Bondi Bootcamp in a bid to have a healthier Summer and make use of the sunshine.  Now – with thanks to Endota Spa – we also have a more natural pre-summer skincare routine.

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Endota are known for their delightfully-scented organic skincare products and spa offerings.  Our favourites? The Rosehip & Myrrh Face Mask and Kakadu Plum Face Mask (both RRP$35).

Beyond The Norm

By Tammi Ireland

Coconut water is still having its moment as the best post-run hydrator and low-cal energy booster, especially for after a big night out.  However, while we’re quick to drink the stuff, few know it also makes for a great natural facial.

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The great people at Beyond Coconut Water were nice enough to send me a pack of the juice, many of which I drank as a 3.30pm pick me up at work.  The rest, however, I warmed in the microwave before soaking a muslin cloth in them.  Then – after squeezing away the excess – I put the cloth over my face and held for a few minutes.  When the temperature of the cloth hit that of the room, off it came and what was left was clean, open skin that glowed. 

Cleanse Without Dry Skin Afterward

By Tammi Ireland

One of the side effects to using some cleansers is dry skin.  However this isn’t just because of the types of cleansers you use, but also the amount. Clearasil have done extensive research to discover exactly what the perfect amount of cleanser for maximum results is.  All well and great for them, but it’s not as though we’re going to measure our cleanser each time we use it – in fact, cleanser use is probably the fastest step in a skincare routine because we just want to get that makeup off and move on to the skin serums and treatments.

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So it’s a good thing, then, that Clearasil have made a no-touch automatic dispenser that hands out the exact amount of cleanser required for optimum results – no less (for the skin not yet to be clean) and no more (for the skin to be dry afterward).  Introducing Clearasil PerfectaWash Automatic Face Wash Dispenser. Working via sensor, the machine dispenses the appropriate amount of cleanser.  My skin was visibly clearer within 24 hours, too – so you know the product inside stays true to Clearasil’s great reputation.  Available from all Clearasil stockists.

 

 

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.

Product Review: Endota Glycolic Polishing Mask

By Tammi Ireland

Endota is one of those brands you can’t help but love, due in large part to their commitment to loving the environment and loving yourself.  Their whole philosophy is inspiring, and that’s why I was excited to test their Glycolic Polishing Mask (RRP $70 for 100mL), which promised to ‘reveal a radiant complexion’.  It didn’t disappoint.

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A small amount of the delightfully-scented mask rubbed circularly into my face and neck proved a calming experience in itself.  The mask is very finely granulated and feels natural, which is always a plus for products you’re going to keep on your face for a while. 

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).  

Perth’s Best of Beauty

ALERT: From January 17, Coveted Canvas will be coming to you live from Sydney as editor, Tammi, moves to the east coast.  Here, she gives a rundown of her beauty haunts in the city she’s called home for over 20 years.

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By Tammi Ireland

Perth is a pretty amazing place to live.  We have up and coming clubs and small bars (hat tips to Bivouac, La Cholita, Mrs Brown), a growing art scene (Venn, Zekka – it’s all you), amazing fashion talent (emerging with thanks to Jacqui Brown, Perth Fashion Festival, Zara Bryson, et al), and the most amazing coastline and weather in Australia (kudos Mother Nature).  And woven into all of those is the Perth beauty scene.  These are the salons, surgeries, and specialists ensuring Perth people are looking as hot as they possibly could.  Here we choose the best of 2011:

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