Q&A with Nice’n Easy Colour Expert, plus Colour Blend Foam Review

By Tammi Ireland

When I dyed my hair back to its natural brown after years of balayage last December, to say I felt neutral about the results is an understatement. I was Switzerland.  What I wanted – although I didn’t know it until I dyed my hair last fortnight – was a deep brown, sexy, solid colour.  Balayage was over in my book, and I wanted to look smouldering – Angelina Jolie/Anne Hathaway style.

Thankfully, that’s when I got the opportunity to chat with Clairol Nice’n Easy’s colour expert Belinda Jeffrey, as well as a shot to try out the new Clairol Nice’n Easy Colour Blend Foam in ’4 Dark Brown’.

First – the hair:

From This...

Bid Adieu to the Ped Egg – This is the New Must-Have for Smooth Feet!

By Jenny Ahern

I’m the first to admit my feet get a little neglected when it comes to my beauty routine, which is ironic as cracked heels are a pet peeve of mine. There just aren’t enough hours in the day to regularly exfoliate, file and moisturise my feet – and don’t even get me started on the ped egg!  So when given the opportunity to trial a product that promised to take the chore out of DIY pedicures, I jumped at the chance.

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I’ve been using the Emjoi PediSmooth (RRP $29.95) twice a week for a month now and I find it works a wonder. Quick and easy, the PediSmooth features a motorised sandpaper-like roller, which buffs away rough, dry and calloused skin in seconds. Note: it is a good idea to do this over a towel as the skin from your feet will fall like snow – a gross image, I know!

Product of the Day!

A guest post from the ever-fashionable Kate Murphy, here is today’s product of the day.  (If you’re an Aussie, chances are you’re already familiar...)

Every morning as I walk out the door to begin my day, I check my handbag to make sure I have the essentials.  Wallet, phone, diary, bottle of water, iPod and my Lucas Papaw Ointment.  An absolute necessity in my beauty regime and must in my handbag, I’m never a day without a tube of Lucas Papaw Ointment, always sitting cosy between my iPod and tic tacs.

Can You Write?

You obviously love beauty or you wouldn’t be here at this fabulous beauty website, non?

Well the website is so fabulous that WE NEED MORE WRITERS to cover new products, review salons and give their very best tips and tricks!  Industry professionals preferred but we’re so nice here that we’ll accept any resume.

If you’re interested, email it through to tammi.ireland@live.com and we’ll get you on your way to stardom!

T x

pic: the portmanteau

Guest Post: All About Eyes

Briony Kennedy is Founder of Adorn Mineral Cosmetics, with 10 years experience in the beauty industry.  She knows her stuff, and here she shares her best eye makeup tips, including the ever-important tips for prepping the eye area!

“Just as we prepare the skin on the face before make-up application, it’s very important to prepare the skin around the eyes too, so that your eye shadows last longer and apply easier.

Tested: 1000 Hour Eyelash & Brow Dye Kit

Introducing – for her first time – Coveted Canvas guest writer, Melissa.  She likes strolls on the beach, a good glass of red and a lovely coffee with friends.  And the lucky one is making everyone in the office extremely jealous with her impending trip to New York and the States, flying out today!  Before she leaves and says Bon Voyage to us, she first says it to her lighter coloured lashes with the 1000 Hour Eyelash and Brow Dye Kit.

Natural v. Organic – Part III

The final installment, following on from Chantal’s previous two posts:  The Natural Way to Go.

“Due to the lack of standards, national and international regulations (unlike the food industry), a product can be called “natural” even though only one natural ingredient has been used in the chemical based formulation and it is often in the smallest proportion as well. It’s the same with “organic” – only 1% organic content is required!

Natural v. Organic – Part II

Following on from Chantal’s hugely well-received guest post on Natural v. Organic ingredients, here is part two:  Swapping over to natural/organic ingredients:

“From experience, I have found that it can take a while at first to get used to using all natural cosmetics as there is a different feel to them which we are not used to.

We have become so used to the texture, feel and aroma of chemical products that it can take a while to adapt to the difference. We have become used to lather and foam (see information on SLS above), as we are led to believe that our hair and skin should feel squeaky clean (which is actually a dried out feeling instead!).  The strong perfumes can linger and make us sneeze, and yet we still use them. We are also used to certain textures – which are always consistent in non-natural products.

Natural v. Organic – Part I

Chantal Vanderhaeghen is so unbelievably involved in her natural skin care products, Franc Essential, that it’s impossible not to pick up on her enthusiasm for going all natural when it comes to the beauty cupboard.  I met with her over coffee a few weeks ago and we both agreed there needs to be more information available to consumers about natural skin care versus organic skin care.  What is the difference?  How do you tell if a product is natural or not?  Who decides if they are?  And is it worth paying extra for natural ingredients?  Chantal will break all of these questions down for you over the next three days.  Here’s her first guest post, explaining which nasties it’s best to avoid.

Guest Post: Beth hearts Moroccan Oil

Beth K is a little beauty I met in Mexico last December.  She’s fun, fresh and knows her Burt’s Bees from her Bumble & Bumble.  Here, she reviews Moroccan Oil for Coveted Canvas:

“You would not have wanted to know me two months ago. With fried spilt ends my poor dull hair was definitely lacking the shine and luster of a great hair care commercial- I blame my love/hate relationship with my ghd. But all that changed when I found my latest great love- Moroccanoil.