Salon Review: Sloans, Lane Cove

By Tammi Ireland

Since moving to Sydney, I’ve been on the hunt for a fantastic hairdresser who can turn my thick, curly hair into a manageable, ‘looks like I didn’t even try’ ‘do. I’d also love for that place to come with some cool staff, a wealth of experience and be in a good location.  Last month, Sloans ticked all the boxes.

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The salon is located in a quaint street surrounded by cafes and flooded with natural light. The team is fun and a nice mix of classic and contemporary with their own style, making the salon a great fit for families and fashion forwards, alike.

My hair was cut by salon owner and creative director, Scott Sloan.  Scott is also an international creative artist for Schwarzkopf, so he knows his stuff.  He cut my hair into layers underneath, leaving a veil of long hair on top, meaning I didn’t lose length but I did lose a lot of that weight that was keeping me from styling anything other than a ponytail pre-cut.

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).  

New Year’s Resolutions

By Tammi Ireland

Happy New Year, beauties! Another year gone and it’s time to reflect on what we want for 2012.  Hopefully you’ll all have nursed your New Year’s Eve hangovers away by now and have a pen handy because it’s time to make our New Year’s Resolutions.

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Some people I know don’t believe in resolutions, saying they only lead to guilt and disappointment when you can’t check them off at the end of the year.  However, I think having goals are a great way to ensure you stay focussed on what was once – at a moment of downtime – important to you.  

Fake Tanning 101

The search for the perfect summer tan is high on the lists of many as summer draws near. But if there is one thing you can count on, it is that sun savvy women wont be baking on the beaches or hitting up the sun bed in their quest for the perfect glow – a flawless fake tan is the best way to safely shimmer this summer!

The tan experts at Australian tanning company Bonza Bronz  give us some tricks and ticks to ensuring your summer fake tan is streak free and fabulous!

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THE PRE TAN PLAN: suitable for both salon spray tans or at home fake tans

The perfect tan requires pre-planning and a little extra attention to the body’s key no-tan zones. To ensure a streak free tan, exfoliate and shave two days prior to your tan. A smooth bod free of oils, dirt and dry skin is the best way to guarantee a flawless result.

Try Bonza Bronz Bronz Polish, the perfect prep product for a spray tan or fabulous home fakie. And don’t forget: concentrate on areas such as knees, feet, elbows and ankles as these are the most problematic areas that like to drink up fake tan.

Beauty Q&A: Holly Curtis, beauty editor

Holly Curtis, beauty editor at Onya Mag, journalism/PR student, blogger, sales professional at Tiffany & Co., and nanny.  (Phew!)

After following her tweets, reading her blog and devouring her posts for the fantastic Onya Mag, I was thrilled when I had the chance to meet Holly Curtis during a trip to Melbourne last weekend.  Sweet, savvy and absolutely sophisticated, I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation over breakfast while mentally wondering how on earth she got her hair looking so natural and her skin flawless.  So, I decided to ask her, and rather than keep her secrets to myself (it was tempting!), I chose to share them with you here.

Beauty routine, day: My beauty and skin care routines change nearly every day, because as a part of my job, I need to trial new make up and skin care products – it’s a hard life, I know!  (Well, it is when I need to answer questions like this.)  I usually apply AUM‘s Organic Rose Facial Toner, and then a moisturiser with SPF.  At the moment I am using Kosmea‘s SPF 30+ Daily Moisturiser.

Makeup routine: It really depends on what I am up to on the day, or which product is closest to me at the time!  For a casual, day time look, I love an SPF tinted moisturiser (lately I’ve been loving Bloom‘s Tinted Moisturiser with SPF 20+) or a mineral foundation powder – Kit Cosmetics do a great one. A blush (either NARS Orgasm, or a peach toned one like Face of Australia mineral blush, or a cream like Bloom’s Sheer Colour Cream in Coy.) followed by my favourite bronzer; NARS in Laguna. If the eye bags are present (near daily!) I whack on either Garnier Anti-fatigue roll on, Natio‘s Dark Circle Corrector or Clarins Instant Light Brush on Perfector. (Or on a really bad day, a combination of all three!) A quick swipe of Benefit‘s Speed Brow and I’m done!

For a more formal day look, I just add a foundation (I love Laura Mercier), heavier layers concealer, and lashings of macara. I use a combination of Benefit’s Bad Gal, Mirenesse waterproof and Natio’s Longest Lash, depending on the result I’m after. A neutral eyeshadow in the form on one of my Natio palettes, or Benefit’s Cream Shadow in r.s.v.p is a fast and easy way to look ‘done’. If my brows could use some love, I take a minute to fill them in with the amazing Benefit Brows-a-go-go kit!

Beauty Q&A: Yaz Turker, beauty and wellness guru

Yasemin Turker, editor at Primped.com.au

About a year ago, I was extremely dedicated to the hunt for the perfect life and was ticking all the boxes – good job, great man, great friends – and yet I was supremely unhappy.  Around the same time, I started to look more often at the fabulous beauty website Primped.com.au and noticed how bubbly and happy it’s editor, Yaz, seemed to be.  Thus started my view of ‘I’ll have what she’s having’ and my wellness journey began.  I started yoga, ate better, and started to take more care of me, because those were the things Yaz did (except she cared for her, not me, silly).  While still on the journey, I’m so much happier now, and I have Yaz’s smily face to thank for it.  Here, she shares those happiness secrets (and beauty tips) with us.  Yay!

 

Beauty routine, day: Due to the nature of my job, I get to try approximately 5,347 new products every month, so as you can imagine I’m always switching my skincare around. That said, at the moment I’m loving SK-II and I’m currently using their Cleanser, Facial Treatment Essence and Cellular Moisturiser. My daily routine consists of cleansing, essence-ing, and moisturising, as well as a twice weekly scrub for clearing away dead skin cells. Oh, and sunscreen. EVERYDAY. My hair and makeup are pretty low-maintenance, I tend to go for top knots and lots of mascara.

Makeup, day and night: Is ever-changing. I do enjoy a bright lip and liquid liner for both day and night, otherwise I go for a bronze smoky eye and nude, glossy lips.

Beauty routine, night: My nightly routine is pretty much a replica of my daytime one minus the sunscreen. If I’m in the mood, I might whack on a mask or an eye cream, but I always make sure I remove my makeup no matter what.

What’s great about everyday Aussie beauty? Oh, everything. We’re so laid back with our beauty regimens and maintain that natural beauty in pretty much everything we do. I love that. I think the Aussie girl also radiates beauty from the inside, which for me, is the most important thing. Yep, I am a nerd, but I’m cool with that.

Beauty Q&A: Tara Franzinelli, entreprenuer

Tara Franzinelli, founder of The Jungle Body

Have you ever seen someone with a more bangin’ body than Tara’s?  There’s a reason for her great posture and abs to boot – The Jungle Body, a group of fitness classes she founded in Western Australia that is now taking the country by storm.  Combining all types of dance with yoga, pilates and more, The Jungle Body is fun!  The business has also won Tara many accolades at such a young age, the latest of which is a nomination for the Cosmopolitan Fun Fearless Female awards.  Here, she shares her beauty and wellbeing secrets with us.

 

Beauty routine, day: I use all Clarins products on my skin and have done so for years!  Clarins Multi-Active Day Cream (Youth Recovery) – it’s the only cream which I feel is heavy enough that your skin feels like its receiving moisture but doesn’t make me break out or get oily!  Clarins Beauty Flash Balm – have used this religiously every day for years. I don’t know what I would do without it! It makes any makeup glide on no matter what condition your skin is in and it seems to brighten the face without any oiliness.  Clarins Gentle Refiner – it’s an amazing exfoliating cream that makes me feel like I have had a facial every time I use it,  plus you literally only need a touch of the cream.

Makeup, day and night:

Rimmel Renew Foundation in Natural Beige – this is the only foundation I have found that leaves your skin looking dewy and bright, rather than matte or oily! It stays on all day/night and has just the right coverage for my skin.  Savvy Brow Stylist Kit – my new best friend, it has brow gel, brow highlighter, brow powder, pencil, tweezers and brow mascara in a little case.  Natio Peach Glow Blush – I love peachy colours when my hair is a warm colour.  Maybelline Collossal Volume Express Mascara – love this mascara and I load it on! I don’t where eyeshadow or liner, so my mascara is very important! I will always curl my lashes before I apply mascara, once you use a heated lash curler, you will never go back!  Christian Dior Shimmer Powder – I use this under my eyes and in the corners of my eyes to highlight!  Christian Dior Ultra Brillant Hydrating Lip Gloss – lasts forever, but moisturizers my lips all in one.

My makeup goes right through from day to night, I will just amp up the lips at night!

Beauty routine, night: Clarins Multi-Active Renewal Serum – I love how this makes my skin silky smooth and my skin feels supple in the morning.  Clarins Body Treatment Oil – this oil smells like you have been to a day spa. I use an oil over a body moisturizer because with the amount of fitness I do, I need something really intense!

‘Invest Now, Rest Later’: Wise Words from a Cosmetics Founder

By Ali Sims

Founder of La Glam Minerals 2009, Amanda La Monica, is one of Sydney’s most sought after bridal makeup artists. An editorial favourite, business woman and mother, her hard work and success is a credit to her life philosophy “Invest Now, Rest Later.”  Amanda’s also been nominated for the 2011 Cosmopolitan Fun Fearless Female awards.  Here she takes us on the journey of creating her business and explains why natural is best.

The La Glam range.

Amanda La Monica

When and why did you create your mineral makeup line? Why natural? Why Vegan?

LaGlam was created in 2009, I wanted to create a brand that was natural and could offer my clients everything that they asked of me.  I am not vegan myself, however I believe if we can go back to basics and be as natural as possible with what we’re using on our skin then that’s got to be the better way. These days so much research is released showing causes of different diseases and I believe this is why people are looking towards more natural products rather than using chemicals etc.

How does the philosophy of your makeup line “Look and feel glamorous naturally” translate into your everyday life?

I believe that a woman should look naturally glamorous or beautiful without looking like she’s trying or that it’s intentional –a natural beauty is most appealing.

How do you look and feel glamourous naturally?  What do you do in your everyday life that adds a bit of glam?

My hair and makeup is always done, even for the early dash to school for drop off. By my makeup being done I don’t mean full glamour makeup but showing effort in my presentation to look natural but beautiful. Using LaGlam I can achieve this in less than 5 minutes giving me more time to get the kids ready!

Beauty Q&A: Samantha Sample, wellbeing advocate

Samantha Sample, founder BeGenki and benaturallyou.com

Regular readers of Coveted Canvas will know I’ve recently come to my senses and grasped the notion of wellbeing for a happier lifestyle.  I’ve tried to embrace yoga and pilates, supplements, healthier eating and a more outdoorsy lifestyle in pursuit of happiness.  While I’m not there yet (despite thinking it would come quicker!), there are a select few people that reiterate why I should continue on this journey – be it from their knowledge of wellbeing, the way they look because of pursuing wellbeing, or just their general outlook on life.  Sam Sample ticks all those boxes and keeps me following my journey to a more holistic life when all I really want is a bar of chocolate and a lie down.  She’s kind of amazing like that.

Beauty routine, day:

For the past 6 months I have been using AEOS (Active Energised Organic Skincare). AEOS Dew Facial Wash, AEOS Refreshing Hydrating Mist, AEOS Enriching Moisturiser… It’s a truly unique UK based brand that combines biodynamic and organic ingredients with the energies of liquid crystals and gems. I’d recommend AEOS because they grow a large portion of their ingredients on their own DEMETER certified biodynamic farms; every ingredient in the products have remarkable properties for the health and beauty of skin; and my skin has never looked and felt so soft and clear.  It will soon be available in Australia.

For the body, I dry skin body brush every morning, and apply a thin layer of Be Genki body oil after a shower.

Makeup, day and night: I like to keep my makeup looking as natural as possible. RMS ‘un’ cover-up to even my skin tone; RMS living luminiser on my cheeks; RMS lip2cheek on my cheeks and lips; and ERE PEREZ almond oil mascara. If I’m heading out at night I’ll use a little INIKA mineral eyeshadow.

Beauty routine, night:

AEOS De-Maq Cleanser (to remove makeup), AEOS Gentle Cleansing Lotion, AEOS Refreshing Hydrating Mist, AEOS Realive Serum, AEOS Enriching Moisturiser.  For the body, I spritz with magnesium water.

What’s great about everyday Aussie beauty? It’s so fresh, real and natural. I love how Aussie women have a casual and “fun” approach to beauty and don’t take it too seriously.

Beauty Q&A: Louise Bell, online retailer and blogger extraordinaire

Louise Bell, online retailer and blogger of Table Tonic

 

I’m apartment hunting at the moment.  It’s hard-going out there, vying against 30 other people for the same matchbox-sized place to call your own.  But what gets me through (and actually inspired me to get out there and start looking in the first place) is the Table Tonic blog, which taught me it’s okay to have a little colour in your home.  Here, founder Louise shares her beauty secrets with us.

Beauty routine, day: I cleanse with Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel, as it’s gentle (for a foaming cleanser), but thorough. I apply Trilogy Organic Rosehip Oil to my face and neck when I get out the shower – it’s a beautifully soothing hit of moisture, plus great for sun damage and any kinds of scars. I then use a Khiels eye cream (love Khiels) and Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream (it really does smooth!). I apply some kind of body butter religiously every day (I’m currently using one by MOR), and run some Moroccan Oil through damp hair, or sometimes a dab of Terax conditioner (it’s amazing stuff!)

Beauty routine, night: Same as in the day, but with Lanolips Rose Balm Intense Hand Cream, and without the body butter.

Makeup during the day: Becca concealer in Cashew around the nose and under eyes, followed by a Kit Cosmetics bronzer, Chanel lip gloss on my cheeks (I have a compact with 4 shades, and there’s a blackberry colour which is so perfect!), and Bourjois “Blond Fonce” brow pencil. At the moment, I’m also using/loving Lanolips Lip Ointment with Colour in Dark Honey.

Makeup for night: As above, but I’ll add a swipe of Bloom glitter eyeliner and some Benefit mascara. And if I’m game, my latest purchase – L’Oreal lipstick in Red Passion!

What’s great about everyday Aussie beauty? Anything goes.

What’s great about Sydney beauty? It’s diverse and it has a bit of a natural vibe, which is lovely.

Hair salon: Until recently, La Boutique in Sydney’s Double Bay. Belinda Jeffrey was the first person to ever colour my hair, and I’ve gone to her for the past 16 years! My new salon (since we’ve moved house) is Mana hair in Avalon on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Nail Salon: Hmmm. Hate to admit it, but I’m a bit of a nail bar person these days, although lately, I’ve been doing my own. Glittery nailpolish can be applied by a monkey and it still looks fab!