REVIEW: AVIVA Tan at The Nail Lab

By Tammi Ireland

I’m not big on spray tans. I’ve had too many Oompa Loompa moments to trust the spray tan system.  However, when the option to test out the AVIVA City Tan Collection at Darlinghurst’s new The Nail Lab, the spray tan seemed too good to be true.

There’s no need to avoid clothes, showers or perfume for eight hours.  There’s no horrible smell.  And there’s a way for the tan to gel to your own melanin, resulting in a natural finish.  Sounds perfect, right?

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They say: “With Miami a favourite of Mel B and Vogue Williams, you can choose from three sunless tanning formulas: HOLLYWOOD, MIAMI and VEGAS, and take yourself on a US odyssey without leaving the salon! This new line-up of professional sunless tanning products allows you to shower after 30 minutes (most sunless tanning solutions require waiting 8 hours before showering). Depending on your preferred depth of colour, try 30 minutes for a nice natural tan in the City of your choice, 60 minutes for a medium tan, or 90+ minutes for a darker tan.”

Monika at The Nail Lab welcomed me and had a chat about what tan would suit me best.  Do I tan or burn in the sun? Slight tan.  The best shade for me was a 3/4 Miami – 1/4 Vegas.  

Review: Michel Mercier Detangling Brush for Thick Hair

By Tammi Ireland 

Curly, thick hair is not fun 70 per cent of the time.  You use a lot more hair product, can only style it a certain way if you have to get out the door fast, and it’s damn hard to brush through. That was until I stumbled across the Michel Mercier Detangling Brush for Thick Hair.

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Designed by hair professional Michel Mercier after his daughter complained of the pain associated with brushing her unruly hair, the Detangling Brush for Thick Hair has 428 bristles unevenly dispersed over a large base, meaning the pressure of the bristles on the head is minimal.  This brush is a dream to use – it’s as big as a paddle brush, but hurts a lot less to use.  The shape is a little odd, but if it gives results this great, it doesn’t matter.

THE MEN’S ROOM: Trumpers Is Forever

By Mark Reed

The twin V2500-A1s barked instructions at the plane, bringing it to a halt on a cold, barely realised morning. It woke me suddenly. I thought of Tammi, and my promise to her: To write the review in the style of Ian Fleming. This would be an assignment like no other.

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Melbourne.

I was here for three days. Business and pleasure. While in town I would surround myself with friends old; new; and as yet unmet. Enjoy a match of the national game. Hear from an infamous artist.

I would have to look my best. Come Monday night, a shave was a must.

137 years ago, George Trumper opened a distinctive barber shop on Curzon St in Mayfair, London. Geo F. Trumper still stands today, offering cuts, shaves, and a line of shaving products consisting of all natural ingredients. High quality, old fashioned, yet also timeless and retaining a distinct class. The Sandalwood Skin Food and Limes Shaving Cream were about to be put through their paces.

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...

Sexy Beach Hair with One Product (and it’s natural!)

By Tammi Ireland

In the lead-up to the new year, I’ve been thinking a lot about what I put on my skin, in my hair and into my body.  It makes sense as we get older to take stock and see what we could do to be healthier, thus happier, as we also get wiser.  So when I was sent the O&M Original Mineral Surf Bomb Sea Salt Spray (RRP $24.99) to trial, I was pretty excited.  Summer was here and I was seeing what actual beach hair looked like (my curls do not approve), so faking it with a sea salt spray was a perfect way to get the look the way I wanted it.

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Not having yet mastered the luscious waves LC pulls off so well, my hair is usually blown straight on day one and then a bit kinky and wavy on day two, the day I prefer.  But, I wondered, what would happen if I used the O&M Surf Bomb on day one?  Amazing things, that’s what!

‘The Beauty Night’ and why you must schedule one

By Tammi Ireland

Ladies, you have to agree with me there is nothing better than feeling sexy, confident and beautiful – just for you.  But how do you get that way if you’ve worked three different deadlines in a row, felt sick from lunch and been told some horrible news?  You schedule it!  Just like your dentist appointment or meeting your superiors, this is important, too.  Once a week is all I ask, and I’ll explain why it’s so great right now…

Tonight was my ‘Beauty Night’.  I try to schedule one a week or – failing that – one a fortnight.  On ‘Beauty Night’ everything gets done. And I mean everything.  Here’s my ‘To Do’ list…

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Obviously there’s no way I could (nor should) do all these on a daily basis, so scheduling one night a week to check everything off the list is not only a great idea, but also something to look forward to.  Because you feel AMAZING afterwards.

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It’s all in the products you use – ‘Beauty Night’ is not the night to skimp on products. On ‘Beauty Night’ it’s the best of the best.  Here are my must haves, working down the ‘To Do’ list:

Botanics of Australia – Making Aussies Smell Great since 2011

By Tammi Ireland

Botanics of Australia is another of my latest great discoveries. Inspired by nature, boa allowed me to take time, relax, treat my body and smell amazing all at once when using their products.  It was an amazing experience.

I like to have fun with my products.

The boa Smoothing Body Scrub is the brand’s hero product thanks to its delicious lime smell.  It’s extremely zingy and took me a while to place the scent, which I decided reminded me of the lime lollies I used to get post-netball games as a child.  Fresh smelling and with delightful little Wattleseed exfoliants, the scrub has made its way into my ‘everyday essentials’.  Hero. 

I’m Delighted!

By Tammi Ireland

I’m THRILLED I’ve found the perfect lipstick for winter! Introducing…

SAX Cosmetics Rich Lip Colour Lipstick in 'Berry Delight'

And here’s how I’ll be rocking it All. Winter. Long:

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SAX Cosmetics Lipstick RRP$14.95

www.saxcosmetics.com

SMILE: All You Need To Know About Great Teeth

By Tammi Ireland

Everyone has one.  Celebs spend thousands on theirs, one can light up a room, they have zero negative connotations, and I’ve fallen in love with many – smiles! There is nothing more beautiful than seeing someone with a genuine smile, be it a child, lover, parent or stranger.  Here’s how you can make the most of your pearly whites (and the best thing is, all products mentioned are available from your local supermarket!)

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TOOLS

First things first, you need to have the correct tools at hand to make the most of your smile.  A great toothbrush designed to reach all the nooks and crannies of the mouth is essential. Where you can, use electric.  If not, a simple hand-held like Colgate’s Extra Clean will reach around where it matters.  Brush up and down, not side-to-side, so you keep your tooth’s enamel where it’s needed.

Floss should be kept in your handbag, desk drawer and beauty cabinet to use after every meal.  I have been in a long love affair with Oral-B Complete Satin Floss since I was a child – it has a nice, subtle minty taste, is smooth enough to get in the smallest of areas, yet sturdy enough not to break in your fingers.  Stock up.

Oral-B’s Stephen Blatchford says mouthwash is just as important. “To reduce bacteria and bad breath, use a mouth rinse,” he says. “Other tips include eating well and avoiding (or limiting) foods and drinks that can cause tooth decay, erosion and discolouring.  Also make sure you drink plenty of water.”

TOOTHPASTE

Crucial.  I’m in love with WhiteGlo Coffee and Tea Drinkers Formula because I, err, love coffee and tea.  So worried am I with my beverages staining my teeth, I once went off coffee and red wine for a few months.  But, that’s not living, and so I chose a product that would both clean and protect me.  Thank you, WhiteGlo!

The Tips and Tricks Every Beauty Lover Should Know

By Ali Sims

I have always believed sharing is caring, unless we’re talking about a vintage Chanel (a tip from me to you – that should never leave your sight!) The world would be a more beautiful place if everyone shared the whereabouts of their favourite hairdresser (Lee Preston), the best tanning salon (there would certainly be less oompa loompas running around) and, dare I say, the best online boutiques (*gasp*).

I have never really been that great at keeping secrets, so I’d like to share with you some of the best makeup tips and hair tricks I have discovered and practiced religiously over the years (more gifts from me to you!) Enjoy!

1. Learn how to highlight your facial assets with your bronzer

Khloe, I love you, but Kim's subtle bronzer is the winner

Bronzer should not be used as a blush below your cheekbones – it should be a subtle brush stroke to add definition to them. To slim your face, slightly brush your bronzer down both sides of your nose and on your forehead from the top most point of your eyebrow up to your hairline. Also apply your bronzer with light strokes down the middle of your neck. Less is more, so always tap your bronzer brush before application to remove excess powder (*Ed’s tip: don’t blow on your brush, as you could spread bacteria).

2. Use an eyebrow powder instead of an eyebrow pencil