Topshop opened near me, sort of, anyway. The store opened within a store called “Incu” in Paddington, Sydney. Anyway, this got me to thinking about their website. I just checked it out — and it’s awesome. It really makes me want to shop there. I love the side-tabbed categories — especially “boutique,” “unqiue” and “designers” along with a whole tab dedicated to Kate Moss, the It Girl of this whole store.

Be sure to check it out your self – very price-friendly, very fashion-forward pieces. Gotta love it!
Topshop

Topshop has arrived in Sydney — it all happened on October 29th and it has arrived via a partnership with ulta-hip boutique Incu. Established in 2001, Incu has been on the forefront of, as they call it, “incubating new design talent” both nationally and internationally for nearly a decade. Topshop was approached by Incu, and apparently liked what they saw, and a partnership between the two stores in Australia was formed.

I’m a northern hemisphere gal living down under, so this all strikes me as a little bit cute — I mean, come on, couldn’t Topshop just open their own stand alone shop? Is Sydney, and Australia for that matter, too small to support this hip, throw-away type of fashion boutique? Well, only time will tell — until then, we’ll all have to visit Incu and their updated-once-a-month Topshop stock.
Incu Clothing

http://bethbenderbeauty.blogspot.com/2008/01/keep-your-eyeliner-smudge-free.html

Today I picked up a Max Factor Kohl Pencil in black. I couldn’t get to a department store, so decided a drug store purchase would have to suffice. I hope this purchase doesn’t turn out to be a dud. Max Factor, I know, is a name that’s been around forever. So we’ll see how it goes….

I’m trying to re-create Rachel Bilson’s look in this photo. I love the way she’s lined her eyes in black — they look fabulous. I’ve also read that following the eyeliner application, I should carefully apply a layer of eyeshadow, in the exact same color, on top of the liner. Apparently this will help set the liner, thus keeping it from smudging down my cheeks throughout the day. Alas, I own no black eyeshadow — just dark brown. I’m still going to give this look a go and will let you know how it goes.

http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/gp/product/B0019WFWMY/sr=1-4/qid=1256779722/ref=sr_1_4/181-5364453-7116868?ie=UTF8&n=1289301011&bcBrand=core

Benefit calls this “a brow lifting pencil” and they’re right. It’s almost like a mini-face lift in pencil form. And, it is super easy to apply — just smudge some on under your top most arched area of your eyebrow, blend, and you’re done. High Brow only comes in one color — a soft matte-linen pink. The color must flatter all skin tones, and for only $20 you really can’t go wrong. This is one cosmetic that is easy to apply and really wakes my face up once it’s on. I’ve been using it for a few years now and will most definitely re-buy this product.

http://www.nivea.com.au/highlights/product_special/nbd_summerbeauty_2007

I’ve been using Summer Beauty body lotion by Nivea for about a month now, and I must say, I’m impressed. It does give my body both a “sunkissed glow” and a firmer appearance, with very little effort and not a lot of money.

The smell is not bad, but not really super either. The bottle I bought has a sticker on it that says “new fragrance.” So, it sounds like the fragrance was even worse earlier on in this body lotion/self-tanner’s history. But, it’s not a bad smell, so I’m choosing to deal with it. Once the lotion is absorbed into the skin, which takes about 30 minutes, you no longer smell it and you no longer feel that weird “I’m sort of coated with something” type of feeling.

The results, as I said, are great. I think the color is natural, and both warm and glowing – like I’ve been to the beach or somewhere tropical, without looking completely sun-baked. I have fair skin so went with the “fair to medium” tone. They also offer a color for “medium to dark” skin. I’m kind of tempted to buy that bottle once I run out of this one — by then I will definitely have more of a “medium” skin tone. I’ll post again once I start up the new bottle. I’m half way through this first bottle. Try it — I purchased my bottle in my local grocery store, so price shouldn’t really be an issue.

http://haydenharnett.com/index.cgi?action=detail&style=BERNARDINDBKS&view=scale&back=http%3A%2F%2Fhaydenharnett.com%2Findex.cgi%3Faction%3Dnew_handbags#product_picture

I’m a long-time fan of Brooklyn-based handbag and fashion designers Hayden-Harnett. We’re talkin’ before they were picked up by Target to do their own, exclusive to Target line. Which, by the way, I also think is pretty good, if you’re just dabbling in their stuff and don’t want to shell out the big bucks.

http://www.nitrolicious.com/blog/2008/11/13/hayden-harnett-for-target-collection-preview/

This morning I was just strolling through their website to check out what’s new for Fall and came across their Bernardin handbag. I especially like the ’60’s inspired exterior and the groovy, extra large clasp. I’m putting it on my ‘wish list.’ Seriously though, I don’t think I would make the purchase until it’s offered in another color besides “shiny black.”

I already own one of their popular hobo bags in black, so don’t need another large black bag. Still though — love the new bag, and if you have the time check out their clothing as well. It’s very unique, and if you’re lucky — their sale section offers tremendous discounts. Sizes go fast though, so you have to have luck on your side.

http://www.bellasugar.com/4989008

I like this bob! I think it’s edgy and cute — and fits in perfectly with the roller-girl movie, “Whip It,” Drew is currently promoting. I’d sport this style myself if I wasn’t already a brunette. Go Drew!

http://www.skinmedics.com.au/index.html

I recently had a treatment at Skinmedics medi-spa located near my home in Pyrmont. I had a peel and then had the therapist professionally recommend a mineral make-up foundation for my skin tone. The entire procedure took about 45 minutes. I was happy with the results, but not the price tag — the peel was $175! Then, the two Jane Iredale products knocked the entire price tag to well over $300.

I had investigated the spa on-line before I booked my treatment and had asked how much time I should allow (about 1 hour), and that the peel should be about $120. So, the timing was about right and the price was over what was quoted, but I could deal. What got me, was the lack of absolutely any thing extra or special. I was told that all the pampering frills were left to the regular spas and that they were “medi” — they used medical grade prodcuts, which I guess also for them means turn the whole treatment into a medical type appointment, which is what it felt like. I wasn’t even given a gown to change into prior to the peel, I just reclined myself in my street clothes on to their treatment bed.

The medi spa was clean and the staff presented themselves in a professional and knowledgeable manner. Skinmedics also does offer a wide assortment of medi-procedures, but for the money I paid, I think a small amount of pampering should have been offered.

It also bugs me when no printed menu of services, with costs, is made available to us clients. Their website doesn’t offer any sort of treatment price list, and it was not made available to me in the spa either. I’d “pre-asked” on the phone and was told about $120 for my peel, which somehow jumped to $175 at check-out. And, yes the therapist did view my skin and then professionally recommended their “detox peel” – I just didn’t put two and two together and re-ask the price. My mistake….and I paid for it!

I finally got around to purchasing the mineral make-up I had had my eye on for quite some time. I had a facial last week at a spa near my home, and after that had the beauty therapist professionally color match my Jane Iredale Mineral Make-Up. My therapist put me in the “warm” category and suggested I go with “Golden Glow” because where I’m living we’re going into Spring/Summer and she thought that little extra bit of warmth would be a nice touch. I agreed and love the result. http://www.janeiredale.com/bases_pp.html

I also purchased the small “Kabuki” brush for application. http://www.janeiredale.com/brush_kabuki.html Both products retailed for around $70 each, which I found I bit steep, especially for the brush. But, of course, I was told that the brush was an absolute necessity for proper mineral make-up application. I didn’t want a less than perfect result, and I know I’ll have this make-up and brush for quite some time, so I went for it.

I think the make-up is great — I love that it offers an SPF 20 broad-specturm sun protection. The make-up glides on easily with the brush and didn’t make me feel too make-upy or powdery. I thought it did feel a tad dry, but I going to combat that with an extra amount of moisturizer to see if I can solve that problem. I loved the light, yet solid coverage that the make-up provides. This is coming from someone who doesn’t regularly use a foundation. I’ve been more of a ‘bit of a concealer under the eyes and on any problem spots’ kind of girl. My new mineral make-up did a great job of covering my pores. I did feel that I looked better, yet still natural, and not like a total “make-up face.” I would recommend this product.

I stumbled on to this great new blush while just roaming through the cosmetic department the other day. It’s by Bobbi Brown and is called Sheer Color Cheek Tint. It retails for about $22. It comes in a stick form, which for me, is a nice change from my regular powder blushes, which I sometimes think tend to accentuate my fine lines and wrinkles around my undereye area.

Anyway, this blush stick does not do that, instead it gives me a dewy glow that I love. It’s super easy to apply, no brush blush needed. Just gently roll it on your cheeks and use your fingers to blend. It’s that easy. Oh, it also comes in 6 different shades. I went with Sheer Pink, which is their basic pink color. But, once Autumn rolls around I may go back for the Sheer Mauve or Sheer Blackberry. Those colors would add a bit of Fall-drama to my colder season look.
Bobi Brown Sheer Color Cheek Tint