Alba back

I've been a little inactive on the blogo-sphere of recent days on account of a few (read 6) pesky exams which are coming up. However, I have to drop a little note about Alba Botanica which has keeping me nice and relaxed (and scented) during my study hell.

It's a Wonderful Life

Tonight we watched the American classic, It's a Wonderful Life. It starts fairly mundanely enough, with a spattering of slapstick and romance - then takes a rather unexpected and paranormal turn...I love a bit of random crazy thrown in for good measure and maximum emotional effect. I won't give away the twist, save to say that it starts around about the scene with the quotes: "Look Mister, we save hard drinks in here for men who want to get drunk fast and we don't need any characters around..." and "Aaah shuuddup! Cut it out! You're crazy!!"

Before things got a touch on the strange side, I was rather inspired by the softly-lit tan tones of the makeup and the fawn-coloured, coiffed hair. The swimming pool scene above is a classic. So, have a look and get your Charleston on, because it's a wonderful life people.

A blast from the past...

The other day I found this eyeliner tutorial, which I had produced in Summer and quickly forgotten about. It was my first ever makeup tutorial, created as my entry into the Clinique 'IT Girls' competition. It gets points for nostalgia as it won me a trip to Sydney and it was also created at the tail end of my much-loved (and missed) undercut. Also of note is the uncommon appearance of my orchid, Stick.

Stick acquired its unflattering name as a result of its unflattering appearance, which for most of the year is decidedly stick-y. But every year without fail, Stick pulls out the goods in the form of beautiful white flowers. This was such a time. Go Stick.

Winter observations

New Clinque goodness

My new review for Clinique: this month is the Milly compact, consisting of four eye colours and a blush, and a Milly Pink gloss. My favourite bits: the goldy-pink blush and the long-lasting gloss. The blush  gives you the subtlest shimmery glow and has a gorgeous mid-pink colour without any hint of brown. Just perfect to give you a hint of subtle blush, or build it up for super-powered colour that still looks natural. Also, big ups for the SPF 15 gloss. Perfect for summer! My not-so-favourite bits: the palette was gorgeous, but it took me a while to get around the colours - pink, brown and white. I mixed the white with moisturiser to soften it up and used the brown with a tawny highlighting lotion to create a cream colour. Because my skin goes quite pink when it is dry or irritated, I have to remind myself that a pink colour is pretty! It might take a bit more working to get used to, but I do like the way that the colours blend together. Check it all out here: