Brush Off

They say a makeup artist is only as good as their brushes.

Well I recently purchased a 'Make Me Classy' essential kit from Sigma Beauty, and I am in LOVE.

These brushes are affordable, easy to use and even come with their own storage.

This set includes 12 of the following brushes:

Image courtesy of Sigma Beauty

1. E05 - Eyeliner
2. E30 - Pencil
3. E40 - Tapered blending
4. E55 - Eye shading
5. E60 - Large shader
6. E65 - Small angle
7. E70 - Medium angled shading
8. F30 - Large powder
9. F40 - Large angled contour
10. F50 - Duo fibre
11. F60 - Foundation
12. F70 - Concealer

For $120, each brush works out to $10 each (bargain!).

To clean, use a supermarket bought shampoo with some warm water (be gentle when washing). I recommend cleaning them in the evening, so that they have time to air dry before the morning.


To purchase, click here.

Reader product recommendation: Eleven Miracle Hair Treatment

I have recently been recommended to try the newest 'Eleven' hair product, designed by notable hairdresser extraordinaire Joey Scandizzo, which is suited to ALL hair types.

The product:

Miracle Hair Treatment by Eleven Australia

The features:
1) Add shine, smoothness and softness
2) Control frizz and flyaways
3) Moisturise
4) Strengthen fragile hair
5) Prevent split ends
6) Detangle and create manageability
7) Protect against heat styling
8) Enhance natural body
9) Repair dry damaged hair
10) Protect hair colour with UVA and UVB filters
11) Prevent chlorine and sun damage. Naturally there are eleven of them!

The directions:
This stay-in conditioning treatment, with an easy to use pump, should be applied to damp hair

Celebrity recommendations:
Rozalia Russian, Kate Twigley


The price:
$24.95
For fabulous hair, visit Eleven Australia to purchase this product.
 
Tried this product? Share with us your review by emailing jspstyling@gmail.com or on Instagram @jspstyling

It's always Celine, Celine, Celine

The Celine signature 'Boston' collection's popularity keeps on rising, thanks to hanging off our favourite celebrity arms.

Before you purchase one of these bags, you want to ensure that you research what size is best suited to your needs. The main collection features (from smallest to largest):

Nano Luggage – 8″H x 8″W x 4″D (as seen on Rhianna)

Micro Luggage – 10″H x 10″W x 6″D (as seen on Nicole Richie)

Mini Luggage – 12″H x 12″W x 7″D (as seen on Jessica Simpson)

Note: this size is the most popular size



Medium Luggage – 15″H x 15″W x 7″D (as seen on Kourtney Kardashian)

Quick size guide:

 
Nano vs. Micro:

Mini vs. Micro

 
Mini vs. Medium

Mini vs. Micro vs. Nano

Note: the prices of these bags vary due to size, colour (solid vs. tri colour), and materials (eg leather, suede, crocodile finish).
For those who want this look, without buying the 'standard' Boston bag, can look to its family member, the Phantom (as seen on Sofia Vergara). The Phantom differentiates itself from the Boston bags by the width of the gussets, and the plaits hanging from the zips. If you are one of those people that loves to fill their bag, until you can fill no more, then this bag is your new best friend.

Since my last post on Instagram, a lot of people have contacted me to see which style I prefer. When I welcome my Celine into my life I will be tossing up colour-wise between black (what I know and love) or grey (adventurous for a blackoholic), and between the mini and medium size. Celine bags are very limited in Melbourne (David Jones are currently only stocking the Trapeze bag), however I have found a hidden boutique called 'Christine' in Flinders Lane, Melbourne that stocks each of the styles pictured above.

Images all courtesy of Google

Engage me

For a woman, her engagement is the second biggest day in her life.

So what a perfect excuse for a show-stopper gown.

Here are 3 Aussie designed gowns to be inspired by: A classic floor length gown, an edgy embellished black dress, and a traditional wedding colour but sexy number.

                                  Images courtesy of Paolo Sebastian, Tony Maticevski, Willow

Mad hatter

Winter = rain, and rain = bad hair days.

Hide your bad hair days with the 3 styles of headware below:

                                              Images courtesy of Sportsgirl, Asos and Rubi


Each of these styles are available for under $40 from the respective websites above.

LBD

LBD is traditionally the 'Little Black Dress', however this Winter I am relabeling the LBD to the 'Long Best Dress'.

Just because it's Winter, there is no excuse to dress daggy.

Invest in an LBD for the chilly season.

Images courtesy of Witchery and Sportsgirl

Bargain hunter

Love a bargain, but don't have the time to hunt?

Not to worry, because I have done the hunting for you.

These 6 items are all under $50

                                     Images courtesy of Bardot, Mimco, Siren shoes, Novo, Mimco


Bardot Spliced Mercer Dress: WAS $79.95 NOW $20
Bardot Studded Shoulder Shirt: WAS $79.95 NOW $40
Mimco Dynasty Shimmer Drop Ear: WAS $129 NOW $39
Siren Shoes Prim: WAS $129.95 NOW $39.95
Novo Night-Life: WAS $69.95 NOW $30
Mimco Crystal Dome Stud: WAS $89.95 NOW $25

Jump to it

Love them or loathe them, the jumpsuit is here to stay.

The all-in-one has evolved from the 70's.

Now available in long, short, and everything in between; and at almost all fashion retailers.

I am on team jumpsuit, are you?

                                                         Images courtesy of Asos and Finders Keepers

Always the bridesmaid, never the bride

Traditionally there are three rules when it comes to bridesmaid dresses:

1) Must be long
2) Must not be neutral ("only for the bride") or dark colours ("only for a funeral")
3) Must not outshine the bride

Well today's blog is all about forgetting the rules. 

The first look are 3 long neutral gowns:

                                                      Images courtesy of Lisa Ho and Rachel Gilbert

With thanks to Kate Middleton (and Pippa's bottom), the neutral long dresses are starting to be recognised by bridezillas around the world.


The next look are 3 long dark gowns:

                                                                 Images courtesy of Langhem and Versace

See not so gloomy afterall?

And for those who love a pop of colour, 3 long coloured gowns:

 Images courtesy of Net-a-Porter

If you want to not only bend the rules, but throw out the rule book, here are each of the looks (neutral, dark, colour) in a short version.

 Images courtesy of Rachel Gilbert, Galanni and Net-a-Porter

Brides and bridesmaids-to-be, what are your thoughts? Leave a comment below, or forever hold your peace..

Rock chick chic

You don't have to be into heavy metal to look like a rock star.

All you need:
-Printed tee
-Denim cut offs
-Leather jacket
-Studded ankle boots
-Circular dark sunglasses
-Messy fishtail braid
-Feline cat eye and black rimmed waterline
-Red lips
-Black nails

                    Images courtesy of Asos, One Teaspoon, Balmain, Rubi shoes, Mimco, Mac makeup, Chanel


Rock on!

Bringing sexy back

What makes a woman feel sexier than accentuating her finest assets?

Well Herve Leger sure knows a thing or two about a woman’s physique.

Mr. Leger’s signature body con bandage dresses not only show off your curves, but also suck in all the loose body parts (the material of these dresses act as Spanx, also jokingly referred to as “fat-suckers”).

Available in a variety of colours and styles, these dresses that can be found on Shopbop are perfect for any event that you are wanting to flaunt that hour glass figure at.

 

                                                                Images courtesy of Shopbop

For those who are wanting a cheaper alternative to Herve Leger (Herve dresses start from $1000 and go up), check out the Green LoveStore boutique.

On the radar: Leah da Gloria

I first fell in love with Leah's work during her time on Project Runway. Her ability to drape any fabric, and make it look one million bucks captivated my attention (along with the rest of Australia).

Only 26 from Sydney, Leah's stunning evening gowns have been seen on red carpets all around the country.

Leah has the ability to make any woman's body look good, by accentuating their finest assets.

Other than draping, Leah's signature features include using aluminum hardware where a dress splits on the thigh (as seen above), and using structure in her design to give her creations dimension.

If I were ever proposed to, Leah would be the first to know!

All images courtesy of Leah's Facebook and website

Leather get together

You don’t need to be a bikie to enjoy leather, or nowadays the ‘leather look’ (aka faux leather).

Now that Winter is upon us, these bottoms will be a key staple in any girls wardrobe.
Wear these looks with a long cable knit jumper for a casual feel, or wear them with a longer structured shirt for a more dressed up feel. This look is very versatile, so you will definitely get your moneys worth this winter.

Now if anyone’s Mum is anything like mine, she used to rock a pair of leather pants when she was younger. Well this look is now back in fashion, and you too can now relive this with thanks to Sass and Bide (left).

Leather pants not your thing? Not to worry, a much cheaper and perhaps more comfortable alternative is the leather look leggings. Now that every retailer in the world is selling a variation of these leggings, they won’t be hard to come by. Here is a pair from Zara (pictured middle)

I know leggings aren’t for everyone (thousands of legging hater memes circulating Facebook), then the leather look jean is for you. Shop this look from White Suede (far right).

Which leather look do you prefer? Tag me on Instagram with your favourite leather bottoms @jspstyling