IndieAna- In Search of the HolyGrail

With a name like Youth Switch, I could not wait to try the DNA Stem Cell Booster Face Serum, a relatively new product from Mirenesse. This serum contains many ingredients containing antiageing benefits, including 2 peptides! The formulation is designed to not only slow down the ageing process of the skin, but also turn the clock back. Too good to be true?? As shown in the picture, the serum comes in a 15g tube. I find the gold colour quite pleasing to the eye. The packaging is simple, yet application directions are still included. The serum fits easily into any routine. It is recommended to be the first product used after cleansing and toning.  The nozzle is not something I have come across before. It is designed to allow better control of product. I do find that it can take some squeezing to extract enough product for the face and neck. Maybe I used too much?? The consistency is almost cream like, with a pleasant citrusy type scent. The serum absorbed quite quickly into the s

It has been fun creating Christmas themed nails. Of course they were all easy to create :) Instead of doing single posts for each one, I've decided to compile them all here. For the first look, I used 2 coats of Milani gold 3D Holographic polish as my base colour. I then applied the base colour and Australis Endless Star onto a sponge, 1 stroke of each, just touching. Moving quickly, I dabbed on the nails, moving slightly up and down as I went. I finished with the snowman glitter top coat, which is clear with green and red shimmer. (no label, sorry, I bought it in a blog sale) I just had to include another pic of the cutest Christmas nail polish! A definite theme going on, with the gradient, sparkle and yet another adorable polish bottle! Using the same method as the previous look, I used Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant in a pale lilac shade for base colour and  Borghese Rapido in a deeper purple. I also placed some silver, holly design scrap boo

Well, I couldn't let Christmas go by without posting at least one festive look. I had planned to do more, but things have been so hectic, time just got away from me.  What comes to mind when I think of Christmas colours are red, gold and green. It sounds garish, but can be easily done without being over-the-top (not that there's anything wrong with making a statement, lol)  I knew that my stash of mineral shadows wouldn't let me down :) Using the red and green as liners gives that "pop" of colour, whilst making it totally wearable. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas xx

I finally got around to playing with Mirenesse Marble blushes (and yes I made this purchase before my no-buy!) After watching a demonstration on TVSN (shopping network), I just had to add these blushes to my collection. What I noticed first about this blush was the different packaging, instead of the regular metallic look, these arrived in a sturdy black compact. Simple, yet classy, I really like it! Carrara Coral on the left and Paros Pink on the right. These appear to be beautifully sheer, with a glowing sheen rather than shimmer, a finish that I would much prefer. Gosh, I need these on my cheeks, either as a blush or I also think these would be great highlighters, too! . Here I am wearing Carrara Coral as blush, and Paros Pink to highlight my cheekbones. I bought these from the Mirenesse website. I love them, they look so pretty, and I am so happy with the result! They no longer appear to be in the black casing, but look equally as gorgeous. Make sure you bo

Before applying a clay mask, I like to prepare my skin by exfoliating it with a glycolic mask of some form. I much prefer to exfoliate my skin this way, as I find it less irritating than a manual exfoliator. Not just bound by over the counter beauty products, I took my search to ebay. As I had previously bought from ebay seller, Voodoo Beauty, before, and with 8756 sales carrying 100% feedback, I had no concerns about purchasing their Rose Glycolic Resurfacing Masque. Before using a glycolic product, it is important to keep in mind your skin type, many masks of this type can cause irritation, and is not really recommended for sensitive skin. The other important thing to remember is that sunscreen is a must. The mask comes in bottle with an easy to use pump dispenser. Using one pump at a time, I just simply smoothed the product over my face. All that I needed was a thin layer. The mask only needs to sit on the skin for 5-10 minutes. During this time it dries to feel almost like a

It might sound a little crazy, but when I finish a make up product, I feel like I have accomplished something. I rarely ever throw an unfinished product away. When I do, it seriously means that it has not worked for me, hence my new series "Houston We Have A Problem!" My first product to enter this series is Freeze Frame Instant Lash Believe me when I say that I truly wanted this product to work for me, after many tries, I had to say good bye. The first thing that I did not like about this mascara was how many applications it took to get the desired result. I was willing to take the extra time it took, as eventually it did add gorgeous length to my stumpy lashes. What I couldn't deal with was the irritation caused by the mascara flaking during the day. I was forever trying to rid my eyes of the irritating mascara "flakes". I gave the mascara a few chances, but almost every time I had to deal with this problem. Sadly, the Freeze Frame Instant Lash found th

I'd been meaning to try pressing loose mineral shadows for some time. I finally gave it a go, and am so happy with the result! I decided for my first attempt that I would just use dark colours that I could use as liners, these are colours that I'd never used, so if they didn't work out, I wasn't going to be too upset. After some research, I decided to press with isopropyl alcohol (I bought from Bunnings) and fractionated coconut oil (ebay). You can use jojoba, but coconut oil keeps longer.  Using a small container, I mixed enough alcohol to dampen the loose shadow. I then doubled that amount of the coconut oil so that I would get a clay or cookie dough consistency. To mix I used the end of a floss stick. Next step is to scrape the mixture into a shadow pan.  Using a one dollar coin, I then pressed the shadow, making sure to sandwich paper towel between the shadow and the coin. This absorbs any excess moisture. I then left to dry overnight. (You can speed up t

I knew the day would come when I'd finish this duo for my lashes. They are from the Majolica Majorca range, which is from loved brand, Shiseido. The duo begins with Lash Bone Black Fiber. I have no idea why it is named black fiber, because it is indeed white. Anyway, confusing name aside, this product is simply applied to the lashes as you would a mascara. I only use one coat of this primer. Using this base creates a foundation to boost the effect of the mascara. Which makes sense, as it coats the lashes. I apply the mascara with the straight edge of this unique wand. This seems to add the volume. Then I apply another coat with the curved side. This acts to separate and lengthen the lashes. One more coat gives me the desired result which lasts throughout wear without smudging or flaking, thanks to the waterproof formula. I just love this mascara duo, for the great product and super cute packaging. I'm sad to see that I have finished, but after getting through so

I wanted to share this EOTD with you. It has quite a vague description, because the lid colour that I used was in an unlabelled jar. I really need to learn to label my jars when I am transferring loose shadows from baggies! For this look I used some loose mineral shadows, highlighter along the lashline, the olive golden brown on the lid and medium brown in the crease. Thankfully, when blended out, the colour I used to contour lost it's heavy shimmer. I like how that highlight shimmer brightens the overall look a touch. With all the brown hues, including my eyes, it's a good way to break-it-up.

This post is long overdue, I can't believe that my last update was in July! Eek, where has the year gone! Since then I have a very different routine, with new products. AM Routine- Dr LeWinns Refining Toner Spritz of Chamomile tea Palmers Rejuvinating Serum (only just started using) Onsen Truth Eye Serum and Soothing Eye Cream (loving these!) Elixia Tinted Multi-V Moisturiser with SPF (this range has now been replaced with an improved formulation) When I am not wearing foundation, I have been using Garnier BB Cream. As you can see, I know longer cleanse in the mornings. It made sense to me after reading that if you cleanse well enough at night, you shouldn't need to in the am. I do tone to rid my skin of dead skin cells. PM Routine- One Hand Washes The Other Magic Soap (so great for problematic skin) Dr LeWinns Refining Toner Palmers Rejuvinating Serum Onsen Eye Gel and Cream Avibon Vitamin A Pommade (only just started using) I have now put my Clarisonic cleansi

I love trying new polishes and when I saw the interesting finish of textured nail polishes, I just had to try some for myself. After applying a base coat, Orly Bonder, of course, working on one nail at a time, I simply applied Milani Spoiled  in Fuchsia Texture Polish to one half of my nail and OPI Get Your Number Sand on the other side. Before these polishes dried, I used a toothpick to zig zag across the nail. So simple! I have fallen head-over-heels for textured polishes, do you love them, too? :)

I have previously sang the praises of indie make up company, Silk Naturals. They are one of the best online sellers, in terms of product, service and have an air of professionalism. Being one to believe that eye primers are a staple in my make up routine, I had to try Silk Naturals Stick 'Em Eye Shadow Enhancer. This primer comes in a handy 7ml tube. This product is the perfect companion for the use of mineral shadows. Not only do I use it to my prime my lids for application, but have used it many times to apply loose shadows as a liner. Application is simple. Dab a thin layer on the lids, let it dry for mere seconds, then your eyes have a sticky base for minerals to adhere to. On the website, they suggest that those with oily lids use a primer underneath, but I find it fine on its own.  My shadows stays put throughout wear, without creasing. However, I do only put it on my lid, not my entire eye area, as I find it easier to blend without it, which is necessary when contou

This post is in honour of the lovely Kat from Kat's Colourings . After being one of the winners of her fabulous give away, I was given the opportunity to finally add the Resolution Red L'Oreal Infallible 2 Step Lipstick to my lipstick collection. A product that I had been coveting for some time, but had not purchased because of my make up no-buy. For those a little intimidated by red but so want to sport this sexy shade on their lips, this red is for you! It is such a wearable red, it has a slight pinky tone, so not scary to wear at all.  I love how the 2 step system is in the one tube. You simply apply the colour first. I found that the sponge applicator made for a precise application, which is important when wearing a brighter lip. I was surprised that this product did not apply patchy. Once dry it did feel slightly tight, the way a lip stain can feel on the lips, but there is a solution. Yes, simply slick on a little of the balm, and wow the lips feel so moisturised. I