Thrifty thrills: top eye colours under $15

23 Apr 2013 16:01 PM | Posted by bh'sOlivia

Do you want to expand your eyeshadow looks beyond the boring beige/brown hues you tend to stick to all the time? Perhaps you need a little help in the eyeshadow-purchasing department? That’s where we can help. Experimenting with different hues doesn’t need to be hard – or expensive. In fact, expanding your eyeshadow kit is easy and fun. To prove it, we’ve scoured the glossy globe for 10 of the best eye colours (and palettes) under $15. Simply hover over the pink stars to find out more about these eye-popping products…

1. COVERGIRL 4 Kit Eye Enhancers

   Designed to take your look from day to night, this eyeshadow quad features hues that can be used separately or blended together to create a stunning look.

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2. essence Cherry Blossom Girl Quattro Eyeshadow

   Featuring subtle shades of peach and nude, as well as an intense brown and a punchy red – you’ll have all bases (and all eye looks) covered.

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3. Rimmel London Kate Moss Union Jack Eyeshadow

   The striking hues and iconic Union Jack design in this collectable palette will make a great gift for anyone – or yourself if you want a special eyeshadow collection you can keep.

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4. Australis Double Decker Eye Duos

   Featuring a metallic cream shadow that contains beeswax and a multi-dimensional loose powder, you can create the ultimate show-stopping look in two steps.

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5. Hello Kitty Duo Eyeshadows

   Featuring complementary colours, these eyeshadow duos are perfect for a simple Saturday night make-up look. We especially love the gunmetal grey hues.

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6. SAX Natural Eyes

   Looking for a way to jazz up your day-to-day eyeshadow look? This natural shadow palette is perfect. The kit also contains a long-wear liquid liner, volumising mascara, brush and sponge-on applicator – so you’ll definitely get your money’s worth.

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7. Maybelline New York EyeStudio Color Tattoo Eye Shadow

   These creamy shadows feel just a like a second skin on application. Featuring 24 hours of intense long-lasting colour, your eyeshadow will stay vivid well into the wee hours of the morning.

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8. MeMeMe Eye Inspire Mono Collection

   These high-colour pressed palettes are available in a range of shades to accentuate and define your eyes. Silky smooth to apply, you’ll love creating different looks every day.

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9. Innoxa Eye Shadow Compacts

   Featuring four long-lasting eyeshadows that won’t crease or budge, the matte formula contains anti-ageing technology to help minimise the appearance of wrinkles. The coordinating shades help to create a variety of looks, from subtle to dramatic.

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10. Models Prefer Eyeshadow Quad

    In addition to being vivid and long-lasting, these silky smooth eyeshadows leave a show-stopping shimmery finish. Blend them together to create a punchy, pretty look in a flash.

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OTHER AWESOME EYESHADOW-RELATED ARTICLES:
Three steps to shimmery, highlighted eyes
How to create a smoky metallic eye
Show-stopping neon eyes
Coral coloured eyeshadow tutorial
Blue eye make-up done well

Which eyeshadow would you be most likely to use? Do you have another favourite budget eyeshadow buy?

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Health benefits of using a steam room

23 Apr 2013 16:33 PM | Posted by bh'sCherie

I went swimming with Ian Thorpe recently. OK, so I didn’t actually swim with the former Olympic golden boy himself, but I did splash around at the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre, and that’s pretty much the same thing, right?

Mixing breaststroke with some speedy laps of freestyle wasn’t the only thing I did while at this charming swimming centre in Sydney – I also spent a lot of time in the steam room. It was hot, it was sweaty, and I thoroughly enjoyed every perspiration-filled minute that I spent in there.

But what actually are the benefits of sitting in a steam room? Considering my newfound love for its heated misty goodness, I made it my mission to find out…

STEAM ROOM HEALTH BENEFIT #1: it has an instant calming effect
And it also alleviates stress and tension. How? The heat of a steam room encourages your muscles to relax, and your mind tends to become still while you focus on the steam, the warmth and your breathing.

STEAM ROOM HEALTH BENEFIT #2: it cleanses the skin of impurities
Just a like a steam facial, the moist, heated environment stimulates blood flow to the face and opens up the pores to help eliminate toxins and other impurities. This makes way for more radiant skin with continued visits, which is fabulous news for those with problem skin. Sidenote: cleansing your face soon after exiting a steam room is rather smart, as your pores are wide open, allowing your cleanser and facial products to be more effective.

STEAM ROOM HEALTH BENEFIT #3: it assists with easy breathing
For those suffering from asthma, colds and any other respiratory infection, the humidity of a steam rooms brings great relief, as it will help rid the lungs of phlegm and other allergens to open the lungs and nasal packages. To make the most of your steam room visit, apply a breathing aid like Vicks VapoRub to your chest and nose area before entering. As an added bonus, the eucalyptus oil will help aid relaxation, too.

STEAM ROOM HEALTH BENEFIT #4: it aids the healing of injuries
Because the steamy environment forces your blood vessels to expand, which then promotes blood circulation, more nutrients and oxygen are able to reach any injured joints or muscles. Not only does this help heal the damaged areas faster, it decreases pain as well.

And one nifty little tip from me: always drink plenty of water before and after using a steam room to replenish lost fluids, and always keep your steam room sessions to around 20 minutes to further prevent dehydration. If you know you’re likely to get lightheaded, take a water bottle into the room with you and make sure you sit near the door for an easy and quick exit if need be.

Do you use a steam room on a regular basis? Do you enjoy the heated, steamy environment? Will you attempt to use one now you’re aware of the health and skin benefits?

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How to: avoid winter weight gain

23 Apr 2013 12:10 PM | Posted by bh'sCarli

It’s getting a little frosty, isn’t it? I don’t know about you, but I’ve very happily started digging out my cozy jumpers, warm beanies and over-sized scarves. I’ve also (a bit too happily) started indulging in the foods that are, what some might call, perfect for the colder weather. Foods like pastas and creamy soups, and toasty warm potato wedges. Uh oh. You and I both know that if I keep going on this path, well, it’s a recipe for disaster. Especially considering that the colder the weather gets, the lower the motivation to get out and exercise.

So what do we (yes, we. I know you’re not all saints) do about this? How do we keep ourselves from packing on the kilos when all we want is high-fat comfort food? IsoWhey’s resident nutritionist and the ‘good chef’ from Channel Ten’s Good Chef, Bad Chef, Zoe Bingley-Pullin, has some excellent (like really excellent) tips on the matter. Tips that don’t include “pretend it’s summer and just eat salad all day”.

TIPS FOR AVOIDING WINTER WEIGHT GAIN

1. Embrace the light. Sunlight, that is. Natural light actually helps your mood as it increases the levels of serotonin in your brain, which can help control your food cravings. Zoe’s tip: make the time to go for a morning or lunchtime walk to make sure you’re getting enough vitamin D (and upping your serotonin).
2. Fill up with protein. Protein helps keep you feeling fuller for longer, meaning you’ll be more likely to stay away from those comfort foods. So things like a nice meaty steak, or a giant piece of salmon (not in a creamy pasta sauce though!) make for great meal options.
3. Drink hot chocolate. Yes, you heard Zoe. Drink. Hot. Chocolate. Namely, IsoWhey’s guilt-free hot chocolate. Not only will it help curb your chocolate craving and keep you nice and toasty, but it’s also only 21 calories per serve. If that’s not a reason to rejoice, I don’t know what is.
4. Keep moving. Incidental exercise is a great way to keep your heart rate up and help you burn calories. Things like cleaning your house, taking the stairs instead of the lift or escalators, or even parking two blocks further than you usually would are great ways to get extra movement in your day.
5. But don’t forget actual exercise. Zoe recommends aiming for three to four hours of exercise a day. Just kidding. She recommends that for a week. That’s only about half an hour a day. This will help you burn off any excess calories just in case you’ve indulged in, say, some pizza or pasta.

For more information about IsoWhey, head to the website www.isowhey.com.au

Do you tend to put on weight in winter? How do you try and keep winter weight off?

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How to: Kate Beckinsale’s chic side bun

22 Apr 2013 14:57 PM | Posted by bh'sOlivia

Fact: Kate Beckinsale is one of the yummiest mummies Tinseltown has to offer. She always looks flawless, especially in the hair department.

If you love the way Kate can make a red carpet style seem as simple as a straightforward ponytail, then you’re bound want to recreate this chic, side-swept up-do that can seriously be copied in around five minutes flat.

All you need is a Lady Jayne Bun Styl’r, a curling iron and a few other Lady Jayne essentials (like the Tail Comb and the Smoothing and Detangling Brush) to help you along the way. The great thing about the Lady Jayne Bun Styl’r is that it comes it different colours and sizes, so that you can create the perfect bun for your hair type! Check out my video tutorial above to see just how easy it is to create this stylish up-‘do….

Which style would you most like to create using the Lady Jayne Bun Styl’r?

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10 of the best lengthening mascaras

22 Apr 2013 15:20 PM | Posted by bh'sCarli

It’s amazing how much your lashes matter. When they’re long and fluttery, they instantly take your make-up to a whole new level, which is why it’s not surprising that woman are always on the hunt for the perfect mascara. The Holy Grail of lash enhancers, if you will.

And while some women seek more volume in the thickness of their lashes, others are more concerned about the length. So if you’ve tried a gazillion mascaras in an attempt to lengthen your short lashes but to no avail, then these 10 lash lengthening wonders may be just what the doctor ordered…

LASH LENGHTENING MASCARA #1: COVERGIRL LashBlast Length Mascara
The Elasta-Nylon™ formula will help give your lashes that extra oomph you’re looking for – without flaking!
“Surprised at just how well this works. In the past, most mascaras I've tried have given the same results – whether they promised length, volume or curl. This one actually does a fantastic job at lengthening your lashes, as promised, with no clumps!” – Inga409

LASH LENGHTENING MASCARA #2: Bobbi Brown Lash Glamour Lengthening Mascara
The bristles on the mascara wand actually interlock with each individual lash to coat it with pigment and add length.
“The bristles act like a comb to separate each lash to give a really nice defined yet natural look. I apply one coat and brush it through thoroughly and it instantly darkens, lengthens and volumises my naturally short lashes. You can apply two coats to add extra length and volume but one coat is sufficient for me as I prefer the more natural look.” – Evanescenessy

LASH LENGHTENING MASCARA #3: Chi Chi 3-D Magic Lash
This mascara is one to grab if you’re looking for extra length, definition and curl.
“It actually DOES curl, and it actually DOES lengthen, and it actually DOES thicken your lashes. PLUS it does not clump at all which is really important to me.” – Dilshere

LASH LENGHTENING MASCARA #4: freezeframe® INSTANT LASH Extensions
The mascara brush deposits tiny synthetic hairs (combined with gel) to the tips of your lashes to extend the length.
“After some time of continual brushing of my lashes, I finally got the length that I wanted. It was worth the effort, as my normally stumpy lashes had surprising length. An application of my normal mascara gave me the volume that I seek also.” – scentsation

LASH LENGHTENING MASCARA #5: Clinique High Lengths Mascara
The nifty little green wand helps to lengthen, lift and stretch lashes for astounding results.
“The wand takes a while to get used to but after that be prepared for long lashes! This is great as it gives length without clumping, flaking or smudging. I will definitely be buying this again.” – Choonie

LASH LENGHTENING MASCARA #6: Mary Kay® Lash-Lengthening Mascara
Not only will this mascara help lengthen your eyelashes, but the formula helps condition, nourish and strengthen them, too.
“This mascara does exactly what is says it does...it lengthens my lashes and looks natural, though I would recommend it for a natural/ everyday look, not for party/dramatic look.” – Brooke1317

LASH LENGHTENING MASCARA #7: Lancôme Definicils Lengthening Mascara
Want long, defined lashes? Then you’ll love what this mascara and the grooved bristles will do for you.
“The type of brush with this product makes it extremely easy to apply and get it perfectly applied straight away. The lashes are each individually separated and they look very much individually defined and coloured black.” – softness

LASH LENGHTENING MASCARA #8: Mirenesse Secret Weapon 24HR Mascara
If you have sensitive eyes or wear contact lenses, you can be sure that this lengthening, thickening and curling mascara will deliver great results without irritating your eyes.
“I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I'm truly impressed with the product. It doesn't irritate my sensitive eyes, doesn't flake or clump, and gives a nice lift to my flaccid lashes. This really is a super mascara!” – cat lover

LASH LENGHTENING MASCARA #9: L’Oréal Paris Double Extension Beauty Tubes
The two-step mascara first coats your lashes to strengthen and nourish them and then applies lengthening tubes to each lash to make them appear 80 per cent longer.
“Even just applying the white base coat, you can notice lengthened lashes and after applying the mascara section, my lashes look amazing! It holds the curl of the lashes for the whole day. The mascara isn’t clumpy so it looks like natural long thick lashes.” – Tried and Tested

LASH LENGHTENING MASCARA #10: ModelCo FIBRE LASH
The nylon fibres in this mascara work wonders to add length to your lashes. Plus, the mascara is smudge and tear-proof!
“With practice I have found that this mascara is amazing! My lashes have never looked longer and its great that now I don't constantly have to make sure my falsies are still glued in place. The fibres have great staying power and the payoff is great. All in all a really good product!” – Caittt93

Do use a lash lengthening mascara that you’d recommend? What do you look for in a mascara?
Need more volume? Check out beautyheaven’s top 10 volumising mascaras…
Fibre-what?? Get the low-down on fibre lash mascaras…

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