VLOG | BTS URBAN WINTER PHOTOSHOOT

Last weekend I had the opportunity to help style and play makeup artist for an 'urban winter' themed photoshoot. We shot at two locations for four looks in Sydney's surrounding suburbs, Broadway and Newtown. It was the perfect day for it and there were only good vibes. I absolutely love how the looks came together even though it was just a simple lip and hair change. 

I didn't get as much footage as I wanted for the blog so I've added some behind the scenes pics too.

You can check out Brix (@xybfx on instagram), the man behind the lens, his work is pretty amazing! And shoutout to my girl Athena (@athenacleopatra on instagram), you absolutely smashed it babe.

Enjoy!

behind the scenes // photoshoot vlog from Loure Garcia on Vimeo.

ootd // topshop t-shirt // miss shop grey ruched skirt // nike roshe run // alexander wang x h&m collaboration sunglasses // limecrime 'utopia' on the lips

DARE TO BE BOLD IN COLOURPOP.

In honour of Colourpop launching their new Ultra Matte Liquid lipsticks this week (that I will be getting my hands on to review for you), I thought I'd dedicate a blog post to my current Colourpop collection. If you are a true makeup lover like me, you've heard of this brand, even though they are not widely popular - yet! - their affordable, yet high-quality products have made them a brand to keep your eye on.

Onto my collection!

From L-R: creature (matte), lady (matte), tutu (matte), bichette (matte), cheers (matte), confetti (hyper glossy), tuxedo (hyper glossy) and brink (matte)

These Colourpop lippie stix are so amazing for the price you pay. $5USD guys! Yes, I said FIVE BUCKS. The matte shades are super creamy and easy to wear, not drying at all and you can see just how pigmented they all are, no matter what the finish. 

Tutu is a good dupe to LimeCrime's 'Salem' velvetine and has become one of my faves to wear in the winter time - I should let you know though that you can only purchase it in a collection. Some of my other favourites are Brink, for a pretty pink nude and Creature, a deep, blackened burgundy red, made in collaboration with @feralcreature on instagram. Confetti is also great for the perfect candy apple glossy red. All in all, I would rate these lippie stix a 5 out of 5 in terms of price, quality, pigmentation and shade selection - it's really quite easy to fill up your cart, just a warning.

From L-R: game face, liberty, bandit, drift

from L-R: la la, hustle, to-a-t, so quiche, on the rocks

Do you see the pigmentation on these super shock shadows?! They are to die for.  I can't believe something so affordable (also $5!!!) could be of such high quality. Even some of my high end eyeshadows aren't this pigmented. That's so crazy to me. I have a mixture of ultra metallic, metallic, matte and pearlized finishes in my collection and they are all as amazing as each other. The formula of these shadows are so different, it's quite hard to explain. They're super creamy but aren't a cream shadow... they literally feel like pillows to the touch. I love using my finger to pat on any shades I'm using on my lid, they just go on that much more intense. I love each and every shade I've purchased so far and cannot wait to purchase more soon! The only thing with these is that I have to make an effort to use them, because they are all single/separate. When I'm in a rush I usually just grab a palette and work off that, so when I know I have time to get ready, I definitely pull these out and have a play.

top: fox, bottom: quarters

I have two Colourpop blushes as of now in my collection. They go for $8 and are highly pigmented like the rest of their products. I use a stippling brush to apply these for a nice flushed look. To be honest, I don't quite reach for these as much as I'd like because you really have to watch out how much you apply. I have quite a lot of other blushes that I know I can build up and won't be too heavy on the first go.

In saying that, I still really want to purchase some of their new bronzers and highlighters and see how they go! For $8, what've you got to lose, right?

What do you guys think of Colourpop? What are your faves? Let me know!

Everything mentioned can be purchased here.

FANCY SCHMANCY.

outfit of the night // ASOS high-neck playsuit // SIREN thigh high boots // ASOS bag // nixon 51-30 watch

Last year, Beez and I celebrated our 5th year anniversary at Otto Ristorante.  A fine dining restaurant located on Cowper Wharf, Woolloomoolo, it serves modern Italian cuisine, accompanied by amazing service. We thoroughly enjoyed the food and the atmosphere of the place and knew we'd be back.
About a month ago, Dimmi (an online restaurant booking network) hosted a flash sale with a 50% off your food bill at Otto so of course we jumped at the opportunity to go back and take some of our friends. Otto is renowned for it's spectacular Italian food and it doesn't disappoint. We had a beautiful view of the water and the CBD skyline and the place was dimly lit to create a romantic ambience. For entree I had poached veal grill, pepper seared tuna, smoked tuna aioli and fried capers - couldn't fault it. Main was a Great Southern braised lamb shank, beetroot, goat's cheese and horseradish - the meat was falling apart and melted in my mouth. I definitely recommend this restaurant if you are looking for somewhere special to take your significant other or even for a classy night out with friends or family. It is pricey but worth it for a special occasion.

THE ART OF SPACE.

I have such an appreciation for fresh interior and home decor and I don't think many people know this about me but I've always been so intrigued by how people decorate their space (to the point where if I drive past a house that catches my attention I wonder not only what it looks like inside, but how people live in it - that doesn't make me a creepazoid right?). I chose these images specifically to put into this inspo post because each room is so different to the other and has it's own unique style.

I hope you draw inspiration and enjoy these images as much as I do! x 

GET READY WITH ME: MY GO-TO, EVERYDAY MAKEUP

Hey guys! I was getting ready to go out for lunch with one of my best friends and thought I'd film it to show you my go-to makeup look. I do this on days I'm in a rush or don't really want to think about what look to do. If I'm wearing eyeshadow, like in the video, I usually throw on one or two shades and buff it out. I love bold brows and a fierce contour - to chisel this round face of mine - that's just my preference. My lip colour changes a lot as well - sometimes I love a good nude, other days I love me a bright, bold lip. Just depends what mood I'm in!

I hope you enjoy. Pictures from my day and product list below.

Oh and P.S. don't mind my cheeky son behind me on the bed, I was trying to get him to take a nap before we went out... You'll see he fell asleep eventually!

get ready with me... from Loure Garcia on Vimeo.

Product list:

MAC prep + prime natural radiance primer in 'radiant yellow'

Josie Maran Tinted Moisturiser

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Wardrobe in 'incandescent light'

MAC give me sun bronzer

MAC Fix + (to set powder on face)

Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Brow Mousse

Anastasia Beverly Hills  clear brow gel

NYX eye base in skintone

Urban Decay Naked Basics palette

Saucebox Etude palette

Benefit Rollerlash mascara

Sleek face contour kit in medium

MAC Warm Soul blush

MAC mineralised skin finish in 'soft n gentle'

Australis AC ON TOUR palette / banana shade

MAC nice'n'spicy lip liner

Dose of Colours liquid lipstick in 'Stone'

THE ANNUAL SHINE & DINE 2015.

Last Friday, Beez and I were invited to the charity fundraising gala, Shine and Dine. The black tie charity gala was hosted at Doltone House Jones Bay Wharf in Pyrmont where celebrity and VIP guests enjoyed a three-course dinner and entertainment by Erin Holland (Miss World Australia/Singer & Presenter), and 2013 X-Factor winner Dami Im.
The annual Shine & Dine is one of Make-A-Wish Australia's biggest fundraising supporter events in the calendar year.
With the announcement of a child's wish being granted on the night,  it was such a good experience to have the chance to see our contributions change a child's life, and that of their family's.

face of the night  // Australis AC/ME Metallic Finish Eyeshadow in 'Jay Zed' on the lid, Too Faced chocolate bar palette in crease // House of Lashes 'Iconic' false lashes // RiRi x MAC  'bad girl gone good' blush // Becca 'Opal' highlighter // ABH customised contour kit // Australis Velourlips matte lip cream in 'Doo-Bai' // MUFE mist + fix setting spray

outfit of the night // Club L slinky high neck dress via ASOS // Windsor Smith 'Gillie' heels // necklace from ASOS // Nixon 51-30 watch

MAY BEAUTY FAVOURITES.

Guys, it's frickin' JUNE already?! I swear the older I get the faster time goes. Not sure how I feel about that...

Anyway, I thought I'd write up my first favourites post specifically on beauty. I debated on including clothing, shoes and other random bits and bobs but it would probably turn into the longest post of life. I guess I'll have to alternate each month! If you want to know what's been tickling my pickle all of May, keep on reading!

Face products

MAC Give Me Sun! Bronzer

This product is the perfect bronzer for my skin tone. It's super warm so I use it all over the perimeter of my face for an all over bronzed look right before I contour.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in 'Opal'

I swear I have neglected all my other highlighters because of this product! You guys know I love that super intense highlight and this does exactly that. This and my Mary-Loumanizer by The Balm are definitely tied for number 1 in my books.

Hourglass Ambient Powder Wardrobe

I'm talking specifically about the middle shade called 'Incandescent Light'. I use it to lightly sweep under my eyes after I set my concealer since I don't really like a matte finish, doing this gives such a beautiful lit from within look without it being a super stark highlight under the eyes.

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in 'Barcelona'

This foundation has been my go-to for night time looks. It's so dewy, has a nice medium coverage - definitely buildable if you want more of a full coverage - and just lasts a long time on my skin.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer in 'Medium Neutral'

This is more of a day time concealer because of the shade I purchased. It's probably only one shade lighter than my skin tone so it's a really subtle highlight. It's super lightweight and really easy to blend. Sometimes I'll use this to highlight in combination with my NARS creamy concealer in 'custard' for a more highlighted night time appropriate look just because its so easy to work with.

Eyes:

Urban Decay Naked Basics Eyeshadow Palette

I find myself reaching for this palette every single time I do my shadow.  The first shade has more of a satin finish so I love using it for a subtle inner corner and brow highlight. The second eggshell shade I use to set my eyeshadow primer and the third and second to last shades I love to use as transition shades.

House of Lashes in 'Iconic'

I've worn the shit out of these lashes and they're still going strong. They're that amazing. What more can I say?

NARS single eyeshadow in 'New York'

I love using this plummy-brown eyeshadow on its own, buffed all the way out for an easy eye look, or used in the crease. It's such a pretty shade and I've been getting so much use out of it these colder months! 

Australis AC/ME Metallic Finish Eyeshadow in 'Bronzonce' 

Okay you guys. This is a must have. I have three of these cream eyeshadows and I love them all. I'm showing you this bronze/rose gold ish shade cos it's the one I used the most last month. It's so, so pigmented and leaves such a pretty, sparkly look to the eye. I've literally used this on all my friends and they love it so much too.

Lips:

MAC lipstick in 'Twig'

Easy, go-to lippy when I'm rushing and want some colour to my lips.

Australis Velourlips matte lip cream in 'Doo-bai'

Beautiful, dark, wintery shade - comparable to Lime Crime 'Wicked' without the controversy and half the price.

Stila Stay All Day liquid lipstick in 'Patina'

You guys know I love this liquid lipstick. so I'm not gonna blab on. I've been wearing it non-stop since I picked it up, such a beautiful mauve shade.