I hope everyone is off to a fabulous start to 2014!
As most of you will have seen, I very recently kicked off my YouTube Channel (Gurl Interrupted) – I am already loving the world of YouTube so, so much!! I really enjoy making these videos, and so, reflecting on 2013, I’ve compiled all my favourites that are sure to continue to be much-loved throughout 2014, although who doesn’t love the excitement of discovering a whole new treasure trove of favourites, right?!
I’ve pretty much covered everything in this ‘2013 Favourites’ video – fashion, beauty, music, TV and more. So grab yourself a drink, (maybe even some snacks), get comfy and enjoy…
Ange xx
Gurlinterrupted
A Girl Interrupted By Fashion, Beauty & Anything Pretty That Catches My Eye
Gurlinterrupted is on YouTube! Woohooooo. So I know its been a while since I’ve posted, BUT, it’s all been for good reason! I’ve been wanting to enter the world of vlogging for so long! However (and I’m certainly not saying I’ve mastered it after one go, not by a long shot) I wanted to enter YouTube the right way. That meant months and months of research to find out what equipment I needed – lighting, software, artwork for my YouTube channel and then of course, getting myself comfortable filming. I actually surprised myself that my first take was my final take. I quickly learnt it’s the editing, downloading and uploading that takes the longest amount of time. You can check out my channel (and hopefully you’ll subscribe too, wink wink) right here: 
If you haven’t yet discovered Mr W. & Me, then it’s probably safe to say that you personally don’t fall into the ‘shoe-obsessed’ category, as Mr. W & Me is pretty much the hottest go-to for shoes! No chain-store shoes for this online store, Mr. W & Me stock only the highest quality (and super affordable) select range of footwear, only those that they deem worthy (and I have to say, I agree with all their selections they deem worthy). Mr. W & Me have been popping up all over the show – NZFW, VIVA, Remix Magazine, you name it, their shoes are noted and coveted. After discovering Mr W and Me some time ago, I featured them here on Gurlinterrupted.com as I was so enamoured (you can read about it here: 
You all know my love [see: obsession] for DRY & TEA. Well, why not treat your loved one to a hair treatment of their choice with a DRY & TEA gift voucher. They can choose from DRY & TEA’s extensive menu that offers everything from a blow wave to an up-do, a specialised cut and colour service, to tints, foils & belliage. There’s nothing DRY & TEA don’t do when it comes to the full-service hair salon! Maybe a ‘mens mini groom’ for your guy, or the ‘catwalk and party ready’ for your girl. No matter the service they choose, they’ll be looking fab in no time. If you choose to get your gift card from the uber-trendy City Works Depot, then I have to recommend you see Kurt (and YES – I’m biased, because he’s my stylist and he’s beyond amazing!). Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that they share a space with Petal Cupcakes and have a tea menu to die for! For more info head to 
Ok, so I don’t know about you, but my guy is obsessed with poker! Whether it’s online, having his mates over for a friendly match, or heading out to a local pub tournament, he’s there! Gosh I’ve made him sound like a gaming nerd – he’s really not (to be fair, I think he probably got into it when pondering what to do during those hours I have my hands glued to the keyboard blogging), he just really enjoys playing poker when he has some down time, and it seems, after talking to my guy-friends, poker is where it’s at! It would seem it’s the hottest hobby on the block right now. So, wanna be the ultimate better half, mate, sibling… how about something from 
If you have a beach babe in your life who suffers from dry, sun damaged, lack-lustre hair, enable them to look after their locks with Holistic Hair’s latest addition to their already fabulous range – Sea Shine. Leading Servilles hair stylist and tutor – Nigel Russell, uses only natural ingredients in his Holistic Hair range. Sea Shine spray contains Argon Oil (sans the silicone and any other nasty ingredients) as well as lemon and rosemary essential oils. Not only does it smell delicious, Sea Shine spray creates the ultimate shine, nourishment and hydration your hair needs to look its best, by banishing dull, frizzy, flyaway hair. It comes in a handy purse-size bottle, making it perfect for the girl (or guy) on the go! For more info, head to the Holistic Hair online store: 
From Smashbox’s new 2013 Holiday Collection comes Wondervision Eye Sets. Three fabulous Limited Edition collections feature a kaleidoscope of six eyeshadows, a mascara and eye liner. Ranging from matte to metallic, these covetable sets are available in Flash – pinks and pewters, Sparks (my personal favourite) a summery collection of shimmering bronzes and rose golds, and Cosmic – smoky neutrals and blues. Complete with the Limitless Eye Liner in Onyx and Full Exposure Mascara for an utterly show-stopping look. As with all Smashbox eyeshadows, each shade is velvety smooth in texture, glides on effortlessly with zero fallout and gives 100% colour payoff. The only downside with gifting Smashbox’s holiday collection… having to part with it!
From the 100% natural range of Nude by Nature comes a skincare collection so luxurious and effective it’s hard to believe it’s 100% naturally derived. Cleanse, exfoliate, replenish and refine the skin all without using parabens, petrochemicals or fragrance. The range includes a daily cleanser, face scrub, intense moisturizer, oil-free moisturizer, bright eyes gel, nude oil for intense hydration, and a miracle serum to illuminate the skin from within. Buy the complete range or select the perfect skincare solution for your eco babe.
If you’re after skincare that TRULY provides an ever-youthful appearance that effectively delivers on fighting the signs of ageing, you cannot go past Elizabeth Arden’s PREVAGE range. The Anti-ageing Treatment Boosting Cleanser provides a multi-dimensional approach to deep cleansing that is second to none! It promotes cell renewal and focuses on enzymatic exfoliation that leaves skin more receptive to further anti-aging treatments, such as the PREVAGE Anti-aging & Intensive Repair Eye serum. This Eye serum has had such amazing results; it’s said to reveal youthful look eyes after just one use! Whilst it’s on the expensive side – with good reason – this is the BEST anti-aging eye serum you could ever purchase for your beauty babe wanting to erase the signs of time. It is hands down the best anti-ageing product I have ever used. I call it the ‘peter pan’ of skincare. I may not know what it is that makes this serum work, but I know that it does!
If you’re looking for inexpensive, yet fabulously effective beauty and skincare items to top up your beauty babes Christmas stocking, the Palmer’s range has got you covered for summer essentials. The ever-popular Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E lotion is formulated with SPF15, so not only does this it smell fabulous and hydrate, it protects you from harmful UVA/UVB rays. RRP $13.50
For the true beauty babe – these Australis makeup items are not only inexpensive, they’re great additions to any girls makeup bag, and they’re available in an array of fabulous on-trend colours.
Ok so I don’t have acne, although if I did, this new Blemish Control primer has the ingredients to treat it. Nor have I ever had really bad problem skin, however I do indeed get the odd breakout now and then (why does this always happen right before a big event?) so I’m well aware of that sinking feeling of wanting a flawless makeup look, but knowing that any makeup I apply is probably going to make my skin look worse in the long run by further clogging up my pores in the bid to cover up blemishes and breakouts.
Whilst on the topic of Smashbox, they’ve released another fabulous new collection with their Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liners. I swore I would never use the term “game-changer” (many years in a marketing team, repetitively hearing, and admittedly using this double-barrel descriptor will do this to a girl), however I really can’t come up with a better term to describe Smashbox’s new Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liners (especially the colour ‘Bare’)!!
So I say ‘new on my beauty counter’, and yes this is a new tin of Steam Cream that I’ve received, but no it isn’t the first time I’ve tried it. Many beauty bloggers will be talking about Steam Cream right now as it’s fairly new arrival here in NZ, however it’s been collecting many a beauty award over in the UK (including the 2010 UK Beauty Insiders Choice award) where it was formulated, and I’ve actually been using it for a couple of years. So what is this Steam Cream all about? Well, other than the fact it comes packaged in the most adorable tin (there are a number of different designs available and they make quite the collectable once you’ve used all the product) it’s the process for making Steam Cream that gives it a point of difference. Taking its name from the boutique French process in which it is made – raw ingredients are fused together using a shot of bubbling hot steam, thus ‘Steam Cream’ (rather than mixed artificially using chemicals). It happens at a speed which defies most traditional cream making methods and gives the finished product a unique texture. Steam Cream contains ingredients such as Orange Flower Water, Almond Oil, Cocoa Butter and much, much more, all of which gives Steam Cream an absolutely heavenly scent. Plus all ingredients are from sustainable sources and its 100% cruelty-free.
Well, safe to say Trilogy needs no introduction. Even with their new-look packaging design, Trilogy is instantly recognisable. I for one am more than familiar with their skin care line, of which is nothing short of magnificent. What I didn’t know until very recently is that they produce Botanical Body Wash.
Ahhh the ever-fabulous MOR. As if their exquisite spa, beauty and personal care range wasn’t enough, they then dazzled us with their 2013 Holiday Gifting Collection, and now they’ve released a limited edition ‘tantalizing tangerine Pantone 178’ Destination Summer Collection!
Weleda has released a 100% NATRUE certified (yes natrue, not nature) natural hair care line, and each product in this range is free of SLS, parabens, preservatives and artificial ingredients. I have been treating my hair to the new OAT shampoo and conditioner for dry and damaged hair and it’s pretty darn good. The scent is lovely and the result – super lightweight, shiny hair. It took a little getting use to the shampoo not lathering up (as most do) but this is probably due to Weleda’s holistic approach, where no artificial ingredients are used, and it’s the artificial ingredients that generally cause the foaming. A fabulous range – definitely worth trying!
In need of a luxuriously creamy, long wearing, hydrating lip liner that won’t flake, feather or fade? Look no further – these Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Precision Glide Lip Liners are absolute perfection. They glide on effortlessly, define and contour lips, and the icing on the cake – they contain a unique waterproof, non-drying formula infused with ingredients that make lips feel moisturised and conditioned, with the added benefit of a liner that has staying power like no other. They even feature an automatic component with an ergonomic grip (which actually really helps to trace lips with accuracy) and it’s complimented with an innovative, flexible lip paddle and sharpener duo, ideal for precision application and evenly blending colour onto lips.
The world of alphabet creams welcomes a new player – ModelCo’s BB Plus. This all-in-one daily skin perfector has a beautiful consistency and gives a healthy, glowing, flawless finish. With the combination of serum, moisturiser, primer, foundation and sunscreen, BB Plus covers blemishes and imperfections, maintains hydration, assists regenerative processes, corrects signs of dullness or fatigue, all whilst protecting the skin from UV rays. BB Plus is available in two shades, light to medium and medium to dark, suitable for all skin complexions and types.
Oh how I do love to paint my nails, but oh how I detest removing nail polish! Maybelline has has the answer with their soon-to-be-released acetone-free ‘Express Remover’ which erases nail polish in just one dip. Maybelline’s Express Remover comes in the form of a cute black & pink pottle which contains a foam centre that you dip your finger into, turn once or twice, and viola – nail polish gone! I know there are other similar products out there that claim to do the same, but quite honestly this is the best one I’ve tried to date! If you love playing with nail colour (especially the gritty, glittery ones that are a pain in the butt to remove) then you are gonna love Maybelline Express Remover. There’s not really much more to say on this little gem – it just works!!
With rising concerns for damage caused by harmful UV rays it was only a matter of time before a cosmetics brand saw that UV protection needed to become a focal point when creating foundations. Shiseido has done exactly that with their reformulated Suncare Foundation range. Not only does it help provide strong UV protection preventing skin damage, it also offers optimum foundation coverage for a natural flawless look. Water and sebum resistant, it provides a freshly applied look that lasts for hours, making it ideal for any summer occasion. The packaging, a beautiful combination of bright blue and yellow, screams summery and sporty and is available in three different forms:
