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September 2, 2012
Gurlinterrupted
In Beauty

DIY – How to Make Your Own Clipless Curling Iron

DIY – Removing the Clip from Your Curling Irons

I love long ‘beachy waves’ created by using curling tongs, what I don’t love is the ‘weird little crimped bit at the end of your hair that seems to have a mind of it’s own’ caused by using a curling iron with a clip!  Now, I have a great curling iron (obviously aside from the fact it’s of the  ‘crimp making’ variety due to it having a clip); and  it wasn’t exactly cheap, so the last thing I wanted to do was go and spend more money on another curling iron so that I could have the clipless one (which for some reason, perhaps it’s because these are generally the ones used by hair stylists on celebrities, is remarkably pricier than a curling iron with a clip); and that’s when I decided to take to my curling iron with a Phillips screwdriver and DIY that bad boy into a clipless curling iron!

WHY IS A CURLING IRON WITHOUT A CLIP FAR SUPERIOR?

Benefits:

  • Less damage to your hair, aka, the dreaded split ends (caused by the ends of your hair being held the longest against the tong under the clip).
  • No creases, bumps or ‘weird crimpy bits’ from the where the clip was holding your hair; and that little bend in your hair gets heated into place, just like the curl does, so you know it’s there to stay around as long as the curl does.

So, since summer is nearly here, *YAY*, I decided its time to share my easy DIY guide to making your own ‘clip-free’ Curling Iron……

 

STEP ONE: Remove the clip-stand – this is easy, you literally just pull from one side and this will detach itself from the curling iron (some have small screws holding it in place, if this is the case, simply unscrew and remove)

image source: ImAlittle

 

STEP TWO:  Remove the screws securing the clip (in most cases this can be done using a Phillips screwdriver)

image source: ImAlittle

 

STEP THREE: Remove the clip and spring (the spring is directly underneath the clip) from your curling iron

image source: ImAlittle

Voila!!  You have your very own Curling Wand (or Clipless Curling Iron if you so prefer); and can now create your perfect ‘Kardashian style beachy waves’.

You’re welcome 😉

Should you ever wish to reattach the clip to your curling iron, simply reverse the steps shown above, so keep all the parts together in a safe place for future use.

Ange x

August 14, 2012
Gurlinterrupted
In Fashion

Is Nude The New Black?

image source: fashionbombdaily.com

Whether it’s playing the starring role or simply complimenting an already perfect outfit, nude is fast becoming a key wardrobe staple.

There is no better time than right now for nude (or neutral/beige/buff, whichever reference to the skin coloured hue you prefer) to make it’s mark on the fashion scene.  With neon, paisley, metallics and florals taking centre stage on the runway, nude pieces have never been such a wardrobe necessity.  It’s the perfect shoe colour compliment with a bright or ‘busy’ outfit, yet works just as well being the main colour base of your outfit, as you can add beautiful bright pops of colour using on-trend accessories.   I’m a huge fan of teaming nudes with black; and with some of the more feminine floaty pieces – these look great teamed with something a little harder, like a leather jacket and/or a pair of black biker style ankle boots.  it’s near impossible to get it wrong with nudes, because it simply goes with EVERYTHING!

Dark tones of nude make a perfect match for those with a darker skin complexion, whilst light nudes and rosy tones get along just fine with fair-skinned complexions.  Just be careful to pick nudes that aren’t an exact match with your skin color – but that’s pretty much the only rule when it comes to this chic muted tone.

Here are some of my favourite looks encompassing the lastest runway trends, mixed with nudes……

Still not convinced?   Did I mention that wearing flesh-tone heels will always make your legs look longer?

Ange x
Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle blogger

images sourced L2R: ca.shine.yahoo.com, asos.com, capecodcollegiate.tumblr, fashionworship.com, decoycouture.tumblr, fashionworship.com, shopbop.com, stylishlymine.tumblr

August 8, 2012
Gurlinterrupted
In Beauty

DIY: Make Your Own BB Cream/Tinted Moisturiser

A Simple Guide To Making Your Own BB Cream/Tinted Moisturiser

If you’re wanting a fresh flawless light coverage that evens out your skin tone and gives you a glowing, healthy complexion without having to have a ’full blown, face full of makeup’ . Then a BB Cream might be just what you’re  after.

BB Creams (otherwise known as blemish balms or beauty balms) have been around for years and more recently have risen to a cult-like status in the beauty industry. They are essentially tinted moisturisers that give you a healthy glow, cover blemishes and even out your skin tone (perfect for summer!!).

A DIY BB Cream is actually incredibly easy to make and saves you the cost of purchasing more makeup when you will more than likely already have the basic ingredients at home. You can make it in small amounts (so it doesn’t expire before using it all) and its ‘made to match’ your skin tone perfectly by using your own foundation.

Here is a simple step by step guide to making your own.

Ingredients:

  • Sunscreen
  • Moisturiser
  • Liquid Concealer
  • Cream Foundation

I also add the following, but this is totally optional:

  • Lustre Drops (or mineral foundation powder)
  • A Setting spray

How to:
The brands I use, as outlined below, are simply what I have at home, this will still work perfectly using whatever brands you have.

In a small container (an empty tester pot, dipping bowl or ramekin is quite good), mix the following:

  • 1 teaspoon of sunscreen (not necessary if your current foundation already contains sunscreen as mine does)
  • 1 teaspoon of Kiehl’s moisturiser
  • 1/4 teaspoon of MAC liquid concealer
  • 1/4 teaspoon of MAC Lustre Drops (optional – I use this for a dewy finish)
  • 1/2 teaspoon of MAC Matchmaster Cream Foundation
  • 1/2 teaspoon of MAC Fix+ Setting Spray (optional)

Mix thoroughly and store in a small container or travel bottle (you can get great travel size containers from PlasticBox for $1.99) and VOILA – your very own, ‘made to match your skin tone’ BB Cream.

BB Cream is my current ‘go to’  beauty product right now and I’m loving not having to wear a full coverage foundation to achieve a glowy, fresh, flawless look.

Ange x
Fashion/Beauty/Lifestyle Blogger

July 23, 2012
Gurlinterrupted
In Beauty

FINDATION

 

As I was browsing through www.nzgirl.co.nz the other day I came across a fantastic article aptly named FINDATION.  As soon as I read about a website that can match your current foundation to numerous brands, solely based on foundations that you already own and know are the right shade for your skin tone, I was hooked and had to find out more!

www.findation.com is GENIUS!!

I cannot count the number of times I have been frustrated by buying the wrong colour foundation.  Sure, in the tiny mirrors and bad lighting of a store, its easy to be fooled into thinking you have the right shade of foundation, but head my warning – you will never get the correct foundation match in unnatural lighting, ever!  There have been many occasions where I’ve tried foundation on my jaw line, nose, back of hand, wrist, cheek (need I go on – basically I looked ridiculous in several streaks of colour), thought I’d chosen the correct shade and then hit the natural light of day only to realise that it is in no way, shape or form, the right colour at all!

Then there’s the brands that you’d love to buy, but can only get online and thus have no idea what shade to even start to contemplate as your match as you can’t colour swatch foundation online now can you?!  StrawberryNet has an amazing array of foundation brands that you can’t normally get your hands on in NZ and at incredibly affordable prices, however, it’s not exactly saving money when you buy a foundation that is completely the wrong colour for you with.  Enter…….. www.findation.com.

It’s so simple and from my experience with Findation, pretty damn accurate!  You basically enter the site, it asks you to input 3 or 4 brands you have used or are using currently (even including BB Creams) that you are happy with.  It will then bring up all the varieties within that brand along with all the shades within that tier and you hit the ‘Find My Matches’ button.  In about 2 seconds you are presented with an amazing array of all the foundation brands and shades that match you skin tone without even leaving your computer (or entering a badly lit store)!

Head along and check it out.  I loved it and thought you might too

Ange x

 

 

 

 

July 17, 2012
Gurlinterrupted
In Beauty

Sigma – Make Me Classy

Make-up brushes are THE essential tool for makeup artists, but in my opinion, they’re an essential tool for ANYONE wanting to properly apply their makeup.  So I thought I would share my favourite brushes with you!!  It can be quite daunting knowing which brushes to choose and which brushes are worth spending your hard-earned cash on.   For me personally, I am a HUGE fan of the US brand – Sigma; and although I’m often heard stating “I have MAC pumping through my veins” (I stand by that statement by the way), I have to say that in all honesty Sigma really do have equally good brushes at a fraction of the price  (that being said, I will never part with the infamous MAC217).

When looking to buy my first set of ‘professional makeup brushes’ I found it was just too expensive for me to purchase all the brushes I wanted in the MAC range (at NZ$40-$50 per eye-shading brush, this can be a little unobtainable for most people).  So after weeks of trawling the net and ’email quizzing’ friends in the industry overseas, I decided to give Sigma brushes a go; and I havent looked back since.

SO, WHAT ARE MY FAV BRUSHES……… the Sigma ‘Make Me Classy’ Essential Kit. 12 brushes in total that come in a uber cool brush case that protects your brushes from being damaged when you are travelling (this particular set comes with case) and converts into 2 brush holders when you’re at home or have reached your destination.

Whilst I realise that NZ$136 may sound like a lot of money, trust me, for a set of professional brushes, it’s actually not too bad at all. (shipping from the US to NZ costs an additional $17).

The brushes included are:

E05 – Eye Liner: Create smooth and even lines. Use with gel or liquid liners.
E30 – Pencil: Soften and smoke out lines. Soften pencil liners along the top and bottom lash lines, add shadow to line the eyes, or use to highlight inner corner of eyes.
E40 – Tapered Blending: Soft blended crease. Using just the tips to apply color, sweep back and forth through the crease for a diffused and blended finish.
E55 – Eye Shading: Even application of color. Place color across the whole lid for an even and strong application of product.
E60 – Large Shader: Uniformly cover the whole lid with product. Apply cream shadow base or cream shadow for quick and even coverage.
E65 – Small Angle: Create precise lining. Moves fluidly and easily across the upper and lower lash lines. Use with gel, cream or powder liners.
E70 – Medium Angled Shading: Soft application of color. Use for brow highlighting or to blend the crease.
F30 – Large Powder: Even powder application. Uniform blending of powder products onto the face and body.
F40 – Large Angled Contour: Subtle cheek application. Use the angle to softly contour the cheekbone. Can also be used to apply blush.
F50 – Duo Fibre: Creates an airbrushed effect onto the skin. Can be used with powder, liquid or cream products.
F60 – Foundation: Smooth foundation application. Apply liquid or cream products such as foundation and primer.
F70 – Concealer: Conceal small areas. Conceal the hardest to reach areas such as around the nose and eyes.
You can also choose from a range of super cute colours, such as the Mrs Bunny kit (there’s even a Mr Bunny Kit), Make Me Crazy Kit, plus a load more colours.

 

So head along and check it out www.sigmabeauty.com – however, this link comes with a warning – you will be tempted by many eye shadow palettes and a heap of cool accessories!!
Ange xx
PS:  There’s also a code which you can use to get 10% off your purchase, just enter: AP2012 when going through the ‘checkout’ (valid till July 31).
July 10, 2012
Gurlinterrupted
In Fashion

The Colour Wheel

colorwheel2

The Colour Wheel – this is as much of a wardrobe staple as the LBD, only, BRIGHTER!!

So, I don’t know about you guys, but me, I hear this sentence a lot when I’m out shopping……”I love this colour but it really won’t go with anything in my wardrobe” (maybe you’ve even said it yourself?!). Or, “this colour top/pants/skirt is gorgeous, buuuut, I’ll just buy it in black because black goes with everything”.  Enter, the Colour Wheel…..

This is a quick and easy guide to ALWAYS knowing what colours to team together and which ‘colour opposites’ attract!  To get started here are some easy steps to using the Colour Wheel. These combinations are the perfect ‘colour partners’ on the wheel:

1. Colours that form a 90 degree right angle with each other. e.g. green & orange; violet-red & blue; red-orange & yellow.

2. Colours that are directly next to each other. e.g. green & blue-green; yellow & orange-yellow; violet & blue-violet (basically, any colour directly next to each other goes, clockwise or anti-clockwise).

3. Colours that form a ‘T’  e.g. orange, blue & violet-red; yellow, violet & blue-green (you get the picture).

4. Colours directly across from each other. e.g. orange & blue; red & green; orange-yellow & blue-violet.

5. Colours that form an ‘X’  e.g. yellow-green, blue, orange, violet-red or orange, blue, violet, yellow.

Given brown is a neutral, rest assured it will go with pretty much any colour on the Colour Wheel.  As will black and white.

So, when you choose an item of clothing in a colour that has you a little baffled as to what you should partner it with, find it on the Colour Wheel and use the steps listed above to find it’s perfect colour combo!

For accessories, team gold toned jewellery with ‘warm’ coloured outfits and silver toned jewellery with ‘cool’ coloured outfits (using the ‘Warm/Cool’ Wheel below).

 

Happy Colour-Combining xx

 

July 6, 2012
Gurlinterrupted
In Beauty

Giving Your Nails a Little Ray of Sunshine……

I love French manicures, but at the moment what I’m loving even more is a French manicure with a pop of colour! To achieve the look I created on my nails, all you need is: a clear base coat, a good neutral/nude polish (I’ve used OPI’s ‘did you Ear about Van Gogh?’ which retails for $24.95), your nail tip colour of choice (I’ve used Santee’s ‘beach yellow’ which was $3 from the 1,2,3 dollar shop), a nice glossy top coat to seal the deal (I’ve used Designer Brand’s ‘top gloss’ which was $6.95) and last but not least – a steady hand (however if you don’t think your hand is quite steady enough you can always buy the french manicure nail strips from a pharmacy and use those until you get comfortable applying freehand).

Step 1: Apply base coat
Step 2: Apply Neutral colour of choice (x3 coats). Allow to fully dry!
Step 3: Apply your ‘tip colour’. Apply using a small amount of polish on end of brush and apply side to side along tip of nail. Allow to fully dry.
Step 4: Finish off with a glossy top coat.

And that’s it, a super simple way to give your nails a little ray of sunshine – much needed in the dreary winter weather of late!! Swap out colours, mix things up, add some glitter polish, but most importantly, just have fun with it!

June 26, 2012
Gurlinterrupted
In Fashion

boohoo.com UK Fashion Hits NZ Shores…

 

 

 

Finally, access to UK brands has hit our shores.  www.boohoo.com is now open to NZ and the best part is, FREE SHIPPING to NZ!!

If you’ve not heard of boohoo.com or havent yet checked out the website, basically its all the UK Fashion you could ever want, at the click of a button and it’s totally affordable!  Dresses, tops, shorts, coats, swimwear and more, to bags, jewellery, sunnies and the most amazing range of shoes you could ever imagine. From the ‘gaga-esque’ Tallulah Gold Cut Away Wedges to the Bardot Black Glitter Peeptoe Platform Heels (with a red sole reminiscent of the Louboutin), this site has EVERYTHING, even something for the boys with a full range of menswear.

The site is totally user-friendly and the moment you log in you can change the currency to NZ$, so there’s no hidden costs or currency converter worries!

If you’re struggling for inspiration, hit the ‘Trends’ tab and you can shop by collection, celebrity look, catwalk to closet, or even tune in to boohoo tv.  A good tip – go straight to the size chart (located at bottom of the home page) before you start shopping and write down all your sizes (they convert your NZ shoe and clothing size for you) so that you can make your selections without having to toggle back and forth between the size chart and the item you want.

My key picks from boohoo.com:

Tallulah Gold Glitter Cut Away Wedges

Alina Sequin Mesh Top Chiffon Mixi Dress and the Coral Lilly Bodycon Midi Dress with Mesh Cutouts

Lila Skull Embossed iPad Case and Laura Print Woven Cuff Trousers

Rihanna Studded Top Handle Shopper Black Bag

 

HAPPY SHOPPING xx

June 18, 2012
Gurlinterrupted
In Fashion

ROCK’N THE NEON TREND……

A Few of My Key Neon Picks

Neon is SO on trend right now and I’m loving every minute of it!  There’s a myriad of items to choose from with all your favourite stores decked out in floor to ceiling NEON.  However, if you’re like me, you’re probably quite keen to avoid looking like a highlighter, yet still want to incorporate a pop of colour into your wardrobe with an injection of neon.  It’s all about balance, teaming your neon with a neutral is key!  It’s a fun, yet slightly more sophisticated way to stay on trend with pieces that will see you right through to spring and summer (brightening up your winter wardrobe = BONUS!).  These are my top and affordable key picks to brighten up your wardrobe.

This is probably my favourite purchase in the neon range!  This House of G (Glassons) jumper is the perfect balance of neon and neutral and is great for the weekend teamed with some faded boyfriend jeans or some denim skinnys.  RRP $39.00

Dotti Skater Dress.  This dress is a great pop of colour whilst being toned down with the lace overlay.  This style of dress is fail safe and looks flattering on pretty much anyone!  Cinched at the waist with a white or bright contrasting belt would also look fab.  RRP (roughly) $70

A quick and easy way to inject some neon into your outfit – Pink Panic nails.  RRP $6.00 from Glassons.

Cotton On Bright Orange Dress

This Cotton On dress was an absolute bargain, I bought it on the weekend while they had their big sale on and it was around $20.  This is a beautiful bright orange dress that is going to work in winter with a black top underneath, a snuggly warm long black knitted slouch cardie over the top and finished with some black ankle biker boots (and my boyfriends black Marc Jacobs tie used as a belt, ssshhhh).  In summer I will team it with a chunky bright blue statement necklace, some sandals and I’ll be good to go throughout both winter and summer.

Dotti Necklace

Speaking of blue statement necklaces, this beauty from Dotti is fantastic as I can team it with most of the neon pieces that I have featured in this blog and it is very much on trend right now.  RRP $19.95

Neon Short Sleeved Blouse

Whilst there is a reoccurring theme here with Dotti, you will completely understand when you enter their store – there is such a HUGE array of great neon pieces that really are incredibly affordable.  This top I am definitely going to wear with my leather shorts – this will be a great contrast of neon and black, feminine/floaty and structured.  Teamed with some gold accessories, outfit complete!

Adidas Neon Kicks

My beloved neon green and blue Adidas sneakers.  Admittedly I have had these sneakers for quite some time, but they are still in stores now.  These are great with skinnies or in summer with some denim cut-offs.  They retail for around $200 but are totally worth it.  I’ve worn mine a million times [cue mild exaggeration] but I really have worn them A LOT and they hardly look worn at all.  The purchase that keeps on giving.

Forever New Neon Sandals

I LOVE THESE! My brand spanking pair of Forever New Neon Sandals (they were literally just putting them on the shelf in store when I saw them – they are THAT new).  I am in love with these sandals and although I havent worn them yet (only bought them yesterday) I plan to live in these bad boys throughout summer.  They are so bright and vibrant and I cant wait to wear them with my orange dress from Cotton On, actually I cant wait to wear them with everything!  The long silver t- bar on them makes them really dressy and for just $59.99 they are a great affordable staple for your summer wardrobe.

MAC bright eye shadow colours

My key picks HAD to feature MAC (slightly obsessed).  Another great way to incorporate a vibrant pop of colour into an outfit is with make-up.  Using a wet eye-liner brush I would apply this as a liner on my eyelid just as you would a liquid eyeliner pen.  These colours are incredibly neon in real life and are just beautiful.  The colours are Fab & Flashy (orange) and Eye Popping (green).  They retail in-store for around $35 (or you can check out strawberry net to see if they have these colours, and if they do, you will be able to get them for about $25).

Would love to hear what your key picks are for a Neon/Eye-Poppin Brights wardrobe so leave me a comment or flick me an email. xo

June 10, 2012
Gurlinterrupted
In Beauty

NAIL ART and Colours I’m Crushing On Right Now………

 

 

Newspaper Print Nail Art


Step by Step guide on how to achieve this look

What you’ll need:  1 base coat, 1 clear top coat, 1 nail polish colour, newspaper (cut into 10 little pieces to fit on your nails – trust me you’ll want to prepare this now before you get started on anything else), white/clear spirit (I used Vodka) and a small dish.

  1. Paint your nails with a polish of your choice, I prefer a light or neutral tone but anything will work
  2. Let your nails dry completely. This is a must or you will be in all kinds of trouble when you move on to step 3
  3. Dip your nails into a small dish of alcohol.  If you don’t want to use alcohol, water should work too but the letters will not be as precise as with alcohol
  4. Take a strip of newspaper and press it onto your nail while it’s still damp.  You can use just the everyday small print or you could choose a large print like a ‘headline’, It all depends on the kind of look you’re going for, but I think smaller print looks better.
  5. Hold the newspaper strip taut with a steady hand. If you try to lift the paper and put it down again or move too much you will smudge it.
  6. Peel the newspaper strip off slowly and gently.  Hopefully this is a voila moment
  7. Apply a layer of clear top coat  and you are officially newsworthy!


Neon Nails
Neon is a trend I’m really loving – although I have to admit a splash of neon incorporated into an outfit is more my style, rather than an all out NEON ‘screams look at me’ outfit.  Why not incorporate it into an outfit with your nails – subtle – but still on trend!!

Jade is the New Black by OPI – wore on my nails all last week and lovin it!

Revlon Top Speed in Electric
This is a cute colour, but as I do with all ‘top speed’ colours, you need to finish with a clear top coat to get rid of the matte affect and bring the true colour out.  Revlon’s new Top Speed Nail Enamel dries quickly and at $10 (on sale at K Mart at the moment), it doesn’t break the bank! This is a really close dupe for Chanel Mimosa if you’re not willing to splurge


Sterling Silver
French Style Manicure in Matte Silver and Metallic Silver.  One of my fav nail looks and the perfect nail art to wrap up today’s nail looks.