A very good friend of mine ( let's call her Shaniqua for fun ) so Shaniqua attended an interview recently, she always looks lovely when it comes to her ' work attire ' so I had no doubt that Shaniqua would impress with her chosen dress on the day. However ( now please don't take offence Niqua ) I guess not being a make up artist, not having the patience or inclination to do her make up most of the time, I wondered how or what ( if any! ) make up Shaniqua would be slapping on her face. Now I must admit since a massive shift in her circumstances, I have noticed a welcome change in her appearance ( maybe it was that 'heavy baggage' she was carrying around ~ you know who you are ) anyway as I was saying there has been a welcome change in her appearance and presentation. Along with weight loss, her general ''grooming'' has been on the up. Your looking goooood girlfriend!

So when Niqua calls by after her interview and announces that she did indeed ' bag ' the job, I immediately looked at her face and knew it was her make up that secured the job hands down. 

So remember keep things simple sweeties ( especially if it's a corporate job your applying for ). A fresh polished face is much more job appropriate than a face full of heavy cakey slap. Cream blush and a soft muted lip looks classy, stay well clear of goopey gloss and bright intense lips. They may look hot on the D-floor but not behind the d-esk!! Keep eye's natural finish with a slick of mascara and ''BAMMM'' before you can say ''Where's the closest Centrelink''  you've landed your dream job all thanks to you make up of course!

http://www.celebritythread.com/blogs/beauty/the-olivia-palermo-palette

To achieve 'the look' of the stunning Olivia Palermo it's essential to have a few key make up items. This look portrays a soft romantic feel that is well suited to either day time or evening.

It demands a polished even skin tone. To achieve this, try using Becca's Luminous Skin Colour (www.beccacosmetics.com/) for a sheer but beautifully polished finish. If you prefer something with a bit more coverage Chanel's 'Vitalumiere' fits the bill perfectly. With the skin looking luminous you can move onto some key features, the first being lashes.

YSL (www.yslbeauty.com/) has it covered with its 'Volume Effect Faux Cils' mascara. This mascara defines and coats lashes to the very tip giving that 'fake lash' effect.

An apricot cheek adds to the romance of this look. Inika (www.inika.com.au) has a beautiful mineral blush called 'Peachy Keen' that delivers an intense burst of pure peachiness!

To finish, add a wash of rose on the lips. Bloom's 'Lip Stain in Rhubarb' is pretty to use just as is, or try a dab of a sheer gloss on top for that extra surge of glamour. (www.bloomcosmetics.com)

And voila you are ready for romance!

Peita Gregory is an Australian celebrity makeup artist who has worked with Agyness Deyn, Lily Cole, Alexa Chung and many more. Click here for more on Peita Gregory!

Maybe your the only one that has the pleasure of seeing yourself butt naked everyday, maybe someone else has the pleasure of looking at you in all your raw beauty. Whatever the case who really wants to resemble a snake shedding it's skin? NOT ME.

Well unfortunely for me, my skin did end up looking just like that when I decided to stop using my usual body cream. Hence to say the new cream just didn't cut it, and after a week of giving it a go I decided enough was enough. I had it up to my dry patchy shoulders with having scaly legs that flaked everywhere ( which looked particulary nice when I peeled off my jeans after a day...yuk ) something had to be done.

Armed with my Elemis Body Brush www.elemis.com/  I dry brushed my skin into oblivion, I then showered with Ella Bache's Floral Oil www.ellabache.com.au/  and slathered on Priori's Coffeeberry Body Emulsion www.prioriskincare.com/. Needless to say after that my skin was left soft, shiny and minus the scales straight away.

So if your left suffering from the ''snake effect'' take heart and know these anti venom products will cure your ''winter snake bite''. 

It feels like forever that I have been searching for the ultimate black eyeliner. Liners come in many formulas and textures, from the well known pencil - which must be rich in pigment and soft enough so not drag the sensitive skin around the eye, yet hard enough so it doesn't smudge as soon as you blink. Then there is the liquid pen which is best used for a more defined look. It's not designed to be smudged and softened like a pencil but it asks to be drawn precisley and neatly in a 50's style flick or a sexy cats eye. 

Then there are the gel formula eye liners ( I must say a particular fav of mine ). These puppies have the ability to be smudged and softened into oblivion, or painted on to your lids just so. Gel's are suitable for anyone that wears an ''L'' plate around there neck when it comes to applying make up.

The problem with many eye liners are  as follows

A. The pigment as mentioned above. If it's not intense rich and strong in colour then what's the point.

B. The tip of the pen is almost always the wrong shape or doesn't deliver enough colour to the lid.

C. The longevity of the pen...it's a shame to say but most are weak to say the least. I mean if your out shacking your thang on the d-floor it needs staying power, so you can dance the night away and not worry that you look like you have been whacked in the face!

Give in to your inner ''Barbarella'  go forth and line those eyes. My personal favourites are - 

* ModelCo Gel Eye Liner   www.modelco.com.au/

* ModelCo Colourbox Eye Pencil   www.modelco.com.au/

* Bobbi Brown Gel Liner   www.bobbibrown.com.au

* Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner   www.stilacosmetics.com/ 

As reported in the press this week, Kate Middleton was spotted shopping at a Lancôme make up counter, and we are delighted to reveal her Lancôme purchases ahead of her wedding. A true classic skincare and make up brand that is top of every brides list.

Hydra Zen Neurocalmâ  Soothing Anti-Stress Moisturising Cream 

The perfect, ultimate bridal product and a make up artists favourite. Hydra Zen day cream The cream contains an ingredient with the capacity for retaining water, infusing it with a fresh flow of intense moisture, keeping skin hydrated for 24 hours, essential for a long wedding day and night. Hydra Zen also tackles skin when under emotional stress, ensuring Kate’s skin remains in perfect condition in the build up to her wedding day.

Lancôme Hypnose Mascara in Black 

A mascara designed to create a natural look for the day or full-on glamour at night. With an exclusive new formula, each coat can intensify the look. The brush of Hypnôse is slightly curved to enable a more gentle contact with the lashes to coat them in a perfectly even and gradual way, leaving lashes curved, and as natural or intense as desired. Ideal for Kate’s perfect set of thick lashes, and ensuring they frame her eyes in her wedding photography.

Lancôme Artliner 

A high-precision liner that is ultra-comfortable, water-proof and has a smudge-proof hold that guarantees intense, precise make-up to look bridal perfect all day long. Kate has long been a fan of Artliner to enhance her beautiful lashes.

Have nails painted on Friday afternoon for party/occasion on weekend. Look great for two days. Monday morning go to shoot, asked to remove models nail colour and re apply with colour suited to ''our story''. Take off models nail polish in the process mine as well. Never mind I think, I got two good days out of them!! So as you can see life without polish is a much easier affair than life with. However all this changed when I was shooting ( for a well known women's fashion mag ) and the beauty editor told me about the wonders of Shellac Nails by CND www.creativenaildesign.com.au apparently this polish, which is applied over your own nail like a normal polish then set using a UV lamp lasts for up to 14 days, keeps it's shine and doesn't ruin your own nail! I had to give this a go....and so ''The Shellac Nail Diaries'' were born.

WEEK 1 / DAY 1

So excited to try out Shellac Nails by CND. Ask for a manicure and polish as nails need to be quiet healthy and prepped to be able to enjoy the delights of this polish. With filling, buffing and trimming of cuticles finished it's time to move onto the Shellac Nails. A  clear gel undercoat is applied and set with a UV lamp, this dries under the lamp in ten seconds. I have chosen a coral apricot colour that's pretty and bright at the same time, I want people to notice! The colour is applied perfectly all over the nail including the tip to give longevity. Hands go under the lamp again, this time for two minutes. Another coat is applied, another two minutes under the UV lamp. This is followed by a top coat and another two minutes under the lamp. After this my hands are wiped with alcohol to remove any sticky film. Volia my nails look super shiny and AMAZING I have never seen them look so good...I'm completely chuffed. On my way home I nearly walk into a bus shelter as I'm to busy looking down at my sparkling new nails.

DAY 2, 3, 4, 5, AND 6

Are much the same nothing major to report but the odd comment about the ''pretty nail polish'' I have on. 

DAY 7

Pop into my local cafe to pick up a take away coffee and I'm bombarded with questions about my nails. Firstly the sweet girl behind the counter say's ''what a beautiful colour'' my nails are, then an avalanche of questions are fired at me. Where, when, how, etc etc. She is amazed when I tell her that I've had the polish on for seven days now and they are still going strong no chips or smudges, even after taking off ( with accetone free remover ) a models nail polish. I walk out with a smirk on my face and tell my husband about it, bragging to him how good my nails look. He turns to me and with a pursed mouth, raised eyebrows and say's ''Mmmmm that's great''. I can tell he really doesn't care as much as I do! 

WEEK 2 / DAY 8 

I'm washing my hair when I notice strands of hair becoming snagged in something. Out of the shower and see the culprit. A small chip is forming on my right hand thumb. It's the tip. I shouldn't be so disappointed it's bound to happen eventually. 

DAY 9

Chip on thumb is getting bigger must have come off while sleeping. I try and mend the chip by painting a clear top coat over the entire nail. That should do it. 

DAY 10

I notice another chip this time on my left hand pointer finger. Out comes the clear varnish...I'm going to make these last FOREVER!! Well maybe not.

DAY 11

Same same...nothing to report

DAY 12

Can't resist the urge to pick off some of my polish. I choose the the thumb. As I happily peel away more polish lifts. I think this is the end, I will make an appointment to have them removed tomorrow. Shame the rest all look so good still. Maybe no one will notice the thumb. Can I get two more days out of it?

DAY 13 

It's killing me I can no longer hold back from picking or peeling away the polish. It's soooo satisfying. It's true meditation. The entire polished surface lifts away from my thumb....Aaaahh.

DAY 14

So most of the nails stayed in pretty good shape. I really could have had them removed day 12 but I knew how I would miss my shiny apricot talons. I walk into the salon with a heavy heart. Say farewell to my peachy friends. Hands are immersed into accetone for 8-10 minutes, washed and buffed. I stare down at my au naturel fingers, they look plain flat and boring. I start to think when the next ''occasion'' is....I can't wait to have them again. 

PLEASE NOTE - NO NAILS WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS DIARY.

So ladies it's time to put down the bottle of St. Tropez and rejoice in the fact that the cooler months are just around the corner. At least there is one thing to look forward too....no more tanning. Let me introduce to you some fab body scrubs that will have you beautifully buffed in no time.

PREMIUM SPA FRANGIPANI & COCONUT SUGAR BODY SCRUB

A delicious smelling scrub reminds me of  cocktails and tropical holidays! Just open the container and your far far away on that sandy stretch of beach...minus the price tag.

www.premiumspa.com.au

THE BODY SHOP SPA WISDOM MOROCCO BLACK OLIVE & ARGAN OIL SCRUB

I'm a sucker for anything that contains this magical oil from Morocco - Argan Oil. This scrub feels luxe and so good for your skin it's addictive...not sure you should exfoliate everyday for a week!! Been to Marrakesh? It will certainly take you back....

www.thebodyshop.com.au

ABAHNA HIMALAYAN CEDARWOOD & ROSE OTTO SALT SCRUB

This luxurious scrub contains over 90 mineral and trace elements, which gives this scrub a powerful detoxifying effect on the body. The smell of rose otto and cedar wood lingers on your skin after you shower. The himalayan salts once reserved for royalty are now available for you....so make like a queen and pamper yourself with this divine product.

www.abahna.co.uk

MOLTEN BROWN WARMING EUCALYPTUS & GINGER BODY SCRUB

Containing a blend of eucalyptus oil, root ginger and sea salt, this scrub will improve circulation, warm the skin & recondition the body. A wonderfully warming scrub to have on hand during the cooler months, it will be your saviour on a chilly Autumn evening.

www.moltonbrown.com.au

Face base is a hydrating skin primer that visibly improves the look and texture of your skin by smoothing out fine lines and pores. If you want your make up to stay put for 10hrs then this oil free silky formulation will do just that. It's enriched with nourishing vitamins C and E and is suitable for all skin types.

www.modelco.com.au

LAURA MERCIER OIL FREE FOUNDATION PRIMER

This primer is a top seller all over the world and a make up artists best kept secret until now. This primer is a lightweight, creamy gel which you use prior to your make up to help increase the longevity of your foundation. It acts as an invisible barrier between the skin and the make up. Fab for oily, sensitive, and acne prone skin.

www.lauramercier.com

ESTEE LAUDER FACE PRIMER PLUS

If you suffer with dull uneven looking skin and after a primer to brighten your complexion look no further than EsteeLauders face primer plus. This sheer liquid luminizer uses light to brighten add clarity and to give the illusion of a balanced looking skin tone. Wear alone or under make up to achieve that flawless finish. Great for a dull or dry complexion.

www.esteelauder.com.au

LOREAL STUDIO SECRETS - RESURFACING PRIMER

The studio secrets primer is designed to ''mask wrinkles and uneven skin texture making the skin incredibly smooth with a velvety touch''. Once applied the skin does feel very smooth and soft. Skin redness and pores are reduced and blemishes seem to fade. This primer would benefit anyone who is concerned about wrinkles or uneven skin tone. A good all rounder.

www.lorealparis.com.au