Beauty Desk Wrap Up: A girls' right to shoes

Trying!

Schick Hydro 5 Razor

Ok, so I know that these razors are for men, but I couldn’t resist nicking one when they arrived to shave my legs with, and wow do they give a close shave, especially when used with the shaving gel! If your man needs some new moisturiser, or something manly from the bellabox store, order it for him and  we'll throw in a free Hydro 5 Razor and a Hydro Shave Gel for him (that’s if you actually hand it over!)

Landed

Lots of gorgeous new products landed in the bellabox store this week, though Inika and Sranrom are amongst my favourites. Sranrom shower gels smell beautiful, and are formulated with natural essences and plant extracts to awaken your senses and reinvigorate your skin. Awakening Vitality Body Wash is perfect for the mornings when you need a little extra something to help you get moving, and Calm Down Body Wash is ideal to help you relax at the end of a hard day. I needed this on Tuesday - read why below!

Sranrom Body Wash

Talking About

Treated like a criminal merely for having fabulous shoes!

For the past two weeks I have been like a Leyland Brother - as in travelling all over the country side. On Tuesday I went to Sydney for some meetings and on my way home after a full day, I was stopped at security. The security lady at the screening point looked at my shoes and declared that they could be used as weapons and that I would not be allowed into the terminal. I happened to be wearing my favourite shoes, studded Louboutins which, granted, could be used as weapons if I were so inclined. However, I love these shoes so much I would never do so for fear of hurting them (not a person!) Security was not appeased when I pointed this out and told me in no uncertain terms that I would not be allowed into the terminal with said shoes on.

The offending Louboutins

A heated ‘debate’ ensued and as this drama was unfolding, I realised I was going to miss my flight. I turned on the charm, and when that didn’t work I unleashed the inner bitch but they could not be swayed. I had to go back to check in, change my flight, go back through security, hand over my shoes over, walk through the terminal with no shoes on, purchase a new pair of shoes, go back through security, check the shoes in as luggage and go back through security again to board my flight. I begged the lady on check-in duty to do all she could to ensure they arrived safely at the other end, and bless her, she was a fellow Louboutin enthusiast; after an anxious 20 minute wait on arrival, they appeared plastered with Fragile and Business Class stickers safely at the other end!

Kim Kardashian is allowed to rock her studded Loubs at the airport

As an ex-flight attendant myself, I can understand the need for caution in these situations. However, it was the studs that caused the uproar, not even the 5 inch steel heel! The heel itself could do more damage than the studs, and women travel on flights with heels all the time. bellabox employees travelling en mass would be a serious cause for caution then! I mean, I bought these shoes from the Louboutin boutique in London and had to eat Two Minute Noodles for weeks to afford them, so I am hardly going to damage them by using them to bludgeon someone am I? (Even though, by that stage, I would have killed for a glass of wine, I wasn’t able to because my shoes were safely checked in as baggage!)

Even Victoria Beckham does travels in studded shoe style! At least Sam is in good company!

Never be seen with bad feet again - always give your nails a good slick of polish. Especially ideal coming into summer. After all, you'll never know when you'll be caught out barefoot! Try the Mode Nail Enamel Range, which contains a tonne of colours for just $2.45 each!

Beauty Concierge

This weeks lucky question, from Jenna Tammy Rushton, is: 'I'm new to wearing make up. In the past, with my teenage experimentation, I've found that makeup sweats off... Does a primer fix this? Could you recommend a makeup "order" for me?'

First things first! The best thing to do when starting a new makeup routine is to get the basics right before trying anything too daring. A simple makeup order for a great base goes a little something like this: first your primer, then your foundation/tinted moisturiser/bb cream and then concealer if you need it, followed by a little bronzer. Then on the eyes you can use a little neautrally toned shadow (great for everyday) and a defining mascara. A great natural coloured lipstick will round out the look. Here is a break down of these steps to follow after your regular skincare routine.

1) Primer - a primer helps to smooth out your complexion, leaving the perfect canvas for your foundation/tinited moisturiser/bb cream to sit on. It also acts as a barrier for your base products, so that your makeup won't sweat off or sink away into the skin over the course of the day/night. Look for one with hydrating properties, which will also decrease the chances of your base 'cracking' and looking caked on. We love Inika's Certified Organic Pure Primer.

2) Foundation/tinted moisturiser/bb cream - Here is when you put on your main product for coverage and which one you choose will depend on how much coverage you are looking for. If you like a full coverage, go for a foundation. The amazing range of mineral foundations now on the market offer this but are still nice and light. Due to their mineral powder formulation, you can also build up the amount of product as you go, by buffing it into the skin with a makeup brush until you've reached the right amount for your complexion. Try Inika Mineral Foundation SPF15.

If you don't feel you need the amount of coverage a foundation offers reach for a tinted moisturiser instead, like the True Solutions All Day Moisture SPF30+ Tinted Cream or a BB cream, like Erborian's BB Créme au Ginseng. These formulations are much sheerer than most foundations, but will still even out the appearance of your skin tone and generally mask any small differences in pigmentation. They are also a great option for day time as well as for summer, as they contain an SPF.

3) Concealer - Now is the time to conceal if you need to. Some recommend concealing before your foundation but often your foundation or base of choice will cover up the majority of anything you'd like to disguise. This is why concealer can be used to 'touch up' any thing still obviously visable, like pimples or dark under eye circles. We love Savoir Faire's Concealer and Finishing Powder.

4) Bronzer - Bronzer looks best when placed specifically on the face, rather than swished all over it! For the most flattering application, apply in two '3' shapes (one normal, one inverted) on either side of the face - starting at the forehead, curving down past the eye and in under the cheek bone than back out, following the line of your jaw to under your chin. Blend well so it isn't too stark against your base. Try the MeMeMe Blush Me! Blush Box in Bronze.

Once you've mastered these things and you've added your finishing touches to the eyes and lips, you can start to integrate blush, illuminator and eyeliner into your repertoire! Good luck and have fun. And remember keep trying until you get your look just right.

ps. One final tip - less really is more! Don't go overboard and you'll always look more natural.

What is your burning beauty question? Ask below and it might be answered next week! And tell me, have you ever been held up at airport security? Do you love studs and shoes as much as me? - Sam