Guys you all know I’ve been a long term fan of Polished London.
My must have product has to be the Teeth Whitening Strips. I use these in my getting ready routine to give my smile the sparkle boost before nights out or big events.
Amazing news they have increased my code to 20% off site wide using the code GEMKEN20
For amazing discount codes on all your beauty, fashion & lifestyle needs check out WETHRIFT here
I had the most amazing facial at Advanced Rejuvenation in Bondi last week and I wanted to share my experience with you all, along with a $50 off discount (winning)!
Jacinta invited me in to receive a facial tailored to my skins needs and whilst there she also kindly treated my brows with some TLC.
Before: Post Birthday Celebrations, I was so run down and had broken out in coldsores. My skin was not at its best.
Jacinta took me in and talked through all my personal skin needs. She recommended the treatments best suited to the results I desired. Jacinta is incredibly knowledgeable of all things skin, I could have chatted all day with her! She works with each client to understand exactly what they want to achieve and creates tailored facials, peels and treatments to suit the individual.
My Facial Step by Step
I wanted to outline the facial I received but I also just want to reinstate that each persons skin needs will be different and Jacinta treats each client accordingly.
Jacinta started by cleansing my skin followed with a gentle scrub and exfoliation. She then preformed Micro Dermabrasion on the congested areas. Next up was the Oxygen Peel which was left on for 10 minutes. This treatment had a heated tingly sensation on the skin. After the peel was removed Jacinta added a Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum.
Up next was an Alginate Rubber Peel Off Mask. Whilst this was on Jacinta massaged my shoulders, neck and brought the beautiful oils up into my hair. My rubber mask was then peeled off revealing baby soft and extremely hydrated skin in an instant.
Jacinta then tinted and waxed my brows. Let me tell you it has been years since I have let anyone near my brows after a horrible experience of over waxing when i was about 13!! It’s a good job thin brows were in back then lol.
But seriously, these brows tho! I haven’t had to wear any product in them at all they are so perfectly shaped to my face
I purchased the cleanser Jacinta used on me and I’ve used it twice a day every day since. I have to say I notice a big improvement in my skin. I had those sore, under the skin spots which have cleared up since. I’ve went from using a concoction of products on my skin to just the cleanser and an Image Moisturise and my skin is reacting well to it. So far so good and I can’t wait for another facial!
Discount for you lot, screen shot the below and show to Jacinta for $50 off your treatment.
I just wanted to finish off this blog post with a massive thank you to Jacinta. Fellow Irish girls please support Jacinta, she is a dream. Go check her out and change your skin today!
Instagram: @advancedrejuvenationbondi
Website: Advanced Rejuvenation Bondi
Hi my lovelies,
I have been excited to write the following review since my first use of this product. Back home I know everyone is obsessed with the Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer and upon discovering the foundation form in Australia I was super keen to try! I hope you enjoy my review.
Maybelline’s foundation game right now is super impressive! I am already a huge fan of the Fit Me Foundation and they have just released a New formula of Superstay 24hr full coverage foundation – I cant wait to get my hands on this to try because from what I’ve heard it is better than the Fit Me Range (how?!!)
I have been wearing the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Foundation for the past three weeks daily (except for nights out as it isn’t super full coverage). A few of you have messaged me asking about the foundation and it had multiple screenshots when I posted it on snap so I thought it deserved a post to describe it in more detail.
It has quickly became one of my most-used day foundations and im going to run you through why…
It works really well when used in combination with primer and set with powder. It is easy to apply and gives a nice medium coverage, which is just perfect for daily makeup looking natural on the skin.
Consistency: Lightweight and glides over the face well, allowing time to blend it in evenly without sinking into the skin too quick. It’s not too greasy despite having SPF18 which was surprising.
Coverage: The coverage is medium which is why I find it perfect for a day foundation.
Price: It is super affordable
How I wear it: I pair it with 2 other Maybeline products the Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser primer and the FIT Me Matte & Poreless Powder to set.
What I dislike about this product
The Packaging: it’s a screw top glass bottle and I am not a fan of pouring out foundation on to a brush, you have lilt control and usually end up with far too much product. It also encourages you to dip your brush in the bottle which is unhygienic and can cause a build up of bacteria unless you wash your brush after every application! I think it should definitely feature a pump as this would be less messy and a lot more practical.
Where is it available?
I picked mine up in Priceline Chemist (Australia). I have never seen this foundation back home so I have looked it up on Amazon and you girls can avail of it from this link.
I would recommend this foundation for people with dry, normal, combo skin type. I would avoid it you are oily as even with a primer and setting powder it doesn’t really mattify so it will slide off your skin.
For colour guide purpose I wear NC37 in MAC and the shade I have been wearing in this foundation is 220 Sandy Beige. The product doesn’t oxidise and stays true to the shade.
Blend-ability: 10
Coverage: 6
Lasting power: 7
Price: 10
Packaging: 0 (because there is no form of dispenser which I was immediately disappointment by)
Im going to give this foundation an overall 6.5/10.
Additional notes: I have sensitive skin and it hasn’t broke me out. All pictures in this post are filter free and in natural daylight for a true representation of the product coverage.
Hi My Lovelies,
This past week quite a few of you asked me what I use on my brows so I though I would piece together a blogpost on the current products I am using.
4 products you will need to achieve fleeky ass brows:
Step 1: Comb your brows with a spoolie before applying any product. The first third of your brow should be combed upwards pushing the hairs up, then brush the remainder of the brow in the direction of hair growth.
Step 2: The holy grail product I use for my brows is the Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade in the shade ‘Medium Brown’.
Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade – £18
Each pot contains 4 grams of super pigmented pomade and with a choice of 11 different shades theres a suitable colour for everyone.
A little bit goes a long way and you can build it up to your desired intensity. Most days I only use a little with a light hand to achieve a more natural look for daily wear, but when I want to have super on fleek Insta-level brows this is my go-to product. With the amazing consistency of the pomade you will never have to worry about flakiness or fallout.
The only downfall of this product is that it can dry out easily, so you need to be sure to put the lid back on straight after use.
Tip: If yours has dried out, try adding a few drops of beauty oil to the pomade to turn it back to the gel like texture.
Step 3: Taking an angled brush, I dip it into the brow pomade and then I lightly squeeze the brush between my fingers to flatten the bristles and remove any access product. I start by making a line under the brow leaving the very start of my brow free of any product for now. I continue by then creating the arch and tail of the brow. Using the remainder of the product on the brush I fill the brow in creating thin strokes.
I brush the product upward from the bottom line and then using a spoolie, I brush the product over to the start of my brow for a gradual faded look. I finish off by brushing the remainder of the brow to shape and distributing the product evenly throughout the brow.
Tip: Start off with a small amount of product otherwise it will end up looking cakey and your eyebrow colour may become too dark if too much product is used.
You can define the brow with concealer to further sculpt the shape (i don’t do this for daily makeup and will include details in a future blog post).
I do have the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dual Sided Brow Brush (£18) but I choose to use Sephora’s angled liner brush as it is thinner and more precise. I did get this brush about 4 years ago from Sephora but here is a similar one to mine.
Step 4: Browcote Brow Gel
To finish off my brows I lightly coat them with Browcote to set and seal the pomade. This product is super lightweight on the brows, it doesn’t leave the brows feeling wet nor does it dry in flaky.
The brush wand applicator glides through brow hairs and sets your look effortlessly, it is the perfect size meaning the wand holds the perfect amount of product and doesn’t get any onto the skin surrounding the brows. The gel itself is clear so can work with any brow colour or skin tone.
Available from Superdrug for £6.99 or the Browcote website.
Voila, there you have it – fleeky ass brows that will help you slay all day.
Chat soon,
GemKen x
Hi My Lovelies,
I have detailed my 9-step flawless base below, have a read and let me know what you think or if you picked up any useful tips.
Mwah, GemKen x
Follow the steps below to recreate my perfect base!
Step 1- Prep Spray
The prep spray I use is the Urban Decay Vitamin B6. This spray gives your skin a quick hit of vitamins and calms any redness or irritation.
✔ Absorbs oil
✔ Minimizes pores
✔ Reduces redness
✔ Soothes skin
Urban Decay Vitamin B6 £23.50 available here.
Step 2 – Primer
Primer preps your skin for the perfect foundation application.
✔ Fills in fine lines
✔ Smoothes over pores
✔ Increases the lasting power of foundation.
How to use? Apply a pea sized amount of primer with fingers to places where you have visible pores or tend to have issues with makeup not staying on the skin.
My go to ‘on a budget’ primer has to be Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser. It is super comparable to Smash Box Photo Finish at a fraction of the price.
Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser £7.99 available here.
Smash Box Photo Finish £26.00 available here.
I do like Smash Box Photo Finish although due to the packaging its so hard to get the product out when your over 1/2 way through the bottle. At £26 per bottle you want to be using every last drop! Would I buy it again? Honestly- no, not after finding Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser which is less than a third of the price!
Another primer in my favourites is the Benefit Porefessional. I adore this slightly tinted primer, its super soft creamy texture really does leave a smooth blurred finish on the skin. A cheaper dupe I have tried and tested is the KIKO Skin Trainer CC Blur, another slightly tinted primer that also creates a smooth facial complexion with less visible pores.
Benefit Porefessional £26.00 available here.
KIKO Skin Trainer CC Blur £19.50 available here.
Depending on your skin type, different primers will suit you better. Be sure to have a skin consultation and get your skin analysied so you are using a primer that is right for your skin type. This also will help you find the correct cleanser, toner, mosturiser, serums, foundations etc. Knowing your skin type will benefit your fleekyness!
Step 3- Foundation
I use a combination of foundations for both day & night time. I will describe to you guys my ‘night out‘ mix that works for me and my skin.
Urban Decay All Nighter Foundation (My Shade is 4.5) £29 available here.
MAC Studio Sculpt (My Shade NC40) £27 available here.
For nights out I mix 2 pumps of Urban Decay All Nighter with a small squirt of MAC Studio Sculpt NC40, I find the coverage and lasting power of these foundations mixed incredible. I pump the Urban Decay foundation on to the back of my hand & squirt some MAC on top, mix it up and apply to each area with a flat brush. Starting with a third of my face (one cheek, half my nose & jaw line) apply with flat brush and blend with a stippling brush in circular motions, once blended move on to other areas of the face repeating the application process.
Step 4- Concealer
I have always applied concealers after foundation. If you have any pimples, red scarring or imperfections, sometimes you may find that your foundation just isn’t full coverage enough, this is when I find its best to lightly apply concealer over the top.
My best tip so it doesn’t go cakey is to use the smallest point of a beauty blender, apply the concealer and lightly dab on to the specific area.
I love the consistency and coverage of the Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Concealer . I recently wanted to buy an extra light shade to use under my eyes for brightening but the shades were mostly sold out so I purchased one for concealing spots and blemishes.
From my Snapchat and Instagram stories you guys will have seen how my skin has broken out due to severe lack of sleep (jet lag, sleeping 3-4 hours max per night). So I have been using the Urban Decay Naked Skin concealer over my foundation on the problem areas. I would say the consistency is comparable to Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer (£8.99), but the coverage is hella better.
Urban Decay ‘Naked Skin’ weightless concealer £19.00 available here.
Step 5- Cream Contour
The cream contour palette I use is from Make-up Studio in the shade light, I purchased it from Paddy McGurgan’s Makeup Pro Store £37.50 also available here.
See image below to as a guide to where I put light & dark shades on my face. I apply with two flat brushes, one for light shades & one for dark shades.
Once applied, take your damp beauty blender and dab the contour, pushing the product into the skin. Never rub your contour as this will remove the product from your face leaving you patchy. After patting the product into my face I like to set the areas.
Step 6- Setting Powder
I set the dark areas of contour with the bottom three powders mixed from the Anastasia Beverly Hills The Original Contour Kit (Powder) in shade ‘light- medium’.
Anastasia Beverly Hills The Original Contour Kit £39 available here.
For the Highlighted areas of contour I like to set with, WAIT FOR IT…
Primark P.S Setting Powder £2.50 (recently rebranded to P.S Banana Powder €4)
I found this amazing dupe for Ben Nye last year and I’ve been obsessed ever since, can you believe its under a fiver and from PRIMARK!?
How to use?
I pour some product onto my hand, using a damp beauty blender I lift the product and apply it to the lightest contoured parts of my face
If I am after a super matte long lasting finish for my night out I will bake my face for about 5-8 minutes with the Primark Setting Powder before dusting off with a fluffy brush.
Step 7- Bronzer
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural- Give Me Sun!
I love, love, love Give Me Sun!, it is my ideal shade of bronzer with a cute summer peach undertone. In the airport on the way to Dubai I picked up MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in the shade Dark Deep to try, its more of a golden bronze. I haven’t used it yet so I will keep you guys updated.
Mineralize Skinfinish both shades £24.50 available here.
Step 8- Highlighter
My holy grail highlighter is MAC Soft & Gentle. I am OBSESSED with it, i can never get away from it.
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish, Soft & Gentle £24.50 available here.
During my Dubai trip I picked up the new Too Faced Love Lights highlighter in the shade ‘Blinded by the Light’ (£25) and to be honest the pigment payoff isn’t quite as good as MAC.
How do I apply highlight? To intensify my highlighter I squirt my brush with setting spray before coating it with the product. Apply to top of cheekbones bringing it around your temples and don’t forget your cupids bow! I dab the product on, pushing it into my skin instead of using a fan brush, this is just my own preference and i find it gives a more popping highlight!
Step 9- Setting Spray
The one product which is used mainly throughout (Steps 5, 6 & 8). Setting spray ups your makeup game giving it serious staying power. My favourite setting spray is the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray.
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray £23.50 available here.
Close your eyes, hold your breath and spritz your face 5-6 times with this magical potion and your makeup will last all night!
Voila!- there you have it- my perfect, flawless base with a banging highlight.
Additional Tips & Tricks
✔ Don’t be afraid to mix foundations together to find the right shade, coverage and durability for your skin.
✔ Apply foundation in sections to prevent adding too much, no one wants a cakey face- just the fabulous frosting!
✔ Wash your beauty blender before you start with your makeup, squeeze it dry in the sink, squeeze it again in a towel and then when it comes to needing it just spritz it with setting spray.
✔ Don’t be afraid to ask for samples of any product especially when it comes to shades of foundations.
✔ Urban Decay All Nighter oxidises meaning it will change colour on your skin after a few minutes of being pumped from the bottle, bear this in mind when selecting your shade.
✔ Don’t test foundation shades on your hand, use your jawline.
✔ Check the shades in a natural light.
