Name: Louise

From: Live in Melbourne but originally an Adelaide gal.

Beauty Signature: Dark locks and olive skin – I am a bit of a wannabe Bronzed Goddess. I recently went overseas and it was pretty handy as wherever I went I was mistaken for a local!

Beauty Icon: Jennifer Aniston – she is a perfect combination of relaxed chic, intelligence, talent and a zest for life, which I find makes her stunning. She is not a classic beauty, a lot would argue, but she is accessible and relatable and carries herself in a way that is inspirational and achievable. The effortless waves, subtle bronzed skin, chic clothing style and green eyes coupled with her poise and strength makes her my number one beauty icon. 
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And I am almost lost for words. Only almost. Oh I know I shouldn’t be mean-spirited on such a day as this, when Barack will soon be President and everything will be good in the world once more. I do have loftier ideals than just good hair and makeup, I swear, but I just can’t leave this alone. Doesn’t Christina just make you feel tired? All that effort to pack the foundation on, get mascara onto every single lash, layer on lipstick, iron the fringe just so. And that’s not just for a photo shoot or concert - that’s even when nipping outside to cast a vote.

Okay rant over, I’m going to let it slide now - I feel like I should forgive Americans most things right at this moment. Maccas, pink velour tracksuits, Billy Ray Cyrus, cheese in a tube, and yes, even a little makeup overload.

The lovely Joico folk took us to a Melbourne Cup lunch yesterday – this is me with Leigh from Cosmo and Rachael from Cleo. As you can see, there’s no rivalry between the beauty editors. We have to see each other at a function at least once a day, so you really have to come to like each other, or you have a really unfun time of it. But luckily, they’re all such easy girls to like (if I may say so myself …) (more…)

I’m not even second-cousin-thrice-removed from an American but I’m feeling all patriotic. It’s because I heart Barack so much and am crossing my fingers and toes so hard that he’ll win. In the meantime, for what it’s worth, I’ve put together my list of top American beauty buys to get us in election chic:

OPI Nail Lacquer in Blue my Mind, $19.95 from selected salons. Perfect for Democrat digits.

Maybelline New York Define a Lash Mascara Waterproof, $18.75 from pharmacies. Because there may be tears - but good ones.

Redken 5th Avenue Smooth Down Sleek Obedience, $26, from selected salons. For a chic Michelle-inspired finish to your flippy bob.

Kai Perfume Oil, $90 from Mecca Cosmetica. Inspired by the fragrance of Hawaii, Barack’s birth state.

American Beauty Pretty Glossy Luscious Lipshine, $25 from selected Targets. Because we’re leaving the lipstick to the pitbull right now.

Last week, I was so sure that black lipstick would never work in Australia. This week, not so sure. Several reasons. I found out that Poppy King is bringing out her Lipstick Queen Black Tie Optional lip gloss and lipstick in a couple of months (they’re not meant to be worn just literally – they’re also designed as a way to add intensity to other lipstick shades). And also that Chanel is set to launch a collection of not-quite-black-but-very-very-close lipsticks. Think Black Satin mania for lips. Oh and also, Halloween happened. (more…)

Name: Val
From: Melbourne
Beauty Signature: Pink lips and false eyelashes.
Beauty Icon: Leighton Meester. She never fails to do effortless chic so flawlessly whether it is in Gossip Girl or out of it.
All-Time Top Buy: La Mer Fluid Tint ($165 from La Mer). It delivers perfect coverage (even for eyes), plumps, moisturises and doubles as a sunscreen. Also, Utowa Eyelash Curler ($45 from Mecca Cosmetica) and Dr.Lipp Lip Balm ($34 from Mecca Cosmetica). (more…)

I’ve spent the past few mornings practicing my handstands. Mostly because I have only two-and-a-tiny-bit-more months to make sure I make one particular resolution resolve itself (see Monday). But also because I’m convinced it’s an amazingly anti-ageing thing to do. (more…)

My dog Daisy has a better life than I do right now. She certainly has more friends than I do, thanks to her three days a week spent at doggie daycare, where she’s besties with the (furry) kids of some of Sydney’s top facialists and party planners (I kid you not). It’s definitely a better social life than mine (hmmm perhaps something to do with the fact that I spend so much money on Daisy, I have none left over for myself). Her most recent invitation was to the Rufus & Coco Pet Spa (click here for more on Rufus & Coco, a new line of pet vitamins, groomers and accessories). You can see Daisy wasn’t so happy about being washed (she loves nothing more than to smell of eau de dead rat). But she did get lots of cuddles once she was all clean and fluffy (the Rufus & Coco 4in1 Pamper Spray is fabulous – it detangles, deodorises, glosses and even has a UV filter – I want one!). And she even got to sit for Sydney’s top dog photographer – the Phodographer (of course). Sigh. Who would have thought I’d suffer life and hair envy - from my dog.

Celebrity hair may be all about the bob and the crop right now. And the recent catwalks showed lots of long centred-parted styles. But it was the chic Parisian up-dos (YSL, pictured here; Lanvin; Valentino) that I most sighed over during the collections. Sighed, because I have never worn my hair up. One, because of my ear dysmorphia. And two, because of my back.

I don’t necessarily love to tell the world that I suffer from back-ne (back breakouts, although you probably got that). But I am here to serve. And anyway, fingers crossed I have solved that particular beauty stress. (more…)

This is the new image for Estée Lauder Pleasures and I don’t derive any pleasure from it at all. The reason is that it reminds me that I have done nothing about my New Year resolution to learn the guitar. With two months and four days of 2008 to go, achieving that goal is not looking likely, let’s just admit defeat now. I was part way there. I had the guitar. I had found a teacher who looked suitably like some old bearded hippie and who was even more suitably called Barry. But I just couldn’t get the rest together. (more…)