Makeover my make-up bag: Shabby to chic

 Written: May 2006

The cheap-can-be-chic makeover

Laura Wynne – beautyheaven member, WA
Age: 20
Skin: Combination and fair
Eyes: Bluish
Hair: Blonde
Style profile: Laura goes sporty-casual by day but will fire up her look for a night out dancing ’til dawn.
Beauty notes:Laura juggles a full-time job, part-time myspace addiction and amortgage (at a tender 20!) with a pretty tight social schedule, so alow maintenance, practical routine is essential. Especially in thea.m., says Laura: “I am not a morning person and always find myselfrunning late.”
Why she needs a makeover:”Everything I have is old and/or cheap,” she says, “and I’m not surewhat make-up works for me.” The girl has had the same eyeshadow in herkit since Christmas ’04 – and she still uses it. Enough said.

Out with the old…

Laura’s seen-better-days bag

In with the new…

Laura’s madeover make-up kit

Australis Stick Foundation in True Beige ($12.95)

This two-in-one timesaver can be dotted on as concealer or blended allover as foundation. With a smooth powder finish, it’ll have Laura readyto face the morning in nanoseconds.

L’Oreal Ideal Balance Foundation in Tender Beige ($28.95)
Withan anti-shine complex to keep oily areas under control plus gentlehydrators to banish dryness, this face base is perfect for Laura’scombination complexion. “It’s easy to apply and is perfect for my skintone,” she says.

Bloom Cheek Tint in Rosie ($22)
Thisis Laura’s favourite new product. She tells: “At first I was worriedbecause it looks quite dark and I have fair skin, but after applying itwith my fingers it has such a natural look! I use it everyday.”

ID BareMinerals Eye Shadows in Chenille (light sand) & Cashmere (soft smoky brown) ($40)
 “These are perfect for creating a natural look,” enthuses Laura. “I use them by themselves or mix them with one another.”

Rimmel Metallic Cream Shadows ($9.95 each) in Kensington (silver), Chelsea (steely purple) and Soho (creamy pink)
“Themetallic eyeshadows are wonderful! I use the pink one every day as abase,” says Laura. The shimmering silver and blue shades will alsoreally make Laura’s blue eyes brilliant by night.

Bourjois Petit Guide de Style in Fleur Bleu ($26)
Thislittle shadow and liner combo makes crafting dramatic eyes super easy,and the blue-hued Fleur Bleu palette spells Saturday night sexy forsomeone with Laura’s colouring. “The packaging is great and the littlemirror and brush on the inside are great for when I’m on the run,” sheexplains.

Australis Lash Magnitude Mascara in Black ($9.95)
This bargain buy will vamp up Laura’s lashes in a single sweep.

Napoelon Peep Show Mascara in Miss Crystal ($30)
Perfectfor creating a no-make-up make-up look, this clear gel grooms bothlashes and brows. “This is great,” says Laura. “It took a bit ofgetting used to, but my eyebrows don’t have much shape and itdefinitely helped me define them.”

Playboy Pick Up Liner ($21.95)
“It wasn’t easy to apply, but that could be because I don’t usually use liquid eyeliner,” reasons Laura.

Atip for mastering this trickiest of make-up moves: Apply liquid linerin short strokes rather in one long line. It gives you far more controland lets you correct mistakes before they go too far.

Rimmel Rich Moisture Cream Lipstick in Smooch ($12.95)
“Thislipstick is awesome!” says Laura of this moisturising English rosecolour. “I’ve had difficulty finding a colour that suits me and thisone is pretty much perfect!”

ELF Hypershine Lip Gloss Set ($24.95)
Agirl can never have too many glosses, and this gift set is an excellentedit of luscious shades to wear every day. “I now have a range ofcolours that actually suit me. I love the fact that my lips can be adifferent colour each day of the week,” beams Laura.

The reveal

Laura’sswooning over her new make-up bag and we’re sighing with relief thatshe’s finally binned that antique eyeshadow (you have, haven’tyou Laura?!). The crucial point is she’s got a better grip onbeing beautiful on a budget – the glosses she’s raving about are apocket-pleasing $3.95 each! Remember the savvy girls make-up mantra:judge a product by its formula, ingredients and the final finish, notjust the pricetag.

– Tracey Withers