Saturday Soiree #1: The Theatre (Beauty & Style Files)

 

Welcome to the Saturday Soiree Series here at Kirrakirra where I plan on posting a different outfit and makeup look for a different Saturday night activity. I hope to post this series every second Thursday so you've got plenty of time to take notes and be ready for whatever your Saturday Soiree may involve!

Soiree #1 is a trip to the theatre, because even though I'm outwardly 19, on the inside I'm 90. 

I was recently lucky enough to see Les Miserables at the Crown Theatre and, oh my, it was wonderful. I have always been infatuated by musical theatre, and have been known to actually cry real tears due to being overwhelmed by how breathtakingly magnificent it all is. However, this time I pulled myself together and no tears escaped, although they were very close to making an appearance during a stunning rendition of 'On My Own'. Despite sitting in the very back row of the theatre and having a child in front of me stand up waaay too much, the performance was enchanting and I was very impressed by the number of WAAPA graduates in the cast! Anyway, I must now put the musical theatre geek in me aside and actually start talking about more 'important' things like glittery bangles and excessive generous use of highlighter.

The Face: It was a hot night and I was keen for something dewy, bronzy, and glowy (if I'm gonna get sweaty and shiny I may as well make it look intentional) so I packed on the highlighter, used a very light base and added a pop of orange on the lips. Basically, my makeup screamed summer. In the hot weather I'm a big advocate of simplicity (read: laziness) so I kept the eyes basic and focused my efforts on the skin.

I used a teency bit of Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser in Groenland, then very lightly added Hourglass Arch Brow Scultping Pencil in Soft Brunette and Benefit Gimme Brow in Medium/Dark to my eyebrows. Then, I swept By Terry Ombre Blackstar Cream Eyeshadow in Bronze Moon over my lids and blended it out with Nars Laguna Bronzing Powder in the crease. I followed up with Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Eyeliner in Nude in my waterline, curled my lashes and coated them in mascara using Maybelline Volum' Express The Colossal Smoky Eyes Mascara in Intense Smoke (what a mouthful)! Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard was then called to action for brightening and covering the dark bags under my eyes and was dotted on any redness and spots. Next, I bronzed up my cheeks with some more Nars Laguna. Following this, it was time to get extra glowy with Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Dim Infusion on the cheeks, and Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Luminous Light as a highlighter atop the cheek bones. Finally, I painted  my lips with MAC Morange Lipstick. In conclusion, I put summer on my face and I'm totally okay with that.

The hair: My hair on this occassion was the embodiment of laziness, but I'd prefer to call it 'tousled and tastefully messy.' Ha. I played a game called 'how much dry shampoo is socially acceptable to spray in your hair before you wash it?' (Toni & Guy Cleanse Dry Shampoo for Fine Hair). I then added Juuce Sea Air Mist, scrunched and was done. On a scale of 1 to 10 how much do you think it resembles the straw atop a scarecrows head? Oh well.

The style: Sticking with the summery, easy breezy theme, I went with a navy blue maxi dress from Forever New; navy blue with orange lipstick is one of my favourite colour combinations! The halter dress has slits down the sides and a gold studded belt to add some interest to the outfit and give it some edge. I wore it with my favourite toffee brown wedges (also from Forever New) which are so comfy; I literally did all my Christmas Shopping wearing them. They are also inexplicably good at making me look competent in high shoes (which I'm definitely not). Even my mum commented on how I stepped onto the escalator with such apparent ease, but this has taken on a strange tangent... I had a brown leather jacket from Valleygirl that was purchased many, many moons ago, and my new toffee coloured Tilkah tote bag which I luurrve so much despite having to sell my soul to pay for it! Finally, I added a very sparkly bangle which I got from my mum and dad for Christmas. It's a Swarovski Stardust Blue Bracelet and it is so beautiful. Thanks mummy!

Summary: Summery. Ha. Get it? Wow. 

But seriously, I had a great time trying not to cry at Les Mis and if you're in Perth I recommend you get tickets! I'm even considering going again!

Anyway,  let me know how you feel about this style of post and tell me what your plans are for this weekend. Mine involves excessive consumption of ice tea and an inability to move from the couch. Again, I'm actually 90.

See you on Sunday xx

Purse-onality: My handbag essentials

I thought for my second post, after introducing myself on Sunday, that I'd let you have a snoop around my handbag, because there's likely to be some way that you can read into my personality and get to know me according to what I lug around with me everywhere I go... well, there's probably a buzzfeed quiz that claims to do that, at least. They could call it "what your purse says about your purse-onality?" Ha. Sorry.


Anyway, instead of spilling the entire contents of my bag onto the floor and discussing it all with you, I decided to narrow it down to my top 11 (because 10 just wasn't enough) handbag essentials. So without further ado, cast your gaze upon the list of things I rarely leave behind. Disclaimer: the word 'essential' is perhaps being used *rather (*very, very) loosely.

1. Lucas Papaw Ointment: This is not just a handbag essential. It's a life essential. I have three: one with my makeup stash, one in my handbag, and one that never leaves my side. I'm not even joking; I have it under my pillow at night in case, heaven forbid, I wake up with chapped lips! Then when I get up it follows me into whichever room I go. I have a terribly nasty habit of picking my lips (I know, I know!) and it's the only thing that soothes them and keeps them looking decent. It's also amazing for insect bites and dry skin. But be warned; once you try it, you will be burdened with insatiable cravings for it's soft, sweet, healing caress against your lips. Oh my, that got a bit odd, but basically it's really good.
2. Forever New 'Lovely Little Things' Cosmetic Case: It's contents differs depending on what I put on my face that morning, but on a day to day basis it probably contains Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in Ivory, Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Sand Storm, a Zoeva 142 Concealer Buffer Brush and a Real Techniques Multi Task Brush. There's no need to cart around the kitchen sink (or the entire bathroom beauty stash)! I think it's the perfect size and I love the beaded detailing on the front. So purrty!
3. Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 027 Juicy Papaya: This has barely spent a minute away from my lips this summer! It's super creamy, and provides my pout with a sheer coral glow, as well as nourishment and hydration. I think it's great for minimal makeup days when you just want a little bit of colour and shine without too much opacity.
4. Forever New Blush Pink iPhone 5 wallet (even though I have an iPhone 4): I love these things so much; I don't know how I survived so long with just a normal case! They come in handy when you'd rather leave your big purse filled with 200 loyalty cards, masses of loose change, and receipts that never get thrown away, at home. It has enough room for a couple of essential cards (I carry my ID, a debit card and my student card), a bit of cash, and a sad looking iPhone 4. It has a useful wrist strap and I even attached my house key to it, which means if you can't seem to find it, you can just call your phone and... wallah! If you don't have a wallet for your phone you need to seriously question where your life is going. Do it.
5. Tissues and bandaids: Boring, yes. Important, yes. At uni I would walk for miles (or perhaps just a few metres, but the point is I walked) to get to the library and then I'd sit down and my nose would start running and I'd have to choose between being that annoying sniffer in a completely silent building full of grumpy, sleep deprived students revved up on caffeine, or walking back miles (again, perhaps that's a slight exaggeration) to the campus pharmacy to buy tissues. So, a pocket pack is now a handbag staple. I also carry around a few bandaids, just in case.
6. Forever New Compact Mirror: Totally vain but better than using your phone camera! And the one I have is super-dooper pretty. When I'm out people always ask to borrow it to touch up their lippy. I may have put a little crack in it though, so the next 7 years of my life are obviously doomed. And yes, almost everything I own is from Forever New. Oops.
7. Prada PR10RS Sunglasses in Black/Grey: This was one of my most extravagant purchases ever, but most certainly worth it because I feel like a Kardashian when I have them on which obviously justifies the hole in my bank account. Everyone needs a pair of sunnies in summer and you may as well fork out the big bucks if you love them and they love your cheekbones! Well, at least that's what I tell myself as I stare at the moths in my wallet. *Help*
8. Sweet Treats Petit Parfum in Cotton Candy: It comes in a pretty slimline bottle and is good for situations when you might need to address how you smell... It's cotton candy in a bottle, need I say more?
9. Typo 2015 Luxury Diary A5: A little black book covered in sparkles beats iCal every time. It's not too big to carry around but there's still enough space to make notes and stay organised.
10. Microshield Antimicrobial Hand Gel: Because things are gross, and this helps my hands to be less gross.
11. Jeff Banks Glasses: this one isn't that exciting...not that hand sanitiser was exactly raving either. They help me see, obviously. Here's a semi-fun (probably not that fun) anecdote about my glasses: they're actually mens and once after watching a movie at the cinema, somehow, despite wearing them throughout the entire film, I lost them, so I waited for a while at the counter in case someone turned them in. Sure enough, a 70 year old man turned up with mine in his hands and the same ones on his face. He said he was confused because at first he thought they were his but then he realised he already had them on. I'm so glad to know I have the same taste in eyewear as an elderly man... They're nice, I swear!

Of course I couldn't write this post without discussing the beautiful sack of leather I throw all these things into. It's a wonderful toffee coloured tote bag from Tilkah that I bought in Melbourne. Unfortunately I don't remember the exact name and it's out of stock on the website but I pretty much want to eat their entire range. Om nom nom nom. They're just so beautiful! I usually shy away from spending more than $60 on a handbag but when it comes to Tilkah bags I'd sell my soul to own one. The leather is so soft and luxurious and the entire bag is made to excellent standards. It's a lovely size and shape, and despite being soft leather, it's not completely floppy and impossible to find anything in. The inside has a zip pocket and two little pouches so my things stay nice and organised, and the zipper along the front with the tassle is not only functional but an interesting design feature too! I've owned a few bags from Tilkah and whenever I go to Melbourne I make a point of going there (even if it's completely out of the way from our hotel, raining, and makes us late for high tea... sorry mum). I can't speak highly enough of them!

Well, I hope you enjoyed having a peek into my handbag, and didn't mind the abundance of completely pointless anecdotes too much! Let me know what your handbag must-haves are, and meet me back here on Thursday for a bronzed and glowy beauty look as well as dirty 'scarecrow chiq' hair. Wait, what?

xx Shakira

Welcome, seekers of all things beautiful

I started a joke, which started the whole world crying. No wait, that was the Beegees. But I did start a blog. This is my first post so if you're reading this you're probably my mum. If however, by some miracle you're not my mum, thanks for taking the time to have a look at my silly ramblings.
So, without further ado, let me tell you a little bit about me and my plans for this little corner of the internet. 

My name is Shakira (are you fighting the urge to sing Hips Don't Lie?) and I'm a 19 year old Psychology student from Perth, Western Australia. I watch too much TV and have an exisitential crisis everytime I finish a series, sorry what? I buy more makeup than my bank account can handle, and have a fetish for flower crowns, ripped jeans, tartan and kimonos with tassles (probably not all together though). I enjoy making music but if I could be anything, I'd most certainly be a faery so sometimes people pay me to dress up as one; this is thoroughly enjoyable, and gives me an excuse to cover my face with copious amounts of glitter.

Brownie points to whoever can figure out what the text on my computer screen says...

As a child I used to spend my days writing and writing and writing some more, but as I grew up I found less and less time for this pastime I loved so much, and I often found myself wishing I had a reason to write. So, I decided that I would make a reason, and Kirrakirra was born; I can't wait to see it take shape and become a slice of the internet I'm proud to call my own. Here, I will write about beauty and makeup, personal style, music, lifestyle and probably some other things as well. I hope you can find something that tickles your fancy!

Finally, you may have noticed that my header reads "For seekers of all things beautiful."  This is part of a quote from a stunning canvas by Kelly Rae Christmas and I fell in love with it immediately. I want this blog to be a place where people can come and experience something beautiful. Not neccessarily anything materially or physically beautiful, but a place that makes you feel content. A place that is warm and loving and happy, because that in itself is beauty. It should be a safehaven, a virtual sanctuary full of passion and positivity. A place that inspires you to seek out beauty and goodness in your life, and share it with others.
 

I'll be back with a new post on Tuesday and Thursday!
Seek beauty xx