Im moving - Please come too

Hi my Darlings this is just a super quick update, to let you all know that I am moving Blogs. Desiree's Makeup will be no longer, but don't panic a new fandangeled blog will be there to replace it. So please come check it out I promise it will have something for everyone of you, i am making it my mission to post a lot more frequently so stay tuned, you can find me here from now on ::

                                     http://www.madamerougemakeup.blogspot.com/

Thank you for reading my blog, i appreciate your time and i hope to see you all over at our new home xx

My Daily Skin Care Routine

This isn’t a how to or a text book skincare routine this is purely what I’m using at the moment and what is working for me.

In my routine I am using a alpha- hydroxy product and it is not for the faint hearted, I would really advise caution when using this type of product.

Morning routine-

I cleanse my face with my USPA Nourishing milkcleanser using my sigma cleansing and polishing tool. I follow that with the USPA renewal exfoliating tonic and then the Burts Bees eye cream. And finally  the pure c complex serum from USPA as well.. I am loving the results I get with this combination of products, my skin looks and feels smooth and hydrated.

I then proceed with my sunscreen and primer depending on if I am wearing makeup or not that day.

Evening routine –

When the day is done I remove my makeup either with the MAC cleans off oil or makeup remover wipes, depending on how lazy I’m feeling by that time of the day. I then wash my face with dermalogica special cleansing gel followed by the daily mirofoliant , then I apply the Neo strata aha15% lotion.

Now my routine is not ideal for most but after a lengthy battle with adult onset acne I have finally found a routine that works for me so I’m sticking with it for now. I have been using this basic routine for about 6 months now and I have seen my skin turn about from extremely angry and red and full of acne, to pretty clear most days. I still have the hormonal breakouts once a month but before my skin was unbearable at that time of the month now its only the odd pimple here and there. I still have quite a bit of scaring as I’m so fair it tend to really stick around, I am considering some microdermabrasion down the track.

Other than that the only other products I use is a couple of masks the Super 3 minute facial I apply after I cleanse my skin in the shower once or twice a week, and on the odd occasion I use the MAC volcanic ash mask.

So that’s it in a nut shell if you have any questions or suggestions let me know

my Latest Obsession - Illamasqua Cream Blush

The first time I visited an Illamasqua counter I was so overwhelmed by all the beautiful products I didn’t know where to start I wanted it all. But unfortunately an unlimited budget is not something I have so I had to pick a few of the many things I desperately felt I needed in my life.

Left to right- Brazen, Dixi, crush

At that time I got the rich metals pallet and a cream blush in Dixie.

Since that time I have fallen head over heals in love with the cream blushes, Dixie has become my go to blush and I have to make myself reach for something else at times.

The pigment is amazing and gives the skin a beautiful dewy glow and I haven’t found a skin tone that this colour doesn’t look great on.

 The texture of the cream blushes is beautiful, so smooth and creamy they apply really well with a brush and emulsify wonderfully when applied with your fingers (my favorite way to apply this product).

I have since purchased two more of the cream blushes in Brazen and crush, I am looking forward to growing my collection as soon as I can. I would recommend the Illamasqua Cream Blushes to anyone who loves cream blushes, or is looking to give them a try, you will not be disappointed.

Brazen - Dixi - Crush

The most anticipated weekend of the year-IMATS- ABBW2011

Well the makeup even of the year is almost here, what is it I here you say, none other that the International Makeup Artist Trade Show or IMATS as its commonly known.

It coincides with the other most anticipated event that is the ABBW2011, the Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend. A whole weekend of amazing event created by the incredible Jacie from http://www.youvegotnail.com/, and Kimmi from http://www.theplasticdiaries.com/, with over 80 beauty bloggers from around the country in attendance it promises to be a cracker of a weekend.

This will be the third year I will be making the trip to Sydney town to join in the festivities.

There is a fab tag floating around the blogosphere all about IMATS so I thought I would have a go.

What am I most looking forward to????

That’s hard to narrow down, meeting some of the wonderful people I have “met” online but have yet to have the pleasure of their company, Seeing all the new products and tools available, and being surrounded by like minded people who share my love for all things makeup.

What am I hoping to purchase????

I’m hoping to pick up some more brushes from crown and royal and lannickle. I also want to get some more inglot freedom systems and some more of their lip paints.  

I really want to have a look at what’s new in airbrush makeup I’m always on the hunt for something new and different. I am also interested in finding a portable airbrush system.

I will probably pick up some OCC lip tars, it doesn’t matter how many I own I can always find a new colour that inspires me.

I will also be on the hunt for a new liquid/ cream foundation to add to my kit.

I am also really excited to check out the hakuhodu brushes, I have seen them previously but I am keen to add some to my brush collection soon.

There are two many wonderful retailers to mention I am sure I will make some unplanned purchases due to the multitude of awesomeness that is IMATS, I can hardly contain my excitement.

For more info on IMATS – http://www.imats.net/

All you need to know – http://www.theabbw.com/

Its all about colour baby - Kit cosmetics Viva La Colour

I was super excited to be invited along to the release of Kit cosmetics new Viva la colour range. I was given the most wonderful makeover by one of the fantastic artist at the Brisbane city store. I have only had my makeup done by someone else on a few occasions, so I really enjoyed being pampered.

The colours in the range are incredible, the minute you walk into the store the bright colours of the products and the packaging instantly make you smile.

The beautiful pallet containing 12 mineral eye shadows, 4 mineral blush, 2 cream blush, and 6 lipsticks caught my eye instantly, it was so compact and versatile I wanted it in my life. At $69.95 it was a great buy, but I talked my self out of it at the time, because I already own so much makeup did I really need it???

As well as the makeup application I was also given 2 of the products from the range, I picked a blush in the colour peachy keen and a lipstick in the colour fire starter a beautiful pinky coral.

 I didn’t own a kit lipstick until this one and I am really impressed the product is beautiful, it applies so well it has a creamy finish that feels amazing on the lips and the pigmentation is fantastic.  The thing I was most impressed by is the packaging it doesn’t feel flimsy at all it is really sturdy and I don’t have to worry about it getting damaged in my handbag.

The artist also used Kits mineral foundation on me and I was really happy with the results the coverage was great, and my skin felt fantastic I couldn’t stop touching it, it didn’t feel like it had makeup on at all it felt hydrated and silky, I will be adding some to my collection ASAP.

When I arrived home my mind kept wandering back to that beautiful pallet, I couldn’t get it out of my mind. After seeing how well the products lasted on my face I felt I would most definitely get a lot of use out of it, so I jumped on the kit cosmetics website and ordered the baby.

Since it has arrived I have found myself reaching for it everyday, the colours are really versatile and I find I can achieve a multitude of look from the one pallet.

I think I may have to make another order the nail polishes in this range are super cute as well.

MAC Face and Body Foundation - Review

I have been using MAC’s face and body foundation personally and in my Kit for about 12 months now, and it is on of the products I get asked the most about.

I think it is a product people get scared of because of its name, people tend to think there is something complicated about the way this foundation needs to applied. But it’s simply a sheer coverage foundation that is commonly used on the face as well as the body.

The foundation delivers a very sheer coverage with a dewy finish, it gives that “my skin but better” look that works really well for people with reasonable skin. I wouldn’t recommend this product to people that love a full coverage, it is buildable but only from sheer to a light/medium coverage.

It does give a beautiful natural finish but I find it can feel slightly sticky.  If I use a translucent powder it does settle, I have also set this with the MAC mineralized skin finish natural for a semi mat finish.

If my skin is behaving its self I can get away with this foundation but if I have a few breakouts I don’t feel that this gives me enough coverage.

I do use this a lot in my kit as it looks really natural on the skin so it works well in photography and film, I also use this a lot for teens as it isn’t to heavy.

I prefer to apply this either with a traditional foundation brush or with a wet beauty pod, I have also put this through my airbrush and achieved a great result.

The price of this foundation is one of the huge selling factors for myself, and a lot of others out there. It works out so economically  that is a great addition to a makeup artist’s kit.  At $60 for a huge 120ml bottle compared to your standard foundation size of 30 mls, what a ripper I am well and truly sold, on both performance and price.

sunscreen review

I am the first to admit that i have been lazy with sun protection in the past. Especially for my face, i am quite pale and have been pretty good with sunscreen for my body over the years but on a daily basis my face has been forgotten.
I am always vigilant with the kids and they all get smothered with sunscreen everyday before school and on the weekend, but i never think to put it on myself.

Recently i have started using an AHA products on my face and the warning about using a sun protectant were to glaring to dismiss. 

One of the main reasons i don't like to apply sunscreen to my face is the grease factor, i have had no luck finding something that will protect my skin but also sit well under my makeup.

So when i spotted USPA Organic Sun Defense SPF 20 while i was in a salon recently i was keen to give it a try.

 Firstly i applied a small amount to the back of my hand to give it the first swatch test and i was pleasantly surprised the product didnt feel heavy or very greasy. The sun defense also has a really nice "herbal"sent not at all like other sunscreens.

The product does leave a shimmer on the skin not unsimilar to MAC's strobe liquid but as the product dries i find the shimmer disappears.
I personally love this product and i will continue to repurchase this one,  i love the organic nature of this product and my skin seems to love it too.
USPA products are available at selected salons or online at - http://www.uspa.com.au/store/default.asp
I have also been using other skincare items from there range and will have reviews up for them soon

Dr Perricone's Super 3 Minuite Facial - Review

As you all know i was fortunate enough to be invited along to kit cosmetics to be indulged in a Super quickie facial. I was also given one of the beautiful products to take home with me, i chose the 3 Minute Facial. In my opinion as a makeup artist and mother this product is near perfect.

Its "super" ingredient is ginger and is designed to stimulate the skin and can have a tingling sensation, i personally don't get any tingling while using this.  

The products smells amazing, so fresh and subtly sweet as with most of the product in this range i feel like i could eat them out of the jars, but unlike some products on the market that have "food"scents this range doesn't have that terrible artificially sweet sent, they are all really crisp clean scents.

The thing i love the most about this product is the time factor needed to achieve great results. 3 Minutes and your good to go with beautiful, glowing refreshed skin.

It is so user friendly i hop in the shower cleanse my skin and pop on the 3 minute facial mask, i then let it do its thing while i wash the rest of me. Then i simply rinse my face and finish with my normal skin care routine.
The results speak for themselves.

I have been struggling with adult onset acne for a couple of years now and haven't been happy with the way my skin looks at all, since my super quickie facial and continuing to use the 3 minute facial mask a few times a week, i have been super happy to receive as many complements on my skin in the last two weeks as i did in the past two years.

As a mum my time is precious and this product works so well with out having to spent 20 mins walking around with goop on my face that will always be a winner in my book.

Dr Perricone's "super" skincare launch

I had the opportunity to head along to kit cosmetics during the week to check out the new range of skincare  by Oprah's skin doctor Dr Nicholas Perricone. The "super" range is a collection of products that all contain "super foods" in there ingredients such as melon and ginger.
While in the store i was treated to a Quickie facial treatment targeted to my individual skin care needs. As i have issues with acne i received the "Breakout star" facial for acne prone/ oily or red skin. The consultant was very informative and gave me a thorough breakdown of all the products as she was using them.

She double cleansed my skin with the sweet clean containing Acai, then applied the 3 minute facial mask with ginger. She let it do its magic while i relaxed, she then removed the mask and sprayed my face with the detox elixir mist that contains watercress.
She treated my tired eyes with the bright eyed flawless eye treatment and finished with the hyper hydrator daily moisture cream that contains coconut.
My skin looked and felt like a dream, the whole experience was wonderful, products worked wonders on my skin, and the fragrance of them was amazing. The sent of the products really reflects the super food ingredient's they contain, the eye cream and the moisturiser smelt good enough to eat.

The super range is available nationally at Kit cosmetic stores as well as online -

www.kitcosmetics.com.au/products/super/

and through mecca maxima stores  check them out you wont be disappointed,

Activance hair stimulant review-

I was recently sent this product to trial, and it came at a very good time, I have been scalp bleaching my hair for about 6 months and the side effects were really staring to show I have been experiencing a lot of hair breakage and my hair looked and felt like straw. I was getting worried that I wouldn’t be able to keep the blonde up as the damage to my hair was getting dire.

I received Activance about a month ago and have been using after I wash my hair daily since.

The product comes in a spray bottle and is the only product on the market that contains rhodanide a nutrient found in egg yolks, and it works by boosting the rhodanide levels in your hair which improves moisture and strengthens hair and boost hair growth.

I have been amazed by this product. I saw a huge difference in my hair, the first week of using it my hair had a shine again, and the dry cracked ends looked and felt much finer and less dry.

I have been using activance for a month now and my hair looks and feels healthier than it did before I started bleaching it. I have no concerns that I wont be able to keep up my blonde hair now and even my husband commented on how soft my hair feels.

The only thing I don’t love about this product is the smell, It is almost a male fragrance, as this product is design for both men and women, I understand that men would be reluctant to use it if it smelt to feminine but I think it could be slightly less masculine with out offending the males senses.

But I will live with the sent for the results I have found from using this amazing product.

It has just been released in Australia after receiving rave reviews through out Europe visit www.Activance.com.au for stockists   rrp of $55.00

I will defiantly be purchasing this product once this bottle runs out the results speak for themselves

MAC Champale collection Haul

Here is a few things i picked up from the Champale and Stylishly yours collections, i was reasonably well behaved i originally thought i would get most of both collections but after careful consideration most of the things i didn't pick up i already had dupes for or something close.
I purchased the paint pots in Dangerous curveé , Vintage selection, cream colour bases in Virgin Isle and Tickle me pink, the special reserve highlight powder in chez chez lame', and fix+ lavender.
I have to admit until now i have not owned a paint pot and am please to say i am in love i used both yesterday in a soft neutral eye look and got a tonne of compliments i fount them subtle but buildable on there own, i am yet to use them as a base.
The fix+lavender is to die for i will be ordering a couple of back ups, i love the original and use it continuously and the added lavender is so pretty and refreshing perfect for these hot humid days.

What I picked up from Makeup and Glow

Following my last post about the opening of the new Makeup and Glow store and their fundraising sale for the QLD flood relief, I popped into the store on Monday morning to have a look see and pick up some bargains ( with no guilt involved its for charity..).
The shop is located at paddington here in brissy in a great spot i found it with out any trouble. The staff are supper friendly and so helpful, I had the pleasure of chatting with Rachael the owner, she was really helpful and informative.
The range of products stocked is wonderful for professional makeup artists and the general makeup loving community.
                  If you live locally head on in and have a look for yourself, if not their online store  http://www.makeupandglow.com.au/home.php  stocks all their wonderful products and delivers the same fantastic customer service received in store.

While i was there i picked up the issue of Makeup Artist Magazine, a Pro disposables box, a Japonesque touch up razor set, a beauty pod in pink, a black and a leopard print Z palette, 3 OCC lip tars in RX, Plum, and Stalker.
I was asking Rachael about the OCC airbrush foundation and she gave me a lot of info about the formulation and a sample to try so i will post about that as soon as i have had a chance to give it a good go. 

Makeup and Glow grand opening

The online wonder store Makeup and Glow is opening a shop front here in Brisbane, woo hoo I say. I have been a customer for a couple of years now and they were a god sent while we were living in rural Queensland and buying quality products was near impossible especially if you wanted them this side of next month, but Makeup and Glow was my savior.
Now that i am based in Brisbane i have continued to purchase from them as i haven't found anywhere that rivals there quality, price and expansive product line.
I love to shop online but sometimes we need that instant gratification that physically experimenting with and walking away with brings you.
I know as a working makeup artist there has been on occasion times when getting ready for a job i realise that i am running very low on a product and need it NOW, so being able to pop in on the way to or from a job will be so handy.

Being a Brisbane based company they too have been affected by the floods and have had to postpone the opening of there beautiful new shop by a week. They will be opening the shop this Monday the 17th from 9 am - 4 pm.
They are also contributing to the premier's flood relief with a sale starting Sunday night with 20 % off all products and free shipping within Australia, with 10 % of all sales donated to the flood appeal.
You can find the new Makeup and Glow shop at

Suite 13 / 261 Given Terrace, Paddington QLD 4064

http://www.makeupandglow.com.au/home.php