Problem-solving beauty.
Sometimes you need a big sister to tell you their go-to beauty products, and why they work so well in certain scenarios. Thankfully I’ve been around the block when it comes to trying the latest beauty crazes, and am here to share with you my favourite products of the moment to get you through all those very specific situations.
For those who are acclimatising to Spring:
My bestie’s skin is like the Sahara Desert, and as a gal who was previously on Roaccutane for acne, oooh I love me a good hydrating product recommendation. She absolutely swears by Origins Drink Up™ Intensive Overnight Hydrating Mask with Avocado & Glacier Water (available from Mecca for $48.00), while I’ve been loving Jeuneora’s Hydrating Booster (available from Jeuneora.co.nz for $48.00), the scent is so refreshing and very much feels like self care every time.
Bondi Sands’ new Gradual Tan range.
The weather’s warming up, and those dresses and shorts are coming out from the back of the wardrobe! If you’re not keen to embrace your ghostly glow like me, you’ll want to keep an eye out for the new additions to Bondi Sands’ iconic Gradual Tan range.
Packed with skin-loving ingredients, the collection is suitable for all skin tones and types; the low-level tanning actives slowly build to a subtle and natural tan, so you can decide when you achieve the perfect shade of bronze for you.
Choose from the Gradual Tanning Lotion Tinted Skin Perfector ($27.95) to enhance your natural skin tone; the Gradual Tanning Lotion Skin Illuminator ($27.00) with a shimmer for instant skin radiance; Gradual Tanning Lotion Skin Firming ($29.00) to help firm, smooth and tighten skin; and the Gradual Tanning Face Lotion ($22.95) to hydrate and nourish as you build a gentle facial tan. Find them in Farmers, Unichem and Life Pharmacies.
For the ‘omg I can’t be bothered washing my hair tonight but I won’t have enough time the next morning to dry it’ moments:
Dyson Airwrap Complete.
Many people don’t know that the Dyson Airwrap is a wet-to-dry styler, and is recommended for best results with freshly-washed hair. Salon-quality blow out at home in record time, plus you’re not exposing your hair to extreme heat for the sake of styling so your hair. Hair health ahoy!
Available from Dyson.co.nz for $999.00.
Jeuneora Beauty Sleep.
So now that you know you need to get up just that little bit earlier, you’re going to want to make sure you’re getting those sweet, sweet Z’s. If you struggle to turn your brain off at night like me, you’ll love the latest release from Christchurch beauty babes Jeuneora. Beauty Sleep is a decadent plant-based hot chocolate super powder that uses the power of Adaptogenic Mushrooms and an exclusive Pistachio Extract to support sleep, relaxation, immune function, mood balance and your ability to cope with stress and fatigue.
That fact that the first release of this product sold out within a month means that it’s well-loved for a good reason, one scoop and you’ll be sleeping soundly in no time, and even better that it tastes delicious. There can be a wait list for this one as it sells out almost instantly every restock, but it shows it’s worth the hype! Available from Jeuneora.co.nz for $77.00.
JVN Complete Air Dry Cream
If you TRULY cannot be bothered drying your hair, at least give it a little bit of love so that it doesn’t dry into a huge frizz-ball.
The JVN (yes, Jonathan Van Ness from Queer Eye) Complete Air Dry Cream is the perfect solution for those who want a more natural look or are feeling max-lazy.
This styling cream provides gentle hold while smoothing and defining all hair types without crunchiness or flaking. Ideal for hair with body (curly haired girls - this is for you).
Just apply to wet hair and let it air dry.
It smells divine and is Billie-tested so we can confirm the no-frizz promise.
When you want to eat a burger but a bold lip is life:
KVD Beauty Everlasting Lip.
This has been my go-to lipstick for years. It’s smooch-proof and food-proof, but isn’t an absolute nightmare to remove at the end of the night. And top tip with any liquid lipstick, always use a lip liner underneath to both outline your lips and provide a reliable base to help prolong the life of your look).
Available from Sephora.co.nz in a range of shades for $33.00.
MAC Lip Liner.
In terms of lip liners, really anything in a similar (or slightly darker than your lipstick tbh) colour to the lipstick you’re going to put on is a good idea for longevity. I love Mac’s Nightmoth Lip Liner ($38.00) under a red lipstick, that’s been my hack for years— I even wore it at my wedding!
For the teary moments:
Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner.
I can personally attest that this eyeliner is breakup-proof, queens. At the time of my ‘big breakup’ I was switching between two liquid eyeliners for my infamous flick, but it soon became clear that this one could stand against some pretty rough emotions and tears. It hasn’t left my makeup bag since. Available from Mecca in a range of shades for $39.00.
Ardell Aqua Lashes.
While some glues can break down when water is added, I’ve heard from good authority (a friend who recently got married and looked like an ANGEL) that these lashes need a hot flannel at the end of the night to get off. So all those beautiful wedding tears were no match for these bad boys! Available at select pharmacies and Farmers for $16.99
Have a product you think we need to try? Got a fav that’s BEGGING to be celebrated? Let us know! hello@billienz.com
