Lavender skirt OOTD with Lime Crime Airborne Unicorn lipstick

Posted in Beauty, Fashion by Brianna Johnson

LONG time, no post!

The past few months have been a whirlwind with an awesome new job and a new routine and unfortunately this little part of the internet got left by the wayside. But here’s to getting back into the swing of things!

Outfit lavender purple skirt OOTD | Extraordinary Days blog

Purple lipstick, purple skirt!

I pulled this lavender skirt out of my wardrobe to celebrate the incredible weather we’ve had in Perth this week, and matched it with Lime Crime’s Airborne Unicorn lipstick. (I may have also been celebrating how well the curls i got done at the hairdresser the day before held up!)

I love this shade!

I picked up the skirt in an op-shop and I think it was hand-made. I really like the shape — there’s tulle underneath to give it lots of extra poof. I paired it with a black singlet and some sparkly drop earrings to keep things fairly simple because I didn’t want to detract from the lipstick!

Outfit lavender purple skirt OOTD Lime Crime Airborne Unicorn lipstick | Extraordinary Days blog

This skirt is just so big!

This light purple lipstick isn’t the easiest to work into an everyday makeup look but it’s definitely a fun shade! I’ve worn it before with a nude lip liner but a tinted lip primer (to remove some of the pink colour in my lips) will also help make the colour pop. The brightness did fade after a few hours and needed a second application.

Outfit lavender purple full skirt OOTD with Lime Crime Airborne Unicorn lipstick

I used Sleek Makeup’s Highlighting Palette – it’s so shiny!

I’m definitely going to work this colour into my summer wardrobe more often!

What’s the most out-there lip colour you’ve tried? Let me know in the comments below!

26Apr2015

Sneaker heels and aviator sunglasses

Posted in Fashion, Life by Brianna Johnson

A FEW years ago I would have said these shoes were hideous and impractical, but somehow they’ve won me over.
I wore this outfit on my birthday on the 16th – how was that already over a week ago?
This month has been insane and has gone so quickly.
It was the first time I wasn’t able to get the day off on my birthday but I am lucky enough to have lovely colleagues who made my day great!

Sneaker heels, sparkly top and aviator sunglasses | Extraordinary Days

Just caught the last of the sunshine!

I picked up the sneaker heels in Valley Girl on one of my last trips to Melbourne and they fast became my favourite shoes to travel in.
I like the relaxed vibe they give to this outfit and I know they’ll give my boots a run for their money this winter.

The perfect outfit for a lazy day running errands or going to lunch.

And how great are the glasses?! I’ve been eyeing off reflective sunnies for ages but I just can’t pull off the completely round frames that every off-duty model seems to be sporting these days.
So when I spotted this aviator-style pair in Cotton On (during a strictly guilt-free birthday shopping trip on my birthday) I knew I needed them in my life!
These Jay Jays jeans are good, sturdy staples that have lasted for ages even though they were cheap.
When it comes to jeans I’m really not fussy – I’ve worn more expensive ones and they give just the same as cheap version.

These heels are surprisingly comfortable.

I picked up the top from a clothes swap event so I have no idea what brand it is! I love how it’s light and the shape the cuffed sleeves gives it.
On my wrist is my Fitbit – a lovely birthday gift from Michael – and it’s helping me keep track of all the running around I do. With a shirt this shiny I really didn’t feel the need for any more jewellery.
The lipstick is MAC Viva Glam Miley Cyrus – it’s such an awesome shade of pink! (Watch this space for a separate review of it soon.)
And last but not least, a simple black bag brings the whole thing together!

This lipstick is MAC Viva Glam Miley Cyrus.

What do you think of sneaker heels? Would you give them a try?

12Apr2015

Review: Lime Crime Poisonberry and Geradium

Posted in Beauty by Brianna Johnson

CHECK out these colours!
I’d been eyeing off more of the Lime Crime collection for a while.

Oh those colours!

Lime Crime Poisonberry and Geradium swatch

Lime Crime Geradium and Poisonberry

Poisonberry is one of the darkest lipsticks I own but it’s got that classic Lime Crime stickability so it stays on without much retouching.
I’ve worn this with MAC’s Magenta lip liner underneath to even out the colour.

I may be a little bit in love with the holographic packaging.

Moving onto the pink!
I usually stick to cool colours because they suit my skin tone more and Geradium is just a tad warm.
That said, it’s a fun, bright colour and still worth giving a go, especially if you’ve got a skin tone that’s darker than mine.

This is a warm pink and may not suit all skin types.

I’ve done a lot of reading about the questionable practices of this business and its founder and although I can see why people don’t want to support it, I haven’t found lipsticks that live up to Lime Crime’s.
As I said in an earlier review of Centrifuschia, it just stays put all day.

What’s your favourite Lime Crime colour?

5Apr2015

Flower crowns and glitter

Posted in Beauty, Fashion by Brianna Johnson

I THINK I just fell in love with flower crowns!
I’ve always liked them but never found the right outfit to wear them with.
Today’s outfit is part boho vibe and partly filled with glitter.

I love this headband!

Flower crown headband spring / fairy-inspired outfit

I mixed in blues and purples in my accessories to match the headband.

Flower crown headband spring / fairy-inspired outfit and glitter handbag

This skirt has an opaque mini-skirt under a sheer maxi skirt.

I picked this skirt up at a clothes swap event and wanted to keep the rest of my accessories fairly neutral. (Okay, for me, silver glitter counts as a neutral!)
I like how this skirt has an opaque mini skirt underneath the sheer maxi skirt – it makes it just that little bit lighter and different.
For my jewellery I followed the colours in the flower crown – blues and lavender.

The weather was great today!

Simple makeup was key to this light, daytime look.

I kept my makeup quite simple but with hints of glitter.
I used two Sleek Makeup palettes in this look: the Precious Metals Highlighting Palette and the Eye and Cheek Palette in Dancing Til Dusk.
For my eyes I used Two Faced Shadow Insurance and the two gold colours in the Sleek Eye and Cheek Palette – one matte and one with shimmer, as well as the silver colour from the Highlighting Palette for underneath my eyebrow arch.
I used the pale gold highlighters on my cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose and on my cupid’s bow.
My mascara is Maybelline The Falsies Volum’ Express Flared — it’s been my go-to mascara for years!
I used the light pink shimmery colour from this Max Factor Flip Stick, too.

[Top to bottom] Sleek Eye and Cheek Pallete in Dancing til Dusk, Max Factor Flipstick Colour Effect in Boreal Mauve and Sleek Highlighting Pallette in Precious Metals.

[Top to bottom] Sleek Eye and Cheek Palete in Dancing til Dusk, Max Factor Flipstick Colour Effect in Boreal Mauve and Sleek Highlighting Palette in Precious Metals.

I’ll take any excuse to use highlighter.

The cat decided he wanted to be part of the photoshoot!

This is definitely an outfit I’ll be bringing out again.
Perfect for sunny days with the family and eating lots of food!
This also really makes me want to buy 100 huge flower crowns. I wish I’d discovered them earlier!

Is glitter one of your staples, either in outfits or in beauty products?

8Mar2015

My sister’s wardrobe | navy on navy

Posted in Fashion by Brianna Johnson

I’M SO excited to introduce this new feature!

I love creating outfit posts but I missed being behind the camera… So I called on the most stylish person I know – my sister Lois.

My Sister's Wardrobe part one - navy hat, dress and gold lettering necklace | Extraordinary Days

I’m so excited about this feature!

The premise is simple: double the wardrobes means double the amount of awesome outfits I can feature!

I love her seemingly effortless sense of style and how she puts a look together, coordinating from head to toe.

My Sister's Wardrobe part one - navy hat, dress, white Michael Kors handbag and gold lettering necklace | Extraordinary Days

Talk about a million-dollar smile!

Lois described this outfit as something she’d wear for an outdoors lunch in warmer weather or a low-key event.

“I’ve previously worn this outfit to a 30th birthday event at a cider house,” she said.

“It’s good if you know you’re going to spend a long time outdoors or for sitting on the grass under a marquee.”

I love the matching gold necklace and hat band.

She said the dress was a frequent go-to item in her wardrobe because of the potential to dress it up or down.

“I’ve worn this dress just to the shops before with a pair of flats or sandals – it’s really versatile,” she said.

“Wearing it with this felt hat makes me feel like a lady. It’s not a hat I would wear on a really warm day though because it is quite thick.”

She paired it with a bright pink pair of floral pumps and a white and gold Michael Kors tote.

My Sister's Wardrobe part one - pink floral pumps with cork | Extraordinary Days

These pumps are bright and fun.

My Sister's Wardrobe part one - navy dress and white Michael Kors handbag| Extraordinary Days

This Michael Kors handbag is just immaculate.

This pink NYX lipstick gives a pop of colour.

I hope you enjoyed part one of this new feature!

I love navy as an alternative to black — do you feel the same? Let me know in the comments!

26Feb2015

Review: Lime Crime Carousel Gloss in Cherry on Top

Posted in Beauty by Brianna Johnson

PRETTY please with a cherry on top!
This Lime Crime Carousel Gloss is something I’ve wanted to try for ages and I just couldn’t go past Cherry on Top, with its bright colour and glittery finish.

Lime Crime Carousel Gloss Cherry on Top | Extraordinary Days

Such a lovely colour!

The colour pay-off is pretty good and I didn’t feel like I needed to use half the tube to get an even coverage.
That said, I’d seen other people say it lasts better if you put lipstick underneath it.
I tested this with Tony Moly Kiss Lover lipstick in Summer Orange (for a lighter red/orange) and Australia Colour Inject Mineral Lipstick in Cha Cha (for a deep red).

From top to bottom: Cherry on Top by itself, over Tony Moly Kiss Lover in Summer Orange and Australis Colour Inject in Cha Cha.

Although the difference wasn’t that stark, I think it would stand the test of time and food to have a decent lipstick underneath.
This lipgloss doesn’t feel too sticky (although I’ve yet to wear it out with my hair down and in a strong breeze!) and is a nice change to matte-look lip colours.

This lipgloss isn’t too sticky.

I still want to try the rest of this collection, which includes an icy white/blue glittery gloss (Snowsicle), a deep red (candy apple), a deep purple shade (Present) and, in a shade that’s not for everyone, emerald green (Hollygram).
Keen for more red lip colour love? I wore the deep red Australis lipstick with an incredible black lace dress.
And did you catch my last Lime Crime review? I wrote about the awesome hot pink lipstick, Centrifuschia.
This is a makeup brand I just can’t get enough of!

Have you tried any Lime Crime products? What did you think of it?

21Feb2015

My ultimate outfit and a holographic handbag

Posted in Fashion, Travel by Brianna Johnson

Every now and again you put together an outfit that just ticks all of the boxes.
As I mentioned in my holiday wrap-up post earlier this week, I found the most incredible handbag.
While shopping with two of my loveliest gal pals in Melbourne this week I spotted it in a little store called Kinki Gerlinki in Brunswick.

Holographic Bao Bao geometric bag | Extraordinary Days

I. Am. Drooling.

The brand is Bao Bao and this extraordinary bag crumples and reflects the light in an innumerable amount of ways.
I paired it with an outfit that combines two of my favourite elements: leopard print and faux leather!
I picked up the cardigan and skirt the day before at H&M. Can I just say I am SO EXCITED for them to finally come to Perth this year?! We’re catching up with the rest of the world!

Melbourne holiday - leopard print, faux leather and holographic bag | Extraordinary Days

My ultimate outfit.

The cardigan is quite flowy so I tucked it into the skirt to accentuate my waist. I also put on my Samantha Wills necklace – I just can’t get enough of it right now! (Have you seen the other ways I styled this? Click here and here.)
I finished it off with my comfiest pair of flats – perfect for walking around the city all day! MAC’s Rebel lipstick felt right for this trendy city. (I reviewed it a while ago here.)

I can’t get enough of this bag!

Let’s have another look at that bag! I decided it was an early birthday present for myself and now I’m just trying not to buy everything else in the collection!

Bao Bao handbag.

Look at how it crumples!

When I saw it in the shop window I KNEW I needed it to be mine!

I have a feeling I’m going to be leaving this in the sun a lot just to watch it shine.

It also came with a wrist strap that can be attached instead of the chain.

I can’t stop looking at it!
Would you wear a holographic-material bag? How would you style it? Let me know in the comments!

8Feb2015

Little make up sponge – big results

Posted in Beauty by Brianna Johnson

GOODBYE, make up brushes – I’ve found a replacement!
As I don’t wear foundation every day (BB cream usually provides enough coverage), there is nothing I hate more than getting to the weekend, going to put on my make up before a night out and finding my brushes really need a wash.
The result ends up as a streaky mess!
I don’t have that problem any more though!

Chi Chi makeup blending sponge | Extraordinary Days

This little sponge gives great results.

I spotted this Chi Chi Make Up Sponge while killing time browsing in the beauty aisle and as it was only about $6, I decided to take the chance and buy it.
I won’t lie, using it for the first time was a bit daunting so I read the instructions carefully and watched a few YouTube videos before I tried to apply my make up with it.
When using it you first fully submerge it in water so the sponge can expand to its full size.
You then squeeze out as much of the water as you can (using a towel helps) and start using it to apply your make up.
I pump my liquid foundation (MAC Studio Fix Fluid) on to the back of my hand and use the wide, round end of the sponge to pat it onto my face in a stippling motion.
The pointed end is for around your nose and eyes – harder to reach places.
It feels a bit weird at first but the effect is seriously amazing.
These types of sponges were designed to give an airbrushed look and that’s exactly what it does.
I’ve also started applying my powder (MAC Mineralize Skinfinish) with the sponge and my blush and highlighter too.
I’d read not to drag the sponge through pressed powder as it picks up too much product and I’ve found this to be true – it’s especially noticeable when you end up with a cheek full of blush!
After using it I wash it with warm water and goat’s milk soap because I’ve used it on my face before and I know my skin can handle it.
The packaging says not to use anything too harsh to clean it because it could irritate your skin.
One thing to keep in mind is it seems to take ages to dry properly, even when wrung out properly and left in the open. I’ve previously washed it before going to bed and it was still slightly damp in the morning.
The original version of this product is the Beauty Blender but it’s $27 for a single sponge and I found the Chi Chi version works perfectly well without the price tag.
In the long run the Chi Chi version probably won’t last as long but the price is something to keep in mind, especially if you don’t know whether you will like putting on your make up on this way.
I have heard from people who still prefer using brushes.
All in all I really love this sponge though and definitely won’t be going back to brushes any time soon!
Bonus points – they don’t test on animals!
Get more info here.

Have you used a make up sponge? What did you think?

29Jan2015

MAC Saint Germain lipstick vs Savvy High Shine lipgloss

Posted in Beauty by Brianna Johnson

I CAN’T get enough of light, bright pink lip colours right now!
Today I wanted to review two very eye-catching lip products in my collection that are similar shades, MAC’s Saint Germain and Savvy High Shine Paparazzi.
Let’s start with Saint Germain.

MAC Saint Germaine lipstick and Savvy High Shine lipgloss | Extraordinary Days

Can you tell that lipgloss has rolled around in my handbag for a long time?

When I first picked out this colour I was intending to match it to the dress I wore to the Melbourne Cup last year.
Needless to say I should have actually brought the dress with me to the shops that day because while it would have gone well with the fluoro pink (can you tell yet that I’m a huge fan of fluoro?) it’s not quite what I was going for.

Melbourne Cup fluoro pink dress | Extraordinary Days

This was an amazing day!

But I’ve since teamed Saint Germain with other outfits like a little black dress and I really love how bright it is!
As far as lip liners go I’ve worn this shade just by itself with MAC’s lip clear lip primer underneath, with a rose-coloured liner and also with a bit of concealer on my lips to make the colour really pop.
My favourite was the concealer just for that boost to the colour but I really enhancing my Cupid’s bow when I don’t wear lip liner so I’ll probably just continue to change it up depending on how I feel.
I love how bright this is when you first put it on but unfortunately, I’ve found the vibrancy just doesn’t last.
That said, it’s still a lovely rosy colour when it does fade and I think there’d be people out there who would prefer that to how full-on if is when it’s first applied but I’m just not one of them.
Of course, there’s always the option to just keep applying it to keep the colour vibrant but that wouldn’t be my first choice.
Before I found Saint Germain my go-to product for that sort of shade was Savvy High Shine gloss in Paparazzi.

These two are a bright pair.

When I first saw the two side by side I thought they were very similar and it wasn’t until I put them together on the back of my hand that I saw Paparazzi is much darker.
Still, I think it gives that punchy colour I was aiming for on my lips and the thicker consistency makes the coverage a bit more even.
In terms of how long they last, in my books a lipstick will usually always win and this is no exception.
While I like lip glosses sometimes, at the end of the day if can’t stand up to me having a meal then it’s probably not going to be one of my favourites.
(My ultimate go-to lipstick/liner combination for THE LONGEST wear in my collection can be found here.)
So for my final verdict, both of these products are great if you bear in mind the colour-fade issue.

Would you wear either of these lip products? Let me know in the comments!

18Jan2015

Samantha Wills white howlite necklace

Posted in Fashion, Life by Brianna Johnson

LAST week I celebrated my two-year anniversary with my lovely boyfriend and I was lucky enough to be spoiled with a Samantha Wills necklace!
I’d been eying off this Australian designer’s collection for a while now and there are so many things I want from her collection!

Ready for Mexican food!

I chose the White Howlite necklace from the minerals collection – a pendant with a fine rose gold chain and a dainty name plate with the stone’s meaning: calming and stress relief.
I don’t really believe in minerals having real-world applications but it’s still really beautiful.
(And hey, worst case scenario, a little calm is something I could definitely use in my daily life.)

It’s just so dainty!

The rose gold wouldn’t usually have been my first choice as I mostly wear silver but the only necklace in the collection with a silver chain had a black onyx stone that I felt just didn’t suit me.
But I really like how it looks against a whole range of colours, especially black.
Other stones available included amethyst, rose quartz, lapis and a turquoise stone. (See the collection here.)

I am drooling.

The chain has two extra rings on it to allow you to wear it shorter if you like – I’ve been wearing it at its longest length.
It came in a beautiful wooden box with flowers stencilled into the top – something I’ll definitely keep on display.
For the rest of the outfit, the Portmans shorts were a gift from my lovely friend Candice. (Similar here and for the heels, see a similar pair here.)

I love these shorts so much!

They’re quite fitted at the waist and although I’m always paranoid about spilling something whenever I wear white, the tropical print is fun and I think they’ll feature heavily in the rest of my summer wardrobe.
We took these photos before going out for Mexican at my favourite restaurant – he’s always so patient when taking outfit photos!
I really couldn’t ask for a better boyfriend and we’ve got so many adventures planned for the future.
Here’s to many more years!

Nothing says ‘couple’ like matching floral in a tropical location.

What’s your favourite piece of jewellery? Let me know in the comments!

Extraordinary days

Tag Archives: makeup

Lavender skirt OOTD with Lime Crime Airborne Unicorn lipstick

Sneaker heels and aviator sunglasses

Review: Lime Crime Poisonberry and Geradium

Flower crowns and glitter

My sister’s wardrobe | navy on navy

Review: Lime Crime Carousel Gloss in Cherry on Top

My ultimate outfit and a holographic handbag

Little make up sponge – big results

MAC Saint Germain lipstick vs Savvy High Shine lipgloss

Samantha Wills white howlite necklace