Farewell, I leave You With The Best In Brow Shaping

Unfortunately, this is goodbye for me as this will be my last post for The Transcribery following other commitments.

Thank you all so much for logging on and showing your support, I can’t express how much it means.

I think it’s quite fitting that my final post is about one of my absolute favourite people in the beauty industry.

Steve Supple is the mastermind behind Brows By Steve in Joh Bailey’s Sydney Myer Salon.

I rave about him to those who seek brow direction, and I know I’m not the only one giving him great PR.

Steve, a man with a reputation for being Sydney’s best brow technician, has been working in the industry for twelve years.

Bringing his talent from London, Steve perfectly sculpts your brows and personalises them to the shape of our face making a huge difference in accentuating and complementing your features.

So we asked Steve what a brow shape can do for our faces?

"A good professional eyebrow shaper will use your facial features like your brow bone, cheekbones, eyes and nose, to sculpt a complimentary brow arch which will open up the eyes and highlight the angles of your cheekbones and jaw-line.

This can also take away that tired look and give you 'happy eyes', that natural ‘lift’ and 'Brow Wow!' experience."

So here I am, pre-brow shaping:



An eyebrow shape which includes waxing, tweezing and threading will cost you $55 with Steve.

If you haven’t heard of threading, it’s the amazing concept where running a piece of twisted cotton over an area wraps around and removes the tiniest hairs without aggravating the skin.

Steve measures every angle to ensure the result complements your contours and shadows to create a look that's symmetrical.

And voila, the result is this:




What I love about Steve is that he has the ability to completely lift your face and he spends a great deal of time personalising everything to your shape.

A word of advice is to book ahead, the man is popular.


Brows By Steve
Myer Sydney City
Level 1, 436 George St, Sydney
Phone 9231 4411

So, What’s In My Brow Bag?

Full brows are super popular again, check out what I use to keep them a little bold and framing my face.

Lancôme Le Crayon Sourcils Pro, $44, is the perfect utility piece as it has the brow pencil for gradually filling in, a fixer which is a wax that keeps your strands in place and a brush on the cap to tame them together.



Finish it off with Bloom Eyebrow Gel, $20, which will keep your colour and styling in place. Set them by pulling your brush in an upward motion to ensure there's no loose hanging hairs.



Keep up-to-date with my new projects and daily rants by following me on twitter @jadethomp

Au revoir xx

Things You Should Know: The Best Mascaras

The undeniable lash King Shu Uemura's work

Mascara is the main staple in most of our cosmetic cases. Whether your lashes are short, straight or few; we all have our preferences when it comes to picking the perfect one. Here’s your guide to the best in mascara.

The Volume Mascara

With Emma Watson announced as the new face of Lancôme, expect to see the younger generation flock to see what all the fuss is about. Try Lancôme Hypnôse Drama mascara, $52, which is undoubtedly one of their most popular, famous for pumped up volume and even coverage.


The Tubular Mascara

Panda-eyes no more! Clinique are famous for their fabulous mascaras and this may just be their best. Dubbed as tubular mascara, Clinique Lash Power, $38, lengthens and at the end of the day the tube coatings easily slide off with warm water.

The Budget Mascara

Maybelline Define-A-Lash Volume mascara, $19.25, is a great budget alternative which offers a creamy formula that evenly coats lashes. It manages to find and emphasise your every last lash.

The Curling Mascara

YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils, $52, perfectly coats the lashes and gives great curl and volume. You will need eye make-up remover but the effect is certainly worth it.

The Lengthening Mascara

Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Waterproof mascara, $55, is a water-resistant option that’s hardy and long-lasting. I love it because its slightly tacky blend lengthens and separates without clumping.

Things You Should Know: Compact & Convenient Cosmetics

The fast paced lifestyle is becoming ever more common, keep up with the tempo by using products that are made for active personalities. We’ve selected some great goodies that are ideal for those with little space or are constantly on the move.


Manicare Nail Polish Remover Pads, $4.95
Take care of chipping nail polish or old colour with these disposable remover pads. Perfectly sized to fit in your bag, each sachet has a single wipe allowing for great results and minimal fuss.


Invisible Zinc UV Silk Shield Foundation, $42.

Super light and sheer in finish, this foundation stick doubles up as sun protection as well as a foundation. It glides on super easily and is compact enough to slip in to your handbag for midday touch-ups.


MOR Little Luxuries Perfume Oil in Lychee Flower, $19.95
This perfume oil, housed in a petite vintage-style bottle, is ideal for freshening up. Don’t underestimate the size, this parfum is beautifully powerful and deliciously sweet.


Guerlain Rouge G de Guerlain Le Brilliant, $68
For a lipstick with rich colour and high shine as well as a mini mirror, Guerlain have this multipurpose creation. Designed to resemble a precious jewel, this little piece of gold is ideal for glamour on-the-go.


Tigi Rockaholic Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo, $32.95
Although it’s not so portable, dry shampoo provides ease in absorbing excess oil and odour at the roots of your tresses. If you’re trying to push your washed hair an extra day or prolong that gritty texture that’s so good for styling, a spray of dry shampoo will do the job.


Revlon PhotoReady Compact, $34.95
For a light-feel foundation with full coverage, Revlon’s PhotoReady Compact is a must-have. Its weightless texture means it’s an ideal choice for the hotter months as it keeps pore-clogging to the minimum.


Benefit Brows A Go-Go, $68
With two shades of shaping powder, pigmented wax, eyeliner, brightening cream, highlighter, a brow brush and tweezers; this compact is the perfect one-stop shop for a quick pluck and tweeze.

Things You Should Know: Switching It Up - Summer Skincare

The sun’s rays combined with oiliness, blemishes, dehydration, sweat and grime all contribute to the way skin reacts to the change in climate. With summer finally here, it's time to think about overhauling your daily skincare ritual to suit the season.

Embrace all that is dewy, glowing and radiant and get your skin summer-ready with these perfecting products.



TOP SUMMER SKINCARE PRODUCTS

The Exfoliator
Remove any build up of surface debris with a gentle exfoliator. One that uses enzymes to break down dirt is more appropriate for the hotter months as it’s not so abrasive on the skin like granular exfoliators.



Try Molton Brown Gentle Refine Papain Exfoliator, $45, which is gentle on the skin yet enriched with enzymes that target blocked pores and any surface build up.


The Cleanser & Toner
Refresh and rehydrate your skin with a gentle cleanser and toner. Cleansing will give the skin a deep clean, while toning will help minimise the amount of dirt making its way into the pores. Stay away from harsh cleansers and toners that are high in alcohol as they will excessively strip the skin of its natural oils and moisture.



Try The Body Shop Aloe Calming Toner, $15.95, which is alcohol-free and contains aloe that soothes the skin.



For a gel cleanser that helps to encourage the skin’s natural moisture retention system, try Bakel Hydra-Gel Cleanser, $65.


The Moisturiser
Opt for a fluid illuminating moisturiser that will add a summer glow to your skin, leaving you looking fresh and radiant. Look for sheer products that are lighter in texture to avoid clogging up the pores.



Try La Mer Moisturising Gel Cream, $250, which has a feathery-light feel and luxuriously nourishing quality.


The Sunscreen
Moisturiser and sunscreen should be number one in your cosmetic arsenal all year round but during the summer - they are vital. Again, go for a sunscreen that feels fluid and light. Tinted sunscreens always make life easier, especially when you’re on the go.

This summer, I’m using Invisible Zinc UV Silk Shield Foundation for its great coverage, high SPF and buildable finish.



Try Invisible Zinc UV Silk Shield Foundation, $42.



TOP SUMMER MAKE-UP MAGIC

The Highlighter
Intensify your dewy complexion with a highlighter or illuminator. While contouring can be tricky, master the art with a highlighter in hand and you’ll get greater definition and glow. Blend thin lines down the centre of your nose, on the cheekbone, below the brow and on the cupid’s bow above your lip for an instant pick-me-up.



Try Guerlain Precious Light Rejuvenating Illuminator, approx $57.


The Bronzer
Summer comes hand-in-hand with a bronzing palette. They have the perfect amount of warmth and shimmer to give a sun-kissed glow. Apply to the highest points of your cheeks, chin, nose and forehead. Be sure not to choose a shade that is too dark and, of course, be wary of going overboard.



Try Clinique Almost Bronzer SPF 15, $59.

Things You Should Know: Season for Styling - Products You Should Know About

Being the holiday season, you can expect parties and events where your tresses need to be in tip top shape. Whether you use heated styling tools or your fancy fingers, finesse your finish with these handy hair styling products. Some will add a slick sheen while others give greater texture and hold. Add these beauties to your arsenal for ease in perfecting your locks.

TEXTURE
Hair is often easier to style the day after it has been washed and has a touch of grit in it as it allows for greater hold. These products are ideal for taking care of those slippery strands.

The Mattefier
A powder mattefier will work wonders on an untamed mane that requires natural movement. Great for the lads too, start by working it into your palms and then brushing it through with your fingertips to give a boost of volume and control. Try Schwarzkopf OSIS Dust It Mattifying Powder, $28.95.



The Dry Shampoo
A spray of dry shampoo at the roots will absorb oil when you don’t have time to wash your hair. Perfect for camping or storing in your vanity for the days you’re a little short of time. For those with darker hair, try Batiste Dry Coloured Shampoo, $12.95.



The Wax
Wax is ideal for the areas in need of extra control or hold but also adds texture to assist in styling those updos. Using a pump of wax, blend with the warmth of your fingertips and work sparingly into your strands. For workable texture, try L’Oreal Professionnel Play Ball Motion Gelee, $27.



The Texturiser Spray
For undone tousled beach hair, work this spray into your lengths from the mid to ends and scrunch or pop your hair into a bun for an hour or so and then let down. Try Awapuhi Wild Ginger Sea Spray by Paul Mitchell, $34.



PROTECTION
Products with protective elements in them are vital in maintaining the structure and health of your hair in the heat.

The Serum
Serums work as intensive treatments in the form of a fluid to rehydrate and repair tresses that have undergone stress while smoothing stray strands. During summer, your hair may suffer double damage because of the harshness of the sun. Protect your hair this summer with Kerastase Soleil Serum Apres-Soleil, $41.



The Defence Spray
Help guard your tresses from the damage of heated styling tools using a thermal defense spray. They’re perfect for protection but also minimising heat-induced frizz. Give your hair a really thorough spritz before blow-drying and then again if using tongs or an iron.
Try Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Protective Spray, $9.95.



TOOLS
For greater ease in styling, these handy tools are ideal for creating your look.

The Nozzle
Everyone has probably already got one, but why bother with the nozzle of your hairdryer? Nozzles allow the powered heat to focus on more concentrated areas which means quicker and more precise styling. Travelling these holidays? Try the very cute VS Sassoon MiniPro Dryer VS245A, $22.95.



The Paddle Brush
If you’ve got longer hair that’s a little prone to tangling, the paddle brush is a great option. It’s also a top tool for doing the straight blow-drys. Try Aveda Wooden Paddle Brush, $49.95.



The Barrel Brush
Use while blow-drying to achieve ultimate body and shape as well as a smoothed shine. The heat works with the rounded shape to create finesse as you turn the bristles. Try a classic style like Brushworx Ebony Ceramic Radial Porcupine Brush, $19.95.