E: vanja@vanjastace.com | P: +61 (0) 425 433 335

All posts in Beauty

Posted:
May 17, 2012
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11
Animal testing

Animal testing – companies that test on animals

Having been brought up as a vegetarian (my mum was really into the yogic way of life) I was taught to respect animals. I can’t fathom eating meat because I am very much aware of where it comes from – and the amount of suffering which the animal experiences during the process.

Everyone seems to have an opinion on vegetarian VS carnivorous diets but I hardly ever hear animal testing being discussed. I don’t support ANY company that tests on animals, whether it’s a component or the finished product. Many beauty companies won’t share their supplier information so they don’t get the cruelty free seal of approval so it’s hard to figure out who does what.

Luckily though PETA comprised a list of companies that DO test on animals so at least the majors are named and shamed.

I ask you to BOYCOTT all companies that cause pain and suffering to animals.

Please don’t buy products which are born out of pain and murder. Beauty should be about compassion.

I admit, being wooed by PR companies – getting free products, going to events – feels fantastic. I have made a rule that I don’t write about anyone who tortures and kills for profit. That’s my bottom line and I hope that you draw yours there as well.

————————–

PETA’s list of companies that test on animals

The following beauty and household product companies either test on animals or pay a laboratory to conduct tests on animals.

 

Are there any that you’re surprised by? Will you be boycotting these companies from now on?

Let me know your thoughts.

Vanja xx

 

Posted:
May 15, 2012
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6
Quite possibly my favourite pink hair colour

Obsessed with pink and lilac hair

I love being a global citizen and I love living in Sydney. When pink and lilac hair craze caught the states and Europe, we soon followed. It’s taken me this long to have the guts to go for it.

I’ve gone blonde over the last year – first balayage, then the rest – after playing around on DailyMakeover and seeing that blonde actually suits me. I then a grey tint which was fab but it did wash me out a bit. Now I’m thinking lilac or pink because I can.

Vanja Stace blonde and grey hair

There’s a fine line between a great pink and a tragic-wish-you-didn’t-go-there pink. Basically stay away from STREAKS and focus on all over colour or just the ends. Think ombre but with pink.

NO NO NO NO

If you get pink streaks we can't be friends...

If you get pink streaks we can't be friends...

 

My fave pics are below; let me know if you would ever go PINK or PURPLE!

Awesome purple hair

Awesome purple hair

 

Beautiful pink hair colour - love the regrowth

Beautiful pink hair colour - love the regrowth

 

Gorgeous lilac hair

Gorgeous lilac hair

 

Pink hair balayage

Pink hair balayage

 

Quite possibly my favourite pink hair colour

Quite possibly my favourite pink hair colour

 

This last image is really the best of the pink and lilac hair trend. Subtle variances between the colours, light and shade and plenty of volume. I think I’ll be taking this photo to the salon!!

Vanja xx

 

Posted:
November 17, 2011
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0
Oscar Oscar hair salon Fortitude Valley Brisbane

Oscar Oscar salon opens in Fortitude Valley

Oscar Oscar have opened their eleventh salon in Australia, back on their original home turf in Brisbane, twenty-two years after the first Oscar Oscar Salon opened its doors in the Queen St Mall.

Oscar Oscar hair salon Fortitude Valley Brisbane

Oscar Cullinan Oscar Oscar Salons is now one of a number of high-end brands located in Fortitude Valley with other prestige brands found in the precinct such as, Easton Pearson, Scanlan & Theodore, Akira and Subfusco.

The new Fortitude Valley Oscar Oscar Salon is another Aveda concept salon for the group and will stock the entire range of Aveda hair-care and skin-care, as well as the natural Aveda Full Spectrum Colour Range and luxury Aveda treatments.

The styling of the new Valley salon will have a darker, edgier aesthetic than other Oscar Oscar Salons, such as concrete floors, a graphic feature lightbox and a darker colour scheme.

Oscar Oscar hair salon Fortitude Valley Brisbane

 

Oscar Oscar information

 

 

Posted:
September 4, 2011
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4
Chanel-531-Peridot-nail-tutorial-zebra-tips-Sally-Hansen-Vanja-Stace-brisbane-beauty-blogger-1

Nail tutorial: Zebra tips and Chanel 531 Peridot nail polish

The new Chanel Nail 531 Peridot is a green-gold high shine colour, very dramatic and rich. When I first got it I thought it’d be perfect to pair up with a funky print for contrast. I used the Sally Hansen Salon Effects – Real Nail Polish Strips in Wild Child (SKU #4408-33) which is a fun zebra print. Sally Hansen Salon Effects – Real Nail Polish Strips are easy to use – I go into detail below.

 

Tools

 

Step 1

Apply a double coat of Chanel Nail Vernis in 531 Peridot.

Step 1

Step 2

 

Step 2

Have all your tools ready. Sally Hansen Salon Effects – Real Nail Polish Strips in Wild Child (SKU #4408-33), wooden cuticle tool, Manicare French manicure tip tapes and nail scissors.

Tools

 

Step 3

Remove 2 Manicare French manicure tip tapes – make sure they don’t split apart, you want double the size of 1 tape. This isn’t a dainty French tip look, you want them to be a noticeable feature on the nail.

Stick the 2 tapes on the back of a Sally Hansen Salon Effects – Real Nail Polish Strip – this is your guide for the size of the zebra strip. Use your nail scissors to cut the strip.

Step 4

Nail tutorial: Zebra tips and Chanel 531 Peridot nail polish

Nail tutorial: Zebra tips and Chanel 531 Peridot nail polish

 

Step 4

Remove the sticker backing from your piece of Sally Hansen Salon Effects – Real Nail Polish Strip and stick it on your nail. Make sure you match the centre of the strip to the centre of your nail. Using the wooden cuticle tool push down the strip, smoothing all edges.

Nail tutorial: Zebra tips and Chanel 531 Peridot nail polish

Step 5

Cut off the excess of the Sally Hansen Salon Effects – Real Nail Polish Strip from the top and sides.

Nail tutorial: Zebra tips and Chanel 531 Peridot nail polish

 

Step 6

Repeat all above steps until you finish all nails, then apply top coat.

Nail tutorial: Zebra tips and Chanel 531 Peridot nail polish

 

Nail tutorial: Zebra tips and Chanel 531 Peridot nail polish
If you prefer a video, here’s one I made today.

 

 

Nail tutorial: Zebra tips and Chanel 531 Peridot nail polish

Posted:
August 3, 2011
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3
Make up for ever Rouge Artist Intense #15

Spring lipstick colours by Chanel, Face of Australia, Make up for ever and Australis

Here in Brisbane it’s the middle of winter but spring is slowly coming through our stores. After my overseas trip I’ve fallen in love with colour (Paris and New York love colour) so I decided to post about lipstick colours for spring. I guess I felt the need to fast forward the next few months and be in spring already.

I played with various pinks, oranges and purples by Chanel, Face of Australia, Make Up For Ever and Australis.

 

Chanel, Australis, Make Up For Ever, Face of Australia

 

I started the shoot with all my base, blush and eyes fully done but with just a nude lip pencil for a neutral base. Even though I am an expert retoucher I decided to not retouch my own images. No one is perfect and that includes me. I will never claim otherwise and I don’t want to add to any image related problems that girls might already experience.

 

Starting point….

Starting with plain lips

Lip pencil: Face of Australia in Sugar Rose

 

1) Australis Colour Inject Mineral Lipstick in Ballet (thanks to Australis)

Australis Colour Inject Mineral Lipstick Ballet

Soft pink shine from Australis. Ballet is the perfect name for this soft candy coloured lipstick. Looks great with my holiday tan.

 

2) Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Aventure #57

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Aventure #57

I am in love with Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Aventure #57 because it is so soft and rich. The shine makes lips luscious and very kissable. The hint of pink ads a flush of colour resulting in a  romantic look.

 

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Aventure #57

 

3) Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Liberte #46

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Liberte #46

I’m a big fan of orange on my lips and the Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Liberte #46 adds a subtle hint of vibrant colour with a burst of shine. I wear this to the office when I need to look serious but warm.

 

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Liberte #46

 

 

4) Face of Australia in Coral Bay

Face of Australia Coral Bay

The Face of Australia lipstick in Coral Bay has been my favourite lipstick all year. I can’t go past this colour when I need a pick me up. This would be on Mondays, rainy days, Thursdays (the weekend is so close yet so far) and any day I don’t have time for a full face of make up. Some women do this with red lipstick, I do this with this particular shade of orange.

 

Face of Australia Coral Bay

 

5) Face of Australia Pink Ambition

Face of Australia Pink Ambition

This is a cute colour on everyone in the world except for me. On me this Pink Ambition colour looks, well, average. In the tube it’s a lovely, shiny, warm purple but on me it turns so dull. A real shame because the texture is velvety and lovely to wear.

 

6) Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense #15

Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense #15

I bought this Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense #15 at Sephora in New York  last month. I love it! It’s a daring, bold burst of cool purple with a huge amount of shine. After the shoot I wore it all weekend, it is so comfortable and it certainly makes a statement.

 

Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense #15

Posted:
August 1, 2011
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5
No spend August

No spend August – no shopping challenge

No spend August is basically a no shopping challenge. Francesca and Kim, two girls in my office, were talking about how much they spent on their holidays (one went to Bali and the other to Thailand) and that it would be good to refrain from spending for a bit. They decided that August was the month to do this no shopping challenge in.

Seeing and I just came back from the mothership of all holidays (Croatia, France, US) I thought I’d join them too.

Yes I’m crazy. But cheer me on because here’s what I signed up for…

 

Rules for No Spend August:

  • NO BUYING FASHION
    • no clothing and accessories – anything that you can adorn
    • no making clothes from purchased materials
    • no making jewellery from purchased items (damn)
    • no buying dog clothing (double damn)
    • no buying children’s clothing
  • NO BEAUTY EXPENSES other than restocking
    • you can keep doing the things you do (like monthly facials or haircuts) but no adding additional things to your treatments
    • doggie day spa is allowed (phew) since that has to happen every 4 weeks anyways
    • restocking of your beauty items is ok
    • no new items to be purchased during the entire month
  • SOCIALISING AND DINING OUT IS OK
    • like Francesca says “If you can’t shop you’ve gotta be allowed to drink!”

 

So here we are, day 1 of a 1 month shopping ban. Thank God Chanel opens in Brisbane in October because I am going to have to shop up big time after this.

 

Wish me luck!

 

Vanja

 

Posted:
July 19, 2011
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2
Simona Antonovic make up srtist

Make up session with Simona Antonovic – Croatia’s top make up artist

In our first week in Croatia we were guests at an event and I enlisted Simona Antonovic, Croatia’s top make up artist, to make me look fabulous.

Simona creates amazing work for Croatian magazines like Elle, Cosmopolitan, Gloria, Gloria Glam, Story and Story Book.

She also works with well-known and established Croatian fashion brands and designers on advertising campaigns and fashion shows – Elfs, Amarie, Linea, I-Gle, Silvio Vujčič, Keti Balogh. She is a residential make up artist for Cro-a-porter – the most important fashion show in Croatia.

This woman is beyond talented.

I visited her in her studio at Zagreb at Medvedgradska 39, which is just next to Glamour salon – one of the best hair salons in the country.

Simona Antonovic make up studio

Simona Antonovic make up studio

Simona Antonovic make up artist

 

In order to show you what she can do with mere mortals like myself I have decided to show you a ‘before’ photo of me without ANY make up. Eeek! You’ve been warned.

 

Vanja Stace in Simona Antonovic make up studio

Me without any make up

 

Simona Antonovic make up studio

Simona Antonovic make up studio

Simona Antonovic make up studio

Simona Antonovic make up studio

Simona Antonovic make up studio

Simona Antonovic make up studio

Simona Antonovic make up studio

Simona Antonovic make up studio

Simona Antonovic make up studio

Simona Antonovic make up studio

Simona Antonovic make up studio

 

And there you go. One fabulous hour with a wonderful artist. Did I learn anything? Yes, I learned that I need Simona to move to Australia and do my make up every day!

If you are in Croatia (lucky thing you) then contact Simona for your next make up.

 

Simona Antonovic make up studio

 

Posted:
June 12, 2011
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3
nail-art

How to: Water marble nail art

This is by far one of the coolest tricks ever! I’m trying this the first chance I get.

Here’s a video of the marble nail art by Colette. Note that you can use clear polish or vaseline around the nail (on the skin) instead of sticky tape.

If you try it let me know how it goes.

Vanja x

Posted:
June 3, 2011
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1
Brad Ngata for Little Joe Woman

How to: Dreamy hair – Brad Ngata style

Brad Ngata is the Jesus of hair. I’m not trying to be disrespectful to religious folk but this man is an actual miracle worker. He can turn fine, limp, dull hair into a full, glossy, wild and energetic mane. If I was hair I would want to be in Brad’s hands for sure.

Rosemount Australian Fashion Week was a busy time for Brad and his team. He created looks for Gail Sorronda and Gail Elliott (I see a pattern here). The one I am bringing you today is the full, voluminous boho mane from the Gail Elliot Little Joe Woman show.

 

The Look

Relaxed, messy, lived-in, unpretentious. The way you wish you would look like when you just wake up, in HIS arms.

 

How to achieve the look

1. Use Brad’s double-moussing technique – apply mousse, blast the hair completely dry and repeat. This way you get raw texture and natural body.

2. Layer L’Oréal Professionnel Techni.art Full Volume Extra mousse through the roots to ends.

3. Part front section in the middle and blow dry forward

4. Using hot irons, wrap sections around the barrel and pull through the hair to achieve a soft wave – leave ends out for a natural look.

5. Spray a little L’Oreal Professionnel Play Ball Beach Fizz to add some extra texture and add volume at the crown.

6. Brush through lightly to add a slight frizz and finish with L’Oréal Professionnel Infinium Lumière Extreme Hold Professional Hairspray 4 to hold.

 

Tools for dreamy hair

 

Little Joe Woman images courtesy of Jesse O’Brien for L’Oreal Professionnel

 

Posted:
April 18, 2011
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7
Jo from AIESHA

AIESHA Skincare – made in Brisbane

AIESHA is a natural skincare range created right here in Brisbane. There are beautiful products for the face, body and baby.

Jo Stojkovic is the creator of AIESHA and she is 100% dedicated to a natural, sustainable way of life. She created the skincare brand after a life changing event – a discovery of a brain tumor while she was 26 weeks pregnant. Gulp. Jo’s story is truly amazing and she tells it so well on the AIESHA website.

Jo from AIESHA

Jo from AIESHA

 

I met Jo last week (my friend Kim is a devout AIESHA customer) and I was amazed at her joie de vivre, her energy and enthusiasm and her skin which was radiant and dewy. I don’t know about you but I have had problematic skin from as long as I can remember. Seeing Jo’s skin made me hopeful about using AIESHA so I bought a few things straight away.

I got:

Since I bought 3 items I received a 15% discount which made this affordable purchase even more affordable.

 

WIN the AIESHA Anti Ageing Day Cream

Jo was kind enough to give me a pot of the Anti Ageing Cream to give away to my readers. To be in the draw tell me in a comment below what nice skin means to you. Winner will be announced on 30th April 2011.

 

Buy AIESHA

You can order online at the AIESHA website.

AIESHA Two-in-one Gentle Cleansing Gel 125ml

AIESHA Two-in-one Gentle Cleansing Gel ($34)

 

AIESHA Intense Eye & Wrinkle Cream

AIESHA Intense Eye & Wrinkle Cream ($55)

 

AIESHA Anti-Ageing Day Cream

AIESHA Anti-Ageing Day Cream ($47)

 

Posted:
April 17, 2011
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6
Anni

Anni

Anni is my lovely friend. We met in French class last year and we hit it off instantly. She’s an actress and an amazing lady. We share the love of Lady Danger, wine and France.

Recently I took some photos for her and we tried on different looks. In this one look she reminded me so much of a cross between Daisy from the Great Gatsby and Audrey Hepburn that I had to share the images with you.

Anni

Anni

Anni

Anni

The next two photos aren’t the most flattering to Anni (je suis desolee Anni!) but the pooches look cute. Had to be done!

Anni

Anni

 

 

Posted:
April 10, 2011
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56
Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Aventure

Win! Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Aventure

Thanks for reading my blog! I appreciate you stopping by. I felt it was time to reward my readers and what’s a better reward than Chanel? I am giving away a beautiful Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Aventure so read on to see how you can win.

Coco Shine comes in twenty something shades but Aventure is my absolute favourite. Pink, shimmery and very light, this lipstick is wearable both day and night. The subtle pop of colour flushes your lips with a seductive come-hither hue while the shine adds a juicy, delicious gloss to your now irresistible lips.

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Aventure

Vanessa Paradis, the longtime Chanel muse, is back again as the face of Coco Shine. I love how they kept her wrinkles in these promo shots. It proves that beauty isn’t just skin deep.

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Vanessa Paradis

 

Ok so how do you win this lipstick?

There are two things you have to do:

  1. Like my Facebook page – Vanja Stace fashion blog
  2. Then leave a comment under this post. Any ol’ comment will do but a compliment will get you closer to Chanel :)

If you already like my Facebook page you just need to comment below.

 

Important stuff:

  • When you leave a comment make sure you tick the ‘Notify me of follow up comments’ box
  • The winner will be drawn randomly on 1st May 2011 and notified via email
  • This giveaway is open to anyone in any country

 

Bonne chance mon amis! Good luck to you all and merci for reading my blog!

Vanja x

 

 

Images of lipstick tube and Vanessa Paradis © Chanel

Posted:
February 19, 2011
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13
Diagonal manicure

How to: Diagonal manicure nail tutorial

Gorgeous nails are so easy to achieve when you play around with colour. Here’s a quick step by step tutorial on how to achieve an 80s style diagonal look for your nails.

Read more…

Posted:
February 11, 2011
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13
lush

Win a romantic prize pack from Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics

Win a romantic prize pack from Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics. The prize consists of the deliciously sweet It’s Raining Men shower gel, an irresistibly cute Frog Prince bath ballistic (which turns into your very own Prince!), a piece of delicate Love Birds soap, and a brand new It Started With A Kiss tinted lip balm.

Read more…

Posted:
July 18, 2010
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0
Bobbi Brown

Colour me happy

Have you ever noticed how great you feel with a little bit of colour on your lips? Or how fresh your friend looks when her cheeks are rosy?

Read more…

Posted:
January 25, 2010
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0

CLEO Make me a make up artist competition

CLEO Magazine is on the hunt for Australia’s hottest new make up artist. If you are mad about giving good face or you are always looking at make up in mags and thinking “I could do that” then this competition is for you!

Read more…

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