Australia Archives

Today I am blogging from Australia, not in my favorite city in the world, Sydney, but up in beautiful Queensland by the Great Barrier Reef.

Great Barrier Reef, Queensland Australia

God I love Australia!

Every time I come here I am blown away by the giant, wide open skies, the beauty of these unspoiled beaches, the truth in the colors, and just how completely and utterly amazing this place really is!!

Oh – and the people?? Just the most wonderful, friendly, fun folks on earth!

I should also be given some kind of award for having the balls to get on the beach here after nearly three weeks of food and wine in Italy. But meh – life’s too short to let a few extra curves get in the way of a good time!

I was asked recently which are my 5 beauty products to take to Australia. I am really paring down my travel beauty stash, especially after Italy, where I really only wore 5 things each day.

So, heading to the land down under?

Here are 5 Must Have Beauty Products To Take To Australia

1. The Best Skin Serum Ever

Tatcha Radiant Deep Brightening Serum

My normal skin care routine involves layering as many heavy, deep moisturizing products as possible. But that doesn’t work quite so well when you are traveling, and when you are traveling to a beach area where in all likelihood things will get a little steamier and more humid.

Tatcha’s Radiant Deep Brightening Serum keeps your skin hydrated and makes it look luminous, as if lit from within. It is the absolute holy grail of serums, a celebrity favorite, and if I am scaling back my skin care to just one item, this is the one!

2. An On-Going Sunscreen Plan

Colorescience Sunforgettable Mineral Sunscreen

I’ve used ColoreScience Mineral Sunscreen for years, and at home I always have one stashed in my handbag.
The sun in Australia is really fierce, so sun protection is extra important.
I still start the day by slathering a broad spectrum
SPF 85 all over my face and throat, but lets face it, once we have our makeup on, or are on the beach we are less likely to keep reapplying more sunscreen. We don’t want to jack up whatever makeup we are already wearing, or if we are on the beach we don’t want to be grinding sand into our skin.
This mineral powder sunscreen with it’s own built in brush does double duty by knocking down excess shine (super benefit in humid climes) and letting you re-protect your skin every couple of hours without getting any cakey build up.

After having Ultherapy (the greatest thing I ever did!) my entire makeup routine has changed. Ultherapy gives your skin lift and firmness, which means you no longer need to use makeup to create that illusion.
Thanks to Ultherapy, the entire time I was in Italy leading the Corinna B’s World Glam Italia II Tour I only wore 3 makeup products each day. I’m rolling out the same game for Australia.

Read about Ultherapy here

If you are streamlining your makeup look you need to pay attention to 3 main things. Your brows, your lashes and your lips.

3. Serious Brow Game

Anastasia Brow Wiz
This mechanical brow pencil is perfect on many levels. The colors are spot on – not too ashy and not too red, so you can build a really nice brow, either sculpted or full, and not look artificial. It lasts all day too.

4. A Killer Mascara

Diorshow Blackout Mascara
I am loyal to the very end. I have used Diorshow Blackout Mascara ever since it first came out, and for me it is still just the greatest mascara out there. The color payoff is fantastic, and you can build thick, luscious, glossy lashes that stay looking fab until you take your makeup off at night.
When I’m beaching I use the waterproof formula, any other time I use regular.

5. Two Great Lip Options

When you are doing a bare faced look you need a strong brow balanced with a strong lip. When you are on vacation you really don’t want to be messing with lipstick touch ups every 5 minutes, so I like to use a really saturated lip with a strong color payoff.
I’m in love with Temptu Color True Lipstick in Pink Hype

It’s a nice blue based pink that packs some power while making your teeth and the whites of your eyes look sparkly and white.

On the days I don’t want such a big lip game I’ve been wearing Nars Lipstick in Roman Holiday.
This was actually a gift from a client and I wore it non stop in Italy when I wanted a softer, glossier mouth. Between the two I had all the bases covered.

Last week’s travel post ( re-posted from The Daily Eight) got me thinking about making a bucket list of places I have to visit.
Where would you love to go? Tell me in the comments section below!

Banana Island, Doha Qatar

Anantara Banana Island, Doha

My Bahrani makeup artista friend has been telling me all about this magical man-made island 20 minutes from the heart of downtown Doha.

From the moment you get there, by luxury yacht or by helicopter, you immerse yourself in splendor. The accommodations are divine, with every room overlooking crystal clear, pristine waters (check the out here).

Banana Island, Doha Qatar

There is no alcohol here, but there is everything else you can imagine, in abundance. It’s exclusive, it’s opulent, it’s beautiful.
Check out the resort here

Petra Jordan

My Jordanian princesses have me desperate to visit the Rose City, so named for the color of the stone it is carved from.
Thought to have been established in 312 BC, this UNESCO Heritage Site has been named one of the Seven Wonders Of The World, and is on Smithsonian Magazine’s “28 Places To See Before You Die”

colbybrownphotography.com spectacular image of thousands of candles leading to the Treasury in Petra

“Only 5% of Petra has been excavated, but that 5% could take days to explore” You can read more about Petra in this blogpost by Ginger and Scotch

image of Petra via Ginger and Scotch blog

Petra, Jordan

Tokyo

Tokyo

I have wanted to visit Japan for as long as I can remember.

Tokyo

If you are going to immerse yourself in a major city, why not check out this dynamic, mega city?

Tokyo

From shopping to night life to cherry blossoms there is so much culture and excitement to see and absorb here.

Also noteworthy is that Tokyo is extremely clean, functional, well organized and incredibly safe.

Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo

Rio de Janiero

Ipanema Beach

Ipanema Beach, Copacabana Beach, bikini shopping, looking up at Christ the Redeemer up on Corcovado mountain,

Christ the Redeemer, Rio

Carnival, samba, bossa nova,

Carnival in Rio

drinking caipirinhas – Rio is one of the most visited cities in the southern hemisphere, home to the 2016 Summer Olympics, and a city I am dying to visit.

Caipirinha, Rio

Hamilton Island.

Hamilton Island

Beautiful Hamilton Island is the largest of the Whitsunday Islands off the coast of Queensland Australia.

Pristine and pure, the only motor vehicles on the island are those of tradesmen and public transport, all other commuting happens via golf cart.
Owned by Australian winemaker Bob Oatley and on long term lease to the Commonwealth Government, Hamilton Island is luxurious and beautiful and

San Miguel de Allende

I once saw a program on the Travel Channel all about San Miguel de Allende. It has always stuck in my mind, this gorgeous little artsy town in the heart of Guanajuato in central Mexico.

The historic center of town has buildings dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries and is full of light and color, expats and artists.

streets in San Miguel de Allende

doors in San Miguel de Allende

Great Wall Of China

I don’t know exactly where along the Great Wall I would like to go.
I just want to go.

Playa Paraiso Cuba

Playa Paraiso, Cuba

Thought to be one of the most spectacular in the world, Playa Paraiso in Cuba is a secluded beach, gorgeous with turquoise waters and flour-like white sand.