Megan Gale - L'Oreal's new face

In the biggest beauty industry news in eons, tonight - at a lavish event at Sydney's Australian Technology Park - uber-model Megan Gale was announced as the newest face for mega beauty brand L'Oreal.

With whispers for days about who would be the newest face of L'Oreal - and a fantastic teaser campaign hitting the screens several days ago (with the official full length TVC screening tomorrow), the L'Oreal event wowed attendees, consisting of magazine editors, beauty editors, industry insiders and a sea of photographers.

For more on the event, including social photos, campaign photos, the TVC, and more, check back in with NineToFive (where I file twice-weekly beauty reports at www.ninetofive.com.au) and Josie's Juice.

INTERVIEW: Scherri-Lee Biggs - Miss Universe Australia - talks Nude By Nature

Since Scherri-Lee Biggs was crowned Miss Universe Australia earlier this month, the 20-year-old model and communications student from Perth has secured a contract with hugely popular makeup line Nude By Nature.

Biggs also won more than $25,000 in prizes, and has earned the right to compete in the Miss Universe World finals to be held in Brazil on September 12.

Last year’s winner (and fellow Nude By Nature ambassador) Jesinta Campbell has said a record of more than 10,000 women registered for the contest. The comp's popularity is far from waning.

And the Nude By Nature line keeps expanding. Here, Scherri-Lee Biggs talks to Josie's Juice about the global comp, the popular makeup line, and her desert island makeup staple.

Miss Universe is judged on looks and substance and intelligence - though how do you feel about the ‘looks’ part?

I think when in amongst all the preparation the ‘looks’ part kind of falls to the wayside. Yes you’re hitting the gym when you can and eating well, but i tend to do that for energy and wellbeing. I do enjoy taking care of myself, beauty-wise. It’s something I enjoy, I’m very interested in great skin care products and I like painting my nails when I have a free minute. I think it’s always good the present yourself with pride.

What do you hope to achieve during your rein as Miss Universe Australia?

Right now, the focus is definitely on the international final. I feel it rather a large responsibility representing my country well and trusting that everyone back home will be proud of my efforts.

After Brazil, I’m keen to get stuck into my role at home. I hope to get out there and meet as many interesting people as I can, I want to be inspired, I want to be involved in my community and offer my assistance as influential role. I would like to speak to young girls and offer advice on confidence and happiness. I am currently aligned with Toybox Charity and would like to continue my work with them.

How do you feel about being involved with Nude By Nature? What appeals to you about the brand?

I love it! And I seriously mean it! After being introduced to Nude by Nature I haven’t looked back. The great thing with nude by nature is that you don’t need many products and you can create a beautiful flawless natural look with very little effort. Beyond the great makeup, it’s a fantastic company to be aligned with and I’m proud to represent. They use natural ingredients that I am honestly happy to promote to anyone.

What is your fail-safe, ten minute makeup routine?

Oooh, I like this question, because I usually only have 10 minutes, if that! Prime up your skin with Nude by Nature natural primer, as it will hold this 10 minute makeup all day and also help smooth it out. Keep foundation light and lightly conceal the t-zone and under the eye contour; bronze figure-three shapes down each side of the face, keeping it under the cheek bone. With the nude illuminator, highlight cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, the brow and 'cupid's bow' for a really fresh appearance.

Use a light fresh pinky gold on the eye (I’m not very good at eyes, so I keep it extremely natural, haha), lashings of a good mascara. Finish with the Nude By Nature Finishing Veil. Grab your bag... and ruuuun!

One Nude By Nature product allowed on that imaginary desert island: what would it be?

Illuminator... buuut in my head I have this really great castaway themed shoot going on where I’m all dewy sweaty on a life raft, but somehow have managed to accumulate a closet of designer clothes for my time on the island!

For more on the brand, see: http://www.nudebynature.com.au/

Fashion Weekend Sydney, 2011 - Shopping Heaven

Did you go along to Fashion Weekend Sydney?

I did - and it was shopping/fashion nirvana.

Montarna McDonald (if you are fashion-obsessed, you should really be following her on Twitter at @IntersectionPad) gave Josie's Juice a run-down, complete with fab pics, on what went down at the best open-to-the-public fashion mecca event.

"The four day fashion extravaganza that is Fashion Weekend Sydney saw incredible bargains from your favourite designers, as well as runway shows, luscious pampering and mini makeovers – it truly was the ultimate girly day out!

"Stylish shoppers who came snapped themselves up numerous purchase’s at amazing discounts of up to 70% off from fantastic designers including; Nicola Finetti, Fleur Wood, Little Joe Woman, camilla and marc, Natasha, Something Else and Life with Bird just to name a few. The catwalk shows ran throughout the event showcased both new and favourite styles from the designers’ collections in one group show, highlighting the best of what the sale had to offer.

"And to top the experience off NP set were providing mini makeovers and Tony&Guy were there to fix any of your hair problems for a tiny fee of $10.00 PLUS as if that wasn’t enough Essie was there to give your hands a pampering and fix any chipped nails shoppers may have had. And in a perfect finish to the shopping experience shoppers were treated to a complimentary glass of Tempus Two at the wine bar.

"This year’s Fashion Weekend Sydney was truly bigger and better than ever, we look forward to seeing you all again next year!"

As a guest on the Friday night at the media VIP lounge (think delicious Italian antipasto and Tempus Two Moscato - my new fave drop), I thoroughly enjoyed my first foray to the event. After downing some delicacies, it was time to shop. I was rather overwhelmed with the choice - so much so, next time I am allocating more to shop up a storm. I did pretty fab, though - scored a too-divine leather cuff from PeepToe (and a gorgeous yellow jewel-encrusted PeepToe bangle) and not forgetting the famed Sweaty Betty gift bag, so choc-ful with goodies (a Rae Morris beauty book, LaSenza undies, HotMilk undies [don't care if they are maternity duds - they're hawt], Voodoo hosiery, Lindt choccie, Modelco and Face of Australia cosmetics, and much more.

Will I be back at next year's Fashion Weekend Sydney? You betcha!

Shellac - Best. Manicure. Ever

With the introduction of Shellac by CND (Creative Nail Design) to the manicure market last year, the company has positively, er, nailed it.

The 'Shellac UV Colour Coat' is hands down (gosh, pardon all the puns) the best manicure I have ever experienced. Ever.

After nearly five years of development in its state-of-the-art laboratory, this new nail technology means you can say buh-bye to chips, smudges, and dry time.

This amazing product applies like polish, wears flawlessly for 14 days of high gloss shine, and is removed in minutes.

The Shellac process consists of base coat, colour, top coat – and is cured in a UV light so there is zero dry time. We're talking reach-into-your-handbag-for-your-keys and you are good-to-go, dry time.

The colours are hypo-allergenic, and “3-Free” – no formaldehyde, toluene or DBP.

Shellac's shades range from pretty French pinks and whites, to siren red and rich darks.

The formula is thin and flexible like polish, so it not only looks natural, it provides strong natural nail protection with a resilient mirror finish that resists dullness and chipping, even during the most rigorous activities. Trust me, I have put my mani through its paces. And over two weeks later, it still looks perfect. Not a single chip.

As amazing as Shellac is on, removal is just easy; no soaking, drilling or filing is necessary.

Nails are gently swathed in individual Shellac Remover Wraps (at the salon) that limit finger and skin exposure to acetone by keeping it pinpointed on just the nail.

“Our chemists invented a modern solution to the normal polish inconveniences that frustrate women. Shellac is fret-free and convenient. Women can finally get their time back,” says CND co-founder and style director Jan Arnold.

Shellac is a professional service, available in professional salons and days spas nationally.

For salon details call Pacific Nail & Beauty on 1800 449 109. Or see: http://www.pacificnail.com.au/ or http://www.creativenailplace.com.au/

Shellac will be the best money you've spent on a mani. No question.

L’Oréal Paris Baroque Glamour Collection - for 2011 L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival

To help celebrate the 2011 L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival - kicking off today, Monday 14 March, until Sunday 20 March - L’Oréal Paris has introduced the Baroque Glamour Collection, this season’s sophisticated colour story created by L’Oréal Paris and LMFF Make-up Director, Rae Morris.

Inspired by the glamorous beauty looks of the 1940s and 1950s, the Baroque Glamour Collection brings retro glamour back into the spotlight - oh, how I love this look, especially as it is modelled here by the delectable Laetitia Casta.

With the 1940s and 50s staging a comeback, it's super-easy to re-create the timeless, classic looks of this era with this L'Oreal collection. The keys are flawless skin, elegant-looking eyes, and striking red lips - the makeup elements seen in silver-screen starlets from decades ago, oozing supreme style and sophistication.

“This look is all about the ultimate woman and celebrates femininity within all its different layers and forms. Make-up trends come and go but these are desirable, polished beauty looks that are always in fashion,” says makeup director, Rae Morris.

The Baroque Glamour Collection includes a selection of new L’Oréal Paris products: for the flawless base try new Infallible Brush Foundation which combines a foundation brush and natural-finish, long-wear formula in one handy product. A combination of new Infallible Eyeshadow and Million Lashes Mascara will create smouldering, statement eyes that captivate and, for a pin-up pout, sample shades from the Colour Riche Intense range to make an impact with some traffic-stopping colour.

Possibly my fave part is the retro hair style - set with long-standing haircare staple, Elnett Satin hairspray.

The Baroque Glamour Collection is in-store now, only from Priceline and Myer stores nationally.

For stockists, call: 1300 659 259.

For more info, see: http://www.lmff.com.au/

And for more on the L'Oreal/LMFF makeup looks, be inspired here: www.lorealparis.com.au/LMFF

M∙A∙C & Wonder Woman: new collection

The 2011 M∙A∙C spring colour collection is about to save the day, peeps!

Think M∙A∙C lipsticks with added golden-glamazon packaging; oversized lipglasses with a larger-than life wand; super-sized Mineralize Skinfinish; blush duos in ‘mighty aprhodite’ and ‘amazon princess’; bold eye shadow palettes, in brilliant blue hues, pinks and greens.

And then there is the 'super' mascara 'Opulash': in supreme shades including ‘army of amazon’ green, ‘victorious’ purple, ‘themyscira’ blue and classic black.

Plus, nail polished packed with pigments and in bright and bold hues.

Then there are the superhero bright, bold makeup bags: from ‘raging red’ to ‘bulletproof blue’, plus utility belt brush sets, and exclusively online, the Wonder Woman t-shirt and invincible mirror... and your mission is – kaboom! –complete.

On counter 21st march 2011 at all M∙A∙C locations.

For more, see: www.maccosmetics.com.au or follow them on Twitter: http://twitter.com/themaccosmetics and Facebook: http://facebook.com/maccosmetics
Want more? Go here: http://www.youtube.com/user/maccosmetics