I Scream Nails for Miss Shop Cosmetics Nail Art Masterclass

Still regretting you missed out on the I Scream Nails and Sportsgirl Nail Art Workshop?

Regret no longer, I Scream Nails are back, offering a Nail Art Masterclass in conjunction with Myer’s Miss Shop department! Masterclasses run tomorrow, Saturday 26th October at the Myer Bourke Street store. There are three session times at 10.30 am, 1pm and 3.30pm where you can master the (nail) art of the leopard print design. The cost to attend is $20, but is redeemable on product, which can include the new Miss Shop Nail Art pens.

What are you waiting for? Get those fingers dialing Myer on 03 9661 1259 to book your spot ASAP as there are limited places available. Don’t forget to show off your fab designs!

Image Via.

Image Via.

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Muse of the Month October 2013: Kester Black director and designer – Anna Ross

Anna Ross

Anna Ross

Anna Ross of Kester Black nail polish is Melbourne Darling’s Muse of the Month for October 2013 because of her innovative and ethical contribution to the nail polish industry, her fun design sense and her go-getting entrepreneurial attitude.

If you haven’t heard of nail polish brand Kester Black, then you are about to fall in love…

Kester Black brings you everything you could ever want in a nail polish and more! All Kester Black nail polishes contain non-toxic ingredients and are made of a “Five Free Formula” meaning they are free from the nasty chemicals Toluene, DBP, Camphor, Formaldehyde and Formeheldyde Resin. The polishes are carcinogen free, making them suitable to be used by chemotherapy patients, pregnant women and children as well as being Australian Made, Animal Cruelty free and Vegan.

Not only does this superhero status nail polish brand contain a winning formula, but they produce a stunning range of striking nail polish colours. Take a look at their newest range for Spring and Summer 2013, ‘Tropicana’:

Kester Black Tropicana Range

Kester Black Tropicana Range

These colours just make me want to put on some denim shorts and eat a gelato on the beach!

I got to meet the lovely Anna Ross and ask her some questions about Kester Black, where she finds her inspiration and a few of her favourite things!

Where did the name Kester Black come from?

‘The name Kester Black came from my favourite place in the world, St Kester Bay in New Zealand. I was with some family friends close by and one day we took the boat out through the sounds and ended up in the beautiful St Kester Bay. We found out it only has one house there which is owned by a priest (hence the choice of the colour black). I just think that place is the pinnacle of  New Zealand beauty and I wanted my business name to have a tie with where I come from.’

Kester Bay, New Zealand (Image courtesy of Anna Ross)

Kester Bay, New Zealand (Image courtesy of Anna Ross)

What was the inspiration behind Kester Black?

‘Kester Black started as a clothing label when I was at fashion school. I wanted to continue it when I moved to Australia four years ago, however I couldn’t afford to buy new machines when I arrived. I began making jewellery just to keep my portfolio ticking over, with the idea I would one day get a job as a designer. I did eventually get my foot in the door in fashion but at that point I had worked so hard on Kester Black that I wasn’t really willing to give it up anymore. The move to nail polish was an unexpected progression. With such a strong desire to work with colour, I originally wanted to have nail polish to complement the silver rings I designed! Obviously it worked out really well, and I as a result I have come to absolutely love designing nail polish!’

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your journey so far?

‘That’s a really hard question as there has been so many. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to gain so many skills and develop so much knowledge about running a business, but I think the best part about it all, is getting to spend my days at home, in my own office, with my cat curled up on the desk listening to music way too loudly.’

What are your favourite things to do as a Melbourne Darling?

‘After having just spent 6 weeks in Europe, I realised Melbourne really is the best city in the world. I love having a wander along Gertrude Street on a Saturday afternoon and I really appreciate the unique stores in Fitzroy as it is hard to find such an assortment of small designers like we have here anywhere else in the world. On a Thursday or Friday night I usually meet up with friends on Lygon Street Brunswick East. There are some awesome bars along there like The Alderman, Mr Wilkinson and Atticus Finch to name a few of my favourites. On Saturday morning I usually have breakfast with my 3 housemates in Carlton North on Rathdowne Street or Lygon Street and in summer I love going to the Moonlight Cinema or heading to the Queen Victoria Night Markets for dinner and Sangria! That being said, I’m surprised I actually get any work done at all!’

Lastly, what is your personal favourite Kester Black product to wear?

I love the Floral ring, worn with Bubblegum nail polish.

As previously mentioned in my post about the stellar combination that is Kester Black Nail Polish and Trophy Wife Nail Art, the two close friends, Anna Ross and Chelsea Bagan of Trophy Wife Nail Art collaborated to produce the Nail Art Book in 2012.

I personally own this book and think it’s fantastic. The comprehensive and heavily illustrated step-by-step guide to 15 fabulous nail art designs and would recommend it to anyone who wants to try nail art for themselves, but may find it a little daunting (and for those who don’t like watching You-Tube video tutorials). I particularly like that the back of the book features a ‘Gloss-ary’, mentioning all of the nail polishes used to create the nail art designs, so you can go out and find the exact same shades they used to create the same looks. Have a peek inside for yourself here.

The two lovely ladies also worked together to produce two new nail polish colours, an Aqua colour called ‘Alimony’ and a glitzy gold glitter bomb named ‘Gold Digger’ I absolutely adore ‘Gold Digger’, it is an intense burst of fine gold glitter that covers the nail beautifully and completely, unlike many glitter nail polishes that appear on the nail as a very weak version of what they look like inside the bottle. My favourites from the Tropicana range have to be the shade ‘Bougainvillea’ from the Tropicana range, a playful and bright pop of purple and ‘Laguna’, a dark yet delicate shade of deep sea blue/green.

Anna Ross has shared with Melbourne Darling that she will no longer be designing jewellery for Kester Black, but instead will be shifting the focus of Kester Black entirely to nail polish. With that exciting news, stay tuned for the upcoming developments of this fun and spunky brand, (and what new and imaginative colours Anna develops next!) You can find a listing of your closest Kester Black Nail Polish stockist on their website.

In the meantime, here comes the hard question, which colour will you be wearing this summer?

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Kester Black & Trophy Wife Nail Art Launch Party!

Kester Black Tropicana Range

Kester Black Tropicana Range

 

Jay Z and Beyoncé, Sofia Coppola and Dior, Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, Audrey Hepburn and Givenchy

Sometimes a collaboration is just so fantastic it’s worth celebrating, and that’s just what Kester Black and Trophy Wife Nail Art are doing this Friday, to celebrate Kester Black’s lush new Spring / Summer nail polish range ‘Tropicana‘ and to launch the two stunning new nail polish shades the duo has created:

Kester Black Alimony Nail Polish by Trophy Wife

Kester Black Alimony Nail Polish by Trophy Wife

Kester Black Gold Digger Nail Polish by Trophy Wife

Kester Black Gold Digger Nail Polish by Trophy Wife

 

Head down to West Space this Friday night 6pm-8pm for this free event to sneak a peek at this exciting new range, sip on cocktails and be treated to free nail art!

Event Details:

Friday, September 27th

6pm-8pm

West Space,

Level 1 / 225 Bourke Street

Melbourne, 3000

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Melissa Shoe Customisation Workshops and Q.V Glass house Events

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Source: Melissa Australia

Ever seen a pair of shoes that lead you to think if only they had that extra something special? Ever just wish you could add that extra addition of flourish or detail to take a gorgeous shoe to a new level?

Well now is your chance to try out your skills at custom-making your very own pair of shoes, with Melissa Australia’s flagship Melbourne store, M Dreams hosting shoe customisation workshops over the next few days in the delightfully dreamy Glass house space at QV.

A ticket at $69.00 includes the price of your choice of shoes; either a pair of the Patchuli wedges or Aranha Hits sandals in your size, as well as all the embellishments and trims you need to pimp your pumps until your heart is content!

We all know what a great pair of

shoes can do for a girl, so  be prepared to leave the workshop looking like Dorothy skipping down that Yellow Brick Road in her embellished sequin heels!

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Source: Melissa Australia

Workshop times:

Tue 24 Sep 2013 – 5:00pm
Wed 25 Sep 2013 – 2:00pm
Thu 26 Sep 2013 – 2:00pm

Location:

QV Glasshouse, QV

Cnr Swanston St & Lonsdale St

Melbourne 3000

Ticket Price:

$69.00

Book your tickets online here.

Don’t forget to show us your creations!

Check out some of the other interesting events taking place at Q.V’s Glasshouse installation over the next couple of weeks at the Q.V events website here.

qv

source: That’s Melbourne

Here are my top 3 event picks:

1. Free nail art – Saturday, 28 September to Sunday, 29 September:  Because unintentionally it seems that Melbourne Darling will have provided every Melbourne girl an opportunity to score a free nail art session by the end of the month!

2. Butterfly Enclosure – Friday, 4 October to Sunday, 6 October 2013: Explore the interactive, dazzling Butterfly enclosure set up within the Glasshouse and support the Butterfly Foundation with a gold coin donation.

3. Flower Arranging Workshop -  Monday, 30th September: You’ve been inspired by the beauty of nature in the Butterfly enclosure, now learn how to bring the beauty of nature indoors with the insightful tips and tricks on how to create your own bouquets, and take one home with you!

Love,

Melbourne Darling xo

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Melbourne Spring Fashion Festival: Hub Events

Melbourne Spring Fashion Week is now in full spring, but even if you didn’t manage to get your hands on tickets to a runway show, savvy fashionistas can still take part in this exciting week with the many great free events and activities taking place:

Melbourne Darling’s top 5 picks of free MSFW 2013 events:

  1. Mecca Maxima Nail Bar - It’s a funky phelangies free-for all!
  2. New Designer Market – Discover your new favourite designer before anyone else…
  3. Spring Is In The Air – This vintage fashion exhibition will transport you through time with fashion through the ages.
  4. Review’s Spring 2013 Runway Show – Review’s free runwayshow is going to leave you daydreaming about which of their floral, flirty and feminine pieces will be your perfect outfit for the upcoming party season.
  5. Levi’s® Revel Fit Safari - Finding the perfect pair of jeans can be a nightmare, but this personalised fitting service should have you find your perfect fit in no time.

MSFW runs from August 31st to September 8th, 2013. For more information and a full listing of events, visit the official Melbourne Spring Fashion Week website.

Love,

Melbourne Darling xo

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