Category — Make Up Tips

This Summer it’s ALL about the Aqua eye…..

From cool marine breezes to azure waves……oceanic rules…..

L to R

Urban Decay-Stardust Eyeshadow in Atmosphere -£13/$20 www.beauty.com

NARS Cream Eyeshadow Duo in Burn it Blue – £25

NYX Eyeshadow in Seafoam Green

Artdeco Baked Mineral Eyeshadow – £9.45 – Pure Aquamarine - Debenhams

YSL Ombre Solo Topaz Blue -

M.A.C – Electric Eel – wwww.mac.co.uk  £12.00

NARS Cream Eyeshadow Duo in Mad Mad World – £25

Illamasqua Eyeshadow in Burst – £15.50 

Which colours would you choose?

I have long been a fan of the gorgeous LUSH. Looking for amazing handmade products that are good for you and smell incredible? So fresh you can FEEL it? Lush has it all. Made with little or no preservative or packaging, using only vegetarian ingredients and they tell you when they were made! I love the fact my new body lotion  was made by Ben – this month! Being a big fan I tested out some must have favourites along with some new additions that are just brilliant….

Dream Cream (£10.95)  ’Our Number One Product’ says Lush. We say – SPOT ON! This gorgeous velvety body cream smooths on beautifully, feels instantly nourishing and comforting – and it absorbs quickly. Its the oat milk in this cream that is heaven sent. Also made with rose water, rose absolute, cocoa butter , chamomile blue , tea tree and olive oil, its been known to cure a whole host of skin problems like eczema,  as well as being the go-to cream for daily beautifying. The scent isn’t over powering so it won’t interfere with your perfume. Its Lush’s serious best seller and we know why. Serious smoother soother – essential!

Buffy Body Butter (£5.95) It’s a full on skin softening experience. The bar is just the right size for holding in your palm  as you rub it  over wet skin in circular motions. The exfoliating beads work straight away – and the incredible scent  of lemon and cocoa butter is released- getting you in the holiday mood. As soon as I washed off, my skin felt like silk – and shimmered! Perfect to buff your bod before your holiday or for a regular treat. Gorgeous. 

Stepping Stone Foot-Scrub (£2.95) Smells great! This adorable foot shaped scrub and soak  in one, made my bathroom lemon scented for days. Rub over tired tootsies in a hot bath. The pumice and jojoba oil polished my feet while dissolving into a pool of aqua cool all around me – beautiful. 

Emotional Brilliance This is a genius idea – choose your make up – depending on your MOOD…..

Spin the Emotional Brilliance Colour Wheel – in store or online -  to get your personalised colour reading. Select 3 colours that ‘feel right’ and this will reveal more about your state of mind. Like tarot cards for your cosmetics, choose your mood – and get gorgeous….

For me…..

Bubbly (Pink) &  Vibrance (Orange) Liquid Lipsticks  (£14.50) These were brilliant!  Stained like a lip tint. Shined like a gloss. Great texture. Perfect for slicking on for lasting colour without lipsticks usual fade out issues.  The patent contains an incredible skin softening formula that improves the condition of your lips. Made with jojoba and rose.  Line your lips with the tip of the sponge and fill in – and for  subtle look – blot.  

Bubbly was my favourite - a gorgeous rose pink really brought out my green eyes while orange Vibrance was lovely – a shimmer shot  of sunshine for the lips. Ideal size too for popping in your handbag and glossing on the go.  They also double up as a cream blush. 

Eyes Bright Mascara (£12)This was a very impressive product, small but really packs a powerful punch. I had strong dramatic lashes within moments, the colour was intense too. Wheatgrass is the magic ingredient which promises irritation free flutters. The gentle formula contains only 1 preservative rather than the usual 4-6 in most others mascaras which makes it pretty special.  Plus it contains vitamins that actually condition and nourish your lashes. – sold! It was the perfect size to slip into a small handbag for an evening out. 

Healthy – Green liquid liner (£14.50) I usually go for coloured liners that shimmer and only use liquid when I’m creating cat eyes and wanting a smoky intense look at night. I had never really thought about using a more matte green but this fresh grass coloured liquid liner took me by surprise – I tried it and found it really lovely, versatile and wearable. I combined the liner with the rose pink  Bubbly lips and had an instantly brighter look that took me from afternoon meeting to drinks with friends. The green actually matched my eyes and gave me subtle but enhanced look. It was the perfect fresh Spring feel. In the daylight it just looked pretty and as I wore it into the evening the colour blended and faded to a slinky green grey. Made with Damask Rose. A lovely consistency  doesn’t set straight away so you can blend and perfect. 

Lifted - Yellow Cream Eyeshadow (£14.50) This yellow eye brightener lifted my spirits on a less than bright Spring day. You can use alone, as a shadow, a highlighter or under another colour to really open up the eye. Made with amazing cupuaçu butter, almond and jojoba –  its good for your skin too.

Go and spin that wheel! Great colours, so much variety and such a cool idea. I  love the labels attached to the little bottles! They give the whole range a cute apothecary feel, which just adds to Lush’s authenticity. They make gorgeous products, naturally.

Get some LUSH in your life! https://www.lush.co.uk/

How beautiful are these new Chanel shades for Summer?

The inspiration is sunlight and butterflies – wow, just LOVE the colours – electric brights that tie into the neon feel but are so instantly wearable, bringing out your tan and making you look incredible.

L’ÉTÉ PAPILLON DE CHANEL

 Can you say face flattering perfection? Race you to the Chanel counter!

Gatsby chic is almost here…….“There was music from my neighbor’s house through those summer nights,” F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote. “In his enchanted gardens, men and girls came and went like moths, among the whispering and the champagne and the stars.”

Baz Lurhman’s movie The Great Gatsby is on general release in the States right now –  coming to the UK next week on 16th May.

The fashion influence has been a long time coming – the first hints of flapper chic were visible on the runway during New York Fashion Week in 2011 and the fashion world has been paying homage to the roaring 20′s ever since. It was such an  opulent time, the cocktails, the beading, the sequins, the glamour  - so enjoy it all!  20′s fashion has even influenced the current major metallic trend!

The Great Gatsby costume designer Catherine Martin has created some incredible outfits for the movie. There has also been a Tiffany collaboration - wow! We are all waiting in anticipation!

But until the release we can all recreate our own speakeasy glam with these gorgeous items……….

Gatsby Chic…….Rock one of these stunning frocks to your next party with all the beading, delicate lace and shimmer –  and feel amazing. This incredible nude flapper dress from Jigsaw (£325) is a major investment piece, beautifully made and just oozes glamour! Topshop have the ultimate little black flapper dress (£160) These are party pieces that will work well now and all the way through until Christmas.

Pale creamy skin is Gatsby style – and there’s no better foundation for this than Chanel Perfection Lumiere, light reflecting amazingness, long lasting with an SPF (£36 – Harrods)

Add the perfect pink blush from Dainty Doll – especially made for pale skin by none other than major UK fashionista and member of Girls Aloud Nicola Robertson.

This look needs a dark red  lip and NARS Fire Down Below is a great shade. The semi matte formula is ideal for the 20′s look and is set to be huge this year. Semi Matte a la 90′s – is where’s it at.

Statement jewelery is a must and this stunning vintage necklace from Max & Chloe (£77) is perfect. Emerald colored rhinestones are interlocked with multi stranded ball link chains accented with vintage filagree beads.

This flapper cuff from Amrita Singh (£52) is an easy way to add a little 1920′s chic – gold plated with enamel detailing and austrian crystals – beautiful.

Choose a pretty sequinned headband – this Daytrip glitter band has the right feel – just £6.79 at Buckle – www.buckle.com

Finally complete the look with a delicately beaded handbag for authentic 20′s feel - The Kardashian Kollection has this gorgeous number – £30 at Dorothy Perkins.

Grab a cocktail and get your Gatsby on!

Be gorgeous!

There’s a new nail trend in town and its beyond chic. Classy and refined – its the new low key cool –  the rise of the skin coloured ‘Foundation’ nail…..

Yes – nail polish that looks just like Foundation! There’s something just polished and classic about nude nails and this new wave whispers elegance. Simple but looks expensive,  natural but very Park Avenue. Its the Grace Kelly of the nail world. A breath of colour that flatters your hands.

A touch of beige that smooths out imperfections  much like its namesake. Its the new wear everywhere – destined to go down as a classic. Forget intricate nail art, this is the anti art look – simple, beautiful  no tips please just smooth creamy colour.  Like foundation, you need to match the right shade to your skin tone.  The new colours are out now!

Working with any outfit, it gets our vote!

(L-R)

OPI  - Samoan Sand

Butter London – Cuppa

Rimmel – Bare Necessities

Mavala –  Sapporo

YSL – Beige Leger

Deborah Lippman – Naked

Dior – Nude

Shu Uemura – Royal Beige

Chanel – Frenzy

Which one would you choose?

Head down to Selfridges for some Chanel chic!

To celebrate the launch of its new mascara –  Le Volume de Chanel  (with a ‘snowflakes’ brush for an instant eye opening effect and intense volume in a single stroke – £24)

The French fashion house have given us the ultimate in elegant fun – the Chanel Vending Machine!

We have long been fans of Selfridges. It’s  the only store to be twice awarded the accolade of the Best Department Store in the world and we adore Chanel.

The mascara is part of a new collection- Jeux de Regards which includes eye shadows and liners. Great colours, long lasting and of course –  gorgeous sleek  packaging too!

Before slotting in your Chanel coin, expert make up artists will advise you on your perfect match,  you can even book free  ’eye makeovers’! They are 3 mascara shades to choose from -  Prune, a warm aubergine; Bleu, a modern, intense denim blue, and Noir, a deep black.

Until 8th May

See you there!

Men -The biggest challenge a man faces in his entire grooming routine is shaving. As every woman knows, a clean-shaven face allows for smoother French kissing and no stubble rash! Boys, we really do appreciate you taking the time to do it as it reeks havoc on our baby soft skin!

As luck would have it we came across a brand new product by Evolutionman, and man were our boys (Guinea pigs) here impressed!  I  had the pleasure of working with its Creator Marco Berardini’s on a photo shoot. Marco is a world-class hairstylist, makeup artist and groomer for A-list celebrities and after testing his products he can also add skincare expert to his list of credentials!

Each product contains no sulfates, paraben’s, synthetic dyes, Triclosan or GMO’s

We asked our boys to try out this new shaving product from Evolutionman and below is their feedback.

• Mild manly scent
• The packaging - Matte black which looks sleek and masculine and would look good next to any sink. Why should girls all get the fun products!
• It’s so easy to shave with, creating a super chill path for your blades to glide right over. Shaving isn’t so bad.

• Does not lather as much as shaving gels and creams but does produce a very close and comfortable shave

• Leaves the face feeling clean and residue free
• Would purchase again

Click here to purchase Evolutionman

Fabulous in a flash!

BUSY! We all know that feeling, from meeting to lunch to office to drinks…Working with clients who need to look amazing NOW – here are some chic FAST fixes that will have you looking Pretty in Minutes…..here we go!

First up – I’m a big believer in foundation and feel it not only gives you that finished, elegant look but choose the right one and you can literally awaken your skin, make your eyes & teeth brighter.  So many though are time consuming and messy. This all changed with the launch of my favourite  – Maybelline The Eraser. It couldn’t be easier to use. You simply turn the dial at the base of the stick, the foundation is released into the sponge on the end and you stroke onto your skin. Light, silky,  infused with goji berrries and vitamins, no mess  - and just takes seconds! You can also use it as a concealer throughout the day – for super quick touch ups. Really good coverage but you can still see your skin.

For a fresh natural blush – in seconds – the brilliant Benefit’s Posie Tint is great. Dab across your cheekbones then smooth across, you can also use on lips for that just bitten look.

Follow up with a quick brush of Chanel’s  Les Beige Healthy Glow face powder. This superfine powder, complete with antioxidants and SPF 15, ‘warms’ you up in a lovely natural way. It can be used all day without build up, isn’t drying and controls shine brilliantly. It just gives you a gorgeous subtle healthy feel. Huge range of colours and stunning  packaging too.

Seconds later, run your finger along the Bobbi Brown Shimmer brick, and apply to your eyelid. This amazing compact contains 6 shades of shimmer for shade and highlighting and really opens up the eyes. Then run the residue lightly over your cheekbone for a slight shimmer.

You can alternate the Posie Tint with the Shimmer Brick depending on the level of ‘blush’ and ‘glow’ you want.

Follow with lashings of Max Factors False Lash Effect mascara and for amazing body and lift – massage in  Batiste Dry Shampoo in cherry to your roots then brush out.

Finish with a spritz of Flowerbomb – its long lasting incredible scent will last all day. Its a major celeb favourite with a stunning bottle.

Before you walk out the door – slick on the amazing Mighty Mouth from Soap and Glory. This wonder gloss balm is so good and works FAST. Plumping instantly with a wonderful colour – a warm pink that shows up really well – it defines your lips, makes your eyes stand out more, while still being subtle. And super quick!

5 minute Magic!

Stay gorgeous!

I’m currently rocking a nail trend I call ‘Hot Candy’. This wear anywhere brilliant bright mani is so simple, long lasting, looks amazing and flatters all skintones. Taking inspiration from the chic candy neon of new movie Spring Breakers, you can use any combination of  colours, just chose two contrasting brights that compliment each other – and apply 4 coats for maximum impact on alternate  nails. I chose this combo of pink and pale bright turquoise. Tipping its hat to the Ombre trend, this is a cleaner, bolder look that combines the colour duo formula of ombre – but the strength and style lies in the simplicity.

Get the Look L-R

Orly –  Feel the Vibe Beach Cruiser

Chanel – Nouvelle Vague

Jessica Nails – Happy Hour

Rimmel Lycra Pro in Peppermint

Chanel Rose Insolent

Nails Inc – Haymarket

Ombre is BACK and better than ever. Its no longer just our hair in 2013 –  its now our clothes, our nails, even our LIPS!

Yes, the Ombre trend for 2013 is set to explode. The combination of colours &  a happy hippy feel as we aproach Summer –  is perfect. Totally ties in to the 90′s trend,  but our Ombre is grown up tie dye - the colors and tones blend into each other beautifully, its all about the graduation…..

Bright, fun and totally wearable. The outfit IS the statement piece!

Get the Look!

Gorgeous dress from South Beach – £29.50 at ASOS

Cute skater style dress from Misguided.co.uk

Bright Hollister shorts (£26)  are perfect with tanned legs….

I love this silk Topshop dress – £75

You can do Ombre in a cute cosy way. Team this snuggly knit with a pair of pale blue skinny jeans for a natural on trend feel thats sweet and  subtle.

Topshop – £38

For a more tonal Ombre experience, pair this elegant beaded tunic from Mint Velvet -http://www.mintvelvet.co.uk  (£79) with leggings for a sleek chic look. With a hint of metallic, this grey and mocha look is a glam sophisticated take on the trend.

If you want to make your colour statement with make up instead – go for a bright candy ombre nail. This blue and purple look really pops. The key here is all about moving away from the harsh edged tip – the look is all about blended, gradient ‘wave’ of colour…..

Or go big and bold with liner a la the 90′s but revamped for the ‘teens’..for Ombre lips – find two contrasting shades, pink and orange/red and purple/pink and red – outline the lips with one shade, use the other on the lips – line and combine !! Ombre lips have the added bonus for making the lips look bigger and are such an easy way to follow this trend. Stunning!

Even if you add just a few touches of Ombre this Spring, its a gorgeous way to look forward to Summer………