Smoky Eyes

I decided to channel my inner film-star by sporting the hottest celebrity beauty trend – smouldering, smoky eyes.

I recreated Emma Watson’s on-trend look by using some three products from the Barbara Daly range; the brand new Dramatic Pot Liner which comes with its own brush so you can be as bold as you dare, Eye shadow in Slate and some Lash Boost Mascara.

Here’s some expert advice from the team at Barbara Daly on achieving smoky eyes:

“Apply the darkest shade to the inner lid close to the lashes. Use the tip of your finger or a clean brush to blend the darkest colour into a medium shade. If you need to lighten your look, sweep a light shade under the brow area and all over the lid!”

The Dramatic Pot Liner was really easy to use and I love the fact that you are able to decide how bold you apply it so you can work smoky eyes both day and night!

K x

Mineral Make Up Tried & Tested - bareMinerals

Bare Escentuals really started the revolution in mineral makeup with the introduction of their award-winning 100% pure bareMinerals. It is free of preservatives, talc, oil, fragrance and other harmful chemicals. bareMinerals aims to provide impeccable coverage for every skin type, skin tone, and concern without feeling like you're wearing any makeup at all.

bareMinerals Collection

I tried the below products and these are my thoughts.

Prime Time

A preservative-free foundation primer developed to combat flaky dryness, fine lines, excess oil, and enlarged pores. This bareMinerals-infused formula glides on with no tacky feel to provide a skin-smoothing complexion prior to applying bareMinerals SPF 15 foundation. Prime Time glides on to the skin wonderfully and is a great base for any form of foundaion. My skin wasn’t left greasy or feeling too dry.

bareMinerals Prime Time

bareMinerals SPF15 Foundation – Light

Made with pure, crushed minerals from the earth, bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation looks like a powder, feels like a cream and buffs on like silk, giving my skin a natural luminosity. It is weightless and gives good coverage, however I didn’t like how much I had to use to achieve my desired look. In addition, I used the bareMinerals Max Coverage Face brush which to me would be better suited for applying a liquid foundation. The bristles aren’t like usual mineral foundation brushes and I found that this meant that it was much harder to blend and apply.

bareMinerals SPF15 Foundation - Light

bareMinerals also offer a great colour chart to help you choose the right shade for you.

How To Apply bareMinerals

Step 1: Swirl a small amount of Bare Escentuals SPF 15 Foundation into the lid. For light coverage, use the Flawless Application Face Brush, or the Kabuki Brush for greater coverage.

Step 2: Tap off any excess powder so that it's not visible on the brush.

Step 3: Buff the foundation onto the skin in a swirling, circular motion, starting on the outside of your face near your cheek bones. Then buff around your face, working your way to the cheeks, forehead and nose until you are satisfied. Remember, less is more when applying Bare Escentuals SPF 15 Foundation.

Application Tips

Multi-Tasking for Face

Besides working as a fantastic eyeshadow base, Multi-Tasking Bisques also performs as a concealer for your face, covering dark circles and skin imperfections. Apply directly onto brown and red spots, blemishes, broken capillaries, scars, and other areas of skin imperfections. I really thought this product was brilliant. It did hide my dark circles and bags, without looking heavy, which many liquid concealers do.

Multi-Tasking For Face

Blush - Giddy Pink

Creamy, 100% pure bareMinerals blushes give you a beautiful, healthy tone that looks natural, because it is. Add a soft, radiant glow to your complexion with our silky cheek colours. This colour is universal, it works brilliantly on fair skins, while adding a flushed look to darker skin tones.

Giddy Pink - Blush

bareMinerals is good, however the foundation wasn’t not to my preference. I don’t want to have to keep layering and layering to get coverage. I simply don’t have time. I tried using a different brush but still felt I had to add more and more. The blusher is fantastic and a real keeper, along with the primer.

Ax

Creative Director of MyFace Cosmetics talks to Beauty School Tryout!

Your foundation makeup is your canvas.  You can spend ages doing your eyes and lips but the quality of the look is ruined if your face is a different colour from your neck. 

With this is mind, we got in touch with Creative Director of myface cosmetics, Kay Montano to see if she could offer us any advice on applying foundation and she kindly told us the following; 

“A really good foundation will feel like you’re not wearing any, your skin should look like you’ve just stepped out of the spa. Fresh faced and dewy! The myface mymix foundations offer a foolproof way to find your perfect colour match. It’s as easy as simply choosing which skin tone you are – fair, medium or medium dark – then you can simply apply the correct shade for your skin tone. Always test for the best shade of foundation on your jaw line - it should seamlessly match either your neck or your face, depending on whether you want to match your slightly darker neck area or your face if it is a little lighter. The right shade should blend seamlessly into your skin, but if it is too dark it will look orange and if a shade is too light it will look ashy.

Choosing the wrong colour is absolutely the most common foundation mistake! Often the texture can also be too thick – thick foundations can look caked on and sit in the pores, which can be ageing. Always use a light foundation, preferably water based like mymix and conceal with concealer on blemishes, age spots and veins for a magazine flawless finish. It is also really important that your concealer syncs with your foundation, which myface also offers perfectly.

I tend to always use my fingers when applying foundation. This technique warms up the product and makes it look more natural on the skin. The heat from your hands means that the foundation will become more like your own skin.”

I have tried so many foundations out over the years from Rimmel and Revlon to Channel and Clinique and had yet to find one that had great coverage and didn’t look too orange; so I was keen to try out the Mymix foundation. 

I used the Mymix foundation in fair colour 01 and following Kay’s advice I have to say that it really is a great foundation!  Using my fingertips rather than a brush or sponge like I usually do made such a difference and the result was far more natural.

Myface Cosmetics is definitely my new cosmetic crush!

K x

Mineral Make Up Tried & Tested - Sheer Cover

I have tried Sheer Cover in the past and as I previously mentioned, I was not comfortable to go out without wearing layers of foundation. But I did like the products, so I decided to try it again.  Sheer Cover minerals are 100% natural; contain skin-soothing botanicals, natural SPF, and anti-aging green tea to protect the skin from premature aging. This means there aren’t any oils, perfumes, dyes or talc - ensuring it is gentle and not irritating on the skin. Pure mineral pigments are designed to lay on top of the skin to provide coverage, while mica helps reflect light to minimise the look of fine lines and give a sheer, flawless finish.

Sheer Cover's USP is that it hides all kinds of imperfections. Sheer Cover is recommended for dark circles, age spots, freckles and sun damage - as well as other special cosmetic needs such as scars, breakouts, and broken capillaries. You can even use it on arms, legs, and neck and across the body.

I tried the Sheer Cover Introductory Kit in Light. This kit contains two Mineral Foundations, one Nude, the other Bisque, Dual Concealer in two shades, Extra Length Mascara in black/brown, Base Perfector, Sheer Cover Studio Foundation Brush, Sheer Cover Concealer Brush, Sheer Colour Compact and a black Sheer Cover Vanity Case.

Using his makeup artistry expertise from shows like GMTV and How to Look Good Naked, celebrity makeup artist Armand Beasley has put together his essential quick makeup tips.

How to get the natural look in only 10 minutes

I used the Base Perfector, which stops concealer from sinking into pores and fine lines, while allowing the Sheer Cover Mineral Foundation to be applied to a smooth surface. Armand Beasley notes, “Use a mineral primer that won’t clog pores to make your makeup last all day – essential for those on the go.”

 “Next step is to apply a mineral base foundation which gives SPF and absorbs oil; the Sheer Cover travel brush is genius! Use quick swirling motions starting at the nose and moving outwards toward the jaw.”  There is a knack to applying this mineral foundation, but once you’ve a few goes, its easy and fast to apply.

The Sheer Cover Duo Concealer is easy to blend and doesn’t clog the skin, allowing you to hide dark circles, blemishes and even birthmarks. To apply, Armand suggests “Use a creamy concealer where needed tapping with your ring finger.”

The Extra-Length Mascara comes in black/brown with the Light kit, and usually this isn’t dark enough for me, but it actually was just right as I wasn’t wearing my usual heavy foundation. The Extra-Length Mascara coated every eyelash with the tapered brush and really opened my eyes. “Apply mascara on top & bottom lashes; good mascara means you can go without eyeshadow.”

The Sheer Cover Compact includes a light and creamy Café Mocha Eyeliner, which gives subtle definition to the eye and can also be blended as a contouring eyeshadow.

French Vanilla, Pink Parfait, Melon Ice Highlighters are ideal for giving emphasis underneath the brow bone, on the temples and inside the corner of the eye.

To finish off the look, the Sheer Cover Compact also contains 2 lipglosses, Pink Praline and Raspberry Rose, as well as a Mauveberry lip cream. These easy to wear colours make your lips look full and super shiny.

My overall thoughts are that the kit is a very accessible way to try the range and introduce yourself to a different form of make up. Great value for money, with definite results, Sheer Cover has no complaints from me.


Ax

Hot Cloth News

I love Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish and I love Top Sante Magazine. So what could have got me more excited than this fantastic offer?! In this months August issue of Top Sante, you can get a free 30ml Cleanse & Polish and Muslin Cloth (worth £5) from John Lewis (larger stores). 


All you have to do is pop into your local newsagent, buy Top Sante (August issue) for £2.99, tare out the offer page, visit the Liz Earle counter in John Lewis and Bob's your uncle, Liz's your aunt! 

You'll be able to try Liz Earle's hero product for free! After that you'll be hooked! I promise! Hurry though as September issues are out soon and you only have until the end of July to collect this fabulous offer!

GET IT NOW!


Ax

Mineral Make Up Tried & Tested

Mineral Make Up Tried & Tested

About 8 years ago I first tried mineral make up, unfortunately at that time I lacked the confidence to got out without wearing a liquid foundation along with powder and concealer, as I used to suffer from quite bad skin blemishes. As I have gotten older I have found that wearing heavy foundation can be very ageing and makes the skin look dull. So, I have decided to give mineral make up another try, especially with the summer sun and heat leaving your skin feeling hot and oily. The last thing you want it too feel like you are wearing a mask. So over the next few posts I will be reviewing three different mineral make up brands….so keep an eye out to discover what works and what doesn’t, with helpful tips on how to apply the famed minerals from some of the hottest names in the industry.

Ax

The only way is...This Morning

Beautician and ‘The Only Was is Essex’ star Amy Childs, has landed herself a new job on ITV’s This Morning.  She will be presenting her own beauty slot on Wednesdays where she will be talking about beauty and interviewing other people to find out their beauty tips. 

Her first slot was yesterday in which she talked about ways to look glamorous around the pool in the summer which included her showing how to use false eyelashes and stick-on nails.

Here is a link so you can view her segment from yesterday:

www.itv.com/this-morning/styleandbeauty/amyfashion/

To be perfectly honest, I can’t say that I would have thought to go to Amy Childs for beauty advice; however I shall wait and watch a few of her segments and listen to her beauty tips before I pass judgement as she may just surprise me!

K x

Trend Alert: Gothic Glamour

Gothic Glamour is making a return for Autumn Winter 2011 so put that fake tan away!  It would seem that the general rule is to focus on your lips or eyes - never both - so that there is a real contrast.

Here are two different looks I found, one focusing on eyes and the other on lips:

EYES:

This look fuses neutral tones with dark, moody hues for a pretty take on the grunge trend. Black kohl and a deep slightly metallic purple has been used on the eyes and blended.  To avoid the eyes being too heavy, no mascara has been used.  The lips have been left neutral so as not to distract from the eyes.
 
LIPS:

 

Although very bold, I actually prefer this look with the statement lipstick.  I think lipstick is really great as it can instantly bring your make up up to date and you don't have to be an expert to apply it.

To achieve this look, make up artist Jemma Kidd recommends the following; 

• Prepare lips thoroughly, to help prevent the colour bleeding.
• Start by exfoliating and moisturising the lips, then prep and prime. 
• Use the primer to neutralise any redness around the lip area, then apply the clear wax-based liner just outside of your natural lip line - it prevents lipstick from bleeding, while the added menthol plumps your lips too! Next, gently line the lips with a red liner. Draw the outline carefully, making sure the lips are perfectly symmetrical.
• Fill in the lip with the pencil to create an ultra-long-lasting base.
• For added colour apply lipstick. Apply one coat then blot the lips with a tissue before applying a second coat.
• Finish the look with a dab of shimmering gloss in the centre of the lower lip for extra fullness.

I now can't wait for Autumn so I can try out this look!

K x

Use This Daly...

Make-up guru Barbara Daly: ‘I’ve worked with the world’s most perfect faces, and I tell you, there is no such thing’

Barbara Daly

From supermodels to royalty (including Princess Diana), prime ministers (men?) to actors, make-up artist Barbara Daly has ‘enhanced’ the looks of Hollywood’s hottest and society’s finest and revolutionised cosmetics with her own range.

Since I was young I have been using this amazing and incredibly simple tool by Barbara Daly Make Up from Tesco.  As I have mentioned before eyelashes are a big deal to me (lashes are still falling people, please any advice would be greatly appreciated!) and I am always on the look out for any way to make my lashes look fuller and longer. Barbara Daly Lash Comb is my daily lifesaver. It is the perfect comb for separating your lashes before and after applying mascara. It is also ideal for combing your eyebrows into shape.

Barbara Daly Lash Comb for Tesco

Barbara Daly recommends

If you are applying more than one coat of mascara, always comb in between each coat to separate lashes and avoid clumping.

GENIUS!

Ax

P.S The Barbara Daly Lash Comb is hard to come by so when I ever see it I often buy as many as I can, in fear of it ever being discontinued. Please, please, please take heed and do the same to avoid dissapointment, you won’t be disappointed as it costs only about £1.10 apiece – total bargain for such a versatile tool!

How Do You Moo?

We were invited to try the British fro-yo brand that has taken the UK snacking market by storm, yoomoo. Who could say no? Unfortunately K was unable to attend so I (A) was more than happy to pop down and find out what all the fuss is about!

I went to yoomoo at Harrods on the fourth floor to find out how I moo. This is how it works, you can either pick from the extensive menu, which includes their seasonal sunshinemoo or you can break the boundaries and make your own. So, first select which fro-yo you fancy, choose between Madagascan vanilla, chocolate, strawberry or natural (if you can’t decide, you can even get a ‘twist’ of two flavours combined) then pick your toppings. There is a plethora of yoomoo topping combinations to be had, such as, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, kiwi, mango, pineapple, granola, pomegranate seeds, marshmallow, cookies, brownies, fudge, white chocolate buttons, chocolate coated raisins, goji berries, almond flakes and banana…I’m sure I have missed a few.  Then all you have to do is enjoy! 

A selection of the healthier toppings

I chose a strawberry and natural twist with cookie and raspberry toppings and there really is only one word adequate to describe yoomoo…addictive. It is smooth, light, yet rich and delicious (ok a few more words) yoomoo has the texture of expensive ice cream without out the evil calories or fat (depending on your topping choices) and even better the portions are generous, I went at 6pm and decided to skip dinner, no meal can top yoomoo. If only it came in a savory version!

yoomoo is the perfect guilt-free treat for anytime of the day, breakfast, lunch, post dinner or as a general snack. Forget popping into your local coffee house with a book for an hour or so, go to yoomoo for a bit of heavenly goodness instead.

So what does this have to do with beauty you may be asking? Well, yoomoo fro-yos give you high levels of the following:

Vitamin C - Vitamin C is an antioxidant that slows the rate of free-radical damage - free radicals are unstable molecules that damage collagen and cause skin dryness, fine lines and wrinkles.

Calcium - Low-fat dairy products like skimmed milk and yoghurt are great sources of calcium, an important mineral for hair growth.

Potassium - Potassium works with sodium to maintain the body's water balance.

AND…. yoomoo is fat-free and probiotic, with around 100 calories per regular serving. There are no artificial sweeteners and it is suitable for vegetarians, while being gluten free. What more could one ask for?

       

I’m not the only one who loves yoomoo, other yoomooers include; Fearne Cotton, Amanda Holden, Holly Willoughby, Gail Porter, and the fabulous Graham Norton and Michael McIntyre.

What makes yoomoo that little bit more brilliant it that it was founded by two working mothers, Amanda Gestetner and Sam Pyser!

To find out more about yoomoo and where you can 'moo' visit www.yoomoo.com 

Ax

Be an Eye Shadow Pro

I was recently in Boots looking for a new eye shadow to purchase.  Now I will be the first to admit that I am not great when it comes to blending eye shadows to create ‘smoking eyes’ and other looks.  So I was excited to discover an eye shadow range by Loreal; Quad Pro.

Each Quad Pro palette features a harmony of colours especially designed and combined to enhance every eye colour – and they really work.

I purchased the shade 303 Doutzen Kroes for blue eyes which offers a subtle palette of shimmering greige hues in three shades ranging from darkest to lightest and an illuminator to heighten the overall effect.

The Quad Pro palettes are designed in the shape of an eyelid; there is a drawing on the case so you know where to apply each colour making it easy to achieve the desired look.

Make-up expert James Kaliardoos has split the application process into four simple steps.

STEP 1
Apply the darkest shade (number one) along the base of the lashes with the bevelled precision applicator to define, accentuate and intensify the eyes.

STEP 2
Sweep the medium shade (number two) over the middle of the eyelid and blend it toward the outer edge of the eye to add depth.

STEP 3
Apply the lightest shade (number three) on the brow bone to highlight the eye, but avoid going all the way to the eyebrow for a more sophisticated look.

STEP 4
Apply the cream illuminator to the inner corner of the eye to help make the eyes look bigger and brighter.

The Quad Pro palettes are perfect for all Beauty School Tryouts!

K x

TOMA-ly On Trend

The beauty world is an ever changing and fast pace industry. If you blink, you’ll miss the hottest trends. There are so many new techniques on make up application, colours, new products and formulas, sometimes you can feel like you are standing in a minefield. However, there is one beauty trend that is very easy to follow and that is nails.

Nail trends are simple, colour, pattern, shape and style. Done! Dressing your nails is the easiest, quickest and cheapest way to get yourself ‘on-trend’. Nails used to be an after thought for many, but today nails are your own way to show a little bit of creativity.

The colours you choose to wear on your nails tells people, that you are aware of the trends and have been able to incorporate them into your look, without buying a whole new wardrobe. (Hello savvy ladies!)

So when it comes to this seasons nail colours, anything goes, but brights seem to be the big winner. Yellows, pinks, blues, green, oranges and purples, the more neon, the better. If you need some colour inspiration take a peep at TOMA’s Tutti Frutti Collection, at just £7.25. There are 6 different colours in the collection so you have plenty of chose from in order to best reinvent your wardrobe.

TOMA Tutti Frutti Collection

I tried Blueberry Sorbet and Strewberries & Cream. Now, I am usually an Essie or Mavala girl and was extremely surprised at the quality of these TOMA nail varnishes. The lacquer is just the right consistency for two very long lasting coats. The colours are so deep and rich, they are simply delicious. While, the brush allows for even application and doesn’t drag the varnish over the nail, rather it distributes evenly. 

Strawberries & Cream

Blueberry Sorbet

The finished result...

Ax

Lip Hit!

Celebrities have been sporting gorgeous red shades of lipsticks recently so I thought that I would give it a go myself.

I used an organic lipstick by Green People in the Cherry colour.  This lipstick is a soft shade of red with some subtle shimmer and a mild minty flavour and contains organic coconut, cupacu and jojoba oil.

Green People lipsticks are the first certified oranic lipsticks in the UK and are made with natural colours from earth minerals - no artificial colours or beetle-derived carmine – resulting in organic lipsticks which are pure and kind to your lips.

4Beauty say that if you follow the below tips you shouldn’t need many touch ups during the day;

·        Try regularly exfoliating your lips and keeping them moisturised - this will help to create a   smooth finish.

·        Whether you're using a lip brush or applying straight from the stick, make-up artist Bobbi Brown recommends that you "apply an even layer over the entire lip, starting at one corner of the mouth, and keeping within the natural lines of the lips."   She uses a lip brush to line the lips with lipstick. "Always apply the colour to the corners on both top and bottom lips. Then fill in the bottom lip and any missed areas before pressing your lips together to evenly distribute the colour."

·        Blot your lips on a piece of tissue to soak up excess product and help to set the stain.

·        For a really intense, long-lasting pout, repeat the process once or twice to build up a strong colour.

I wore my Green People lipstick out on Saturday night following the tips and found that it did last most of the evening and I only had to touch up once!  I also loved the subtle mint flavour to it.  It was a really flattering shade and I’m looking forward to trying out some of their other shades.

K x

Sit On The Front Row With Charles

I love ‘big hair’ and stumbled across this bad boy…Charles Worthington. His Creative Team has developed a new range called Front Row. The new collection, available exclusively at Boots, consists of Curl Creator Crème, Dry Conditioner, Colour Stressed Shampoo and Conditioner, Blonde and Brunette Dry Shampoo and Reactive Spray, to name a few. 

Charles Worthington Front Row

In my constant quest for volume I tried the Big Hair Sculpting Mousse. It is formulated to make sure your hair goes the distance. The salon-formulated full volume mousse has been specially developed to give long-lasting volume injection. Apparently, developed and tested by Charles Worthington himself, Big Hair Volume Mousse has been used on catwalks worldwide, such as Erdem AW 2011, to ensure models’ hair is as ‘big’ as can be. It also contains unique ‘style memory’ technology that promises body that lasts all day long.

Charles Worthington for Erdem AW 11

So, I thought I’d put it to the test. I have been using it everyday for a week and I can honestly say it has been brilliant. My hair is in need of a trim so is rather heavy and from using this mousse I have found that it has most certainly boosted my style. In the warm weather we have had, my hair hasn’t failed in the humidity and held its style and volume. The mousse also delivered shine to my hair, while leaving it soft and touchable.

Charles Worthington Front Row Big Hair Sculpting Mousse

Insider Tips From The Creative Team

Use only a small amount and run the mousse through damp hair from root to tip.

Comb through hair to disperse evenly and lift the roots.

Rough dry your hair. Starting from the nape of your neck use a volumising round brush to blow dry the hair in small sections and gently move down from root to ends.

Make sure your hairdryer has a nozzle to help concentrate the heat and enhance the shine.

When hair is dry run cold air over your hair for 30 seconds to set and old the hair.

Enjoy

Ax

Bling Bling!

Nicole Scherzinger seems to be loving metallic nail polish this summer and has been spotted at several parties with metallic nails.  I recently discovered some amazing metallic nail polishes from myface.cosmetics

Myface.cosmetics have recently launched their ‘Lil Bling’ line of nail polishes in 5 gemstone chrome-coat colours; Raspberry Beret, Limelight, Sugar Plum, Pink Champgne and Tequila sunrise.  The formulas used in the nail polish result in a look where your nails look like they have been dipped in molten metal. 

I wore the Pink Champagne colour which I absolutely loved and had so many complements on!  It was really easy to apply to my nails and it lasted really well. 

I followed these tips from ‘nail technician to the stars’ Marian Newman;

1. File smart

“Square nails and long, French-manicure styles are out, so keep them short and natural, mirroring the shape of the cuticle with your file,” says Newman. Use a gentle file such as the Kanga Board (Best Beauty Buy) to round off edges and corners.

2. First base

Base coat is a must. “It’s not just something you should use with darker shades to prevent staining – it’s essential for every hue,” says Newman. “Look for one that dries with a matte finish (such as Seche Clear crystal Clear Base Coat (Best Beauty Buy) – it will help the polish adhere to the nails better.”

3. Tip top

“After two coats of polish, I paint on a thick layer of top coat for a ‘plastic’ finish,” says Newman. “Run it around the edges of your nails to seal in the colour.” Finish with a drop of Solar Oil (Best Beauty Buy) to speed up drying and hydrate cuticles.

I didn’t have any Solar Oil so used some cuticle oil that I had in my manicure kit which I thought worked really well.  It was like adding a protective layer to my nails which was great as I do tend to get a bit impatient when waiting for my nails to dry! 

I can’t wait to try out the other 4 nail polish colours and will certainly be giving Nicole Scherzinger a run for her money this summer with my metallic nails!

K x