Archive for July, 2010

Makeup tip – how to apply face powder correctly

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

I have lost count of the amount of times when I am giving a bride-to-be a makeup lesson and after applying the primer, foundation and concealer, I pull out the face powder and she has a look of fear on her face! There are so many women who do not use face powder at all, as they are frightened that it is going to make their makeup appear heavy or that using powder will make them look older.

Years ago, face powders were chalky and heavy – technology has moved on since then. It is essential that you use a little powder where needed on your wedding day to set your makeup – especially if your skin has the tendency to go shiny and you need to powder your eyelids – this is essential to create the perfect base for your eyeshadow and to stop your eyeshadow creasing.

To apply face powder correctly, you first need to find the right powder for you. A fine, loose powder is great if you have an oily skin - CHANEL Natural Finish Loose Powder has a fine texture (£30, www.boots.com)

If you do not have a greasy skin and loose powder is not for you, then my favourite compact powder is the Daniel Sandler Invisible Blotting Powder (RRP £19.00, www.danielsandler.com) suitable for any skin tone, this powder has the most beautiful, fine texture and gives a beautiful, matte finish to the skin which sets your makeup without giving a heavy, dry look to the skin. It is also great to carry with you on your wedding day for any makeup touch ups.

After you have chosen the powder you wish to use, the next step is to apply it correctly. You can choose the best face powder, but if you apply ridiculous amounts to your face, it is going to look ‘cakey’ and heavy.

Here are my top tips on applying face powder:

So, you have a great face powder, now you need the correct tool to apply it with. The sponges that come with face powders are great for touch ups during the day, but first thing in the morning, when you are applying your wedding makeup, use a brush to apply the product.

Don’t use a massive brush to apply face powder- remember, less is more so the bigger the brush, the more you are going to apply. I prefer a smaller brush as you have more control as to where the powder goes.

My favourite brush to apply face powder is the Daniel Sandler Contour/ Powder Brush (RRP £15.00, www.danielsandler.com)

This brush delivers just the right powder where you need it and because of the shorter handle, it is really easy to control.

Apply a small amount of product to the brush and gently ‘press’ the product into the skin. You don’t need to rub the face, gently pressing the powder onto the skin will give a beautiful finish to the skin and remember – don’t forget your eyelids! It’s really important to apply powder there to stop your eyeshadow creasing.

Apply a little more to any areas which are prone to shine and your skin will look gorgeous and ’shine free’ throughout your wedding day.

Photography by www.rosieparsons.com, makeup by Sarah Brock

Posted in Chanel, Daniel Sandler, Face powder, Makeup brushes, Makeup hints and tips | No Comments »

[comfort zone] glorious skin – visible lifting tensor serum

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

This product is amazing!

There are many fabulous products on the market that give an ‘instant lift’ to the skin (which is temporary), but this product is definitely one of my favourites and is the product that I use on my skin (after my moisturiser) when I have a special occasion and I want my face to appear more lifted and youthful.

I have tried several products in the past that give the ‘lifted look’ to the skin, but the problem with some of these as that as you apply them, you can feel your face lifting so much and tightening too – it’s good to feel ‘lifted’ but if the product dries to a ‘tight’ finish, it can feel uncomfortable and like you are wearing a mask.

Not at all with the [comfort zone] glorious skin visible lifting tensor serum- it smoothes onto the skin, has a light texture (not at all greasy) and as you are applying the product, wrinkles/ expression lines appear less visible and your skin looks more lifted, without the uncomfortable feeling of wearing a ‘lifting mask’.

It is the perfect makeup base – you get a lifting effect and primer in one (and you only need to use a small amount). It has a velvety but matte texture on the skin, foundation ‘floats’ on top of the product and your foundation appears smoother and more flawless.

To read more about this range and the other fabulous products by [comfort zone] , go to www.comfortzone.it and to find your nearest [comfort zone] salon/spa, call 01827 280 080.

Posted in Anti-ageing, Comfort Zone, Makeup base, Primer | No Comments »

Daniel Sandler’s new Waterbase Foundation with Concealer

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

 

I adore the new Daniel Sandler WATERBASE Foundation and Concealer, which  is packed with minerals and moisturisers and gives the skin the most beautiful, dewy finish (which isn’t greasy).

When creating bridal makeup looks for a bride, I always make sure that her skin is flawless and radiant, without looking heavy and cakey.

This product is so clever, as you have two products in one handy and easy to use component:

The FOUNDATION….
 As invisible as a Tinted Moisturiser, this barely-there oil-free formula disappears just like water when applied to your face leaving a youthful and glowing complexion offering you a seamless finish.

The CONCEALER…
Can be mixed with the Foundation to build up coverage where needed or can be applied directly onto blemishes or under-eye circles to disguise imperfections. 

Having the two products in one component really does make this product special – you apply the foundation in a fine layer over the skin, so you have an even, dewy finish to your skin. For the perfect application, use the award winning Daniel Sandler Foundation Brush (RRP £20) to apply it (my clients always comment on how soft and luxurious this brush feels on the skin).

Then, you take the concealer to conceal any imperfections. You can also use the concealer to add a little more coverage where you would like it, so you have flawless skin, with extra coverage just in the areas needed, rather than applying a thick heavy foundation over your whole face (which is the mistake that some ladies make if they have any imperfections on their face).

Priced at only £25 and available in 3 shades, the Daniel Sandler Waterbase Foundation and Concealer is gorgeous for a summer bride or a bride getting married abroad – or just if you are looking for the perfect everyday summer foundation.

Read more at www.danielsandler.com

Posted in Concealer, Daniel Sandler, Foundation, Makeup | No Comments »

Get the look – Stephanie Allin

Friday, July 9th, 2010

Stephanie Allin is one of the UK’s foremost award-winning bridal fashion designers. Stephanie’s commitment to excellence in design, beautiful fabrics and perfect fit have been her guiding principles over the past 20 years in Bridal Fashion. In 2009 her new flagship store in central London opened at 17 Chiltern Street, Westminster where Stephanie is showcasing her new bridal designs and a couture evening wear Collection.

Her new 2010 “Dolce Vita”  Collection is stunning – I love the photographs from the campaign, which were shot in Puglia, southern Italy by photographer Matt Bird and the adorable hair and makeup look was created by Helen Hall.

This makeup look is all about a perfect, fresh looking skin, soft, smoky eyes and a soft lip colour.

Here are some product suggestions to help you re-create this look, I have chosen products from the CHANEL cosmetics range – you can purchase all of these products from www.boots.co.uk :

Use a foundation that will make your skin look healthy and flawless, without looking heavy – use CHANEL Pro Lumiere Professional Finish Makeup.

Make sure that after applying your foundation (I like to use a foundation brush), apply concealer where needed and set your makeup with a sheer dusting of loose powder.

Use a soft, pretty blusher and apply to the apple of the cheek and blend upwards and outwards. Try the CHANEL Joues Contraste Powder Blush, in shade 56 (Tea Rose)

For your eyes, choose a palette which has all of the shades you need – the CHANEL les 4 ombres de Chanel is perfect,shade 84 (Galet)will make application easy for you, apply the medium tone to your eyelid and run a small amount under the bottom lashline. Contour the socket with the darkest shade (only apply a small amount) and choose the lightest shade to apply under your brow bone as a highlighter. Make sure you blend your eyeshadows well, as the key to this look is softly blended, romantic looking eyes.

Apply a fine, black line of the CHANEL Automatic Liquid Eyeliner in black, curl your lashes and then apply a few coats of the CHANEL Immitable Waterproof Multi-Dimensional Mascara.

For lips, keep the look soft – apply the new CHANEL Rouge Coco lipstick in shade 04 Cashmere.

Read more about the Stephanie Allin 2010 Dolce Vita Collection at www.stephanieallin.net

Posted in Blusher, Chanel, Eye makeup, Eyelashes, Foundation, Get the look, Lipstick/ gloss, Makeup, Mascara, Stephanie Allin | No Comments »

New Estēe Lauder Sumptuous Bold Volume Waterproof Mascara

Monday, July 5th, 2010

We all know that a wedding day is a happy, emotional day when most brides will cry a few (or many) tears – so a waterproof mascara is a must have item! I always use black, as I find it the most flattering colour (which also makes the white of your eyes appear whiter).

Sometimes it is hard to find a waterproof mascara that gives glossy, healthy looking black lashes as many conventional waterproof mascaras use high levels of evaporating materials to make them waterproof. While these materials provide all-terrain wear, they have a number of downsides, such as lashes that can look spiky or spindly.

Not so any more – thanks to an amazing new waterproof mascara from Estēe Lauder.

NEW Sumptuous Bold Volume™ Waterproof Mascara(RRP £18.00)– is a bold, new ultimate waterproof, long wearing mascara that delivers immediate lift and luxurious volume and curl, all in a clump-resistant, non-brittle formula. The formula’s secret lies in the use of resins, a technologically advanced polymer complex and innovative combinations of film formers for a new breed of waterproof mascara.

It is perfect for a bride (or anyone else in the bridal party), whether you are getting married here in the UK or having your wedding abroad in a humid climate.

Will also be great as a honeymoon mascara (for when you are relaxing around the pool)!

The results – this mascara gave me gorgeously full, beautifully lifted, waterproofed lashes that last!

Read more at www.esteelauder.co.uk

 

Posted in Estee Lauder, Eye makeup, Eyelashes, Mascara | No Comments »

Treat cellulite with award winning Murad’s Body Care Regime

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

Firming and Toning through The Science of Cellular Water

Introducing a revolutionary whole-body approach to treating cellulite from the inside-out and the outside-in. Minimise the appearance of cellulite with a daily regime proven to hydrate, firm and stimulate blood flow, leaving skin tight, supple and smooth.

If you are looking to dramatically reduce appearance of cellulite and stretch marks through a comprehensive internal and external approach Murad’s Body Care Regime (RRP £135 for a 28 day supply) is proven to hydrate, firm and stimulate blood flow, leaving skin tight, supple and smooth. It reduces the appearance of cellulite up to 69% and helps skin appear up to 78% firmer. 

The Body Care Regime consists of:

Firm and Tone Serum for Cellulite and Stretch Mark Management, 200ml – Improves the overall appearance of skin up to 80%* by increasing skin firmness and elasticity while masking imperfections. Helps reduce the appearance of cellulite by up to 69%.* For best results, massage into clean skin twice daily on areas prone to cellulite or stretch marks.

Firm and Tone Dietary Supplement Pack, 4 week  supply- Patented scientifically based complex supports skin strength by* encouraging the appearance of firmer skin by up to 78% in eight weeks.** Helps to improve the visual texture of stretch marks up to 47% in eight weeks.** As indicated take the entire “DAY” pack in the morning and the entire “NIGHT” pack in the evening, preferably with meals or as recommended by your healthcare professional.

Body Firming Cream, 200ml – Patented, ultra-rich body cream improves resiliency by increasing body firmness by 40% in 15 minutes while restoring maximum moisture. For all over body hydration and firming, massage into skin.

I have already used the above tone and firm body creams – I purchased them just over a year ago in the USA, as the products had amazing press in the US and I really do love the results these products deliver. I was interested to see if the supplements made as much difference as they promise!

The supplements come in little daily packets, labelled ‘day’ and ‘night’, so it is straight forward. Some of the supplements are so big in size – but I stuck with the programme (if you are going to spend money on this programme, you need to stick with it), so I think this is a regime for someone with will power and someone who is really determined to get results before their wedding day/ honeymoon.

I have followed the instructions of each product (plus I’ve tried to be really good and drink more water and increase the amount of exercise I do)! The results – my thighs are definitely smoother, more toned and I’m really happy with the results I achieved. It’s not something I could stick to every day of the year, but it is definitely something I would do before a holiday/ special occasion and I’d recommend it to a bride for her honeymoon.

Go to www.murad.co.uk

Posted in Body care, Murad | No Comments »