Easy to do, wearable Autumn make up

Last year I posted something similar but only mentioning my favourite Autumn lip products. This year I'm giving you my complete wearable every day make up favourites for Autumn.

Starting with the all important skin. Doesn't matter how lovely your eyeshadow or lip colour is, if your skin isn't looking good neither will your finished look.

With central heating and generally colder weather on it's way you need to keep your skin well hydrated, whilst also giving you some coverage. My current favourite is the Body Shop BB Cream mixed with a little Illamasqua Skin Base just for some extra coverage around the middle part of my face. I always start blending from the front panel of my face outwards so that then you're not left with a line around your jaw.

With your summer  tan probably fading fast you still want to look perky and healthy so for this I use the amazing watercolour blush by Daniel Sandler, these will stay put all day and also give your cheeks a little colour and a nice sheen. My favourite shade has to be Cherub. This is a beautiful pink, not too bright and I find suits most complections.

 Finish the skin off by dusting some Rimmel Natural Bronzer lightly over where the sun would naturally hit. Remember that as this is an Autumn look choose a shade that's only one darker than your natural skin colour.

For eyes I am loving MAC's eyeshadow in Antiqued. This is a really nice rusty, warm brown colour and a little goes a long way for an everyday look as it is a little shimmery. Beautiful on green and blue eyes. Smudge some MAC eyeliner kohl pencil in Coffee along your outer lower lashes to create a little more definition and then a couple of coats of any black mascara.

 Brows is something I cannot skip and I only have one make up choice when it comes to them. It's my trusty HD Brow palette in the shade Foxy - all the way. Again, less is more for a daytime look. Try and create a natural looking brow, not overly drawn-on.

Now for lip colour, I had to include an old favourite from last year, yes I have gone out and bought this again. It's the Revlon Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie. Hydrating and a buildable colour, Perfect!

So there you have it my Autumn favourites. If you have any recommendations let me know in the comments box.

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask

 

Grabbing some me time for a pamper can sometimes be impossible as there are always a hundred other things to do on your list, which means the thought of having time for a face mask will make some of you laugh. But with this face mask you don’t have to sit there for 10 minutes waiting for it to work its magic - you can just slather it on before bed just as you would with your normal moisturiser. It’s so easy there are no excuses.

After reading various reviews, as you do, I came across the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask and gave it a try. At £23 I think it’s brilliant value for money, as you get so many applications in one tube. I tend to have quite dry skin and find this used twice weekly helps keep my skin well hydrated, along with other lotions and potions.

I usually cleanse, tone and use this instead of my night cream as the consistency is just like a thick moisturiser.

It comes in a handy hygienic tube so you can dispense just the right amount. I’ll put one layer on, wait for it to absorb slightly and then go back with another layer. I can even use this sparingly around the delicate eye area (all those little fine lines are hydrated by the morning).

I love the fruity, mango smell to this mask and really do notice a difference to my skin after using, as it usually means that the next day will be a good skin day. I’ve been using this now for a good couple of months twice a week and will definitely be re-purchasing.

 

This is what Origins have to say:

 Origins Drink Up™ Intensive Mask makes skin feel smoother and hydrated. Skin depends on water for its youthful functioning. But all day long, skin loses vital moisture. And the busier you are, the more it loses. This intense moisture replacement mask deeply quenches compromised moisture reserves and builds a reservoir for tomorrow. Japanese Seaweed repairs skin's barrier to prevent future dehydration and signs of premature ageing.

TRY ME. LOVE ME.

Buy a full-size Origins Drink Up™ Intensive Mask and get a sample too - if you don't like it, you can send the full-size back

 http://www.origins.co.uk/product/3857/11647/Skincare/Category/Masks/Drink-Up-Intensive/Overnight-mask-to-quench-skins-thirst/index.tmpl

Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray review

One of the most frequently asked questions I get is, "how do I get my make up to stay on all day?". Apart from layering cream and powder products (let's be honest, how many of us have time to do this in the morning!) then Urban Decay's All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray will be your secret weapon against make up fade.

 

After finishing your make up routine spritz this all over your face lightly in an 'X' motion a couple of times and you're good to go (your face shouldn't feel wet or have heavy droplets after use). I find with this that less is more.

The fine mist feels refreshing on the skin and never sticky or tight which I expected. I use this on all my clients whether they have oily or dry skin, although if you have super oily skin they also have another version called the De-Slick.

With Urban Decay's All Nighter Spray they claim that with its patented Temperature Control Technology (mouthful) it actually lowers the control of your make up to keep it in place. Not sure about that, but their 16 hours long lasting claim is something I would believe a little more in.

The full sized 118ml at £20 isn't too pricey considering the cost of most skincare/make up products, and it's available at Debenhams and Feel Unique.

Summer lovin'

Whether you're flying away to an exotic destination this summer or just making the most of the UK sun, these are my picks to keep you sunshine ready.

Nivea Sun Moisturising Spray - I've tried different brands over the years but Nivea sun protection is the one I always come back to year after year. It's a convenient spray bottle and available in a range of protection levels depending on your skin type. I tend to stick to SPF 30. It does say water resistant but I re-apply after swimming to make sure my skin is fully protected, and also before I go out into the sunshine in the morning.

No7 Protect and Perfect Intense Facial Sun Protection - Still on the SPF, this is my favourite facial sun protecion. I use this year round and apply it after my usual moisturiser.  Even when it's cloudy those pesky UVA/UVB rays can still get through and damage your skin, so this is a must. Also, remember your neck and chest area! Great thing with this is it doesn't clog pores or feel greasy and can be applied under make up.

Hawaiian tropic Silk Hydration After Sun - My all time favourite after sun. It's super cooling and moisturising and I love love love the smell of this. Fruity but not too girly so great for men or women.

Avon Caribbean Paradise Body Spray- If you're at the beach or by the pool and need a little freshen up the Avon body mist in Caribbean Paradise is perfect. Instead of taking a perfume which a) is expensive and b) comes in a glass bottle, throw this is your bag, spritz it all over, and you're good to go.

L'oreal Studio Matt and Messy Salt Spray - I use this a lot during summer and especially if I'm away on holiday as I don't want the fuss of taking a lot of electrical gadgets with me. It's a quick and hassle-free way to style your hair into beautiful 'just been at the beach' look. Leave your hair to air dry and spray through the ends giving you that wavy, matt look (better still leave in plaits over night and use dry shampoo at the roots in the morning and this then through the ends).

Bourjois Color Boost - After Clinique released the chubby sticks, the high street brands have followed suit at a fraction of the price, so stock up on a couple of different shades for a quick way to update your look. My favourites are Fuchsia Libre and Peach on the Beach.

Sudocrem - This is an essential item! Sudocrem is a staple in my bathroom cabinet at home and also my wash bag when away. Great for scrapes, burns, rashes and pimples. Fantastic all rounder!

Whatever you're up to this summer, have a great time!

The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil

The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil

 

My latest cleansing oil discovery has come as a nice surprise at only £10! The Body Shop’s Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil. This stuff is brilliant! It’s super effective in taking all my make up off, even stubborn mascara. Great for sensitive skin and doesn’t leave my skin dry either, something I find most ordinary face washes do.

It comes in a handy plastic bottle with a dispensing pump which is great as you can use only the amount that you need, a couple of pumps is enough for my face and neck. As it’s an oil you would think that it would leave a greasy residue on your face, but as long as you use a face cloth and warm water to rinse off it won’t leave an oily film on the skin. It does say on the bottle that you can just rinse but I wouldn’t recommend this.

The cleaning oil has a very mild, clean camomile smell and leaves my skin super smooth and soft. Another lovely product from the Body Shop. Top marks!

Perfect Skin Foundation

Whenever anyone asks my advice on which higher-end foundation to buy, the first one that pops in to my head for many reasons is Illamasqua’s Skin Base foundation. It gives great coverage without feeling heavy, it looks amazing in photographs as it doesn’t contain SPF, and for me it’s long wearing.

For more than a year now this has become my favourite “weekend” foundation. At £27 for 30ml it isn’t cheap, so that’s why the old Rimmel favourite is my weekday foundation and I keep the Skin Base for special occasions/weekends.

Illamasquas skin base paired with the Real Techniques Expert Face brush is my ultimate, perfect skin combo. If I need a foundation that will stay put all day this is the one I always reach for and I’m always happy with the results. Illamasquas products are all highly pigmented so you don’t need to use much foundation to get a good coverage, but if you prefer a fuller coverage it is buildable. Great if you need both a day and evening foundation!

It gives my skin quite a normal look, not too matte and not too glowy. At first it can look a little flat and ghost like but I find that after a few minutes it warms up and looks beautiful. The application with this foundation is something you need to master. It isn’t a foundation that you can slap on with your hands and expect an amazing result; buffing a small amount in circular motions and working into the skin works best, giving you that smooth, even finish.

One point I would stress is that your skin needs to be in tip top condition before using it, as the foundation will stick to any dry patches you have. Their Hydra Veil primer works brilliantly if you have dryer, normal skin. This is a hydrating primer that smoothes any fine, dry lines by giving the skin base a better canvas on which to sit. I’ve read so many mixed reviews about the Skin Base with some people commenting how it settles into fine lines. But as with any foundation, if you don’t have a good skincare routine, this will probably happen. Think of it as trying to paint over flaking wood!? Regular exfoliating and a day and night moisturiser will help to avoid it settling (this may sound like a lot of hard work but I promise it’s worth it).

The skin base comes in a huge range of colours. I really wouldn’t risk buying online without being colour-matched instore, as you have the confusion of pink or yellow skin tone and even within both of those the choice is overwhelming. I find that SB06 and SB07 are both good medium colours, whilst SB02 is very light.

The only annoyance with the skin base is the packaging. It comes in a hard plastic tube where it’s impossible to squeeze the last of it out; if I’m paying £27 for a foundation I want every last drop.

All in all I love this foundation. I have recommended it to so many people with brilliant feedback, but if you do have oilier skin it may be a case of getting a tester for Illamasqua’s matte primer and skin base to try before splashing out.

L'Oréal Mega Volume Miss Manga Mascara

There aren’t many mascaras that I like enough to write a blog post about them, but when someone recently thought I was wearing false lashes when I was only wearing the L’Oreal Miss Manga mascara, I thought it was definitely worth sharing with you.

I never stick to one mascara for long, as any advert that promises full, thick, long lashes get’s me dumping an unfinished mascara in no time and on to the next. This is especially true when the likes of Cheryl Cole or Penelope Cruz flutter their lashes on any advert or in any magazine.

When I saw the advert for the L’Oreal Mega Volume Miss Manga mascara, to be honest, I thought the lashes looked awful! Think Twiggy, 60’s, clumped lashes. That was not a look I was especially after for a day time mascara, so why did I even buy it!?

But it’s safe to say I’m so glad I did and it is definitely now in my top 5 of favourite mascaras. You can build brilliant length and really thicken the lashes up within a couple o coats. I can see how you could easily get carried away and get that clump effect, but literally two good coats and a whole lotta’ wiggling at the root of the lash and your done. (Just be careful not to overdo the bottom lashes).

It’s very similar to the Benefit ‘They’re Real’ mascara. If you touch your lashes you can really feel the product on and it’s still there until you take it off at night. It doesn’t smudge or flake and gives a super wide eye effect - everything I love about the Benefit mascara but half the price. This photo is just with one really good coat.

The packaging isn’t L’Oreal’s normal classy, sophisticated look but it’s nice to see them do something different that appeals to the younger market with its sleek, shiny hot pink and black packaging.

I’m already looking forward for my Miss Manga mascara to finish so that I can re-purchase. (Nothing quite like a fresh mascara!)

Top tips for brides to be

Here are my top tips for brides in the lead up to the big day:

                                                              

1)      Drink plenty of water throughout the day. You wouldn’t believe the difference it makes when you are hydrated. Reduced fine lines around the eye area and generally healthier, glowing skin.

2)      Increase fresh fruit and vegetable intake in the weeks leading up to the wedding to give your body the best chance of coping with the additional stress.

3)      Good skin care routine. Invest in both an eye and night cream and gentle exfoliater. They don’t have to be anything particularly expensive. I find Nivea’s range to be one of my favourites on the high street, and for under £10.

4)      Consider preparing for the big day (when you want to look your best) as an excellent opportunity to stop smoking. This will not only make you feel better, but will also quickly improve blood circulation and therefore the appearance of your skin.

5)      Exercise. This does not necessarily mean gym time. A brisk walk, enough to get your heart rate up and blood pumping, will also help you relax and sleep better. Make a date with a friend or family member, and make it an excuse to catch up!

6)      Last, but definitely not least, is sleep. We all need different amounts, but if you consistently wake up tired, you need more. Avoid caffeine three-four hours before sleep, switch off all electronic devices, and relax by picking up a book (best to maybe steer clear from bridal magazines at this time of the day!).

An affordable Spring Make up look

Spring is right around the corner, so what better way to welcome the new season than a spring clean of your everyday make up look.

Here are a few high street make up brands that I have been discovering and rediscovering over the last month.

Starting with an oldie but a goodie, the Rimmel Wake Me up foundation (I’m currently wearing the shade ivory). Having a flawless looking base will make the rest of your make up look beautiful and healthy. Apply with a Real Techniques Expert Face Brush for an even, buffed finish.

Next up is concealer - a must in my opinion. Disguise under eye circles with a light reflecting one. By coincidence, once again Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer is in there, followed by Collection’s Lasting perfection for any redness or blemishes not already covered by the foundation.

At this point I like to powder down the T zone and set my under eye concealer with, another Rimmel product, the Stay matte powder in transparent. I find this never cakes on me, and I generally don’t have to reapply during the day (bearing in mind I don’t have particularly oily skin). I would suggest the oil free products in Rimmel’s range as alternatives if you have oily skin.

My favourite part is blush! This instantly gives an awake look to any complexion. Recently I’ve really got into NYX products since finding them randomly at Next! Rose Garden is one of my favourite shades. Just the right amount of pink to give your skin a young, fresh pop of colour.

To finish off the skin, sweep over some Bourjois bronzer where the sun would naturally hit. Top of the forehead, temples, down the nose, top of the cheeks and chin. Do not go crazy with it - remember this is a spring look, not a two weeks in Barbados look! Delice de Soleil is one I have used throughout winter and will be continuing to use throughout summer, that’s how much I love it.

If you’re in a huge hurry, patting on some Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr in the shade ‘On and on Bronze’ is a great way to add a bit of shimmer that will last all day without going the whole hog with powder eyeshadow. Follow with a slick of your favourite mascara.

The final touch is some lipgloss. NYX’s Megashine lipgloss in the shade ‘la la la’ is a really pretty pink but not too overpowering or bright.

There you go - an affordable, fuss free everyday spring make up look.

*If you have an extra bit of time why not try a coat of Barry M’s Gelly nail varnish in Prickley pear, a beautiful pale lilac, followed by Seche Vite quick drying top coat.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum-in-Oil

I don’t know how everyone else’s skin is holding up with the winter weather but until a few weeks ago mine had become dry, tight and looked a bit dull. It needed some oomph when it came to the moisturising part of my routine.

With me being an obsessive blog reader I had read that the Body Shop was soon to launch a Vitamin E overnight serum and oil combo that claimed to “replenish and recharge moisture”.  

On a weekend away in York, I popped into the Body Shop looking for their Honey Bronzer and body butter, but by pot luck that was the day the Vitamin E overnight serum in oil was released. Having spent over £18 between the Vitamin E oil, body butter and Honey Bronzer I also got a free goody bag worth £22!

Since then, I've been using it every night and really have seen a change in my skin. It is softer, hydrated and fresher looking. I apply it after using a toner and before my night cream.

It comes in a little pink bottle which is handy to travel with as it doesn’t take much space, and has a small pipette which is great as you can dispense a small amount.

I usually squeeze a couple of drops into the palm of my hands, rub them together and gently pat over my face, then use an eye cream and finish with my night cream. It’s a lightweight oil so doesn’t really take much time to absorb, and if you’ve tried anything else in the Body Shop’s Vitamin E range, you’ll be familiar with that comforting fresh, clean smell.

All in all I think this will be a staple in my routine, or at least until the central heating is switched off and summer is well and truly here!

http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/shop-by-range/vitamin-e/vitamin-e-overnight-serum-in-oil-28ml.aspx

Nail painting just got easier!

The Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat has got to be the best top coat I have ever used!

It’s glossy, thick and gives your nails a silky, salon manicure finish. I’ve been searching for a fast drying top coat for a while, and when a review by Lily Pebbles popped up on my Twitter feed I wondered could this be the answer to my nail painting woes!

To be honest, I’ve tried so many other brands only to be disappointed, so I wasn’t feeling too hopeful. However, this turned out to be completely different to any other I’ve purchased.

Pros: it’s relatively cheap, think I paid about £6 for a 14ml sized bottle online but I’m sure it’s £9 at Boots; it dries amazingly fast and doesn’t smudge your nail varnish when applied over wet nail varnish; it leaves your nails super smooth, almost like a gel manicure.

Cons: It has a really strong chemical smell, which I don’t mind too much - just don’t get your nose too close to the vapours! If you don’t seal the tips with the top coat I find they chip much quicker. Also, if you apply a coat too thick it will lift and also peel your nail varnish off.

I must say the pluses do outweigh the negatives. So, if like me you’ve been searching for a quick and fuss free way to dry your nail varnish, this is it.

I apply a base coat, the nail colour that I’m using, wait for that to begin drying for a couple of minutes and then apply the Seche Vite to finish. It’s touch dry in about 5 minutes and completely in about 10. I find that I paint my nails far more often now as it’s taken the hassle and time out of it.

Some people have complained that their nail varnish only lasts for 5 days before chipping with this top coat, but my nails are fairly weak and peel anyway so nothing lasts more than a couple of days on mine before chipping, even when it’s done by a professional. So if you’re feeling the pinch and want to save a few pennies by not booking your next manicure appointment quite so soon, buy this little bottle of magic.

http://www.boots.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10052&productId=1321809

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush Review

What on earth did I use to apply my foundation before the Make up Artist Sam Chapman (one half of the Pixiwoo sisters) came out with the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush!? I honestly can’t remember. All of my friends have received this as either a Christmas or Birthday gift over the last year, which itself will tell you how much I am in love with it.

This brush is what I use to apply my liquid foundation and also what I use in my professional kit. I am never disappointed by the finish it gives which is, in one word, flawless. You can buff right into the little awkward places, such as around your nose, and it makes blending around the jaw line easy giving you a very professional, polished, streak free look to your base.

The Expert Face Brush has synthetic soft and dense bristles that don’t feel scratchy at all. Another bonus with synthetic brushes is that the bristles are easy to clean (I use diluted Fairy or any washing up detergent, Real Techniques HQ may tell me otherwise), and it dries within a couple of hours. Best of all it’s only £10! Or even cheaper on some online retailers - fantastic value for money compared to higher end brand brushes.

I’ve bought cheaper brushes in the past and they’ve usually ended up being coarse bristles which shed a lot (then having to spend a large amount of time trying to flick the bristles off my face…quite annoying!). This brush doesn’t and neither do any of the other brushes in the Real Techniques range.

I cannot sing its praises enough so all I can say is GO GET IT!

Check out Pixiwoos make up channel on Youtube where you’ll find lots of useful make up tutorials that will give you plenty of tips and may inspire you to do different looks (see the Expert Face brush in full swing!). Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/user/pixiwoo 

Urban Decay Naked 1 Palette Review

If you’re not one to buy a tonne of eye make up, and haven’t the patience to scour over swatches of different eye shadows and different brands to create your perfect palette, then just invest in this one! It’s been a much hyped palette for a few years now and is still ever popular, even with newer editions (Naked 2, Naked 3, and Naked Basics palettes).

Even when I wear other brands and love them, I never forget the Urban Decay Naked 1 palette - it’s my go to eye shadow that will always be in my kit and personal make up. Normally when you buy an eye shadow palette there may be only a few colours that are wearable, or, that you like all of the colours but they are usually very similar. With the Naked 1 there is a whole range of colours to create different looks. You can create a beautiful pink/ natural look to a full on smokey dark dramatic eye.

It’s priced at £37, which I find amazing value for money for 12 different shades and a mini sized sample of Urban Decays famous primer potion. A little goes a long way and really will last years. I have yet to hit pan! The only down side is, whilst double checking the price online, it seems rather difficult to find it in stock - but hunt for it ladies, it’s worth it.

The colours are all beautiful, and as you can see from the swatches, are buildable, smooth and highly pigmented. I find as long I apply a base colour first, such a MAC paint pot or any sort of base for the eye shadow to then cling on to, it does last all day and doesn’t fade or crease. I find the best way to apply is not to swirl your brush in the product but to use a flat brush and use a small rubbing motion, then pat over the eyelid. Brushing it over the lid will cause the eye shadow to flick all over your face!

Most of the colours are warm toned bronze hued neutrals, but I would say they would suit most completions (Although if you are very fair maybe take a peek at the Naked 2- these are cooler tones) My only complaint would be I wish it had one more matte colour that I could use to blend out within the crease, but that would only be me being a little greedy as I already have 12 colours to play with! Also to watch out when blending more than one colour as at times they can just blend into one if you’re not careful.

Enjoy!

My Top 5 Beauty Picks for £5

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged due to so many distractions over Christmas and probably, let’s face it, some laziness! I hope you all had a great time over the festive period.

But it’s a new year and I’m excited for all the new beauty products that are due out soon, especially Tanya Burr’s new lip and nail range!

As it’s January and probably most of our pockets are under a squeeze this month, I thought I’d do a post on 5 things for under £5 that I feel give me a little winter pick me up – let’s face it with all this weather we could all do with it. So here goes…

1.      Collection lasting perfection: £4.19

This concealer is amazing!!! It comes in 4 great shades - currently I'm in between two, so having to mix but it seriously lasts all day. I never have to re-apply once I’ve powdered over it. If you have any pesky pimples that just won’t be covered, this will do the job. It’s quite a thick consistency but I suppose that’s what makes it last, it isn’t perfumed, and blends beautifully.

2.      Zest magazine: £4.50

I’ve been an avid reader of this magazine for years now and was so disappointed today (when I picked up the January issue) that this was going to be their last one!

Although most health magazines churn out the same tips each month I found that Zest didn’t give you unreasonable goals or unachievable recipes but practical advice for mind and body. Pick up this month’s issue for an uplifting read instead of the usual bombardment of “perfect” celebrity bodies.

3. Barry M Hi Shine Gel Effect Nail Polish £3.99

I always gravitate towards the Barry M section at any high street pharmacy simply as I cannot resist buying another Barry M nail polish. My current favourite in the range is the Hi Shine Gel Effect as it applies thickly and you could possibly get away in some shades with just the single coat. By now I’m starting to tire of the plums and darker shades and I’m looking for a pop of colour. My favourite shade is Green Berry - it’s an amazing bold green and perfect for the dark damp days!

4. Lush lip scrub £5.50

 

Ok, so with this next one I cheated a little going 50p over but I couldn’t leave this lip scrub out. It’s been a staple in my skincare routine this winter. I bought the bubblegum flavoured one which might not be to everyone’s taste but I love it. I’ve been using it at least three times a week followed by my blistex lip balm and no chapped lips this winter- yey!

5. Fresh Air: £ free!!

This one is absolutely free! A simple brisk lunch time walk either with a friend, work colleague or just by yourself can completely uplift your mood at this time of the year. Wrap up warm, wear some practical footwear and get out there! It’s easy to slob over your desk lunchtime but getting out into the fresh air it will give you a mental re-charge, increase metabolism and an immediate de-stress.

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So there you go, those are my ‘5 for under £5’ treats! Let me know if you’ve found any gems for under £5.

See you soon