Blue Mascara - would you dare?

I would and I do! I have to say, I love blue mascara. As I have orangey brown eyes it really works on my colouring. Talking of who it suits, I don't think it suits people with blue or green eyes very much, but this is my opinion, however if you want to wear it and have green or blue eyes, I suggest using navy or using a layer of black mascara first to bring the colour down a bit.

My current favourite is by a brand called 2true.  I have tried their other mascaras and I do not rate them but this one works - it's bluuuuue, it lasts very well and I love the price - £1.99!!! One Ninety Nine! (Superdrug)


Would you dare to wear?

My friend Nivea Soft

It's cold! And my skin is dry.... really dry. So at times like this I reach for the ..... drum roll...... NIVEA SOFT.



I have used this on and off for years and love the consistency, the fragrance, the non-greasy formula and it really seems to sort my skin out (face and body) when it gets really dry as a result of cccccold weather.

You can buy this in big supermarkets and all main high street chemists and unsurprisingly it is a great price - just FOUR pounds for a 200ml tub.

I use it on my whole body and as a hand cream too.

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My absolute favourite foundation brush

I was sent some wonderful Japonesque goodies a while ago for a charity fashion show I was heading up the make-up for and amongst them all was the pro foundation brush. I just have to share with you that I think it is the best foundation brush I have ever used. It will be staying in my kit for ever and ever.



THIS is what I love about it...

I love the long handle - which makes it easy to control
I love the angled bristles - which makes getting into the nooks and crannies of the face SO easy
I love the firm bristles - firm but not too firm and certainly not floppy and hard to control (like some brushes I have owned)
I love the price - only £19!
I love that non make-up artists can buy it and enjoy it too (John Lewis)

Three tips from me...
1) Use a foundation brush when you apply liquid or cream foundations
2) Wash your brush after every use with a mild shampoo (some foundations take longer to wash out, however do not scrub the bristles to get it out, repeat the shampoo process 2 or 3 times until clean)
3) Treat this brush with care and it will last you a lifetime!

Hope this was helpful - leave a comment with any foundation and brush related questions, I am more than happy to help!

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My First TV Appearance

I've been working on the new SkyLiving show 'Bigger Than' over the last few months and tonight was the first episode.  I worked mainly with Mark Summers and Paul L Martin but on a few of the other shows I did the make-up for the contestants (Gaga's and Rihanna's). I loved every minute of this show and it also makes great viewing

Wednesday's @ 9pm on SkyLivingHD

Natural 'Barely There' Bridal Make-up

Lulu contacted me about her wedding day and her brief was BARELY THERE MAKE-UP.  Lulu doesn't really wear any make-up and the idea of looking 'made up' on her wedding day was too much - she really did want the 'no make-up / make-up look'. On her trial we tried various degrees of eyeshadow and depth of colour (although still light shades) but it all came back to the 'peaches and cream' look that was best for her.

Here is a fab pic of her and her husband and a list below of the products I used.

Foundation; Chanel Vitalumiere
Concealer; Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage
Highlighter; Boots No7 Skin Illuminator - peach
Brows; Laura Mercier Brow Pencil - Blonde
Eyeshadow; MAC shadows - number of cream/creamy brown colours
Mascara; Max Factor 200 Calorie black/brown (combed through for natural look)
Cheeks; MAC Peachykeen blusher powder (v lightly applied)
Lips - can't remember - but likely to be a colour v close to Lulu's lip colour
Powder; MAC Prep and Prime Translucent Finishing Powder
Highlight Powder; Laura Mercier Loose Shimmer Powder

The glowy sheen to her skin looks natural and flawless. The KEY to the no make-up look!

What do you think to her skin on the picture above?

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Hard as Nails?

My nails have always been weak and flaky.  I hate them. In my job I use my hands a lot and make it a priority that my hands look as good as they can - but it is not always easy.

I have found a product that strengthens my nails in one coat and it is a great base coat for any nail polish too.

I love that is protects my nails from my Mum and housework duties which often strip my hands of any moisture (yes I know I should wear gloves!) and enables my nails to grow to a nice length so that they look presentable and healthy whilst I am working.

Thanks Sally Hansen. 

I also keep them really moisturised by using either Jessica Phenomen Oil:

Or Solar Oil 

And of course by wearing household gloves!!! (New Year's Resolution)

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