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Makeup

  • Do's and Don’ts to help your make-up last.

    Struggling to keep your make-up in place. Just follow my do’s and don’ts to help your make-up look last all day and into the night.

    Do use serum. Make sure to choose one that treats your main skin concern, such as dehydration or fine lines. Serums work into the deeper layers of the skin than just your moisturiser, so help to provide the perfect base for your foundation. A well prepped skin is the key to long lasting make-up. Try Thalgo Source Marine Hydra-Marine Serum 30ml for a good all-rounder.

    Don’t over moisturise. Given my last tip, it’s tempting to use more moisturiser in the hope of helping your skin to look more hydrated. In reality though it will stop your makeup from staying put. Less is more.

    Do apply your foundation, blush and powder in fine layers, for added staying powder.

    Don’t apply loads of foundation. It’s a big mistake to imagine  that applying more will mean your make-up will last longer. All that will happen is it will settle in the creases and make it look cakey.

    Do use a little more mascara than you think is necessary. My favourite is L'Oreal Paris Volume Million Lashes for dramatic lashes.

    Don’t try to make your lipstick last all day. It’s inevitable that you’ll have to touch it up at some point during the day. To help it last as long as possible though, line and fill your lips with a strong nude colour or, if you’re feeling a dark lip, make sure to use a pencil that matches your lipstick shade. When you apply your lipstick, apply one layer, blot and then reapply. It should last a good few hours.

    Do use a fixing mist to hold your make-up in place. Fixing powders are great to set your base, but a fixing mist on top of your finished makeup look will help add radiance and a dewy look to your skin. It will avoid the dreaded over-powdered effect that some heavy powders can create on the skin. You can also use a setting spray to revive your look throughout the day.

    Don’t forget to check the weather. Hot weather can be a nightmare for those with oily skin when it comes to make up. Invest in some blotting papers to help keep excess shine to a minimum and avoid disturbing your makeup base while reducing shine.

    I’d love to hear your tried and tested techniques for helping make-up stay put for longer. Feel free to share in the comments below.

    xoxo

  • Fake it till you make it

    Despite it being a pretty wet and miserable day as I write this post, the days have been getting a little warmer of late and soon it’ll be the time of year all girls dread…it’s time to get your legs out and sadly they haven’t seen daylight since last September. That’s right girls it’s pasty legs time, but fear not, I’m here to help…or rather, fake tan is.

    Now, don’t be scared. I know you fear the orange streaks and patchy tan mistakes of days gone by, but things are different now. Follow my step my step guide below and trust me…fake tan can be your friend again.

    TIP 1: Scrub up

    Say it with me now…exfoliate, exfoliate exfoliate. Exfoliating your body will remove dead skin cells and create a smooth and uniform surface on the skin for your tan to be applied to, which will help result in an even colour. You’ll want to make sure you stay clear of exfoliators that contain oils as these will create a barrier on the skin so are not really ideal for tanning. Make sure you pay special attention to your elbows, knees and ankle areas as this is wear rough and dry skin tends to build up. I always opt for Thalgo Descomask Body Scrub.

    TIP 2: Hair removal

    This is where timing is key. Any hair removal, whether it’s waxing or shaving should be carried out 24 hours before you tan. This ensures that the skin is calm and ready for tanning. Never, EVER try to wax after applying tan ladies as all you’ll do is remove every last bit of tan in that area. Not the best move.

    TIP 3: Moisturise

    On the day of your tan application, don’t moisturise your body, or wear deodorant or perfume. Again, the moisturiser acts as a barrier to the tan and will prevent an even application. By all means (and please do) moisturise the night before, just not on the day. More on that later.

    TIP 4: Showertime

    If you have a shower just before your tan application make sure you blast your skin with cold water before you get out. It might not be your favourite thing to do, but it will shrink all of your pores and therefore reduce the chance of them getting blocked

    TAN TIP 5: Aloe Vera

    Moisturise your hands, elbows, knees and feet as well as your nails with an aloe vera based moisturiser. Also, If you have blonde hair, add a light layer of moisturiser to your hairline and eyebrows to stop them from absorbing tan and changing colour.

    TAN TIP 6: Which brand?

    With fake tan you really get what you pay for and if you opt for a brand that specialises in tanning, then you’re sure to get better results. A no brainer really. I will always go for St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse. It’s quick-drying, so easy to apply and best of all it’s what I call an intelligent tan – it matches your skin tones and reacts with your amino acids to develop into a shade that is reflective of you, i.e. no orange or luminous fake looking tans. Winner.

    TAN TIP 7: Application

    Always apply using an applicator mitt. Pump your product onto the mitt and apply to the skin using sweeping motions, rather than circular motions - remember you want to evenly distribute the product. Make sure you start at the ankles and work your way up. When it comes to your back, flip the mitt back to front, you’ll find it easier to apply.

    TAN TIP 8: Face time

    When it comes to your face, the best tip I ever received is to mix the self tan with a small amount of moisturiser. This softens the formula to minimise the chance of breakouts.

    One last tip – make sure to apply moisturiser to your hands before you start to stop you getting orange palms…never a good look.

    Happy tanning! Feel free to share any of your own tips below.

    xoxo

  • Everything you need to know about Primers

    If you’ve ever used a primer, you’ll know it’s one of those products that, once you’ve tried it, you don’t know how you ever lived without it before. Not only does it keep your makeup looking flawless, it helps to smooth out the skin and generally makes it look healthy and glowing —all in one easy step. But to a primer virgin, it’s easy to find the world of primers a teeny bit intimidating, but never fear: I’m here to answer all your burning questions. I’ve put together this little primer all about primers, including a list of the best products out right now. Prepare to take your makeup game to the next level.

    “What do primers do?”Woman-in-beauty-style-pose

    When they first came on the market, a primer’s main job was to help your makeup last a very long time. While that’s still part of their job description, increasingly advanced formulas also blur fine lines, fill pores, colour correct and reduce oiliness or dryness. You could say it’s the ultimate multitasker. The newest generation of primers also capitalize on the “hybrid product” trend and can contain SPF, ingredients to make skin healthier and more radiant, or even promise temporary plumping effects.

    “Should I go for a silicon-based or water-based primer?”

    Primers tend to be one of two varieties, either silicon or water-based. Which one you opt for really depends on what you want from a primer. Silicon based products are the best of the best for “filling in” issues (like pores, scars and lines) and water-based primers excel at extending makeup wear.

     “How do I use them?”

    Think of your primer as the base for your foundation and apply it BEFORE you apply your makeup. After your cleansing routine and moisturising your skin, apply your primer. A pea-sized amount should be enough. You want to make sure your lips and eyelids are covered too. You can apply this in the same way as a moisturiser and use your fingertips; you won’t need a brush for this one.  Once it’s set and no longer feels sticky, tacky or wet, apply your foundation on top as you normally would and carry on with your make up routine.

    “So which primer is best for me and my skin?”

    There are so many primers on the market these days that it can be a little overwhelming. The easiest way to guide you through the crowd is to break it down to some of my favourites by skin type.

    For Dry/Dehydrated Skin:

    Dermalogica HydraBlur Primer 22ml

    This is the latest offering to the primer world and wow is it a winner. This primer is actually a great all rounder for all skin types, but it works particularly well for dry/dehydrated skins. It’s lightweight, non greasy formula powerfully hydrates and transforms skin into an even surface with a dramatic ‘blurring’ effect. The result is a flawless canvas for make-up application. It also gives you a naturally radiant, makeup free appearance when used alone. Its three benefits are intense moisturisation, neutral coverage and pore-refining properties. It’s my new best friend.

    Thalgo Perfect Glow Primer 30ml

    This product really delivers a flawless complexion, perfect skin and is the first "airbrush effect" marine skin perfector. It has a light gel consistency that has correcting prisms of coloured light to help conceal imperfections, dilated pores and surface irregularities; illuminating the skin with a perfect radiance. It’s great at providing hydration to the skin throughout the day and prevents makeup from becoming patchy.

    For prematurely ageing/mature skin:

    Dermalogica Skin Perfect Primer 22ml

    This is the ultimate multifunctional product. It not only acts as a make-up primer, but it conditions and treats the signs of aging while providing Broad Spectrum UVA and UVB defence. Steady on. It smoothes skin and stimulates collagen production to increase skin firmness. Velvety silicones combined with Soy Protein evens out skin texture whilst Pearl Powder and natural earth minerals provide a neutral tint to help balance skin tone and enhance luminosity. It can be worn alone or underneath make-up to help smooth fine lines and deliver a lasting make-up finish.

    For sensitive/redness prone skin:

    Dermalogica Redness Relief Primer 22ml

    This is the ultimate product for sensitised skins and those prone to redness or rosacea. This product contains natural botanical extracts that provide a sheer green tint to counter any redness. It provides Broad Spectrum protection while diffusing redness and calming irritation. Basically it’s perfect as a translucent, redness reducing makeup prep product.

    For those who are short on time:

    Garnier Skin Naturals 5 Second Perfect Blur 30ml

    This product is great for those of us who don’t always have the time to complete the many steps of a morning cleansing and make-up routine. Perfect Blur literally takes 5 seconds to apply and due to the optical effect of the light reflectors your wrinkles, fine lines, skin imperfections, uneven tone and open pores appear reduced and visibly corrected. It has an instant result and is a little bit cheaper that some products on the market, so it’s perfect if you want to try a primer for the first time too. Also, I love the matte finish of this primer.

    Let me know your thoughts about primers in the comments below. Do you love them or still haven’t tried them?

    xoxo

     

     

     

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