Saturday, 30 July 2011

The Brush off!


Body Brushing, we've all heard of it and know the benefits of stimulating circulation, toning, eliminating toxins but do any of us actually do it?
I am a fan and last year discovered improvements to the quality of my skin, especially smoothness so I continued to perform this ritual two or three times a week.  Traditionally, dry body brushing has proven to be  most effective, though this just does not appeal and yes, can feel a little harsh even when using oils, therefore, I like to wet the body brush and douse with shower gel.  I am likely to be hosed down by the 'Beauty Brigade' for this but really it is the most invigorating shower to be had and doesn't delete the benefits mentioned above as I still use small strokes upwards, towards the heart. 
I have tried many high street brands to find the sturdiest body brush but it has to be said, Aromatherapy Associates do the best yet, even though the wood discolours somewhat due to using water, the natural cactus sisal bristles retain their stiffness and the wooden handle is firm.
I am continually on the look out for ways to improve circulation, to get my lymph glands working to reduce water retention and this is it, I think!

Tuesday, 26 July 2011

Beauty Alert: Semi Permanent Mascara!

I'm not someone who takes semi permanent or permanent procedures lightly, no Botox for me, not even fillers.  I am a scaredy cat and like to think I could grow old gracefully with the assistance of skincare brands on the market.  But what about enhancing?  
Semi Permanent Mascara by Flutter, really appealed to me not only as they are 100% waterproof but it could save me time in the morning and add depth to my long yet fine eye lashes.  Just the thought that I could literally  'wash and go' with one less step from my beauty routine was enough to have me booking in.  I'm certainly not a 'high maintenance' girl but what little I do do takes time and I am looking rather shabby and tired these days.  (Yes, Mum, I will never change!)


My lash treatment began with Kathryn Popplestone, the Flutter founder, removing all traces of make up from around my eyes and lashes.  N.B. Notice extra long lashes I've acquired since using M2 Beaute!


Kathryn, carefully curls lashes for optimum results and I love to create 'wide eyes' from mascara rather than too much thickness.


Lashes with a super curl and ready to primer.


A coat of Flutter Semi Permanent Mascara has been gently combed through the upper lashes.  Absolutely, no pain or discomfort and no hideous chemical odours or stinging!


The lashes are being separated here to make sure they don't cross over or stick together.  The goal is for lift and separation.


And here shows the upper lashes complete....lift, curl and natural definition!
A similar procedure was done to complete the lower lashes with the entire enhancement taking just 45 minutes.


Here is a close up of the complete look.  I could have gone for more but I really wanted to see if they could achieve how I usually where mascara and Flutter did.  My mission when I got home was to make sure not one drop of water touched my lashes, luckily there were no tears before bedtime and this morning my lashes are 100% waterproof!  Semi Permanent Mascara would be ideal for holidays especially beach ones, for avid gym users and swimmers or basically if you'd like to wake up looking half decent and done.
  At only £60 - £80 for the 30 to 45 minute treatment, depending on where you live, it doesn't appear to break the bank.  Flutter girls flit to anywhere in London and home counties in the South East, though soon heading further North.  


Aftercare is always an issue for some but its a necessity, therefore, as long as I avoid oil based make up/ remover and use water based ones instead, my lashes should remain looking this good for 2 to 4 weeks and yes, I can still wear mascara!  Pictured above is Kathryn's suggestion Max Special Mascara.


And I can even keep applying eye liner along upper lashes for added definition with Blink Liner.  Another added bonus worth noting is that M2 Beaute works as an exceptionally good conditioner with the Flutter treatments including Eyelash extensions.  
Finally, Flutter Lash services are performed by highly trained staff who specialise only in lashes in the comfort of your own home,  they could certainly put anyone in a fluster at ease. These girls know their lashes!
For more info go to www.fluttereyes.co.uk or call 01372 386 312

Monday, 18 July 2011

Small packages, refreshing results!


These handy capsules are not eye drops but La Roche-Posay Eye Make Up Removers packaged in such a nifty way I had to mention them on my blog!
They do remind me of the clever designs from Lisa Hoffman, mentioned on my blog, (see archives) and I love them, therefore I was thrilled at seeing a skincare item so space saving and an ideal travel product.

Do they remove every trace of eye make up, gel liner, eye shadow and mascara?
Yes, they remove all eye make up thoroughly.

Do they remove waterproof mascaras too?
I have not tried as yet, though what I enjoy most is the clean finish and zero residue, if anything my eyes feel refreshed and ultimately that I am removing my eye make up in the most gentle way, after all it is such a delicate area of the face.

How do they fair against regular eye make up removers?
You'll never use too much so this is cost effective skincare as you gently squeeze a small amount onto a cotton pad.  Most beauty experts would agree, never remove eye make up with the same cotton pad, this lowers any risk of contamination and infection, a no brainer, meaning this is an ideal product for keeping hygiene high.  Just dampen one cotton pad, press onto closed eye in downward motion and refrain from rubbing.

These are a great addition to my kit and my make up bag and if I don't use the entire capsule in one cleanse, I just press the lid back on for the next time.

Sunday, 17 July 2011

Short and sweet!


I am a fortunate to travel with my job and go to some beautiful places.  Most recently Positano, near Sorrento, Italy, a breathtaking remote place by the sea.  The job was vague and even now I'm not sure I can reveal much but thought I'd share this romantic setting with you and how brief some of these jobs can be.
This was the view from my balcony in the morning of my job. I had flown in late the night before with the photographer, David Loftus then driven along the windy roads from Naples airport to Positano.  I had been warned I might get car sick, I certainly felt my stomach leap a few times.
The job itself was just a few hours, I began prepping hair at 9.45 am, then completed the make up of soft bronze tones using Dior Rosy Tan 5 Colour Palette on the eyes along with Eylure Individual Lashes, Ellis Faas Skin Veil as a light base and finally Carmex Moisture Plus in Clear.  Hair was styled to a relatively textured style, a slight wave, perfect for 85% humidity.
My taxi picked me up at around 1 pm to drive the one and a half hour journey back to Naples airport for my flight back to the UK.  I told you it was short and sweet!

Tuesday, 5 July 2011

Garden Party Style in the heart of London!

Last Saturday's St Martins Courtyard Garden Party was a relaxed affair with Pimms on tap, face painting and a set from songbird, Sunday Girl.



I was lucky enough to prep the songstress with a quick hair and make up session.  The mood was of a 60's vibe, Bardot-esque smouldering eyes with nude lips and hair, roughly textured with a hint of a wave.


Then here are a few shots of the models that my team and I prepared for the fashion shows.  The inspiration for hair and make up was conjured up by lazy summer days, picnics and festivals, hence the under-styled, textured tresses and subtle pastels, applied as block shades in 'granny' greens and blues on the eyes up to the brow bone, along with a pale coral shaping lips.


Sunday, 3 July 2011

Sun Bingo, Sun Bingo, Sun Bingooo!

Picture this.  You're sat watching TV, the ad breaks start to appear.  You find yourself immersed in the world of advertising and sometimes think, 'Why am I watching this?  It's so awful, its good!'  
You may find yourself thinking this with the new Sun Bingo TV Ads currently hitting your screens with another 'can't get that out of my head' style jingle, 'Sun Bingo, Sun Bingo, Sun Bingooo.....'
As much as I work hard and single handedly to gain recognition for advertising campaigns, events and yes, celebrity shoots when I perfect familiar faces, I also duck into TV and for the past 10 years or so TV commercials, equalling long days, ridiculous hours and bizarre briefs.  
Recently, I was optioned for a few days by a production company, then soon after I had a similar conversation to this with the Producer of the commercial.
 'Nadira, so the client would like the hair to resemble bubbles.  Different sizes randomly floating off the actresses head.'  'Ok!', I said. 'I have a few ideas, I will get back to you shortly.'  
'Oh and one more thing, Nad!'  'Yep?', I replied.  'She will be dancing around...a lot.' 


If you're following me on Twitter, you may have seen me mention 'hairballs', well, here they are and now you know why I made them.  Each one was made by hand (sometimes till very late at night), some taking approximately 25 minutes each, by teasing crepe hair and covering with bun nets to retain a ball shape.  I made about 40 of these.


And here's a closer look at Ms Bingo Bubbles herself, the hugely talented, hilarious and cryptic crossword addict, Elizabeth Bower.  
The mood decided for Bingo Bubbles was that of a 50's or 'retro' feel, with energy, vibrancy and a pop of colour.  As you can imagine the hair and make up process took a few hours and Elizabeth was extremely patient to be prodded and poked as well as allowing me to spray colour into her hair each day for the 3 day job.



The foundation I used has become a firm, reliable staple in my kit, Iman Stick Foundation.  For such a long, energetic day for the actress, this base needed only to be lightly dabbed with blotting sheets and gently pressed with a pressed powder along  Elizabeth's nose.  Eye shadow and Glitter liner were courtesy of Sleek, eye liner Clinique Brush On Gel Liner, eye brows Alcina Eye Balance and lashes by Blink & Go in Temptress no.5.


After painstakingly securing each hairball to towering proportions, I finished off Bingo Bubbles with a hint of Givenchy blush in Blooming Fuchsia and a glorious YSL Rouge Volupte lip colour.
So what now?  Where are the 'Bingo Bubbles'?  
Securely packed away in it's very own box.  Bingo!