The point to Skin Needling.

I must admit that when I first heard about Skin Needling I was initially intrigued, then thought of all the hygiene implications; how would you keep the roller clean?  Would it draw blood?  Was the idea of perforating ones skin for beauty a realistic one and would this ever be a worthy winner in the high rolling beauty stakes?

I can understand the benefits facial acupuncture might have to stimulate pressure points and penetrate the skin so deeply to improve circulation and draw out unwanted impurities to aid skin to health but Micro Needling?  Was this the next gimmick of all gimmicks?

Medik 8 among others think not and recommend it as an impressive way to activate skin cells and boost collagen production which in turn delivers healthy, radiant skin by creating 'micro "injuries" in the skin which trigger new collagen..yet does not pose the risk of permanent scarring'

SO here goes, I thought the best way to understand and see results was to attempt this for 4 weeks using Medik 8’s Titanium Dermaroller and recent launch, CE-Thione, essentially Vitamin C.  And why is this form of Vitamin C so sustainable as an anti-ageing effect on wrinkles?
Vit C is an antioxidant though in other forms like L-Absorbic Acid (most commonly used in skincare) it's actually ineffective and incapable of existing as an ingredient that protects skin, therefore becomes a free-radical; in simple terms can do more harm than good! 

Before I embarked fully, I thought it best to get my skin used to the ultra-fine micro needles; how painful, if at all could it be?  
Not in the slightest, just a slight tingling sensation, rather than prickly one and something I didn't expect, baby soft skin instantly with no visible signs of punctures to my skin.  Knowing my skin does not show major skins of   
The quest; to use this system 2-3 times a week for 4 weeks, here goes:

My skin (right side of face) before skin needling which I believe has the most visible damage; open pores with a tendency to black heads, fine lines and dehydration.

1 week into the skin system and a tiny break out but I'm unsure whether that was just my skin or the micro needling though there is evidence of a slight plumpness to skin showing around the mouth.

3 weeks of using the Dermaroller with CE-Thione and my skin is feeling more hydrated with noticable plumpness and firmness.  Dare I say too some fine lines have reduced effectively!

4 weeks and my skin has continued to tone up.  I apologise if you find it unremarkable but I can see and feel the effects.

All in all, I am impressed and so are my friends who exclaim I have 'relaxed and refreshed holiday skin'!
I didn't expect my complexion to appear so much firmer or to diminish fine lines as it did, especially when I didn't have signs of extreme ageing. Overall I love how my skin appears toned with a smoother surface and slight reduction in pore size too with the added bonus of more hydration, which is something I crave as it is harder to keep skin plump and boosted with moisture even in the warmest months.
I shall continue to occasionally add this to my routine and even amidst the controversy of 'to skin needle or not', I would like to recommend this skin system to certain individuals. It will not turn back the clock (nothing will) but its an effective way to prevent premature ageing and we all like a little help in that department, don't we?

Summer Loving Skincare: Liquid Gold Perfecting Daywear

Sun is out, SPF on but which moisturiser to use?

Something light and non greasy yet nourishing with Hyaluronic Acid?  

With antioxidant barriers to protect skin?

And maybe leaving a subtle glow with Mineral Bronzing Pearls? 

Something like Alpha H Liquid Gold Perfecting Daywear!

Extremely light-weight gel formula with glistening beads of bronzing beads for a naturally healthy complexion for under £40.

Spring / Summer 2013: Antique Silver eyes and Watermelon Lips!

Lucky old me, I get to work on such a variety of shoots and that's how I like it.  Some are more creative than others, that's fine with me though when I have artistic licence to do be inspired by Fashion Designer, Suzannah S/S 13 collection, I am momentarily floating on powder puffs!

Suzannah, unrivalled designer of quintessentially British fashion with vintage charm, has unleashed refreshing watermelon tones as well as her ever popular cool minks so I mixed up the exact shade for lips for her Look Book shoot a few weeks ago.  

For this I used a combination of OCC Lip Tars and Chanel Rouge Coco Sari Dore to create a creamy block of watermelon.  

Eyes were laid with Ellis Faas Lights of soft sparkle in shades Antique Silver on lids surrounded by Green Gold, topped off with A/W addition YSL Volume Mascara in Khaki.

Hmm, how delicious to finish with watermelon lips, I'm looking forward to sporting this look next Summer, bring it on!!

To see more go to www.suzannah.com and see my favourites from this collection in my Fashion Portfoilo www.nadiramakeup.com 

Red Carpet Pedicure after 4 Weeks!

I am beyond impressed by my Red Carpet Nails (see http://nadiramakeup.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/the-home-nail-kit-of-all-home-nail-kits.html )
and I said I would show you how I soaked off my Red Carpet Manicure/Pedicure in 4 weeks but I have to admit they are still in pretty good shape, don't you agree?
I promise you, this is 4 weeks growth and there is still optimum shine, not one chip in sight though I can see where I missed the odd segment of the nail plate.
I will get around to the soak off though may not realistically get the time to do an entire post on the removal...unless, I am inundated with requests!
In the meantime, you can gaze adoringly at my toes...

Firm Action Mask anyone?

Hopefully, I am not boring you with my love of skincare but I do believe wholeheartedly in striving for healthy skin, so then make up sits well, lasts longer and maybe I can wear it less and less, rather than more and more!
I am a huge fan of clay masks but over the last few years I have found there are less and less of them on the market with the last natural one I used being a Dr Haushska one.  Well, I was reeling with excitement when I was presented with paraben-free Ole Henriksen's Firm Action Mask, containing a combination of Lactic Acid, Kaolin (fine China clay) with Dead Sea Salt to suck out impurities in the skin effectively, whilst firming.
What I love the most about clay masks is that on contact I can feel it working with my skin and you can often see the colour of the mask change, noticing congestion, dehydration; all those skin issues being tackled at once with a simple, ancient beauty regime.  Then as soon as the clay paste dries, it tightens and refines skin working to deeply cleanse and better still you feel the incredible instant results of plumpness, smoothness and healthy skin.

Ole Henriksen is available from Selfridges and Harvey Nichols nationwide or www.feelunique.com 

Karine's Golden transformations.

A few months I had the pleasure of working with an award winning, Karine Jackson, well renowned Hairdresser and specialist in organic hair, for her GOLD collection who's annual salon event, Colour Festival of treatments, offers, Bellini's and more taking place till the end of the month!

The shoot had all that was needed for a winning formula, along with Karine and her brilliant PR, Gloss Communications, beauty photographer, Claire Greenway, super stylist, Danielle Fox and the odd slick of make up from me.

Not a peep out of me now, just take a look at some of Karine's transformations:

To find out more about Karine's Hair & Beauty Salon visit http://www.karinejackson.co.uk and see more images on my website www.nadiramakeup.com soon.

Seche Silk Vitamin Enriched Lotion

I love the idea of hand creams, after all I paying them a lot of attention these days but sometimes I avoid them and continue to suffer with dry cuticles because hand creams, oils, balms can feel slippery and uncomfortable.  I was pleased to discover award-winning Seche Silk, the celebrated natural nail care range, known for its No.1 Top Coat, recently launched an oil-rich yet non-oil slick Vitamin Enriched Lotion for hands.  The delicate scent is a bonus too, not over powering and the non-greasy formula clings to skin to fully nourish with only a 5 pence sized amount.  Very cost effective at only £4.95 for this 30ml bottle and a generous £14.95 for 240ml.

The home nail kit of all home nail kits!

I've become almost obsessive about my nails, well why not?  It makes me feel a little more pretty, presentable and seeing as Summer has finally arrived I'm slipping into something more colourful and allowing my feet do the talking (and walking).  I don't know about you but I'm always in shock when I see rather grimey toe nails in a lovely pair of sandals; I think 'What the?' 'Why would you?' and 'No time for a pedicure?'
No excuses ladies, Red Carpet Manicure have created the ultimate in the home beauty kit, Gel Polish Pro Kit, yes, you heard me, this US made salon system in the comfort of your own home for pro-like Manicures and Pedicures using the RCM Professional 3 Watt LED Light.
Pro nails within an hour with a completely dry end result, so no drying time nor fear of smudging, chipping, peeling, just straight into open toes heels, costing only £89.95.  If you're doubting me then let's work it out; Manicures last 2-3 weeks, Pedicures 3-4 weeks, prices start at approx £37 for Gel manicures every 2-3 weeks plus a Gel Pedicure would cost an extra £50, which is the total cost of the RCM Gel Polish Pro Kit!
I attempted my pedicure whilst cooking, (I am a born multi-tasker) which I've limited patience for as I like my meal to be ready within an hour from start to finish; the same goes for my home pedicures as I often get bored of all the prep (though necessary, I know) I occasionally leave the colour application to the next day.  So hear me now, I was thrilled that this Gel Polish pedicure took 50 minutes, though I was aware Manicures might take about 10 minutes longer as thumbs would be cured separately to fingers!  Yes, I know what I'm doing as nails are part of my job but this is Pro nails remember and I performing such lasting nail colour seemed like it might become a bit of a faff.
The downsides: For someone who is not adept with nail colour application or god forbid, a complete nail virgin there was a lack of images to show each step in the instruction booklet, with an additional  disappointment of the nail colour chart being 'off colour'.
On the upside, well, see for yourself...

RCM Gel Polish Pro Kit Box (half the size of a shoe box)

L to R: Prep-Max Adhesion Sanitzer, Structure-Base Coat Gel, Brilliance- Seal & Shine Top Coat Gel , Revitalize- Nourishing Cuticle Oil

Erase- Gel Nail Polish Remover, Purify- Pre & Post Application Cleanser

Accessories Kit (sold separately) containing 1 Cuticle & Pro Buffing Stick, 2 Strips of Adhesive Buffing Tabs (10 per strip), 1 Emery Board, 10 Orangewood Sticks.  Removal Kit containing 20 Foil Sheets

LED Gel Polishes L to R: Red Carpet Reddy (sold with the Pro Kit), Nervous With Anticipation,  Lighter Shade of Gray (these two are new colours sold separately)

RCM Professional Light with 3 Watt LED Light

                                                               

Using Orangewood stick to push cuticles back using the flat end

Toenails shaped with Emery Board

Using Cuticle Pusher & Buffer Tabs (stuck onto flat ends) to  remove  derbris cuticles and remove shine from nails

Wiped nails with Purify Pre & Post Application Cleanser

Lightly brushed Prep - Max Adhesion Sanitizer for moisture-free nails

Preparation complete, a thin layer of Structure Base Coat Gel was applied

Foot placed under LED Light for 30 seconds (NB. LED Light  stays on for 45 seconds, then turns itself off)

The 1st coat of LED Gel Polish in Red Carpet Reddy was easily applied and used orangewood stick to clean off any  mistakes, then placed under the LED Light for 45 seconds

2nd coat applied then placed under LED Light for 45 seconds

Brilliance Top Coat Gel was thinly applied to nails then placed under LED for 45 seconds, afterwards a final cleanse using Purify Pre & Post Application Cleanser was wiped over nails to keep their high shine

And the finished well within an hour!

RCM READY!!!

Would you like to try Red Carpet Manicures/Pedicures?

Look out for an update post coming in 4 weeks showing how to soak off!

http://redcarpetmanicure.co.uk/

Asian Beauty: Ginvera Whitening Marvel Gel.

If you're curious about the influx of Asian skincare recently and feel a bit BB Cream crackered out, then why not focus on Ginvera Green Tea Whitening Marvel Gel which sloughs off dead skin cells, rubs away blackheads and evens out the skintone with brightening ingredients that diminish freckles and pigmentation allowing your complexion to go 'back to skin you were born with'.

The gel acts fast onto dry pre-cleansed skin when rubbed in circular motions, flakes appear of skin debris especially when concentrating around a congested T-Zone. Once massaged in (around eyes if you wish) water can be applied to achieve a brightening effect to skin, then rinsed off thoroughly with more water.
They claim that when used daily skin feels 'baby' soft, clear of blocked pores and after long term use will lighten blemishes, though I would recommend using twice a week to begin with, then up to three or four times instead of an exfoliant or alternate with your regular gentle exfoliant for sensitive skins.

!!! Now available at www.gurumakeupemporium.com !!!

High Impact? Extreme Volume?

New mascara? *rolls eyes* well this isn't one to ignore and I'd like to show you why.  Clinique, who produce some of my all time favourite mascaras have developed a mascara with such impressive impact I just had to blog about it.  The name, High Impact Extreme Volume in Extreme Black literally does what it says!

The new wand reminded me of a few products on the market; a cross between Benefit's They're Real, Avon's Super Shock Max and Max Factor False Effect with intimate bristles in plastic on a thick barrel with the added bonus of a rounded tip for those tricky lil' lashes.

Before applying I curled my lashes as I usually do- I wanted to see how extreme they could be!

First coat, pretty good and an intense matt black finish.

The second coat combed through what felt like each and every lash.

Ah, and now the real test...how would it fair with no eye lash curling beforehand?

The first coat added volume for sure and equally definition.

Then the second coat impressed me the most, pure and simply VA-VA-VOOM.  I loved how each minute lash was boosted with ultra-thickness and volume for a full on effect without the use of my beloved eye lash curlers.

High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara is waterbased so removes with ease, though does stay in place all day without smudging as far as I could see.  I will most certainly use this again, the results are all that I look for in a mascara and from a company who have brought us some of the most  innovative and unique beauty must-haves.