Keeping it clean!

You wouldn't consider licking a plate of food, then popping it back in the cupboard, would you?
Good, I should hope not!  So why leave your make up littered with bacteria and grime!
Here is the solution, The Pro Make Up Shop, Make Up Antibacterial Spray a product you can spray onto your make up to lower the risk of contamination.  Some might say this is only relevant to us Pro's but just think about how often you delve into your make up bag to allow a friend to try your lipstick or when you quickly use an applicator or sponge to do a touch up....that is a lot of times, trust me, especially if you've never contemplated cleaning your applicators or brushes ever!
Save yourself the risk of eye infections or nasty skin conditions and make the effort to clean up with just a quick spray or a wipe.

Bringing that Glo Back!

The beauty industry harps on about glow, radiance, blurring fine lines, protection and the big AA, Anti-Ageing, yes, I do too, it's what women want and its what Lulu has brought to you in a tube to apply over make up!   Miracle Glo is about multi-dimensional, multi-faceted glow and is what they call 'apres make up', a formula to buff on after your make up has been applied or as Make Up Artist, Gemma Smith-Edhouse suggests using it as you would a primer so that the glow peeps through foundation.  As a rule of thumb we don't apply cream or liquid over powder but guess what?  You can with this silicone-free solution.
The premise is that we all love how our skin appears after moisturiser, then when we've applied foundation we lose that 'pick me up' radiance that appears youthful as it accents our features with a dewy finish and with Miracle Glo applied over the top of our make up,we regain the glow.  I'd like to think its when our inner glow shines on the outside!
Used sparingly this will last some months, more importantly the winter months and at only £33 for a 60ml tube or £40 with the flat buffing brush you can get your glow on at a reasonable price!

Available on QVC and www.timebombco.com 

80's Make up gets a thumbs up from me! POW!

I must confess, I'm quite a lover of the 80's; the music, TV shows, Viennetta and most definitely the fashion of colour clashing casuals, double denim and embellishment, so I was overjoyed when Marie Claire asked me to work on their Vintage Girls shoot for their November issue and recreate an 80's looks for Rag and Bow lady herself, Hazel Holtham and what a face!  On first meeting Hazel I was assured an 80's look of strong eyes and lips would suit her, after all its not for everyone.  I was struck by her eyes, they were reminiscent of Dee Cee Lee with a little Sade thrown in for good measure and maybe a touch of Sister Sledge too.

Above it a quick snap of Hazel wearing Hourglass Cosmetics Mineral Veil Primer Cover FX Total Coverage + Powder FX in B0 Ellis Faas Creamy Eyes E104  Bourjois Duo Chrome Eye Liner #58 Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara Bronze FX in Bronze + Golden Peach Tweezerman Eyenhance Brow Definer and Highlighter Duo Pencil

For this look to carry the 80's vibe, the lips still have to be strong, defined and two tone.  I chose a deep plum shade to outline the lip shape with Chanel Autumn Lip Definer in Amarante then careful swipe of Glo Minerals GloLipstick in Aubergine (avoiding the centre of the lips)

A warm dusky copper gloss #227 Chanel Levres Scintillantes daubed to the centre of Hazel's lips for shine and a dazzling, glimmer finish.  For an alternative finish I could have used Hourglass Extreme Lip Gloss in Reflect for a more dramatic effect!

The big difference between the make up those few decades ago is the textures, formulas and shades  which is why this make up appears really modern and even better news deep, dark eyes and lips are IN this season, what luck!

High five!

To see the shoot in all its glory get to your newsagents now for the November issue of Marie Claire.

Sweet!

I was presented with this box of Japanese sweets at a meeting last week and I had to show you.  I haven't a clue what they might taste like but prettily packaged, don't you think?

Apparently the tubes are of sugary nectar to add to tea, hot water whatever you wish, plus they can be worn as lip gloss...that would be tricky not to lick off!

It's a very generous gift that I am most grateful for, it has made for a lovely keepsake, sweet!

Sephora, Beijing, China

Sorry for the absence of late....so by now you know I dabble in beauty and on a recent trip to Beijing I was lucky enough to visit quite a few Sephora stores to make the odd purchase too!

As you can see above I honed in on items I needed for my kit such as the flat liner brush, mineral buffing brush, lip gloss palettes x 3, 4 step buffer (so handy) and my first scoop, the lash comb, which is curved so easy to use, something I've been on the look out for that for years.   I also bought the pretty nail stickers which are becoming a huge hit in the UK and emerging to the Chinese market.

One day they were there the next gone!  Due to the Japan vs China political situation I couldn't get my hands on the Lunasol Eye brow Mascara in two shades, trust me I tried and all Sephora's had pulled anything remotely Japanese!!  As luck would have it, RMK actually stock 5 shades, yes, 5 so I shall be grabbing those instead (in the UK).

Here are a few other brands that took my interest..