Part One: Lashes in a Flash?

I am constantly on the look out for treatments to breathe new life into my lashes and brows after an unfortunate bout of hairloss.  And with any luck, I may have found something to activate growth without too much fuss and nonsense.  M2 Beaute have recently launched Eyelash Activating Serum, applied along the lashline as you would an eyeliner and boosted with conditioning ingredients such as Panthenol, Biotin and Hyaluronic Acid.  In addition to this revolutionary serum there is a nourishing gloss with active ingredients, Eyelash Revitalizing Gloss, which coats lashes with a mascara-like wand for increased shine and definition. 
M2 Beaute claims Eyelash Activating Serum 'stimulates the natural growth of your lashes...within the first 4-6 weeks...'
So here goes, I am currently in my first week of trying the new lash duo and M2 Brows, a serum to restore eyebrows and back to fullness, so nothing to report as yet, but stay alert as I hope to be hollering about this lash system sometime soon!

Keep it clean!

Hygiene is high on my list of priorities as a Make Up Artist and it should be for any beauty user.
Many individuals, sitting in my make up chair have admitted never cleaning their 10 year old blusher brush, whilst in the same conversation declaring their skin unpredictable with incurable spots.  Er, hello!!!
I beg to differ, a little common sense and thought is all that is required.  Cleaning brushes regularly with shampoo, brush cleaner or good old fashioned Fairy Liquid to avoid bacteria growth, which leads to those unsightly pimples is a 'no brainer'.  Throwing away products when their consistency or smell changes and most definitely your mascara, every 3 months maximum without fail is not senseless but sensible.
At work, if I didn't follow the hygiene code of conduct, I would be passing on bad practice and bacteria time after time.  Make Up Artists have to set standards and quite frankly it makes for a better artist!
I use spatulas, artists palettes to dispense products, hand sanitizers, disposable mascara and lipgloss wands etc.  Unfortunately, it wasn't something I was taught at college many years ago, but since following simple steps and procedures along the way, it has become second nature, just as making up a face has.
All quite simple really, you wouldn't eat off a dirty plate now, would you?!

To find out more about practising safe beauty and to invest in essential products, go to The Pro Make Up Shop www.thepromakeupshop.com  

A Simple Start to Cleansing.

I don't like to bombard brains with beauty jargon, after all, we just want to try a beauty product and know that it works, right?
Right! So let me introduce you to Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Anti Ageing Facial Starter Kit, a nifty cleansing routine encompassing a 'common sense' method through massage techniques using the botanical  Natural Lift and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm and aromatherapy infused Rosehip Exfoliating Seeds, which can be added to the balm to gently remove debris, with additional help from the Dual Action Buff and Polish Cleansing Cloth. 
I love this 'system' and there is a 'system', so for those of you who are lazy but complain of 'bad skin', going through the motions of a cleansing routine such as this will make you, stop, contemplate and learn about your skins needs.  By following the simple facial techniques shown in the kit, you will be guided towards improved toning, sculpting and circulation for your face and neck.
To end your routine the kit includes Natural Lift and Sculpt Hydrating and Firming Treatment Moisturiser and Natural Lift and Sculpt Firming Eye Serum, again more beneficial when applying facial methods for uplifting results and to penetrate the deep into the skin to complete your Amazing Face facial.

What's all the Faas?

I love space saving products, without a doubt!
Better still, make-up that stays in place and does what it says it will do, so when I was introduced to Ellis Faas a few months ago, I knew I had to have the range in my kit immediately.
The packaging is clearly genius silver bullets of high performance ingredients which include the Ellis Faas Creamy Eyes; spectrum of up-to the-minute catwalk shades which achieve a long lasting solid eye colour or subtle wash.  If you love smokey eyes the darker shades are a 'must-have' and glide on with ease, making for a very quick, easy, fool-proof dynamic look.

There is more to be said about Ellis Faas such as the twist-up Concealer and brush-on Skin Veil Foundations unstoppable performance; guaranteed coverage with a clever choice of shades proving Ellis Faas herself is Make Up Artist of integrity and exceptional consideration to her craft.  I have not stopped using these since they adorned my make-up kit and the products have intrigued many clients no end and these days, with many requests for the perfect red lips, I eagerly direct them to the Ellis Faas Red.
I shall be keeping an eye on the Ellis Faas brand and if I could award Best Newcomer to my kit, this would be the one for innovation, performance and quality results.

Scrub off the old, reveal the new!

New Year, new skin!
It goes without saying, we've all partied and over indulged over the festive period and to our horror our skin is clogged, dull and all partied out.  What better way to reveal refreshed, revived and clearer skin than with Foaming Facial Scrub by Melvita, Natural and Organic Cosmetics, ideally used once or twice a week before your cleansing routine.
The micro particles of Bamboo Tears gently exfoliate and lift off dead skin and debris, whilst the foaming ingredients wash away to expose a refined complexion.
"Will it dry my skin?"  I hear you cry!  No, no, the Pink Corraline (an enriched seaweed) protects, the Jojoba and Carnuba Wax work to moisturise, therefore, no uncomfortable tightening and possibly guilt-free partying until next year.

Wonders of Wonderbalm!

Wonderful things balms; they lock in moisture whilst protecting the skin, leaving a luxurious shine that lasts.  No?
Let me then introduce you to Dainty Doll Wonderbalm a pretty pot of versatile beauty-dom! Packed with sumptuous ingredients such as mango seed oil, beeswax and the essential Vitamin E, all reasonably priced considering you can use it anywhere head to toe.

Apply to soften and protect lips, elbows, knees or gently press onto clean skin to add a hint of dewiness to contours.  Wonderbalm also works wonders to keep those unruly brows at bay, so no more stragglers.
Yes, I know about the Nicole Roberts from Girls Aloud bit, that's by the by, my new beauty find is simply wonderful!
Stockists: Harrods, Beales

Trade Secret: Highly Defined Brows!

I love palettes...all those useful shades displayed together in one handy sized package but rarely have I seen a 'one stop' palette like this, HD Brows.  Not only does it look good but is one of the most versatile palettes on the market for eye defining and shading, as well as achieving well-groomed brows, which frames the face, creating a much wanted non-surgical eye lift!
Brows really hold a look together and with these HD Brows neutral hues, which fill in the blondest of blonde brows naturally and immaculately reshape the most mis-shaped mishaps with pro applicators, this artistry palette is the ultimate trick of the trade.

Conceal at a steal!

I love minerals and to prove it here is another star product I've been using, Inika Natural Perfection Concealer.  The blendable texture infused with minerals is light enough to use under eyes, so no cakeing, plus this organic delight is kind to skin and enriched with macadamia and rose hip oil which allows for more hydration.  Inika have created a concealer so longlasting I've been using this for TV jobs, yes, long days, hot lights and no touch ups, ideal for the upcoming party season!

Oskia Skincare in motion!

http://www.youtube.com/user/oskiaskincare

Something Activia didn't show you.....

...the fan girl!  Yes, in the recent add with Martine everything came to a halt.  Due to the final edit my pride and joy was left on the cutting room floor. But now you can see the Director's Cut here ACTIVIA FAN GIRL
With a few tweaks here and there, many phonecalls and discussions, a hair test and little time to achieve the request of the director on the day, I created natural looking hair to appear as though it had been blasted by a fan at the desk of an office worker.  With the help of some sturdy products such as Umberto Giannini Glam Hair Backcomb in a Bottle, Baptiste Dry Shampoo and Sebastian Shaper Fierce I constructed an effortless windswept look.
Not an everyday look you may want to achieve but worth checking out the hair products, they work!