Skincare Classics!

Back in the late 70's, I would watch my mum slather on, wipe off and dab on various bits of cosmetics from her dressing table.  There was always a bottle of something fascinating to poke my fingers into or perfume to sniff and sneeze at but I was glued to these rituals and the results.
Roll on some years later, me, a Make-Up Artist with a boundless fascination and impulse to try as many products as I can no matter what the advertisers say.
I was handed over some Pond's Creams some time ago and with an endless backlog of products to test, I have only found the time to try these skincare classics recently.
Was I hesitant about trying skincare without a hefty price tag?
No, because these timeless cosmetics stay around for a reason, plus my mum has superb skin and sometimes, do I really want to overdose on science?
Pond's Cold Cream Cleansing Cream is as I remembered it, smooth, cool with it's unique texture to fully remove residue, make-up whilst leaving skin soft and yes, pretty much like a babies bottom.  I like using this Cold Cream, it does what it says it's going to do and that is all you want really.

 In addition to the Cold Cream, I thought I'd compliment my routine with Pond's Hydronourishing Cream, again, a texture I would only respresent with Pond's and their super rich creams.  Nourishing? Certainly. Long lasting hydration? Indeed, no need to reapply.  Leaves skin feeling and looking radiant? Yes, and I love creams that leave a slight sheen to makes skin appear more youthful.
Most happy to carry on using these classics, after all, I can't beat the ageing process but can work with Pond's as it's older and wiser than me!

Trend Alert! Fast forward 70's make-up.

Make Up Artists', me included, can make new trends look simple and effortless in a few steps.  The truth is, it can be that easy and with an injection of confidence and gusto, you really can achieve catwalk trends without the pressure of beauty rules.  Anything goes and make-up should be fun!  Above is a picture of a model I worked with on Monday for Hairdresser and super teaser, Maximiliano Centini, Fulham.  The heavy-duty blue sockets in Illamasqua Powder Eye Shadow in Imagine, sets off the look so be wise in choosing a highly pigmented eye shadow to do the job and essentially most of the work.

For speed and to set the tone for the look I firmly swept the eye shadow into the models sockets, far into inner and outer sockets whilst her eyes were open to make sure the eye shadow sits in the correct place to create a 'hollowed' effect.  The eye shadow was them pressed along the lower lash line and extended up and further out towards the tail end of the brows.  You might find it helps to use a coloured eye liner pencil such as Bourjois Metallic Eye Liner Pencils to draw the shape, then apply eye shadow over the top, then glide a metallic pencil along the water line for sultry depth.  Alternatively, you can ditch brushes and apply with fingers, this can assist blending!  For a complimentary flash of colour and to emphasise the eye shape and brows, I highlighted the eye lids with another matte colour, Illamasqua Powder Eye Shadow in Creep, then worked a touch of Lick Powder Eye Shadow under brows, avoiding the brow bone which was later finished off with Illamasqua  Pure Pigment in Furore.

Believe it or not, it does become straight forward....curl lashes, add a sturdy black mascara such as Dior Show Waterproof Mascara on upper and lower lashes, then I used Blink & Go Temptress lashes for added volume and wider eyes.  Skin?  Yes, a light veil of Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturiser No. 2 and 3, a generous sweep of Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer No. 11 over cheekbones, above the brow, forehead and bridge of the nose to hightlight and delicately sculpt contours of the face.  The finishes touch to lips had to remain neutral and almost bare, so I chose the coral tinge of Illamasqua Cream Pigment in  Emerge ,which I later used to block out brows by combing through eye brows for more drama and impact.
By now, you might be aghast at the list of products but I assure you, you're likely to have a stash of colourful palettes and unused products lurking so I hope this spurns you on to experiement, play and enjoy make-up like us Make Up Artist's get to do every day!

Illamasqua and beyond!

I have already posted these pictures on Twitter today but here is a closer look at the 'unexpected' launch from Illamasqua named Toxic Nature.  I say unexpected, because often we are transfixed on devilishly dark, vampish looks from Alex Box, however, the earthy tones along with brights, all inspired by last years ash cloud episode, taken on a curious twist.  The squares pictures in the foreground are brand new, Cream Pigments; blendable, matte and can be used everywhere including hair!

I am totally in love with this shade for lips and what I would call Vermillion being from an art background, Illamasqua call it Flare.  It's a bold, powdery orange/red and the perfect for this Summer.

Now back to the Cream Pigments!  The infamous Spob was on hand today taking us Make Up Artists' through the new collections endless uses. These pots of cream pigment have depth like I've never seen and unlike greasepaint, leave a non-greasy finish which can be mixed into a paste for blocking, built up from a wash to solid colour or even used as a liner and seen here using Hollow, along the water line for a lasting eyeline. I've been informed of more colour and innovative textures from Illamasqua, your credit card has been warned!

Long Lash Alert!

Here we are at week 5 of trialling M2 Beaute.  I should have taken 'before' pictures but really, who wants to see sparse lashes and brows.  My eye brows have filled in nicely.  I'm not keen to have them too much thicker but where they have thickened, I like.  The most noticeable change is the length of my lashes, as they never before tailed off to such a great length.

 Here's a closer look where you can see a glossy coating over the lashes as well as a third more lashes than I had before.  Unfortunately, a few weeks ago a few of my lower lashes fell out which is due to Hypothyroidism, therefore a slower blood supply but luckily for me, whilst using M2 Lash Activating Serum, they began to grow back within a week.
I will continue using M2 Beaute to see the maximum I can achieve.  Ideally, I would like to improve thickness and already I can see that I'm requiring less mascara than usual, which is a big bonus!

Nail Play!

Nothing like adding more brights and neons to your nails as we move into next season.  I was lucky enough to have had my nails painted this week at the Dior event with the new Limited Edition Dior Vernis in Aloha, a bright tangerine. Today, I've added Orly Nail Lacquer to the tips for a fun acid colour effect. The violet shade in Frolic, along with mint blue, Frisky and fruity pink, Hawiian Punch which can all be topped off with Orly Polishield, 3-in-1 Topcoat.
Keep a look out for these in the next few months!

Bronzing Bonanza!

This summer sees an array of bronzing palettes to assist contouring and a sunkissed complexion. Quite frankly, I cannot wait to use these on shoots.  I've picked 3 of my favourites seen so far...

 Dior are tempting us with this quilted compact in two shades both of which are quite matte with a warm apricot hue, ideal for pepping up mid to olive toned skin.

Chanel's stack of bronze and rich rose shades makes for a useful palette as you can apply all shades or choose from each section to sculpt and highlight.

Last but not least, Clarins mosaic masterpiece in a rather large compact, ideal for lightly dusting over collarbones and decollate.

Smashing Neutrals!

Spring is finally here and so is a smashing box of tricks for playful, everyday eyes!  Smashbox In Bloom Eye Shadow Palette & Brush is complete with 10 shimmery and matte shades to add a subtle wash or depth to eyes this season.  The super-luxe shadows in wearable shades such as Bone and Warm Taupe will compliment a glossy lip from nude to bold, while Lavender Grey shows off  smouldering eyes and takes you one step ahead into next seasons 'smoky' eyes trend.
I haven't stopped using this now trusty palette since I received it last year so feel assured this compact is bloomin' marvellous!

Spring = Colour!

I am desperately pining for the warmer weather to kick in; to reveal my coral pink toes, flushed cheeks and my 'sort of' all year round tan!
So in today's blog, instead of whetting your appetites with the lastest beauty launches, innovative tools and cutting edge beauty finds from my make-up kit, all I want to say is 'Get some colour on'.
Play, experiment or try something totally new.  Dust off that eyeshadow you've left at the back of the drawer, delve deeper into you make-up bag for those long lost liquid liners you had longed for, once upon a time.
I have already been sporting the powdered, bold bright lips as seen in DVF S/S shows and it is perking up my sallow, sun seeking skin, revealing a fresher, new look for 2011. So ladies, zip up, be brave and add a dash of colour.  I promise you already have a great product just waiting to be tried and tested.

Part Two: The Great Lash Appeal.

It has been about 3 weeks since applying M2 Beaute Lash Activating Serum, Revitalising Gloss and M2 Brows day and night religiously.  I've not been expecting a quick-fix, though I am most happy to reveal my lashes have taken to this beauty system rather well.
My lashes have gained length and I must admit, I never thought the lengthening effect would make a remarkable difference,  now these additional millimetres to the tips now extend further than I ever thought they could.  Whilst my lash line, top and bottom are filling up, this I love, as I lost some of my lashes sometime ago.
The condition of my eyelashes appear glossier and eyebrows are slowly thickening in the right places.  I am not aiming for Brooke Shields but I sure would be in beauty bliss grooming and plucking my brows into shape!

The Magic of Number 9!

Sebastian Potion 9 is just that, a magnificent potion to style hair with ease.  I never complete a shoot without it, whether to speedily control dry, curly hair and revive a more structured wave or work through damp hair, roots to tips, for effortless styling and flexible hold.
Potion 9 is a cocktail of ingredients, 9 botanicals such as oil extracts from Olive Oil and Evening Primrose Oil to assist conditioning effect on the hair.  No oily feel to this styling product in the slightest, in fact it coats the hair without any residue or uncomfortable stickiness making for a rejuventating, glossy finish.
The wonders of this product will never cease to amaze me and will firmly remain in my hair kit to add that touch of effortless magic!