Products I can't live without

This might not be the most exciting post, yet still worth blogging about. These are the products I use every day, incorporating in most of my make-ups on myself and on clients in the past, creating looks as simple as an everyday glow to a full-on evening look and they've never failed to deliver. Most of these products have been around for a while, but if You haven't tried them yet - I suggest You do! xx

 

Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation

One of the brand's best-sellers, this foundation deffinately deserves all the rave. Infused with vitamins and all kinds of goodness, it's all five of five-a-day for Your complexion. It glides on the skin like a dream and is very buildable - dab small amounts with Your fingers on the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin for natural daytime glow or use a foundation brush all over the face for an amazing coverage, yet a lightweight feel. Powder for a full-on, dramatic look or leave as it is for a young and dewy effect. 

Collection 2000 Illuminating Touch Under-eye Concealer

Ok, everybody knows how amazing is the Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection concealer and how much we love it. But there reason I'm mentioning this one is that I don't think it gets enough credit. It's super-light, the staying power is unbelievable, it hides away dark cirkles and blemishes so well You'll forget they were there and it is my best friend when I have a 7 am shift at work! 

For nighttime, pop it on the cheekbones and nose for a subtle yet amazing highlight on top of the Bourjois foundation. 

Benefit High Beam

Who doesn't love a bit of a glow? And who doesn't love Benefit, right? This is one of their all time bestsellers too and doesn't really need any comments. Amazing for every look, great to mix in a foundation (or a tinted moisturizer when we go super-natural) for that extra boost, sometimes I even use it over the lid when my eyes look tired. Because I have a very pale skintone with blue undertones, this is the pearly, pale-pink tint is perfect for me. If You are olive-skinned or a warm tone, go for Moon Beam instead. 

 

 

Ardell Falsies in 105

I couldn't find a decent pic for these but I attached a link that will lead You to the Boots page. These are my all time favorite falsies, very light and natural-looking - but with that extra 'oomph' that makes them easy to pull off whether You are going out or just adding some glam to Your day. The clear strip makes them super-easy to apply, they'll last You for ages (not really, but longer than all the other ones I've tried) when treated nicely because of the amazing quality and would suit anyone.

 
Soap and Glory Supercat Eyeliner

This is relatively new but it is one of the most amazing eyeliners I've ever tried. Makes me wonder where were they earlier? It's different from all the other felt-tip eyeliners as the tip is super-flexible and gives all the control You need to create the perfect wing. The carbon-black color and the high-shine finish enchances eyes and it delivers as well as a designer product. At £6 it is a bargain and I would pay two, three or four times the price if I needed to!

Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss

I can't wait to get to the tax-free zone at the airport to stock up on these at a bargain price! Amazing shine and beautiful, multi-colored sparkles for a 3D effect on the lips go with every single one of the 25 shades available. The consistency is quite thick which is good if You are after a plumping effect and the tube will last You for ages, as well as the product itself once on the lips. Sparkly, plumping, long-lasting - what's not to love?

Ofcorse, I have a lot more other products I love but these are my all-time favorites that I use almost every day and can't imagine my beauty routine without.

Love/hate these products?

What are You must-haves?

Lots of love,

S

xoxo

Silver lining & Cranberry & Liner Power

So, this autumn/winter I'm obsessed with cranberry color. Cranberry lipsticks, blushes and, while organizing my make-up yesterday, I came across this gorgeous cranberry shade eyeshadow! I planned to make a simple smoky eye for Christmas but I just felt as if there is something missing. It was a bit too plain so I decided to add a pop of metallics - who would have known cranberry and metalics would work so well?

We've seen the trend of a contrasting, strong line through the socket all over both A/W and upcoming S/S12 catwalks and why not incorporate it in a going out/festive make-up?

 It's that simple - blend a cranberry (or actually, any you wish) eyeshadow through the socket. Lean Your head a bit downwards and look slightly upwards in the mirror and just glide a pencil brush through the socket for perfect eyeshadow placement. 

Dip an eyeliner brush in some water and mix with a loose silver pigment (a good alternative is Barry M Dazzle Dust) and draw the line in. Take Your time and let it dry for maximum staying power and a perfect finish!

Finish off with a slick of black eyeliner and a pair of falsies - here I used the new Collection 2000 Luscious Lashes in Glam Volume 

Warm Your complexion up with a cranberry blush to match the eyeshadow, add a nice gloss (here I used my all time favorite - Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss in Frivolous Pink) and You're ready!

I absolutely love this make-up, the silver liner adds such a high fashion twist to the traditional festive make-up and I can't wait to try another graphic gold/green or bronze/neutrals combo!

Love or hate metallics?

Love or hate cranberry eyeshadow?

Lots of love, 

Hope You all have an amazing week,

S

xoxo

17 BB cream - quick post!

There's been a lot buzz going on lately about BB creams.. (or maybe I'm actually one of the last to jump on the bandwagon?) Well, atleast in my world, which goes at a different pace, BB creams are still something new.
At first I was quite sceptical about this kind of a product as it just didn't make much sense, a balm-like skincare product that is also make-up? When I think of a balm, it's something thick and quite heavy, although good for body moisturizing, the dry skin for hands and hair, deffinately not to create "a fresh-faced, flawless look" as it's supposed to. And what do we have tinted moisturizers for then if this is so new and genius?

Anyway, after a Sunday morning spent make-up bargain shopping in Boots, I saw this product - 17 BB Blemish Balm - such a bargain at just £6.99 and a 3 for 2 make-up offer, so I decided to finally find out what is this product all about. And I'm so happy I did!
It is deffinately nothing like I have ever used before, the texture is like a balm (but not too heavy) and it covers my skin with almost a powdery effect. And the effect itself is unbelievable as well - the skin just looks like it has been blurred out!
I've got very large, visible pores and my skin is really complicated to take care of, as it's sensitive and changes very very radically depending on whatever is going on around me - it will literally be super-oily on a hot or a rainy day, super-dry if I get up too early or don't have enough sleep, etc. I know it sounds strange but it's just very sensitive to the external circumstances so I do need something that protects my skin as well as covers all the flaws -a multi-tasker product and this is one!
The one complaint I've seen other bloggers talking about is the lack of shades - right now it only comes in light and medium. I'm lucky enough and the light matches my skin quite well. Also, take Your time blending it. If I do need concealer under my eyes or the chin/nose area that tends to be a bit red or swollen at times, I actually apply the concealer first for a super-natural effect that blends together perfectly. Another tip - don't be scared to use Your fingers to blend it into the skin - don't forget it's a balm! So You need the warmth of Your fingers to melt the product a bit so it blends evenly and glides on the skin. Just make sure Your hands are clean and if needed, use some hand hygiene gel atleast 5 minutes before doing that for a sterile and clean application. (Please don't pack Your hands with the sanitiser and then try to touch Your skin straight away as it is all spirit-based and way too strong for the delicate skin on the face! Give it a few minutes to work and wipe Your hands)

Anyway, to sum it all up -
No matter if my skin is oily or dry, the 17 BB blemish balm will always deliver the same amazing effect!
A very light coverage, even skintone, no dry or oily patches, no visible pores - I don't know how they do it but now I know why BB creams are called "magic make-up"!

What are Your thoughts?

Lots of Love,

S

xoxo

Glitter & Sparkles & Make-up

As we put the plastic skelletons and false blood back in the boxes for next year, we feel another season coming closer and closer - less than two months till Christmas.
Windows filling with shiny garlands, Sinatra singing "White Christmas" and ..guess what? Party season!
Sequin dresses and golden heels, the shinier, the better! Bold cranberry lipstick and red hair bows, it's the most wonderful.. and glamorous time of the year. More opportunities to get all dolled up and wear heels, what else can a girl ask for?
So, inspired by what's coming up I created an evening/going out look using my favorite products this season.

Here's the products and tips&tricks on how I created it: 

 

• Jemma Kidd Crushed Jewel Duo in 01, Lolite is one of my favorite products for an evening look and it's super easy to create super-glamorous eyes in minutes. Just blend the cream all over Your lids and finish by sweeping the glitter on top. It does not have the usual heavy glitter feeling, it's super light and blendable, the cream does not crease at all.. a must have in every make-up bag! Plus, You don't always need to use both of these products together. The cream is a great base for a smoky eye that will last for ages as well and sometimes I just sweep the glitter over an eyeshadow primer and add some falsies for a more subtle look when going out. Also, You can use it as an eyeliner.. The variations are limitless and, although this product has been around for a while now, I just can't get over the fact how amazing it is!
• Keep everything else plain and simple - the heavy eye and fresh face combo will look very high-fashion. If the rest of the face is too done up, You might end looking more drag than catwalk. So, leave the brows natural and bushy, blend a light foundation over the cheek, nose, forehead and chin area and cover blemishes with a good concealer such as my personal favorite - Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection.
• Don't powder - YET! I know it's very hard to keep away from the loose powder to finish off a look and although we will leave the house looking amazing, after a few glasses of champagne and hitting the dancefloor, the foundation might decide to move around the face a bit, and leave us looking more shiny than sparkling. So, don't powder but DO take a light loose powder with You for a much needed touch-up during the night. Just don't go overboard!

 

• Finish the look with some highlighter on top of the cheekbones - Bourjois Illuminating Touch - will work brilliantly!

What is Your must-have for the party season?

Lots of love,

S

xoxo