Feature Friday- The NEW HydraBlur Pre-Launch

Makeup Monday- weekend getaway

We've just had a lovely weekend down in Cornwall visiting family friends in town from New Zealand. Juggling a successful business, young family and a busy household it didn't give me much time to pack. 

I always pack by colour so all my accessories match and I can pack minimal makeup. The MAC travel sets are brilliant for space saving essentials.

I replace the duo brush with a Technakohl eyeliner, pack a concealer and splash proof mascara so that my makeup will be weather proof- rain or shine! The travel packs have two blushers & lipsticks along with enough eyeshadow choice to create several looks day and night. 

Makeup Monday- Wonder Woman

This year for New Years Eve we went to a super heroes and villans fancy dress party. I went as Wonder Woman, my hero & namesake! 

I used the HeShi self tanning gel to add a glow to my body and applied a shimmery body lotion on top to add a subtle scent and healthy glow for the evening. 

To match the costume and theme I chose to do a navy smokey eye with gold glitter and finish the look with a red lip. To achieve this flawless look that lasted over 24 hours, bad for the skincare but excellent for the makeup staying power! 

The products I used were: 

1. Dermalogica HydraBlur to keep my skin hydrated for hours 

2. Dermalogica Skin Perfect Primer to add illuminocity 

3. Dermalogica Sheer Tint Moisturiser in medium to create an even base 

4. MAC mineralize blusher in Petal Power  for a peachy complexion 

5. Then for the eyes I started with the MAC browset in Show-off to comb my eyebrows into shape and add a bit of colour

6. MAC Technakohl Liner in Stirling Silver along the water line of the lower lid to reduce redness and make the eyes look brighter & bigger. 

7. MAC Fluidline in Siahi to line the upper eyelid and outer corner of the lower eye adding definition before blending with pigments to form a smokey eye. 

8. MAC Pigment in Naval Blue to create a shimmery smokey effect on the outer corner of the eye

9. MAC Pigment in Melon to add a gold sheen to the centre eyelid 

10. MAC Mineralize Eyeshadow in Snow Season to blend the pigment and highlight the brow bone 

11. I then used my finger to dab MAC Glitter Liquid Liner in Glamourgold into the inner corner of my eye and sweep the liquid liner along the lower brow line and along the upper eyeliner and lower outer corner. With the residue I dabbed it along my upper cheek bone to catch the light when I smiled. 

12. To complete the eyes I added MAC Prep+Prime Lash to my curled lashes followed by 2 coats of MAC Zoom Waterfast Lash in Black topped with a third coat of navy. 

13. To complete the eyes I used MAC Mineralize Concealer NW20 applied with 224 brush to subtly highlight the eye & nose. 

14. The look was completed with a generous application of MAC gloss in Russian Red 

Happy New Year 2016!! 

Feature Friday- dirty skin

I had just read an article in Living Skin magazine, Is our skin dirtier than ever? The next day, I woke up to a what's app message from a client saying her skin is lumpy, spotty and HELP! it's the festive season.  Skincare is an essential part of daily routine, and many already follow a simple cleanse, tone, moisturise regime every morning and night.  This basic regime is great to have in place, but it is important to do it properly. 

Research by the International Dermal Institute found that 'women only spend about 20 seconds washing their face.' For thoroughly clean skin it is advisable to use a double cleanse routine such as Precleanse by Dermalogica which is made from apricot kernel and kukui nut oil, the oil helps draw oil, impurities and makeup away from the skin. Then use a second cleanser to suit your specific skin type- foaming, cream, etc. Each cleanser should be massaged into the skin for 60 seconds. Count as you massage your face in gentle upward strokes 1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi until your reach 60 then remove the product with a warm damp flannel or sponge. 

The environment is much dirtier now than it used to be in our parents and grandparents era because there are so many more pollutants, types of makeup, sunscreen, etc. The face is exposed to everything everyday and a quick 20 second cleanse won't cut through the dirt, oil and makeup on your skin. If your skin isn't properly cleansed then the moisturiser can't penetrate to the skin properly and a dull appearance then starts to become congested. Exfoliating can help, but start with a good basic regime and build on that to maximise glowing healthy skin. 

Skincare Saturday- Clear Start

Clear Start has been formulated by Dermalogica to provide skin care solutions for teens. 

'Three out of four teens get infected with acne and some of them may end up with severe psychological damage or physical scarring for life' -Dermalogica UK 

This range contains potent active ingredients and gentle botanicals to achieve clearer skin in three easy steps. 

1. Cleanse- use Foaming Wash morning and night. For a power cleanse mix Pore Control Scrub with Foaming Wash, or use on its own before applying Breakout Clearing Cooling Masque. 

2. Tone- spritz All Over Toner onto the face and neck before moisturising twice daily. This can also be used to absorb shine throughout the day. 

3. Treat & Moisturise- if the skin is congested apply the Daytime Teeatment or Overnight Treatment and then moisturise. Use Matte Moisturiser in the day to help control oil & protect against ultraviolet rays, or Hydrating Lotion at night to rehydrate the skin. 

For extra clearing you can add Emergency Spot Fix as a 'zit zapper'; Breakout Clearing Cooling Masque to calm and soothe, and oil blotting sheets to absorb shine during the day.  

Skincare Saturday- NEW Hydrating Lotion

This week the newest addition to Dermalogica's Teen range was launched! Clear Start Skin Smoothing Hydrating Lotion is a light-weight and oil-free moisturiser which has been specifically formulated for young adults with dry, dehydrated and breakout-irritated skin. 

It has been developed with Ginger, Orange and Grapefruit botanicals to help soothe and protect skins that are sensitised from prescription acne medications. 

Hyaluronic Acid and Squalene rehydrate and soften making this a great lotion to nourish the skin throughout the night. 

To use, apply on its own or over Overnight Treatment after cleansing and toning. 

Feature Friday- it's all about brows

I'm It's all about the brow, about the brow, about the brow, no trouble...

Whether it's brow extensions, growth serums or makeup, this season is all about eyebrows! 

Eyeshadow applied with a soft round brush to maintain a subtle natural finish. (Makeup by Claire Mulleady) 

I went to a MAC cosmetics masterclass at their Carnaby Street store yesterday. They've recently remodeled their Pro Store and have a private demonstration room upstairs. The Senior makeup artist had just got back from doing the International Fashion Week circuit and was full of ideas, insight and inspiration. 

Each model had very different brows from an Afro-Carribean well defined eyebrow to an Oriental fine eyebrow. There is a way to add definition to suit all styles- pencil, powder, gel, colored brow mascara are just to name a few. 

Even if you use a brow serum such as LiBrow or have extensions to enhance the natural appearance make up is needed to complete the look. MAC's new range has a brilliant array of Colours from fair blonde to red to dark brown. Full eyebrows with a natural finish are trending this season and are a hot topic for next Spring/Summer styles.