Makeup Monday- male grooming

Male Grooming is just as important as female and is a rapidly growing industry. All the male stars wear a bit of makeup to film premiers, on screen and to special events. 

MAC makeup artist, Cher Webb gives her quick guide to four essential male grooming products. 

1. Face and Body Foundation- this can be applied all over, to touch up a bald spot, create an even complexion or to fix a streaky spray tan. 

2. Blot Powder- as translucent powder to diminish shine. 

3. Studio Fix Concealer- to hide a blemish, tone down redness on the ears or to disguise an imperfection. 

4. Clear Brow Set- is fantastic to tame brows and stray beard hair. 

Feature Friday- Sponge Cloth

The Dermalogica Sponge Cloth is so gentle you can use it on babies and sensitive skin. It's made from a special material that is bacteria resistant and dries hard, so it's hygienic. 

To use cleanse skin for 60 seconds using upward circular motions, dampen Sponge Cloth and gently wipe over face to remove product. Double cleanse to thoroughly clean the face, neck and decollate. Rinse cloth and allow to air dry. It's great for travel too! 

Treatment Thursday- Summer beach skincare

Summer sun is shining bright and there is no better place to be than the English coast! This week we've been in Yarmouth, Isle of Wight for their annual Children's Carnival Week. It's known for its sailing harbour and quaint village, but we've discovered some beautiful beaches too! 

Colwell Bay, IOW 

All you need for healthy holiday skin are these five products: 

Conditioning Bodywash- ph balanced and gentle enough to use on face and body. 

Body Hydrating Cream- easily absorbed moisturiser that quenches the skin with Hyaluronic Acid, great after swiming and playing in the salty sea! 

UltraCalming Mist- a gentle hydrating spray to calm the skin post surf. 

Power Rich- a vitamin packed moisturiser that can be used on the eyes, neck and decollate to repair skin after being exposed to the elements. 

Protection 50 Sport- a broad spectrum spf 50 that can be used on the face and body. This formula also gives 40 minutes protection in the water, but remember to reapply every two hours! 

Wedding Wednesday- bridal bag must haves

Having a bridal bag on your wedding day is a preparation essential to ensure you look and feel your best all day. Here's our list of six necessities: 

1. Translucent Powder- to minimize any shine on the Bride or Groom to keep skin looking it's best for photos. 

2. Lip Products- a lipliner, lipstick and gloss to keep pouts picture perfect! Use a darker lipstick and gloss for the evening to change the mood of the makeup. 

3. Blotting papers- Clear Start by Dermalogica are £3.00 and the container can clip onto your keyring and be used as a lipstick carrier once empty. To use, press blotting paper onto areas of shine to absorb oil then gently dust translucent powder to create a matte complexion. 

4. Q-tips and tissues- to dab at the corners of eyes if emotions have taken over whilst walking down the aisle. 

5. Chewing gum or mints to keep your breath fresh as you kiss your Groom, work through the receiving line or catch up with wedding guests. 

6. Deodorant and perfum- a travel sized deodorant and perfum fit perfectly into a bridal bag and keep Brides smelling fresh all day and night.  

Tip Tuesday- travel nailcare

Summer holidays and trips away are on the horizon! Make sure you 'stay polished' while you're away. 

Buying mini nail essentials such as basecoat, topcoat, nail file and polish remover are a must to keep nails looking manicured throughout your holiday. 

These are six must have travel essentials: 

1. OPI Nail Lacquer- in a Colour to match or compliment your holiday wardrobe

2. OPI Wipe Off- individually wrapped polish remover wipes 

http://orchidsretreat.blogspot.com/2015/01/travel-tuesday-opi-travel-wipes.html 

3. OPI Chip Skip- apply before basecoat to help prolong the wear or Nail Lacquer. 

4. Crystal Nail File- Nailtek are the best files I've found to file nails without splitting or damaging the natural nail. 

5. OPI Nail Envy- an award winning nail strengthener that makes a great basecoat.

6. OPI Topcoat- a quick drying, ultra shiny layer that seals in the colour and prevents chipping. 

Makeup Monday- bridal masterclass

I attended a Bridal masterclass with MAC makeup artist Cher Webb. She gave some great tips and created two different looks. Cher is a makeup artist to the Stars, Fashion Week and several Awards events. She said she likes to, 'make real women and men feel and look their very best.' 

Wedding makeup is about enhancing the Bridal party's natural features without looking like they're wearing anything. Prepping the skin is an essential part of bridal makeup. It is important for the Bride to look after her skin with a regular home skincare regime that includes exfoliation. It is also important to keep the  skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water and not too much alcohol. 

Smokey eyes and glowing skin with red lips are trending this season. If red lips are taking centre stage it is important to create the look around the lip colour. By starting with bright red lips, less colour is needed on the cheeks and eye area. 

Smokey eyes are created by contouring with a selection of dark neutral colours. Blending and layering a mixture of dark and light nude eyeshadows and liners develops the definition with a soft finish. 

When going for a wedding makeup trial bring pictures of desired makeup looks, a swatch of the dress, and any accessories that will be worn on the Special day. This enables the makeup artist to use Colours to compliment and enhance the Bride's natural beauty. 

Tan Tuesday- NEW HeShi Gradual Face Tan

The NEW Overnight Ageless Tanning Balm from HeShi has arrived!! 

This gradual tan is designed as a velvety, anti-ageing product to smooth fine lines and give the skin a subtle bronzed glow. It contains jojoba protein and hyaluronic acid to moisturise and hydrate the skin. 

Best used after gently exfoliate the face, neck and décolleté areas. Apply 5-6 pumps of the tanning balm as an evening moisturiser applying all over the face (including eye area) neck (including ears) and décolleté. Blend thoroughly into hairline and eyebrows. 

Avoid contact with water for 6-8 hours to allow Overnight Ageless Tanning Balm to develop. Reapply twice a week to maintain a bronzed, youthful glow!