New Years Resolutions

Happy New Year 2015!!  

Just a few wise quotes to get you in the positive forward thinking mood.

So, a wee post from me just to get us raring to go, on the prepping for the New year ahead.  If you are anything like me and still very reluctant to shed those slippers and comfies, hopefully these ideas will get you a bit more motivated on getting your glam glow back.

I am a girl kinder set in my ways, at times I surprise myself and embrace change, but I am always a little scared to do so, regardless of if it is good and obviously very reluctant if it might go tits up and be bad.  More often than not it has been all positive.

When it comes to my make-up, this is an example of me refraining from change.  I am a black liner flicks and go kinder gal.  However, with my brown eyes, a terracotta contoured eye also could be a look I am open to keep up.  We all get a bit stuck in a make-up rut and let me tell you make-up artists are right there with you.

However, metallic eyes and soft contouring are the way forward, by all means work with that liner still, but instead of that harsh liquid line maybe lean towards a softer liner finish.

 Use metallic shadows to create a smouldering seductive eye, I love the above image how the gold glows on the middle of the eyelid, want something a bit  smokey and matte got for the below smokey to bronze eye with a hint of metallic on the under eye which will give you a subtle twinkle.

 Don't want to overdue the metallic?  Go for this very subtle gold metallic eye (below), keeping the lightest highlighting in the corner of the eyes, drawing the attention here and opening the eye up.  With such a light simplistic way of using metallic it then allows a poppy colour to be worn without looking too make-up overkill, and remaining very fresh faced.

To create an eye similar to the above.

Using Niki Strange Makeup palette for M&S, random choice as I still believe M&S still has that more maturer lady label, don't be fooled!  I actually stumbled across this palette on my mums dressing table, I have since nabbed it.  The shadow selection has everything you need for the perfect contoured eye, whether you want a mink/champagne eye to a terracotta/bronzed eye. Choose your shade and using the lightest colour as the foundation of your eye apply all over the socket, line the upper lash line as well as the upper waterline, this will give the effect of  fuller lashes and create a stronger lining for your eye.  Using the darker shadow shade blend/smudge out your liner to the outer corner of the eye blending it round the socket of the eye, giving that deep contoured effect.  Ensure no harsh shadow lines are left as you blend out on the brow, which should be blended out to a neutral lighter shade.  Whether you chose a neutral matte tone or a highlighter is upto you.  For you liner try Nars-Via Veneto no budging long-wear liner, great for when you want a softer liner finish, whilst remaining long lasting.  If you still feel it is not smouldering enough, by all means follow the line with your usual liquid liner to seal the deal so to speak, or if you can't bare to leave your flicks behind try vamping them up a la Gucci and Dior below.  if you feel it is too much as it is instead of a black liner maybe try a brown that can be a bit softer.

Frame your face by keeping those brows sweeping and full, HD brow palette - foxy is ideal for me, but check your colourings with the other shades.   Ideal for a defining brows whilst giving a soft natural finish, the palette range is great for mixing to get the best colour match for your brows.

Finish the eye off with Charlotte Tilburys Full Fat lashes...fat brush, equals fat lashes.  When it comes to a mascara brush I am very much all about chunky, a comb/fibered brush is great for initial separation of lashes but always finish with a sweep of a fat volumising brush such this one by CT.

A few brands you might want to watch out for and some of my choices from their ranges.

Paul and Joe cheek colour blush in Cinema.  Love those rosy apples, this bright coral pink is my must have in my handbag if i am having a break from Macs dolly mix.

Illamasqua velvet blusher in flirtatious gives a warmer cheek colour if you don't want to be to pink.  Softer in the way it is a cream blush that turns to a powder finish when applied to the skin.

Hourglass Opaque Rouge liquid lipstick in Raven red, similar to a lip stain, this stays put without drying and flaking your lips.

Becca Ever-matte shine proof foundation, if like me you suffer from that afternoon shine and love a matt finish a water based foundation like Beccas would be the ticket, with vitamin A and E and easily applied so that you can build up coverage allowing you to decide how little or more you like.

In terms of hair it looks like the ombre is very much still on the cards, so maybe brighten it up with a toner, I am loving the peachy vibe.

Mid length cuts are definitely a gower, so if you have been putting off having that chop take a look at these mid length styling ideas, add a fringe, be it short, full, long or standout short.

 As we know i love a plait, as I have the mid length cut myself and often wonder what to do with myself.  I know a tousled bed head look never fails along with this gorgeous half up plaited style.

 However, if you cannot bare to have the chop or just have luscious long locks try a full on top to toe plait or a simple one that frames the face.

Whatever your style experiment play and have fun for the New year!!

Lx

Jingle belles!

So Christmas is fast approaching, and the party season is in full flourish.  I have been whizzing around adding my own touch of Christmas cheer in the form of Christmas Make-overs for all in need of a lil summit summit for their Christmas party/ wedding or any event going.

Popular this season is old school Hollywood glamour, with smouldering eyes, bouncy voluminous hair and a signature berry lip.  Along with some  60s Bardot hints and romantic, messy chignons.

A few images of my fave doo's at the moment:

Hollywood Glamour Curls- Anyone can pull this simple, but sophisticated look off.  Keep is sleek with a slick side parting and waves falling shapely around the face.  Or add a bit of crown volume a la Bardot.

Or wear in more voluminous blow dried curls, adding sophistication and shapely bounce to your locks.

60's Sex bomb: Always an elegant style, wear it neatly preened or slightly distressed, either way this style is easy to achieve and 

a good go to style when you need a quick style to transform that day look into a sassy night one.

Just a few of the events of the festive season:

A lovely mother of the bride Anna and daughter Lydia, getting ready on Lydias' special day.

A few girlie's off on their works Christmas party.

 A Somerset wedding at Babbington House.  Pleasure to work at such a beautiful cosy country venue.

The lovely Helen, mum of the bride and Kim the bridesmaid, 

at Motley Abbey in Oxford.

 

Hope your all having a festive time, whatever the occasion.

Lx

Time 4 Tea.

Just the other week, I set up camp at Time 4 Tea's vintage event of the month.  We stepped back to the 1940's to showcase a selection of trades, including myself with on site vintage lashes lips and liner at the ready for anyone who wanted to really get into the vintage vibe.

Everyone was welcome along, and their was enough to entertain everyone.  The Chee Chee Gals were getting the crowds going, with moves on the dance floor, also blasting out some classic vocals.

All vintage needs were catered for, from the shopping experience through to the entertainment.  There was even tea and cake galore giving a real nostalgic vibe to the afternoon.

Time 4 Tea did a great job on arranging an afternoon of treats.  Not only restricted to fairs such as this, they cater for all your event needs.  Check them out at the below link.

http://www.time-4-tea.com

Lx

New team member...

Having recently joined the Paul & Joe family, over the Christmas season.  I was pleasantly surprised to receive a lovely bundle of goodies.  

After being talked through both the Make-up and Skincare by the lovely Jo.  I was then given a selection to trial out on my own time.  What really drew me to these products was not only the lovely packaging, which really does catch any ladies eye.   Anyone would be proud to whip a lippy out their bag, if it looked like this.   The beautiful bottles and elegant compacts, echo a Parisian, boudoir style.  Taking you back to a time when dressing tables, were an important household feature for any woman. 

skincare, glosses, lipsticks and liner galore!

The other attraction was the smell of these products, I love a scented product especially make-up.  Nothing too potent that can be quite overwhelming but a gentle scent, anything but that synthetic smell some products leave behind.  Paul & Joe maintains a subtle Orange flower scent through the line.  Gone is the hype of rose water, which can sometimes muster up sickly turkish delight memories.  Bring on the Orange flower, with its subtle not too sweet, not to bitter notes.  Not only the scent, but the fact other components, such as Jojoba oil, Mallow, Vitamin C and White lily are just some of the key ingredients making these super, at soothing, protecting and renewing the skin.  Originating from Japan, their general mantra behind these products, is to keep skin hydrated.  From your cleansing ritual, primer, through to your make-up application and there after.

I have been using the skincare ever since first laying my hands on it, and it has been dreamy.  I am cleansed and silky smooth, gone was any remnants of liner/mascara and I smelt damn good, even if i do say so myself.  Not usually one for a lotion and cotton pad cleanse, but this could possibly convert me.  Topped off with a few drops of the treatment oil, I am a sucker for a face oil, especially as a night time moisturiser.

I remember this make-up from years ago, as I always wanted their funky patterned make-up bags.  Back then their range had a basic selection of products.  Now! How things have changed.  There are a vast selection of products to suit a range of skin concerns.   Whether your skin is dry/ combination or oily you will find coverage to suit it.  Even the primers can be worn under makeup or alone as a tinted moisturiser.

Make-up product musts: Would be their protecting primer and blusher number 04 Cinema, I am a big fan of a rosy cheek blush and Cinema does just that.  Another fabulous product is their waterproof liner, which was still on my hand after testing a day later.  There is a huge selection to choose from and whatever your focus area base, eyes, lips and even nails.  I can imagine you will definitely find something to suit.

http://www.paul-joe-beaute.com 

Lx

Vintage inspiration….

Time 4 Tea anyone? @time_4_tea are presenting a vintage fair this coming Saturday.  Get your tea dresses on and roll up those victory rolls.  Because this is the perfect place to be mooching around and all for a good cause.

So, if you are having trouble getting motivated for christmas and you need a few quirky buys, or you just fancy treating yourself and embracing a bit of vintage.  Why not pop down?

Time 4 Tea has done an amazing job and covered all bases.  There will be afternoon tea, dancing and even the chance to be transformed in to a vintage beauty with Make-overs by none other than me.   Lashes, lips and liner await you and plenty more. 

Check out what Time 4 Tea do with a peek at their sight.

http://www.time-4-tea.com 

Lx

Remembrance reds!

With it being such an important time, having just had Remembrance Sunday.  I made sure I got my visit in to see the popular, Tower of London Poppies.  I timed it perfectly last week, with Remembrance Sunday fast approaching and the fact they are due to take the amazing sheet of red down shortly.

Having seen fellow face bookers upload poppy pics galore, I was keen to have seen them for myself.  Having made it, I was welcomed by not only an overwhelming sight of red poppies, but an overwhelming amount of visitors.

Clearly a popular attraction amongst the public, the poppies have held quite a sentimental place in all visitors hearts.  With them marking the 100th anniversary, since the outbreak of the events of the First World war.   I have visited the Somme, which marks events that took place in France, during the First World war, now acting as a physical memorial spot that can be visited allowing people to show their respects.  Now, the Tower of London with its' flourishing bright red creation, acts as the same purpose allowing visitors near and far to pay their respects, to those that were lost.

To mark the occasion I have picked a few appropriate reds, to arm your cosmetic cupboard with.

Topshops Lipstick, with its' smooth matte finish in Rio Rio, is bright with a orangey undertones making it an ideal bright red lipstick for those of us with a medium/dark complexion.

Prefer a stain?  YSL is the answer.

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Vernis À Lèvres Glossy Stain in Rouge Gouache, stays put for hours, acts like a gloss, however works as a stain. This more berry colour might be better suited to a paler complexion, however comes in a variety of shades.

A staple in most Make-up artists kits, this is an appropriately named red.  Danger by Mac, is dangerously bright and poppy in colour, with a matte finish it is enough to take any day outfit to night.

  Pillar Box red is a rich, classy red.  Brighten that LBD with a flash of this on the hands.

War paint by Topshop holds coral hues, making it perfect as a fun daytime red.

Whatever your red, remember anyone can wear a red lip, it is just about finding the balance of whether you suit a more orangey red tone or a deep, richer red.  Experiment and have a play around until you get it just right.

Purchase that poppy and match it with your pout.

Lx