TOTD: Skin
For glowing skin, mix MAC Golden Bronze Loose Irridescent Powder with MAC Face & Body in your correct shade for the perfect model skin. Don't forget you can use it on every inch of your skin for celebrity looking arms & legs all day long.
KAMU LOVES!
Kiss and Makeup (KAMU) Loves is a new segment of the blog which highlights products that I adore, new or old, that need to be shared with the masses.
Chanel Les Vernis in Peridot £17.50
The perfect mix of teal and gold metallics to take your nails straight into AW/11 with ease.
TREND REPORT: MAKEUP FOR SS12 // NEW YORK
From New York to London to Milan to Paris... September was a huge month for fashion with many past-trends emerging from history, straight into the hands of the make-up experts backstage, at the world's biggest shows. Summer is bigger and brighter than ever next season and the trend translation's are here for you to adorn and embrace... way ahead of the rest.
NEW YORK SS12 MAKEUP TREND REPORT
Renowned for it's chic-cool esthetique and forever classic style, the make-up seen on the catwalks at NYFW this season, payed homage to the city's famed un-done but polished personality. It's all about low-maintanance beauty, with high-glamour results, achieved with minimal effort, typical of the trendy New Yorker girl. Think sophisticated nudes in ambers, peaches and warm yellows & earthy browns, blues, greys and beyond to create a luxe look tailored with a New Yorker resiliance.
MICRO TREND: 60's liner & lip's á la Sophia Loren but with a modern edge which takes the iconic look straight into 2012. Think winged liner, but not just on the lash line, joined into the crease of the eye too for extra-drama.
NEW YORK SS12 MAKEUP TREND REPORT
Renowned for it's chic-cool esthetique and forever classic style, the make-up seen on the catwalks at NYFW this season, payed homage to the city's famed un-done but polished personality. It's all about low-maintanance beauty, with high-glamour results, achieved with minimal effort, typical of the trendy New Yorker girl. Think sophisticated nudes in ambers, peaches and warm yellows & earthy browns, blues, greys and beyond to create a luxe look tailored with a New Yorker resiliance.
MICRO TREND: 60's liner & lip's á la Sophia Loren but with a modern edge which takes the iconic look straight into 2012. Think winged liner, but not just on the lash line, joined into the crease of the eye too for extra-drama.
Apricot coloured cheeks, naked eyes avec mascara, natural pink stained lips
Marc by Marc Jacobs S/S 2012
Buttery yellow eyes, contoured cheeks, straight heavily filled in brows and a neutral lip-balmed lip
Derek Lam S/S 2012
Glossy bronze polished skin, highlighted eyes, full straight heavy brows, cheeks defined with earthy red tone blush, lip balm on lip.
DKNY S/S 2012
Polished skin, earthy toned muted brown on eyes... slightly disheveled, expertly round arched brows, contoured cheeks with peach-toned blush on top and nude lips
Thakoon S/S 2012
Innocently poised skin with freckles applied using brown liner pencils, pink blush in a circle on apples of cheeks, winged out 60's liner and full lashes, heavily filled straight brows, nude pink lip
Jeremy Scott S/S 2012
Amazingly arched brows, modern 60's style liner and pale neutral shade on the eye to play on the classic make-up look, lightly flushed cheeks and pale pink lip
The Blonds S/S 2012
Perfectly matte skin, groomed but un-done brows, highlight on inner of eyes, naked cheeks, vibrant red toned orange on lips
Jason Wu S/S 2012
Stay tuned for the next TREND REPORT which will see the best of the best make-up trends from the LONDON S/S 2012 shows.
TIP OF THE DAY: SMOKEY EYE
For a really quick smokey eye in minutes, use a soft kohl pencil like Rimmel soft kohl kajal pencil and draw it all over the lid up to the crease (doesn't have to be neatly drawn). Then, take a blending brush like the MAC #226 and buff & blend the colour all over the eye. Finally line the eye on the lower lashes and further blend with the MAC #219 pencil brush for a true smokey eye in minutes, with minimal effort.
XTRA TIP: To keep the look really modern and fresh for this seasons boy-meets-tough-girl make-up trend, finish the skin with something light like a tinted moisturiser from Becca (or just conceal in area's needed to even out skin tone) and cover the lips lightly with Clinique Chubby Stick in #2 Whole lotta honey.
XTRA TIP: To keep the look really modern and fresh for this seasons boy-meets-tough-girl make-up trend, finish the skin with something light like a tinted moisturiser from Becca (or just conceal in area's needed to even out skin tone) and cover the lips lightly with Clinique Chubby Stick in #2 Whole lotta honey.
TIP OF THE DAY: A/W 11 CONTOUR
With the trend for winter being dewy, polished skin which looks fresh and glowy, contouring whilst in keeping with the new-season-skin may prove to be slightly difficult. However, have no fear as it's simpler than you imagined. Instead of contouring with your usual powder, contour with a cream foundation such as Mineralize Satin Finish compact cream foundation from MAC in approximately 3/4 shades darker than your skin (in the opposite tone). You will get the perfect contour that's more than trend-friendly.
LOVES AND LOATHES: BOURJOIS DÉLICE DE SOLEIL
As someone who is not the biggest fan of ever having to powder my skin (no really, I hate it... it always sits on top of my skin and just looks powdery, with every one I try), when I find a product like this I have to tell the world because it's beyond amazing. Firstly, shade 12 for fair/medium skin just happens to be the perfect shade for my skin as a foundation, not as a bronzer (My colour is MAC NC50/ Illamasqua Skin Base in shade 15/ Estee Lauder Double Wear Light in Intensity 5.0).
Even though this is intended as a bronzing spray and a similar product to the Bourjois Chocolate bronzing powder, I have used it alone as a foundation and on top of my makeup to set it and it's been perfect. You don't need to powder it and it makes skin feel amazingly dewy even though eventually it dries matte, which I love. My only negative? The sickly sweet smell, it smell identical to the chocolate bronzer just even sweeter being as it's an aerosol. But to be honest, I love this product so much the smell is more than bearable as it provides amazingly long-lasting wear and the best finish I've seen from any bronzer/foundation spray. This is officially my product of the month.
Even though this is intended as a bronzing spray and a similar product to the Bourjois Chocolate bronzing powder, I have used it alone as a foundation and on top of my makeup to set it and it's been perfect. You don't need to powder it and it makes skin feel amazingly dewy even though eventually it dries matte, which I love. My only negative? The sickly sweet smell, it smell identical to the chocolate bronzer just even sweeter being as it's an aerosol. But to be honest, I love this product so much the smell is more than bearable as it provides amazingly long-lasting wear and the best finish I've seen from any bronzer/foundation spray. This is officially my product of the month.
TIP OF THE DAY
The deeper the tone of the lipstick, the whiter the colour of the teeth. For example, a bright pillar box red or a fucshia toned pink will make teeth look like they belong in a colgate advert. Pastelle colours and colours with a noticable blue undertone (a lot of pastelle pink's have this), can make teeth look a lot more yellow than what they naturally are. Go bright, stay white.
TIP OF THE DAY
For the perfect airbrushed foundation and flawless application of your makeup, whatever it's coverage, buff it into the skin with a brush such as the MAC #130 or the Sigma Flat top kabuki brush. Skin will look photo-ready every single time.
TIP OF THE DAY
Draw a lip liner all over your lips before applying your lipstick, in a corresponding shade. It gives your lipstick a truer intensity of colour, defines the shape of your lips and helps it to stay on all day.
REVIEW THE NEW: ILLAMASQUA SKIN BASE
Anyone who knows about the make-up trends of this coming season will know that glossy skin is most definitely in. It's a sure winner if you want to catapult your makeup straight into AW/11 with minimal effort and not to mention it makes skin look healthier than a matte finish ever could.
ILLAMASQUA DESCRIBES:
Inspired by the cult Asian market Beauty Balm creams, Skin Base Foundation is a brand new, refined formula unlike anything on the UK market. Easily blendable, it effortlessly creates a perfect complexion, and like the entire Illamasqua foundation range, is undetectable in a professional HD environment. Suitable for all skin types, it smoothes, softens and conditions your skin whilst providing natural, buildable coverage.
MY VERDICT:
Illamasqua, the most inventive and innovative makeup brand on planet cool right now, have encorporated everything I love about this season and put it into a foundation that from the second I heard of it's launch, I knew I would love. Skin Base foundation is all about embracing your skin, enhancing it rather than transforming it and giving it the glow it's always longed for, with a product it will always need. It's sheer brilliance. The coverage levels on this foundation I would describe as medium to full which I love, not a mask, but just enough to even out my skin tone perfectly. I would describe the texture as being extremely similar to MAC Studio Sculpt just slightly smoother and less mask-like. It also has a nice smell and feels like the skin is naked, completely naked. The gel-liquid-like texture is beautiful and the finish it leaves on the skin is not matte, not demi-matte and not a glow. It's designed to mimic how skin should look on it's best day, so no artificial finish, just a skin finish with a pinch of a glow to make you look like you have a halo on your head. No word of a lie.
Now, I have clearly fallen in love with this foundation as many of you have also done (and also will, if you are yet to try it), but as an impartial reviewer I have to outline it's strength's along with any weaknesses, as minor as they may be. So, my only warning would be, for those with an oilier/combination skin such as myself, you will need to wear a primer which deliver's the skin with enough oil control to wear this foundation successfully, as it last's brilliantly, but during my testing.. when worn with no primer, a lot of oil was produced on my t-zone. This is to be expected due to the foundations texture and finish, so using a primer such as MAC Face Protect SPF50 will do wonder's for your skin when wearing this product. It's also rather pricey weighing in at £25.00 for just 30ml which is rather steep in my humble opinion, but then having worn the product, I will happily pay that again just to experience the effects it gives. Truly amazing.
❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ = 5 LOVE's out of 5.
Purchase Skin Base in exclusive stores nationwide or online at www.illamasqua.com
ILLAMASQUA DESCRIBES:
Inspired by the cult Asian market Beauty Balm creams, Skin Base Foundation is a brand new, refined formula unlike anything on the UK market. Easily blendable, it effortlessly creates a perfect complexion, and like the entire Illamasqua foundation range, is undetectable in a professional HD environment. Suitable for all skin types, it smoothes, softens and conditions your skin whilst providing natural, buildable coverage.
MY SKIN:
Type: Oily T-zone, Dryness in other areas = Combination
Colour: Dark, Light tone
Shade: MAC NC50
Undertone: Yellow
MY VERDICT:
Illamasqua, the most inventive and innovative makeup brand on planet cool right now, have encorporated everything I love about this season and put it into a foundation that from the second I heard of it's launch, I knew I would love. Skin Base foundation is all about embracing your skin, enhancing it rather than transforming it and giving it the glow it's always longed for, with a product it will always need. It's sheer brilliance. The coverage levels on this foundation I would describe as medium to full which I love, not a mask, but just enough to even out my skin tone perfectly. I would describe the texture as being extremely similar to MAC Studio Sculpt just slightly smoother and less mask-like. It also has a nice smell and feels like the skin is naked, completely naked. The gel-liquid-like texture is beautiful and the finish it leaves on the skin is not matte, not demi-matte and not a glow. It's designed to mimic how skin should look on it's best day, so no artificial finish, just a skin finish with a pinch of a glow to make you look like you have a halo on your head. No word of a lie.
Now, I have clearly fallen in love with this foundation as many of you have also done (and also will, if you are yet to try it), but as an impartial reviewer I have to outline it's strength's along with any weaknesses, as minor as they may be. So, my only warning would be, for those with an oilier/combination skin such as myself, you will need to wear a primer which deliver's the skin with enough oil control to wear this foundation successfully, as it last's brilliantly, but during my testing.. when worn with no primer, a lot of oil was produced on my t-zone. This is to be expected due to the foundations texture and finish, so using a primer such as MAC Face Protect SPF50 will do wonder's for your skin when wearing this product. It's also rather pricey weighing in at £25.00 for just 30ml which is rather steep in my humble opinion, but then having worn the product, I will happily pay that again just to experience the effects it gives. Truly amazing.
❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ = 5 LOVE's out of 5.
Purchase Skin Base in exclusive stores nationwide or online at www.illamasqua.com
TIP OF THE DAY: WEEKEND BEAUTY TRICKS
Seeing as I missed out the tip of the day yesterday, I'm delivering a weekend special Tip Of The Day which will be a double dose of special tip's to help you create the perfect look.
Skin is a real focus for me in every look I ever create whether on myself or on clients as it can make or break a look entirely. Even if the skin is left naked and just cleverly concealed it can mean the difference between effortless beauty and just looking like you didn't give a damn, to be honest. My first TOTD for the weekend is a product which I know all of you would love, but not many of you have invested in yet and that's a Gel Bronzer.
Whatever your skin type, skin colour and skin tone a Gel Bronzer can transform your look in seconds giving you rich colour and even application in seconds with no fuss, no hassle and most importantly NO streaks. Just use a bronzing gel such as Bobbi Brown All Over Bronzing Gel in Golden Sun (my favourite of them all but the Laura Mercier Bronzing Gel is an equally amazing alternative) and take a pea sized amount to apply all over the face in circular motions using the fingertips. In seconds you can be amazingly bronzed. For dry/normal/combination skin tones mix the bronzing gel you have purchased with your tinted moisturiser for extra coverage and amazing skin with minimal effort. PORCELAIN SKINS: If the bronzing gel you have purchased is far too dark for your skin, have no fear, just mix a pea sized amount with your favourite facial moisturiser for a sheerer wash of colour.
TOTD number two is to use MAC face and body all over the arm's and legs in a shade one darker than your skin, 30 minute's before you get dressed for a flawless, airbrushed body. For an even more glamorous look mix a liquid highlighter with your face and body, such as Lustre Drops from MAC in Sun Rush for that 'J-Lo glow'.
Skin is a real focus for me in every look I ever create whether on myself or on clients as it can make or break a look entirely. Even if the skin is left naked and just cleverly concealed it can mean the difference between effortless beauty and just looking like you didn't give a damn, to be honest. My first TOTD for the weekend is a product which I know all of you would love, but not many of you have invested in yet and that's a Gel Bronzer.
Whatever your skin type, skin colour and skin tone a Gel Bronzer can transform your look in seconds giving you rich colour and even application in seconds with no fuss, no hassle and most importantly NO streaks. Just use a bronzing gel such as Bobbi Brown All Over Bronzing Gel in Golden Sun (my favourite of them all but the Laura Mercier Bronzing Gel is an equally amazing alternative) and take a pea sized amount to apply all over the face in circular motions using the fingertips. In seconds you can be amazingly bronzed. For dry/normal/combination skin tones mix the bronzing gel you have purchased with your tinted moisturiser for extra coverage and amazing skin with minimal effort. PORCELAIN SKINS: If the bronzing gel you have purchased is far too dark for your skin, have no fear, just mix a pea sized amount with your favourite facial moisturiser for a sheerer wash of colour.
TOTD number two is to use MAC face and body all over the arm's and legs in a shade one darker than your skin, 30 minute's before you get dressed for a flawless, airbrushed body. For an even more glamorous look mix a liquid highlighter with your face and body, such as Lustre Drops from MAC in Sun Rush for that 'J-Lo glow'.
HERE'S NEWS: ALEXANDER WANG FOR SALLY HANSEN!
Rumours have been in heavy circulation about numerous collaborations in this forthcoming season between major fashion and beauty houses and now confirmation has arisen that the fashion designer on everyone's lips (and hips and arms and well ... everywhere) Alexander Wang, is collaborating with legendary nail house Sally Hansen. I can't even contain excitement, I'm just hoping the collection isn't too large or choosing a colour may prove extremely problematic.
TIP OF THE DAY!
SKIN
If you have a yellow undertone to your skin, wear a concealer with a neutral or warm undertone to make the skin tone appear neutral as opposed to highlighting the yellowness. Skin looks fresh and healthy in pictures as opposed to sallow, which can often be the case with a more yellow undertoned skin.
If you have a yellow undertone to your skin, wear a concealer with a neutral or warm undertone to make the skin tone appear neutral as opposed to highlighting the yellowness. Skin looks fresh and healthy in pictures as opposed to sallow, which can often be the case with a more yellow undertoned skin.
LOVES AND LOATHES: ESTEE LAUDER ''DOUBLE WEAR LIGHT''
Having heard a great deal already about this foundation from makeup artist friends and Youtuber's alike... I thought it would be rude of me to not give it a try. Estée Lauder foundations are good, but not necessarily my favourite of them all, however, they are known to mostly do exactly as they advertise, so I wanted to know if this one led up to it's brands reputation.
ESTÉE LAUDER DESCRIBES:
15 hour wear, light as air - long-wear makeup is now lightweight makeup.
BENEFITS
ESTÉE LAUDER DESCRIBES:
15 hour wear, light as air - long-wear makeup is now lightweight makeup.
BENEFITS
- Fresh, natural, comfortable.
- Controls oil.
- Resists smudging and won't "melt" off through heat and humidity.
MY SKIN:
Type: Oily T-zone, Dryness other areas = Combination
Colour: Dark, Light tone
Shade: NC50
Undertone: Yellow
MY VERDICT:
Yes, yes and yes. Everything ticked off the box because it genuinely does as it says on the "tin" as it were. No fuss application, oil control, longevity throughout the day and night and doesn't move an inch from your face. I really do like this foundation and as someone with an oilier skin type it works for me brilliantly. Those of you with a drier skin type than mine can still wear this foundation but you will need to heavily moisturise your skin first (with something like Oilatum Daily Moisturiser) and a dewy primer like the one from Clarins.
All I would say about this foundations is, it's not really that exciting being as it reminds me of the hundreds of other foundations that leave me with an almost demi-matte finish and medium coverage (MAC Select Foundation, MAC Pro Longwear Foundation, NARS Sheer Matte Foundation... etc). I just wish a makeup brand will bring out a foundation which controls oil but has a dewy finish (one can only dream)....
❤ ❤ ❤ = 3 LOVE's out of 5.
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE PONY.
ILLAMASQUA SUMMER SALE - £5, £10 & 25% OFF HAUL!
ILLAMASQUA are having the summer sale of the year in the makeup world and practically giving away their most coveted items to us for stupidly cheap prices. My. Kind. Of. Sale. Amazing items, at amazing prices, from one of my favourite brands ever. All haul ILLAMASQUA!
THE 'BLEACH LONDON' EFFECT
It's no secret to anyone with an eye for key trends and an eye firmly placed on the cool elite of London (the Shoreditch girls and Dalston diva's alike), that Bleach London is the Sergeant in charge of the biggest hair-wake-up-call in the past decade. Pay attention. They've revived a hair movement that has been scattered through various decades in the past and delivered it firmly into the 21st century, the "bleach". The 80's embraced it fully and other era's shared it's presence too, but it's millennium revival sees celebrity's and cool kids walk hand in hand as a part of the Bleach London army. The undone, never-overly-groomed look achieved at Bleach salons (located in Topshop London and Dalston, conveniently in conjunction with Wah Nails) is the stuff of genius. The buzz has cascaded from Dalston to land's beyond, but it must be noted that we aren't to forget where this movement started first... her majesty's kingdom that is, of course.
HERE'S NEWS: LANCOME FALL 2011 - 29 ST.HONORE
Luxurious silky red lips teamed with the enviably decadent smokey eye of the 1940's era... Lancome's fall collection encaptures everything wonderful from the femme fatale era, for us to get a glimpse into life as a glamourous film scarlet. Magnifique. Trés Magnifique.
COLLECTION
Blush Multilumiere - Maison Lancome
Color Design 5 Pan Shadow & Liner Palette - Gris Fatale, Golden Frenzy
Le French Touch Absolu - Rough St.Honore
L'Absolu Rouge Lipcolor - Hold Up Red, Rough Canaille
La Laque Fever Lipgloss - Bang Bang Red, Cranberry Kiss
Mini Le Vernis - Bang Bang Red, Noir 29
GARETH PUGH FOR M.A.C.
Gareth Pugh for M.A.C. Cosmetics. Gareth Pugh for M.A.C. Cosmetics .... Oh, did you hear? Gareth Pugh is designing a beauty range in collaboration with M.A.C. Cosmetics.
EPICALLITY At it's best.
LL
GIOGO - I Got In, So You All Have To.
It's very rare that I am in awe of any type of Vlog nowadays, being as there are millions and to be honest, most of them border on being flacid and terribly unoriginal... until now. Get ready to be stung by the GIOGO bug (GIOGO= Get In Or Get Out) as these fabulous female specimen by the names of Julianne Waters & Tiana Brown are definitely (without a shadow of doubt), a MAJOR get in. A concept that see's the two lovely ladies decipher everything from colour blocking do's & dont's, to christian louboutin manicures, this is your one-stop go-to-shop for all things fabulous and a warning off of all things faux chic. They never put a manicured foot wrong believe me, if they say it's in, it's sure as hell is.... They are IT guys and dolls and if you didn't know, well damn now you know.
GIOGO The Nail Show from GIOGO Girls on Vimeo.
LL
GIOGO The Nail Show from GIOGO Girls on Vimeo.
LL
THE TREND REPORT: WHAT'S DONE IS DONE
Precision is key for this trend as it emulates a certain perfection element that many seek to achieve and very few succeed. It's all about decadence accompanied by a calculated formation of colours, hues, shapes, shades and tones, all rolled into a ball of colour versus understated tone. It's a kaleidescope of glamour and your here to bear witness to the sculpted revolution.
JIL SANDER - A/W 2011
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD A/W- 2011
JEAN PIERRE BRAGANZA - A/W 2011
ALTUZARRA - A/W 2011
HENRY HOLLAND - A/W 2011
GUCCI - A/W 2011
LOVES & LOATHES: SUPERDRUG ASSORTMENT
So I spent about three hours in Superdrug the other day spending an obscene amount of money on some drugstore make-up for my kit (and staining the back of my hand in the process) and I am so glad I did, because I found a mass amount of amazing products. As someone who works for a luxury make-up brand (I am a Mac makeup artist), it's rare for me to remain optimistic with the hope of finding some drugstore make-up which actually does what it says, for the price that you want. Very rare. But I guess this was one of those rare days, as I discovered a miragé of gems which I am incredibly inclined to share with you all. Let's get glam then, shall we.
COLLECTION 2000 - CREAM PUFF - MOISTURISING LIP CREAM
Amazing. If amazing could ever be put in a bottle this would definitely be it. I loved it when I tried it on my hand but feared it would be too creamy to give a withstanding amount of colour, but I am pleased to say I was definitely wrong. When applied it is incredibly moisturising and even though it dries to a matte finish, it still leaves lips feeling soft and smooth. The colour assortment is beautiful also, my favourite is 03 Fairy Cake (coral pink shade). I would definitely recommend this for someone looking for a nice depth of colour (medium, easily buildable coverage) which will last up to around 6 hours (I had mine on before the gym and it didn't move an inch) and will work similar to a lipstain. Would probably last even longer if worn with a primer underneath such as MAC Prep+Prime Lip.
COLLECTION 2000 - CREAM PUFF - MOISTURISING LIP CREAM
Amazing. If amazing could ever be put in a bottle this would definitely be it. I loved it when I tried it on my hand but feared it would be too creamy to give a withstanding amount of colour, but I am pleased to say I was definitely wrong. When applied it is incredibly moisturising and even though it dries to a matte finish, it still leaves lips feeling soft and smooth. The colour assortment is beautiful also, my favourite is 03 Fairy Cake (coral pink shade). I would definitely recommend this for someone looking for a nice depth of colour (medium, easily buildable coverage) which will last up to around 6 hours (I had mine on before the gym and it didn't move an inch) and will work similar to a lipstain. Would probably last even longer if worn with a primer underneath such as MAC Prep+Prime Lip.
COLLECTION 2000 - MOSAIC GLOW
My all time favourite highlighter for olive toned, mixed race and black skins. It's a beautiful powder highlighter which is ingrained with shades of dusty pink, golden coral and deep bronze. I have used this product religiously for over a year now and I cannot get enough of it on myself and my clients. Can be worn over foundation or just on bare skin to really lift the colour in the face. Trés Magnifique.
SLEEK MAKE-UP WONDERLAST COLOUR + GLOSS
Sleek make-up never fail to surprise me when it comes to the wonders of creating products which do as they say at incredibly friendly prices. This product is divine. From the shades it comes in (8 in total, my favourite is Berry Blush, an almost exact dupe of Mac Beet lip pencil), to the velvety suede texture it's a winner. The gloss isn't nessecarily my favourite thing in the world (very sticky and just a bit "blaaa" to be honest) but the colour end does wonders. However, my only warning for this product will be ENSURE YOU MOISTURISE YOU LIPS THOROGHLY FIRST. It is incredibly matte to a point that almost makes it feel like paint, so if you don't moisturise your lips it will feel very uncomfortable. Otherwise, use it and love it.
RIMMEL- SEXY CURVES MASCARA - INTENSE BLACK
If like so many of us women (i'd say plus 99%), you are forever on the quest for longer, fuller, intensely black volumising lashes, you can stop the search right here. This mascara truly delivers it all to your lashes in the form of an innovative wand which effectively manages to coat every lash hair in a highly pigment black carbon formula which will leave your lashes looking perfectly false. A serious contender in my top 3 mascara's list.
❤
RE-DESIGN - RE-DEFINITION
I've been gone for a minute. But i'm back. Back and ready to blog again about beauty, makeup, hair and nails. I may even start doing tutorials soon also due to many requests. Also, the blog name and design have changed so hope your loving that too.
Stay tuned
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Stay tuned
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THE BEST FOUNDATIONS FOR BLACK SKIN
Well we all know this post is LONG overdue and for that I apologise, but it's not a post I take lightly because this has definitely become a serious issue now. I am seeing too many of my fellow black girls (and even grown women would you believe) on my travels with what can only be described as, tragic for the naked eye to see, type of foundation on their skin.
Now I know, and don't presume to think I am naive to this fact, that it's incredibly difficult for us black girls to find suitable foundations in the right textures and shades (hold tight all you racist cosmetics companies out their, im coming for you) for our skin without coming out of any sort of beauty shop wanting to just SLAP say to the lady behind the counter "Thanks, but no thanks" because all she could say to us (being as she wasn't black) was, "Go to fashion fair". Trust me I know the pain, having worked on a make-up counter myself as the only black girl in my entire store and having hoards of black women thrown my way in the hopes that I (because all black people are the same, like twins, and we can look at each other with the knowledge of exactly what the other wants, *kisses my teeth and rolls eyes*) will know the answer to the question that every other non-black woman in my store feared, "What is the best foundation for black skin". A riddle is all this can be described as, even if I was a girl called Hermione who just happened to go to a school called Hogwarts where I just happened to be a witch with a wand, unless I was a professional make-up artist this question would be a myth to me. Luckily for you though, I am a professional make-up artist. Professional, trained and ready to provide you with the education that you need to discover the key to this pandora's box that us black women have been carrying around for years. So... carry on reading, stay alert and be in a position to be open minded for this to truly work for you.
APPLICATION TOOLS:
- Hands - if your applying the foundation on your own skin then your hands are an acceptable application tool. They don't soak up the foundation therefore it's not wasted & they allow you to get into every corner of your face. If your a make-up artist NEVER apply foundation with your hands on a client, ever.
- Sponge - Unless your using The Beauty Blender please do not use a sponge to apply your foundation (unless its wet) because sponges soak up liquid and you will end up using alot more than you bargained for because the sponge is designed to suck up any moisture. When the sponge is wet this doesn't happen as much because it has already clung onto the water and will soak up less foundation and apply more on your face. The Beauty Blender is a revolutionary type of sponge which is used by Pro make-up artists to apply foundation, it is amazing and highly recommended by me. (Purchase at www.beautyblender.co.uk)
- Foundation Brush - probably the one i'd recommend out of them all but only if it's a good one. Foundation brushes allow you to apply foundation onto the skin with ease and are especially good if you wan't that flawless skin look. Being a brush it also doesn't soak up unnessecary foundation which is a good thing. Mac, Laura Mercier & Giorgio Armani do the best ones.
MOISTURISER & PRIMER:
Now a lot of the problems you have with your foundation are the fact you don't prepare your skin properly... this isn't a joke, its like putting new paint on cracked walls, the colour will look shiny but the cracks will always appear. The same goes for your face, if you have bad skin, dry skin, oily skin, breakouts and even normal skin, you need to start by taking care of it by using the correct Moisturiser. Now whatever moisturise you use make sure you use it according to the instructions and you use it everyday (even you people who are like me and have oily skin, because moisturising actually helps reduce the oil on your skin, as when you don't moisturise your skin feels dry and produces more oil to compensate for that).
Primer, which is applied after the moisturiser, is used to do exactly that, prime the skin. A primer is an equivalent to PVA glue when you were in primary school doing arts and crafts, if you didn't put PVA Glue on whatever you were trying to stick, it would stick for long would it? The same applies with primer, it helps the foundation to adhere to the skin and can also (depending on the specific primer you get) help to minimise pores or oilyness on skin.
More depth will be gone into with moisturiser and primer on another post coming soon...
SKIN UNDERTONES:
It may not appear like it on the surface but every single person has different undertones on their skin and this is very important when choosing a shade of foundation. The undertones are classified by whether your warm or cool toned on your skin and most of the time if your warm toned your skin will have more orange (and warm colours like reds, pinks etc) and if your cool toned you will have more yellow skin (and cool colours like blue, green in the undertones of your skin). Now if you are a civilian you don't need to know too much about this except warm or cool however if your a make-up artist or looking to be one, then you will need to know.
More depth will be gone into with skin undertones on another post coming soon...
FOUNDATIONS FOR CARAMEL TONED BLACK SKIN:
Beyoncé Knowles, Singer/Actress/Mogul.
Common Light Black Skin Tone Problems: Foundation either too pinky & light or too orange & dark.
For OILY SKIN:
Affordable
Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse - Caramel £7.69 (Purchase at www.boots.com or www.superdrug.com)
Luxury
Chanel Matte Lumiére Foundation - 60 HI £29.62 (Purchase at www.debenhams.com)
For COMBINATION SKIN:
Affordable
Maybelline New York Pure Mineral Foundation - Caramel £8.19 (Purchase at www.boots.com)
Luxury
Mac Cosmetics Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation - NC30 - NC55 (Purchase at www.maccosmetics.com)
For DRY SKIN:
Affordable
Revlon Colour Stay Foundation For Normal/Dry Skin- Toast (Purchase at www.boots.com)
Luxury
Mac Cosmetics Mineralize Satinfinish SPF 15 Foundation - NC30 - NC55 (Purchase at www.maccosmetics.com)
FOUNDATIONS FOR MILK CHOCOLATE TONED BLACK SKIN:
Kerry Washington, Actress.
Common Medium Black Skin Tone Problems: Foundations either too ashy & light or too orange & dark.
For OILY SKIN:
Affordable
Revlon Colour Stay Foundation For Oily Skin in Mahogany - £12.49 (Purchase at www.boots.com)
Luxury
Nars Cosmetics Sheer Matte Foundation in New Guinea, Benaires or Trinidad - £29.50 (Purchase at www.narscosmetics.co.uk)
For COMBINATION SKIN:
Affordable
Revlon Custom Creations Foundation SPF 15 in Dark - £13.99 (Purchase at www.boots.com)
Luxury
Illamasqua Cream Foundation in CF 320 or CF 325 - £21.50 (Purchase at www.illamasqua.com)
For DRY SKIN:
Affordable
Maybelline Dreamy Creamy Foundation in Sand or Cocoa - £8.19 (Purchase at www.boots.com)
Luxury
Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in NW40 to NW48 - £19.50 (Purchase at www.maccosmetics.co.uk)
FOUNDATIONS FOR RICH DARK CHOCOLATE TONED SKIN:
Tomiko Fraser, Actress.
Common Deep Ebony Skin Problems: foundations too ashy or too light.
For OILY SKIN:
Affordable
Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse in Cocoa - £7.69 (Purchase at www.boots.com)
Luxury
Nars Cosmetics Powder Foundation in Benares - £31 (Purchase at www.narscosmetics.co.uk)
For COMBINATION SKIN:
Affordable
Make-up For Ever Full Coverage Foundation in Ebony - £19.97 (Purchase at www.makeup-provisions.com)
Luxury
Nars Cosmetics Sheer Glow Foundation in Khartoum or Tortuga - £29.50 (Purchase at www.narscosmetics.co.uk)
For DRY SKIN:
Affordable
Illamasqua Light Liquid Foundation in LF 325 or LF 335 - £21.50 (Purchase at www.illamasqua.co.uk)
Luxury
Make-up For Ever Face & Body Fluid Foundation in Ebony - £25.84 (Purchase at www.makeup-provisions.com)
TIPS FOR BLACK FOUNDATION USERS:
Invest in Benefit Cosmetics Tanning gel Talk to the tan. This isn't a joke, I know it sounds like it because why as a black girl would you wan't to use fake tan? But I assure you, its not like that so let me explain. Talk To The Tan is a tanning gel which washes off instanstly and is perfect (and I mean perfect) for every skin type (its truly amazing). You know how when you wake up in the morning, your in a rush and you don't have any intention of wearing make-up then BLAM you look in the mirror and your horrified by your ghost-like complexion (yes even us black women can look washed out too) well Talk To The Tan is your bestfriend right now. It acts exactly like a tinted moisturiser and wakes up your skin instantly leaving no lines or marks.
Most importantly, and we have all done this once of twice, when your in a rush or you don't want to speak to that stupid pushy girl behind the counter in a beauty store and you just pick up a foundation, test it on your hand (never do this, your hand is nowhere near the same colour as your face, always use your the chin, side of jaw, forehead or neck to check the colour) and think, yep im going to buy it and you do. We all know what happens next, you get home and BLAM it's nowhere near the same colour as your face (told you) this is where Talk To The Tan is going to hold you down once again. Mix talk to the tan with your foundation if it's too light and instantly (depending on how much you put of course) it will be the same colour as your skin.
Perfecto!
(Purchase in store on benefit counters as sale online seems to have discontinued but it is still available in stores)
I hope this post has been helpful to all my fellow beautiful black women & girls. Its something I have wanted to comply for a long time and has taken me a while to put together but it was worth it because now you have a suitable reference. Keep your eyes open for the 'MOISTURISING & PRIMER', 'SKIN UNDERTONES' and other beauty reviews and posts.
LL ❤
TATTOO INSPIRATION: GIRLS ALL INKED UP
So my tattoo obsession continues. I only have 2 tattoos currently myself, but I long for more ink on my skin pretty much, Every.Single.Day. Some people find tattoos distasteful especially on women, but for me, it's art and an expression in the most personal form. Its like stripping naked in a street full of people and bearing your hearts desires as loud as you can, but never revealing your soul. Tattoos give us the opportunity to express ourselves to people before we even open our mouths to speak whilst still never having to really explain the reason behind why we picked the tattoo that we did and what it really means to us. The valley of the unknown. So while there are a million tattoos out there I am not inclined to get myself (mainly a sleeve, I envy women with the courage to get a sleeve, I just dont think I could do it) I adore every tattoo I see, from the weird to the wonderful as they remind me of something we should all remember everyday. In life, everyone is different and everyone is equal.
LL ❤
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