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Thursday, 28 November 2013

Prada Spring/Summer 2014 - the eyebrows were bleached for an alien-like effect

Prada Makeup Spring/Summer 2014

“At Prada for Spring/Summer 2014, skin was left completely bare apart from a dab of concealer wherever the models needed it. The focus was on the eyes, where the makeup artists used the Temptu Airbrush to spray-paint bright and unusual coloured eyeshadows haphazardly onto the lids – and the eyebrows were bleached for an alien-like effect”.
via Jule magazine.

See the Prada Spring/Summer 2014 runway show here. Makeup by the inimitable Pat McGrath. Hair Colourist - Josh Wood. Reflecting beauty trends to come - DC


Wednesday, 13 November 2013

L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Collection Privee - The Nudes Collection


L'Oreal Paris Collection Privee
Julianne Nude in Barely Peach


In time for Spring/Summer 2014 trends in beauty, the new L’Oreal Paris Collection Privee from the L’Oreal Color Riche range comes in six limited edition nude shades to suit every skin tone. The six lipsticks are linked to the names of famous women with different complexions and hair colour. This new line of natural, muted colours is represented by spokespersons Doutzen Kroes, model; actress Eva Longoria, actress Julianne Moore, celebrity Cheryl Cole, actress Freida Pinto and Ethiopian model Liya Kebede. The L’Oreal website shows you how to choose the nude lipstick to suit your own colouring. The Collection Privee colour I tested was the Julianne Nude in Barely Peach to suit my own pale winter skin and red hair. Barely Peach enhances a very fair complexion. It is a natural, softening, rich nude pink. All of the L’Oreal Nudes are neutral colours and provide a pearl, sheer finish. The matte black and gold casing adds a deluxe quality to this very fine lipstick. Available to buy now online or at Boots, Superdrug and good beauty retail outlets RRP £8.19. And, copper tones around the eyes and a moisturized, clear complexion will reflect the new nude colours when Spring arrives. One look to suit the weather!

Thursday, 7 November 2013

Revlon Colorstay 16 Hour Eye Shadow

Revlon Colorstay 16 Hour Eye Shadow
in 550 Enchanted

Available in seventeen different colour combinations, I tested the Revlon Colorstay 16 Hour Eye Shadow in 550 Enchanted (pictured). This quad/four-part powder eye shadow includes a shell pink to highlight the brow and provide a base, a dark brown shade for the eye lids, a latte for accent and a contouring grey black, all providing a sleek, well pigmented finish. Including an applicator, there are numbered how-to instructions on the reverse of this compact indicating the correct place for each colour around the eye. Apply all four colours for a dramatic, contoured effect, or use each colour individually or combine just two. Apply sparingly to blend well. The ‘16 hours’ in Revlon Colorstay 16 Hour Eye Shadow refers to the promise of all day luxurious colour that doesn’t crease, fade or smudge. I certainly found it relatively waterproof, lending long enough life and a clean look. A fantastic combination and choice of  palette colours. A professional product developed for Revlon by Gucci Westman, their Global Artistic Director. Now available from beauty retail outlets including Boots and Superdrug or buy online. £8.99. Opthalmologist tested. Non-irritating. How to create a complete makeup look!


Monday, 28 October 2013

Steamcream!

Lila
Fragaria
Fragaria is the Latin for strawberry

Essential oils bound with a shot of steam, lending the name Steamcream, now one of my favourite moisturisers of all time, especially considering the price, £12.95 for a very generous 75ml. Not a complicated technology, binding the ingredients with the steam, keeping costs down, in creating a light cream emulsion bursting with natural hydration for the skin. Steamcream is instantly absorbed. Absorption is the mark of an excellent cream, one that works. Steamcream contains Oatmeal Infusion, Lavender Essential Oil, Orange Flower Water, Chamomile Blue Essential Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Orange Blossom Absolute, Cocoa Butter, Rose Absolute, Organic Jojoba Oil, Neroli Oil and necessary technical ingredients for emulsifying, making the cream. Skin brightening, moisturizing, anti-aging, antibacterial and antiseptic, Steamcream treats acne. Orange Flower Water balances sebum production so this cream is ideal for overly oily skin. There’s skin conditioning Vitamin A and Vitamin E in Sweet Almond Oil. The Cocoa Butter smoothes wrinkles and treats stretch marks. Rose Absolute is particularly effective in preserving more mature skins and Neroli Oil is also.

Invited to take the Steamcream challenge (see #SCchallenge on @STEAMCREAM), I tested Steamcream first as a gentle exfoliating face mask made with Steamcream mixed with dry oats, as in porridge oats, crushed with the back of a spoon or a rolling pin. Apply the cream and oats mixture to a damp face for five minutes and remove with warm water. The whole oats naturally remove dead skin cells to reveal a very clear complexion. I found my skin refreshed, cleansed, clear and noticeably brighter. 

The second part of the Steamcream challenge (see #SCchallenge on @STEAMCREAM) was to use Steamcream as an invigorating brown sugar body scrub made by mixing the two. To make the body scrub, start with a small amount of unrefined brown sugar and add it to Steamcream to your preferred consistency, thickening gradually. The consistency is sticky and oily. The scent is amazing! A little of the Steamcream goes a long way and the oils carry and lubricate the body-scrubbing sugar. I found my skin was exfoliated and softened by the effects of this homemade body scrub, the fantastic oils and the sugar exfoliating dead skin cells naturally. One tip – do not rub too vigorously, especially if your skin is delicate or sensitive to redness.

One other suggestion? Mix together one part Steamcream to two parts foundation cream on the back of your hand to create light, natural-looking cream with coverage and a beautiful dewy finish. Steamcream is such an applicable, inexpensive product, one you can really use. 

This multi-tasking cream for face, body and hands is completely amazing for its skincare effects. Reviews of the product reveal it as a fantastic treatment for eczema when everything else has failed. Steamcream also gently treats psoriasis. It is lavender-scented for relaxation, so it's a suitable night cream as well. Eco-friendly limited edition artistic tins you twist to shut and seal, keeping the cream in premium condition. Each individual tin design is collectable and something you will want for yourself or as a gift to give away. A remarkable nourishing moisturiser. £12.95 for 75ml. Available from Selfridges, John Lewis stores in the UK and ASOS.com. A vegan product, made from sustainable sources. Not tested on animals. Hand-made in the UK and Japan from traceable ingredients. An amazing beauty product which is also recommended by celebrities Millie Mackintosh (Made in Chelsea) and Kimberly Walsh (Girls Aloud) and key backstage makeup artists including Jemma Kidd. Suitable for all skin types including sensitive. Your skin will glow, positively glow. Buy also here Steamcream. 


Thursday, 17 October 2013

Cream-ify!

Makeup by Val Garland


Cream-ify: Turn any powder eye shadows or powder blushers to cream by mixing them with a small amount of Vaseline. Use this blend also as a tinted lip balm to smooth onto lips during the winter. £2.30 for 250ml from most good beauty stockists or shop online. Cream-ify.


Friday, 11 October 2013

Revlon Nail Enamel in Pink Nude 900

Revlon Nail Enamel
Pink Nude 900 £4.99

Described as chip resistant colour that stays true with ShadeLock Technology™, Revlon Nail Enamel
did show fantastic stayability. Pink Nude 900, the colour I tested is a milky, pale pink delivering a 
natural, manicured effect. When worn with Revlon Base and Top Coat, this particular nail varnish lasts 
up to ten days. I found it looked like it could have lasted even longer, with or without the base and top 
coat. Stayability is credited to Revlon’s exclusive silk-protein shield which evens out the surface of the
nail, smoothes away bubbles, streaks and brush marks for an ultra-smooth application. The 
experts at Revlon recommend that you first apply your favourite Revlon base coat. Then apply two 
coats of Revlon Nail Enamel and let dry. Then apply your favourite Revlon Top Coat. The colour I 
tested Pink Nude 900 is a delightful, neutral pink. Revlon Nail Enamel, an ambitious product, is 
available in an additional amazing 64 shades. £4.49 14.7ml. Available from beauty stockists 
nationwide including Boots, or online. 


Monday, 30 September 2013

Topshop Lips in Brighton Rock - a vivid fuchsia pink!

 Topshop Lips in Brighton Rock


Shade Name: Brighton Rock
RRP: £8.00 GBP
Colour: Pinks
Undertone: Blue
Finish: Matte
Opacity: Opaque

See this my Guest Review on the excellent Lipcote site and on Lipcote Facebook also - 

Pink lips were big during the Spring/Summer 2014 runway shows held in September,
matching the look of next season's designerwear. Where designer goes, the high street follows with brands like Topshop, the fashion and beauty leaders. A Topshop lip colour that was available to buy previously, Topshop Lips in Brighton Rock reflects Spring/Summer's pink beauty trends perfectly. A vivid fuchsia pink, this lipstick gives an intensely pigmented soft matte finish, a texture suited to daytime or the night. This lipstick at first can be quite drying so condition and nourish your lips with a lip salve before applying. We noticed stayability is not one of this lipstick's greatest strengths, which is why we love Lipcote. Extend the life of this colour with Lipcote and for a more professional, smooth look, apply lipstick with a lipstick brush although this is not strictly necessary. Lipstick is becoming more and more a feature of dressing up, going out, and making a statement that is glamorous. Topshop's impressive array of matte colours in the Lips range certainly suits a mood that is current. Also, the blue undertone in Brighton Rock lends a coveted tooth whitening effect. The zebra stripe lipstick casing in cream is sturdy, made in Italy, suggesting the quality we expect. Topshop Lips in Brighton Rock doesn’t disappoint. It’s another success, a favourite from the Topshop Makeup beauty line! Available from Topshop stores nationwide £8.00.


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