Some Summer Faves

Hello!

I am writing this as the sun is streaming through my door as I patiently wait to go to set (I seem to spend half of my life doing this at the moment) and was inspired to write a nice summery post!

I have had a few purchases recently, which are all fantastic for summer and I have been really impressed with them all.

Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder in 02

I borrowed this from a friend a few weeks back, and after one use I totally fell in love and had to run out and get my own. Even though this powder is Matte it has a stunning radiance, which gives you a super healthy glow without any shimmer or glitter which can sometimes be too much in the sun, especially if you use other shimmery products. I use it as a bronzer, on any areas where the sun would naturally hit and a little dusting all over to give a gorgeous warm colour.

James Reed Sleep Mask Tan

This stuff is a life changer. It is a light weight gel which you put on at night after your usual evening skincare routine. You only need a little bit, it sinks in straight away (which is great as you can hop straight into bed and squish yourself up on the pillow without worrying) and then in the morning you wake up with a gorgeous subtle glow. It makes the world of difference on me as I have very fair skin and makes me look healthy and alive! I have heard people complain that on darker skin it is sometimes too subtle, but if you are after a totally natural look, which is also great for your skin, this is the product for you. 

Rimmel Sun Shimmer Instant Tan BB Skin Perfector in Light Matte

After hearing good reviews about this stuff from Vivianna does Makeup I thought I would give it a little try. I had one of the original formulations of these a few years ago and thought it looked awful as it seemed to sink into every little pore on my body, leaving little orange dots everywhere, and it also had a lovely habit of clinging to any dry skin…basically a total nightmare. Saying that, this new formulation seems to work really well. I had last minute plans the other day and was looking abit pasty so I wacked some of this on my arms with a tanning mit and the results were actually really impressive. A lovely natural, NOT orange colour, which went on really nicely and lasted well without transferring. It also did a nice job of 'perfecting' my skin, helping to blur over any marks and evening out my skin tone whilst making my skin feel lovely and soft. I washed my hands later in the day and some water dribbled down and left a white line all down my arm, which was totally my fault, but just watch out for that and sudden rainstorms as it’s definitely not waterproof at all.

(I know it looks scary here, but it's really not! Can also see the Bronzer swatch beside it.)

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, and I’m not going to bang on about this because we all know it and if you haven’t smelled it – it is basically summer in a bottle.

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess

Turns you into a Bronze Goddess (not literally, just mentally)

And there we have it. My little summer bits and bobs. Get on out there and enjoy the sun while it lasts….

American Film Set - Makeup Artist Approved Products

Very recently I have been working on a really high profile American film which is VERY exciting but unfortunately I was unable to get any actual pictures as it was all “top secret”... BUT I thought I would tell you about some of the products I saw them use and other little gems I spotted in their makeup kits. Once the film is out I'll hopefully be able to tell you a little more about the role I played and what it was like but until then……..

Dermalogica

This is the skincare brand that ALWAYS crops up on jobs. Whilst working on Wild At Heart I had a nightmare time with my skin, probably due to all the dust, tons of makeup and a couple of hormones thrown in for good measure. The makeup team got me started with a Dermalogica routine, which I used religiously for years, and this job was no different. At the end of the day my makeup was always taken off with a good old cleanse with the Dermalogica Essential Cleansing Solution (£27.70) wiped off with a hot flannel, they then spritzed on some Multi Active Toner (£27) (which was also used on a cotton bud to clean up any fallout from eyeshadow or to tidy up eyeliner) and then they used the Skin Smoothing Cream Moisturiser. (£47.20) They also dabbed on a little Special Clearing Booster (£40.40) as and when it was needed. I have always enjoyed using the range and still to this day use the Daily Microfoliant (£41.30)(which was recommended on Wild At Heart) and I couldn’t live without it!!

Chanel Perfection Lumiere - £36

This is what the makeup artist used on me. I hadn’t used this foundation before but it went on beautifully and really did make me look flawless. Pretty good coverage all whilst looking very natural as it merged into the skin nicely.  The only problem with this foundation was that it was abit of an oil slick by lunch but nothing a good bit of powder couldn't sort out. 

Laura Mercier Undercover Pot - £29

Spotted this is a few makeup bags…conceals under the eyes, covers blemishes and has a cheeky little powder as well. Heard lots of good things about this product in other beauty blogs so knew it was a good'n. What's great about this product is that it can travel to set with you in a smaller bag and you have 3 products in 1 rather than carrying them round individually. All in a handy little pot!

Elizabeth Arden 8 hour Cream - £26

Tons of the stuff on every set I have ever been on. An absolute staple, for EVERYTHING. Not only does it help chapped lips but it leaves a lovely sheen on the lips which is put on before takes to make sure your lips are looking tip top and glossy. 

Trish McEvoy Essential Pencil - £20

I hadn't used this product before so was interested to see it in the makeup bag. It was used all over the lip on others and myself but could also be used as a base for lipstick or just a liner. Colours were so pretty and as it was a pencil it had some serious staying power! 

Mac Fluidline Liquid Gel Liner - £15

We all know this one….used with a little brush, brilliant staying power and gives a really black line. 

Those were just a few of the products I saw being used or that were being used on myself over the last couple of weeks – Officially Makeup Artist approved! 

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Light

As an oily skin sufferer I am always on the hunt for a fantastic primer. I did my research for this one for a long time. In the past I have tried the benefit porefessional as well as the Laura Mercier hydrating Primer (which I basically got bullied into buying and in hindsight was just totally wrong for my needs!) but was disappointed with both in terms of actually keeping my makeup on longer.

I eventually decided on the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer in the Light version which is oil free and designed for oily, acne prone skin. It claims to smooth fine lines, reduce the appearance of pores, help soak up oil and also increase the longevity of your foundation. Sounds perfect?

And I have to say it really, nearly is. Realistically nothing seems to keep my shine at bay for a full 12 hours (even a few hours) and inevitably I’ll still be reaching for my powder. BUT it definitely keeps my makeup on for longer. Much longer. I notice my foundation and blusher are still on my skin, looking pretty good towards the end of the day, which is just simply unheard of in my life. It does a good job of “blurring” out imperfections and makes makeup glide on effortlessly. It feels lovely to put on, very silky and makes your skin feel so smooth.

The one downside to this product is the price, which is pretty steep at £25 for a relatively small bottle, but a little goes a long way. I use a tiny amount for my whole face plus I only use it on days when it’s especially hot, I know its going to be a long day or I’m going out in the evening and at the end of the day I don’t mind paying for products that actually work – which this does.

Considering everything I can see myself repurchasing this product time and time again but still feel like I’m on the eternal search for a primer that actually combats and properly controls oil production? Any recommendations?

Topshop Gloss Ink - Sloe Gin

During what has been a horrible, miserable couple of months I have been on the lookout for some little pick me ups and one has come in the form of the Topshop gloss ink in Sloe Gin. This stuff is literally amazing. It’s a glossy stain which goes on like a lipgloss without the ultra stickiness, lasts like a stain but has the colour pay off of a lipstick. I have worn this on a few nights out and have been amazed by how well it has lasted! (It actually lasts too well, and seems to stick to any dry patches on my lips for days and needs vigorous scrubbing to remove!!)

The colour is incredible; when thickly applied it’s almost a deep plumy cerise colour but once rubbed in or faded a little it almost goes a neon dark pink. It also has gorgeous little sparkles in it, which are relatively subtle (less obvious on your lips than in the packaging) but just make you lips looks really glossy and 3 dimensional. The smell is the only off-putting thing about this product. It's a strange chemical/sweet caramel smell which is weirdly addictive yet horrible. It's not bad enough to ruin the product for me but it is definitely an odd one! I’m not always a fan of topshop lip product formulas – especially the lipsticks as I find them really drying, but this is an absolute winner and I will definitely be adding to my gloss ink collection.

After saying about the terrible weather it seems to have FINALLY picked up and I decided to take my pictures out in the garden today. The sun is actually shining for once. I think spring is finally springing…..

January Beauty Saviours

Happy New Year!

I had such a lovely Christmas, but drank way too much, ate way too much, slept with my makeup on way too much and generally abused my body in all sorts of ways. So come January my body is crying out for some loving so today I’m going to talk about some of my skin, hair and body savers that I have been loving this month!

HAIR

First up is Hair, which has been neglected and styled to within an inch of its thin life all December, so I desperately wanted to try and revive it and have been using these products.

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer

Available Here

As you can see I have this humongous 1000 ml bottle as it was on offer on QVC a while back and I just love it. It helps repair and protect your hair from over styling and damage and restores elasticity (hence the name!) back into your hair. It’s a pre shampoo treatment and I find the longer you leave it on the better, even overnight and the results are super smooth hydrated hair! There are so many rave reviews about this product out there already so I’ll keep it short and sweet. Go try it!

Loreal Ever Riche Nourishing & Flowing Shampoo and Conditioner

I tried these the other day after reading so much good stuff about the range and I was not disappointed. Considering these are drugstore products I think they are fantastic. The first thing I noticed was the lovely smell, which is creamy and coconutty, almost vanillery…(think I’m making up a lot of words here) and I just loved it. The results are just as good as the smell – baby soft, smooth, hydrated hair without feeling weighed down. I actually end up having to put lots more product in my hair to gunk it all up after using it to get it into my usual messy updo as it’s just so soft – but that is no bad thing when your dry, damaged hair is crying out for attention!

FACE

For my face I wanted to use really hydrating, rich products that also wouldn’t make me into a grease ball or break me out and I have been loving one particular product this month for that.

REN Rose O12 Moisture Defence Oil

Available Here

I am an oil convert! As I have very oily skin I’ve always steered well clear of oils, even though I’ve heard so many people bang on about oil being the best thing for oily skin. But….it actually seems to be the case?! You apply this under your moisturiser and it works like a serum to lock in moisture and give you radiance. My skin has never felt so soft and hydrated and once the oil has sunk in there is no left over oily residue or any evidence it was ever there, apart from amazingly glowly (note – NOT greasy) skin. Makeup has been going on like a dream, my skin feels and looks beautiful and it hasn’t broken me out. At. All. Which I found quite astonishing as I was convinced it would. My skin is actually better then it has ever been. REN is also a fantastic brand as you know there are no hidden nasties in there and everything is 100% natural. I bought this product for my mum for Christmas and have been stealing it ever since, so I think it’s time I went out and brought myself my own one.

Last but not least

BODY

Sanctuary Spa Body Brush

My skin has been looking so dull and dry since Christmas. I am a big one for hiding my legs away all winter and so thought I should try and get into some good body habits before summer rolls around and I have to bare them in their pale, grey glory. So I’ve been dry body brushing before my bath or shower with this little guy. It’s meant to boost circulation, improve lymphatic drainage and buff away all those dead skin cells. Since doing it regularly my skin has definitely been looking brighter and feeling smoother. I think it’s one of those things which you need to get into the habit of doing and try and keep it up, as there are so many benefits. It only takes a few minutes before you jump in the shower so there really is no excuse and I have really noticed the difference. Not quite summer ready, but getting there!

Happy January