Browsing Tag

makeup

Beauty

How to do a smoky eye

1st January, 2015

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If there’s one universally loved makeup look it’s the smoky eye. It’s a great way to glam up an evening look and it suits almost everyone. I always do a bronzed smoky eye when I go out and it’s really easy to achieve at home. Here’s how to do it:

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1. Apply a light brown eye shadow (I use MAC eye shadow in Romp) to the whole eyelid.

whole-lid

2. Work a darker eye shadow (I use MAC eye shadow in Mulch) into the crease of the eyelid.

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3. Line your eyelashes with a dark eye shadow using a smaller makeup brush at the top and bottom. (I work it into a winged shape as it makes the eyes look bigger.) You can go as deep or as light as you want with this step depending on how smoky you want them. Then line eyelids with a black eyeliner (I use MAC or Lancome) on the top and on the lower lid. Apply luminiser on the brow bone and on the inner corner of the eye for a bit of shine.

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4. Use a brow powder (I use Amy Jean) to fill in your eyebrows. Use a gel to set the eyebrows (I use MAC gel).

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The finished product!

Top tip: I really like a bronzed smoky eye as I think it looks more natural than a black smoky eye but you can always go to your local makeup counter to find the colours that suit you.

I use a blonde brow powder because it looks more natural but go with the colour that blends with your brows the most.

 

What other makeup tutorials would you like to see on the blog?

Beauty

How to do dewy skin makeup

15th December, 2014

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I’m all about great skin when it comes to makeup. If your base isn’t right your makeup is never going to look great. I love a dewy finish as it’s fresh and natural, and it’s really easy to achieve. Here’s a step-by-step guide on getting the look yourself:

 

  1. To start, cleanse and moisturise your skin then apply a primer (I use Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Pre-Foundation Skin Primer).
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Invest in a good foundation brush for better coverage

2. Next, apply your foundation. I like two kinds of foundation – Armani Luminous Silk or Chanel Vitalumiere (if you have oily skin I’d go for Armani). Applying foundation is all about using a great foundation brush. Take the time to blend to get an all over, even coverage. To get a dewy finish mix a luminiser (I use MAC Strobe Cream) with your foundation.

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Contour your face using a bronzing powder

3. Contour with a bronzer (I use MAC bronzing powder) on your temples, cheekbones and neck.

highlighter

I use YSL Touche Eclat to highlight key areas of my face

4. To highlight, add more luminiser (for this I use YSL Touche Eclat) on your cheekbones, brow bone, the bridge of your nose and the bow of your lip.

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Use a cream blush to add a rosy glow

5. Use a cream blush (I use MAC Cremeblend blush) on your cheeks to finish off the look and to avoid shine, apply a pressed powder (I use MAC sheer pressed powder) to your t-zone.

My top skin tips:

  • Your foundation may change throughout the year so in winter months it’s always going to be lighter but in summer if you’re a bit more tanned you can go for a more darker shade. It’s got to be spot on!
  • Great makeup application is all about having the right tools. Make sure to get the best quality brushes you can.

 

Beauty

How to do a bold lip

3rd December, 2014

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When I do a bold lip I really pare it back and just make it about really good skin and minimal eye makeup with a great lip colour that pops. Here’s how I achieve the look at home:

  1. Prep the skin by firstly moisturising then using a primer (I use a Napoleon primer), then applying foundation (l use Armani Luminous Silk Foundation mixed with Mac Strobe cream luminiser to give my skin a dewy finish).
  2. Give eyes some slight definition by applying some eyeshadow in the crease.
  3. Add some bronzer to highlight cheekbones and contour.
  4. Apply luminiser on cheekbones, browbone and the cupid’s bow at the top of the lip to make lips look fuller.
  5. Apply some lip balm (I use a paw paw ointment) to moisturise the lips before applying lipstick (at the moment my go-to lipstick is Chanel Rouge Allure – Velvet 307 L’Impatiente). If you prefer more shine add lip gloss or paw paw ointment on top.

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My top lip tips:

  • For a great bold lip you need to have lips that are quite plump and hydrated. I naturally have quite dry lips so I try to drink lots of water water.
  • To get rid of dead skin, exfoliate lips by rubbing a dry toothbrush over your lips.
  • I always try to keep the original shape of my lipstick bullet as I find it’s easier to outline my lips.

 

Here are some other bold colours I am loving this season:

 

CLINIQUE Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm 03

Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Stick Plum Jam 

Laura Geller Color Impact Long Wear Matte Lipstick Trio

MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Rouge 11 Dark Raspberry

Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color Raisin Berry

Beauty

Beauty profile: Natalie Imbruglia

26th November, 2014

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Sitting down to chat beauty with Natalie Imbruglia is like swapping beauty tips with a really good girlfriend – you’ll walk away wanting to try everything she recommends! Not only did Natalie reveal her top beauty tips during our recent chat, she also let us sneak a peek inside her Chanel bag to find out what beauty products she actually carries around with her…

Her top beauty tips…

  1. “Drink lots of water”.
  2. “This is a tough one sometimes but make sure to cleanse your face at night and always take off your makeup. I know that sounds really obvious but so many people don’t do it.”
  3. “You don’t necessarily have to wear a foundation these days. With tinted moisturiser you’re getting a really good SPF and a lighter coverage.”
  4. “Remember that less is more.”

Her fave product from her new anti-ageing skincare line, Iluka…

“The Pearl Illuminator. It’s actually got crushed pearls in it. Some people like it under their makeup as a primer which you definitely can do, but if you don’t like being that luminous you can just put it on your cheekbones. And crushed pearls are great for problem skin which I have. Everything in my range is really good if you get acne and things like that because I have to be really careful with what I use.”

Her makeup faves…

“I’ve got a really nice Chanel Rouge Coco lipstick. It’s the colour of your lip but a bit enhanced. And Laura Mercier peach rouge which has got the consistency of a thick lipstick. It looks like the makeup is coming from under your skin and not just sitting on top. I also use an Iluka lip conditioning treatment.”

Beauty

Witchery Beauty

14th November, 2014

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Witchery has just launched their first beauty line and it’s every bit as wearable and on trend as their fashion line. It’s got every facet of your beauty wardrobe covered from bright gel polishes (how amazing is the colour above?) to lip glosses in all manner of berry shades and a liquid eyeliner that’s sure to come in handy with many a cat eye look to come. And the best bit? It’s not outrageously priced so you can stock up! Here are just some of my favourites from the range.

 

Beauty

Beauty profile: Jess Hart

12th November, 2014

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Jess Hart’s new cosmetics line Luma is all about natural beauty – something Jess is certainly the epitome of. Seeing her new baby on the shelves is something Jess has waited two years to see. “I’ve dreamt about it so many times I don’t think it’s quite kicked in that it’s no longer a dream,” she says.

Jess recently sat down with me to chat about the best makeup tips she’s picked up as a model, her summer essentials and the biggest beauty sin she’s ever committed!

 

Starting her own makeup line…

As a model I have spent a lot of time in a makeup chair over the years so I’ve grown to learn a lot about what works for me and what doesn’t. My beauty philosophy is very much less is more so I wanted to create a makeup line that enhances a woman’s natural beauty. It’s taken over two years to get it exactly where I want it but I’m so happy with the result.

What sets Luma apart…

Luma is all natural. It’s taken me a long time to get everything right but it was worth it and all the work has paid off delivering a premium product that is affordable. There is not one product in the range that has not had my touch and 100 per cent approval.

My fave part of the Luma creative process…

My favourite has been the learning curve. I’m learning so much about the product development process from ingredients to formulas and packaging. The most challenging part has been getting it to exactly where I want it and up to my standards while still keeping it as natural as possible and at an affordable price point.

The best makeup tip I’ve ever received…

Work out what works for your complexion, your eye colour and your colourings such as if you have more pink in your skin tone or yellow. If you have brown eyes go for purple tones such as aubergine or lavender as it will bring out the brown. If you have yellow undertones in your skin go for peachy blushes instead of reds or roses. If you have blue eyes go for copper tones on your eyelids – I use my bronzer as an eyeshadow or fawn/ taupe colours work well too.

One beauty ritual I can’t skip…

Brushing my teeth? :-) I’m generally pretty relaxed with my routine but always make sure I moisturise and wear an SPF during the day.

My worst beauty sin…

Wearing a lip, cheek and strong eye all at once. Always pick one to feature and go super natural on the other two.

One beauty look that was definitely a mistake…

Neon blue eyeliner – but who knows, one day that might be cool! You have to make the mistake to know that it’s a mistake though so experiment until you know what works for you.

 

One of Jess' beauty essentials

One of Jess’ beauty essentials

 

What are your must-have beauty products for summer? LUMA Tinted moisturiser SPF15, LUMA Illuminating Highlighter and Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturiser.

Natural beauty is…

Beautiful skin that’s not too covered. I don’t like to see faces hidden with a cake of makeup. Enhance what you have – highlight your cheeks, amp up your natural lip colour and a little mascara. That’s naturally beautiful.