TUESDAY TIP: De-Clutter your Make-up Bag!

Spring is well and truly here now so it is as good as time as any to spring clean your make-up bag.

Firstly check the expiry dates on all products (this should be done regularly) and throw out items you have had for too long, ladies you know who you are!! Any makeup that smells, has changed colour or texture or that generally looks dirty throw it!  Every cosmetic has a small open pot logo on the back with a number written inside it, this is the number of months or years it can be used after opening.

Throw out any item you have had for years and never use and any make-up that you have had for over two years should definitely go!
Wipe clean your makeup bag regularly with warm soapy water both inside and out.  Products can be easily and quickly cleaned with a dettol/antibacterial wipe or a similar spray and kitchen towel.

Here is a general guide to how long you should keep makeup:
Mascara - 3-6 months
Eyeliner 3 months-2 years
Powder eyeshadow, blusher, bronzer, powder - 18 months to 2.5 years
Foundation 6 months-2 years
Concealer 6 months-2 years
Lipstick - 2 years





Below are the essentials you should include in your make-up bag for a day and/or evening look.

My Top Ten Make-up Bag Essential items!
Base
Concealer
Primer/eye primer
Eyeliner
Eyeshadow
Brow colour
Mascara
Blusher
Bronzer
Clear brow gel

Inside my current makeup bag!
Charlotte Tilbury Unisex Healthy Glow - I am also finishing up the last of La Mer reparative skin tint spf 30 (now discontinued)
MAC studio finish concealer
Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise creme shadow in shade Jean (used as a primer)
Charlotte Tilbury Barbarella Brown Eyeliner pencil
Nars Isolde Duo eyeshadow plus a Smashbox mixed palette.
MAC Brow duo powder
Charlotte Tilbury Legendary lashes Mascara
Bobbi Brown Pot rouge in Calypso Coral
Chanel Soleil Tan Creme Bronze Universal and NARS Laguna bronzing powder
Maybelline Brow Drama transparent



Keep your makeup brushes and tools such as sponges, pencil sharpener and eyelash curlers separately to your make-up bag. Likewise keep your powder compact and lip colour separately in your handbag to keep with you for touch ups during the day.  In my handbag I keep my trusty MAC Blot powder in shade Medium dark, Tom Ford lip colour in Twist of Fate and a Charlotte Tilbury lip liner in Pillow talk.

It is important to review your makeup regularly, as your face changes colour, texture and general condition with the changing seasons, age, hormones and environment so your makeup should be adjusted accordingly.

www.nikimakeup.co.uk

Friday Fave! Omorovicza Gold Flash Firming Serum

If you are looking to indulge in luxurious skincare then this is surely it!

I have been using the Omorovicza Gold Flash Firming Serum for a couple of months now and I really love the feel of the product and the fact my skin instantly looks and feels healthy and radiant.  I must say I do think the clarity of my skin has improved overall as well.

It is not cheap at £140.00 available at Space NK https://www.spacenk.com/uk/en_GB/home-uk. This is certainly a luxury purchase but I have always chosen to spend more on skincare and I believe this is worth the price tag.

This serum will reduce the signs of ageing by hydrating, smoothing and firming the skin.  It also heals and repairs micro damaged and uneven skin. The complexion instantly appears brighter and healthier.

The serum contains Collodial gold which has inflammatory properties.

An oil free formula suitable for all skin types including sensitive.


*If you are not familiar with face serums this should be used in conjunction with your moisturiser. Apply this first as it will penetrate the skin deeper to deliver the active ingredients then apply your moisturiser on top.

Friday Fave! Mac Face & Body Foundation

This has been my go to foundation of choice this summer for most of my clients as it is a sheer and natural coverage, long wearing so need for primer, and it is super comfortable to wear in the hot weather.

It is always a favourite in many a Makeup artist's kit, certainly an oldie but definitely a goodie!!!

It is a buildable light to medium coverage, just perfect if you like a natural look and do not like the feel of foundation.  It achieves a beautiful skin finish and as the name mentions it is great to wear on the body as well, excellent for covering thread veins and pale uneven skin tone anywhere on the body.

Possibly my favourite foundation ever if not its definitely right up there!

£24.50 50ml
£30.00 120ml
Available in 13 shades.
https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13847/32553/products/makeup/face/foundation/mac-studio-face-and-body-foundation-50-ml#/shade/N1

Friday Fave! MAC Shape & Shade Brow Tint.

MAC Shape & Shade Brow Tint is my new favourite go-to product!

I have been using shade 'Fling' for about a month now and I absolutely love it!  I find it really easy to use and it creates natural long lasting defined brows effortlessly.

Dual-ended application.  Although I must admit I mostly just use the felt tip end and feel this is enough for me on its own.  One end consists of coloured powder on a small sponge applicator which you can apply to brows to fill in colour and set,  just using the felt tip end to draw on strokes of hair.  The pen is great if you have sparse brows, it mimics natural hair beautifully.

In my opinion it is the best brow product I have come across in a long time!

The results are also waterproof and long-wearing.

Available in seven shades.

£19.50 www.maccosmetics.co.uk

Friday Fave! Maria Nila Luminous Colour Shampoo & Conditioner.

The Maria Nila Stockholm Hair styling range is 100% Vegan and cruelty free and is sulphate and paraben free.

Manufactured in Sweden.

Certified by Peta, Leaping Bunny and The Vegan Society.

I have been using the Luminous Colour shampoo and Conditioner for a couple of weeks now and I absolutely love it!  I love the packaging and the smell of pomegranate is divine plus my hair feels and looks shiny, healthy and hydrated.

There are plenty of hair styling and other Shampoo and Conditioner options within the Maria Nila range so do check it out you won't be disappointed!

https://www.123hairandbeauty.co.uk/maria-nila-m543?gclid=Cj0KCQjw0PTXBRCGARIsAKNYfG0fyRjaaMgnSvqXJpInIghmFhQydKEyRTIgoy0UDJAsfeGgvrO7KhwaAgRGEALw_wcB

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=maria+nila&index=aps&tag=googhydr-21&ref=pd_sl_90vtcszneh_b&adgrpid=53415974876&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=259041566119&hvpos=1t1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2023318508047034372&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046017&hvtargid=kwd-327372814004

Luminous Shampoo 350ml £27.00
Luminous Conditioner 300ml £27.00

This weeks 'Friday Fave" is Charlotte Tilbury's new Hollywood FLAWLESS FILTER.

This product achieves a superstar youthful glow, it can be applied all over the face, mixed with foundation for heavier coverage or applied on top of foundation for a highlight.

It has the versatility of a primer, the gorgeous glow of a highlighter, and perfects skin like a digital filter. It helps smooth the skins appearance minimising fine lines and open pores, definitely achieving red-carpet worthy skin.

I like to wear it on its own for glowing coverage or sometimes I pat it onto the high points of the face i.e cheekbones and cupids bow for a beautiful highlight.  It has a definite thumbs up from me!

There are seven shades ranging from '1' to '7', I have been wearing shade '3', described as a neutral peach for light to medium skin.

30ml RRP £30.00

http://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/products/makeup/face/complexion-booster.html

"Friday Fave!"

Back with my "Friday Fave" finally!

This week's is MIO Liquid Yoga, I love this homeopathic space spray.

It can be sprayed in the house or office wherever you may need to create a calm zen.  Spritz onto pillows, yoga mats, car and pulse points.

I love spraying this around my home its smells divine and instantly calms, and a spritz on the pillow before bed aids sleep.

Contains Lavandin (slightly more intense than lavender) to relax, Cypress to strengthen resolve, Citrus Landaniferus to aid anxiety, Lavender to relax, lemon to help alertness, chamomile to lift energy and Mandarin to calm and revive.

A secret weapon for today's busy lifestyles!

Available at Space NK 150ml Bottle is £19.50

http://www.spacenk.com/uk/en_GB/fragrance/home-fragrance/spray-diffuser/liquid-yoga-space-spray-MUK200016388.html

My Top Christmas Beauty Buys!

1. Charlotte Tilbury Instant Eye Palette Ltd Edt £60.00



2. Charlotte Tilbury Magical Mini Brush set £45.00



3. Bobbi Brown Soft Smokey Shadow & Mascara palette £29.50



4. Bobbi Brown Party Glow Duo £28.00



5. MAC Snow Ball Eye compact £30.00



6. MAC Snow Ball Pigment & Glitter kit £25.00



7. Laura Mercier The Art of Exotic Colour Collection £39.00



8. Laura Mercier Master Class Colour Essentials Collection £90.00



9. Zoeva Brushes Rose Golden Luxury Set Vol. 2  £65.00



10. Zoeva Plaisir Box £48.00



11. Boots No.7 Nail Collection £12.50



12. Boots No.7 Ready for Radiance £20.00



13. La Mer The Creme de la Mer Collection Skincare Gift Set £215.00



14. Molton Brown Stocking Fillers Christmas Gift Collection £39.00



15. Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Makeup gift set £24.50



16. Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer £299.00



17. GHD Curve creative curl wand £120.00



18. Benefit I Pink I Love You Set. £27.50



19. Chanel Gabrielle Eau De Parfum Spray 50ml £79.00




20. Gift Vouchers for all Professional Makeup Services are available in £50, £80, £100.00 and £120.00 denominations.  Enquire or buy via nikimakeup@aol.com



Happy Christmas Shopping!

www.nikimakeup.co.uk

My Must Have Beauty Stocking Fillers all under £20!

1) Lucas Paw Paw ointment
Twin pack for £9.65 www.amazon.co.uk



2) Lulu Guinness Limited Edition Vaseline
£2.99 www.boots.com



3) Tangle Teezer The Original Candy Cane Hairbrush
£10.60 www.johnlewis.com



4) Bobbi Brown Long-wear Gel Eyeliner
£19.00 All Good Department stores



5) Bobbi Brown Limited Edition Mini mask trio
£10.00 All Good Department stores



6) Essie Crack 'a' Colour Christmas Gift Set
£20.00 www.boots.com



7) No.7 Illuminated Makeup Mirror
£19.99 www.boots.com



8) Clarins 'Beautiful Lip essentials' Christmas Gift Set
£20.00 All Good Department stores



9)  Bobbi Brown Crystal Lip Gloss
£16.00 All Good Department stores



10) Charlotte Tilbury 1st edition Canvas Makeup Bag
£15.00 www.selfridges.com



Happy Shopping!

My Top Ten Ultimate Beauty Christmas Gifts.

1) Charlotte Tilbury Instant look in a palette & legendary lashes gift set
£49.00 Exclusive to www.JohnLewis.com



2) Bobbi Brown travel Brush set
£89.00 All good department stores



3) Estee Lauder Advanced Night repair essentials Skincare gift set
£72.00 www.Johnlewis.com


4) Urban Decay Naked 2, 3 palettes
£38.50 All good department stores.




5) Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, Iron/Fuchsia
£299.99 www.Boots.com



6) Champneys Gel Effect Nail kit
£16.00 www.Boots.com



7) Real Techniques Limited Edition Highlight and Glow set
£19.99 www.boots.com



8) Zoeva Rose Golden Luxury Set Vol 2
£65.00 www.selfridges.com



9) Lancome hypnose Drama Christmas Gift set
£23.50 All good Department stores



10) Christmas-Light it up: 3 mini palettes: Eyes, contour, lips
£39.00 www.smashbox.co.uk




Happy Christmas shopping!

September Update!

Wedding season came to a grand finale at the end of this month finishing with four weddings in the last weekend of September alone!

Here are just some of my stunning September brides...













and not forgetting some gorgeous bridesmaids too...








All enquiries via www.nikimakeup.co.uk