Is a primer for you?

If you find you're make-up is gone by lunch time, a primer could be your new secret make-up weapon!

I recommend a primer if you need your make-up to last ultimately for an important day or event.  It will help your make-up to stay in place all day and is especially ideal in warmer climates.

Primer is best applied in a thin layer using a foundation style brush to blend evenly into the skin enabling foundation to glide on evenly and smoothly for a long lasting flawless finish. Use a pea sized amount, concentrating mostly on the t-zone area.

Primers can be great for minimising open pores and fine lines, reducing oil and brightening the appearance of the skin helping greatly to prepare your skin perfectly for make-up.

Choose your primer based on your skin and what you want to get out of a primer i.e. If you have dry skin choose a hydrating primer to brighten your skin.

My favourite primers I recommend are below: 

Dermalogica Age smart skin perfect primer (illuminates and brightens SPF 30)

Daniel Sandler Retexturising primer (smoothes pores and lines, SPF 20)

Laura Mercier Hydrating primer (soothes, conditions and hydrates)

June Update!

June has been a spectacular month! I spent the first couple of weeks working and holidaying in Marbella.
It was so nice to be in the sunshine and I absolutely love working there.  I did hair and make-up for Margot's huge bridal party of ten at the stunning Hacienda De San Rafael in Seville (http://www.haciendadesanrafael.com/).
I was working alongside the fabulous Reviva weddings team (http://www.reviva-weddings.com/) who styled and planned the entire wedding to perfection!  You can also see Reviva weddings fantastic blog about the dayhttp://theweddingdecorator.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/gorgeous-wedding-details-at-hacienda.html.

here
Lizzie Marriage (http://www.marriageweddingservices.com/) performed the ceremony, it was lovely to see her again as she did my own wedding ceremony in Spain unbelievably nearly a year ago now!  I look forward to seeing some professional shots of the day as the photographers were really creative and came all the way from Madrid. It was a challenging day which I always love, I was up at 5am, drove to Seville and worked most of the day as the bride had a hair change and make-up was refreshed for the evening so I finished and arrived home at 9.45pm. My mum assisted me which was a great help and it was so good to work together, I got to do the bossing around for a change!

I also did hair and make-up for gorgeous Emma Jane and her bridal party in Marbella working alongside the marvellous Reviva weddings team again and a fabulous photographer Pierre Richardson (http://www.pierrerichardsonphotography.com/).  You can see some of the professional shots below.
Inbetween weddings I did make time for some sunbathing and relaxation which was fabulous.

Back to England and a lot of paperwork after three weeks away...  I have spent a week just catching up!
I also made time to visit Alberge du lac at Brocket Hall for a lovely ladies day lunch with my mum as part of her birthday celebrations. Now its back to lots of shoots, weddings and lessons and looking forward to a hot and sunny July.

X

New Love.... St Tropez Gradual tan!

I recently purchased this to try as I wanted something that would really hydrate my skin and add a subtle tan without looking super tanned!

I LOVE this gradual tan, it contains aloe Vera and feels luxuriously cooling, hydrating and refreshing to apply.

I use it every other day or every few days as I found using it daily my tan appeared more unnatural.

I also have fairly sensitive skin and would recommend it as I find it soothes and calms.

If you are looking for a healthy summer glow I highly recommend it!

200ml lasts approximately one month using alternate days.

St Tropez Gradual tan medium/dark Retails at £14.30 currently on sale at Boots at £9.59.

Stila stay all day 10-in-1 HD bronzing beauty balm

Summer Lovin'!

I am loving this product by Stila for a gorgeous, bronzed glow.

Soothes skin, erases fine lines, hydrates and is lightweight to wear.

Easy application with fingers or a synthetic foundation style brush.  

I like to use it to contour the face applying only to the forehead, temples, tip of nose, under cheekbones and the chin.

SPF 30.

Oil and paraben free. Suitable for all skin types.

May Update!

May has seen wedding season in full swing with wedding make up's to do each week. I have been lucky enough to work at some stunning venues this month including Luton Hoo, The Inn at Woburn, Sopwell House, St Michaels Manor, The Dorset Square Hotel and Hanbury Manor. I am also looking forward to doing bridal make-up for my friend Angela's wedding at the end of this month at The Deer Park Country hotel in beautiful Devon.

This month I was part of a small make-up team working at The Fast & Furious premiere at The Empire theatre Leicester Square and Somerset House in London which was crazy busy but lots of fun! I was also lucky enough to fly to Barcelona for a video shoot on the beach, shame it was raining and we flew back the same day!

What with the bank holiday weekends as well this month we have enjoyed some lovely country walks with our doggies Middy and Lucas(see pictures below).

Another big change for me, last month I started using a face serum, this month I had a fringe cut!  The first time I have had a full fringe since I was about sixteen! I keep getting a shock when I look in the mirror but I do prefer it.

I am looking forward to hopefully a sunny, hot June xx

My Eye Make-up remover Favourites.

I have two favourite eye make-up removers that I always go back to.  I use them both in my professional kit for my clients as well as on myself.

Splurge: Lancome Bi-Facil.  

A non-oily, gentle eye make-up remover that even removes waterproof make-up with ease. Suitable for sensitive eyes.

RRP £21.00

Steal: Loreal Eye & Lip Make-up Remover Waterproof. 
This is my personal favourite that I use all the time, a fabulous formulation at such an affordable price. Gentle and non oily this removes even waterproof make-up with ease.  The best non-oily eye make up remover I have used. Suitable for sensitive eyes.  Nb.not to be confused with the gentle eye make-up remover Loreal do!)
RRP £4.99

***Worthy of a mention***

Dermalogica Soothing eye make-up remover

A gentle, soothing gel formulation that is both oil free and alcohol free, removes even stubborn make-up easily.

RRP £21.00

Fast & Furious 6 Premier

Last week I was one of the Hair & Make-up artists at The Fast & Furious 6 Premiere at The Empire Theatre Leicester Square. I was there to create an overall look for the dancers and promotional staff.  The dancers all had a black smokey eye with glitter on top and a nude lip, the staff had a much softer version of this with high ponytails so they all looked uniform.  Products we used on the eyes include MAC Carbon eyeshadow, MAC Engraved eyeliner pencil and MAC Reflects glitter. The after party was at the stunning Somerset House and it looked amazing! It was a long day 12pm-9pm of non stop back to back glamour! So cramped and stressful at points it was like backstage at Fashion week.
See some of my pictures from the event below.

Somerset House setting up for the after party!

Leicester Square Premiere, Dancers

Dancers eye make-up

Action station!

Leicester Square

Hair & Make-up team in action!