My Exfoliation tips for healthy, radiant skin.

Exfoliation in simple steps to achieve healthy, glowing skin...

Set aside time for yourself, it maybe at the weekend or simply when you are in the shower.

Invest or make a scrub to exfoliate your skin, apply the product using a sponge, glove or cloth.

Try to opt for a natural scrub containing ingredients such as salt, sugar, apricot and oatmeal rather than chemical ones that include acids.

Start at your feet and work up the body in gentle circular motions, pay particular attention to heels, knees and elbows. Be cautious on sensitive areas such as the neck and use a separate exfoliator for the face as these are designed to be gentler.

After exfoliating always moisturise with your favourite moisturiser to achieve glowing and hydrated skin.

Exfoliate once or twice a week, preferably in the morning as skin re news itself at night.  If old skin cells are not removed pores can easily clog which can cause breakouts.

Products I Love to use include Dermalogica daily microfoliant, this is a unique rice based enzyme powder with no colour or fragrance and Aveda smoothing body polish which contains aloe, lavender, walnut shells and herbal extracts.

Hippos have sensitive skin too!

Now I have your attention interestingly Hippos all over the world are actually very sensitive to sunburn so they secrete a slime(a natural sunscreen substance) that protects their skin against the suns rays. The secretion is both red and orange in colour eventually turning brown.

My wedding make up.

I recently got married in sunny Spain, I thought I would share with you the skincare and make up brands I chose to wear on my wedding day.

My skincare regime included moisturising my face with Creme de la mer oil free moisturising lotion, a light lotion that I have favoured for many years now. I used the Creme de la mer eye balm in conjunction with this after I was converted many years ago after it miraculously rid my Eczema.

Before applying make up I applied Clarins beauty flash balm to instantly achieve glowing skin and make my make up last throughout the heat and a lot of dancing!

My foundation of choice was MAC Face and Body in shade C2, this feels very light and natural to wear especially in a hot climate and ultimately lasts the duration. Concealer was MAC Studio finish in shades NC20 and NC30 mixed together, a concealer I have used myself and in my kit for many, many years!  Under my eyes I used a little YSl touche eclat, to finish I set my base using MAC Blot powder in shade medium dark.

For my eyebrows I used Bobbi Brown shadow in shade Blonde brushed softly through my brows to define the shape and clear brow gel from NO.7 to set.  To achieve soft, bronzed smokey eyes I used Urban Decay primer potion in shade Eden as a base to even the skin tone on my eyelid and to ensure my eye make up would last. I next applied Benefit cream shadow in shade Birthday suit on the lower lid blended towards the crease with an urban decay powder eye colour on top. This colour was from an urban decay palette I have actually had for a while and never used but loved the colour when seeking the perfect champagne shade, which I can tell you even for a make up artist was incredibly hard! I spent many hours at make up counters testing colours to find the colour I really wanted. In the eye socket I blended two Nars shades from the Isolde duo and Mulch from MAC.  To define around the lash line I used MAC shadow in Bark and blended with MAC cork shadow to soften.  I finished with MAC Nylon shadow to highlight my brow bone.
I used Bobbi Brown Black gel eye liner to define my eyes which I applied under the eyelid as well as on top, I also applied a Lancome Kohl pencil into the rim of my eye as it was an evening wedding I felt this was acceptable.  I finished with a few coats of Lancome Defincils waterproof black mascara and a few clusters of Ardell individual lashes to make my lashes a little longer and fluttery at the outer corner of my eyes.

I used Dior Bronze compact powder bronzer in shade Honey tan to give a enhanced glow to my skin as well as Daniel Sandler watercolour creme bronzer in shade Riviera to subtly contour my cheekbones and nose.  For blusher I opted for Benefit Cha Cha tint as I knew this would last and is a great feel good summer colour.  I used YSL limited edition golden touch highlighter for the face to highlight my cheekbones, cupid bow and inner corners of my eyes.

I used a MAC lip pencil in shade subculture to define my lip shape and filled in with a brand new lipstick Rouge d'Armani sheers by Georgio Armani in shade 302, a beautiful sheer red. I used a Clarins colour quench lip balm on top which was a mini free sample and did not have a name on the tube but was a beautiful subtle peach tone.

All brushes used were by MAC, Bobbi Brown and real Techniques.

Photograph supplied by David Toms
http://www.davidtoms-weddings.com/



















For bridal make up services in Souhern Spain please see www.marbellamakeup.com
and for services in the UK www.nikimakeup.co.uk

Laura Mercier tinted moisture creme compact

I was at the Laura Mercier counter in Liberty today to see the new Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser in a compact. I am impressed as it is quick and easy to use with the natural dewy finish of their best selling tinted moisturiser. A great choice for those that favour a compact or to touch up throughout the day. I am interested now to see how the other brands will follow this.

SPF20, 12 shades available.RRP £33.

Louise Gray for TOPSHOP

I have recently purchased three of the four new nail colours designed by Louise Grey, British-born designer who studied at Glasgow School of Art and Central Saint Martins. Colours include junkyard (glitter blue), hat trick (green glitter) and Dart (orange glitter). Altogether there is a twelve piece make up collection built around Louise's love of colour and texture. I love the bright and sparkly nail colours so if you get a chance pop in to your local TOPSHOP and take a look.

Autumn/winter make up trends 2012

Wow!It is that time of year again and I find myself looking forward to the autumn/winter make up trends. If you want to know what to wear and how to wear it then read on...

The most important word to remember is 'colour', it really is in abundance from statement red lips to bright peacock coloured eyes. For serious eye emphasis opt for bright shades of blues, emerald greens, pinks and purples. Also look out for shades of coloured mascara's as these are also back on the fashionista scene. For bold statement lips opt for berry tones, burgundy reds, even purples. Make cheeks more pronounced this autumn/winter with spots of colour; try a rose, pale pink or terracotta.

So now you know what colours to look for just how do you wear them?The trick is to make the trends adapt to you and your style. Make bright eye colours more wearable by smudging them just around the lash line rather than over the entire eyelid. This will achieve a subtle and ultimately more desirable sultry effect. If coloured eyeshadow is still a daunting prospect opt for a flick of eyeliner and coloured mascara with no eyeshadow at all.

If a statement lip seems more appealing than making up your eyes but that burgandy red you have just purchased still looks too daring create a softer stain of the lip colour by patting on with your finger tip or mix a little of the colour with a gloss to create your very own sheer glossy version.

If all of this still seems like too much effort you could change just one simple step in your make up routine like blusher. Try applying it in a new way by adding a spot of colour on the cheeks then blending well, maybe try choosing a new shade aswell. It really is amazing how by making just one small change can update your look and make you feel great.

Last week in pictures!

Last week I did make up and hair for a couple of film premieres in London. The first was Snow White and the huntsmen at the Royal courts of Justice on the strand. Between three of us we did make up for approximately 55 female waitresses who would be working at the after show party. The make up consisting of a red lip (MAC Russian red) and black kohl pencil (MAC Smoulder) smudged around the eyes. The hair was in a simple bun with a red rose to decorate.

I also did hair and make up for six dancers for the premier of Men in Black three at the Odeon, Leicester Square.
The girls wore sixties shift dresses so we did backcombed hair with high ponytails with a few different variations
The make up designed by my colleague Bethan consisted of a traditional sixties eye with false lashes and a nude pale lip (MAC Cherish).

This is a selection of pictures from the both events.