Friday, 24 May 2013

A Gorgeous Summery Step-by-Step Make-Up Look

As summer approaches (albeit very, very slowly) it's time to start thinking about getting a gorgeous, natural, summery make-up look. One that's perfect for an evening of sipping Pimms in your favourite sun dress. Excessively large sun hat optional.

Here's a beautiful, soft, sun-kissed look that I tried out on my dear friend Anna.
Before: Anna without make-up

Apply a few dabs of Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser SPF20, £33, for a healthy glowing complexion - it's a really light product which feels amazing on the skin, perfect for summer.

Apply NARS Cosmetics Multi-Use Stick in Puerto Vallerto, £30 (a sweet shimmering orange) to the apples of the cheeks. Enhance cheek bone definition by applying a light bronzer (such as Maybelline Dream Terra Sun in Light, £5.99) to the hollows of the cheeks and temples.

Build the eyes with a golden bronze shimmer, with darker tones on the outer edges of the eye. I used the Urban Decay Naked Palette, £36 (mainly Half Baked and Darkhorse) Then add a sweep of highlighting powder to the brow bone, such as MAC Cosmetics shadow in Nylon.

Add a line of Clinique's Brush On Cream Liner in Smoke Grey, £15, extending into a flick on the outer corner of the eye. Always do this with the eye open, so the flick follows the natural line. 

App a few sweeps of a mineral powder to the t-zone area for a super flawless complexion. I used Rimmel Stay Matte Powder, £3.99

Add a golden pink to the lips, such as MAC Cosmetics lipstick in Plink! £14

Monday, 20 May 2013

Weekly Product Pick: Lancôme launch NEW Hypnôse Star Eyes Palettes (as featured in Grazia)

Each week for Grazia Daily I choose a product which I'm absolutely loving...



Lancôme have released a brand new range of Hypnôse eye palettes, and I really love this one in Gris Fumé. The compact is classic Lancôme, so stylish. The smouldering pinks and greys are gorgeous, they really compliment blue eyes. So beautiful! 



Friday, 10 May 2013

Weekly Product Pick: Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Two Cents and Bronze Have More Fun (As featured in Grazia Daily)

Each week for Grazia Daily I choose a product which I'm absolutely loving...


As the whole nation awaits the release of The Great Gatsby (Which I cannot wait to go and see!) Benefit have launched a brand new Art Deco inspired collection: Color...By Benefit. The Creaseless Cream Eyeshadows look absolutely gorgeous and wear beautifully. A cream-based shadow is amazing for a long-lasting look, as well as being soft and blendable on the lid. Perfection! I love to create a rich, smouldering eye with the deep bronze and rich copper shades pictured.


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My Carex 'Live Life Hands On Awards' Entry!

Carex has launched a cute little competition to celebrate its 20th birthday, calling for people to send in pics of a day in the life of their hands. It's all part of The Carex Live Life Hands On Awards.

Here's my entry, which I'm calling: A day in the life of the hands of a make-up addict...


Carex will pick 20 of the most compelling entries to each win £500 worth of Red Letter Day vouchers, plus a year’s supply of Carex hand wash.

To enter the Carex 'Live Life Hands On Awards' click here.

NB. This blog post was sponsored by Carex

Thursday, 9 May 2013

Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks in Mint Snow and Seashell for Pretty Peepers

Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks in Mint Snow and Seashell, £20.50 each

I love the Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks. I seem to live my life dashing here, there and everywhere, and I know I can pop these compact little sticks in my bag without even the slightest fear of shadow crumble. Mint Snow and Seashell are new editions for Spring/Summer 2013 collection, and they are just SO pretty. 

The subtle, glistening blue hue of Mint Snow blends gorgeously with the pearly white Seashell. I focused Seashell in the tear duct area and the mid-section of the lid, gradually blending into The Mint Snow - with maximum intensity at the outer edge of the eyelid. 


Using an angled brush, take the Mint Snow round the outer edge of the eye and half way underneath the waterline.

Add a touch of highlighter to the tear duct area to really open up the eye. I used MAC Cosmetics Shadow in Nylon


Complete the look with a fine line of turquoise liquid liner on the lashline and waterline (I used Eye Perfect semi-permanent eyeliner), with a few coats of thick black mascara (They're Real by Benefit). To compliment the shimmering pearly-blue look, I used soft pink and coral tones on the cheeks (Dandelion and Sugarbomb by Benefit) and wore a dewy light pink on the lips (112 Fantasque by Chanel)  


Wednesday, 1 May 2013

NARS Cosmetics Summer Color Collection 2013

NARS Cosmetics Summer 2013 Collection (a few key pieces from the range)
NARS cosmetics have launched their eye-popping new range for summer 2013, and I'm totally bowled over. It's bright, it's bold, I love it. They've stayed true to their core brand values, no frills necessary, just punchy, daring, high quality products.  

Who said colour blocking was just for a killer outfit? NARS have released this 'fashion forward' palette with canary yellow (Dandelion) and chalky purple (African Violet) shades. I dampen my shadow brush before application to maximise the intensity of these shades. Wear it fierce, or don't wear it at all. 

This amazing shade is summer 2013 in a few strokes. NARS have managed to strike trend-gold with this hyper-bright orange tang of varnish, as orange is going to be HUGE as the weather warms. I 100% love it... a gorgeous statement for the talons.

Of the three pieces I have chosen to review, my shock winner is the NARS Multi-Use Stick in Puerto Vallerto. I really did underestimate how much I would like this stick. The sweet tangerine shade looks as though it will be too dark to suit fairer skin tones, but it blends in perfectly due to the light, creamy consistency. I had to swatch on my dear friend Anna's cheeks to show just how much of a beautiful warmth it adds. A sun-kissed, sheer and sexy look. 


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