Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate

Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate

I have recently been working for Tom Ford and have fallen in love with some of his fragrances and makeup.  

To give you a little bit of background, Tom Ford is an American fashion designer and film director who gained international fame for his turnaround of Gucci.  He then went on to create his own Tom Ford label consisting of Fashion, Fragrance, Beauty and Eyewear.

Tom Ford himself is a man of Mystery, he is Charismatic, Daring, Stylish and Bold and for the past twenty years has been one of the most influential designers in the world. 

The Tom Ford makeup look is all about a Radiant Complexion, Flawless Skin, Bold Eyes and Lips and Perfect Symmetry.  One product that i have fallen in love with is Shade and Illuminate.  Designed to sculpt and highlight the skin this is makeup luxury.  Available in two shades, intensity one and two it is perfect for anyone who loves to contour.  With a background in architecture Tom Ford appreciates structure and symmetry and so this product is reflective of this. 

The consistency of both the contour and highlight is creamy allowing the products to blend easily on the skin.  The darker colour creates subtle shading while the illuminator creates a luxurious pearlised highlight.  It also comes in beautiful packaging is reflective of the luxury Tom Ford's brand emulates.

"Dressing well is a form of good manners"

- Tom Ford

Alice xox

How to Conceal and Correct Uneven Skin

Spots! The Bain of my life for the last three or so years and something that at times can really affect my self esteem.  Nobody wants them however most girls at some point in their life will unfortunately experience them.  For me, I developed acne later in life and although it isn't half as bad as it once was I still suffer from it daily.  Diet,skin care and at times antibiotics have played a key role in controlling my breakouts however  makeup has been my saviour and is something that I rely on to help me feel more 'me'.  This might sound silly or even contradictory considering I am 'covering ' my features but I don't wear a lot.  I cover what I need to and enhance what I want to.  Believe it or not I don't wear a lot of foundation, I only apply it in the areas that I feel need it.  If I'm dramatising anything it will be my eyes and lips.  I love makeup and believe that it can not only be fun to experiment with but also really help women suffering from low self esteem.  So I thought I would share a little before and after picture and some 'how to' in terms of covering spots. Enjoy!     

Products

Primer

I use Laura Mercier oil free primer but also love Smash Box Photo Finish Light and Estée Lauder Matte Perfecting primer.

Foundation

On days that I feel I need a little extra coverage I use Estée Lauder Double Wear.  For me, this has been my holy grail in terms of long lasting high coverage foundations.  Believe me I have tried many!   I can't rave about this foundation enough.  Although it has high coverage it is definitely buildable and doesn't feel heavy or sticky on your skin.  An alternative would be Revlon Colour Stay, this is also really good and a less expensive option.

Under eye concealer 

There are lots of fantastic concealers on the market.  I like to use a creamy concealer under my eyes as I think they are more moisturising and less likely to look dry and 'cakey'.  For me, my go to under eye concealer is Rimmel's  Wake me up.  It is designed to reawaken and illuminate the under eye area and is available in four shades. Others I like are Touch éclat by YSL and Moisture Cover by MAC.

Spot concealer 

 I am currently using Mac Pro Conceal and Correct pallet in light.  However, Laura Mercier's Secret 

Camouflage concealer pallet is also fantastic and comes in eight shades.  Others that I've tried and love are Estée Lauder Double Wear, available in eight shades and also Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection available in two shades. 

Powder

Again, there are many excellent powders.  My favourite is Shu Uemura Translucent Powder and is one that is used by many makeup artists.  A good alternative is Rimmel's Stay Matte powder.

How to

Foundation

There is no right or wrong way to apply foundation, as long as you ensure everything is blended and you are wearing the correct colour.  Don't forget the ears!  Check the colour on the side of the neck and/ or the back of your hand, the colour should disappear.  To apply, some people like to use a brush, some a sponge and others just prefer to use their fingers.  Use whatever you are more comfortable with.  For me, because I tend to use liquid foundation I use a stippling brush.  My favourite is the Sigma stippling brush but Real Techniques also do a great one (available in boots). 

  

Under eye concealer 

For this I use my fingers and dab the product into my skin.   Choose a concealer that's a shade lighter than your foundation, or two shades depending on how dark your under eye circles are.  Yellow and peachy toned concealers help to counteract dark circles.

Spot concealer

I use a little synthetic buffing brush by Real Techniques and buff the product onto my spots, ensuring it is blended with the surrounding area. A little goes a long way, don't feel you have to use a lot. If after buffing the product in you feel you need a little more, dot a tiny amount directly onto the spot or redness and blend again If needed.  When concealing spots, use a shade as close to your natural skin tone as possible. 

Powder

For this you can use a brush or a powder puff.  I prefer to use a powder puff and press the product into my skin. I use this only in the areas I feel need it most, mainly my T Zone.  

Remember, only apply cover where you need it, too much everywhere highlights problematic skin rather then making it look better.

"who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle."

-Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Alice xox

Laura Mercier Primer and Tinted Moisturiser Review

Laura Mercier Primer and Tinted Moisturiser Review

For many years I believed that if you had spots or bad skin that the only solution was to smother your face in a delightfully thick layer of foundation (unblended of course).  As a result the majority of my early teens was spent being marched to the toilet by a disapproving teacher loaded with facewipes. Thankfully I now have a better understanding of makeup and how to apply it.  I am a strong believer in less is more!  This leads me on to two products that I believe can help achieve the 'no makeup makeup look'.

Laura Mercier Primer-oil free £28

I've used this primer before and have recently re purchased it thanks to InStyle's 'Best Beauty Buys 2014'.  There are two primers in this range , 'radiance' and 'oil free'.  I have the oil free version. Having oily skin I am forever searching for the holy grail in oil free long lasting products.  The Laura Mercier oil free primer is definitely one of these!  It has a nice creamy texture that helps smooth the skin and erase pores.  More importantly however it is long lasting, lightweight and is the perfect base for underneath your foundation.  The Laura Mercier oil free primer is definitely worth investing in.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser-oil free £33

This is great on days where you just can't be bothered applying foundation and want a nice breathable  natural finish.  I use this even on days when my skin is being problematic, possibly more so.  This product is lightweight yet buildable and allows my skin to show through.  I don't bother with brushes to apply this, instead using my fingers.  If I have breakouts I then spend time concealing in the areas that need it, finishing with a little powder if necessary.  I really love this tinted moisturiser and find along with the primer lasts throughout the day.

Both these products are staples in my makeup kit.

 

Alice xox

Recommended Dermalogica Products

Skin Care- Dermalogica Review

About two years ago I suddenly went from having clear, manageable skin which very rarely caused me any problems to really bad acne.  To this day I still don't know why this is and it seemed to happen overnight.  As a result I have become much more aware of what I am using on my skin and have literally tried everything and anything that might help.  I have been prescribed antibiotics by my doctor which seemed to help in the short term but as soon as I stopped taking them my skin flared up again.  Although my skin isn't as bad as it was initially I still suffer from bad breakouts.  However now I'm able to keep it under control through diet, exercise and skin care.

Like I said I have tried many different products and potions in the blind faith that they would somehow work miracles and rid me of bad skin.  In reality if you suffer from acne all the cleansers, toners, moisturizers and skin care products out there wont cure you of the problem.  For most people dealing with acne an antibiotic called Racutane is the best solution.  This is an antibiotic prescribed by a doctor and is very strong.  I've heard from people taking it that it definitely works but can have bad side affects so for me it will be a last resort.

I do believe however that there are certain products out there that will help you manage and control bad skin and for me that product is Dermalogica.  I discovered Dermalogica about a year ago and absolutely love it.

Dermalogica doesn't contain any irritants or ingredients that cause breakouts such as lanolin, SD alcohol, mineral oil, artificial colors and fragrances.  I have tried and tested many of their products and have found a select few that work perfectly for my skin which I would describe as combination/oily.  Here are a few recommendations of mine.

Dermal Clay Cleanser £27

This cleanser is a clay like formula, almost like a face mask and helps absorb excess oils. It helps calm irritated skin and has a lovely cooling sensation.  I use this in the morning and at night and even sometimes as a face mask.

Daily Microfoliant £40.30
This is a rice based exfoliant that activates when in contact with water. It is very gentle and can be used everyday.  I use this on the days I am not using the skin prep scrub which is slightly heavier.  It leaves my skin feeling soft and refreshed.

Sebum Clearing Masque £39.80
This is a clay based masque which helps clear and prevent breakouts while detoxifying skin. It has a nice cooling sensation on the skin.  Although this product is expensive I definitely think it is worth investing in. I use it twice a week either all over my face or just on my T Zone.

Overnight Clearing Gel £42.30
This is an overnight treatment that helps clear skin, calm inflammation and prevent future breakouts.  Like many spot treatments it doesn't dry out your skin.  It can also be used under makeup which is always handy.

Active Moist  £43
For a long time I have struggled to find a moisturizer that doesn't clog my skin and make it even more oily than it already is.  This moisturizer is perfect for oily skin.  It is lightweight and leaves skin feeling hydrated and can be worn under makeup.  I love this moisturizer.

I understand most of these products are at the high end of the price range but they are 100% worth the money.  For anyone wanting to try out a couple of products but not go all out and buy everything I would recommend the Dermal Clay cleanser and Active Moist Moisturizer to start.

For any makeup artists out there Dermalogica is a great addition to your kit and for preparing your clients skin before hand. I would recommend the Ultra Calming Cleanser, Multi Active Toner and Active Moist Moisturizer.

If after reading this you still aren't too sure, the Demalogica website is also incredibly useful and worth having a look at. It has a skin mapping section where it will tell you what products will work with your type of skin whether that be acne, oiliness, ageing, sensitivity or dryness.  Their products also feature in InStyle's 'Best Beauty Buys 2014'.  This issue is still in store and would be worth picking up as they have some great recommendations.

http://www.dermalogica.co.uk/uk/index.html

“How puzzling all these changes are! I'm never sure what I'm going to be, from one minute to another.” 
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Alice xox

Healthy Eating

Eat Good Feel Good

So I thought I would share with you what I ate yesterday and how I incorporate juices into my everyday day life.  Please don't think that it is time consuming to make all these juices, it's not.  It takes me around fifteen/ twenty minutes to make everything and clean the juicer and then that's the job done. 

In the morning I get up and have a glass of hot water with lemon along with a ginger shot.  The lemon helps to balance the PH in your skin and ginger is a great decongestant and anti inflammatory.  However yesterday I had a spinach shot.  Luckily spinach doesn't have much taste so it was quite pleasant and less of a kick than the ginger shot.  I then make my juices for the rest of the day and put them in the fridge or in flasks to take out with me.

I made four juices yesterday;

Spinach shot

1/2 apple, 1/4 lemon, 3 handfuls of spinach

Juice everything

Minty Sunshine

2 oranges, 3 carrots, 1 thin slice ginger root, 4 sprigs of mint.

Juice everything

Ruby

1/4 pineapple, 2 carrots, 1 small beetroot, 1 thin slice ginger root, 4 sprigs of basil.

Juice everything

Turbo with a Kick

2 apples, 1/4 pineapple, 1 handful spinach leaves, 1/2 lime, 1/2 stalk celery, 3 cm cucumber, 1 cm ginger root, 1/4 avocado

Juice everything except the avocado.  Pour the juice into a blender along with the avocado and blend until smooth.

 

I also made the juice below for my breakfast this morning, i found the recipe on Pinterest, it was really delicious and turns out it is one of Jason Vale's.

Ice Cream Juice

1/2 pineapple, 1 apple, seeds from 1 vanilla pod, bio live yogurt, 1 tea spoon manuka (active) honey

I just want to make clear that i don't make four juices everyday.  Some days i will only have one but i try and have at least one everyday.

Juicy Vegetable Facts

Avocado contains all six human nutritional needs- water, fat, protein, natural sugar, vitamins and minerals.

Beetroot is great for cleansing the liver and helps reduce hardening and blockage of arteries.

Carrots promote healthy eyes, skin and cleansing of the liver.

Apples are good for eliminating toxins in the intestine.

Oranges destroy free radicals that cause signs of skin ageing, scouring the intestine and flushing toxins from the body.

Pineapple contains something called bromeline that aids digestion and helps dissolve excess mucus.  It is helpful for hay fever and asthma.

Spinach good for anaemia and supports effective liver and kidney function.

Cucumber is an excellent diuretic and helps to reduce fluid retention, is superb for the hair, nails and skin and reduces blood pressure.

Ginger is a natural antibiotic and decongestant.

Alice xox

Harris Tweed Clothing Line

Harris Tweed Waistcoats

A little while ago my mum decided to set up her own business designing her own waistcoats. After lots of blood, sweat and tears everything has finally come together and her waistcoats are finally ready to wear.  

The full range is made from Harris Tweed which is 100% virgin Scottish wool sourced from the Outer Hebrides and comes in a range of colors. 

Each item has been specially designed and made with love and care by skilled men and women working in Scotland. 

I am extremely proud of everything my mum has achieved and think her waistcoats are beautiful.

http://elizabethmartinfinewaistcoats.co.uk/

  

  

 

 

 

Alice xox

The Benefits of Juicing

Juicing and healthy eating review

So Christmas is over and everyone is settling back into every day life, trying to fulfill their New Year's resolutions...at least until February.  It's not surprising that most of these are to eat less and exercise more and after all the mince pies and mulled wine that I consumed I am feeling the same.  I'm not a huge fan of dieting, I think a lot of diets lead people into a false sense of security and once they finish it they quickly put the weight back on.  That's not to say that there aren't good diets out there but a lot of them are short term fixes. 

There is however one method that I have recently been introduced to and absolutely love! It's called juicing and I cannot recommend it enough! A while ago I watched a documentary called 'Fat Sick and Nearly Dead'.  It's about a guy called Joe Cross who is 100lbs over weight.  The documentary follows him regaining his health through juicing and in doing so he transforms his life.  It was so inspiring and after watching it I went out and bought a juicer and stocked up on lots of fruit and veg, ready to get started.

http://www.fatsickandnearlydead.com/

It is now available to watch on Netflix.

I bought the Philips juicer and blender and along with it a book called 'the Juice Master' by Jason Vale. Jason Vale is definitely someone worth checking out. He believes that drinking freshly extracted raw fruit and vegetable juices can have a massive impact on your mental and physical wellbeing.  In his book Jason tells you that before juicing he was overweight, suffered from asthma, psoriasis, eczema and hay fever.  He says that by swapping junk food and drinks for a freshly extracted juice twice a day along with exercise dramatically improved his health. He no longer suffers from asthma, his psoriasis cleared by 90%, his eczema vanished and he is no longer over weight.

http://www.juicemaster.com/

I downloaded two of his apps '5lbs in 5 days' and '7lbs in 7 days' I have used both but find the '5lbs in 5 days' app the easiest to follow and most effective for me. After following the 5 day juice plan I lost 6lbs... honestly I did! More importantly instead of feeling starving by the end of the 5 days I no longer craved junk food, I had so much energy and I felt amazing! More significantly for me however was that my skin, which is prone to bad breakouts had started to clear up.  Since doing the 5 days I have carried on having juices throughout the day.  In the morning I have hot water and lemon, a ginger shot and a juice.  I'll then have another juice at lunch or in the evening along with normal, healthy meals. 

For anyone feeling that they need to detox or kick start healthy eating I would highly recommend this, it's the best thing I have ever done and it's now just part of my life.

Here are some of my favourite juices, I also have some more pictures on Instagram.

"I can't go back to yesterday because i was a different person then"

-Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland