Cheryl Cole inspired Makeup from 'Crazy Stupid Love'

I recently watched Cheryl Cole's new music video for 'Crazy Stupid Love' and really liked her makeup.  Today I decided to play about with my own makeup and this is what I came up with.  

Hope you like it, feel free to leave comments.

Sorry the pictures aren't the best quality, once I invest in a good camera they will improve hopefully.

Products

Eyes

Rimmell 'Exaggerate' eye primer-all over lid

Mac Paint Pot 'Groundwork'-all over lid-smudge with fingers

MAC eyeshadow 'Expensive Pink'- sweep over lid

MAC eyeshadow 'Cranberry'-through socket line and outer corner

Tom Ford eyeshadow from pallett 'Cognac Sable', top left hand colour-dot on inner corner of eye

Estee Lauder 'Double Wear' eyeliner in black-smudge along lash line and also top and bottom water line

Eyeko mascara to finish

Lips

MAC lipliner in 'Burgundy'- line full lip then fill in rest of lip

MAC lipstick in 'Dark Side'

Alice xox

Eyeko mascara and brow gel review

I am always looking to try new beauty products, a habit I secretly love to indulge in. 

Recently I was in London, and although on arrival I promised myself that I would avoid shopping at all costs this was short lived and after much persuasion to ones self I indulged in two new makeup goodies. 

Both products are from a brand called Eyeko, a brand that I have been wanting to try for quite some time. To give you a little bit of background Eyeko is a bespoke cosmetics label that focuses on creating luxury products for your eyes only, quite literally.  Founded by Nina Leykind and her husband, Eyeko has now partnered with Alexa Chung and has become a prominent brand used by top makeup artists and celebrities.

Eyeko 'Black Magic Mascara' Drama and Curl £18

If there is one thing about the Eyeko products that I love, it is the packaging.  This is definitely reflected in the price but it demonstrates how the aesthetics of a product

can influence your decision in buying it.

This particular mascara is the first I have bought that has a curved wand and I must say I really like it.  It is great for reaching those all important corner lashes that at times are neglected.  This mascara promises to give you 'Drama and Curl' and if I am honest, in comparison to other mascaras it doesn't give you the the greatest volume however is definitely gives your lashes a lovely curl and doesn't clump.  All in all I am really pleased with this product and would re purchase.

Eyeko Brow Gel 'Shape and Define' £18

I am a huge fan of brow gels, particularly as at times my brows seem to have a life of their own.  This brow gel is a winner of the Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards in 2013 and absolutely lives up to it's reputation. The wand is very small which makes application really easy.  I like my brows to stay in place all day and this product definitely does this.  My only criticism being that there can sometimes be a bit of excess product so I would bear this in mind when using it.   

I think I am officially hooked on Eyeko.

Available in

ASOS

SEPHORA

SPACE.NK

SELFRIDGES&CO

NET-A-PORTER.COM

http://www.eyeko.com/index.php?route=common/home

Alice xox

     

Five Healthy Breakfast Smoothies

Here are 5 healthy breakfast smoothies, one for each working day.  Replacing your regular breakfast of sugary cereals and toast loaded with full fat butter and jam these alternatives will supply you with all the goodness you need to kick start your day.  Not only that but they are are incredibly quick and easy to make.

Enjoy :)

Blueberry Smoothie

Ingredients

1 cup of blueberries

almond milk

1 banana

1 teaspoon of honey

Put everything in a blender and whizz until smooth.

Goodness

Calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, zinc

Benefits

Blueberries slow down the signs of ageing and destroy free radicals.  Bananas are a slow release energy source, are great for the immune system and help lower cholesterol.

Strawberry Smoothie

Ingredients

1 cup of strawberries

2 tablespoons of peanut butter

handful of oats

almond milk (or whaterver milk you drink)

Put everything in a blender and whizz until smooth.

Goodness

Strawberries contain calcium,potassium,iron,magnesium and zinc while oats and peanut butter also contain fiber and protein.

Benefits

Strawberries help boost the immune system and slow down the signs of ageing while oats help lower cholesterol.  In moderation peanut butter is rich in protein and will help keep you fuller for longer.

Mango Smoothie

Ingredients

half Mango

3 tablespoons Greek Yogurt

half Banana

pineapple juice (preferably freshly extracted)

Juice the pineapple (if you don't have a juicer shop bought juice will do)

Put your pineapple juice along with the rest of the ingredients in a blender and whizz until smooth.

Goodness

Mango contains calcium, copper, magnesium, phosphorous and iron. Pineapple also contains potassium, vitamins B C E and folic acid.

Benefits

Mango is great for the immune system and helps cleanse the body.  Pineapple aids digestion and is useful for hay fever and asthma.

Green Smoothie

Ingredients

2 Apples

1 handful of spinach

1/4 medium cucumber

1 stick celery

1/2 a lime

1/2 avocado

Juice the apples, cucumber, spinach and celery and lime.  Pack the spinach between the apples.  Add this to your blender along with the avocado and whizz until smooth.

Goodness

Apples contain Vitamins A, B1, B6 and C.  Spinach contains iron and calcium while cucumber and celery are rich in magnesium and sulphur to name a few.

Benefits

Packed full of goodness, this smoothie is rich in essential natural fats and loaded with zinc, one of the best minerals for maintaining clear skin.

Chocolate and orange Smoothie

Ingredients

1 cup kale

almond milk (or whatever milk you use)

1 orange peeled

1 tablespoon of cocoa powder

some dark chocolate (grated)

1 teaspoon honey

Goodness

Oranges contain vitamins A, B and C while kale is rich in protein and fibre.

Benefits

Oranges destroy free radicals that cause the signs of ageing while kale being both anti inflammatory and antioxidant helps to detoxify the body.  Dark chocolate with high cocoa content is a powerful source of antioxidants and if consumed in moderation can help lower the risk of heart disease.

Alice xox

Bodyshop Coconut body spray and body milk

I recently re discovered the Bodyshop when I went in to buy their Coconut Eau De Toilette body spray and body milk after they were recommended by a friend.  

My perfume of choice is normally Laura Mercier 'Almond Coconut' which I absolutely adore however they are expensive so I don't like to wear them everyday.  The Bodyshop Coconut spray is a great alternative.  

Being 30ml in size and costing only £8.50 it is perfect for throwing in your handbag.  The scent reminds me of summer and lying on a beach somewhere far out and exotic.  To top it up I have been applying the coconut body milk.  It comes with a spray applicator which makes it quick and easy to apply. 

Coconut Eau De Toilette £8.50

Coconut body milk £8.00

Alice xox

Countouring

Contouring, a makeup technique now becoming more and more popular with women looking to achieve flawless skin.  It can be used to create shadows, slim your nose and highlight your cheekbones.  If you wanted to, you could completely transform the way you look just by using this technique.  Similarly, you don't need to cover your face in war paint to achieve a softer version of this . 

There are many different ways to contour.  You can use cream products or just a little bit of concealer and bronzer.  Personally, when doing my everyday makeup I don't bother with contouring as it requires a bit of time and patience.  However I love to use this technique if I am going on a night out and want to add some Va Va Voom to my look.

This is how I contour myself.

What do I use?

Bobbi Brown Foundation sticks in shades 'Alabaster' and 'Warm Almond'.

Rimmel 'Wake me up' concealer in shade 'Ivory'

Bourjois bronzer powder

Shu Uemura translucent powder

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector

How do I contour?

1.  Apply a light layer of foundation to the skin.

2.  Apply Bobbi Brown stick in Alabaster (or your desired shade ensuring it is at least two or three shades lighter than your skin tone) on areas you want to highlight i.e under the eye area, tops of the cheekbones, above the brow bone etc.  

3.  Apply Wake me up concealer under your eye area also.

4.  Apply Bobbi Brown stick in Warm Almond (or your desired shade ensuring it is two or three shades darker than your skin tone) on any areas you want to create shadow i.e under the cheekbones, on the temples or along the centre of the nose.

5. Blend it all out using a damp sponge.  I use the Real Techniques 'Miracle Complexion' sponge.  Blending is key to this look.

6.  If you then feel you need a little more depth in the hollows of your cheeks apply some bronzer.

7.  Set with translucent powder.

8. If you want your skin to look more dewy and glowing apply Becca 'Shimmering Skin Perfector' to the tops of your cheekbones.  

In this Final picture I am wearing Rimmel 'Red Lippy' Lipstick who are donating 30% of profit to the Red Lippy Project who are raising awareness for cervical cancer.

Alice xox

How to get the most from Fake Tan

I think fake tan is a fabulous way of getting a little bit of colour without having to damage your skin in the sun or on sunbeds. That being said, fake tan can go horribly wrong if applied incorrectly.

 My current favourite tanning product is St Tropez and has been for quite a few years. I have tried and tested many but always revert back to this brand, it just works perfectly with my skin tone. It is available in self tan, gradual and instant. They have also just recently launched an express self tan which develops within one to three hours and is available in light, medium and dark. I haven't yet tried this but plan on doing so soon. I might even do a review!

 Here are my top tips on how to get the most from fake tanning.

  How to

 Always prepare your skin with a little bit of body scrub to remove any dry skin. I tend to do this the night before I apply fake tan. 

 On the day of application, avoid moisturizing your full body, especially with any kind of oil. Instead moisturize any dry areas such as your elbows, knees and hands, this will stop fake tan from catching on those tell tale areas. 

 Use gloves or a mit to apply your tan as this will reduce the risk of your hands being ten shades darker than the rest of your body.

 Have someone on hand to help you with your back, it should look just as good as your front! 

 Remove your gloves and apply a little drop of fake tan to the back of your hands and rub together. 

 Tips 

To ensure your fake tan lasts for a few days before needing topped up, keep your body moisturized.

 To make your legs look glowing and radiant for a night out apply MAC Face and Body to them (remembering to use gloves), this is my holy grail for ensuring my pins are looking their best.

 If after applying your fake tan you feel you have maybe overdone it in a certain area, get an old sock put it on your hand and use it to buff any excess tan away (it sounds silly but it works). Cleansing wipes also work.  

To remove fake tan use a little bit of lemon juice mixed with baking soda heated in the microwave.

http://www.st-tropez.com/en-gb/

Alice xox

The Power of Makeup

"Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder"

How do you define art? What constitutes creativity? Does art have to be beautiful or something you can see? Can it be words on a page or something obscure and distorted?  I think the beauty of art is that it can be represented in so many different ways.  I think art is a way of expressing something you are passionate about.  I think Makeup is Art.

Recently I was sent a link to an article (if you want to call it that) in which various women displayed the before and after effects of having makeup applied.  In most of the pictures there was a significant difference and some of the women looked unrecognisable.  However the vast majority of them had been heavily contoured and I suspect a few had been photoshopped.  Regardless, after reading the comments that followed it seems that there is much debate over why women feel the need to 'makeup' themselves to look like 'someone they are not'.

I believe people use makeup for many different reasons and to varying different degrees of creativity.  Some people use it to cover imperfections, scars and anything they may feel self conscious about (I can relate to that).  They use it as a way to feel more confident, outgoing and normal.  Others use it as a way to express their personality, to enhance features that they want to stand out.  At the other end of the spectrum you have all the incredibly talented Makeup Artist's that see a face as a blank canvas and something on which they can create a masterpiece, something that is far removed from reality.

What defines true beauty?  Is it a face with no makeup or one with so much that the person has altered the way they look?  Personally, I think true beauty is like art, it can take many different forms and mean different things to different people. 

Makeup can be beautiful, it can be artistic, powerful, empowering, it can be anything you want it to be.  

Makeup is your secret weapon.

"For Beautiful Eyes look for the good in others

For beautiful Lips speak only words of kindness

And for poise walk with the knowledge that you are never alone"

-Audrey Hepburn