FOTD - Christmas Work Party

I left my work place on 29t November for the start of my maternity leave, and on 20th December we were meeting up again to catch up one last time before Christmas. The place was Stoke Pages, a mass gathering of different workplaces and tables of wine. You could imagine how that ended up. I had one small glass of wine with my main meal, the most delicious salmon I had ever had but being a high standard restaurant and being pregnant,  I was soon day dreaming of chippie chips.

The thing I was happy with the most was how my dress that I ordered months ago still fitted even with my ever increasing bump as well as how glowing my make up looked for the night. I was determined to look as glamorous as possible as recently I had not being feeling it. I wanted to focus more on my eyes as I had some wonderful eye shadow palettes that I rarely get to go mad with, I also added on false lashes which I rarely get an opportunity to wear.

I did all the prep the night before after a shower to steam the skin I put on a clay mask, REN's Invisible Pores Detox Mask (Sample size). This was first time of using it and loved the results, I had a spot coming out on the side of my nose and this stopped it from fully forming as well as reduced the redness around the area. This was followed by my current Facial Oil (B.Skincare replishment Oil), moisturier on my cheeks and eye cream (a tiny amount of Lancome's Renergie Facial cream and eye cream).

I had saved up for a trip to the hairdressers and threaders (more on that coming up another day), to give myself a pamper before the event. After the quick cleanse with Philopshys 3-in-1 cleanser, I used Sothy's Day Cream and let that sink in before adding Witch's Anti-Blemish Primer.

Base: Max Factor Face Finity Light Ivory mixed with NARS Orgasm Illuminator
Conclearer: Estee Lauder Disappear Concleaer in Light
Powder: GOSH BB Powder in 04
EyeShadow base colour: Bobbi Brown in white (comes out in a matt skin tone colour)
Eye shadow contouring/colour: Sleek Make Up eye shadow palette in Sparkle 2 (Using Tinsel - silver, and Twinkle - Navy glitter)
Eye liner: Eye of Horus liquid eye definer in Black with Twinkle over the top (also used to line the bottoms lashes)
Mascara: Maybelline Mascara
False Lashes: Salon Systems strip lashes in Natural
Blusher: Dainty Doll in Money Talks
Lip: MUA lipgloss in Let's Talk

The dress was a eBay bargain at £8 brand new, it expanded well with the bump but covered up what I really didn't want to show off. The shrug is from eBay as well and I wore this when I got married nearly four years ago, it was about £10 second hand. I went with a simple long silver necklace and black pumps (I wasn't even going to attempt heels!). I'm glad I did go for a bit of colour in the end, out of the 12 ladies who went only 2 of us wore a different colour!

Superdrug Press Day AW13

I was invited to my first press day by the wonderful people who look after the PR at Superdrug. The theme of the day was to celebrate brands that can only be purchased at Superdrug's stores as well as championing their own brand products. The wall above is one of two that hosted everything they sell their own brand, I did spend some time ticking off what I already use myself and was surprised it was more than I expected.

If it wasn't for me tweeting how much I love the look of the B.Skincare Facial Oil, I wouldn't of been there so it was only right that I visited them first and get some information on what I think is going to be one of the hottest new skincare launches since their Miceller Water.

 

The range is simple - split into 3 phases on not your age but what phase your skin is at the time: Phase one: Hydration. Phase two: Prevention and radiance. Phase Three: Firming and repairing. I have fallen for the B.Skincare for its simplicity as well as products that do what they say.

 

I have been lucky to try out the B.Replenished Facial Oil for Anti Oxidant Boost for nearly two weeks and already it has replaced my Antipodes Divine Oil as something that my skin really reacts to well. This I will be reviewing more in depth at a later time as I feel it needs an entry of its own.

 

I also got a chance to try some of the make up which I hadn't before. My highlights were the new Colour Correct Cream where the lightest is light enough for pale skins and provides a high SPF of 45 (Launches November at £11.99). I also was drawn to the B.Stunning Vibrant Eye Shimmer in Lizzie - described as a soft neutral pinky/beige, when swatched it looked skin toned peachy/pink with a gold shimmer, a perfect base colour if I ever saw one (Launches October at £6.99).

 

After a stroll round I did get a little giddy over finding that Nicole by OPI are stocked in some branches of Superdrug now. They are the younger sister of OPI Professional and retail for £7.99 compared to £11.99 for the professional range. I am currently hunting these down as I write this.

 

I then got distracted by the shiney nail varnishes at GOSH including the new Frosted Sand polishes, these dry to glitter but matt finish. I instantly was drawn to the vintage lilac colour that the make artist was wearing (a thank you for modelling for the photo). I have the silver version to play with after I was given it to try.

 

 

I was also having a magpie moment with GOSH's Girls on Film which is now added to the increasing wishlist.

 

 

Of course we cannot talk about exclusives to Superdrug without mentioning their biggest make up brand: MUA Cosmetics. The AW13 line up is the strongest they have had in a long time, adding to the successful palettes they are now adding the Matt palette (after a social media campaign) and Smokey palette (with eye liner).

 

Top Left: Luxe Pretty Edgy Eye Palette. Top Right: Matt. Bottom Left: Luxe Glitter Palettes. Bottom Right: Smokey Palette

 

They are also introducing another line to the MUA and MUA Pro lines: MUA Luxe. This is the on trend but premium side of MUA, the prices are only slightly higher than the other lines (Undressed is £4 while the new Pretty Edgy Eye palette will be £8). The quality of ingredients will be a higher quality to match with the  price point. A key example is that eye shadow powder in the Luxe range are more finely milled and I found go on smoother.

 

There will also be a range of glitter palettes launching with the Luxe range, suspended in clear non sticky gel there will be a choice of 4. Can be worn on their own or over the top of another colour, and will have not fall out into eyes. Palettes will be £4 each.

 

 

 

For Lime Crime Valentine fans they are also Velvet Lip Lacquers launching in October, matt finish lip paint that will honest not budge. I had these on my hand the whole day and didn't even fade after washing hands, etc. Very impressive for £3 will come in Red, Purple, Coral, Deep and Light Pink.

 

There are some very exciting launches that are coming from Superdrug at the moment which isn't great news for my bank balance.

FOTD: BTEC Coursework - Bridal

 

It feels long ago now to be talking about my final pieces from my BTEC in Make up artistry coursework. I qualified for my BTEC in Make Up Artistry in February after submitting a portfolio of evidence. The final pieces were 5 set briefs (you will see four of them due to model agreements) that needed to be filled, over the next few weeks I am planning to share as many of these pieces as I can starting with Bridal.

 

With the bridal brief it was for a 20-30 woman who hardly wears make up and wanted to still look natural but still had in mind the needs of the day.

 

Primer: MUA Cosmetics

Foundation: Rimmel Wake Me Up in Ivory

Concealer: Estee Lauder Disappear in Light

Blusher: MUA in Shade 4

Eye Shadow: Sleek Sparkle 2 Palette

Eye Liner: Rimmel liquid in Brown

Mascara: Lancome Hypnose Drama in Black

Lip liner: Estee Lauder in Fig

Lipstick: Estee Lauder in Vintage Mauve

 

Of course using a foundation with SPF produces the 'ghost' effect that is produced here, so if this was put onto a bride I would use one without. However the really like the glow finish of Wake Me Up foundation, the coverage is build able and photographs well. I still like to use my creamy Estee Lauder concealer, it blends well without creasing as well as being light enough for pale skins. You will notice that the Sleek palette appear more over the next few weeks, it has been my go to because of the pigments and shimmer/sparkle.

 

 

My New Go-To - NYX Round Lip Gloss Natural

 

I own a few lipgloss is a little of an understatement, I like the laziness of just swiping one on and off you go. Recently I have felt I've needed a little more than normal: a little more colour and creamy texture. This is of course where this comes in, this is from NYX (pronounced Niks).

 

NYX (Niks) is named after the mythical Greek Goddess for the night. The company makes cosmetics that satisfied the needs of the professional as well as the beauty junkie. They are more known for their palettes, which are not only good value but are also have good pigmentation.

 

I got this when I was at Olympia Beauty in the press bag, and grabbed one day running out the door to work. I instantly loved the creamy texture which is unusual for a gloss, because of that there is also very little shimmer content. I do feel it is more a of 'grown up' gloss becaue of this, and would suit people who like a hybred of both gloss finish but lipstick colour.

 

 

They are 36 different colours in the collection and RRP for £3 each. I already have my eye on Mauve, Frosted Plum and Wild Orchid. You can purchase the through the NYX Online Shop

The Beauty Bloggers Tag

This is stolen from the talented Sophia from Tattooed Tealady, not only a great blogger but also a supporter of other beauty bloggers out there.

Why did you start blogging and how long have you been blogging for?

My first entry was 25th January 2012, and was started after I was reading a few and wanted to throw in my own thoughts with my experience in beauty retail. I was also at a cross roads in my career, I was working in retail management but constantly hovering over to the beauty stands next to me as I missed working in them. I was also still recovering from a knee injury and wanted to give myself something to do while I was recovering.

Whose blog did you fall in love with first?

 

British Beauty Blog was the first one I tripped over as well as read every single day, not only is she one of the first ones to start but as person I found her wonderful. When I tweeted her one day to say she was my inspiration to start, she was shocked but really supportive and humbled. Jayne from Jayne's Kitcshen and Zoe from The London Lipgloss are two of my faves, I feel I could happily have a night out with either.

 

As I read more and more I need to nod to my fellow #bbloggers including Sophia, Rachael from Live, Food, Love, Beauty Bird, All That Slap and Beauty Balm (I'm sorry if I've missed anyone out!). All have not only been welcoming been have been happy to help when I tweet in distress!

 

 

 

What was the first blogosphere hyped about product you bought and was it worth the hype?

 

I'd seen other Glossyboxes online and brought the Harrods one, which I really liked, however at the time I couldn't afford to carry on. To this day I'm very glad I did, since then I haven't been over stuck by them. I just found them over hyped and for the amount of money they were asking for them not worth it. They still send me mails for money off, but I'd rather stick with Latest In Beauty (subscription free and very well done boxes).

 

What are your favourite five things about blogging and being a beauty blogger?

 

It's made me realise this is what I want to do for a career, it inspired me to start my BTEC in Make Up Artistry and use the knowledge (and kit I've collected over the years!) to good use. I will spot something in a mag and rather than buying it I'd search/tweet reviews on it before buying it, I respect my bloggers opinions more. I really love the #bbloggers community, as they are probably the only set of people who can put up with my constant make up talk. Remember the lines from Spice Girls movie that Sporty said to Posh ("It must be so hard for you, Victoria. I mean, having to decide whether to wear the little Gucci dress, the little Gucci dress, or... the little Gucci dress!")? I swear I'm like that with nail varnish.

 

What have you learnt from being a beauty blogger?

 

Past all the stats, followers, PR blah blah, and everything as long as still have a passion for what you do everything else will fall into place. Not all products work for everyone as well as you cannot be everyone's cup of tea.

 

"Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly" (Baz Lurman song - Everyone's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)

 

Have you changed anything since being a beauty blogger?

 

I would say developed more, I get more confident as the entries go on, It driving me more than this time last year, where I was not in the best place and I owe it to this to refocusing me. I still however appreciate peoples feedback more than anything and getting them means a lot. Thank you to everyone who has so far, it still leaves me warm and fuzzy.

 

What advice would you give to a beauty blogger just starting out?

 

Don't think you need to copy anyone, if they rave about it and you hate it: Say it loud! Do everything at your own pace, sometimes you'll have lots of talk about some weeks nothing - everyone has the same problem. Comment, tweet, talk to other bloggers and enjoy the community.

 

 

 

Name your top five brands! (can only think of four)

 

Estee Lauder - Love their Limited edition make up range and skincare serums. Also gave me my first make up job.

Lush - Since there was only one store in Covent Garden, a great payday treat brand. Staff are amazing, still my dream to work there one day.

MUA Cosmetics - Great value and great products considering it start from £1.

OPI - My first nail varnish love, I own a few and dribble over their colour charts a lot.

 

Recommend your top five favourite beauty products!

 

MUA Palettes - Really good pigments, Dupes of the high end brands and around £4. Been using these in my BTEC work and still photo well.

Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair - I miss my staff discount! gel like serum that sinks in, always make my skin look fresh and helped with my spot scars that I had for years. I miss this, fingers crossed it'll be back in my life soon.

Lush Cupcake facemask - Chocolate face mask basically! Removes dirt, oil and smooths. Keep repurchasing.

Etat Pur Miceller water - Just about run out of my first bottle, water based cleanser great to use after lotion if I have make up on or wipe over the skin for days I'm not. About £7 for 200ml great value. I'm planning a review soon.

Bepanthen Nappy Care Ointment - Best lipbalm ever, little goes a long way and is great for my chapped dry lips - found through another blogger.

 

I'm not tagging anyone however if you give it a go I wouldn't mind being linked up so I can be noisy :)

 

 

The Only MAC Lipstick I Own - Milan Mode

As part of my BTEC I have to do design briefs - this is one of them. The brief was to have pale skin, using tones of brown for the eyes, slight pink blush and  pink lipstick. I had to put photos together showing each stage of the look altogether, as well as creating a treatment plan, design, and final evaluation.

I love this look, it's the first time in along time that I've looked at photos of myself and just thought wow. I'm not normally a person who feels comfortable within my skin, but as this course has gone on I feel I've gained confidence to show off my work better.

Anyway onto the lipstick, as this says in the title this is the only MAC lipstick I own. Amongst beauty bloggers its almost unheard of, especially as it is an not very well known colour. This is part of the Luste range, a bright blue toned pink with lots of shimmer. I got this when I was working for Estee Lauder (as MAC is owned by them) from the staff shop and have worn this in Ibiza dressed as a school girl (twice!).

Still available at MAC Cosmetics for £14.00

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A little side note, Collections Halloween Competition finished today and I wasn't the winner (The winner got 200 + against my 25). Thank you to everyone who 'liked' me and voted. You can check out the winners blog here 

Masterclass - Ageing and it's Effects on Cosmetics





Ageing does happen to all of us, it how we react and develop to these changes that shape us.

Cosmetics are there to highlight the best of what we have, not create something that is not there. As our bodies and skin changes over the years, the way we were cosmetics is going to change with this as our needs and wants changes. Women can still looks stunning into the later years (Helen Mirren is a brilliant example), its all about understanding what is happening and adapting techniques.

The skin changes occur over time and are gradual as the skin cell reproduction slow down. Lifestyle also plays a part to this as illness and unhealthy lifestyle can speed up these processes. Exposure to sunlight also is an ageing accelerator and why it is recommnend to put on the SPF early on. Women compared to men produce less collagen so it always seem to age faster than men.

The main changes to skin structure is the thinning of the skin due to the loss of fatty tissue, this can also make it look crepe as the skin becomes looser. It will be dryer and flakier as the skin as the cells slow down reproduction and the removal of them slows down. The skin will also look sluggish as the muscles have a reduced tension, this also leads to the winkles. Uneven melanin will also lead to patchy pigmentation of the skin know as 'age spots'.

Ageing has an effect on the blood vessels caused by the decrease in elasticity in the walls of the capillaries, instead of returning to their original shape after dilating they stay permanent. In fairer skins this appears to be pink or red on the skin, on dark skins they appear less as the surface layers are thicker and can appear as darker patches.

Masterclass - Colour Theory

 

The above is known as a colour wheel and is the the simplest way to explain how colour interact with each other.

 

Primary colours of Blue, Yellow and Red are known as this because they cannot be 'made' by mixing another colour. By mixing two of these colours they create secondary colours like orange, green and purple. By mixing a primary with a secondary, this then produces tertiary colours like red-orange or blue-green.

 

Colours that sit next to each other on the colour wheel are referred to as harmonious because they share the same base colour. A good example like this are the colours yellow-orange, orange or red-orange because they share the same base colour of orange. Strong tones of this colour look sophisticated when pastel coloured tones create more of subtle effect.

 

Complimentary colours are ones that one the opposite side of the colour wheel. These when put together make a bolder statement creating a more dramatic effect. Each primary colour has a complementary secondary colour and visa versa. When the colours are mixed together they also have a neutralising effect on each other, which is the key in colour correcting like green neutralises any red areas on the skin.

 

When we talk about the different tones to the skin being cool or warm this is referring to the colour sets that will compliment this tone. The colours yellow-green to blue-violet are know as more cool as they lean towards the blue tones. The warmer tones are from yellow-orange to red-violet lean more towards to the red.

 

 

Masterclass - Lighting and How It Effects Colour Cosmetics

Your shopping for foundation and it looks great in the shop, you skip home put it there and well it's just turns out wrong. One of the factors is the lighting and this not only effects what foundation looks like but any colours cosmetics that you are going to use.

To understand this more we're going to look at the different categories of light: Natural and artificial to see what effects they have on cosmetics.

Natural Light

Unfortunately natural light is the leas forgiving for showing any imperfections and badly done make up. Daylight is the purest form of white light, and shows colours and textures to their fullest in make up. Sunlight does only falls on the face from above, it reflects onto the face from any light coloured surface that it hits, including walls and floors. Colour also looks more stronger in daylight.

White light is made up of seven colours: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet.

Artificial Light

These effects can vary depending on the light used.

Filament lamps using normal light bulbs can produce a yellowish light, this can dull effects of blue-toned colours and make red tones darker. If the light bulb is covered then it pushes the light downwards which then can produce sharper shadows.

Fluorescent lamps (mostly used in retail stores) give out a harsh bluish-white light which take any warmth of colour out of it. These tubes are usually covered by diffusers which can soften the light and disperse it better so it seems less harsh on the face.

There are some warmer fluorescent tubes in stores and in artificial light these are the closest to 'natural' light that you can get.

With any lighting you will also need to consider he intensity of the lighting that is being used. This is the distance that the light needs to travel to reach the surface that is being worked on. Intense lighting of theatre or camera shoots can provide a very washed out effect with little colour coming through. this is why stronger colours are used these type of uses so they can still show up when being used.

Light also plays a significant part in contouring a face (which we covered in last weeks Masterclass). Light falling onto the face from above reflects off of the boner parts of the face like nose, cheekbones and chin. Typically shadows fall under brow bone, under the eyes, nose to mouth line (called naso-labial folds), under the cheekbones, and under the chin.

This can be balanced by using other directional lights. These pictures below were from a lecture I went to the other week at Olympia Beauty. They demonstrate a mini photo shot using directional lighting to illuminate the face and counteract any shadows.

Masterclass - Face Contouring

Contouring the face means to emphasise what you want people to see and hiding what you want to hide.The products used are there to achieve a subtel effect and blend in with the amke up worn.

Face contouring to achieve the 'perfect' oval shape face (or whatever face shape is desirable at the time). This is using prodcuts likes blusher, highlighters and bronzers/shaders applied in the correct areas.

Face shape: Oval

Aim: To accentuate the 'prefect' bone stucture.

Techinque: Blusher towards the temples along the cheekbones, with shader beneth the cheekbone and highligher on top.

Face Shape: Round

Aim: Crate the illusion of legnth downt he centre and width from the sides and temples of the face.

Technique: Highlighter down the narrow strip of the face (well blended). Blusher high up on the cheekbones towards the temples. Shader blended on lower half of the face over the angels of the lower jaw and over the temples.

Face Shape: Square

Aim: Soften jaw line and reduce the width of the forehead and lower part of the face.

Technique: Shader over the angles of the lower jaw and down the sides of the forehead. Blusher at the fullness of the cheeks and blending upwards.

Face Shape: Heart

Aim: Reduce width of forehead and widen the lower half.

Technique: Apply shader on the sides of the forehead and temples. Hihglight angels of the lower jawline, with blusher on the fullness of the cheeks.

Face Shape: Diamond-Shape

Aim: Crat the illusion of fullness to the centre of the face and reduce the length. Also widen the forehead and add extra width.

Technique: Apply shader on the tip of the chin and narrowest part of the forehead. Highlighter to go on the sides of the temple and lower jaw. Apply blusher to fullness of cheeks.

Face Shape: Oblong

Aim: Reduce the illusionof length, and add fullness and extra width.

Technique: Apply shader aalong the hairline and the point of the chin. Highlight salong the lower jaw and temples. Blend blusher along the fullness of the cheeks towards the ears.

Face Shape: Pear-Shape

Aim: Creat width in the forehead. To reduce the lower width of the face to create balance.

Technique: Apply highlighter to the sides of the forehead, while shader to the sides of the chin and angles of the lower jaw. Apply blusher to the fullness of the cheeks towards the temples.

Kim Kardashian - Before blending and after. Perfect example!

Olympia Beauty 2012 (Picture Heavy)

I have finally recovered from the onslaught of 259 stands of beauty heaven. On Sunday I travelled across a (partly closed down - grr) London to Olympia for their yearly trade showcase.I got in just after doors opened and got in very quickly even though I had to pick up my ticket. I'd already had checked out the floor layout so I headed straight to the media centre for a quick coffee hit before embarking on the madness.

I did really like the layout, the stalls were downstairs while on the galley on the top is the media centre, competition areas and lecture areas. It meant that you could look down and watch the masses.

After the coffee hit (or 3!), I had some time with the fantastic people at Filthy Gorgeous. These are based in London and offer the pamper service with girlie gossip. They were so fab they're getting their own entry with compulsory pictures of the stunning nails they did for me.

I couldn't put it off enough and did a walk of the floor, it was busy (this was about lunchtime) but enough were I could get round without too much trouble. The only really busy bit was Sweet Squared you are the UK distributors for Shellac, the Que for the stand not only around the stand but across the walkway and half way down the door! The first picture above on the left has part of the Que in.

OPI's German Collection

SPARitual - Resisted remixing nail varnishes

China Glaze - I really wanted the one closest!

I also walked around the Make Up Competition, which for some reason I didn't get any pictures. However, I did get some of the Nailympics which you have never seen nail art like this before!

It was a very very tiring again, I really wished I had time to go Monday and watch the results of Nailympics. My arms and back were/still aching from the amount of bags I had, and the amount of reading I have for the next week. Many thanks to the wonderful team at Olympia who went out their way to make sure that everyone not only media but tradespeople were looked after. Only next time please get more toilets, there was not enough for the 50,000 visitors!

How I am spending my weekend

I am rather excited this weekend, I am going to Olympia Beauty 2012 in London. It is a once a year event that the beauty trade goes to see what is coming for the next season as well as share ideas and be tempted by loads of pretty things to buy look at. I missed last years after being on crutches, so I'm determined to make up for it!

Not only it is one of the biggest trade show, but launching this year is the first ever The Art of Make Up competition for New and Junior make up artists. This is alongside Nailympics, where nail technictions compete for 10 trophies and 96 medals. This is where you'll find the creme de la creme of the nail art world. This is one of last years winners, Maria De Loudres Destassiaux Vargara, who won Division 3 in Fantasy Nail Art.

If you want to find out more about Nailympics then go to here, they also have last years winners to browse over.

If you are a trade person who wants to go please visit the show website to register as your ticket will be free (it is £20 on the door).

I'm attending on Sunday and will be tweeting throughout the day, as well as avoiding temptation (like OPI and Essie - Oh dear!)

Masterclass - BB Creams

If you heard haven't of BB creams since the beginning of the year, then you have been living in cave with ear muffs on. This is the biggest launch item that most of the brands are bringing out, and yes I even own one (This one).

BB stands for Blemish Balm, Beauty Balm, Blemish Base or, because of copyright laws in Korea, Beblesh Balm. It was developed in the 1960's by dermatologist Dr. Christine Schrammek for patients that had gone under laser procedures and surgery. These were then introduced to the Asian market in 1985, where the healthily, pale skin is held in highest esteem, this was especially in the case of some creams that had whiten properties to them.

They are promoted as a all in one solution: serum, moisturiser, primer, anti-age properties, foundation, and sunblock. They increased popularity because they are a lighter alternative to foundation without having to compromise on coverage. A lot of the ranges that were developed in Asian also had nearly white tones suitable for western pale skins that struggled to get the right light colour.

To give you a better idea BB creams in Korea make up 13% of the overall cosmetics markets. When they launched in the Europe market a lot of brands were criticised for not making a 'true' BB Cream because they didn't have the whitening properties that the Korea market ones had.

They are really suitable for people who lean towards the slightly combination/oily as drier skins might find this doesn't provide the moisture that your skin needs (thus leaving it dull and flaky). I really like to use my BB Cream for everyday use and then used a foundation for the evening as it doesn't have the staying power to last all the way through.

Masterclass - How to Apply Foundation (The Video!)

Following on from the previous weeks foundation masterclasses - this goes on to explain the different application tools and how to use them.

Thank you for watching!

Next week - Concealers

Masterclass - How to Pick Foundation

Last week's masterclass was on foundation's purpose and the different types (You can view last weeks here). This weeks the aim is to look at the pitfalls of looking for foundation, what looks right and what looks like a disaster.

You should be prepared to pick in some hours to get the right ones (maybe even days), I found when I have rushed into buying a foundation for the sake that I was in a hurry it's turned out wrong (more on that later). Wearing a light make up that can be easily taken off or even wearing none at all will mean you can apply it to the area you will be wearing it. I do see alot of people trying it on the back of their hands, which is great if you are planning to wear it there.

Au Natural with nothing on

When I was consulting on foundation there was the key questions we asked and these are worth keeping in mind:

• What do I want my foundation to do? - Illuminate, cover, mattify? It'll give you your basis to start from.
• How will it fit in my routine? - No use buying one that needs to be applied carefully when you only have minutes to get ready.
• Are you being it as a one off event or for everyday use? Your skin will change colour when you're on holiday and you might find your foundation will look whiter/chalkier when your skin gets tanned
• Budget? - No good looking at ones that are £20-£30 and you only have £10.
• Where am I going to be wearing it? - In artificial light I find that you can get away with a tone darker foundation (as long as it is blended in), if I wore a pale one under fluorescent light I found that it made me look ill.

Next to consider is the colour of the skin, everyone has a tone to their skin. Tones are much of yellow or pink exist in the skin, this is when consultants also talk about cool tones (they have more pink, keys colour word to look for would be rose) and warm tones (they have more yellow tones, key word to look for is beige). Bobbi Brown once wrote that 90% of people in the world would suit yellow tone foundations, as the it would suit warmer toned skins but also tone down any pink in the cooler tones.

I have slightly olive skin and once I got put into a cool tone foundation (must to my protest), took a picture and it was like I had a pink glow around my face with a tanned neck. Wrong just wrong. The two pictures below are an example of foundation gone wrong, the colour on the left was the one I brought in a hurry thinking that will be fine, while the right is my MUA Cosmetics BB Cream.

There are also two different coverages in these photos, the left side is a thicker foundation while the BB Cream on the right provides a more lighter. The left one would be perfect for nights out or photos are it gives more colour, while the right is perfect for everyday as it is more my natural skin tone.

My foundations that I have got in the past are on recommendations from friends and other bloggers. I would then go into store have a play with testers or if possible speak to a consultant. Don't be scared to speak to them, they are the experts on their ranges (and sometimes on other peoples. When I worked at Lauder nearly half of the department wore Double Wear!).

Also a lot more brands are introducing a sampling system, letting you have a consult and then taking the recommendation home for trail. With these I never buy without trying the sample for a few days to play with.

I wish there is a quick way to fall in love with the right foundation, but there isn't. Hopefully this will give you more of a short cut round the bad foundation choices.

Next Week - The first vlog attempt and how to apply foundation.

A quick note here: I felt like Two-Faced from Batman doing these photos!

LatestInBeauty In-Flight Box

This is now very long over due, however bear with me there is a reason why it's taken a while to get round to this one.

I received my box a few days after ordered and dived straight into it as soon as I got home form work. The box was brimming as you can see.

I pulled everything out and was happy with everything, however I did notice my OPI nail varnish wasn't the colour that was said on the website. I got 'William Tell Me About OPI' (AW 2010 limited Edition), a deep purple creme, when the choice was between two The Muppet's Limited Editions which I had been looking forward to because I missed out on them when they launched.

 I thought why not just check? Within 5 minutes of emailing them I got an email back saying that OPI sent wrong varnishes and that some of these had made it into the boxes, with their apologies, do I want to swap it for another?

After checking swatches out on line, yes I did want to swap and duly sent it back 2nd class to them. A few days later I got Wocka Wocka, a Burgundy red that goes brighter red in the sun and deeper in artificial light (so gorgeous it's getting it's own entry!). I was over the moon with not only the colour but the helpfulness of the customer service.

The rest of the box I still like just as much and have pretty much used all of it now

The whole box was themed like your were going on holiday so you have self tan with Xen-Tan Dark Lotion, Hydration with Urban Health Acai Sachet that was great when a few weeks back I has to go on antibiotics for laryngitis; Good to Go Wipes each with its own sealed packet that have gone straight into my handbag; Balitiste Dry Shampoo in Cherry that I've already had before and loved; L'Oreal Mythic Oil which is going head-to-head with my Ojon in the next few weeks, and samples of Garnier BB Cream which is nearly as good as my MUA BB Cream.

In addition there is also a tin of mints that are actually cinnamon which are very different and do take a little while to get used to but now have become a staple in my handbag. I also have the cutest little bottle of Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist which after putting into the fridge have been the most refreshing thing to spray on my face for the past few days in the heat. This after my StiVectin-SH Age Protection Lotion SPF30 to stop my pale skin burning (with added bonus of a bracelet that turns blue when the sun is really strong to remind you not to stay out in it for too long!). There is also Acqua D'Alfresco a insect repellent that I have passed onto the husband as insects seem to love him at this time of the year!

A lot of bloggers have been mixed about this, some love the mixture (like me) or just didn't like it at all, however this is the beauty of LatestinBeauty = no likie, no buyie.

NOTD MUA Comestics Nail Varnish Shade 13

Time for an unplanned NOTD post!

I painted these in Shade 13 last night to match the cardigan that I was wearing to work today, it is an exact match which I didn't realise when I brought it. This was brought when MUA did 25% off their products a while back (as well as refreshing my BB Cream that I love! Read the rave here, eye shadow palettes Going For Gold and Undressed, blusher in shade 4 AND primer. Phew). I was drawn to the green and well it is £1 so if it wasn't right then I hadn't spent a lot.

The pot is so small it boarding on cute, this does affect the brush as it smaller than an average brush. I still found it easy to use and the lacquer itself goes on evenly. It has so far survived at day at work, including having sellotape stuck to it and not flaking. I even had a mail customer say that my nail colour was funky and that he really liked it.

I am already thinking about what colours I can get next. I really want to call this Green With Envy, what do you think?

MUA's All-In-One BB Cream

I have committed a make up sin the past few months, I have been wearing foundation that is far too dark for my pale skin. It was brought when I was unemployed and broke for a pound in Poundland, but this really isn't an excuse for looking an orange freak. I even started to pile on the tan to try and make it look better, it didn't the tone of it was too wrong, I resolved that the first pay check I receive I would at least buy a new foundation.

Now normally I would of plumped for a heavy coverage as previously I was underneath bright shop lighting all day, however my new reception job means that I am in natural daylight all day. Also after using my latestinbeauty.com YOU box my skin has come leap and bounds in look brighter and nourished that I could even get away with tinted moisturiser on some days.

Everyone has now heard of BB creams, they are dominating the market because they supply everything that we are looking for in one tube. I follow The London Lipgloss's blog who is also a fellow pale person, she had tried this out and said that it genuinely surprised her.

For me the fact that it was £4.00 was a big plus, I also had been using their waterproof liquid liner (that is a £1) that has a narrow brush which I really like and is as stay put as I hoped. I have this in the palest which is light, I also have a mixture of pink and yellow tones in my skin so picking foundation is always interesting (always too pink or too yellow). This does blend in well colour wise, the texture is more of cream, and I find that will have to set it with a powder on the area I'm slightly more oilier.

It can last me a good 8 hour shift with only showing signs of wear where I am oilier. I like the fact it is not heavy and feels like I have a reasonable light to medium coverage (only having to cover a few blemishes). For the value I could not argue with it, for something that is suppose to be budget I defiantly think it could compete with the premier side.