My Make Up/Skincare Storage

This was my 30th birthday present from my parents. I want somewhere where I could put all my cosmetics storage as at the time it was in carrier and make up bags all over the place. I really didn't know what I had which meant I spent more money on bits that I already had or dupes of.

This was brought from Amazon but because it was a present I do not know exactly where it was from but I do know it was around £70 and was actually an electians tool box. It splits into 3 areas, the tool box on the top, a divided tray section and a big stroage hold at the bottom. Thankfully it all is on wheels so it can pulled along, while if you want only a certain part you can seperate them.

Top layer - All the make up. Lips on the top trays (lips glosses left, lipstick right), 2nd layer is eye shadow singles/pencils/mascaras, 3rd layer is everything else but it is mostly eye shadow palettes.

Middle Layer - Nails, simply all the varnsihes I own seperated into brands after a huge clean up. The rule is if they don't fit in here they have to leave (not my rule either).

Bottom layer - This has my nail art box as well as samples, spare skin care and everything else that doesn't fit in the layers above.

 All sealed up.

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!

Vivo Dreamy 12 Shade Colour Block palette

My MUA Cosmetics Undressed palette is finally no more, and I won't be re-purchasing as I now have this neutral beauty in life make up bag.

I found that I only used certain colours in the MUA and when they went it got forgotten in my case for a while. I got this palette when I went to the July Blogger Meet Up and instantly was in awe of the colours. There wasn't any particular one I disliked.

This is now looking a lot more used since this photo, I like the pattern of the squares and for once actually waited until I photographed it until using. The wearing time is a little more than MUA, I can finish a day shift at work and still have wear left to adapt to night. With a primer it lasts much longer of course.

Thus uses the champagne coloured from the centre of the blocks, while using that matt black/brown as eyeliner and brow powder.

As previously seen in Ginvera Green Tea Nude Cover BB Cream

The palette is exclusive to Tesco stores or you can purchase it from Vivo Cosmetics Store for the grand total of £3.99 for 10 good sized shadows and for me one I can use as a brow powder. Not doubt that it is a bargain - just wait until their matt red lipstick review is up in the next few days, it's another bargain!

The Real Value of How Much Your Face is Worth

According to Superdrug research us ladies spend a total of £18.049.89 on our faces over the course of our lifetime. They polled 2,000 women as part of an in-depth study looking at expenditure on beauty products, and found that from the age of 18 to 82 the typical female will spend just over £18,000 on products for her face alone.

This means that during the typical year the average woman’s face value is a whopping £279.41 when you have added up the total cost of beauty items such as cleansers, foundations, mascaras and lipsticks. The highest valued item was moisturiser and then foundation.

The most purchased product for women is (and you should hang you heads in shame for this) is face wipes - An average of five packs are brought a year, which equals 323 packs over a course of a lifetime (on the presumption that an adult life span is 64.6 years average).

You can also split this down to the two categories - cosmetics and skincare.

Cosmetics

The figures show women spend a total of £147.46 on make-up products such as foundation, mascara, lipstick and gloss, blusher and bronzer, concealer, eye liner and shadow. This means over her adult lifetime the average woman spends £9,525.91 putting the make-up ON.

 

Skincare

 

An average ladies’ skincare routine is almost as important as her cosmetics, as she spends a total of £131.95 a year, and £8,523.97 a lifetime, on products such as cleanser and toner, moisturisers, eye creams, face masks and wipes.

With the emergence of own brands now started to be just as good (and in some cases much better) than the premium brands, 73% of women said they would of opted for the companies own brand rather than the premium.

This is where huge savings can be made - Superdrug say that if you switched to their own equal in their own brands then an average saving is £172 PER YEAR OR £11,111.02 PER ADULT LIFETIME.

Found this research fascinating and I know it will come in useful for a pub quiz at some point. Please people - no more face wipes.

Oriflame Triple Core 3D Lipstick in Nude Peach

I have an admission to make: I am a very bad beauty blogger, I used this before I even had a chance to photograph the triple rings you get in this lipstick. Please see bad attempt to rectify this below.

Nude nails shock!



This is another discovery from the July Bloggers Meet Up bag, and since has been gracing my lips everyday. The contrasting bands of colour as well as slightly glittery core gives the illusion of fuller lips. To me it gives the looks of lip liner, lipstick and lip gloss in one easily carried tube, with the bonus that it doesn't dry out my lips further.

 

 

The colour is perfect for my tone, the peach is good for the olive tones in my skin but there is slight pink so it doesn't tip into the coral territory. The price is still competitive between the high street and premium, as it is one of the ones I am wearing everyday it would be a re-investment when it finishes.

 

It is £10.95 from Oriflame website or from a local reprehensive.



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.

Bourjois Cream Blusher - Healthy Glow

 

I said I would own one when I first saw they were coming out here, but I got the colour that out of al them I liked but didn't love. I got this as a PR sample after that rave, so the colour was random. It's not a colour I head towards, I more the pinky type because to me they show up better on my skin. I do, however like to be wrong.

 

It is tiny compared to the pressed powder blushers, I'm sure the spin on that is that it is "Compact" or "Slimline". It is a mixture of peach and coral, but the little hidden gem that reveals itself after a few uses is that it has the tiniest flecks of gold in it, I didn't notice this until the Summer arrived and I was applying it in the sun.

 

It isn't as strong as it looks in the compact, I know when I saw it I thought it would go on bright peach and I would have to buff it down. This is not the case I find that I can build it up in fine layers (either with clean fingers or a buffing brush) and, as the name suggests, have a glow rather than a huge coral blob.

 

It has now become an everyday make up essential - I've even mentioned it in a previous post, Early Pregnancy Beauty because it has genuinely given me some glow back when glowing was the last thing on my mind. This also the reason why the skin above is not looking at it's best, the effect of hayfever allergies and the fact that I cannot take my allergy medication because of my pregnancy.

 RRP £7.99 (from the usual suspects - Boots, Superdrug etc.), price wise it is a little bargain. It has a wonderful texture and blends into the skin better than expected. This has now started a new interest in cream blushers, and the Diors are calling my name, just not the price tag at £24.

You Give Customer Service A Bad Name

Today's hottest topic from Twitter has been customer service on make up counters, after Goss Make Up Artists YouTube video on people's worst experiences. Some of them are shocking, one ending with the customer being called 'fat' by the brand's make up 'artist' and being escorted out of the building by them. I could of honestly cried for the poor woman, all she wanted was some help and to feel fantastic and had her self confidence ruined.

As it was point out by Goss, not all counters are like this - I should know as I was a Account Manager for Estee Lauder for 3 and half years. Part of my role was to oversea that my staff did their job, that they made the customer feel like they had an experience and found the solution they were looking for. This was done in coaching sessions, observation work and open discussion. I was extremely lucky, my team were amazing and all of us not only worked incredible hard but loved what we did (One is now a published Make Up Artist in top Asian Media).

However, I did see the dark side of sales - Pushy sales people and are only there so they can get their discounted make up for their kits. I've seen the leaning on counters and the I'd rather be somewhere else attitude. I have been guilty of not feeling motivated on the days where I've been on my feet for 8 hours, one member of staff has called in sick so this means I would normally would have to work longer. It is still my job and the customer is here for my advice and help not listen to my upsets.

What advice can I offer from the other side?

If you do met someone that you connect with and like them, get their name and what hours they do. They will get a percentage of your money for what you purchase and I look at it like this - If you were in restaurant and thought that a person had gone the extra mile you would leave a tip. Don't like what they were, take your money elsewhere (no one earns commission on internet purchases).

Treat them like a real person, treat them how you would want to be treated yourself. You will not believe how many rude customers I have still carried on serving, I am still a professional but I am also a person. Kill it with kindness is still my favourite motto.

I know the biggest bug bear with everyone is samples. I have sat in regional meetings and asked until I'm blue in the face for more sampling. Times are changing - foundation sampling is now more wide spread and I now has decreased the returning of foundation (which is the biggest amount of items returned). Samples are limited, and they are there to be used as a promotional tool. At least be prepared to hand over an email address in exchange (I have an email address, just for this purpose). Ask if you want bring in a clean pot so an amount can be added in, if you have shown an interest in the product there really shouldn't be a problem (but it is at your own risk and don't expect a huge amount).

I do miss my days on counter, making a customer feel fantastic after months, years of frustration cannot be brought. It is with a heavy heart that I read people's experiences of bad customer service, it makes me want to scream that it's not like that. There is a huge percentage of us who love make up and have a huge passion for it. If you do not complain then it won't be dealt with, and don't leave it until you get home - get the manager and cause a stink, it has more impact and will embarrass them into doing something rather than dismissing an email.

Please do not let one person put you off going to counters, but don't let them get away with it easier.

Falling in Amour for Bourjois Cream Blush

I think we need to take a step back for a moment and think that the high street staple, Bourjois, is 150 years old. Everyday there are hundreds of beauty brands launching themselves to be the next big thing, while Bourjois has stood the test of time. They have still stayed on trend as well as keeping their delicate french charm.

I do own a few bits like the odd eye shadow, but recently I have started longing for the Healthy Mix Foundation, which when I went to London one of the girls dug out of her handbag for me to look at. Instantly loved the scent and *fanfare* the colour was perfect. This is my next foundation purchase for sure, then there was the limited edition lilac shimmer intense eye shadow from the beginning of the year (I'm still hunting this down). Oh, and I better not forget the Rainbow Connection 1-Second nail varnish, multi coloured glitter in a sheer pink/purple base.

Now onto my new Bourjois want, the new Cream Blush. A light cream to powder blush that produces a soft glow rather than something you feel like you are removing a layer of skin trying to blend. It has poppy extract to make it feel more comfortable feel, apricot extract for a healthy glow and mango extract for a softer touch. There are 4 colours: Nude Velvet, Healthy Glow (an apricot tone), Rose Tender and Sweet Cherry (Brown/Rose tone), and think that the majority would suit all skin tones.

All I can add is, "Damn you spending ban"

Available now in exclusively in Selfridges until 15th May where they will be in Boots, Superdrug and ASOS for the sum of £7.99

Money Talks by Dainty Doll

I am pale and being a pale woman I wanted to try the Dainty Doll range created by Girl's Aloud Nicola Roberts. She was inspired by her own struggle to get cosmetics that will suit her skin that wouldn't look orange or make her look like Coco the Clown. This echoed my sentiments exactly.

Like the whole entire female population that has access to the Internet, I ordered my Dainty Doll items from Fragrance Direct. I spotted them annouching it on their twitter that they've just started stocking it. I ended up investing in the palest foundation, concealer, wonderbalm and this blusher. I still have to try the others as I am still using the last of  what I'm currently using now.

The blusher I had previously just wasn't looking right on me and decided one day to dig this out and see if I could find a new improvement.

I like the colour in the pan, it's a mixture of bronze and plum with shimmer. The compact is the size of a small mug, so it fits snugly in my small palm (I do have very small hands). The mirror in the back is the size of the lid and clear. I actually use the mirror from this a lot because it's the perfect size.

The pigment of the blush provides a good cover of colour with one layer, I find this is prefect for me as I do have high colour on my cheeks. It's lasts the whole of my 8 hour shift which is the key thing for me, I have a busy day job and don't have time to top up really.

Please excuse the spots this is when my skin broke out - Grr

This has now made it into my everyday make up bag, I whole heartily recommend this. It normally retails for £13.50 while I got mine for £1.99 (P&P starts at £1.99 with Fragrance Direct). I would however pay the full price for this because it is so rare to find a blusher that makes me lot health and suits my skin tone. I cannot wait to try the rest of the items I have from the range.

Any other Dainty Doll love out there?

Brand Masterclass - Benefit Cosmetics

It is not often that businesses are started off with a coin toss. Twins Jean and Jane Ford at a crossroads - Heads it was going to be a casserole cafe but thankfully it was tails to open a beauty boutique. In 1976 the Ford twins opened 'The Face Place' in San Francisco. The first product was a lip and blush tint called 'Rose Tint', developed for an exotic dancer who was in need of a nipple tint for shows.

In 1989, the catalogue was developed and this a new focus on department store distribution, The Face Place was rebranded and named Benefit Cosmetics. Their key product also had a make over and was rename what we know it today - Benetint. It still remains the companies top seller at over 10 million bottles sold.

With success in America, they opened in Europe in the Harrods Store in 1997, with the website store soon launching afterwards. Then in 1999 LVMH (Moét Hennessy - Louis Vuitton) brought Benefit. As the company grew so did the Benefit family with Jean's daughters, Maggie and Annie, joining their mother and aunt in 2008.

From the start Benefit to this day keeps to it quirkiness, know for it's unique packaging and product names. The empire has also expanded into it own line of Brow Bars and stand alone stores as well as having a strong presence in department stores and pharmacies.

"Laughter is the best cosmetics, so grin and wear it."

Brand Masterclass - M.A.C. Cosmetics

M.A.C. Cosmetics or Makeup Artist Cosmetics was created in 1984 by Photographer Frank Tostan and Salon chain owner Frank Angelo, seeing a gap in the market for specialised cosmetics for fashion photo shoots. Tostan was the idea and creative mind behind M.A.C. before partnering with Angelo, he experimented with formulas with his brother in law and chemist Victor Casale.  Original product lines were designed for Makeup artists who needed heavy cosmetics, cake makeup ad stage makeup needed for the heavy light of photography.

Already having connections in the industry, they spread the M.A.C. word through these contacts. The quality and durability of the products soon promoted the brand and won endorsements by stars like Pamela Anderson, Debbie Harry, and Boy George. They opened their first store in New York in 1991, with the first European in Paris in 1996. They now have 1,500 locations in 78 countries.

In 1994 the partners sold 51% of the business to Esteé Lauder with the full takeover being completed in 1998 after the passing of Frank Angelo. Esteé Lauder kept the original philosophy of the owners work as well as the continued VIVA Glam campaign that raises funds and awareness of AIDS through limited edition collections.

"All ages, All races, All sexes"

Masterclass - History of Lipstick Trends

We need to head back 5000 years to see evidence of the first type of lipstick wore the Egyptians. This was a mixture of crushes precious stones, clay, rust, henna and seaweed. There was also a mixture of bromine mannite mixed with iodine that was commonly used, this combination of deep purple stain would get the reputation of 'Kiss of Death' due to the toxic mixture. Queen Cleopatra (51BC and 30BC) was wiser and used a mixture of beeswax and crushed ants with fish scales to add shine.

Queen Nefertiti (1370 – 1330 BC)

It wasn't until get to the Middle Ages that this cosmetics fall out of favour with Upper Classes as it was presented that only prostitutes and lower classes should be wear. It took Elizabeth I to start the trend again with her pale face and crimson lips - stained with beeswax and either rose or geranium flowers.

As we pass through 17th century the church declares make up as, "the work of the devil" and in 1770 was outlawed alongside any make-up. Any woman found wearing it would be declared a witch and burnt at the stake. Even through we eventually lose the witch burning, wearing cosmetics of any kind was still frowned upon well into Queen Victoria's reign (1837-1901), who declared that wearing make-up was vulgar and indecent. Women smuggled in cosmetics from France to fulfil the void during this time.

By the late 1890's make-up started to be declared socially acceptable and lipstick started to slowly become popular. In 1920's saw lipstick sales increase as women embraced being more independent, alongside the ease of new lipstick products coming onto the market, including the invention of the swivel motion that we see in today's lipsticks.

1920's

The first trends saw deep garnets and blacks in small delicate shapes on the centre of the lips. This developed into deep red-browns as we head into 1930's in longer elongated shapes. It was this time that Elizabeth Arden introduced a large range of different colours to the market which provided the inspiration of other companies starting ranges. Also at this time lipstick was seen as a 'womans' product and not for young girls, while the adults still saw it as an act of rebellion.

As we head into the 1940's and the World Wars women was encourage to wear brighter reds to boost moral for the troops. Women in the forces were given tubes of red lipstick and instructions on how to wear it. This also transferred onto the Hollywood stars of the time Rita Hayworth, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford with full symmetrical pouts.

1950's saw a separation of styles, Marylin Manroe with her luscious red lips and Audrey Hepburn with her softer pink colour. This was the biggest time of creativity, production and application techniques. The style extended over the natural lip line to give a bigger appearance.

Elizabeth Taylor in 1950's

The freedom of the 60's and 70's let convention go out of the window. With the focus more on the eyes, pale pearl lipsticks sticks were the trend while the focus went onto the eyes. More division came in the 70's with the glam rockers and new romantics embracing darker purple and blacks, with disco embracing crimson and burgundy glosses.

The boom of cosmetics in 1980's was the build up to 1990's, the 80's embraced bold statements in application very much like the fashion of the time. The 90's were all about taking styles and influences from fashion and models (as well as creating make up artist into celebraties - Bobbi Brown being a key figure at this time). This also starts the seasonal colour changes that we see today with brown natural tones being popular with lips being brown or taupe shades (At this time I was 16 and wearing Heather Shimmer by Rimmel - the ultimate 90's lipstick).

Jennifer Aniston at the height of her fame in 'Friends' - The pinnacle of 90's fashion



As we enter a new millennium lipstick technology becomes more advanced and the trends change every three months to go with the latest changes in fashion and consumer need. Lipstick still is an essential to any collection that is brought out with the stand alone classics that stand the test of time (5000 years to be exact).

Update on my BTEC in Make-Up Artistry

I have spoken in the past that I am currently studying for my BTEC in Make-Up Artistry, after 3 assignments I am now working hard on the final assignment. This contains 5 designs briefs - Party, Wedding, Fashion, Photographic and Fantasy. I have spent the previous weekend doing two of the briefs and am currently filling in treatment plans, designs and evaluations, as well as editing photos and writing reports for them. I am still loving the course and cannot wait until I qualify, however time is limited as for the next few weeks I need to get everything finished and handed in for the end January. 
I am really excited about the Fantasy element that is themed around musicals - I've chosen Phantom of The Opera because it is my favourite, I've seen it in the West End, got the Film version and really want the Live DVD version. I'm thinking of doing a half face piece, one side the phantom, the other half Christine. My front room is currently covered in photos, make-up and drawings. As it is my final piece I want to put as much as I've learnt into it, as well as making it a show stopper!
This does mean that updates on here will for the next few weeks be fewer than normal, wth the Masterclasses returning next month as these take the most time to research and put together. It also interesting as I learn that I really want to share it you guys, I'm still finding more and more things that I want to write and share about.
The blog also hit 10,000 page views a few days ago, I am still humbled that people read this, I won't say too much now - that'll come on my one year anniversary on 25th.  For now, keep safe everyone and I'll see you on the other side.

Masterclass - Lipstick

 

Lipstick is a combination of pigments, oils, emoluments, and waxes. This applies a colour, texture and protection to the lips. Some lipsticks can contains perfume as well as added vitamins but there is an increase of lipstick that not contain these they can increase chances of allergies.

 

Most lipsticks have four finishes:

• Cream - Has a slight shine to the finish, known for needed to replenished often. Has a high level of wax while long lasting ranges have a higher level of oil.
• Matt - Dull finish that can last longer
• Frosted - Lasts the longest because it also the driest, this produced by adding shimmery like mica or silica.
• Translucent - Almost colourless lipsticks.

Lipstick is made from grinding and heating ingredients. The heated waxes are added to the mix for texture. Oils and lanolin are added for specific formula requirements. Afterwards, the hot liquid is poured onto a metal mold. The mixture is chilled and kept cool so that the lipsticks harden. Once they have hardened, they are heated in flame for half a second to create a shiny finish and to remove imperfections.

 

It was said that first lipstick was made by Mesopotamian woman who grounded gemstones to wear on their lips. The ancient Egyptians expanded on this creating toxic combinations to decorate their lips including the first uses of fish scales to produce a shimmery effect.

 

In medieval Europe it was forbidden for people by the church to wear cosmetics and was know to be a mark of women of the night to be wearers. It wasn't until Royalty, Elizabeth I, started the trend for wearing blush red lips with pales faces that it acceptable for the higher classes to be seen wearing make up.

 

The first commercial lipstick was manufactures by French perfumer Guerlian in 1884. It was wrapped in silk paper and made from deer tallow, castor oil, and beeswax. It wasn't until 1921 that it acceptable for women to start wearing cosmetics and lipsticks.

 

Next Week - Lipstick trends

Masterclass - Lipgloss

From my kit: L-R Estee Lauder High Gloss, Benefit The Gloss, No.7 Lip Shine and Lancome Juicy Tube.

 



Lip gloss is designed to add a luste and shine to the lips, adding this can make the lips look fuller. It is used for a softer, lighter colour for people who doesn't want the 'wow' effect of a lipstick. Popular in teens (and the young at heart) as it is an easily accessible make up product. Some glosses also have moisturising benefits like lip balms but have a different finish.

The first lip gloss on the market was made by Max Factor called X-Rated in 1930, wanting a lip product that would look glossy in the cinema screen in black and white pictures. As more woman longed for the cinema looks, Max Factor released the gloss for sale and the same colour had been on sale until 2003 where it was retired after the sale to Proctor and Gamble.

 It is presented in different ways: a tube that has an applicator that is dipped in or a squeezable tube that the products come out of that can be applied with fingers or disposable brush. The range of colours are huge with the next thing being a hybrid of intense colour of lipstick and the shine of gloss.

Next week - Lipstick

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

Masterclass - The History of Mascara

 

 

Other than foundation the holy grail is mascara, one that makes lashes look darker, thicker, longer and defined. The early mascaras date back the Egyptian times where eye areas were darker to ward off dark spirits. It didn't back into fashion in Europe until the Victorian era. Victorian ladies of leisure would make their own mixture; would heat a mixture of ash or lampblack and elderberry juice on a plate and apply the heated mixture to their eyelashes.



The first commerical mascara was developed by Eugene Rimmel using a new product called Petroleum jelly, his name is still linked with mascara as in Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Greek, Turkish, Romanian, and Persian it is translated as mascara. Mr Rimmel is also the founder of Rimmel London (then Known as the House of Rimmel) and was owned by the family until 1949.

Over the water a little later in 1913, another mascara empire was starting. T. L. Williams was creating something similar for his sister Maybel, which planted the seeds for the company Maybelline. Both formulations were messy and not easy to use.

It wasn't until Helena Rubinstein, a shrewd business woman, saw the popularity that this product was getting and started to develop (alongside her rival Elizabeth Arden). After the First World War, consumers were eager to try new products and this is where Rubinstein launched her range including mascara cake that is applied by wetting the material and applying with a brush.

Years later in 1957, Rubinstein created a formula that evolved mascara from a hard cake into a lotion-based cream. The packaging of the new mascara was in a tube sold with a brush. For use, the cream was squeezed onto the brush and applied to lashes.

The modern mascara we see today was soon evolved, the device picked up the same amount of mascara for each use. Then the grooved rod was altered to the brush similar to the ones used today. The change in applicator led mascara to be even easier to use, and so starts the hunt for the perfect mascara.

Next week - Using mascara

Retro Love - Rimmel's Heather & Coffee Shimmer Lipsticks

The first ever lipstick I ever wore was by Rimmel and it was  influenced by a girl called Jenny. It was the end of the day at school when I was around 14/15, it was end of our PE lesson and she insisted that I try some lipstick as I was too much of a tomboy and needed to girl up. I wore it home to be promptly told by my mum to take it straight off because I looked to silly and I was too young to be wearing lipstick.

The lipstick in question - Heather Shimmer, this purple/brown hybrid was the THE lipstick of the 90's. The 90's trend could be summed in one world, Brown and it was all over the eyes, lips and even blusher. You were in two camps - either Coffee or Heather shimmer. All of my friends wore Heather (including my friend, Heather. I still have the evidence!).

I liked coffee shimmer more, it wasn't until the beginning of the year that I brought both of them. It was being a teen all over again, and they are still perfect for this years brown lipstick revival.

Being a hoodie in Coffee Shimmer

You can buy them in your chemist's of choice, They are part of the Lasting Finish collection - Heather Shimmer is No. 66 and Coffee Shimmer is No. 264: RRP £4.99

Masterclass - Eyeliner

Eyeliner comes in 4 different forms - Pencil, liquid, pens or cake liners. Pencil is the most common and versatile of the 4, as not only gives you more control but can change the finish to sharp or blended depending on what you need. Liquid is more defined and sharper, I also find a majority of pens come in liquid form (Liquids have a pot to dip into, while pens have a nib attached that you use to apply). With cake you use a brush, wet the bristles and paint the liner on, this can also give a stronger finish.

With any liner, I find applying it at first really fiddly, and can recommend to practise! I find it easier to lift the eyebrow up with one hand and using the other hand to put dashes along the lash line, and then join these up. If I'm using a pencil I would use a bit on the hand first to warm the tip as I find this goes on smoother. If you can sit down at a desk to start with this will you steady yours arms when applying until you feel more confident.

Always start inwards going outwards as not to drag the skin, and check your work regularly as not to get uneven eyes. If you want to apply any liner to the inside of the eye (also known as the waterline), pencils is best as this will be softer on the delicate area.

Examples of different looks