Ginvera Green Tea Nude Cover BB Cream

Stop rolling your eyes, yes I know it is another BB Cream and we are now over them and onto CC creams - just bear with me.

As I have may mentioned a few times before I am a pale skinned woman with a mixed under tone of pink or olive. Every time I get foundation matched I always get put into the wrong undertone, either too pink or too orange. I like the rest of woman kind have been searching for 'the one'.

I got this is my goodie bag from the July Bloggers Meet Up as a 8g sample (which can be purchase on the website for £2 including P&P). I know fellow bloggers have gone crazy for it, so I was happy to get one to try out.

Ginvera is looked after by Janrio Ltd, run by a Rob Lyons from the UK and Jelle de Jong from the Netherlands, who after living in Asia and seeing their cosmetics wanted to bring them to the European market. The Ginvera range is the most popular in South-East Asia after the range first launched in 1985

Ginvera Green Tea Nude Cover BB Cream has Green Tea, Ginseng, Chinese Angelica and Hyaluronic Acid. This hydrates, protects (SPF 30) and smooths out skin. What really impressed me was the moment I put it on my skin instantly looked clear but I felt that my skin could breath as it was covered in inches of foundation. I instantly glowed and this lasted throughout the day, I was getting told I looked 'rested' which when you are pregnant can look hard.

I now invested into the full size and won't even consider looking at the another base at the moment, I have honestly been that impressed with it. It is an amazing product and has retuned my faith in the BB Cream fad because this is one of the originals from where the fad started and where pale skin rules.- Asia.

Can be brought from http://www.janiro.co.uk/ prices start at £18 for a 25ml and the sample size can be brought from here as well.

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!

Masterclass - Face Powder

Face powder is used when using a cream or liquid foundation to set the foundation to extend the life of wearing. It can also absorb any excess grease which will then reduce shine and provide a smoother, matt finish. With some powders they can also provide blemish cover and protect the skin.

There are two types of powder, loose and pressed.

Loose Powder

Powders that have more coverage to them have a higher proportion of kaolin, chalk and an ingredient such as titanium dioxide. This often have pigments to compliment a foundation shad and provide good coverage. Finer powders are based more on talc or mica. These are more translucent, allowing any colour underneath to come through.

Chalk, starch and powdered silk are often added to powders to give the skin a smoother finish. Luminous finish can contain finely ground metallic particles that create a slight pearlised finish.

Pressed Powder

Is usually produced in a block, which is then fitted into a compact. A binding ingredient is added, this can be a gum or wax that holds the particles together. Pressed powder is more designed to be used a touch up for when any shine comes through on the skin. They are not used as much by make up artists because it is not fine enough to produce an even finish on foundation and is not as hygienic to use as loose powder.

I find the easiest way to apply is to use a big fluffy brush swept over the powder, tap the excess and buff around the skin, moving inwards towards the nose. For pressed compacts on the go, roll the powder onto the area and wash/replace the puff often to avoid any bacteria from breeding.

Personally there is nothing as glamorous like powdering your nose using a vintage powder compact.

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 - Concealers/Colour Correctors

This is a carry on from last weeks vlog effort on How to apply foundation, towards the end I put on a bit of concealer because a spot decided to come along on that morning and ruin my smooth skinned week.

Concealers can come in creams and sticks, and are designed to cover any minor skin blemishes that the foundation hasn't been able to cover but not mask the skin. They are more pigmented than foundation, so if you tried to put them all over ace it can look thick as well as drying for the skin.

The first concealer was launched by Max Factor in 1938 simply called Erase. One of the highest selling is the one you see in the picture above, YSL's Touch Eclat. This has a brush on light reflected concealer that can be used to highlight as well as conceal.  Next to it is Estee Lauder's Disappear, a lot more creamer for more stubborn blemishes but blends in smoothly.

For more deeper marks like bruises, birthmarks, thread veins, and tattoos, a camouflage concealer is needed. They are set with a special fixing powders that is waterproof and more likely to not rub off. When I used these on people I build into thin layers to make sure it doesn't over power the rest of the area without looking like you're covering something up.

Abother catagoary to concealers is colour correctors, these are designed to cut through colours of the skin to decrease unwated colour. They can come in a base applied before foundation or a concealer form to put on afterwards. The general rule is this:

• Green kills any red spots like the nose or cheeks where were catch the most sunlight so it colours quiker.
• Pink/lilac brightens any yellow or sallow skin.

To me there is no set in stone rule about when to apply a concealer, just keep in the mind the manufractures instructions. I use my concealer after my foundation as I use it more a blemish cover or highlighter.

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

Boots No.7 Cosmetics Re-Vamp

Not many products get me really excited enough that I need to start a blog entry with some urgency. I was told by my friends who were No.7 consultants that I need to keep an eye out end of August for something huge happening. Drifting around watching vloggers on youtube I was watching Lisa Eldridge's video on her role in No.7 and then going onto the developments that have recently been happening.

From tomorrow in stores you will be met a new No.7 range, more sleeker and professional. For me the biggest change will be the foundation ranges. For 3 years they have been developing with X-rite an American company that had previously owned colour brand Pantone. They photographed 2008 women for different skin tones to see how the different skin tones can be put into clusters and develop the correct foundations.

From the 50 shades they then went down to 17 colours, which will then be available in 7 different formulations from mattifying to illuminating. This is a huge task, Lancome have tried to do this, transferring it colours to different formulations but the colours vary between then I could be light in one and then orange in another. However, Boots/Lisa has said that they have cracked this.

If that is not exciting enough, they have invested into developing the technology that takes the guess work out of choosing which one. A hand held device will be given to Boots consultants, it is a small camera that has 8 LED lights and 1 UV light. Onto cleaned skin along the jawline (no full face removal required), they will take two readings from each side then on the hand held screen it will tell you what colour you need. From there the consultant will then help you picking out the correct formulation.

The hand held will even read any fake tan that is on, so if you want to match the colour on the neck or body then it can read that to recommend the correct colour.

I feel this is massive step for No.7 to start challenging premium side of cosmetics. They have been taking leaps and bounds with Protect & Perfect and now with this development it will defiantly put them in the same breaths as Estee Lauder and Lancome. I look forward to trying it out in due course.

No one explains it (or with more ethuisium) better than the Creative Director Lisa Eldridge

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!

Masterclass - What is Foundation?

This would be the most essential bit of nit of kit you will ever own, finding the perfect foundation is any woman's holy grail. Foundation provides a blank canvas that lets other colours sing. It also provide a barrier for the skin against the environment and with some also contain sunscreens. Foundation is there to enhance your natural skin tone, provide a smooth even skin tone, and minor blemishes.

Before foundation - Uneven tone around the nose and cheeks, oiliness and the odd blemish

After foundation (full face of make up) - All one tone, eyes are highlighted because all of the above are evened out.

Most foundations are an emulsion of oil and water with colour pigments that can vary the texture and effect of the product.

Cream

Cream blend easily on the skin the majority are oil based, cream foundations are a mixture of wax, powder and glycerol (but can vary brand to brand). Generally they leave a medium coverage and require a powder of adsorb any excess oil left on the skin after application. The ones designed for oilier skin contain a higher portion of powder.

Liquid

Thinner version of the cream, has a higher proportion of water compared to the cream. This has lighter coverage than the cream version and let more the natural skin through. In some alcohol is replaced so it evaporates on the skin and leaves a powdered finish. If a foundation oil based then it is more suitable for drier skins, water based for greasier/combination skins, and alcohol based for greasy, acneified skins.

Gel

The thinnest coverage that is more suited for summer time where a lot of makeup can irritate skin. There are more suited to tanned, black, and unblemished skins. For black skins this can be better as it doesn't contain powder that can make it look dull and grey.

Cake/Compact

Easy to use and carry, can come in a compact or stick. It contains a higher level of powder so this gives it a higher level of coverage, and is mostly used in photo, theatre and fashion shoots because it goes on flawless, but can feel heavy on the skin. Applies in thinner layers can mean it can be build up to coverage that is needed.

The best way to store foundation is in cool places away from direct sunlight. Cleaning round the top of the lid before closing also makes the product more hygienic and not transferring germs onto the skin.

I find once you have found the holy grail it's very much like a romantic relationship, if they discontinue it you'll mourn like a loss of an ex!

Next week - Finding the right colour

What to pack for your different holidays

Some of you lucky things will be jetting to somewhere sunny, hot and fabulous! It does always through up the question what to take? My make up kit is a huge trolley and the last thing I want to do is to take it with me, there is also the restrictions in airports of only taking any liquids on flights.(All Update information can be found on the Directgov's Page.

As we get into Spring/summer you should change your moisturiser lighter lotion with a SPF of a least 15, and if oilier this is the time you really need to switch to a oil free formulation. When I go away I take a lighter edited kit with me: tinted moisturiser or BB cream, blusher, mascara in waterproof, powder, lip balms with SPF and maybe a choice of bright lipsticks for partying in the evening.



Ibiza 2007

What I also like to do is to save up my samples or buy smaller versions of products to use exclusively on holiday. When I return and the tan starts to fade I can use those products that remind me of my holiday. I took loads of Boots Botanics body scrub to Ibiza in 2007 and 2008, it reminds me off getting ready to watch the sunset on the beach and then dancing the night away with my friends.

For adventure breaks like Centre Parks, SPF is still a vital and a stripped down skincare routine like cleanser and moisturiser. I also find face wipes are great for holidays to put into luggage, as well as multi-purpose items that can be used on the body and face.

For all those gearing up for the Winter season, you need to think about more intense moisturiser as it can really dry the skin. SPF is still important as the sun can reflect off the snow and burn just as much as being in the hottest climates. My brother regularly returned from 6 month winter seasons with a burnt face with the white ringed 'pande eyes' from wearing sunglasses. Did like the way he protected one part of his face but not the other!

Not only should you think about your skin, but your hair also takes a battering. A weekly deep conditioning treatment will keep your hair looking lush, from over exposure as well as saltwater. If you've been swimming in the pool then you should be washing the chlorine out of your hair to prevent damage. I also get a trim a week before I leave (as well as eyebrow threading, waxing etc) as well as a hair colour (to leave it looking fresh and the colour to settle) so I can look fab in photos and reduce products to lose take.

The most important thing of all is to let your hair down and have fun - That's what holidays are there for!

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.