31/10/2013

Smokey eyes- Black VS Brown

Left is black smokey eye and right is brown.


I’m going to attempt to answer a huge debate in beauty history, whether to do a black or a brown smoky eye!! Before I tell you about my preference it’s important to remember that everyone is different and what one person loves another may hate, not only that but our skin colourings are all so different, and people suit different colours.

I used to rock the black smoke every day, but over the last year and a half I have converted to brown. This doesn't mean I don’t ever wear black smokey eyes, (in fact I prefer this look for nights out ,as it is more dramatic) I've just have grown accustom to my beloved brown eye. It’s a softer look for daytime, makes my eyes appear larger and is easily transferable into an evening look just by applying more colour on top of the day makeup.
Uninterrupted and Carbon

How to Brown smokey eyes

1.       Apply a brown eyeliner along both the lower and upper lash line, this doesn’t have to perfect as it will be blended out, you can use a gel or pencil for this. I use Bobbi Brown long wear gel eyeliner in espresso Ink, (this is a black brown) great for creating  intensity.

2.       Blend the eyeliner outwards to the corner of your eye. Make sure to work quickly as this product becomes transfer resistant once dry.

3.       Next take a light brown shade, such as Mac Uninterrupted, and a Mac 217 brush,  blend this shade into the crease of your eye, then take it underneath your lower lash line, making sure to blend fully.

4.       Now take a darker shade such as Mac Charcoal Brown and push the product into the outer crease of your eye, try to concentrate on a small area rather than washing it all over the eyelid.

5.       Now  curl your eyelashes and apply 2 coats of your favorite mascara- I used Girogio Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara.

To create a black smoky eyes use the same step by step guide but replace the Bobbi Brown eyeliner in Espresso ink to Black Ink, and swap the Mac eyeshadow to Carbon.

If you wanted to make this look more subtle for the daytime you can skip the eyeliner all together which I sometimes do.


Let me know which is your favourite in the comments below


29/10/2013

Cracked China


It would be rude not to do a Halloween tutorial!! Unfortunately I've never warmed to Halloween in fact I used to be petrified of it as a kid. Think its time I grew up and had fun with it, so, today I'm going to show you how to create this look (see above.)
Its actually pretty simple and also highlights the difference between makeup and no makeup, especially if you look at the size difference of my eyes (oh jeez.)

1.       Begin by apply a matte foundation to the area that you don’t want to be white, before contouring heavily (this looks best).

2.        Next work on the eye creating a really dramatic effect. I used my normal makeup, for black smoky eyes, which is Mac eye shadow in Carbon and Bobbi Brown long wear gel eyeliner in Jet Black.

3.       Now apply bright red lipstick (Rouge D'Armani) to the part of the lip you want to have makeup on.

4.       Apply white face paint to the area without makeup, take it down the neck and over the eye, perhaps do a couple of coats to make sure it’s really intense and then leave to dry.

5.       Finally draw a jagged black line around your face with face paint or black liquid eyeliner; this will act as the outline, continue by applying crack lines.


This is so simple and looks awesome!! Have a go and let me know what you think!

27/10/2013

Pumpkin Power-Masks



It’s the build-up to Halloween, a seasonal event that I’m never really that excited for. One thing I do love to get involved in is the pumpkin carving, in the past I've created some pretty amazing designs. Pumpkins are not just great for carving and eating, (Pumpkin Pie mmm,) but also are extremely beneficial for your skin, perfect for making into face masks.

Pumpkin is high in Vitamin A (skin healing), C (anti-oxidant) and Zinc, the pumpkin soothes, moisturizes and acts as a carrier, allowing any other ingredients in the mask to really penetrate the skin. It is great for all skin types, especially environmentally damaged or sensitive skin. I decided to create 3 different masks one for dry skin, one for oily skin and one glowing face mask which can be used on all skin types!!

Pumpkin face mask for oily skin: Canned pumpkin, (check that pumpkin is the only ingredient), 1 tablespoon of Apple cider vinegar, (tonic action promotes skin circulation; alpha hydroxyl acid; regulates pH,) and lastly sugar (to help remove dead skin and unclog the pores.)
Face mask for oily skin

Hydrating Pumpkin facemask: Canned pumpkin, (check that pumpkin is the only ingredient), half an avocado, (contains rich source of several essential nutrients that relive and moisturize your skin), and coconut oil, (fatty acids in the oil can strengthen the skin's barrier to lock in moisture.)
Hydrating face mask
Glowing Pumpkin Face Mask: Canned pumpkin (check that pumpkin is the only ingredient), Egg whites of 1 egg, (brightens the skin,)one-quarter teaspoon milk, (or soymilk)(alpha hydroxyl acid, enzymes digest skin cells) and pumpkin seeds (for decoration.)
Glowing face mask

I used a third of a can of pumpkin for each mask and had a lot left over.  You could refrigerate any leftovers and use them as morning masks to wake up the skin with a burst of coldness, (help settle puffy skin.) Important to note that the mask was hard to apply, but once on stayed on well,(perhaps you could use a paint brush and paint it on.) Also you can use the pumpkin which is leftover from your carving session, to create these masks, simply blend the inwards of the pumpkin and add the other ingredients.
God, I look good, ha!
I only applied the mask for my skin type which is oily. I left the mask on for 30 minutes, to allow it to work its magic!! I have to say the result was surprisingly good, my skin felt fresh and cleansed but most importantly in the morning my skin had improved, noticeably less oil and fewer spots and masks! I normally favour products over natural ingredients, but after this experience I think I’m going to incorporate more natural home remedies into my skincare routine.  



Try these masks out and let me know what you think!!
Do you use natural home remedies in your skincare routine?

If you have any questions on these pumpkin masks, or anything else, please let me know by commenting below!

Round up of the Week 20.10.13 - 27.10.13





20.10.13-27.10.13

Most popular blog post of the week:  My Experiance With Topshop. Read Here!

Favourite product of the week: Nars-Multiple in Copacabana.

Quote of the week: "The best thing is to look natural, but it takes makeup to look natural." Calvin Klien

Best moment: Accomplishing 5 spinning classes in 1 week!! OUCH

Favourite fellow blogger: Vivianna Does Makeup. Check out her blog here!

On my wishlist: Tom Ford-Jasmine Rouge Lip Colour.

Tip of the week: Wear your lip gloss underneath your lipstick, to play around with texture!

Song of the week: Counting Stars-One Republic

Best purchase: Topshop- Eye Shadow Quad in Game On, buy here.

Instagram photos of the week: