Make-up tips for brunettes

Feb 19, 2014

Make-up is not that tricky but many (many!) ladies still manage to get it wrong.

Rather than piling any old colour onto your face, you should use a combination of subtle tones that match your colouring and enhance your beauty.

Foundation
Neutral beige is the colour to go for. Pick up one with a rose tint if you are prone to tired skin or one with a slight yellowish tinge to hide skin blotches.

Eye make-up
When using eye shadow, stick to browns and greys. If you have blue eyes go for greyish light purple hues or if you have green eyes pick a camel-beige or a mossy green.

Lip colour
Most brunettes can carry off the red lip with no problem so go as bright as you want. However, if you’re not brave enough to go for the bright red, stick to plum colours or brownish pinks.

Blusher
Rose shades look perfect on brunettes but stay clear of peach hues which can make you look older. A light bronzer also works but use it sparingly.

Don’t worry, we’ll do tips for blondes too!

Girl transforms herself into Jennifer Lawrence using just make-up

Feb 18, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Most of us ladies would love to look like Hollywood starlet Jennifer Lawrence, who is a natural beauty and has a pretty awesome personality to go with it.

This make-up artist shows us just how easy it is to transform into the Hollywood starlet and it is pretty incredible – make sure you watch to the very end.

DIY beauty hacks that will change your life

Feb 8, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Ok so, maybe “change your life” sounds a little dramatic, but we stand by it. These tips are great and make looking good an even easier job.

1. Pluck your eyebrows on a plane
We know you might not be on a plane very much but take advantage when you are because you will never find better lighting than you will here to take out those itty bitty hairs that won’t budge.

2. Expertly remove glitter nails
Everybody loves glitter nails – how could you not? What we do not like, however, is the pain of removing the glitter nail varnish. To remove the polish like a pro you need to create a peel-off base. All you need to do is get some kid’s glue (PVC perhaps) and mix it with a little water so it gets a nail-polish texture and use it as your base. Then, when it comes to removal, all you have to do is peel, simple and genius!

3. Make your lips stand out
When you have applied your favourite lipstick, make it stand out even more by dabbing some light shimmer eyeshadow into the middle of your lips for an even more dazzling look.

4. Make your perfume last
Your perfume will last all day if you place it in the following spots; the back of the knee, the throat, inside of your elbow, behind your ear and inside of the wrist.

5. How to dazzle with your eyes
Make your eyes stand out by putting a little white eye-liner or a light coloured shimmer eyeshadow into the corners of your eyes nearest your nose. It will brighten your eyes and make them bigger.

Beauty mistakes that make you look tired

Feb 6, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Wearing make-up is supposed to make you look brighter, fresher and impossibly dewy, right? In theory, perhaps, but most of us are guilty of the following beauty mishaps:

Using too much powder
Over-powdering tends to leave your skin looking older and tired. A light covering of translucent powder is enough to get rid of the dreaded shine.

Not applying moisturiser
Moisturising before you apply your foundation is the best way to avoid dull, tired, flaky skin. Remember to pick one up with an SPF.

Using the wrong colour concealer under your eyes
Whether it’s too dark or too light, the wrong concealer will make you look tired. Make sure you apply your make-up in a well lit room.

Not using a primer on your eyes
Primer under your eyes is a great way to stop dark colours from smudging your them. Nobody likes the raccoon look.

And if you’re still looking a little tired after fixing your make-up routine, you might want to consider an earlier bedtime…

Gone are the days of the fresh faced look

Feb 4, 2014

by Amber Saunders

A recent poll found that the average woman will spend more of her life with make-up on than without it.

Shocking, we know.

A survey conducted by health brand Beurer found that a typical woman spends about 11 minutes each morning painting her face and keeps the make-up on for a full 13 hours before taking it off.

With foundation, concealer, mascara and eyeshadow being the most popular items worn by women, this just goes to show the lengths women go to for a confidence boost.

Two thirds admit they would leave it on even longer if they were expecting guests over and nearly one in five women said they wouldn’t open the door with a bare face.

It’s not right, but we can relate.

Still deciding whether to invest in Urban Decay’s Naked 3?

Feb 1, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Here’s all you need to know to make your decision about Urban Decay’s latest Naked palette.

Pretty in pink

Jan 31, 2014

by Amber Saunders

A pop of pink is all you need to feel pretty, flirty and gorgeous – the girly colour is instantly lifting and flattering.

Thankfully, Bobbi Brown has recently launched her limited edition Uber Pinks Collection.

The collection is a totally modern mix that can go sweet and subtle or deep and dramatic. The pink shades are light, neutral, bright and bold so there is bound to be a colour to suit everyone.

Their illuminating bronzer is ultra-soft and smooth with a blend of sheer powder and subtle pearls that will instantly give your cheeks a light shimmer.

You can even prettify your nails with Pink Cloud or Pink Peony nail polish and don’t forget to ensure your lips are irresistible by dabbing on a pink shine. The Uber Pinks collection includes two new pink lip colours that will leave your lips soft and supple – perfect for kissing with.

The Uber Pinks Collection is available now at Bobbi Brown Studios nationwide and online.

The right way to remove make-up

Jan 30, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Removing your make-up the right way is more important that you think. If you don’t do it properly, you could end up going to bed with traces of product on your face – the perfect way to invite acne.

Here’s how we take off our make-up after a long day:

Use a cotton pad to remove any eye make-up you have on. If you don’t have a gentle eye make-up remover, you could use olive oil or coconut oil.
Use a different removal cream for the rest of your make-up and gently wipe it over your face with a new cotton pad.
Drape a warm towel over your face to open your pores and make it easier for cleansing.
Gently wash your face with your usual cleanser.
You might have some eye makeup running at this stage. Use a cotton bud dipped into oil to remove this.
Close your pores by splashing cold water over your face.
Pat your face dry with a towel.

You must feel pretty good now!

Is your make-up past its use by date?

Jan 30, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Unfortunately, make-up does not last forever, no matter how much you may have spent on it. If you are the type of lady who tends to cling on to their beloved products, you might want to take a few notes.

To avoid applying bacteria to your face, here is the low down on how long make up actually lasts for.

Mascara
This particular beauty product doesn’t last longer than three months. It is a breeding ground for bacteria and should be binned to save yourself catching a nasty, not to mention unattractive, infection.

Foundation
Foundation can last twice as long as mascara, although some can last for a year. Water-based ones should be thrown away after the six month mark as they attract bacteria. If you use it longer than recommended, you’ll just end up with spots and breakouts.

Eyeshadow
Eyeshadow tends to be the product that piles up in the bottom of the make-up bag. However, you might want to throw out any that have been there for more than three months. Creamy textured shadows tend to grow bacteria more than powder.

It’s definitely time to clear out your make-up bag.

Kendall Jenner inspired make-up tutorial

Jan 23, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Don’t know about you, but we adore Kendall Jenner’s look – those full eyebrows and peach lips really are amazing. If you’ve been trying to achieve this look, or simply want a change, then have a look at this Kendall Jenner inspired make-up look.

The 10 Commandments of Foundation

Jan 15, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Foundation is the key to a great complexion and flawless looking skin…and most of us are getting it wrong..

Follow our 10 Commandments of Foundation and you’ll always be ready for your close-up.

Make sure your skin is cleansed and exfoliated.
Only use foundations that complement your skin. Oil-free for oily skin, hydrating formulas for dry skin and hypoallergenic for those who are sensitive.
Check shades on your jawline not on your hand. Double-check in natural light before making your decision.
Don’t stick to the usual. As the seasons change so too should your foundation.
Smooth your face with primer. A lavender-based one will brighten dull skin while a green-based one will cover up redness.
Use concealer to hide any imperfections but make sure you blend properly.
Lightly pat the foundation onto your face. Don’t forget to blend around your ears.
Learn the art of contouring. You can define your face by creating shadows with an angled powder brush.
Bronzer can give you a healthy glow. Sweep small amounts wherever the sun would naturally touch.
Don’t forget your highlighter. This will add instant soft lighting where needed.

Make-up and jewellery storage ideas

Lifestyle

Jan 13, 2014

by Amber Saunders

1. Cake Stands

Cakes and muffins look great on cake stands in the kitchen, so there is no reason why your nail varnish or make up can’t look great on a cake stand in your bedroom! With so many adorable cake stands in the shops these days you can easily find one that will suit your taste and decor. It’s great for sorting the clutter on your vanity table.

2. Spice Racks

Use your old spice rack or buy a cheap one, paint it a pretty colour, stick it on the wall, line up your favourite nail varnish colours and feel super organised.

3. Cheese grater

Use an old cheese grater to hang earrings and you’ll never lose one again. If you paint it a pretty colour and give it a kitsch look it won’t even look like a grater anymore!

4. Picture frame

Remove the glass from the frame. Cut some chicken wire (the one with holes in it) to the size of the frame and place inside as you would glass. Hang up those earrings, necklaces and bracelets.