Long Lasting Cover

The term 'longwear' in any makeup product normally fills me with a particular type of dread. I really don't like the idea that a product will stick to the skin for 15 hours plus. I know that the ingredients used to provide this long wear make the skin look cakey or sticky or just bad! I understand, however, that people are very drawn to this type of product offering and Revlon's Color Stay and Estee Lauder's Double Wear are huge sellers. I am not a fan of either though.

So when I was sent the new MAC Longwear duo to try I was slightly dubious to say the least!

But I have been testing them over the past week and I think they are worthwhile but you must use them correctly otherwise you'll cake.

The concealer is a tricky one as it has a pump mechanism that seems to shed rather too much per press. This will become irritating over time so perhaps dispense some into a little sample pot and work from there.

Now, this is a good product and has a very good coverage but is not your friend if your skin is dry. If you are slightly dry, particularly in the under eye area, step away from the concealer!! Do not even attempt to apply it as it will increase lines and look obvious.

This works very well on a combination to oily skin and a very well moisturised under eye. The product needs some slip beneath it in order to look good, and a little goes a very long way (hence the annoyance at how much is dispensed - you just don't need that much)

I used this on a client who had a lot of red in her cheeks; I applied it with a flat concealer brush and painted it over the foundation to take down the residual colour...it worked perfectly. And it's longwear features mean that it will sit over an area such as a cheek for the full day without lifting off as some other creamy concealer may do.

The texture is initially creamy and smooth but dries quite quickly so you must work in one area at a time and as quickly as you can.

Overall, I do like this product and it has made it's way into my kit, but it's one to practice restraint with...if you do, it will give you a natural long lasting cover that is the best of the 'Long Wear' categories on the market.

Grey Haven

I dream of living in a big lofty space like this one. I just love the big windows and I'm a huge fan of grey walls in bright spaces. Don't this family look pretty perfect with their babies and gorgeous dog! Although I can't help but wonder where the mess is...must be hidden somewhere!

I like the details...great smoky mirror and shots of pink...

Nice earthenware and funky chandelier...

Such a stylish and pristine kitchen - not sure it would remain so under my tenure but can dream at least!

(via erin ever after )

Everything's Coming Up Roses

I've been using this Rose Exfoliating Cleanser by Aromatherapy Associates for the past few days and I'm seriously smitten.

I'm a lovefool for anything with real rose oil and this contains damask rose which is divine. To be honest, if it didn't perform as an exfoliating cleanser, I probably wouldn't care as the scent of rose mixed with uplifting and balancing geranium is so fantastic. The thing is though, it does perform. And very well too.

My skin is buffed and brightened by the gentle jojoba beads which are really soft on the skin. One of my pet hates is a scratchy, sand-papery exfoliator but this is not one of those.

It's a keeper!

Foundation Match Making

As a makeup artist, the question I get asked most frequently is consistently the same, 'how do I choose the right shade?'

So here is a quick but accurate 'how to' guide to getting it right....

Firstly, you must test it in the right place; this means slap bang in the middle of your face where you can see it. Not on the hand, which is fine for testing texture and level of coverage but the colour of your hand does not relate whatsoever to your face.

Also rule out testing for shade on the inside of your wrist, under your chin, on your neck or anywhere other than where the product is designed for!

I know it can be tricky to test at counters and they certainly don't make it an easy process for you as they glare at you and ask you 'are you alright?' 50 times whilst simultaneously re-applying their own lip gloss and discussing last night's escapades with their colleague ( who is also glaring at you!).

Now, I know I'm being harsh, and there are some truly talented artists behind counters these days, but it's an intimidating experience if you don't feel that you know your cool tones from your warm tones. Don't even start on corrective undertones, textures or pigments!

It's a minefield at those counters, so my one piece of advice is to make it easy on yourself ...get samples and try at home. In your own mirror when you have the time to really analyse if it looks good on you. It's also a good idea to wear a possible new foundation for a full day so you can see how it lasts over time. If they aren't forthcoming with these little sample sachets that appear to be more precious than gold, then bring in your own empty pot. Bring several, in fact, and fill up with three different shades in colour sequence. So, the shade you think looks closest to your skin tone and the two shades on either side.

When it comes to trying them on, have a clean face. If you are swatching at a counter and really want to purchase there and then, ask for a wipe to clean off any makeup you have on so you can get a proper sense of the shade. Then apply to your full cheek, blend it in and wait a minute as it drys as a lot of foundations tend to dry darker than they look wet.

The golden rule of colour matching is this; If it blends in seamlessly into the skin , if it almost disappears; then it is the correct shade. If it shows up as yellow, it is too dark. If it looks ashy, it is too pale. In fact, if it looks obvious at all, it is wrong.

It is the job of foundation to even out and perfect your skin, not create a mask, so always bear this in mind. Never try to add colour or tan to your skin with a dark shade -there is nothing more aging. Learn to use bronzer correctly but get your skin tone right and you will always look better.

It's as simple as that!

Bags of Sofia

I have a real thing for Sofia Coppola. And now I have a really big thing for her new bag collection for Louis Vuitton. I love the style of the bag and the super cool campaign images have my heart beating rather fast. I adore her look above with the cape, perfect trousers and flat pumps. So completely chic...

The bag itself is an updated, smaller version of one they designed together in 2009. Now it comes in new leathers and colours. It's divine in suede...

It's pretty in Ecru...

It's bloody gorgeous in Alligator!

While I can dream of owning one of these darlings, I await the high street copies with bated breath!

(images via style rumor )

The Friday Freebie

Todays giveaway is the 1, 2, 3 mascara from Rimmel. It is one of these newbie mascaras that surrender their volume control to you! You simply follow the instructions and twist the wand to various degrees to load more product onto the brush, thus increasing the load on the lash.

Yes, they are a bit gimicky; but why not give it a try, you could love it!

Leave me a comment below to be in the draw and check back on Monday.

1, 2, 3...Flutter!

*The Winner is Savannah!*

Keeping It Real

Last night I was having one of my epic phone calls with my friend and I was musing on the week that has just passed and how it's been a busy one with some strange, yet ultimately welcome developments. From fashion shows to meetings with people about possible partnerships; I've enjoyed it.

But the very best moment of the whole week was when I glanced out the window to see Lu in the garden, sitting on a football eating a fistful of apricots! She was so content and so damn cute that it made my week! Literally - it was the best moment of the entire few days...

So today I'm celebrating my little Lulu and her funny little ways. I can't wait to see what she gets up to as she grows into herself further and finds her passions. Currently, stories are The Best Thing! Yesterday I read How to Catch A Star five times in a row with her pointing out all the stars on every single page and when I got to the end, she would turn the pages back to the start and look up at me with a don't you even think about stopping look on her face.

Music is her other current passion and I hope it stays for her whole life. She dances like a loon and spins around in circles till she's dizzy- so far she seems to love Bob Marley, U2 and Stevie Wonder. Not bad taste for 18 months! She is even adept at changing the station on the radio if she finds them to be talking too much!

I love these shots from Misha Lulu of this gorgeous bedroom. Books, bright colours, pictures and toys... a perfect haven for a little dreamer to grow her imagination into something big and strong.

So have a happy Friday my dears, I hope that you too had a golden moment in the week that has passed.

If not, maybe take a leaf out of Lu's book...Keep it real, sit on a football, eat some apricots!