The Beauty Review

Here's a round up of the beauty products I've been using recently.

L'Oreal Nutri-Lift Gold Foundation £14.29 BUY HERE

Now that my summer tan has faded and my skin has gone a little beserk with the change of seasons I need to use a heavier foundation. I was given some L'Oreal products on my trip to Australia back in the summer and dug this foundation out recently. It's a thick but not heavy formulation which looks dewy on my skin without setting in my laughter lines. Plus it provides good even coverage, so much so that I don't even require concealor for my lesser blemishes. One squirt easily covers my entire face and it's super easy to blend in with my fingers. It contains gold micro-particles to add 'radiance' to the skin and 5 anti-ageing ingredients; pro-retinol, pro-lastyl, pro-xylane, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to help keep those evil signs of ageing away. It comes in 7 different shades (I'm using 150 creamy beige) and if it had an SPF it would be a 5 star product.

Noble Isle Sa of Green Hand Wash £18 BUY HERE

There's something about a luxurious hand wash in the bathroom that just lifts my day. It's like a cashmere sweater or a decadent candle, it just makes you feel better. Nobel Isle, a British company specialising in bath and body products, have created a range of divine hand washes. I'm using the Sea of Green hand wash and love the wonderfully fresh botanical fragrance that lingers on my hands long after I've washed them. It contains notes of lemon, thyme and rosemary and samphire extract rich in antioxidant minerals and vitamins to regenerate the skin. At £18 it's not for the kiddies to use, but we all need a little treat sometimes and this would make a fantastic Christmas stocking filler (hint hint!)

Dr Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Soothing Face Cream £50 BUY HERE

I've been using this little pot of goodness for over a month now and am only half way through. I use it as my day cream (I prefer to use oils at night) but you can use it for PM too. The formulation is designed for sensitive skins and those that suffer from redness. While I suffer from neither of those thankfully, of late my skin has been developing mean little hormonal spots and I've found this cream certainly calms them down. It contains sea buckthorn extract which has anti-imflammatory properties, and chaga and reishi mushroom extracts to help calm the skin. It also boasts narcissus lily bulb extract to help the skin's defences, thus preventing further environmental damage. It has a delicious herby scent and moisturises without feeling greasy. I just wish it came in a pump dispenser rather than a pot, such is my desire for hygiene.

Tips From The Pros: Carrie Jones

I've had the pleasure to work with Carrie on many jobs both in the UK and abroad. She is a beautiful person inside and out and I've never seen her without a red lip! Carrie has been a make up artist for almost a decade working for clients including Reiss, Tatler, Clinique, Stylist Magazine and with celebrities including Gok Wan and Ollie Murs. 

Here Carrie shares with me her top make up tips including how to get the perfect red lip.

Nars Sheer Glow £31 BUY HERE

My favourite foundation is Nars Sheer Glow. I use it on myself and my clients. It gives fantastic coverage yet allows the natural glow of your skin to come through.

Bobbi Brown Face Touch Up Stick £21 BUY HERE

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat £22.50 BUY HERE

The best concealor for covering blemishes has to be Bobbi Brown. However I find it a little too heavy for under the eyes so use the iconic Touche Eclat by YSL. It's an icon for a reason, containing light reflecting particles so dark circles vanish.

Lancome Hypnose £22.50 BUY HERE

L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes £10.99 BUY HERE

Lancome's Hypnose mascara is my favourite but at £22 is a little pricey so I've found L'Oreal's Volume Million Lash also does a great job on the lashes.

Mac Cremeblend Blush £18 BUY HERE

Without a doubt the best blushers are MAC's Cremeblend Blushers. They blend into the skin effortlessly and last all day. I like to apply them with a flat stipple brush (Mac also does a great one). My top tip would be to invest in some good quality brushes. The initial expense is well worth it as you'll be surprised by the difference they make to your make up routine and if you look after them they should last a lifetime.

Mac Studio Fix Powder £21.50 BUY HERE

I always have Mac's Studio Fix Powder in my make up kit. It's a multi-tasking product so can be used as a foundation, making it great for after work touch ups as it takes the shine away and provides good even coverage. Again, I recommend using this product with a brush and not the sponge provided as applying with the sponge can make the powder look a little heavy.

Dermalogica BUY HERE

As for moisturisers I swear by Dermalogica (a Sunshine & Stripes favourite too!) The products are effective whatever your skin type and I've never known anyone to react badly to them.

Maybelline Super Stay 24 Colour Lipstick £8.99 BUY HERE

I wear red lip stick every single day and the best one I've come across (and believe me I have tried a beauty counters worth of them!) is by Maybelline. Their Super Stay 24 Hour Colour Lipsticks do exactly as they promise. I swear, I put it on in the morning and it is still perfect when I take it off at night. If I'm working at a red carpet event I always use them because I know I won't have to worry about the colour smudging or coming off.

The Body Shop Honey Bronze Shimmering Dry Oil £16 BUY HERE

The best body product that I use on every single model I work with is Honey Bronze from The Body Shop. It's a dry oil that makes limbs glisten and glow.

Mac Nail Lacquer £11 BUY HERE

When it comes to nail varnish I use Mac. Their colours paint on beautifully and last longer than any brand I've tried; I always wear them myself. I just wish they'd do a wider variety of colours to choose from!

HD Brows Eye & Brow Palette £25 BUY HERE

The one product that I can't live without has to be my HD Brows Eyebrow Palette. The colour range suits everyone and they last all day. I've even used them on underwater shoots and believe me the  brow stays put! People often overlook the brows when doing their make up but they are so important to helping define the face.

Thank you so much Carrie, I'm off to buy the Maybelline lipstick now!

Carrie's work can be viewed here.

Images: Carol Hayes Management, ASOS, Bobbi Brown, John Lewis, Amazon, L'Oreal, Allure.com, House of Fraser, Dermalogica, Maybelline, The Body Shop, Mac, HD Brows

The Beauty Review

Here are some new beauty buys I've been trying out recently.

Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes Mascara £22.50

I'm a bit slutty when it comes to mascaras, never loyal and always using a few at a time. This one is rather good though. For a start the Christmas tree shaped brush allows easy application to my sparse lower lashes and gets right into the edges, plus it doesn't transfer onto my face after a few hours like some other brands. I like to apply 2 coats in a zig zag motion for even and thick but natural looking coverage. 

Laura Mercier Mineral Pressed Powder SPF15 £31

I suffer from a greasy T-zone so applying a powder after my foundation is a must. I like the matt coverage this mineral powder gives, although I don't apply to my cheeks as I still want my skin to have a healthy, dewy glow. It contains 'pure pearl powders' comprised of amino acids, calcium and magnesium which help to give a smooth even coverage to the skin, great for a little extra coverage for my melasma. It's oil free, water resistant and has the added bonus of SPF 15. A little on the pricey side, but definitely worth it, plus it comes in a huge range of colours so you'll find the exact one for your skin tone. 

L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil £9.99

This hair oil lives up to it's name, extraordinary results and extraordinary value for money. I have long fine hair that's prone to frizziness, so I never let it dry naturally (I would scare children if I took my hair out in its natural state!) Before abusing my hair with the hairdryer and straightening irons I apply about 3 pumps of this wonderfully scented oil. I find it speeds up the drying/styling process as my hair becomes smoother and needs less force. I also took this product on holiday and would comb through my tresses after swimming to help nourish it and prevent it becoming parched and straw-like. Don't be scared of using a hair oil, it certainly won't make your hair greasy, instead you'll have healthy, glossy, smooth hair that smells divine.