Time To Tan

I am very excited to announce that I have a new contributor for the blog, the lovely Abbi! Not only is Abbi a major beauty fanatic, she also balances being a fashion PR, with a personal training business while raising her adorable son. Phew! Abbi will be joining me in testing and trialling all things beauty for the blog....so Abbi over to you!

Image Pinterest

The 70s tan suede trend is huge and everywhere. While I am loving it, it raises a little predicament when it comes to outfit styling. The only thing worse than tan tights with brown suede shorts is pasty white legs. If, like me, your legs have spent the past few months in layers and termals then you might not be too keen to get them out for all to see. I have however, found a godsend in a can (or pump dispenser depending on your preference) in the shape of Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Natural Bronze Gradual Tanning Moisturiser. It's a doddle to apply, I slather it on after a shower when I'm freshly exfoliated, and you end up with an even, natural, healthy glow that doesn't look fake and lasts days. Plus it smells like yummy treats and isn't pricey!

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Natural Bronze Gradual Tanning Moisturiser Lotion £5.59 & Spray £7.99 BUY HERE

Until Palmer's develops a gradual face tan, I'll be staying faithful to Elemis' Total Glow Bronzing Moisturiser for Face. The lightweight formulation doesn't dry out my already dehydrated skin, it simply delivers just enough natural looking colour to take my complexion from pallid to healthy glow. Use it at night under your usual moisturiser and your morning will get off to a great start when your bleary eyes catch sight of your radiant complexion.

Elemis Total Glow Bronzing Moisturiser For Face £29.50 BUY HERE

Armed with gorgeous bronzed limbs I think I'm ready for those Zara suede shorts now...I just need to get my toes sorted next!

New Work

Before Christmas I had the pleasure of working with photographer Dominic Nicholls on an editorial fashion shoot for The City Magazine. 

We worked in 2 different locations in the East End of London, Shoreditch Townhouse, a gentleman's club with the best polka dot carpet and most beautiful interior filled with taxidermy. I especially loved the flamingo. Then we moved onto Murdock Shoreditch, a cool barber shop where our female model got to play Sweeney Todd.

Here are a few behind the scenes shots from the day.

A rail of all the men's clothes

I really wanted to take this flamingo home with me!

The most divine Hermes cuff

I fell in love with these Christian Louboutin men's shoes

Feathered heels and the fun polka dot carpet

Our models getting ready for their close up

Dom, the photographer, getting the perfect picture

In Murdock's getting ready for the close shave shot

And here are the final images. Thank you to all the PRs who kindly lent clothes for this shoot!

Tips From The Pros: Sara Clark

Make up artist and men's groomer Sara Clark has been in the business for almost a decade. After originally working in TV production Sara decided it wasn't for her and went on to study hair, make up and special effects at the infamous Greasepaint. Sara's CV is impressive and varied working across TV, music, film junkets, editorial and red carpet events, while the faces she's worked on include Sheridan Smith, Ne-Yo, Kelly Brook, Lewis Hamilton, Jason Statham, Kanye West...the list goes on!

Behind the scenes with Sara Clark

Here Sara shares the tricks of her trade with me.

Make Up Forever HD Foundation

I have two favourite foundations that are always in my kit. 

Firstly Makeup Forever High Definition Foundation as it gives a flawless and natural finish, which when working in these days of HD cameras is incredibly important.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation £36.50 BUY HERE

Secondly Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is light and silky and gives skin a gorgeous glow.

Laura Mercier Secret Concealor Pot £19.50 BUY HERE

My all time favourite concealors are Laura Mercier's Secret Concealor Pots. They are super moisturising and easily conceal dark eye circles without settling into fine lines.

MAC Blot Powder Pressed £20.50 BUY HERE

MAC Blot is a fabulous pressed powder that eliminates shine and sets make up, without adding too much colour. It comes in 5 shades and is always in my kit.

NARS Blush in Orgasm £23 BUY HERE

It's a classic and my favourite blusher, NARS Orgasm. It suits most skin tones, adding a healthy glow and natural flush to the skin.

Weleda Skin Food £9.95 BUY HERE

Unfortunately I can't just recommend one favourite face product, so I'm naming my top three! 

First up is Weleda Skin Food. I really can't do without this cream; it's in my kit, my handbag and my bathroom cabinet! It's incredibly hydrating and nourishing but doesn't leave your skin looking like an oil slick. Plus it's inexpensive. 

Dermalogica Active Moist £44.60 BUY HERE

Dermalogica products suit 99.9% of my clients' skin so I always keep a selection in my kit. My favs are Active Moist as it's light-weight and oil free, making it perfect for normal to oily skin. 

Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream £47.70 BUY HERE

The Skin Smoothing Cream is perfect for relieving dry and tight skin. 

Dermalogica Barrier Repair £36.90 BUY HERE

Finally the Ultra Calming Barrier Repair has a velvety texture and really calms sensitive skin.

Clarins Gentle Peeling Smooth Away Cream £25 BUY HERE

Lastly Clarins Gentle Peeling Smooth Away Cream is a very gentle facial exfoliator that leaves skin silky soft and smooth. I cannot praise this product enough.

Essie Nail Polishes BUY HERE

In my opinion Essie do the most incredible nail polishes with too many fantastic colours to count!

Kerastase Products BUY HERE

I've used Kerastase shampoo and conditioner for as long as I can remember. The smell is divine and leaves hair looking healthy and gorgeous. 

Bumble & Bumble Products BUY HERE

When styling hair I favour Bumble & Bumble, so many gorgeous products to choose from and they all work to create beautiful hair styles. Combine them both and you'll have perfect hair!

Johnson's 24 Hour Moisture Radiance Body Butter £3.05 BUY HERE

I've tried oodles of body products but the one I return to time and again is Johnson's 24 Hour Moisture Radiance Body Butter. It's inexpensive, enriched with shea and cocoa butter and the scent (which admittedly is fairly strong) reminds me of chocolate and holidays...what's not to like!?!

Original Lucas Papaw Ointment £7.89 BUY HERE

I'm a firm believer in ensuring you prep your lips before applying lipstick, so a blob of Original Lucas Papaw Ointment is the first thing I apply. Plus I always have a tube in my handbag as it's such a versatile product.

Lancome Definicils Mascara £23 BUY HERE

The mascara I have loved for years is Lancome's Definicils. It lengthens and defines the lashes, while the brush ensures an even application.

DHC Perfect Pro Double Protection Mascara £14.50 BUY HERE

Recently though I have strayed and fallen for DHC's Perfect Pro Double Protection Mascara. It has a slim brush (great for lower lash application), and makes lashes appear thicker and longer.

Optrex Eyedew Dazzling Blue Eye Drops £3.99 BUY HERE

The one product in my kit I couldn't be without is a bottle of Optrex Eyedew 'Dazzling Blue' eye drops. A little drop of this counteracts any redness, revitalises and gives you super white eyes in an instant!

Thank you so much for all your expert advice and top tips Sara!

Sara's work can be viewed here www.sara-clark.co.uk and don't forget to follow her on twitter @SaraMakeup2014 for lots of insider info.

Images: Sephora, Selfridges, John Lewis, MAC, Nars, Weleda, Dermalogica, Clarins, Kerastase, Bumble & Bumble, Johnson's Beauty, Boots, Amazon, DHC, Optrex

I'm Back!

Apologies for the naughty lack of blogging. This year kicked off with plenty of work, loads of travel and some life changes, meaning that I've been incredibly lazy about spending time with the blog. But I'm back and will be blogging on the regular again.

So what have I been up to lately...Travelling to Malta at the beginning of the year for a photo shoot. It looked much warner than it was!

 The renovation of the kitchen is finally happening...my beloved Smeg fridge now sits proudly in the kitchen awaiting the rest of the refit.

Then I flew half way around the world to Sydney to work on some TV programs with Gok Wan. It was so lovely to catch up with dear friends and enjoy some warmth and blue skies. And I finally got to tick something off my bucket list, swimming in the open air swimming pool, the Icebergs, at Bondi.

I've also been focusing on some investment purchases to add to my wardrobe, namely these outfit elevating Jimmy Choo flats and this Miu Miu across-body bag, a recent bargain find from Bicester Village.

And finally I celebrated my birthday last week with lots of cake and beautiful flowers.

Festive Dressing

No doubt you've already been to at least one Christmas party, but hopefully you have a few more invites in between now and New Year's Eve.

Here's a round up of 3 party outfits fit for the festive season.

Dress, Charlie Brear, BUY HERE

Earrings, Lulu Frost for J. Crew, BUY HERE

Shoes, Saint Laurent, BUY HERE

We all know that every woman's wardrobe should include a failsafe LBD that makes her look and feel stunning wear after wear. I used this Charlie Brear dress in a photo-shoot recently and instantly fell in love with the pocket and cape detail. If I only had to buy one more black dress this would probably be it. Pair with these delicate crystal earrings and these super sexy heels from Saint Laurent (love the slope at the back, total shoe porn!)

Skirt, £50, Oasis, BUY HERE

Top, £35, Oasis, BUY HERE

Shoes, £58, Topshop, BUY HERE

Ruby Woo Lipstick, £15.50, Mac, BUY HERE

This outfit may look like a dress but it's actually a skirt and top combo. It's this season's modern way to do the LBD. Buy this and you are shopping clever as you could wear the skirt with a cashmere sweater, tights and ankle boots and the top over a white shirt and jeans for daytime. I adore these feather shoes so much so that I've already bought them. Add a slick of Mac's classic red lipstick Ruby Woo and you're ready to hit the dance floor.

Jumpsuit, £135, Whistles, BUY HERE

ZAC Zac Posen from TheOutnet.com, £151.25, BUY HERE

Shoes, Lucy Choi London, £195, BUY HERE

This has certainly been the year of the jumpsuit so I had to include this beautiful lace one in my party dressing round up! Plus it's just gone in the sale so snap it up and wear it for Christmas Day or New Years Eve. This clutch bag is super chic and would work with all the outfits I've selected. And Christmas time is the best time to wear sparkly shoes and these by Lucy Choi London are exquisite.

Merry Christmas!

Images: Charlie Brear, Net-A-Porter, J.Crew, Whistles, Lucy Choi London, TheOutnet, Oasis, Topshop, Pinterest