I'm well aware that it has been almost a full year since I've posted on this blog, but that is about to change. I've been rocking and rolling through one of the most tumultuous years of my entire life and, unfortunately, I have neglected my writing. The good news is I have not been neglecting my beauty regime! I've lost count of all the new products I've tried in the past year and now I'm stuck into sourcing the perfect Bridal Beauty Box for my big day (172 days to go!).
I'm going to dive straight in with the products I bought just yesterday at SpaceNK in Newcastle.
First up is Laura Mercier Illuminating Eye Colour in Opal Fantasy and Pearl Fantasy - http://uk.spacenk.com/illuminating-eye-colour/MUK200009974.html - These shimmery shades are ideal for a subtle wash of colour to really lighten up the entire lid. Opal Fantasy is a suits-all ballerina pink and Pearl Fantasy is a luscious lavender, perfect for paler skintones and particularly darker eyes. These long lasting shadows are incredibly versatile and can be used to achieve a variety of different effects. Simply dust over lids for a pretty shimmer or use a wet brush to really vamp up the colour. Use a wet angled liner brush to add sparkle to the lash line and inner corners of eyes for a bright pop of colour. Both of these shades are beautiful when used alone, but for a gorgeous Bridal glow try layering with champagne or soft gold shadow and a plum liner smudged gently along the upper lash line. No cats-eye flicks for brides though, soft and sophisticated is the key to looking radiant in all your photos.
Speaking of photos, let me explain my next beauty saviour for brides. How many times have you looked back on photographs and wondered why you looked so pale, washed out or even bright? Well the answer lies in whats inside your make-up and your moisturiser. Products that contain SPF reflect light away from the skin, and when put before flash photography creates a very unflattering white flashback. Finding both a skincare regime and foundation that are 100% SPF free is the best way to ensure glowing skin in your photos. Firstly, really go to town with your skin regime in the run up to your big day. Invest in a good quality cleanser and spend time massaging it in twice a day. This is absolutely the best thing you can do for your skin, anything else you add is a bonus. If you have the budget for it try Eve Lom Cleanser - http://uk.spacenk.com/cleanser/MUK154050009.html - This is a delectable cleansing balm that melts away make-up and impurities while loading your skin with essential oils and cocoa butter. It gently exfoliates to create a buttery soft, smooth, glowing complexion. Alternatively try any creamy cleanser but avoid foaming ones that strip essential moisture from the skin. Sanctuary Spa Fresh Faced Purifying Face Wash - http://www.sanctuary.com/en-gb/fresh-faced-purifying-wash/ - may be a lather and rinse formula but it's loaded with Vitamin E and glycerin to maintain a healthy moisture balance and is great for oilier skins or those prone to breakouts. I personally use this product a few times a week to keep blackheads at bay! Try using a warm, damp face cloth to gently remove your cleanser rather than rinsing. This adds an extra exfoliating step and stops the skin from drying out. Whilst the skin is still slightly damp you can either jump straight to moisturiser or, and I would recommend this from experience, apply a moisturising toner. Toner helps seal in all that goodness from your cleanser and a moisturising one provides the perfect base on which to apply your moisturiser. Layering products like this also makes the skin plump which actually makes your make-up look better. Biotherm Biosource Toner for Dry Skin - http://www.biotherm.co.uk/women-care/face/by-concern/dry-skin/cleansing-and-soothing/biosource-toner-dry-skin-001763-3.aspx - is a softening toner that also digs deep into the skin to get rid of any lingering impurities, leaving the skin feeling smooth. I have also recently discovered Arran Aromatics Feel Good Formulas Aloe Vera Facial Cleanser and Toner - http://www.arranaromatics.com/collections/feel-good-formulas/aloe-vera-cleanser-and-toner/ - This can be used alone to remove make-up or refresh the skin but is also a great second cleansing step to provide moisture and the healing properties of aloe vera leave the skin feeling fresh, clean and clear. It smells incredible too, I love using this in the morning to wake me up! So now your skin is clean and primed and ready to moisturise. Again invest in the best quality you can afford, and don't use it sparingly. The more you use and the more you massage it in the better your skin will look. An SPF free formula is essential for brides. For ultimate luxury go for Dior Hydra Life Pro-Youth Sorbet Creme - http://www.feelunique.com/p/DIOR-HYDRA-LIFE-Pro-Youth-Sorbet-Creme-50ml - This is a deliciously soft, light cream that glides on and melts away to water leaving the skin hydrated, incredibly even toned and velvety to the touch. Even dryer skin will benefit from this intense hydrating formula that is ideal if you're planning to put foundation over the top. Nivea Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Plus Energising Day Cream - http://shop.nivea.co.uk/skincare/face-care/q10-anti-wrinkle-energy-day-cream-50ml.html - is a rich, softening moisturiser that adds a healthy glow. Really work this one into the skin to plump and prep for your foundation. Foundation is not for everyone, but for a completely flawless, even complexion it's a must for brides. There are some amazing ones out there and the more money you spend, the better the results. Only premium brands will do here and my ultimate Bridal Saviour product (without a doubt) is the fabulous Dior Diorskin Airflash Spray Foundation - http://www.feelunique.com/p/DIOR-DIORSKIN-AIRFLASH-Spray-Foundation-70ml - This is by far the best foundation I have ever used. It's 100% SPF free and it's so simple to use. Use a band to cover your hair and protect your clothes with a towel, shake the can for about 30 seconds (this aids even distribution), hold it at arms length away from your face and fairly quickly spray in a 'Z' shape across your face starting at your forehead. Lightly touch up the jawline on both sides if necessary. Now the most important step - completely leave it for a few seconds. Do not touch it. This foundation is made of millions of tiny little beads of liquid that, once sprayed onto the skin, begin to plump up and fill out creating a perfectly smooth and flawless finish. Now you can start to blend with a soft foundation brush for light coverage, or a stiff-bristled one for fuller coverage. Work it into the jawline, nose and forehead avoiding the area just under your eyes (you want to keep this as light as possible.) You can spray the foundation directly onto a brush for application if you prefer, but the finish from spraying directly onto skin is so professional, and so easy to achieve! Try to keep your fingers away as much as you can as the heat from them will disturb the plumping process. I find that I don't need to touch up with any powder after using this product, but if you're a matte fan then go ahead with a translucent powder in the t-zone area. The other foundations that I've found provide a beautiful finish are Yves Saint Laurent Le Teinte Touche Eclat Foundation - http://www.feelunique.com/p/Yves-Saint-Laurent-Le-Teint-Touche-Eclat-Foundation-30ml - and Estee Lauder Invisible Fluid Makeup - http://www.esteelauder.co.uk/product/643/20670/Product-Catalog/Makeup/Face/Foundations/Invisible/Fluid-Makeup/index.tmpl - Both of these foundations provide a flawless finish whilst adding radiance, both with a totally weightless feel.
Wow, do you need a moment to take all of that in? The other product that I bought yesterday (which is nice and easy, don't worry!) is By Terry Baume de Rose 100th Anniversary Gift Set which includes a limited edition lipgloss. This legendary balm is a bride's best friend for her big day - a subtle wash of delicate pink for the lips, a handy go-to for strays and flyaways (even unruly brows!) or a quick cuticle touch up for glowing hands - very important for the ceremony and showing off your new bling. The classic rose scent will soothe your sense and most likely entice your hubby-to-be, no kissing til you've said I Do!
That's all for now, I'll leave you with today's beauty run-down: Arran Aromatics Aloe Vera Facial Cleanser and Toner followed by Estee Lauder Daywear. Eve Lom Radiance Lift Foundation, Dior Diorskin Nude Skin Perfecting Hydrating Concealer, Guerlain Meteorites Pearls, Chanel Le Blush Creme de Chanel, Laura Mercier Illuminating Eye Colour, Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effect Faux Cils Babydoll Mascara, By Terry Baume de Rose. Fragrance: Taylor by Taylor Swift.
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