Favouring the undone

image: gq-magazine.co.uk

Woah, that Harry Styles.

Now, I'm old enough to be his mother (eek..well, almost) and whilst I'm in no way a One Direction fan (unlike my friend B! Tsk) the cover of GQ certainly caught my eye this month...but not for the reason you think.

It was actually Harry's brows that caught my eye, in particular the one on the right. Why? Because his brows are 'undone', slightly askew, and not preened to perfection. Which I liked. He is a man, after all (ahem, OK, a young man).

Harry's brows got me thinking...when it comes to our own makeup, can we get too perfectionist about it all? Is 'undone' a good quality to nurture when it comes to our own routine?

Whenever I find myself doing a bit of male grooming on set I automatically reach for the brow gel and a clean mascara wand (to comb through the brows). But it's always at the back of my mind not to make them too neat. Same goes for concealer...some guys - especially those who are about to be photographed/filmed - need a touch of concealer under the eyes, not a lot, just a little, but in applying it there is always a fine balance.

Photography: © James Champion; hair and makeup: Natalie James Makeup

I love it when boyish/undone makeup enjoys a renaissance in women's magazines and on the catwalks, which it does with unsurprising regularity. The kind of 'barely there' makeup that favours boyish brows and bee-stung lips. There is something quite primal about this look which I've always liked. It seems to allow a woman's femininity to shine through all on its own, giving it a break from the usual mask of kohled eyes and bronzed cheekbones.

I guess the point of this post is to say there can be a time and a place for perfection (gala dinner? wedding?) but that our day-to-day makeup is far best left slightly undone. So what if your eye liner's a bit askew or your lip line not quite perfect. Get out there and don't sweat it. You'll still shine...

The ultimate makeup bag

I'm so in love...

It was my birthday on Sunday and I was spoilt rotten by some very dear friends (thank you dear friends).

The first present I opened was this simply divine makeup bag by American label J Crew in collaboration with Liberty Print (thank you Kat!!)

I can honestly say I have never known a makeup bag quite as beautiful or practical.

Here's why:
- The print is heavenly....it's feminine but not girlie, sophisticated and not unlike the greenhouse at Kew (tropic chic anyone?)
- It looks and feels like silk but is actually 100% cotton (far more practical). The inside lining is a clever shade of camel and made from a much sturdier cotton weave.
- It is the perfect size. Large enough to hold enough makeup for a weekend away but can also be folded when carrying a slightly smaller top up kit.
- The zip doesn't lacerate my hands when I'm delving in to find my hair grips swimming at the bottom (the bag opens at the top to form a natural bucket)

I'm afraid it's sold out (of course it is) but here's the link to buy anyway...you never know, it might just come back in stock.

Dewy summer skin

English Rosa

My friend Rosa Hoskins-Holt (who is also a styling genius by the way) is pretty gorgeous it has to be said. So when we decided to film a makeup and styling tutorial together I couldn't wait to suggest that she model for the video.

We spent a couple of hours one Saturday filming our first video - a 'how to' on creating the perfect summer skin.

Summer skin is all about keeping it light and airy...subtly dewy without looking hot and bothered, light contouring and just a hint of blush.

Here is a list of the products I used to create this dewy, ethereal look:

Dewy summer skin:

• MAC Oil-control lotion
• <preferably add in a separate high-factor SPF here>
• Estée Lauder Day Wear Sheer Tint Release (SPF 15) mixed with a little Chantecaille Just Skin in Alabaster (SPF 15)
• Bobbi Brown corrector and Creamy Concealer Kit (More concealing tips and tricks)
• Laura Mercier Bronzing Gel (just beneath the cheek bones, into the hairline and down the nose)
• Becca cream blush in Turkish Rose
• NARS Orgasm illuminator mixed with a little MAC Strobe Cream
• A light dusting of blot powder (we used Chantecaille HD Powder)
• Cowshed Lippy Cow Natural Lip Balm on the eyes
• Bourjois Rouge Edition, Shade 19, Corail en Vogue  (Rosa's own)

So what's the secret to this look?
- apply each product in thin layers
- use your fingers to pat and blend

Are you super pale?
Estée Lauder's Day Wear Sheer Tint Release is a gorgeous product (smells divine by the way). I love wearing it in the summer as it gives my skin a healthy, dewy glow. My one watch out would be if you're pale like me, to mix it with your regular tinted moisturiser/foundation as it can look brown (or worse, dirty) on its own when worn on pale skin. Be sure to blend a little down the neck line when you wear it.

What's your go-to summer product? I'd love to know...