3 SPF products I've been loving this summer

For your reading pleasure I've written a summary of my investigative findings about sunscreens (here). But if you'd rather cut straight to my top 3 SPF products this summer, read on.

Before I get down to the nitty gritty I thought I'd share what's recently prompted me to write, not one, but two posts on sun protection.

Me, myself and the sun
As someone who's about to enter her (*cough*) late 30s I often find myself thinking way more about my skin than I did in my 20s. And let's not even mention the time I regularly applied factor two(!) tanning oil (??! OMHG) during the middle of the day whilst on a gap year in Argentina aged 19. No, let's not. Suffice to say I've not been the strictest of sunscreen wearers over the years.

Excuse me, there seems to be a brown splodge on my right cheek
I first noticed The Mark shortly after returning to London following a three year stint in Melbourne and Madrid (long story). I guess being back in Blighty enabled my skin to return to its natural hue and as I got paler the sun spot became more obvious. I'm convinced it's because I didn't wear enough sunscreen.

An old friend of mine (thanks CK) recently commented she thought it had got bigger which has prompted me to make an appointment with my GP to see if I can be referred to a consultant dermatologist. At this stage I'd rather not tackle it with any pigmentation creams until I know what's what (although there are plenty on the market).

Hands
If I had a penny (or preferably a pound) for every time an older lady has told me there are two things that give away a woman's age: her face and her hands. Well, I'd be MINTED.

I'm starting to notice I have one or two 'bigger' freckles on the tops of my hands (otherwise known as age spots....euuush. Actually, how does one know when a freckle is a freckle and not an age spot? Answers in the comments box below please!)

There's a simple solution to this folks. It's called SPF. But in winter, who remembers to apply SPF to the backs of their hands? NO-ONE. Shall we start?!


My décolleté (or décolletage)
I'll save you an image of my chest (you're welcome) but I've noticed there are slightly more freckles on it than there were before (and some of those larger freckles I was talking about). A sign perhaps that I need to be protecting it more?

And we've all seen it...the 'creypeyness' that befalls the best of us. Well it's gonna happen ladies...and that's totally OK! But the longer we can stave it off the better.

3 SPF products I'm using and loving this Summer... (drum roll)
I have lots of other SPF products in my bathroom but these are the ones I keep coming back to.

1. Estée Lauder Sheer Tint Release Moisturiser (SPF15, pictured above)
I need to say something here....<long pause>

This is one of my best makeup purchases.

Ever.

I know. HUGE. 

I first came across Estée Lauder's Sheer Tint Release during a stint working for Chantecaille  in Fenwick, Bond Street. The EL counter was then bang opposite the Chantecaille counter and it wasn't long before I started noticing women coming up to the counter to enquire about something and then leaving practically wailing in despair. Turns out the product they were after (you guessed it) had been out of stock for ages. Well I'm pleased to report it's very much back IN stock and is bl*ody marvellous.

What is it?
It's a type of tinted moisturiser but very sheer. The genius of it is that when rubbed into the skin (it first comes out a very strange pale grey colour) it develops into a warm tint. In the summer I use it to warm up my skin (I have to blend a little down my neck because I'm so pale) and then if I feel like I need a little extra coverage, I'll go in with one of my regular tinted moisturisers (e.g. Chantecaille Just Skin) or a light-weight foundation, blending across chin, cheeks, nose and forehead (t-zone basically).

Who's it for?
Estée Lauder say everyone but I'd say if you're olive or deep skin-toned it'll feel more like a radiance primer. It's brilliant for light skin tones which err on the paler side. I'd also say it's more suited to normal to dry skin types as it feels wonderfully hydrating (I can imagine it feeling 'a bit shiny' on combination or oily skins).

Benefits

• SPF 15 and broad spectrum (protects against UVA and UVB)
• Non-comedogenic (won't clog pores)
• Hydrating 
• Radiance boosting (evens out skin tone)
• Anti-oxidant protection (helps fight free radicals which can cause premature ageing)

RRP: £38-40 for 50ml

2. Chantecaille Ultra Sun Protection (SPF 50 and +++)
I learnt a lot about this product working for Chantecaille and it really is fantastic for several reasons:

• It's a chemical sunscreen. The principle ingredient is avobenzone (one of the better SPF chemical ingredients out there. For more info on mineral versus chemical sunscreens, click here). 
• It leaves skin beautifully matte which is UNHEARD of in the world of sunscreens. (Because it's chemical, and not mineral, it doesn't leave your skin with a white finish or flash back in photographs). When I'm wearing it (like in this photo) I barely feel like I've got anything on and it leaves my skin feeling quite velvet *purr*.
• It's an anti-glycation primer (a what now?). Glycation is the process by which sugars attack proteins in the skin ultimately affecting the production and quality of collagen and elastin. This product protects against that.

The downside?

It ain't cheap. In fact, so spenny is it (£76) I've been eeking out the samples I was given a while back. But I know it's only a matter of time before I buy.

RRP: £76 for 50ml

3. Piz Buin Ultra Light Hydrating Sun Spray (SPF30)
The smell, oh the smell!! I've never been to Barbados or the Seychelles but THIS IS WHAT I IMAGINE THEY SMELL LIKE.

I used to wear whatever sunscreen was in my mum's cupboard at the time but a trip to Australia a couple of years ago prompted me to invest in some 'decent' sun protection and this was the one I'd always wanted to buy.

I highly recommend the cream formula if you're prone to dry skin (this is a broad spectrum chemical sunscreen; key ingredient is Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine which protects the skin by absorbing UV rays).

I can't seem to find the 'Ultra Light' product anymore which leads me to think they've changed their formula but I'm now a convert to their range so I'd definitely invest again.

Tip: Boots often do a BOGOF or similar promo on Biz Buin (they've got one on right now!). Last time I bought the spray and the cream and alternate between the two.

RRP: between £5-£20

How about you?
What's your go-to SPF? Have you changed brands over the years and if so why? Has anyone tried Institut Esthederm? I keep reading really good things but will need to wait for the big bucks to come in before I can invest (come ON big bucks! :))

Image credit: H&M campaign

The Holy Grail: How I Found My Signature Scent

Hands down, I am the fussiest person I know when it comes to perfume shopping (for those who wish to challenge me, you know where to find me!)

Before it was discontinued....*wails*....Armani White For Her was my signature scent (c. 2007 to 2009. Just checked online and it's currently selling on Amazon for £399?!)

Then late in 2009, whilst on holiday in New York and snooping around my friend's place in Brooklyn, I stumbled across Jo Malone's White Jasmine & Mint. It was love at first sniff (sorry) and I've been mesmerised ever since.

Five years on the thought of finding a new scent, one that could potentially replace White Jasmine & Mint (gasp) appeared an insurmountable task. That was, until I was introduced to Molecule.

Don't be fooled by the rather minimalist, masculine packaging

Game Changer

I'd read about Escentric Molecules in magazines and overheard people whisper in hushed tones about its ability to react to your own pheromones (Woah). 

Then back in November of last year, whilst at a makeover event for a law firm I was working alongside friend and fellow makeup artist Kelly. She smelt so ridiculously divine I literally had to stop her in her tracks. "What perfume are you wearing?!" 

Later on that evening, over a celebratory cocktail (we'd been doing makeovers for four hours) she pulled out a travel atomiser and she sprayed Escentric 03 on me. Sweet LORD.

A case of The Emperor's New Clothes or the synthetic
equivalent of an aphrodisiac?

The Rise of the Synthetic Fragrance

If you've never heard of the brand, Escentric Molecules is the wonder child of Berlin-based perfumer Geza Schoen. The established perfumer wanted to challenge the way fragrances are produced and sold by producing what we would consider a typical fragrance - a combination of several notes - but also the purist version of that fragrance; a perfume based on a single note.

His original scent, '01', was released as two perfumes: Escentric 01, a combination of the key scent 'Iso E Super' (65%) together with knee-knockingly sexy notes of pink pepper and green lime, and Molecule 01, a scent entirely based on 'Iso E Super'. It is the latter which caused the biggest stir, a perfume, which upon first sniff, appears to not smell of anything until the wearer reports having people literally stop them in the street to ask what the heavenly scent is that's enveloping them.

Escentric Molecules have since gone on to develop fragrances 02 and 03, both in combined (more obviously scented) and purist forms.

No Going Back

The one I personally fell for is Escentric 02, which uses an "unparalleled concentration of ambrosian [identical to the traditional and highly revered substance, ambergris, which has been used in perfumery for thousands of years and which is produced by sperm whales??]...in combination with vetiver and muscone [a synthetic but totally gorgeous musk].

In the brand's own words Escentric 02 is 'a clear, clean scent, [which] dries down to something warm, sexy and elusive." (That's me! Haha).

Perfume Shopping Tips

If you're not careful perfume shopping can give one quite a headache. I'd recommend these handy tips for a stress-free perfume quest:

• Pick somewhere you trust. Both Liberty and Fenwick have fantastic (and relatively unintimidating) fragrance rooms.
• Only ever smell up to five perfumes at a time and preferably sniff some coffee beans in-between (kitted out department stores should have pots of these)
• Once you like the smell of something sprayed onto a card spritz once onto your skin (doesn't really matter where although I like the inside of my elbow)
• Ask for a sample (not always available but occasionally they'll have some in stock depending on when the fragrance was launched)
• Continue to smell the fragrance over the course of several hours. The big test is whether or not you love the fragrance as much as you did first time you smelt it, several hours later. Another good test is your partner's reaction to the scent (i.e. are they turning their nose up or dry-humping your leg?) :)

Escentric Molecules: Where To Try or Buy

Escentric Molecules is available at Liberty, Harvey Nichols and online at cultbeauty.co.uk

Prepare to fall in love!

30ml with travel case: £39 (refill: £27)

100ml: from £66

Credits: images cultbeauty.co.uk and my own

Oscars 2015 Makeup: Subtlety Rules The Show Plus The One Thing That Was Missing

I know it's been a week since the Oscars but two things in particular caught my eye and I've been dying to share...

Firstly, did anyone else feel that the makeup at the Oscars this year was a bit, how do I say, underwhelming? I'm always itching to see what the makeup artist elite have chosen to bring to our most beloved red carpet, but this year felt, I don't know, a bit 'meh'. Did you agree?

On many of the female actors skin was kept low key with lips 'barely there', slight definition around the eyes (mostly brown hues) and the lightest wash of blush.

What happened to the drama? The glamour?!

Could it be possible we are experiencing a backlash, an antidote to the bold looks of recent years?

Secondly, one thing was blatantly missing from the large majority of makeup looks... Where was all the contouring?

Anna Kendrick eschewed bronzer in favour of a wash of peach blush

A Sculpting Backlash?
Even if your makeup bag rarely boasts anything more than a concealer and a six month old mascara it's likely you've heard of a technique called contouring. A trend arguably made famous by the Kardashian sisters, contouring has been one of the biggest buzz words of the past two years with the majority of cosmetics brands choosing to invest in innovative contouring products (just launched: Clinique's new contouring sticks).

But contouring this year at the Oscars was astoundingly absent.

Yes, there were a couple of exceptions...J-Lo and Jennifer Aniston both opted for their staple 'bronzed goddess' look (no surprises there) and bronzers were definitely, if more subtly, deployed with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Gwyneth (I desperately wanted to get out my blending brush with Rita Ora!). But for the majority of stars skin was left refreshingly nude and in some cases topped with just the slightest hint of blush.

Is Less Really More?
Take Meryl for example. And please don't get me wrong, the woman is a genius and I simply adore her... but I felt her skin this year could have done with a bit of warmth. A little bronzer around the hairline perhaps. I'm not talking colour here because I think the level of blush is bang on, but working more with a matte bronzer, 2-3 shades warmer than Meryl's natural skin tone.

Another thing I would have changed about Meryl's makeup would have been to have added a touch of highlighter, something unbelievably sheer such as Glamcor's Glamour Glow, just to the cheekbones and temples (notice her skin is completely matte in the photo which makes it look a bit flat). This is especially important on more mature skin which loses its natural sheen over time.

The New Nude
Seems I'm not the only one banging on about the rise of the new nude makeup look for 2015. Vogue recently tweeted a link to this article featuring countless examples of understated, natural looks from the A/W15 shows.

I should stress, it's not that I'm against an au naturelle makeup look, I frickin' love it! It's just that I occasionally pine for something a little more spectacular. And if you can't dazzle at The Oscars then when can you?

All images: Getty (unless otherwise stated)

Oscars 2015 Makeup: Who Got It Right (And Who Got It Wrong)

Get your selfie on: a sunny Reese on the Red Carpet

Waking up on a Monday morning to photos of what actresses wore to the Oscars the night before has to be an official cure for the Monday Blues, right? The dresses! The jewellery!!

Hair and makeup-wise there were some clear trends this year, the big focus being on the eyes (more to follow in another post). But for now, let's see who wore it well and who not so much..

Natalie Portman at the Vanity Fair after party 2015

Part One: The Winners

Ballet Chic
Can this woman do no wrong? Everything about this look is simply divine, from her barely contoured skin to the natural (powdered?) brow. I particularly love the combination of mocha smokey eye - the perfect backdrop to her luminous brown eyes - and that shade of pale pink.

Why a bold lip wouldn't have worked
It can be tempting when wearing a white, cream or black dress to opt for a bold red, fuchsia or burgundy lip but Natalie's makeup artist here has clearly chosen to allow the makeup to play second fiddle to those statement earrings (designed by Eddie Borgo according to housemate Sal). Absolute perfection.

The dazzling Cate wearing Tiffany 

The Queen Of Understated Beauty
If I could hope to look like anyone when I'm older it would have to be Cate Blanchett (or Meryl....we love you Meryl!!). Not only is Cate simply a sensational actress (if you haven't seen Blue Jasmine WATCH IT) but she always seems to strike the right balance, never appearing too young for her age.

Her makeup this year was no exception. Achingly subtle, with a softly defined bronzed eye to off-set those aquamarine eyes, a wash of peach blush and a sheer (is that a hint of tangerine?) lip. Notice the distinct lack of contouring here (one of this year's notable trends). Could we be experiencing a contouring backlash now the rest of the world has caught up with the trend? Hmm...

Fifty Shades Of Red
Who's seen 50 Shades? (dying to see it). Regardless how the film fares at the box office lead actress Dakota Johnson's look is a winner for me. A matte red lip would have been wrong here. By contrast, a slightly glossy sheen perfectly off-sets the matte fabric (velvet?) of her asymmetrical gown. Notice too yet another warm, coppery brown smokey eye (there were countless this year).

Not sure about the hair though with this look... it's a little too 'just popping to the gym'. I would have preferred to see a braided up-do with a slightly neater, glossier fringe. @WilliamHunt, what say you?

Part Two: The Losers

Be Brow-Wary (not Brow Scary)
I hate to say it because I think the gown, the centre parting and the cuff (oh the cuff) work beautifully together but the brows are simply too distracting. A strong brow can be gloriously feminine but a brow that looks as if it could also be moonlighting as a fake moustache is in dire need of some strategic 'balancing out'.

If you have naturally bushy or thicker brows opt for powder instead of a pencil and avoid any harsh lines. My favourite brow brush is Illamasqua's Angled Brush (£19).

When 'Nude' Is Too Nude
Nude dresses stole the show at the 87th Academy Awards but Zoe Saldana, although naturally stunning, ran the risk of looking a bit ill due to the lack of colour in her makeup. If she'd been wearing a block colour dress that 'popped' then the makeup would have contrasted beautifully. This makes me wonder whether it's not the particular nude shade of the fabric that's the issue here (something warmer perhaps to compliment her warm skin tone?).

Makeup-wise would have opted for a slightly stronger eye (a subtle wash of shimmery emerald over the eyes perhaps?) or a warmer lip. A pop of matte fuchsia would have worked beautifully here or a glossy russet.

Shimmer At Your Peril
It pains me to say it because Viola is yet another glorious example of acting royalty but this look fails on two counts for me. Firstly, the lashes: these are far too up-turned and spidery. A natural, curved lash would have worked better here. Secondly, the use of illuminating products blended down the centre of her face make her look shiny rather than 'lit from within'. 

Always apply illuminisers or radiance products to the outer high points of the face (think cheekbones and just above the temples). If you're a shimmer-virgin MAC Strobe Cream is fabulous when thinly patted over the top of your foundation (cheekbones only).

Body Makeup
We can see in the above shot that Viola's clearly had some kind of cream applied to her arms and shoulders. It probably lent her skin an ethereal sheen in the flesh but appears silvery and fake under flash photography (Brides, take note).

Beware too of opting for a foundation which competes with the skin tone of the rest of your body (notice how Kat Dennings' foundation here is slightly too yellow compared to her arms).

So those for me were the stand out dos and don'ts from this year's most famous red carpet. What was your favourite makeup look from this year's Oscars? Anything you'd like to try out yourself? I'll be having a play with a bronzed smokey eye that's for sure!


Photography credit: All images Getty unless otherwise stated

4 fabulous oils to treat your skin this winter

Brrrrrr! When I was living in Australia I really missed winter in London. That feeling of walking in the crisp air, all wrapped up in chunky layers and dreaming of hot baths.

This year I've noticed more than ever just how much winter can play havoc with my skin. Particularly central heating! I'm getting through my giant 500ml bottle of E45 lotion like noone's business (it's the bees knees on parched, flaky legs by the way. Apply liberally to dry skin after a bath or before bed).

For my face I've been turning to oils. Here are some of my tried and testeds...

1. Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate (£36 for 30ml)

I think this was the first face oil I ever bought and I loved it. Replenishing, nourishing and perfect worn on its own in the summer months or under your regular moisturiser at night (be mindful not to use a moisturiser with SPF at night as this can clog the skin unnecessarily, particularly if it's a topical SPF rather than a chemical one).

2. Medik8 C-Tetra Serum (from £28 for 30ml)

I was recommended this recently by a friend who's a facialist. Not only does it smell divine (like freshly squeezed orange juice!) but my skin looks and feels noticeably softer. Wear a couple of drops twice daily, on its own or under your regular moisturiser for an extra antioxidant boost. 

3. Aēsop Fabulous Face Oil (£40 for 30ml)

Do you get dry and congested skin in the winter? I do. Which is why I decided to give Aesop's Fabulous Face Oil a whirl. Made with 9 botanicals including macadamia seed, sweet almond, hazel and jasmine it leaves my skin with a velvety texture. It also promises to clear up any congested areas and I've definitely noticed a difference around my jaw since I've been using it (I get hormonal spots). The only thing that might put you off is the smell (it's pretty potent - not that it smells bad, just intensely floral!).

4. Orico Superico Vitamin Rich Face Oil (£30 for 30ml)

I was given a sample of this last February when I was house sitting for a friend of mine off the King's Road (there's an Orico shop at 315 Kings Road, see oricolondon.co.uk for details). The sample was a generous size so I was able to wear it consistently over a full week. I loved the effect it had on my skin together with the company's organic ethos. I suspect it's only a matter of time before I invest in a full size bottle.

Other face oils I'd like to test...

• Una Brennan Super Facialist Rose Hydrate Oil (£14.99 for 30ml)

• Sarah Chapman's Overnight Facial (£46) - the name alone has me at hello!

• Decléor Aromessence Oils (various according to skin type, from £44) 

To get the most out of your skincare remember to drink plenty of water (sipping herbal teas is a great solution during the winter months) and be careful not to overload the skin with too much product. Thin layers applied more regularly are better than one thick layer.

Do you have a favourite face oil? I'd love to know!

A Manicure Marvel (and £5 off your first booking)

Hi, I'm Natalie and I have a slight (ahem) obsession with nails. Not nail art mind you, although some of the more subtle nail art designs can be unbelievably chic such as this and this (but more on that another time).

Today I want to tell you about a new mobile manicure service that has recently launched in London. Ladies (and gents) you'll want to jot this one down in your little black books. Trust me.

GlossPod's new 'manicures on demand' service mean you can book a nail technician to come meet you anywhere (and I mean, literally ANYWHERE)... your home, your office, the tube?! (seriously, check it out). 

Personally I find the idea of having a mani in the comfort (and warmth) of my own home, with no make up on and wearing my slippers, unbelievably appealing. So that's exactly what I did.

The online booking process took mere minutes and was later confirmed by text. On the morning of, my nail technician Jade arrived exactly on time, knocking softly at the door (very much appreciated!).  Jade was friendly (had a lovely energy about her), was quick to set up and keen that I was comfortable. 

Manicures can make for a wonderful treat, but only when they're done well (a bad manicure can leave me feeling narked for days, not to mention frustrated having spent my hard-earned cash on a service that I could frankly do better myself at home!)

A decent manicure should include:

• a brief consultation
• accurate and gentle nail filing 
• cuticle soak and tidy
• hand and arm massage
• professional application (base coat, 2x coats of preferred colour, top coat)
• a smile/conversation

...and that's exactly what I got from GlossPod. 

Image credit: Nail The Day Blog

I'd been wearing a lot of burgundy shades on my nails and was feeling a bit 'meh' about residual Christmas sparkle so Jade and I talked about the power of a good red. She had a great selection with her but in the end I opted for one of my trusted favourites: Big Apple Red by OPI (from £11.95).

I'd recently switched from 'squoval' to almond (BIG move people) and was keen to keep my new nail shape. We both agreed Big Apple Red looks stunning on shorter, groomed nails so she carefully filed them down checking in with me that the length and finish were both OK.

Jade was great to chat to. I discovered she'd owned her own salon previously, spent several years working in fashion and had even done Ms. Wintour's talons! (well if it's good enough for Anna).

After filing and tidying my nails she gave me a wonderful hand and arm massage using CND's divine smelling Mango and Coconut hand and body lotion. I could still smell it on my hands several hours later and was seriously tempted to buy some. Jade said it works wonders on super dry and cracked winter hands (and she was right).

Jade's Top Tips

During my manicure Jade gave me two fabulous tips:

1. Cuticle Maintenance

During my manicure I was bemoaning to Jade that not all nail technicians know how to correctly trim back the cuticle and asked if there was something I could do at home to help keep them in check. She suggested rubbing CND's cuticle treatment* into bare nails and then gently buffing them against a dry towel (top tip!). 

* NB: CND Cuticle Eraser® is the at-home product. CuticleawayTM - if you can hold of some - is salon grade.

2. The Big Clean Up

I've always used cotton buds to clean up any splodges but Jade suggested investing in Wah Nail's clean up brush (£4 at Boots). Simply dip the brush in nail varnish remover for a super neat finish.

Coat vintage Hobbs, shawl Accessorize, rings Monica Vinader, lip: Nars Dragon Girl velvet matte pencil

My manicure lasted seven days, only slightly chipping only on the right hand after five days' wear.
A very welcome treat.

Makeup Debate Offer!
Simply enter MAKEUPDEBATE at the GlossPod checkout for £5 off your first booking (whoop!). Terms and conditions apply. Please see website for details yadda yadda.

GlossPod manicures: Home manicures from £25.00. Office manicures available as corporate packages (prices starting at £15 per person for group bookings) or individual sessions (please enter your office address via the 'Home' booking).

Broken Nail? No problem! GlossPod now offer an Emergency booking service (from £15).

Male Grooming: Chaps, The 3 Key Areas You Need To Be Looking At

Male models must have skin of the gods right? Some have amazing skin but the majority have skin just like any other mere mortal, namely, a bit dehydrated, the odd spot (try twenty) and great big shiny patches (hurrah!)

Here are the 3 things I look out for when I'm doing male grooming.

Happy as Larry with my own makeup station at the Gieves & Hawkes show at Christie's recently
(it's got LIGHTS and everything :)

Official skincare sponsor 

If you pay even a little bit of attention to the following 3 things I guarantee you'll feel and look on top form:

• Skin
• Under eye area
• Brows (and other hairy bits)

1. Skin

A person's skin is one of the first things I consciously (or perhaps subconsciously?) notice about someone. When do you notice a person's skin? When it's looking great or when it's looking not so great?

I believe that the skin is as much a window to the soul as the eyes. Our skin speaks volumes about our lifestyle, diet and general stress levels so it's worth thinking about how you can take better care of yours. Us girls, well, we're lucky given it's arguably universally accepted that we will turn to makeup to hide signs of tiredness, a hangover, or illness. But what about guys? What can you do?

The best starting point is to work out your skin type*.

Next time you spot a mirror in a room with good natural light take a good look at your skin (and I mean a GOOD look). A great time to do this is during the middle of the day and preferably not after a shower (water strips the face of its natural oils).

Ask yourself:

- Does my skin feel tight anywhere? (you are probably dry or dehydrated)

- Do I have a shiny t-zone? (forehead, nose, chin)

- Am I oily all over?

- Does my skin feel/look quite sensitive or congested?

Once you know how your skin behaves it's far easier to choose the right product to treat it.

Ever wondered what the differences are between men and women's skin? Click here to read what skincare specialists Dermalogica have to say.

* If you're unsure, ask a female and they should be able to tell you.

John from Next models was my first model on the day.

My Top Skin Tips 

• Guzzle water. Like, all the time. It's without a shadow of a doubt the best thing you can do for your skin (I'm talking to the girls here as much as the guys).

• Invest in a decent moisturiser that is appropriate for your your skin type (think oil-free for oilier skins, hydrating for dry etc). Also, look for moisturisers with built in SPF/broad spectrum. Some of my favourite skin ranges for gents include: 
• Cowshed Bullocks range (my soon-to-be brother in law has been requesting the Bullocks moisturiser 2 Christmases in a row now. I think he likes it)
• Kiehl's (super impressed with their new liquid SPF 50....it's like a milk and is so easily absorbed. Perfect for guys!)
• Aveda

• For the more adventurous among you why not take a look at some of the tinted skin products now available for men: 
• Energizing Bronze Cream from Recipe For Men (£30, available from yes-sir.com)
• Sheer Tint SPF20 (£33 approx, comes in 3 shades, for women and men)

Highlight of my eve: having my photo taken with 

ex-porn star (ahem) / super successful model Aiden Shaw *sigh*

Clinique Anti-Fatigue Eye Gel (£23)

2. Under Eye Area

What's your concern? Puffiness? Dark circles? Dryness? 

For puffiness:

• Choose a cooling eye gel or roller ball (like this one by Clinique or Mazorin's aptly titled Working Late Eye Serum £21). Any eye cream that has caffeine as an ingredient will also help with puffiness as caffeine boosts circulation.
• Home remedy: Lots of makeup artists swear by cold used green tea bags kept in the fridge. Wrap them in cling film to keep the air/bacteria out. When you want to use one unwrap two and place one over each eye for 5 mins.

For dark circles:

• Don't be afraid of a tinted eye cream/product (like this one by Recipe For Men). Orange cancels out blue on the colour wheel so a peach tinted eye cream/concealer will give your under eye area a bit of a subtle lift. Strike the right balance and no one will know. When I'm doing grooming or prepping a gentleman to appear in front of the camera, if he has really dark circles I only conceal a little bit. Guys aren't meant to look flawless but you can certainly dabble ;)

For dryness:

• For dryness an eye cream is best (rather than an eye serum). Be careful not to overload the eye area. Take a tiny amount and apply it using your ring finger to the outer edge dabbing inwards. Pat, pat, pat until it's absorbed. Do not wipe (waste of product).

Declan from Elite. 22 and has had a beard since he was 19. He told me he doesn't
actually know what his adult face looks like without a beard! (bless)

3. Brows (and other hairy bits)

The key thing here is subtlety.  Personally, I like a guys' brows to be groomed but not preened. 

Top tips:

• Thread much? If your brows are bushy or you've got a bit of a mono brow going on it's worth asking your barber if they offer a threading service. Or you can pay a visit to one of the Blink bars where an expert threader will subtly (and discreetly) give you a bit of a tidy. Decide ahead of the appointment what you want tidied (a good threader will know how to thread men's brows versus a woman's brows).

• Watch out for the rogue brow. Gents, even I get these every now and then...a brow hair that seems to triple in length overnight and can awkwardly catch the light the next day in your business presentation or date if you're not careful.

Other hairy bits:
- beards should be well maintained no matter the length. Consider investing in a beard oil (Tom Ford's launched one!) or one of the fabulous beard products available on yes-sir.com.

I'll leave you with some more images from the show...

 Minutes after this shot was taken someone managed to stream *a live football match* from their laptop.
You should have seen these 6ft 4 adonises suddenly become goofy smiling kids!

The guys are briefed by the brand's creative director. Lots of talk about being the creme-de-la-creme, how they need to ooze confidence...etc.

Check out the pony-skin coat

The show took over two of the great rooms at Christies with each model stood on a plinth. The centre of each room was devoid of light so that the lights streaming down onto each model were the primary focus. It looked FANTASTIC.

I should have called The Hat Appreciation Society whilst I was there....you've never seen so many fabulous hats!

Fellow makeup artist Angus and I enjoying a rather lovely glass of champers

Hope you found that useful/interesting and thanks for reading :)