Beauty Saviours: Five Products That Have Changed My Life This Year

I was thinking this week about five beauty items that have had the biggest impact on my appearance this year and wanted to share them with you.

All are equally as useful and brilliant as each other.

1. Brow Mascara

Unless you've been living on Mars you'll have noticed that brows are a big thing in beauty. I've never wanted perfectly shaped brows and quite like the idea of a slightly unkempt but reasonably tidy brow. I'm also very fair so anything I put in my brows needs to be subtle.

It wasn't so long ago that I blogged about a particular life-changing brow mascara (click here to read my review). I never thought I'd be able to use a brow mascara (for fear of it being too dark) let alone enjoy wearing one so much.

More Brows by Model Co (£9) is the perfect shade for blonde/red heads like me. Not too grey, not too dark and the fibres really do give my brows substance.

If I'm going out and sporting a bold lip I'll apply several coats of the taupe-coloured mascara, teasing my brows as I go into a stronger shape. On days when I want to frame my face a little (particularly when I've got my spex on) then a quick brush through with the mascara is all they need. What can I say, I'm totally hooked and can definitely see brow mascara featuring in my beauty routine for a long while to come.

2. Original Nivea Creme

Lots of people have nervous ticks. Some people bite their nails or pick their cuticles. When I'm stressed I pick at my lips (unladylike I know).

A little pot of Nivea Creme has sat on my bedside table (incidentally, next to a little pot of Sudocrem), for...well, forever. But I don't use it on my face. I only ever use it on my lips.

Nivea Creme (from £1.49 at Boots) is about the only thing which heals my lips fast. If I've been unconsciously attacking them throughout the day I'll apply a thick layer of Nivea creme to clean lips just before bed and the next morning my lips are so much better. Works a treat in winter too if your lips are severely chapped. Remember to massage any remaining cream into cuticles or onto the back of your hand (waste not want not).

3. Tinted Moisturiser

My love of tinted moisturiser has definitely peaked in 2014. Partly owing to the huge number of BB, CC and EE launches over the past couple of years and my fascination with the differences between them, but also because tinted moisturiser is simply a makeup lifesaver. Great for everyday, quick to apply with fingers (especially when half asleep), lightweight enough to allow freckles to show through and with built in sun protection.

I have about 5 tinted moisturisers on the go at home depending on how sunny it is, where I'm going, whether I want a slight 'tint' to my skin etc. My faves are pictured above and explained below:

1. Chantecaille Just Skin (SPF 15, £58)
Quite simply the most luxurious and effective tinted moisturiser there is. Subtle enough to conceal yet you will look like you're not wearing anything. Trust me on this one.

2. Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation (SPF 30, £48)
I won this in a  Liberty raffle a couple of years ago and love the texture it gives my skin. Glowing but not shiny. Slightly tinted but not too dark. And with a high SPF too. Another one to look out for if you don't like the idea of wearing 'a base' everyday.

3. NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser (SPF 30, £29)
The closest thing to the Chantecaille that I've found and half the price. Brilliant.

4. Tom Ford Traceless Foundation (SPF 15, £62) 
Not strictly a tinted moisturiser but boasts a similar texture and is just heavenly. Pricey yes but a little goes a long way. With a perfect colour match this would make a real investment piece. Be prepared to receive compliments.

4. Nail Oil

A couple of years ago I had a Gelish French manicure for my sister's wedding and three weeks later decided to remove the gel polish myself (big mistake). Most of my nails were fine afterwards but my wedding ring finger (left hand) really suffered and quickly developed a recurring nail split.

It's been three years since my sister got married and it's only since I've started using a rich nail oil that the recurring split has disappeared.

The bottle you see in the photo above - Essential Nail Oil by cult British nail brand Rococo Nail Apparel (£12.50) - has been on my bedside table for well over a year. I generally remember to use it most nights, massaging it in quickly into my cuticles and nails before falling asleep. Not only has it stopped my damaged nail from splitting but my nails are noticeably stronger, healthier and whiter.

5. H₂0

This might seem like an odd one to include but in terms of seeing actual visible results, it's one of the most powerful beauty tools at our disposal. And it's FREE! (well, for lots of us and my goodness, how lucky we are).

Simply not drinking enough water will visibly effect our skin for the worse, no matter how many expensive creams and serums we use.

After a big night out on the sauce (generally wine-flavoured) I'll look at my skin the next day and will really notice the lines on my forehead, my laughter lines and the general lacklustre texture of my skin. Now, I'm all for ageing gracefully but it never ceases to amaze me just how much older I look when I simply haven't drunk enough water that day, compared to days when I have.

Too much sugar (and wine's a b*tch for this) can also cause skin to break out. Drinking lots of water will certainly help to reduce toxins, as will a quick facial massage (click here to see this stunning facial massage tutorial by Lisa Eldridge. Definitely worth 20 minutes of your day some time).

What's your beauty saviour? Please let me know in the comment box below!


Image credits:
Nivea - intothegloss.com
Water shot - uniteforclimate.org
All other images Natalie James Makeup

LIQUID FOUNDATION. HELP!

The other day an old uni friend emailed me to say...

"Nat! Need urgent foundation advice as mine has run out and just realised Prescriptives stopped selling in the UK in 2010??!!!! My foundation is obviously over 2 years old! Eeek."

RIP. Custom blend was a genius concept.

Her question got me thinking - not about which ones I would recommend (I knew instantly) - but about what a minefield foundation shopping can be. And today, more so than ever.


According to The Beauty Economy report recently published by Raconteur, there has been an "80% increase in UK foundation sales"*. 


I remember a time when I didn't bother with liquid foundation....now it's my go-to makeup staple. What's changed? 

I would hazard a guess that factors contributing to this meteoric rise in sales of liquid foundation might include:

•  The introduction of BB creams to the UK market 
• BB creams have got us reappraising liquid foundation and thinking more about what we put on our faces. It's interesting to see the more established makeup brands react to this with new and improved formulas as well as their own versions of BB creams.
• Shades for darker skin tones
• This has been a long time coming but premium brands such as Lancôme, Chanel and YSL have finally caught up with forerunners MAC, Iman and Sleek. 
• Airbrushing
• Ironically, a heightened awareness of Photoshopped/airbrushed images over recent years has arguably contributed to a desire to learn how to achieve flawless skin 'naturally'. Whilst we all need a little help, thankfully the technology and innovation behind many of today's foundations, means a flawless face is possible.

Suits you Madam. image courtesy of http://thejournalista.wordpress.com

WHY CHOOSING A FOUNDATION IS A BIT LIKE CHOOSING A CAR (bear with me)...


1. First question to ask is 'what is my skin type?' (what petrol do I run on?)
OILY / DRY / COMBINATION / SENSITIVE

• Unsurprisingly, oily skins perform best under a matte finish (e.g. Clinique Stay Matte foundation, NARS Sheer Matte)
• Conversely, dry skins (including more mature skins) are better suited to more hydrating (oilier) foundations (e.g. NARS Sheer Glow, Bobbi Brown Extra-Repair Foundation)
• Combination skin can get away with both types - depends on which texture you prefer the look/feel of? Just watch that T-zone :)
• Sensitive skins will need to do patch tests / check for ingredients and go with foundations they know to be dermatologically sound

Ah yes, but what about COVERAGE?
Once you know your skin type you can quickly determine whether you would prefer a foundation with sheer / medium / full coverage. Unless you're a dancer in the Cirque du Soleil, I'd say most people are suited to a light to medium coverage. If you have severe acne and feel more comfortable with a fuller coverage it's often best to use a medium coverage foundation first, and then go in and conceal any redness/blemishes using a concealer such as Laura Mercier's cult product Secret Camouflage or Bobbi Brown's Creamy Concealer Kit.

2. Next question is 'how do I want my foundation to perform?' (what extra features would I like my car to have?) E.g. Anti-ageing? Firming? Long lasting? Built-in SPF? Built in moisturiser/primer? 


There are soooo many options to choose from. The thing to remember is that once you know your basic foundation need (matte/hydrating etc) you can build from there. 

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk (left) and Fluid Sheer (right)

3. And finally, 'how do I want my skin to look?' (am I a matte black Ferrari girl or a metallic blue Lamborghini girl?)


Illuminating foundations such as Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer Illuminator can be mixed with your regular foundation to give you more of a dewy glow (see also YSL's *NEW* Touche Éclat Foundation). 


If you like a matte finish but want a touch of the 'dewy skin', work with illuminator creams such as MAC Strobe or NARS Orgasm Illuminator. Using your fingertips, press a little of your chosen illuminator cream onto cheekbones and blend well. Illuminators go on top of your foundation and the golden rule is Less is Always More. 


Which foundation have you bought and loved?


* I have emailed NPD - the body responsible for this statistic - to clarify which period the 80% increase refers to

My top 3 beauty picks for Summer

If you wear liquid foundation, you gotta try this stuff

Hi guys, hope you're all enjoying the lovely warm weather today? (And if you're anything like me, you'll be simultaneously suppressing the very British tendency to complain about it...what's with that?).

Here are 3 products I am loving this Summer...

1. Ginvera's BB Cream (see pic above). If you wear liquid foundation or tinted moisturiser, you simply have to try this product.

I was sent some Ginvera BB cream to try by the lovely people at Janiro.co.uk after they saw me discussing summer foundations on twitter and, in spite of being a BB cream sceptic (how can one product do ALL that), I decided to give it a whirl.  I'm now 3 days in and am quite blown away.

The Ginvera BB cream is part of the Singaporean Ginvera Green Tea skin care range (Harvey Nicks have recently started stocking it which is always a good sign).

I'm naturally quite pale and the cream comes out fairly warm so I was convinced it would look too dark on me, but, after blending it in, the cream seemed to adapt to my skin tone?? I probably wouldn't use it in winter because it does leave my skin ever-so-slightly tanned, but with built-in SPF 30 it's perfect for summer.

You only need the teeniest amount (about the size of a 5p piece). I blend it in with my MAC 188 Small Duo Fibre brush (a dream of a brush if you've never tried it).

Why's Ginvera BB cream so good?
- provides flawless coverage, minimising scaring and fine lines
- oil control properties provide a natural matte finish
- revitalises the skin with essential nutrients
- SPF 30 PA++
- long lasting

Check it out for yourself and let me know what you think! RRP £20.
NB: not for lovers of an über-matte finish and I'd be hesitant to recommend it for brides, but as an everyday base it certainly gets my vote.

2. Next up is St. Tropez's Everyday Gradual Tan for Face (Light/Medium)

I bought this aaaages ago and recently came across it during a bathroom clear out. It's also Wedding Season at the moment and a number of my clients have mentioned they've been using it in the run-up to their wedding.

What's it got going for it? It's cheap-ish (£12.15 if you buy from feelunique.com) and great if the idea of using fake tan on your face fills you with absolute dread. The moisturising gradual tan infused with aloe vera, vitamin E and St. Tropez's innovative Aromaguard™ (which claims to 'eliminate the tell-tale self tan aroma by a minimum of 70%). 

My only bug-bear with it is that it can feel quite greasy on the skin after application (and for as much as the smell is masked, it's not completely hidden Mr. St. Tropez!). I've taken to wearing it at night (so it doesn't annoy me during the day) and the results are stunning: a subtle yet convincing tan.

TIP: If using at night, apply after gentle exfoliation when the skin is squeaky clean. Don't forget to take it down the neck line.

3. Last but by no means least... Shu Uemura's Cream Eye Shadow (Pearl Beige)

Hands up those who avoid wearing eye shadow during the day - and particularly during the summer months - because of the inevitable crease which comes after just 2 hours wear? (I know, such a bore). Well let me introduce you to Shu Uemura's range of cream eye shadows. Makeup artists the world over have been raving about these little beauties for a while now and I can see why. Long-wearing and highly pigmented, these shimmery eye colours provide a wash of colour which will not crease. Perfect when you're in a hurry in the morning and fancy a little something on the eyes instead of the usual mascara-only look.

Available at Space NK, Harvey Nicks, Liberty's, Selfridges and at the Shu Uemura store on Neal Street (Covent Garden). RRP: £19

Are there any products you just can't get enough of this Summer?

BB Creams: Can one cream really do it all?

image courtesy of Skin79

'BB Cream' is the beauty buzzword du jour (as is HD brows, but more on that later!).

Several of the major beauty brands in this country, including Estee Lauder, Dior and Clinique have all launched their own versions of BB cremes.


But what the hell is a BB cream? And are you missing out by not using one?

4 things you need to know:


1) 'BB' stands for different things, depending on the brand. E.g. 'Blemish Balm', 'Beauty Balm', 'Beauty Benefit', 'Bonking Badgers' (OK, so I made the last one up).

2) The multifunctional cream was originally developed in late 1960s Germany as a treatment balm and was "used by dermatologists to help laser surgery patients protect, soothe and refine highly sensitive skin while providing light coverage for post-laser scars..." (source: wikipedia).


3) BB cremes are old news in Asia. The first cosmetic BB creams were developed in Korea and popularised by a Korean actress who promoted their ability to "even out skin tone" and 'lighten blemish marks". As a result, the popularity of cosmetic BB creams quickly spread to China and Japan and is  now making waves in Western countries.


4) Some BB creams claim to act as a primer, foundation, moisturiser, sun block, pore minimizer and skin refiner all in one! No wonder the world's gone bonkers for BB creams!

BB Creams currently available in the UK:

1. MAC Pre + Prime Beauty Balm (£21, SPF 35. Claims to 're-texturise' the skin. Currently only available in one shade which is best suited for pale skins).

2. Estée Lauder Daywear BB (£32, available in 2 shades. Antioxidant-rich & SPF 35. Claims 'Moisture, protection and flawless perfection.' Er, yes please!)

3. Clinique New Age Defense BB cream (£25, SPF 30, available in 2 shades. Clinique claims: 'Meet your skin's everything').


There are also a number of high street brands who have jumped onto the BB cream band wagon:
Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream (SPF 35) - £17 (approx)
Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector (SPF 15) - £9.99 from Boots
No 7 Beautiful Skin BB Cream (SPF 15) - £12.95 from Boots


Have you tried a BB cream? What did you think?


ps: Here's that vid on HD brows!!!