Sali Hughes is 'Pretty Honest' about beauty (and that's why we love her)

A great Christmas pressie for sisters/mothers/aunties/friends who are beauty mad or beauty confused

Last Wednesday eve I tootled off to Space NK Bishopsgate on the off-chance I might be able to sneak into hear Sali Hughes' talk about her new book "Pretty Honest" (£11 on Amazon).

I'd rung two weeks prior to book myself a ticket but they'd already sold out (the very morning it was advertised!). Not letting that deter me I decided to go anyway as people cancel at the last minute and luckily for me that's exactly what happened. So with book and glass of champagne in hand I settled into the store to await Sali's entrance.

I've been following Sali's beauty page in the Guardian Magazine for donkeys years and she is one of my favourite beauty writers. Her honest, no nonsense approach is both endearing and trustworthy. I like the fact she will often recommend a cheaper product over a more expensive one if it does a better job. The way it should be.

Sali channels the sexy librarian look

After taking a seat at the front of the store Sali thanked everyone for coming (about 25 of us) and proceeded to read from a chapter in her book entitled 'Beauty and the careerwoman' (well, we were in The City after all). I particularly enjoyed hearing her list of 11 'Deskside Essentials' including mini hairspray, dippy nail polish remover pot* and mints.
* click here to see which one I blogged about recently

Sali ponders a question from the floor

Following the reading the floor was then opened up for questions. Being terribly British tumbleweed and shifting feet seemed to be the general response. Thankfully Sali's friend and fellow Guardian writer, Lucy Mangan (@LucyMangan), decided to volunteer a first question - what makeup was Sali wearing that day (ooh, great question). Having disclosed her warpaint (see some of Sali's go-to makeup staples below) the questions then just seemed to flurry forth.

The gems were coming out of Sali's mouth thick and fast so I decided to open up 'Notes' in my iPhone and jot a few down. Here are some of the things Sali had to say that I found particularly interesting which I thought you might too:

Sali's General Tips:
- Avoid skincare and cosmetics containing mineral oil if you have acne prone skin (e.g. Eve Lom Cleanser)

- Don't be afraid to try over-the-counter chemical pads or liquid exfoliators, for example those containing BHA's (Beta Hydroxy Acids such as salicylic acid) or AHA'S (Alpha Hydroxy Acids such as glycol and citric) as these will have concentrations well beneath those applied in a specialist clinic. Sali says BHA's can be very effective on spot-prone skin.

- If your skin is flaring up swap your flannel for a muslin cloth as it's far gentler.
- Cleanse regularly with a balm or oil and every now and then with a foaming face wash (foaming cleansers can strip the skin of moisture. Interestingly, Sali says she uses a foaming cleanser twice a week with her Clarisonic and an oil or balm the rest of the week).
- If your skin can tolerate a chemical SPF then wear that under your makeup. Otherwise stick to topical SPF's such as those containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Topical SPF's, or what used to be referred to as 'sunblocks', tend to be quite thick and white which makes makeup application over the top of them all the more tricky. Sali says that in the Auutmn and Winter months she's more likely to get her SPF from her makeup products e.g. NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser (SPF 30, £29).

"Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes..." (Gosh, I hope not!) 

Some of Sali's favourite products:
- NARS Cream Blush in 'Penny Lane' (£21.50, see above)

Weightless and translucent

- Chantecaille Loose Powder (£48)

Haven't tried this yet but it's on my list if Sali says it's good!

- Clarins Instant Concealer (£21, for use under the eyes)

A great range which should match most skin tones

- NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (£21, for use everywhere else on the face)

Signed copy of 'Pretty Honest' (Sali Hughes at the top, Lucy Mangan at the bottom)

The lippy I was wearing when I met Sali 

I was first in line to get my book signed and happened to be wearing NARS' new Audacious lipstick in 'Vera' (£24). Sali said it really suited me (she could have just been being kind but I liked it!). Might have to treat myself this week. Plus, I've just discovered there's one in the range called 'Natalie'!(whoop!).

Have you read Sali's new book? What did you think? Any favourite chapters? The one on perfume has got me itching to go out perfume shopping...

Follow Sali:
salihughesbeauty.com
@salihughes (Twitter)
@salihughesbeauty (Instagram)

Does makeup = confidence?

Are the red specs too much?

The Makeup = Confidence debate has long fascinated me.

Partly because, as a working makeup artist I get to witness first hand the ways in which makeup can spark confidence in women (oh it can, yes it can). But partly too because, as a woman, I've personally experienced the spring in my step and the smile on my face that comes from walking into a room knowing my makeup looks great.

(I should add too that I've experienced the flip side... where my skin is not looking good. At all. And that knowing and feeling that has affected everything, from my posture to my ability to make conversation).

But back to the debate...

For as positive a tool as makeup can be....should it ever be used as a substitute for confidence?

Sali Hughes interviewing Charlotte Tilbury (in Charlotte's bathroom!)

Two things have prompted this post. One was discovering last week that one of my makeup heroes, the permanently feline-flicked celebrity makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury, reapplies her makeup before bed.

I'll say that again.

She removes her makeup (using her Clarisonic and her own Miracle Glow Cleanser) and then reapplies primer, concealer, liner and mascara (*GASP*).

Whilst Charlotte is a wonderful ambassador for the confidence-boosting aspects of makeup (I simply adore how easy she has made it for everyday women to copy their favourite Hollywood heroine) what BLEW MY MIND is that she insists that no-one should ever have to see her without makeup. Not even her husband.

I have to say this saddens me. I would hate to feel I couldn't go barefaced in front of my best friend or a man I liked. Perhaps Charlotte would go bare-faced but actively chooses not to? Regardless of the reason I still find it unsettling and at odds with the way I feel about makeup and when it should be used.

Btw, I highly recommend watching the whole video which is the second of a Two Part interview by the wonderful Sali Hughes, Beauty Guru for The Guardian. But if you simply want to skip to Charlotte's bedtime makeup routine start watching from 4:50. (If your reaction is anything like mine it will leave your jaw on the floor).

The second thing to prompt this post was a bbc.co.uk news article which posed the rather controversial (but highly topical) question "Could a makeover save your career?" (Link to full article).

Personal brand is something we're probably all pretty familiar with. The notion that it's not just what you say or how brilliant you are at your job. Whether we like it or not people make sub-conscious judgements based on appearance.

Research recently conducted by the University of Hertfordshire confirmed this:

'What a person wears has a big impact on others' impressions of them and on their subsequent career opportunities.' 

It even goes on to say:

'Women whose work-wear is "slightly provocative" are judged to be less competent.'  

                                      - Excerpt from an interview with Karen Pine, a psychology professor at the  
                                        University of Hertfordshire.

Trust me, I'm a salesperson
Whenever I struggle with this debate I seem to always revert to the sales analogy.

Imagine you're being sold something by the best salesman or saleswoman in the world. What would you want, or expect them to look like? Would their scruffy shoes distract you from their eloquent sales tactics? Or how about their visible (and therefore highly distracting) cleavage? Would it make you think twice about your purchase?

The fact of the matter is people want to see health and confidence reflected back at them, regardless of the context. You might forgive a friend for having slightly lack-lustre or frizzy hair but how would that person fare in a business context? Can you imagine them going for a promotion?

Who can forget the relaxed confidence of Katie Holmes, photographed for
Bobbi Brown's 'Confidence is everything. But a little makeup can't hurt.' campaign.

As a makeup artist and someone who extols the benefits of strategic use of makeup in the workplace I'm conscious my appearance needs to consistently reflect the values I am promoting. This has its challenges! Especially after a British Military Fitness class (lol) or on a 'lazy' day. But I know how I feel on days when I haven't got my business face* on and for as much as I'm confident about my subject matter, I can't help but feel like I'm under-selling myself in the knowledge my appearance is under-par.

Whilst we can acknowledge that makeup should never be a mask I think it's also important to acknowledge that real confidence simply has to come from within. By all means use makeup and 'mazing haircuts and gorgeously fitting shoes and clothes to help boost your inner confidence...but don't forget too to reflect that mirror back at yourself and do the work on the inside. This is no quick fix. As someone who has had periods of sustained low self-esteem I can tell you I'm several years in and still delving, but finding I am building a solid foundation slowly but surely :)

And imagine just for a second how much more powerful makeup and heels and haircuts would be, knowing all the while, that should they be taken away, our inner confidence will still be there....standing tall and shiny.

* To clarify, my business face is not wearing a tonne of makeup. It's about using very thin layers of product to imbue health, vitality and professionalism. I want the people I talk to to think 'She looks great' not 'Wow she's wearing a lot of makeup for a Tuesday'.


Images:
Guess Accessories (Kate Upton)
Charlotte Tilbury
Bobbi Brown (Katie Holmes)