Mini break makeup essentials: 15 items (and all got worn more than once)

Knowing what clothes to pack for a mini break can be challenging enough (is three pairs of shoes too much?) but keeping your bath bag lighter than a bowling ball can equally be a challenge

Monday morning last week, whilst most people were on their way to work, my boyfriend and I found ourselves grinning shamelessly aboard the 8:04am Eurostar to Brussels. After a pretty hectic Christmas we'd both decided we quite deserved a mini break, plus friends of ours had been raving about a hotel in Bruges called The Pand. Let's just say they had us at 'Ralph Lauren sheets'.

I knew I wanted to take a compact bath bag, including some pampery skincare treats as well as some versatile and luxury eye makeup products that I don't often get to wear. I also knew I'd need makeup that would transition from day to night without too much hassle. 

Here's what I ended up taking...

Every product you see here got used more than once during my 3 night stay

1. Chantecaille eye shadows are a real investment piece and are well known for their luxurious texture and crease free wear. I first used their Le Chrome Luxe Duo in 'Tibet' at a Christmas law firm event back in November. Everyone who requested a makeover that evening opted for the eye shadow duo and walked away delighted. 

On our first night away I had about ten minutes to get ready so decided to wear a sheer veil of the silvery shade finished off with a quiOk flash of mascara. On our last night we treated ourselves to a meal at the Michelin starred restaurant The Golden Herring. As it was a glamorous outing I opted for a dramatic smokey eye, cat flick and lashings of mascara. One sultry, smokey eye later all I needed was a glossy nude lip to finish.

2. Anyone who knows me will tell you I love nothing more than to decant things. In fact, when these little 5ml cosmetic pots arrived in the post I genuinely remember squealing with delight (more on these beauties if and when you make it to No. 11!). 

I didn't want to take my full size perfume* with me (even the 30ml can be quite heavy) so I decanted a few millilitres into this handy and inexpensive Muji atomiser. It can carry almost 5ml of perfume which is way more than I needed for our three nights away. 

When I'm not on holiday the atomiser is light enough to keep in my makeup bag for refreshing evening spritzes. 

*Escentric Molecules 02 which you can read all about here :)

3. If you've never heard of Dermalogica Microfoliant, shame on you, where have you been?! A glorious, everyday cleansing product, it dispenses as a super fine powder which you then mix with a little water. Gentle enough for daily use and leaves your skin feeling lightly exfoliated. Love.

4. I knew about Clarins Beauty Flash Balm for years before I tried it, mistakenly thinking it was an old school primer and that 'things must have moved on'. But, boy is it amazing. I remember asking my housemate Sal one evening what foundation she was wearing (her skin looked incredible) and we worked out it wasn't the foundation at all but rather Clarins' BFB. 

Apply it liberally over cheekbones and the outside areas of the face to boost dewiness. It can also be applied all over but I like to keep my t-zone shine free. I also love the slightly old school smell and definitely feel pampered when I wear it.

5. I was skeptical about Chanel Healthy Les Beiges having tried it in store and feeling less than enthused when it first launched. Then, one long weekend away, a close girlfriend of mine was raving about it so I thought I'd give it another whirl. II've been hooked ever since. It's the one thing that makes me look like I've had ten hours sleep when I've had four (in fairness, any bronzer that's the right shade will do this but the Chanel feels particularly luxurious). I love the fact it's buildable for evening makeup, although having said that, if I were minted and could justify buying two, I'd quite happily use the '30' for day and the '40' in the evening (Oh, the decadence). The packaging is also unmistakably chic in a way only Chanel can pull off.

6. I think the marketing for Charlotte Tilbury's makeup line is simply extraordinary but I'm staunch about what I like and don't like. For example, I'm not a huge fan of the Wonderglow Primer (although I have been known to use it sparingly on cheekbones on myself sometimes and on clients but don't think it does much all over) however, Ms. Tilbury's lip pencils are something else. I loved the idea of a lip liner to boost one's own natural lip line - a lip 'cheat' in her words - and she seems to get natural tones bang on across several skin tones. After reading several reviews I bought 'Pillow Talk'* and have been using it pretty much every day ever since. It's great under lipstick or gloss and has a fantastic waxy texture that I've not seen in other brands. *I've linked to Net-a-porter here as Pillow Talk doesn't seem to be listed anymore on CT's official site. Hope it hasn't been discontinued?! :( 

7. As well as producing fantastic eye shadows Chantecaille also produce quite brilliant lip products. I love their Lip Chic range - a glossy textured lipstick in a compact gun-metal grey case - but equally as fabulous is their range of pigmented lip glosses called Luminous Gloss.  

I lusted after the 'Pink Melon' shade for a while before I invested. Worn as a sheer veil on its own or over my Charlotte Tilbury lip cheat is perfect for day. At night I use it as more of a lip lacquer, layering it up to give my lips a sultry pout. 

8. Australia's cult product, Lucas Papaw has been around for years and is great 'all rounder'. The red tube is easy to spot in your handbag or makeup bag and a little goes a long way. Dab onto lips and onto cheekbones. Since writing this post I've read Lucas Papaw has come under fire for containing as much as 96% petroleum. The company argues its pharmaceutical grade, but even still, might have to think about switching to Burt's Bees which (appears) far more natural. 

9. This is, by far, the best tinted brow mascara I've come across for blonde/light brown hair (it also comes in a darker brown shade for medium to dark brown hair). Annoyingly it's only available online in the UK and even though there are plenty of other brow mascaras to choose from (e.g. Benefit Gimme Brow or Maybelline's Brow Drama, I keep going back to the ModelCo one. I blogged about why it's so great here.

10. I was lucky enough to get sent Estée Lauder's Double Wear, Stay in Place Brow Lift Duo or Derek for short (only joking) which has become my 'go to' brow pencil. This dual toned / dual ended brow product has small nibs making it easy to gently shape my brows with one end and highlight with the other. 

11. I mentioned way back at No. 2 that I am happiest when decanting things (including wine!). Whenever I go away I always take a couple of little pots with me (like these), one containing my favourite tinted moisturiser and one containing my favourite liquid foundation (the latter for when I might want a bit of extra coverage). Even thought the pots hold 5ml it is actually a lot of product, definitely enough for between 5-10 applications, depending how much you like to apply. 

For my mini break I decided to take just one pot with me. I filled half with Estée Lauder's Sheer Tint Release - my go to summer base because of its incredible texture, SPF and dewy glow - and the other half with my favourite tinted moisturiser.  I didn't take a full coverage foundation with me because a) I wanted my skin to breathe a little and by) I knew I'd have this fantastic high street concealer to give me extra coverage where I needed it.

12. I'm a huge fan of these waterproof eye pencils from Chanel because they. Do. Not. Budge. The shade I wear, 'Grenat', a stunning warm, reddy purple, is sadly discontinued from what I can tell but there are lots of other shades suited to all skin tones. Tip: If you're pale like me and have green eyes, a purple eye pencil will really help to show them off. Just be careful there is no other visible redness in the skin (chin, around the nose, shadows around the eyes etc) as the purple shade will only make you look ill.

13. I've been using this eye pencil by Chantecaille for ooh, let's see now, three years?  It is the perfect shade of matte espresso and easy to smudge if I want to do a smokey eye. It's also one of the only eye pencils I can wear on my waterline without it coating my contact lenses! The only thing I would change about it would be to make it even more waterproof (it does wear off more quickly than other pencils but I'm too in love with the shade to change. For the time being anyway).

14. I decided to invest in this mascara on the basis the lovely Pixiwoo sisters mention it in nearly every video tutorial. MAC's Extended Play Lash is a tubing mascara which means it comes off (in little tubes!) with warm water (mixed with your regular cleanser or oil, of course).  Sam (one half of the Pixiwoos) likes to wear it on her lower lashes but I've been wearing it on my upper and lower lashes. It's not waterproof but doesn't smudge and the thin wand is great at getting right to the base of the lashes. If you're a fan of big fat mascara brushes this might frustrate you and I'd say you definitely need to be curling your lashes before you apply it, but otherwise it's dinky, relatively inexpensive (£15) and delivers long, black black, perfectly separated lashes.

15. Lastly but definitely not least(ly), it has been one of my holy grail of searches to find a decent liquid eyeliner, one that stays put, has the right size tip and is matte. It was actually a high street brand that finally came up trumps. Maybelline's Master Ink Matte liquid liner is a dream to put on and I can achieve a super fine or thick feline flick in mere minutes. My one tip: have a tissue to hand and dab the nib once before you apply to remove any excess liquid.

One of my most hard wearing and happy of bath bags, bought on holiday in Australia.
Reserved for holidays and weddings.

Other items I snuck away in my stripy bath bag included:

- Pretty Quik nail varnish remover pot (one of my best discoveries of 2014)

- Bourjois Poudre de Riz de Java - an ever-so-slightly-sparkling finishing powder that has that old school cosmetics smell

- some Bioderma Sensibio H20 miscellar water, decanted (I did warn you) into a handy spray for speedy eye makeup removal

Did I mention the gin?! :)

What are your travel skin or makeup essentials? Any tips for transporting the goodies?

Until next time, happy Thursday xx

Perfect brow threading? Why it all comes down to one thing...

In a moment of reckless (OK, pre-planned) pampering last Tuesday I decided to book myself into Liberty's new Blink Bar, desperate get my brows and upper lip threaded. The latter was, let's say, embarrassingly overdue. (Don't you find the older you get the longer they get? Why is that? Do we need extra warmth or something? Greater protection from the elements? Or is it because as our sight and hearing fuzz over time we need the whiskers to better assess our surroundings? Lolz. I digress...)

Blink and you'll miss it 
A fantastic addition to their beauty floor, Liberty have cleverly positioned their new brow bar at the back of the ground floor (where the sunglasses used to be). The great news about this is that it's much more private than many of the other Blink bars, demurely tucked away behind a slight partition wall and with the chairs facing the wall.

I've been to Blink before (at Fenwick, also good) so was familiar with their service and the price, which let's face it, isn't cheap; £19 for an eyebrow thread and £10 for upper lip. The thing is, though and I speak from some AWFUL experiences at smaller threading pop ups (the kind where you pay £4), is that the Blink therapists seem to be consistently good and genuinely listen to what you're after and will feel comfortable with. I heard a rumour once (which I'm unable to verify on their website) that Blink therapists have to have been threading for a minimum of 7 years and undergo extensive mentoring once taken on by the brand. If anyone has any more detail on this I'd love to know.

A facial-fuzz-free me just two hours after my brow and lip thread
at Blink (notice no redness!)

Why trust is key
Price aside, when trust exists between therapist and client the experience will more often than not reap good results. Why? Because trust is built upon questions and answers. A good therapist will discuss what you're after before the treatment and will check that you're happy before you leave. 

One would assume brows would be a one-approach-suits-all treatment but far from it. A bad brow wax or an under-par threading can be like having to live with a bad haircut, waiting weeks for it to grow out.

I've got friends who have completely lucked out and found fabulous threading technicians within tucked away, rather unglamorous pop ups 'just down the road'. On average they pay approximately £7 for a brow and an upper lip thread, a whopping 79% cheaper than the cost for me to have the same treatment at Blink. 

But is it the same?

Ghosts of bad threading experiences past...

Be clear about what you want
There are some fantastic threading specialists out there, lots of whom are slowly building up their own client base from the corner of a hair salon or down in the basement of a local beauty parlour. If you're new to threading then of course I would highly recommend Blink (ask for Zara if heading to Liberty, she's fabulous) but I'd also encourage you to ask your friends. Where do they go? You never know, they might know someone brilliant who charges less than a tenner!

Threading Tips

• Don't let anyone rush you. Whether you're paying £4 or £20 the therapist is providing you with a service and will be working on your face (something you can't hide if it goes wrong!) so don't be afraid to ask questions before or during the threading if you feel they're taking too much away.
• Ask for a natural curve. There's no need to have a steep arch, brows should have a subtle curve and length. This will really help to open the eyes and shape the face.
• Avoid having hair taken off the top.  Unless you're really hairy there's not really any need to thread above the brow. Taking away the hairs in between the brow is fine and trimming the longer inner hairs is fine too, as long as they don't make your brows too 'boxy'.

Brow makeup

Thanks to the rise in popularity of the bolder brow (thanks Cara) there are some simply fantastic and affordable brow makeup products out there. I'm a huge fan of brow mascaras as they provide a quick way to darken or shape brows in the morning. I'm also warming to the new generation of brow pencils which seem to have come a huge way since their chalky cousins.

I tend to comb my brows once a day (a quick way to shape the face and open the eyes) but if I'm going out or meeting someone I'll tend to spend 30 seconds or so adding definition with either a pencil, brow mascara or both.

Brow products I'm loving right now

• ModelCo Thickening Brow Mascara (£13 plus shipping) - this brow mascara is much smaller in size compared to lots of other brow mascaras which makes storing it in your makeup bag a cinch, plus I think the shade for blondes is bang on and the fibres are great for cheating a natural thicker brow. Huge fan! (Btw, this is very similar in size to Benefit's Gimme Brow, £18.50, but the blonde shade is too dark for me and I much prefer the texture of the ModelCo one).
• Maybelline Brow Drama (£4.99) - Sam Chapman of the Pixiwoo dynasty is a big fan and I have tested it but the bulky packaging and slightly too-liquidy formula keeps me going back to ModelCo
• Blink Bar Brow Definer (£15) - Zara at Liberty's brow bar used the shade 'Cinammon Spice' on me which was perfect (not their lightest shade). She drew a line at the base of the thickest part of my brow and then drew in slight hairs, copying the direction of growth. A quick brush up with a clean spooly, followed by a single coat of brow mascara and my brows have never looked as thick or as natural. Super impressed.

Do you have a favourite threading technician or brow product? Or horror story?! I'd love to know. 

Nx

Image credit: Blink Bar

3 makeup no-no's in the office

Too much? How so? 

This one's controversial I know but I bet we can all immediately think of someone at work who, through no fault of their own, just hasn't quite got it right in the makeup department.

Know your audience
I attended a meeting last week at a corporate location in the city and as I listened to the various points of view coming from the people around the table I couldn't help but notice certain things. For example, the lady who was dressed in something entirely innapropirate for her age (I could see what she was trying to do but to me it just looked unprofessional), or the lady who was wearing a bit of makeup (tick) but the wrong shades for her skin tone.

Granted, as a makeup artist, I'm bound to pick up on makeup mishaps more so than the average person. But it did get me thinking: Even if on a subconscious level, just how much of a distraction is a makeup mishap?

And when it comes to office makeup, what are the three 'no no's?

1. Excessive Shine 
One woman in particular had lots of intelligent and insightful things to say but I. Could. Not. Stop. Staring. At. Her. Overly. Shiny. T-zone. *shocked emoji*

Excessive shine is not just the bane of those with oily skin. It has been known to afflict even the driest of skins after a long day in the office - or when too much makeup has been applied - but with the today's formulas there's absolutely zero excuse not to be able to keep shine at bay.

Blot Away
If you're finding your t-zone is shiny mid-way through the day or just before an important meeting, a quick trip to the bathroom with some blot papers (like these) or a blot powder (such as this or this) will do the trick. Blot papers are brilliant because they absorb perspiration without upsetting your makeup and blot powder, well, it does what the name suggests.

Preparation Is Key
If you were born with naturally oily skin (lucky you! You will age BE-AUTIFULLY!) I'd recommend investing in an oil-free foundation for work*. Benefit's Flawless Oxygen Wow foundation dries wonderfully matte, and, whislt not strictly oil-free, I've seen YSL's Fusion Ink Foundation work wonders on oily skin.

*I'm not suggesting here that you wear a medium coverage foundation to the office every single day (I so NEED to do my blog post on combining tinted moisturiser and foundation!!!) but on the important days of the working calendar (presentations, meeting clients, date night after work etc).

Layer Up
Remember too that what you wear under your foundation can make a big difference. Opting for a moisturising lotion instead of a cream, and/or an oil free primer before you apply your foundation, will help to keep your makeup fresh and matte.

2. Get Your Brows Right
In case you've been asleep under a rock the past five years, brows are big news. And not the sparse sixties brow our mothers, aunties (and depending how old you are, grandmothers) sported, but the big, bushy, eat-your-heart-out-Brooke-Shields kind of brow. Note here: Only Cara can get away with the above. Wearing brows that bold to the office won't scream 'Listen to me, I have such interesting thing to say!' but will leave people wondering how you don't name them when you look in the mirror every morning.

There are few things more distracting than an odd-shaped or over-grown brow. Think:

• too thin - well, you can't really go too thick these days. If you're struggling to grow yours try castor oil.
• monobrow - rare in women but occasionally it happens. Deal with it. I love Blink bars. They'll be nice to you and they apply soothing anti-inflammatory lotions at the end.
• brow makeup that's too dark - see: Made In Essex. Probably one of the most common mistakes I see women making after over-plucking. Powder is much more subtle than pencil. Invest in a decent brow brush such as this one.

Ask any beauty editor worth their salt and they'll tell you a groomed natural brow is instantly anti-ageing. Of course, wearing any kind of makeup is a balancing act and the moment we darken our lips or eyes we feel we need something in our brows, but less is always more.

I'm a huge fan of brow mascaras. Not only are they unbelievably convenient (a quick brush through and you're done) but the shades are improving every year. If you're blonde try this and if you're brunette/dark try this.

3. 'Young' Eye Shadow Colour
My heart sinks whenever I see someone wearing bright eye-shadow to the office because it's obvious they clearly enjoy wearing makeup. But any kind of brightly coloured eye-shadow is, I'm afraid, a big no-no. Unless of course you're under the age of 25, have unbelievably clear skin, wear very little makeup other than a flash of bright eye shadow (see above) and work in a creative industry. For the over 30, mere mortals among us it's simply a tricky nut to crack and one not worth attempting.

I'm not saying do not dabble with eye colour but be subtle. A wash of lilac eye shadow can look stunning on someone with green eyes, but unless you're about to head off for lunch with the girls in a floaty summer dress and with very little other makeup on, I'd say stick to neutral eyes.

The best work-day eye for me is a wash of beige or 'greige' (depending on your skin tone) cream eye-shadow, a chocolate brown or grey liner and two quick coats of mascara. Save actual colour for your cheeks or lips (never both).

If you're feeling decadent and it's the season for brights try bringing a pop of colour into your look in other ways. A bright scarf or a pop of colour on the nails but be warned: bright nail varnish in a corporate office, especially on women 'over a certain age', can look cheap and untrustworthy.

The shape of your nails can also make a big difference. Bright colours work far better on shorter, square or squoval nails whilst nudes suit slightly more rounded, longer nails.

In love with the latest coloured eye liner? By all means, work a bit of it into your look but remember the mantra: less is most definitely more. Whenever I wear a coloured liner to a meeting I always soften it by smudging it with a little of my trusty brown eye shadow (MAC Omega if you must know).


The names of individuals mentioned herein, as well as the name of the company in the City, have been deliberately omitted to protect people's privacy.

Image credits: 
Aly Hazelwood, My-Management
Renee Zellweger, Reuters
Cara Delevigne, Jason Wu Spring, 2013
Marc by Marc Jacobs, 2014

Strobing: How to get killer cheekbones without going near a bronzer

Wow, everyone and his dog seem to be banging on about STROBING this month. Yes, you did read that correctly. Strobing is an official makeup term that is providing light relief in response to contouring fatigue.

What is it?

Strobing is essentially the yin to contouring's yang. A way to sculpt the cheekbones without bronzer (ideal for those who feel they've seen one too many paint-by-number Kim Kardashian looks).

Also referred to as highlighting or illuminating, the inventors of strobing (so they claim) are that well-known powerhouse of colour, MAC, although it's highly possible the technique was developed decades before by another makeup artist/s. Whatever the case, MAC's cult Strobe Cream* (£24.50 full size or £10 travel edition) is seriously worth checking out.

Strategic strobing

Strobing (highlighting) is all about creating the appearance of good lighting by highlighting the areas of the face where light naturally hits. Think...

CHEEKBONES                                                                    
                                                                                             TEMPLES 
                               ARCH UNDER THE BROW            
                                                                                                                            CUPID'S BOW

...You can also highlight the nose and forehead but I'd be sparing with these areas as a shiny nose and forehead can look sweaty in flash photography, even when you're dry as a bone.

Places to avoid when strobing: cheeks (Shiny cheeks = Santa. Not a great look).

* MAC Strobe can look ashy on deep skin tones. Please see my note below re. the right shades for highlighting all skin tones.

Strobing powders: Hourglass (left), Kevin Aucoin (right)

Clockwise from left: MAC Strobe Cream; Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow (more of a primer 
but you can wear it on top of makeup); Clarins Beauty Flash Balm (cult product, again, 
wear as a primer or on top); Kryolan 'Cashmere'/Illusion 'Silk'

MAC Strobe

The choice is yours

Your strobe or highlighting product will come in one of two forms: cream or powder. 

Cream: 
Apply a little to the back of your hand then mix it using the flat of your ring finger. Gently pat the product onto the areas you wish to highlight.

Powder: 
Use a fan or tapered brush (two examples below).

All age types can wear both cream or powder but it's been my experience that some highlighting powders can end up sitting in fine lines on more mature skins (and by that I mean if you're over 30). That's the reason I love the Hourglass Ambient Lighting series (£38) as the powders are so delicate on the skin and never feel heavy, even when I apply several layers.

Kryolan fan brush (left, £10.50), Charlotte Tilbury Powder & Sculpt Brush (right, £35)

Different shades of strobe
It's not a one-shade-suits-all game with strobing so it's important you choose the right shade for your skin tone. Here's a quick guide:

• PALE: silvery / champagne / light
• OLIVE: pink / golden hues
• INDIAN: as above but add to that 'coral' hue
• DEEP: golden / deeper coral / warm (avoid silver which will look ashy)

Is strobing appropriate for work?
Absolutely, but as with all business makeup it's important to strike the right balance.  I'd opt for a low shimmer powder that's 2-3 shades lighter than your natural skin tone or a cream/lotion of the same shade. Dab/apply only very lightly and avoid the nose and forehead altogether.

Image: Pixiwoo

The strobing jackpot
There is one product in my kit - Glamcor's Glamor Glow Ultra Sheer Skin Brightener (£30) - that simply cannot be surpassed when it comes to highlighting. It works brilliantly on both younger and more mature skins (particularly on mature skin because it doesn't settle into fine lines). It comes in a light liquid form that's easy to blend and layer up.
I. Absolutely. LOVE. IT. (Word of warning: This one's an absolute pain to track down...but if you can get hold of some it's worth it! Main stockists now seem to be States side).

Practice on the cheap
Applying a little rich moisturiser such as Nivea cream to your cheekbones, over the top of your makeup, is a great way to practice. The really dewy photos you see in magazines? Makeup artists have generally reached for Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream or a face oil but this can be impractical in everyday life as the oiliness either doesn't sit well on top of makeup or will easily slide off as the day progresses (not a good look, particularly in a meeting!). A good strobing cream product will dry quite matte on the skin whilst leaving a subtle 'shine'.

Do you have a favourite highlighter? Or does the idea of highlighting scare you? 

Makeup + cancer: The one tip women going through chemo really want

If you read my post last week on Makeup + Depression you're probably thinking 'Jeez Louise' (yup, I'm on a roll ;)...but hear me out. This is important.

I want to share a conversation I had recently with a wonderful lady who's undergoing chemo.

The lady in question runs a B&B in Guernsey (which, by the way, was the best god darn B&B I've ever stayed in. To protect her privacy I shan't mention her name, or the name of the B&B, but if you're thinking about visiting Guernsey anytime soon, inbox me!).

Laura* and I got to talking after a delicious breakfast**. I knew she was undergoing chemo because she wore a scarf tied several times around her head and had no eyebrows (and I suspected no lashes although was never close enough to see).

Not that you would know Laura had cancer...she was one of the most inspiring women I've ever met.

* Not her real name

** Full English, fresh coffee, homemade lemon curd(!!) served in a crystal condiment thingy (technical term), muesli and Guernsey milk which, quite frankly, should be illegal.

How much makeup is too much?

Laura and I soon got chatting about makeup (she'd sweetly enquired what I did for a living) and I told her I'd volunteered a couple of years ago for Look Good Feel Better - the charity that provides hair, makeup and beauty lessons for women undergoing treatment for cancer. She'd also experienced a session as a participant.

I did two sessions with the charity and after each one I remember feeling inspired and confused; inspired because the sessions were full of the most extraordinary, talented, strong, beautiful, broken-but-not-beaten women; and confused because the makeup look we taught involved learning something like thirteen (or was it ten?) steps: skin, base, concealing, eye shadow, eye liner, brow pencil, bronzer, blush, lip liner, lipstick...and so on.

Is this what women undergoing chemo really want? To learn how to do a full face of makeup? Laura's response to my recounting the steps was most humbling.

The reality
Laura said she can map how she'll be feeling according to the weeks pre- and post- her cancer treatment. Week one (post-chemo) is spent desperately trying to muster the energy to get out of bed (no mean feat for a lady who runs a busy B&B!). Week two sees the arrival of a bit more energy but makeup is far down the list of priorities. Week three (the week before the next chemo treatment) and she's just starting to feel like herself again. Chemo and repeat.

"I'd rather concentrate on my skin during chemo, not my makeup....because when my skin's looking good, I feel good'.

Skin deep
When a person's body is being hammered by chemicals one of the first places this will show (in addition to hair loss) is their skin.

Rather than covering up very dry, itchy, red and sometimes flaky skin with makeup it seems what women with cancer would much rather focus on are the products that will help to calm their skin and edge it back to looking more vital. I'm not saying LGFB classes don't teach good skincare, they certainly cover this at the beginning of their sessions, but if this is the one thing women (and men) with cancer can find the energy to do during chemo then I wonder whether there should be more of a focus on skincare and less on makeup?

Little makeup, huge difference 
I can imagine that, like Laura, once a person's skin is feeling calmer (less red and more hydrated), applying one, maybe two items of makeup would feel doable.

If I were to pick three makeup items I thought would give someone going through cancer a little bit more confidence during treatment I'd have to say:

1. A waxy brow pencil (or Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade which is regularly hailed by Beauty Bloggers although I'm yet to try it)
2. Concealer (preferably with a slight peachy hue to counteract dark circles (e.g. Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener which has a touch of corrector in it to help tone down dark cricles)
3. Creme blush (Stila's Convertible Colour would be perfect on dry skin as it's lovely and hydrating. Tip: Be sure to tone down any visible redness on the cheeks first with a light tinted moisturiser or concealer/foundation).

More skincare tips
If you'd like to know more about how to look after your skin during cancer I really liked this post. It mentions things like choosing hypoallergenic products over ones that are overly perfumed and advises when to apply products after washing (within 3 minutes is good apparently!).

Meeting Laura inspired this post and really opened my eyes to the kinds of 'beauty' tips women living with cancer are really after. I hope this post will inspire you to talk to your friends or perhaps someone you know, male or female, who's currently undergoing chemo and could do with some skincare or light makeup tips.

As always, thank you for reading.

Please note: It is not my intention with this post to disrespect or to criticise the wonderful work Look Good Feel Better undergoes and the difference it makes to the lives of those dealing with cancer.

Image credits and with grateful thanks to:

Erin (surname unknown):
http://www.photosensitive.com/breast-cancer-survivors.php

Claire Featherstone
http://www.chemoheadwear.co.uk

Sharon Blynn
http://blog.suburbanturban.co.uk/hair-loss/how-i-lost-my-hair-and-found-myself-a-guest-blog-by-sharon-blynn/

Makeup + depression: 5 products that never fail to give me a lift

It's rare we talk about makeup within the context of depression but here goes...

I've suffered from mood swings for a very long time and even though depression and other mental illnesses such as bi-polar have far less stigma these days, it doesn't make writing about them any less difficult *deep breath*.

I'm lucky enough to have the most unbelievable support around me but ultimately it's my battle. Anything - no matter how trivial - that can edge me even an inch out of a mood, is a massive bonus.

Now, I need to insert a massive caveat here because there will be people reading this who will balk at the idea of even being able to get out of bed during depressive episodes let alone put any slap on (and having personally come very close to this I can empathise). I'm talking more about the days when we're up and doing stuff but when life feels like a bit of an uphill struggle, like we're wading through mud. It's on these days that I really notice the effect makeup has on me.

Today I want to share five products with you that consistently boost my mood, even if it's just 10%. And the great news is you can wear them on their own.

Instant glow

I've blogged loads about Estée Lauder's Sheer Tint Release but I will bang on about it some more! Hurrah! I. Love. It. If you're reasonably pale and/or freckly like me, seriously, go try it. 

I've always believed wearing a foundation or tinted moisturiser that's slightly warmer than my natural skin tone is CATEGORICALLY WRONG and that the best way to 'warm up' the skin is to contour it, however, this is the one exception to the rule. When I apply this moisturising, SPF and tinted product in one it is warmer than my natural skin tone but because of its sheer texture, it never looks like a mask.

If I'm having a chilled day I'll wear a thin layer of it all over (blending a little down my neck), a sweep of mascara and a tinted balm. If I've got meetings I'll wear a thin layer but will overlay my medium coverage foundation on top, blending lightly down the t-zone and outwards. This provides a natural yet considered base for the rest of my makeup.

Get it here.

Feeling human again
Another one that never fails to lift my mood is the extraordinary Chanel Les Beiges.

I've hesitated buying Chanel products for years (I once heard the rumour they were made in the same factory as Bourjois and then suddenly found it harder to justify the expense!) but now that I've experienced Les Beiges I can tell you, it's on a whole other level.

It smells divine (softly feminine with a hint of, is that apricot?) and comes with a super luxe brush applicator that makes contouring a cinch. The shade range is such that one can opt for a 'my-skin-but-ever-so-slightly-warmer', a far cry from the numerous taupe-grey matte bronzers on the market.

Not to mention the fact that owning a piece of Chanel makeup is, in itself, simply a joy. The packaging, the logo...I love seeing it peek out of my makeup bag.

Get it here.

Bright eyes
There's something about curling my lashes that makes me feel instantly better, even if I can't face wearing mascara that day. It's the way they lift and open my eyes. I feel instantly more awake, I look healthier and the process takes just 10 seconds.

Eyelash Curlers by Shu Uemura are the best. Get them here.

Colour therapy
It's not just seeing colour on my nails that has the ability to lift my mood but invariably the very act of painting them.

Whether I'm doing my nails myself at home or treating myself to a manicure, it's taking time out to pamper myself (e.g. rubbing oil into the cuticles, the having to just sit and 'be') that can noticeably have a calming effect. Depending on the day I can actually find the process quite meditative too, sometimes enabling me to tap into the creative part of my brain (which can get foggy if my mood is low).

I'm not brand loyal when it comes to nail varnish, it's more about the shade (and if I'm honest the name) that inspires me to try something new, but when it comes to a salon-quality finish I can't fault OPI or Color Club (the latter is excellent quality for the price).

As always, if painting your nails at home don't even think about starting without this!

Light touch

When you're feeling low, wearing anything bright on your lips can feel like a real challenge. For example, I know that when I'm really down the thought of wearing a bright red lip can make me feel nauseous, I guess because I feel it draws attention to me, attention I'd rather not have when I'm feeling under par.

Chantecaille's clever range of hydrating lipsticks called 'Lip Chic' effortlessly strike the right balance between feeling as if we've added a hush of colour but not too much that we feel self conscious. They're described as a 'glossy lipstick' but the feel of them, for me, is much more akin to tinted balm.

One of my favourite shades to wear when I'm down is Zinnia, a pinky-peach that reminds me a little of the old Fruit Salad sweets :) I'll happily wear it on its own or with a little tinted moisturiser (if my skin's feeling a bit blotchy).

I'll leave you with some wise words from my dear friend Claire who I never fail to hear in my head whenever I'm having a bad day:

"Get in that shower, put some lippie on and get out there'.

Thanks for reading xx

When is a pedi worth the money?

When is a beauty treatment worth it?

This is what I got to thinking on Thursday this week during a 
Cheeky* pedi with my baby sis. 

I rarely get pedicures, partly because I'm lucky enough to have a steady hand and regularly paint my nails and tootsies, but also because I often wonder whether they're worth the money? What seems to sway me in the end is a desire to just sit and be pampered!

But does pampering done well ever outweigh an under-par 
end result?

* Cheeky in both senses of the word ;)

Bliss!

Do come in 

I've visited Cheeky – the beauty parlour bit of Barber & Parlour on Redchurch St – twice before, both times to get manicures, and both were great. I really can't fault the staff or the location. The decor is really fun, has a 70's retro/Tracey Emin/old chemistry lab feel about it complete with neon signs and vintage stools. The pedi chairs were super comfortable if slightly too far from your neighbour to be able to hold a proper or private conversation (a real shame as I wanted to catch up with my sis).

All the staff we interacted with during out visit were noticeably welcoming and happy to chat which made such a difference. There's nothing worse than paying hard-earned money for a treatment only to be met with complete indifference or worse, a surly attitude (I've experienced both, many times, as I'm sure have you). 

The beautician who gave me my pedicure was refreshingly smiley, continually checking in with me throughout the treatment to see if I was comfortable, happy with the shape of my nails etc, which I really appreciated.

Introducing my baby sis (that's a bottle of 
water in the green bottle btw...not wine!)

How much are we talking?

You'll generally pay anywhere between £20 and £45 for a pedicure, depending on the location and venue. Cheeky charge £26, which, for the time I spent in the chair, felt about right. What was a shame though, and what prompted this post, was a disappointing end result.

What makes a perfect pedi?

I've had good and bad pedis before and this certainly wasn't bad...just not perfect. When you're paying £26 for someone to trim, shape, treat and paint your toes you generally want them to look even more brilliant than you could ever do yourself. But the evening of my pedi, checking my toes in the light, I noticed a few things I would have liked them to have done differently:

• My toe nails weren't symmetrically cut or symmetrically painted which gives the impression they're different lengths – toe nails are, of course, naturally different sizes but a good pedicurist will cut them and then paint them so that they appear the same size, excluding the big toe (obvs).
• I can still see remnants of my previous nail varnish – the colour I'd applied a few weeks ago, one of my summer faves, was still on when I arrived at my appointment (normally I'd remove it but forgot I still had it on). She spent time removing it prior to beginning the pedi but didn't get all of it off which meant it's still visible in several places, particularly at the sides of the nail and around the cuticle.
• The colour doesn't cover the whole nail – I know plenty of manicurists who leave a good 1mm gap or more between the edge of the varnish and the sides of each nail. This approach can look great on hands (particularly when you want to visibly elongate your nails), but when it comes to toenails I think painting right up to the edges of each nail works best. This avoids the nails looking too small. I also noticed last night upon closer inspection that the second coat doesn't quite cover the first, particularly on the big toe nails which is a shame.

What she did do brilliantly was the cuticle work which I find hard to do on myself. The foot scrub and massage were also lovely (although I was hoping for more of a leg massage than I got. Some places will massage right up to the knee which feels divine).

Avec flash

Sans flash

Something blue

In spite of a less than perfect pedi I loved the colour I went for; a stunning metallic deep purplely-navy called Sapphire So Good, £7 (looks midnight blue under flash).

3 tips to guarantee a great pedi:

1. Speak up – If you like a square, not so short nail, or for the smaller nails to appear roughly the same size, then say so! It helps to establish what you're after at the beginning. Don't assume they know what you like/want.
2. Be friendly – You don't need to be super chatty if all you actually want is to read a magazine or have a snooze but a smile goes a long way.
3. Opt for a shade you wouldn't normally wear – half the fun of having a pedicure is opting for something a little different. On my way to the salon I was half thinking about a lemon yellow shade but then decided against it as my right big toe is a bit bruised (I was worried a lighter colour would allow show through). As I ended up choosing a shade a world away from my usual Hollywood red or neon pink it felt extra special and in spite of the less than perfect application, I am loving the colour.

So there you have it. A pedi can be worth the investment but communication is key!

Do you have a favourite beauty treatment? Have you been disappointed in the past? What do you think is absolutely worth the money? I'd love to know...

Images: Barber & Parlour