Flick Liner for Round Eyes

I have one round eye, one more almond shaped eye and this is the easiest way to do a flick liner without accentuating the roundness, or making eyes smaller.

NYX HD Eye Primer
LimeLife Rose Coloured Glasses & Taupe for the Best eye shadows
Daniel Sandler Eye Shadow Brush
Louise Young LY38B
LimeLife Perfect Liner
LimeLife Enduring Liner in Black
Real Techniques Brow Brush
LimeLife In Love/ With Myself enduring eyeliner 
LimeLife Perfect Mascara
LimeLife Perfect Sunscreen 
LimeLife Foundation
LimeLife Cupcake Enduring Lip Colour
Charlotte Tilbury Lost Cherry Lipstick 
Pixi Correction Concentrate
Collection Lasting Perfection 
Bdellium Concealer Brush 
LimeLife Colour Powder in 09 & 02
LimeLife Blusher in Keen 
LimeLife Perfect Glow in Gold
LimeLife Lipgloss in Pride

Come and join in the conversation on Facebook at the Corinna Harrod Beauty Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/CHbeautyinsideandout/ - just send me a request and I'll add you. And don't forget to go and subscribe to my YouTube Channel

Some links are affiliate links which means I will get a small commission if you click through and buy from them. There is no extra cost to you and if you are not comfortable with that then do feel free to open a separate window and google the product for yourself. If it is an affiliate link it usually means I've taken the time to find the best price available at the time of posting. 

Empties 2

The Empties bag is full so it's time to see what I've been using.

LimeLife Dew Date
Garden of Wisdom Hyaluronic Acid 
The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter
Superdrug B. Multi Acid Pads 
Reusable Cotton Pads 
Geoorganics Peppermint Toothpaste 
Indeed Labs Hydraluron
Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara
LimeLife Mascara
LimeLife Perfect Sunscreen
Garden of Wisdom Azelaic Acid
Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder
Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel
Clarins Eau Dynamisante 
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer 
Garden of Wisdom Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid
Origins GinZing Tinted Moisturiser
LimeLife One Drop Wonder
Skincetuicals Retinol 0.3

Come and join in the conversation on Facebook at the Corinna Harrod Beauty Group - just send me a request and I'll add you. And don't forget to go and subscribe to my YouTube Channel

Some links are affiliate links which means I will get a small commission if you click through and buy from them. There is no extra cost to you and if you are not comfortable with that then do feel free to open a separate window and google the product for yourself. If it is an affiliate link it usually means I've taken the time to find the best price available at the time of posting. 

Quick & Easy Make-up Video

Wow it's good to be back from my unintentional break! This has been my go-to make-up for the past couple of weeks. It's quick to do, looks simple and effective and seems to work in this weird early Autumn weather.

Links to all products below, if you haven't already then subscribe to my channel and come and join the Facebook group - Corinna Harrod's Beauty Inside & Out.

NYX HD Eye Base
Urban Decay Naked Palette
LimeLife Perfect Liner
MAC Eye Kohl in Smoulder
LimeLife Mascara
Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara
Daniel Sandler Sun Glow
LimeLife Perfect Foundation
Collection Lasting Perfection
Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in Rose Glow
LimeLife Blusher in Possible
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light
Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick in  Super Cindy
LimeLife Lip Gloss in Grace

Some links are affiliate links which means I will get a small commission if you click through and buy from them. There is no extra cost to you and if you are not comfortable with that then do feel free to open a separate window and google the product for yourself

Empties 2

My second empties video of 2018 and a bit of YouTube housekeeping.

Waitrose Bath Foam
Mane & Tail Conditioner
Shea Moisture 10-in-1 Moisture Shampoo
Cowshed Grumpy Cow Shampoo
Dr Dennis Gross C+Collagen Deep Cream
Origins Make a Difference Plus + Cream
Tresemme Keratin Smooth
The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer
Origins GinZing Tinted Moisturiser

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

I can't believe I've never reviewed this. Maybe I have and I just can't find it. But if I can't find it I'm worried that you won't be able to and well, it's a great product. I was sent it when it first came out which is why I'm so surprised that it never made it onto the blog though may go someway to explaing way Collection don't send me things anymore. My bad.

I recommend the Lasting Perfection concealer a lot because I feel that I seem to be asked about overspending more and more. People spend an awful lot of their money on products that disappoint and with the increased interest in beauty this is only getting worse. And though I love the Clarins Instant Concealer - I don't use it every day. Why should I? I need something quick, easy and cheap that I can slather on in the 2 minutes I get between one of the kids crying, peeing or selfishly needing to be taken somewhere. So more often than not I'll use Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer and this is why.

1. Coverage - for the price, and indeed for any price, the coverage on this concealer is pretty amazing.

2. Price - this is an incredible price. I always encourage people to spend to suit their products and though my absolute favourite product is nearly 5 times as much as this if I had to cut back on something this would be the concealer I'd go for.

3. Application - does foot applicator makes this easy to just dot on where you need it and blend with either your fingers or a brush. It doesn't sit in wrinkles and blends well with a buildable coverage should you need it. Apply after foundation or just on it's own on moisturised skin.

4. Longevity - lasts as long as most good concealers, longer than some and if you set it with a powder, well, it should be there all day.

5. Ethics - Collection is a UK brand that is cruelty free (including not being sold in China) though it can't confirm all of it's ingredients haven't been tested on animals as some may have been for medical (not cosmetic) purposes. Brands that don't sell in China are sadly not as easy to find as you may think.

It's not all wonder though - this can oxidise, if in doubt go a shade lighter as this tends to darken with age. This seems to vary from tube to tube as does it's tendency to seep from the lid slightly when you screw it closed. There are limited colours available in this would be lovely to see a wider range. I'm usually a medium 03 - for me to be a medium in anything should tell you how small the colour range is. That being said I have the entire colour range in my kit. It's a good reliable concealer - can cover most things blends well and incredibly easy to work with.

Having just written this I've seen I have reviewed it. The original review is here. I'm an idiot.

What You Need to Know - Collection Lasting Collection Concealer

• £4.19
• 5ml
• 6 shades
• Cruelty free
• Other products from Collection: Cream Puff Lip Cream, Lasting Perfection Foundation, Shimmer Shades
• Available from Boots and Superdrug

Instagram Q&A 1 - Part 1

Wow this is much harder than I thought it would be. Editing it down was difficult and it made me realise that the problem with videos is - you miss things. Every time I watched it through to edit it I could see things I'd meant to mention and then didn't and that is, I guess, a good thing, because otherwise the video would be hours long but means I feel that my answers are, in some cases, lacking a bit. But it's my first Q&A and in the spirit of being easy on myself this year I'm going to say you can't get it perfect first time out! Any additional info I've listed below with the products mentioned.

Part 1 is questions 1-6 and part 2 will be 7-14

Thank you so much for everyone who sent in questions. I really enjoyed doing this. Please go to the video in YouTube or to the comments below to carry on the conversation.

1. Gemma (@the_organised_mum)
Mascara (Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara)

2. Becca Leggate
Pixi Correction Concentrate in Brightening Peach
Clarins Instant Concealer 
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

3. PickleTricky
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
MAC Eye Kohl
Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

4. Gina
House of Glam Dolls Glambase Wheel
Illamasqua Hollow
NYX Wonderstick
Blend, Blend, Blend!

5. Gina
Louise Young Powder Blushers (I particularly love Mae, Dolly, Maudie and Coop)
Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush (Rose Glow and Cherub)
Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush Samples

6. Helen
Spend on skin products - tinted moisturiser, foundation or skincare - a good tinted moisturiser with an SPF is great if you don't need/want too much coverage.
Save on mascaras unless you only wear mascara in which case you can spend a bit more but remember they are mostly the same formula in different packaging.
Don't spend too much on eye shadows - I like Bourjois Smoky Stories and Louise Young Eye Trios
Aim for mid-price and you should get good quality.
Always happy to advise!

Some links are affiliate links which means I will get a small commission if you click through and buy from them. There is no extra cost to you and if you are not comfortable with that then do feel free to open a separate window and google the product for yourself

How to Use and Eyeshadow Palette

I get asked this a lot. I think eye shadow palettes can be so daunting especially now there are so many to choose from so here's a look at how you can use them in a really straightforward way and a look at some of the ones I had to hand at the time of filming. If you want to go high end I love the Chanel quads - they are beautiful, I like Urban Decay palettes and Sleek Makeup are worth a look at too. But really, if you are new to this, go on a good wearable colour that you like and start from there.

Avon True Colour in Mocha Latte
Bourjois Smoky Stories in Over Rose
Bourjois Smoky Stories in Tomber des Nudes
Collection Smokey Eyes which is an old palette I like Eyes Uncovered which is current or the Work the Colour which looks similar to the Smokey Eyes palette
Collection Style Your Mood
Dior 5 Couleurs in 056 Bar
Hourglass Modernist Eye Shadow Palette in Infinity
L'Oreal Made for Me Naturals in Light Brunettes no longer available but the Colour Riche Quad is nice
Louise Young Essential Eye Palette
Louise Young Eye Trio in Festival
Louise Young Eye Trio in Studio 54
Maybelline Big Eyes in Luminous Brown
Urban Decay Naked
Urban Decay Naked Heat

Reviews:
Bourjois Smoky Stories
Hourglass Modernist Eye Shadow Palette
Louise Young Essential Eye Palette
Urban Decay Naked
Urban Decay Naked Heat

Some links are affiliate links which means I will get a small commission if you click through and buy from them. There is no extra cost to you and if you are not comfortable with that then do feel free to open a separate window and google the product for yourself

20 Under £20 - My Best Cheap Beauty Buys

I started this off to test myself. It started off easily and then got harder. I've kept it in the order in which these came to me. Which means sometimes you'll be able to see my train of thought. I tried to keep it varied. I could probably name twenty great black liners for under £20 but I've limited myself - you all know I love MAC Smoulder so I've tried where necessary to go for something less obvious. For certain others, like the product that is first on the list, there is no question that it deserves it's place here. It's unrivalled. I've been recommending it for a decade or so.

What are your favourites? Have I missed anything you think deserves a place? Let me know down in the comments.

Interview Make-up

I don't go on interviews but I do have a make-up look that I'd pull out of the bag if I was going on one. It's one of my go-to looks for anytime I have to look smart, made-up but not over done. If you would rather then swap the black liner for brown or even just smudge the darkest brown shadow over the pen liner to soften it.

As always I've listed everything below; the products, including the dupes and other palettes you could use, my blog reviews and videos so you can see what I really think of some of the products I've used here.

Gwen Stefani Urban Decay palette (now discontinued) colours used: Skimp, Stark, Anaheim, Punk, Baby, Serious, Blackout
NYX HD Eye Base
Louise Young LY19 brush
Real Techniques Shading Brush 
H&M Bold Eyeliner
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Diffused Light
Maybelline Great Lash Big
Origins GinZing Tinted Moisturiser
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer
Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in Rose Glow
MAC Eye Pencil in Smoulder
Louise Young LY13 brush
Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
Dior Baume Rouge in Lili
Hourglass Brow Arch
Urban Decay All Nighter
Revlon Fire and Ice

Similar palettes and dupes:
Urban Decay Naked
Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics
Louise Young Essential Eye Palette
Sleek Makeup i-Divine palette in Oh So Special
MAC Dazzlelight (Skimp dupe)
MAC Brule (Stark dupe)
MAC Wedge (Anaheim dupe)
MAC I'm Into It (Punk dupe)
MAC Patina (Baby dupe)
MAC Concrete (Serious dupe)

Product Reviews:
Gwen Stefani Urban Decay Palette
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder
Origins GinZing Tinted Moisturiser
Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara 
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

Videos:
How to Use the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder
Origins GinZIng Tinted Moisturiser Quick Review
Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara Quick Review
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara BIG Quick Review 
Daniel Sandler Watercolour blush quick review 

Some links are affiliate links which means I will get a small commission if you click through and buy from them. There is no extra cost to you and if you are not comfortable with that then do feel free to open a separate window and google the product for yourself

School Run Make-up Essentials

One thing I always want to be on all my platforms (YouTube, Instagram, Twitter - come say Hi) is real. Yes I could do Instamakeup and pout and paint my entire house in Farrow & Ball Drainpipe, there's nothing wrong with that and I'd probably have a hell of a lot more followers. But that's just not me. My house is not Instagramable, it has old features, vom-proof carpet and half-painted rooms (til we fix the plumbing) and though I do sometimes like to trowel it on, my make-up is mostly quick, easy and as flattering as possible with a minimum amount of products.

Since Ned started school my complete inability to remove myself from my bed before 8am (I will grab whichever kid is screaming and retreat back under the duvet) has made me really focus in on what's important to get done in the 50 minutes I have to get everyone up and dressed and out the door*. Do I feel comfortable facing the school mums with no make-up on? No, I'd rather go in my pyjama's and, although I don't go in my pyjama's I do just shove on what I feel like wearing, what's close to hand, and what will fair well lying on the floor desperately re-building the bloody Lego Scooby Doo Mystery Machine while Jim shouts 'build it BUILD IT' or taking Jack to Monkey Music. Mostly this involves Hush joggers and a band t-shirt and I'm ok with that. If you are prone to The Misery you have to know when to give yourself a break and I'm ok with being the least fashionable person at drop-off - as long as I have some make-up on.

Quick Affordable School Run Make-up

Some of you will be wondering why you need to wear make-up on school run. I salute you. I need to have mascara and concealer on at the very minimum. I don't need to go in with full face every time but I like to have a bit on. Yes it helps being a make-up artist but what I do most days isn't very technical and I thought I'd re-work it a bit to use my favourite high-street products.

Some of us like to have a bit of make-up on when we do school run - but it doesn't need to be Kim K levels and it certainly doesn't have to cost as much. Here's my current go-to make-up it takes five mins and lasts all day. List of products below. Any questions don't hesitate to ask.

If you haven't already then please subscribe to my channel!

Products Used:
No 7 Shade and Define in Cool Mink
Eco Tools Eye Shading Brush similar to this
MAC Smoulder Eye pencil 
Max Factor Masterpiece Max mascara
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer
Clinique Bottom Lash mascara 
Bourjois Bronzing Powder
MUA Pixel Perfect Blush in Coral Spice
Sleek Makeup  Luminous Pressed Powder
Collection Lip Butter in Vintage Rose

Urban Decay Naked Heat Look 1

Now I feel I should say that I really love using this palette with other products - it goes really well with the Urban Decay Gwen Stefani palette but when I review a product I think of those people who don't necessarily want a ton of palettes. What I want is to be able to do a lot of looks from barely there to really dramatic for me this palette is quite full-on even when you are trying not to be. I feel for the consumer at this price point (£39.50) I'd want a little bit more versatility.

That being said when I do wear it with other products - quite often a browner cream shadow used as a primer works well - I get lots of compliments! All products listed below as are links to any product reviews featured on this blog.

NYX HD Eye Shadow Base
Urban Decay Naked Heat
L'Oreal Perfect Slim liner
Urban Decay Perversion Mascara
Origins GinZing Tinted Moisturiser
Pixi Correction Concentrate
Collection Lasting Perfection concealer
Daniel Sandler Customisable colour for cheeks 
Illamasqua Hollow Cream pigment
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light
Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara
Cover FX Loose Powder
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
Mac Smoulder eye kohl
Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Lip Pencil in 714
Charlotte Tilbury Bitch Perfect Lipstick

My Reviews:
Urban Decay Naked Heat
Urban Decay Perversion Mascara
Pixi Correction Concentrate
Daniel Sandler Customisable colour for cheeks 

Some links are affiliate links which means I will get a small commission if you click through and buy from them. There is no extra cost to you and if you are not comfortable with that then do feel free to open a separate window and google the product for yourself

June 2017 Favourites

There's something smug making about having filmed a favourites video that can then go up on the last day of the month. It so rarely happens. This month is mostly products that I've used for years and have recently come back to and one new one that is now a bit controversial.

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer
Max Factor Masterpiece Mascara
MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Dangerous
Urban Decay with Gwen Stefani Lip Pencils in 714 and Rock Steady
Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder
NARS Sun Wash Diffusing Bronzer
Eco Tools Define Brush (from the Define and Highlight Set)
Eco Tools Microblending Brush


Some links are affiliate links which means I will get a small commission if you click through and buy from them. There is no extra cost to you and if you are not comfortable with that then do feel free to open a separate window and google the product separately. 

5 Minute Heatwave Make-up

You probably know we have been having a heatwave here in the UK. I usually get cross with the term heatwave because, well it's summer, it's just summer not a heatwave, but 33 degrees celcius is pretty much as hot as the UK gets so I'll let it through this time (and even include it in the title of this video!).

It's not a glamorous look but it makes me feel less washed out and gross and like I can pick the kids up from nursery without making the other children weep with fright. This might be good if you work in an office and can't quite bear to wear foundation. It's too hot hear for me to even bother with tinted moisturiser - though I'm desperate to try the new one from Origins.

Glowy Summer Skin video

The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Protect Lotion SPF 30
Nudestix Magnetic Eye Colour in Angel
No 7 Stay Perfect Shade & Define in Cool Mink
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer
Max Factor Masterpiece Mascara
Cover FX Setting Powder
Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara
NARS Sun Wash Bronzer in Seaside
Ilia Tinted Lip Conditioner in Nobody's Baby
La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water

Summer Glowy Skin Day to Night video

Though I don't deliberately go for a 'look' most of the time I am aware that pregnancy often makes me look tired and spotty and so when I know I am seeing people or when I am not feeling my best I do tend to try and make my skin look as glowing as possible. To hide the fact that it's actually quite dull and lumpy at the moment.

Every time I do this make-up I get told how amazing I look and that's enough for me. I also wear it all day and just add a bit more definition and highlight if I'm going out or seeing people in the evening. For this to be as natural as possible I try to use most cream/liquid products so everything can be seamlessly blended (I then whack powders on in the evening!)

The first part of this make-up is what I do in the morning. I love the Estee Lauder EE cream as it has an SPF 30 (I'm on the hunt for a great powder SPF to top up with during the day). The second part is what I add in the evening before/during/after kids bathtime. It may look that I'm adding extra highlight or blusher on top of stuff that's already there but that's just for the purposes of this video. Imagine that 10 hours have passed...

If you haven't already then please subscribe to my channel, do leave me a comment (you'll make a pregnant woman very happy... unless it's a mean one). All products are listed below (some may be affiliate links) as are links to any reviews or videos mentioned.

Louise Young Studio 54 face of the day
The Ordinary Lactic Acid review

Louise Young Eye Trio Studio 54
Collection #YourStyleYourMood
NYX HD Eyeshadow Base
L'Oreal Superliner Perfect Slim
Urban Decay Perversion Mascara
Estee Lauder EE Cream
Dr Hauschka Tinted Day Cream
Pixi Correction Concentrate
Hourglass Hidden Corrective Concealer
NYX Wonderstick
Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blushes in Rose Glow and Golden Glow
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
Cover FX Illuminating Translucent Powder
Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara
MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Dangerous
Urban Decay and Gwen Stefani Rock Steady Lip Liner
Ilia Polka Dots and Moonbeams Illuminator
Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow
Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit
MAC Smoulder
Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara

Concealers

When I first started wearing make-up concealers came in a lipstick-style bullet. Chalky in texture and very limited in colour they were ok for covering a spot if you had a whopper. They were pretty pigmented and unblendable.

Now a lot of clients I work with, especially those over 35, have not kept up to date with how concealers have evolved. Often using a heavier coverage foundation and skipping the concealer altogether which makes it hard to get a natural finish. I often get asked how to get dewy skin without losing coverage and I always recommend a lighter, dewier foundation and a good concealer. They've come on a long way since the 80s/90s bullet. Now you can get the coverage you need, where you need it whilst still keeping a light coverage everywhere else.

Face of the Day - 11th March 2017

This is a really simple face of the day. I've tried to use affordable products and where I haven't I hopefully explain why not and offer a High St alternative. As always I've listed everything below and if I've mentioned other products I've listed them too.

I'm not entirely happy with lip here - it is very pale but the other Burt's Bees balm I had to hand (Hibiscus) was too dark - the one I was after has disappeared!

I should mention that when I say High St quite often I mean affordable. So for me the Lola eye base is an ok price considering how long it lasts but I'm not sure you'd necessarily call M&S High St.

Let me know you affordable/High St foundation favourites and if you haven't already then subscribe to my channel and come and say hi on social media where I'm @corinnaharrod.

Lola Eye Base
Bourjois Smokey Stories in Over Rose
Louise Young LY19 Brush
Real Techniques Brushes
MAC Smoulder Eye Pencil
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light
Chantecaille Faux Cils Mascara
Max Factor Masterpiece Mascara
Chanel Vitalumier Aqua
Pixi Correction Concentrate in Brightening Peach
Maybelline Better Skin Concealer
Collection Lasting Perfection concealer
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
Ilia Multistick in Tenderly
Louise Young Blusher in Maudie
Sleek Make-up Luminous Powder
Burts Bees Tinted Lip Balm
L'Oreal Infallible Lip liner in 701

5 Minute Waterproof Make-up - Friday Video

I do this every Thursday before I take Ned swimming. Yes sometimes if I've slept badly I will just put the mascara on or maybe nothing at all and if you are not swimming you might want to add eyeliner and lipstick to this but this is the quick, swim-proof version and frankly if you turn up at baby swimming in Acton with a full face of slap even I would look at you a bit funny.

I don't mention them in the video but two good waterproof eye liners are Collection 24hr Felt Tip Liner if you want a pen and Avon Supershock Gel liner if you prefer a pencil. I haven't taken either of these swimming. Links to all products under the video. And I did wear the Nudestix Magnetic Eye Colour Pencil swimming that day and it did stay on the whole time.



Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream (I'm wearing no 13 Warm Beige)
NYX Doll Eye Waterproof Mascara 
Make Up For Ever Full Cover concealer (I'm wearing 5)

Other products mentioned:
Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara
Nudestix Magnetic Eye Colour 
Collection 24hr Felt Tip Liner
Avon Supershock Gel Liner

Monday's Make-up Muse - Kate Moss

Who more appropriate to choose straight after London Fashion Week than arguably fashions most famous female model of all time. I'm not an out and out Kate Moss obsessive but every now and then she'll do something and it does make me stop and think 'Wow' - the Olympic Opening Ceremony was one of these times. I remember being told that Kate Moss is one of the few people that has a symmetrical face (Cate Blanchett does as well) and that's partly what makes her so attractive.

from The Daily Express

Yes doing what she does means she has access to the knowledge of the worlds greatest make-up artists and it's hard to really call her a make-up muse as it's these artists that create her looks and it's not surprising that she looks great 99% of the time but what I love is that when you see her out and about not modelling she usually has the same luminous skin, tanned cheek bones but slightly grungy look which is my favourite kind of make-up and one I think of as classically British. She can pull off the I-slept-in-my-make-up look to perfection whilst not actually looking like she's wearing a ton of it and team it with a red-lip without looking overdone.

Yes she can carry off every look and we're not all blessed with her face and bone structure but when often when I see her I am reminded that it's great not look completely made-up and perfect at all times. You can go along way with healthy looking skin, smudgy kohl liner and accentuated cheekbones. Here's how...

Eye Shadows - if you are blessed with a good colour, no greasy lid then you may be able to skip this step altogether and just go straight to the liner. If not then using either a cream or shadow one tone darker than your skin tone will give a defined natural look. MAC paint pots are great for this as are Laura Mercier Eye Basics eye primers - you want something with little or no shimmer.

Eye Liners - a great smudgy kohl that I always have at least two of in my kit and in my personal collection is Smoulder by MAC. I basically just think everyone should own this so I'm leaving it at that!

Skin - you want your skin to look healthy (yes I know that Kate is a notorious smoker amongst other things but her skin always looks pretty good) so well moisturised with a light luminous foundation over the top. Obviously this is completely skin dependent, if you need more coverage then you should go for it but keep it as light as you can. I think Chanel Vita Lumier Aqua or the Estee Lauder EE Cream (if you can get it in your shade!) are good for this as is MAC Face and Body. For a more high street price then a good BB cream would be good here - I'm struggling to think of one that would give this kind of finish though I've heard some great things about he Dr Jart ones.

Blush/Bronzer - Kate usually has more of bronzed cheek than a blush. Charlotte Tilbury's Filmstar Bronze and Glow is perfect if you want high-end. For high street Collections Shimmer Shade in Way to Glow is just enough shimmer and bronze.

Lips - occasionally red, quite often a perfect nude and in fact Charlotte Tilbury has created a Lipstick based on the perfect Kate beige, K.I.S.S.I.N.G in Nude Kate and can be matched with her Lip Cheat in Iconic Nude. This colour is perfect for more grungy make-up giving peachy definition without needing hours spent in front of a mirror.

from Hello Magazine

Monday's Make-up Muse - Gwen Stefani

Ok so a new feature I've been thinking of for a while. How many times do you see a picture of someone or watch TV and think 'next time I do my make-up I'm going to try and do that'? Well I do it all the time and for so many different kinds of women purely depending on my mood. So I thought I'd have a look at each of my 'make-up muses' and pick out the bits of their look, style and make-up that I love. Now this may seem done to death but this is my blog and these are my make-up muses so some of them may be unexpected and Audrey Hepburn will not feature. It will be the first Monday of the month and you can search for them by clicking 'Muse' in the tag cloud in the right sidebar.

Thought I'd start this off with Gwen Stefani because, apart from the classic icons she has been one of my make-up muses since school and is still doing it! Whenever I see a picture of her even if I don't particularly love the outfit it is guaranteed that there will be a fab item of jewelry or a new lip colour that I covet. She is a modern version of the classic 50s icon - the blonde hair, the red lips and nails, even her eyebrows but she is so up-to-date it hurts.

I suppose with Gwen we should start at the top with the hair. When I fist went blonde a billion years ago it was party because I wanted to look like all the fantastically cool 80s metal bands that I loved (yes they were men, what?) and then along came No Doubt and Tragic Kingdom and she looked so cool and I wanted her hair. How the hell does she maintain it? How? I need her hairdressers number. I'm having to have a break from dying mine because it was so damaged and she never even has a root visible. There's a secret I know there is... I need to find it out.
 
Her make-up (what I think of as being classic Gwen Stefani though she actually changes it up quite a lot) usually involves a flick of varying degrees of drama, a red lip, and flawless skin with not a whole lot of blusher and bronzer going on... just enough. She always hits the right note of made-up but not overdone, again a real classic look that's hard to do. What makes the eyes work is the use of pale shadows and slight contour to make the shape perfect and the ideal backing for the black liner and lashes. Even when she goes for more dramatic eye make-up and a nuder look she still seems to ooze classic style.

What I always feel when looking at Gwen Stefani is that if there were no stylists and make-up artists in the world she would probably look pretty similar to what we see. If you remove the bindi in the Don't Speak video you'll see she's already got her signature make-up look going on. Love, love, love her.

Gwen Stefani Make-up Must Haves:

Eye Shadows - neutral tones and slightly darker matte shades for contouring are the best backing for a classic looking flick liner. For neutrals try Brulee or Blanc by MAC and for the darker shades Wedge and Omega are great. Or you can get a palette with similar colours in - Sleek Make-up I-Divine Palettes in Au Naturel or Oh So Special are my picks. My top pick is the Essential Eye Palette by Louise Young.

Eye Liner - choose a gel liner like my favourite 77 from Inglot or Blacktrack from MAC with either an angled brush (266 from MAC is my preference) or a Real Techniques Fine Liner brush or a pen liner if you find that easier. I prefer the ones from Eyeko or Collection. 

Lips - the most important thing is to get a red that suits your skin tone. My favourite red pencil is Redd from MAC but in terms of an actual lipstick there are so many out there to choose from. MAC Ruby Woo is a bestselling favourite but my go-to MAC colour is All Fired Up which is more flattering, as is Lady Danger. YSL, Chanel (Pirate for my preference) and Charlotte Tilbury (I love Lost Cherry) are also worth checking out. For more affordable brands Barry M's Lip Paint in 121 would work and my most recommended red lipstick is the mighty Revlon Fire & Ice.

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