July 2017 News

You may have noticed that it's been a bit quiet here for the past month and that's because Jack arrived on 2nd July. Not a girl as predicted and almost exactly on time. He's been a little distracting so things may be a bit erratic over here for the next couple of months but I will try my best. All things baby related will be over on www.blueskyandbunting.com where I am also wageing a war against plastic.

New Releases

• Urban Decay Naked Heat - has finally been released and has sold out in quite a few places. I was lucky to be sent one which I am trying at the moment (it's on my lids as I type) so there will be a review of it up in the next couple of weeks. There's plenty around already but I'm going for everyday, wearable, quick and easy looks so I'll keep you posted 

News and Events

• UK to ban microbeads (microplastics) by 2018 - this is great news as they are terrible for the environment and do nothing for your skin. If you use any kind of exfoliator check to see what it is that is exfoliating your skin. 
• NARS to sell in China - this is last months news but there is now a petition with 65k signatures. I can't see what the point in this is really. I would love for them to change their minds but I don't see it happening.

June 2017 News

I have been a little distracted this month with trying to get the building works finished before the baby arrives and generally getting our lives a bit organised before the baby arrives so there's not a huge amount of news this month. There are some really exciting new releases though and what news there is is pretty huge.

Don't forget you can sign up to the monthly email that delivers everything from the blog to your inbox at the end of the month.


New Releases

• Daniel Sandler Customisable Watercolour Set - these look absolutely stunning. I cannot wait til I can get my hands on these. As someone who uses these professionally a lot to have a kit that will work on everyone is the dream (well the dream is to own every single one ever made).
• Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Tinted Moisturiser - god I want to try this. I've heard and seen great things about it. You know I love GinZing eye cream so anything under this branch of Origins
• Urban Decay Naked Heat - they did a sneaky limited number pre-release of this and it sold out so fast. The proper release date will be 27th July so if you want to get your hands on this huge new release set your reminder.

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

Subtle Blue Liner Video

At the end of 2015 Urban Decay released the Gwen Stefani palette which I loved from the get go but has been one of the most requested how-to videos I've had. A lot of you have bought this but find you are using the same colours over and over so I've come up with a few looks using some of the more unusual colours in the palette.

If you don't have this palette but have a tricky blue that you want to use then go for it! All products used are listed below

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




Make A Difference +
By Terry Touche Veloutee concealer
Gwen Stefani Urban Decay Palette
Louise Young LY19 brush
Real Techniques Starter Set
MAC Eye Kohl Smoulder
Urban Decay Peversion Mascara
Dr Hauschka Tinted Day Cream
Estee Lauder EE Cream
Real Techniques Expert Face Brush
Cover FX Loose Powder
Laura Mercier Camouflage Powder Brush
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in Rose Glow
Daniel Sandler Waterbrush
Maybelline Brow Drama in Medium Brown
Hourglass Ambient Light Powder in Diffused Light
Eyeko Fat Brush Mascara

Foundation Chat with Leila - Friday Video

Right this is the longest video ever. We will do better next time and try to be more concise. We do discuss 21 foundations here though so it may be worth just skipping ones that aren't of interest to you. I've listed what we talk about in order below. Please do leave a comment if you want further info and we will get back to you.

This is the first proper video we've done together and foundations is a HUGE topic - Leila wasn't feeling great hence why I do a lot of the talking. I also have two ill little boys so my time editing this has been punctuated with brow mopping and cuddling.



NARS Sheer Glow
Chanel Vitalumier Aqua
Chanel Vitalumier
MAC Face & Body
Estee Lauder Daywear
Estee Lauder Double wear
Estee Lauder EE Cream
Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation
Bobbi Brown BBU Palette
Bobbi Brown BB Cream
MyFace MyMix Foundation
Benefit Hello Flawless
Chanel Pro Lumier
Dior Star Fluid
Laura Mercier Silk Creme
Hourglass Illusion Hyluaronic Skin Tint
Sisley Phyto Oil-free foundation
Babara Daly Face Lift
Chantecaille Just Skin
Dr Hauchka Day Tint
Daniel Sandler Invisible Radiance Foundation and Concealer

The Sunday Spend - January 17th 2016

We may be midway through the hardest month of the year but in all this abstemiousness don't you think you deserve a little treat? I actually think that the sales is the perfect time to restock on your favourites and try those products that you're never going to pay full price for. It's worth mentioning that if you are a user of a Clarisonic or other such face machine then now's the time to see if you can get discounted heads.

• ASOS - great for a variety of brands. The LMB picks are... the Lulu Guinness make-up bag (because it reminds me of this Jenny Lewis video and I love Jenny Lewis), the Hipstar or Stained Glass mask from Face.Lace (sometimes I struggle to think of a better make-up artist than Phyllis Cohen the creator of Face.Lace. Kylie as Marlene anyone?) and the Velvet waterproof eyeliner from Daniel Sandler (I've yet to try a product of Daniel's that I don't like and who doesn't need more black liner?)

• Feel Unique - now this is the one I'd really go crazy on. There is something for everyone on here and it's great for fans of Origins, Estee Lauder, Nudestix, First Aid Beauty and Clinique but these are my picks.  There's a lot of them. First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads (a constant in my skincare regime), Ole Henriksen Truth Serum (a great all-rounder serum for all skin types), Nudestix Magnetic Eye Colour (one of my favourite eye products), Estee Lauder Even Effect Skin Corrector (one of my favourite tinted moisturisers for giving glow), Amazing Concealer (which I've wanted to try for an age), Clinique Take the Day Off Balm, Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara, Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer 

•  Selfridges - have some great 'electricals' on sale hair straighteners, curling wands etc. There's not a huge amount of variety here but fans of Sisley should definitely check this out. If I were going for a splurge I'd either get the Black Rose Oil or Black Rose Cream Mask

• Space NK -  not as amazing this year as usual but still I'd go for... Dancing Queen from Lipstick Queen (want to try these out), Ren Instant Beauty Booster Kit (great for anyone wanting to try Ren out), and the Smokey-on-the-Go Kit from Laura Mercier because I love this brand. 

Estee Lauder EE Cream

I was trying to be organised-ish before the baby arrives and was going through my (huge) list of things to review (not as huge as my list of things I want to try) and realised I never actually reviewed the Estee Lauder EE Cream. I did a Quick Review video of it and then raved about it to anyone who would listen soooo much that I felt like I'd reviewed it to death. I haven't. So here it is.

I'm dubious of the whole BB, CC, EE cream debacle. Surely they are all just variants on tinted moisturisers? Well yes they are but with specific claims and the Estee Lauder EE cream claims to even skin tone (the EE stands for Even Effects apparently). This 'even-ing' claim coupled with my life-long quest to find the perfect tinted moisturier is what initially led me to buy it and I have to say at first I was a little disappointed. Yes I love this product but why oh why does it only come in three colours? The lightest colour is very pale on me and the medium would be far to dark. I got the lightest and it will be fine until I get any sort of tan. However, I do love it enough that I may buy it in medium so I have the option of mixing the perfect colour throughout the summer.

The next thing you have to get used to is the light coverage. Yes this does even the skin tone but it is a very light coverage so prepare yourself for that (and have some concealer to hand if you think you'll need it). I use concealer even I use a full coverage foundation so for me this was pretty easy to adjust to but what is so lovely about this product is it's blendability and finish. You can really work this into to the skin so you get exactly the coverage you need where you need it and every time I wear this I get comments on how great my skin looks. Every. Single. Time.

It's price is a little expensive for what it is - yes I'll pay it because I really like the product - but considering you can get a Chanel foundation for £32 this is quite an outlay for a tinted moisturiser. It does have a good whack of SPF in it though. I like to wear a high SPF on my face in the summer - 30 at least - so I find it quite frustrating when my make-up has a SPF 15 because I don't like to build SPF's in case they cancel each other out. So I either use a separate SPF and can't use the make-up product or use the make-up and worry about sun damage. Not so with this that's to it's SPF30.

This is one I would definitely recommend trying before you buy but I do recommend trying if you are looking for a new base/tinted moisturiser and want something light with a dewy finish. Really beautiful and long-lasting.

What You Need to Know - Estee Lauder EE Cream

• £34 or US$40
• 30ml
• SPF 30
• 3 colours available (!) - light, medium and deep
• Available in the UK from Look Fantastic, Estee Lauder, House of Fraser, Debenhams, Feel Unique
• Available in the US from Sephora, Macy's
• Watch my Quick Review here

Monday's Make-up Muse - Jane Russell

from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

God I love Jane Russell. Everything about her. I'm even willing to overlook some of her beliefs that I don't necessarily agree with (she was a pro-life born-again Christian) because in a way they kind of emphasise her awesomeness. A great actress who spent her career living in the shadow of her more famous assets she was always the right side of tasteful and classy whilst having enough nous and sass to do what she needed to do to forge a successful career in the 1950s. The best example of this is the secret binning of the famous bra Howard Hughes had made for her to wear during the filming of The Outlaw and instead yanking her bra straps up for a little elevation. She knew what needed to be done, but she was going to do it her way.

with Marilyn Monroe

She was also not a classic 1950s movie star. At 5'7" she was taller than most of her contemporaries and never compromising on being a beautiful brunette (with occasional forays into red). As Dorthory Shaw she is the reason that Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is one of my favourite films - the outfits, the sass, the make-up. I love Marilyn too of course, but I feel I'm more Dorothy than Lorelei - and she's an unusually feisty lady to see in films of that time.

The fabulous thing about Jane Russell's beautiful brunette colouring is she could carry off a strong red lip, minimal eye make-up and her defined brows held the whole look together and was a style she carried through to old age. Her whole look is the classic pin-up, which is what she was for many US soldiers during the Second World War

Jane Russell Make-up Must Haves

Brows - Always defined, I suspect her of having pretty good, strong brows naturally but for those of you who need to cheat it then Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow is fantastic as are the Brow Whizz pencils.

©Luke Ford

Eyes - usually a nude shadow with a black liner flick. She actually had quite hooded lids so a classic feline liner is perfect for her eye shape - if you like to use a gel then I love Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel.  To create a cats eye effect then corner lashes will elongate any eye - I love the Betty False Strip Lashes from The Vintage Cosmetics Company. The Tanya Burr Everyday Flutter lashes and the Ardell Accent Lashes (301) would also work.

Skin - not too heavy, with a natural finish but pretty perfect. I think Dior Star Fluid Foundation would be great for this. She has some light, cream contouring so either use a foundation in a slightly darker shade than your usual or try out the House of Glam Dolls Glam Base Wheel. Slight blush on the cheeks - I'd go for MAC powder blush in Harmony or Gingerly, but again, you need to suit your skin tone.

Lips - Jane Russell was able to carry off blue and orange reds but you'll know best what suits you. For more orange shades then NARS Satin Lip pencil in Timanfaya or Topshop's Lipstick in Headrush. For bluer reds, her more usual shade, then Estee Lauder Pure Colour Envy in Envious or Chanel Rouge Allure in Pirate is a classic. My favourite liners that work with most reds are MAC lip liner in Redd and Half-Red.

Estee Lauder EE Cream - Quick Review Friday Video

When I first tried this I was a bit miffed I'd spent £34 on it. Now I love it. Filming this video it was the first time I'd worn it for a week and I loved it a little bit more. Really worth trying if you want something for an ultra-light everyday coverage (you can use concealer over the top where you need it). Just wish it was a little bit cheaper.

Friday Video - Face of the Day 14th January 2015

This is a quick (despite my chatting) easy way to do polished make-up without feeling, well, too made up so great everyday make-up or for the office. Full a full list of product see below...

Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream in 13 Warm Beige
Liz Earle Signature Eye Colour in 05 Bronze
L'Oreal Superliner Perfect Slim
Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara
Estee Lauder EE Cream in Light
Maybelline Better Skin Concealer
Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Hollow
Kiko Blusher in Sound Coral
Sleek Makeup Luminous Pressed Powder in 01
MAC Eye Kohl in Powersurge
Eyeko Fat Brush Mascara
Maybelline Colour Drama in Minimalist
Paul & Joe Beaute Lipgloss in 05

Christmas Wish

Estee Lauder Idealist

Had a sudden realisation that the product I would most like for Christmas is the Estee Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher. I know I've blogged about this before (ages ago when I could afford it) but Christmas really is a time for treats and I can never bring myself to pay that much money for non-essential face product any more. There I've said it - it's not essential but it is lovely and does work.

I've also decided that I'd like some more of my favourite moisturiser (joint favourite with Clarins Hydra Quench) Origins Make A Difference cream. It smells great and it is silky smooth and just yummy and actually I think it's the ultimate January cream. xx

Pro-Age?

I’ve had a lot of requests for more tips for the more mature Miss. This has taken rather longer than usual for me to compile as I’ve had to out source the tips and recommendations as there would be no point in me giving it a go. It’s really bad for your skin to use anti-aging skin products before its necessary. Now the results are in – thank you to all the contributors picked by Mumma B. I really appreciate it!! I have to say I’ve been struggling to know how to do the mass of information justice without just writing verbatim. So I’ve decided to establish some order and get a little more info on some of the products (so I hope I’ve got them right). I've also found myself being struck by a bit of PC shyness - is it Pro-Age or Anti-Ageing? I'm afraid I don't know so I've just gone for what I think! 

As always you need to try to follow some basic rules. Ms K says she drinks 2 litres of water a day and always wears sun protection on her face – even in cloudy weather. And as for the products…

It’s amazing how everyone’s skincare regime is completely diverse and the contributors this time are no different. Ms S uses L’Oreal Eye Make-up Remover which is one of my favourites – it really works. Mumma B is a Dermalogica convert and swears by their Dermalogica Soothing Eye Make-Up Remover – use a “small amount on fingers; pat onto eyes; remove with cotton wool pad soaked in water – squeezed out. It’s great for sensitive eyes and really gets the make-up off properly – better than Clarins!” High praise indeed!

Cleansers and toners are tricky. They are really skin/person specific. So I’ve got three really good ranges to recommend. Mrs S uses Darphin Rich Cleansing Milk which contains mango butter and Rich Toner. Both are ideal for dry and more mature skin (both are available for around $50). Ms B recommends Elemis Soothing Chamomile Cleanser and Apricot Toner. The cleanser not only contains soothing camomile but also vitamin E and is great for ‘ultra-delicate’ skin. The Toner which gives you an alcohol free fresh sensation and radiant appearance. Mumma B uses Clarins One-Step Facial Cleanser it suits all skin types and contains orange extract. It comes separated in the bottle (see pic) but she directs “shake it and use with cotton wool – very good and easy”.

Ms W uses two moisturisers like me Olay Moisutriser during the day and Body Shop Rich Vitamin E Night Cream… at night. For G.M L’Oreal Age Perfect is the moisturiser of the moment. I’m not exactly sure which one as there are a few but the Age Re-perfect Pro-Calcium is a popular choice and contains sun factor 15. Ms B uses Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream which increases skin firmness and elasticity. Ms G uses Clarins Extra Firming Night Cream and Clarins One-Step Facial Cleanser which come in a dry skin range as well.

As for added extra’s Mumma B has been trying out Garnier's Ultra Lift Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream for me and she thinks it’s working. An interesting recommendation from Ms B is Elizabeth Arden Eye Fix Primer which acts as a shield between your skin and your eye make-up and then prevents streaking and fading. I really want to try this out. For a morning treat Mumma B recommends – Origins Ginger Float Cream Bubble Bath. She also recommends the new Dove Pro-Age Full and Thick Shampoo and Conditioner which “seems to work really well”. Ms C loves Chanel No.5 Body Lotion a true classic.

Now for the rather tricky part. The make-up. This is so variable from Miss to Ms anyway but older skin is sometimes quite a difficult base which makes getting it right even more necessary. Ms W recommends Estee Lauder Equalizer Smart Make-up with SPF 10 which adapts to the changes in your skin. G.M only foundation on ‘grey days’ but recommends Barbara Daly’s Concealer for under the eyes and for blemishes. Ms B uses Chantecaille Foundation. I haven’t been able to check this out as they are doing up their website at the moment but it will be definitely worth a look when it’s done. 

The only blusher recommendation we’ve had is G.M – Laura Mercier Blusher. Formulated with French ‘Cashmere’ talc I like the look of Orange Blossom and Crushed Hazelnut. As for powder she starts with No 7’s matte powder first - possibly Perfect Light Pressed powder (available for about £7.50) - on her nose, under the eyes and to blot her eye shadow. Then Barbara Daly’s Powder Highlighter ‘Light Illusion’ as which she describes as “wonderful” and uses it to brighten the skin and the cheek and brown bones.

For eye make-up Mumma B recommends using unfrosted powder eye make-up. She says “matte is kinder to older eyes – wrinkles seem to show up with shimmer”. G.M uses No. 7 Brown Amazing Eyes Pencil instead of a specific eye shadow. She shade and lines the eye and the dusts lightly with powder and uses the pencil for the eye-brows if necessary. This would be her Desert Island choice – it’s very versatile. Ms B uses Chantecaille Eye shadow. Ms C uses Dior’s ‘Diorshow’ mascara part of their ‘backstage make-up’ range and Laura Mercier’s Eye shadow and eye liner.

Mumma B recently purchased Max Factor Colour Perfection 917 Pansey. I tried it last time I was home and I loved it. It really stays on. G.M again uses a pencil to its fully potential this time No. 7’s Perfect Lip Pencil – “fairly neutral during the day and more dramatic at night. Pencil as lipstick and dust the lips with a bit of frosty powder such as Bourjois to make the lips look fuller”. Ms C recommends Dior lipstick. Dior Addict Ultra Shine in Ultra Sexy looks exciting.

So what were the Desert Island picks for the more mature Ms? Ms G would choose L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream cream or L'Occitane Shea Butter Foot Cream. Which I must say is pretty amazing. Or the Body Shop’s Hemp Hand Protector which works really well and is at a very decent £9. Ms B chose the popular Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream something which I have wanted for sometime but have to make do with stealing everyone else’s. Ms C would use Dior Capture Moisturiser for her Desert Island. She didn’t specify which one but I think the Capture R60-80 1eres Rides Smoothing Cream looks great (the whole range is available here)

I hope this has helped. Please email me any more suggestions for older skin this is something I can always use updating on. I’m going to run upstairs to play with lip liners and frosty powder – a technique I shall be using more often. xx