Daniel Sandler Watercolour Customisable Colour Set for Cheeks

Definitely one of my favourite releases of this year and one of those products that you long to try and doesn't disappoint. I've been a fan of the Watercolour Blush's for years. I use them on every bride, over 90% of my other clients and they are definitely in my top five most recommended products and the one I get asked most about ('what colour should I get?' - bit of a responsibility!). Getting a full set in my kit has been the dream and one day I will achieve this (though doing make-up seems like a distant dream as I sit next to my 5 week old!). These have been out for a little while but arrived the day I properly went into labour with Jack so this review has been a bit delayed!*

Hourglass Ambient Light Powder - Quick Review

A quick look at one of my favourite products ever...

The Louise Young Essential Eye Palette

 Eye palette's are ten a penny and you can get wearable ones for about £4. That's all very fun but they are not long lasting it's hard to find any good matte colours and a good matte is necessary in any make-up collection. A nice shimmer eye colour can be flattering, fun and 'on-trend' but also the opposite to all those things and they often look so much better on top of a matte shadow. Also at best a shimmer shadow can be used as a highlighter as well as an eye colour. But get the right matte palette and you can do almost full make-up. And the Louise Young Essential Eye Palette is the right palette.

There are lots of things that make really great make-up artists stand apart from the others and with Louise I'm always so impressed by her eye for colour (she'd be able to tell you the exact inspiration for every colour in her range). Its why she's a go-to artist for vintage make-up and its what makes her brand so special. The colours are painstakingly chosen and developed so that every one in this palette are wearable for everyone and are incredibly versatile.

Louise Young Blushers - Quick Review - Friday Video

These blushers have revolutionised the way I see colour, use blushers and approach make-up in general. An odd statement for a make-up artist maybe but that's how it is. They are all beautiful and wearable, I have them all, I wear them all. If you are reading this in March 2016 then you can win one, if not then follow the links below the video.

Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder

I love this powder. It's on the re-buy list so I was a little surprised when I thought I'd use the review as a #throwbackthursday post on Instagram and Twitter and discovered that I have never reviewed it! Since first using the Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder 7 years ago it is one of my go-to products, my prized make-up possessions, something that I can't bear to run-out without a back-up to hand.

When I first bought this it was to set the secret camouflage concealer that I had also got at the same time but which I never really loved. I always found it a bit cakey for me though I know many a devotee of it. But this, this I loved from the get-go and every similar product I've tried has just not really matched it. If you are someone who likes to set their under-eye corrector and concealer then this product could be for you.

It brightens without the use of shimmer so is fantastic for those of us who still show a bit of dark under the eyes even with a concealer. And it doesn't fall into, and therefore accentuate any creases which is the main problem I've found with every other under-eye setting powder I've tried.

And it seems to work on all skin types even though it's a white, light reflecting pigment there is no ashiness, if correctly applied... I've seen some internet disasters whilst researching this. What is make-up coming too? When will this female drag look go out of fashion and eyebrows go back to looking like brows not Sharpied on slugs? Rant, rant...

Urban Decay Naked Palette

Nearly ten years of blogging and nearly seven years of using the Urban Decay Naked palette and it's never had a review! An outrage that I am about to fix. I don't know why but I feel like this palette gets slightly overlooked and that's actually not very fair. How many other palettes have been around for nearly a decade and still sell really well? Not that many.

Out of the 5000+ reviews on the Urban Decay website for this palette 99% of reviewers would recommend it which is pretty impressive for any make-up product and there's never been a time when I haven't had one in my make-up kit.

With matte, satin, shimmer and sparkle shades it's incredibly versatile and blends beautifully. The only downside is there is a bit of drop down but use a primer and it's absolutely fine.

In the Kit - Louise Young Make-up Brushes

Being a make-up artist and writing about beauty, make-up and skincare means I'm not slavishly loyal to any brand. I try what I get my hands on and if it works I'll keep using it until I find something better. For many make-up artists brushes are an almost guilt-free shopping pleasure. You always have an excuse to buy new brushes, there's nothing worse than not having the exact one you want to hand and no one likes having to clean brushes mid-way through a job so it's best to have plenty to hand. And ones that can do more than one thing are often the best.

However, if I was told I was only allowed to use on make of brushes both in my kit and on myself there's no question that Louise Young Cosmetics is the brand I'd go for. And I'm not alone. Her brushes are found in kits all over the world - in TV studios, film sets, bridal specialists and the backstage areas at all top fashion shows. And with good reason. These brushes are handmade in the UK (you can see how in the video link below) and all created by Louise, one of the hardest working artists in the business and a complete perfectionist. All the brushes (and the make-up in her range) are made for her, they are things she wants to use when she's working. Which means I've yet to use one of her brushes and not really get why it's in the range.

Hourglass Amient Lighting Powder

I was given Diffused Light from the Hourglass Ambient Lighting collection, on request, for my birthday and the first couple of times I used it I was a bit underwhelmed. That was August. Skip forward to November and I am using it daily and, on leaving my entire make-up bag behind on a recent weekend away, it was the one thing I couldn't recreate from my mothers make-up stash and it is, I think, the one thing that can really make any make-up look good.

I think partly what I didn't like was the slightly up-itself press packs - 'recreate the most exquisitely flattering light'. How? surely it would just look like shimmery powder. And I have to stay I stand by that. I don't feel like the one I use (Diffused Light, more on that in a minute) is recreating light but actually that is the closest way of describing it. The shimmer and glow to this is so delicate and fine that it really isn't like it is a product doing the work - it makes you look like you have got very good skin, in very good lighting. And that's just what I need.

Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer

I bought this with a desire to be blown away by it. I wasn't. BUT the more I use it the more I like it and that's saying something as primers are a hard thing to review. There are so many contributing factors to whether your make-up stays on or not, weather, the product you are using, how your skin is that day, the list goes on. How it makes your skin look and feel is a matter of personal preference.

Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer is not going to fill your wrinkles in the way that some primers do but it does smooth it and, as the name suggests, give it the most beautiful glow. A glow that, for some, will be too much and for others this alone will be enough (I am jealous of those in the latter category).

But not for me in my pregnant/post-baby grey, blotchy horror skin phase I need all the help I can get and this really is a lovely way to start of your make-up or, if you have great skin, you could just wear this as is. It's very moisturising so also great if you find a full-on foundation leaves you feeling a bit dried out. It's also one of the best primers for having a good vitamin content so it's genuinely nice to your skin. If you have oily skin this is probably not going to work for you. Yes it says its suitable for all skin types but I've found that oiler skins often don't look great at the end of the day with a glowing primer underneath.

 

What You Need to Know - Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer

• £24/US$22
• Good for dry, dehydrated and normal skin
• Evens skin tone and adds glow
• Contains Vitamins E, A and C
• Available in the UK from Pixi, Beauty Bay, Look Fantatstic
• Available in the US from Target, 

Nudestix Magnetic Eye Colour

Since trying this eye pencil I have been avoiding Space NK because if I go in there I will buy every single product from Nudestix that they have available. In fact I'm struggling to think of even one thing that I don't like about this eye pencil... I mean. I don't like the price but this, once again, proves you get what you pay for.

Regular readers (hello!) will know that I am a little bit obsessed with eye shadow pencils and my quest to find the perfect one led me to Nudestix Magnetic Eye Colour and, well this could be the perfect eye pencil. It's soft. Soft enough that if you drop it you will break it (thanks Libs) but not so soft that the pencil is going to break during application. It is the ideal consistency for using directly onto the eye lid and although I then blend with a brush, that's just my personal preference, you an use your finger or, for paler colours you technically don't need to blend at all. But I'm a make-up artist so I'm never going to advise not blending.

What's the most annoying thing about most eye shadow pencils? Sharpening. Well Nudestix have that covered by providing a sharpener in the amazing tin the pencil comes in which is itself reusable and has a mirror on the lid. Need a small make-up kit in your clutch? Use the Nudestix tin. Ace.

It's long lasting and great on it's own or as a base for powder shadows or blended with other creams. If you have oily lids then these are worth a try, they are waterproof with great colour payoff. I have Angel. I want Immortal next. Subtle, flattering colours to suit everyone.

And these are not the only string to the Nudestix bow... they do everything. Concealer, contour, bronzing, lip and cheek, blemishes, correcting. I want to try them all... and hopefully I will. When a newborn isn't nixing my spending.

What You Need to Know - Nudestix Magnetic Eye Colour

• £24 or US$24
• 8 colours
• Long lasting
• Suitable for everyone including oily skin
• Available in the UK from Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, Space NK,
• Available in the US from Nudestix, Sephora,

Clarins Instant Concealer

I've been doing a bit of tidying up on the blog recently and I've noticed one of the ongoing themes seems to be the quest for the perfect concealer. Have I found it yet? Well no but this comes pretty close.

Clarins Instant Concealer is one of those products that does have it's downsides but is good enough that I love it despite them. As always I like to get the bad news out of the way first so what don't I like about this product? Well, there are only three colours available. It doesn't take a genius to work out that this is pretty limiting so you really do need to track it down and try before you buy and as usual I think it's the darker skin tones that are going to miss out on this. Sort it out Clarins.

My only other problem with this (which I mention in my Quick Review video) is the tube - if you squirt out too much which I have done every single time I've used this (a little goes a long way) then there is no way of getting it back into the tube. Very annoying as this is not a cheap purchase. 

What I do love about this is they have got the colour mix and consistency absolutely spot on for a concealer. One of the reasons it's so hard to find the perfect concealer for me is I have very dark circles which ideally need a pinkish/red corrector to cancel them out but I also want something yellow for breakouts and redness around my nose. The majority of concealers are more yellow-based but the Clarins Instant Concealer, which does say it's 'customised correction' for dark circles, manages to do both. It is pinkish, but not too pink, and sort of yellowish to. I'm not explaining this very well but I'm hoping you are keeping up. 

I usually say if you want skincare go to a brand that originally started out doing skincare, Clarins is one of these. If you want make-up go to a brand that started out doing make-up, I don't bother with any of MAC's skincare products for example. Clarins have gone against this and produced a really cult make-up product that I think will take some beating even from companies that have specialised in make-up for decades longer. The price tag may seem a little steep but actually for the amount of product you get, and the amount you need to use, this works out incredibly reasonably priced.

What You Need to Know - Clarins Instant Concealer

• £21.50 or US$31
• 15ml
• 3 shades - 01, 02, 03 
• Watch my Quick Review here
• Other products by Clarins: Extra-Comfort Anti-pollution Gentle Cleanser, Renew Plus Body Serum
• Available in the UK from Clarins, Escentual, Selfridges, Boots, Debenhams,
• Available in the US from Nordstrom, Clarins

Spend or Save - Eyelash Curlers

Eyelash curlers. You either use them or you don't. If you are a pro make-up artist then you should use them, should have them in your kit and it really is worth having a good pair. You can stop reading here.

If you are not a pro make-up artist then is it really worth spending money on something you can get for a couple of quid in your local chemist? Well as with everything there's no straight forward answer.

The problem with recommending eyelash curlers is that they are all slightly different shapes and eyes are all slightly different shapes. It may be that your eye shape exactly fits and suits the cheapest curler on the market. If so, and you have them, then there's no point rushing out and buying a more expensive pair just because I, or someone else, says so. The problem with a lot of curlers is they are too rounded which makes them uncomfortable to use - if you look at the more expensive (and popular) brands they are often less curved which makes them more likely to fit any eye shape and more comfortable to use.

Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser

I've been trying a lot of products recently that I've been really excited about and then have been a bit 'meh' (I'm looking at you disappointing Malin + Goetz Detox Face Mask). So, having requested the Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser as childcare payment from my husband on his recent trip to New York I was so in love with the beautiful packaging I was terrified this would be another yet another disappointment.

It was not. From first use I have loved this cleanser and can see why it has been raved about by so many 'in the know'. I can see the difference it has made to my skin and it combines beautifully into my routine as an alternative to the Body Shop Nutriganics Gel Oil Cleanser in the mornings. If I need soothing and calming I use the Nutriganics if I need something with a little exfoliating and glowing oomph then I use the Tata Harper. Perfect.

This cleanser seems to have it all - Apricot Seed kernels gently exfoliate the skin, Willow bark, a natural source of Salicylic acid reduces redness, and helps refine overall texture, Aloe Vera soothes irritation and French pink clay detoxifies. Use to gently resurface, refresh and clarify the skin - remove dead skin cells, reduce redness and do it without stripping the skin of it's moisture and natural oils. Very good for helping with blackheads too apparently.

Friday Video - Quick Review - Embryolisse Lait Cream Concentrate

This is a favourite with make-up artists and I love it. But that doesn't mean you need to rush out and buy it...

Pretty Honest by Sali Hughes

I wasn't going to review this for two reasons. The first was that I used to work for the publishers so it may seem like sucking up. It's not. The second is that it has so many reviews but then I remembered that this is my blog and I'll do what I bloody well like.

Pretty Honest: The Straight-Talking Beauty Companion has made me question whether I should keep blogging at all. When I started this blog in 2006 it was partly because I was always being asked advice by my friends (based on the obscene amount of products I owned. I thought if I put it down in writing it would be there as an online reference. Now all you need to know is here in one book.
My writing is nowhere near the standard of Sali's but it's where I hope I'm heading. We both have an inexhaustible thirst for knowledge and an almost obsessive interest in beauty and skincare that I don't think is that common. Yes there are tons of beauty blogs out there but I wonder how many of the writers relentlessly read and research the ingredients in all their products so they can know more about how everything actually works. I am one of these people. And so is Sali Hughes.


When I first heard about this book it was described to me, and I've heard Sali describe it, as a series of essays it put me off rather. I didn't want to read essays on someone's opinion on skincare and make-up. This is not what it is. Yes I suppose technically you could call it essays but the book does not read like that. It is sections on everything from your daily skincare routine (with all skin types properly covered) to anti-aging, foundation to blusher, bridal make-up, pregnancy and pretty much everything in-between.

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster

I have used a lot of serums in my time, some great, some that make no difference whatsoever but none that have made such a noticeable difference to my skin and in fact my morning routine.

I still find that the majority of my friends barely cleanse and moisturise let alone use the 'added extra's' of toning and serums (they may stretch to an eye cream if they think that's a problem area). And in a way I completely understand, it can take a while to find products that work with your skin and you can spend way too much money on your failed attempts but the right serum used in a good morning and evening skin routine can really make a difference to the look, feel and health of your skin. I'm going to do a whole different post on serums...

What I want from a serum is collagen boosting/mild-anti-ageing, vitamins and moisture. I have dry skin and I'm 31 so although I don't want anything harsh on my skin it does need a bit of help. The only serum that's really made a difference up until now it Liz Earle's Superskin Concentrate which is good but has been over-taken in my affection by the Truth Serum Collagen Booster from Ole Henriksen.

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

There are so many reasons why you need to have these Facial Radiance Pads in you bathroom. They will make a visible difference to your skin, improve it's clarity, diminish the appearance of fine lines - a must for those who are just to lazy to tone because these badboys actually work. I've been using these most mornings for the past month and I can't imagine not having them in my skincare arsenal. They are so good that they are worth getting and using once or twice a week if you are on a budget and want them to last for longer.

I have to confess this is the first product I've used from First Aid Beauty (FAB) a US company developed by Lilli Gordon in 2009 as an antidote to all the products she had used that either worked but felt medicinal or didn't work at all! The packaging may be simple but it's stylish and appealing.  Having tried these I am desperate to get my hands on some of the other FAB products to see if they are all as good. I've only heard good things about this company.

The lactic and glycolic acid exfoliate, the Indian gooseberry tones, and the lemon peel and licorice root brighten. I haven't had to exfoliate since I started using them (I have not felt the need to exfoliate since I started using them) which makes me feel like they're even better for my skin because I'm doing less to it. They are free from alcohol and allergens but remember that if you do use these use sunscreen because AHA's can make your skin more sensitive to sun damage. I can't imagine my skincare regime with these not in it.

What You Need to Know - First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

• Approximately £16-£20
• 60 pads per pot
• Contains lactic and glycolic acids, lemon peel, licorice root and Indian gooseberry
• Suitable for all skin types including acne prone and sensitive
• Available from Look Fantastic, feelunique.com and beautybay.com

Bronze Buffer

I think even if you are passionate about something there are always certain aspects of it that you are not into. I'm passionate about make-up and beauty but I'm just not into tanning. I do use fake tan but the only one I have ever found that I like is St Tropez Gradual Tan Mousse and I don't buy anything else. I've tried others, don't like 'em, stick with what works.
This lack of interest also means that I'm not that good at applying it. Sometimes it looks great, sometimes it's a bit streaky and sometimes I have the dreaded orange patches on my feet (only when I want to wear revealing shoes though obvs).

I know I'm not the only one. My sister phoned me a couple of weeks ago for advice on a fake tan disaster (used a spray two nights before a wedding, looked like a tiger) and I wish I'd had the Bronze Buffer to lend her. I can't really see why everyone who ever uses fake tan doesn't have this. You never have to worry about streaks or orange patches ever again.

This little star shaped buffer when wet, removes streaks, patches, tones down colour, and removes build up. It fits between fingers and toes and when it's dry removes deodorant from clothes. I wasn't that optimistic as I gazed down at my orange feet, I assumed I'd have to scrub loads or it would in-fact remove all the fake tan scrub by scrub but a tiny bit of light rubbing and everything was evened out and looking incredibly natural. If I can use it anyone can. It's small enough to fit easily into your make-up or washbag to take on holiday and they last a really long time.
The only down side to this is they feel like sponge and I hate the feel of sponge but I know I'm in a minority here.

It's £10 for two sponges from Beauty Mart (one for home, one for in your washbag) and it will take away all fake tan anxiety.

Hurrah for the Bronze Buffer - if you use fake tan then get this.

Pixi Glow Tonic

A while a good I did some investigating into toners (the majority of non-industry people I speak to had no idea what they actually did) and ever since I've been using a toner every day and I have noticed a difference in my skin. Whilst doing my research I heard a lot of good things about Pixi Glow Tonic but it was always out of stock online (as it is now) and their London store is in Soho, not somewhere I go during opening hours since having a baby.

Last week however I was on my way to Illamasqua to see the amazing Julia Townend give a body painting demo and found myself right outside Pixi so in I went and out I came with the Glow Tonic. It's impossible to not try this out - it's £16 for 250ml which is incredibly reasonable considering how much you can pay for skincare products now.

I have used it every day twice a day since buying it and my skin has transformed. It is alcohol free and slews away dead skin cells leaving your face looking visibly brighter and fresher than before helping tone and tighten skin making this perfect for dull, sensitive or ageing skin.

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow

I didn't enjoy the run up to Christmas - for various reasons I won't go into but due in part to the most horrific cold I've had in a long time. I had to cancel all my fun early December plans and was generally snotty and abstemious until the 12th by which time I was so behind with the boring bits of Christmas that there was not that much time left to do fun stuff (yes, yes I know, cue tiny little violins).

The outer packaging - which you have to throw out

This is how I came to hop off the tube at Bond Street on my way to meet friends* and head straight into Selfridges with a four year old voucher burning a hole in my pocket and a hankering for some of the new Charlotte Tilbury products. 

I thought I deserved a treat and never having scraped together enough money for the Mulberry bag or Chanel sunglasses I wanted to use the voucher for come really high-end cosmetics for personal use. I'd heard and read some fantastic things about Charlotte Tilbury products and the beautiful, classic packaging made my mind up.

I ended up with three products - Filmstar Bronze & Glow, Charlotte's Magic Cream and the Retoucher (reviews on the other two to follow). I have to say you do pay for the packaging - a lot of which you throw away but it's been incredibly well thought out and produced, I almost didn't want to put it in the bin, but that's where it has to end up which and I'd rather not have all the disposable packaging and pay less.

The actual case. Nice isn't it!

I was originally going to get the gold Bar of Gold highlighter but was instead persuaded to try the Filmstar Bronze & Glow face sculpt and highlight and having tried it on there really was no decision to be made. Yes the Bar of Gold may be really lovely to have in your kit for photographic shoots and the more glamorous looks but as this was a personal, rather than a work purchase, the Filmstar Bronze & Glow was much subtler and more wearable and I often contour my face so it's wonderful to have something that does the job so beautifully. It really does transform your face. As long as you blend, blend, blend.

This is now available in two colour options light to medium and medium to dark. Although I usually prefer a matte colour to use as a sculpt this has a lovely tone - you just need to be careful with your blending - and the darker contour powder is beautiful on its own as a bronzer.

The gold-based highlighter is beautiful - very subtle and glamorous. This set is definitely for those who like a classic style of make-up and have a bit of money to spend as it's £49 for 16g of product so not cheap.

I really love this and I would like to keep in my collection, whether I can afford to at that price remains to be seen. I'll also be interested to see how long it lasts and whether it breaks up eventually, as so often happens with products in beautiful packages. There's no denying a lot of thought and time has been put into the new Charlotte Tilbury range and this is one of the products where it really shows. If you try one thing from the range this would be the one to go for I think.

What You Need to Know - Filmstar Brzone & Glow

• £49 for 16g
• Two colours available - light to medium (the original) and medium to dark
• Paraban free
• Available online and at Selfridges

* for supper at Canteen on the South Bank - lovely and fun but I had completely lost my sense of taste so I have no idea what my Mac Cheese tasted like but I'm assuming it was delicious

UPDATED JANUARY 2017