Tips for Hooded Lids

Some of us are born with them some have hooded lids thrust upon them with age - you are not alone, we are many. My lids are dropping as I get old, not even at the same rate, which is rude, and it's changing the way I put my make-up on. But I'm lucky, as a pro make-up artist I've dealt with a lot of hooded lids but I know that for many it can be really depressing and difficult. But fear not, there are loads of stunning celebrities in the hooded eye gang (Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Hudson, Gwen Stefani) and I"m here to help with my tips for hooded lids.

Fabled - Top Picks

I was suspicious of Fabled when it first appeared which was during a rather dubious time for beauty shopping on the Internet. However it is a lovely website, a really good idea to affiliate with a magazine and for those of us who shop with Ocado it's pretty life-changing to be able to get some incredible brands delivered for free with your weekly shop.

But with so many online beauty shops to choose from why go to Fabled? Well I've found that there's not one site that sells all my regular brands so I tend to go to each for different things but this site has a lot of what I like and is generally a really nice, easy shopping experience. I can't be the only one who can get overwhelmed with the online beauty superstores can I? The delivery is free when you spend over £15 and because it's done through Ocado you get allocated a 1hr delivery slot - no more hanging around for the whole day wondering when the driver is going to turn up.

Fabled has lots of interesting brands - Institut Esthederm, Ilia, delilah - the Marie Claire edit and very interestingly, a tab on the menu for just looking through the vegan products. It's really easy to navigate and they often do sales and discounts. I feel like it's the small brand of the online beauty giants and I'd like to support it. So what would be my picks from their brands?

1. Urban Decay Naked Palette
Soon to be discontinued and still my favourite palette I've bought a couple of these for my spares drawer. It's currently the cheapest I've seen it anywhere, here at £29.50.

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

Face of the Day - 27th April 2018

I love a pink eye shadow but I often forget about it until I see someone wearing it and then I have to do it to because it suits everyone and can look very cools. All products are listed below

Seventeen Easy on the Eye Palette in Birthday Suit
H&M Bold Liner
MAC Smoulder
Louise Young Essential Eye Palette
Urban Decay Perversion Mascara
Heliocare 360 Fluid
Chanel Vitalumier Aqua
Ilia Illuminator in Sway
Pixi Correction Concentrate
Clarins Instant Concealer
Daniel Sander Watercolour Blush in Rose Glow
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light

Come and join in the conversation on Facebook at the Corinna Harrod Beauty Group - just send me a request and I'll add you.

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

Top 5 Mascaras

Mascara's. It's an ongoing thing, the quest for the perfect mascara isn't it? And I sort of think that maybe that's the point of it. The journey rather than the discovery itself. I mean. I'm not going to stop trying new mascara's am I? It's all gone a bit existential.

I asked Instagram what they wanted and current mascara favourites was the answer. So here they are. All price ranges are covered and all of these I would buy again. Sadly none of these products are cruelty free. 4 out of the 5 are sold in China which means, there at least, by law their products will be tested on animals. Younique is cruelty free sort of, but they currently can't trace all their products back to definitely not being tested on animals though I think they are in the process of changing this.

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

Urban Decay Troublemaker Mascara

I try to keep negative views to a minimum because what might not work for me may be great for someone else but I hate it when good brands do something mediocre. And the new Troublemaker mascara from Urban Decay is mediocre at best.

Regular readers know I was a reluctant convert to the Urban Decay Perversion mascara (which it turns out I reviewed nearly exactly a year ago). I frankly find the make-up business's desire to name products 'sexily' completely wrong and ridiculous - this is not Urban Decay specific, loads of other brands do it, NARS and Too Faced to name but two. I was quite keen to try the Troublemaker mascara despite it announcing itself 'sex proof' (why Urban Decay? Why?) but god is it a big fat disappointment.

2017 Favourites

Some of these were new this year, some were just new to me this year and some are old favourites that just haven't been beaten yet. I've marked the products that were released this year with a *

It's quite a long video but there was a lot to cram in. All products are listed below and any blog reviews are listed at the bottom.

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year - see you in 2018!

Products:
Cowshed Grumpy Cow Shampoo
*Mane 'n Tail Conditioner
Amelia Moss Argan Oil
*Pixi x Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse
Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel
*Superdrug Naturally Radiant Glycolic Pads
Origins Make a Difference + Cream
Origins GinZing Eye Cream
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10%
Skin Owl Beauty Drops PM
*NARS Sun Wash Diffused Bronzer
Bourjois Smokey Stories in Over Rose
Hourglass Ambient Light Powder
*Rosie for Autograph Eye Shadow Sticks
*Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray
Younique Precision Lip Pencil in Popular
*Origins GinZing Tinted Moisturiser
Jao Brand LipJao
Eco Tools Brushes
Louise Young Eye Trio in Studio 54
Ilia Multistick
Ilia Illuminator
Ilia Tinted Lip Conditioner
*Pixi Correction Concentrate
Maybelline Great Lash Big
*Daniel Sandler Customisable Colour for Cheeks
Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in Rose Glow
Lord & Berry Kajal
Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick in Bitch Perfect
MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Dangerous

Reviews:
Cowshed Grumpy Cow Shampoo
*Mane 'n Tail Conditioner
Amelia Moss Argan Oil
*Pixi x Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse
Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel
*Superdrug Naturally Radiant Glycolic Pads
Origins Make a Difference + Cream
Origins GinZing Eye Cream
*The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10%
Skin Owl Beauty Drops PM
*NARS Sun Wash Diffused Bronzer
Bourjois Smokey Stories in Over Rose
Hourglass Ambient Light Powder
*Rosie for Autograph Eye Shadow Sticks
*Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray
Origins GinZing Tinted Moisturiser
Jao Brand LipJao
Eco Tools Brushes
Ilia Multistick
Ilia Illuminator
Ilia Tinted Lip Conditioner
*Pixi Correction Concentrate
*Daniel Sandler Customisable Colour for Cheeks
Lord & Berry Kajal

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

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

Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette

One of the most talked about palettes of 2017, the Urban Decay Naked Heat palette sold out over and over and seems to appear several times a day in 'looks' on my Instagram feed. As its release coincided with the release of my latest child I assumed it would be a palette that would pass me by but one appeared in the post for me a week after I got home from the hospital and there's nothing like being trapped under a new born to make you desperate to get some new make-up on to your face.

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.

Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray

You all know how I'm a bit 'meh' about setting sprays. They do sometimes work but most make-up is pretty long lasting nowadays and frankly I'm happy to look a bit worn in and then take it all off asap as soon as I get home. I'm not out partying that much at the moment. I was sent this to try however, and try it I did and was very pleasantly surprised.

Now I don't want to sound completely bonkers but this actually worked. I managed to conincide testing it with a bit of a heatwave in the UK (don't worry it's rained all day so normalty is restored) and my make-up stayed on my face. It not only stayed on but looked really fresh and nice. I sort of became addicted to using it because it was such a novelty even though frankly my kids don't care what my face looks like and my husband is avoiding me as much as possible because I have late-stage-pregnancy rage.

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. 

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.

Urban Decay Subversion Lash Primer

Face and eye primers I can generally get on board with. Lash primers not so much. I understand them. I see a difference with them but they are just not something that would end up in my personal or pro-kit. Some love a lash primer, and to be fair I haven't tried that many and though Subversion by Urban Decay is the best I've tried I'm not in a rush to repurchase.

So Subversion claims to give 'thicker, longer, stronger' lashes but for me what I overwhelmingly found was that it made my mascara clumpy. I'm also usually in a rush and with whatever mascara I'm using it takes a while for me to make sure all the white is covered and the clumps combed out. Maybe I would love a black lash primer. But what I really think is, I don't need one. I'm happy to whack on a load of mascara but I still like a reasonably natural look - not like fat spiders legs - and therefore it's better for me to have an extra layer of mascara rather than a primer.

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

Holiday Makeup

This is a bit of a long one but having done a blog post on how to pack your wash bag (link below) I thought it might be useful to see what I took on holiday with me make-up wise. I know this is a lot more than some of you but for me this is travelling light!

I spend most of a pool holiday with no make-up on but when we go out I put a little on. I take a few things that I am trying out and the everything else either has to be running out, easy to replace or a mult-tasker.

As always if you haven't already then please subscribe to my channel.

All products are listed below - I've put an * next to ones mentioned or shown that aren't actually used in this video. If you see a product that you like you can always check out the directory on the blog (link below) to see a full review. If there isn't one and you'd like to see it then send me a message!

Blog product directory
How to Pack your Wash Bag

Em-J Brush roll (personal which I don't think she makes anymore)
The Makeup Armoury Canvas Pouch
Rosie for Autograph Cream Eye Shadow Stick (Sparkle & Magic shown)
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil (in Iced Mocha and Yoghurt)*
NYX HD Eye Shadow Base*
Accessorize Palette from years ago
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit
L'Oreal Superliner Perfect Slim
MAC Smoulder Eye Kohl*
Lancome Artliner*
Urban Decay Perversion mascara
Dr Jart Premium BB Cream*
Clarins Wrinkle Control SPF50*
Benefit Hello Flawless Foundation
Bobbi Brown Corrector in light bisque
Laura Mercier Caviar Eyeliner in Midnight*
Maybelline Better Skin Concealer
Kiko Velvet Touch Creamy Stick Blush in 02 Golden Peach
Daniel Sandler Waterbrush
NYX Wonder stick
Louise Young Blusher (in Mae and Dolly)
Cover FX Illuminating Setting Powder
Dior Rouge Baume in Lili
Louise Young Lip trio in Enigma*
MUD Lipstick in Lucky*
MAC lip pencil in Whirl
Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Lip Pencil in 714
Ilia Tinted Lip Balm in Nobody's Baby

Brushes:
Real Techniques Blush Brush
Daniel Sandler Waterbrush
Eco Tools Define*
Real Techniques Contour Brush
Real Techniques Expert Face Brush
Louise Young LY16
Crown Brush BK38 Round Crease
Eco Microblending
Louise Young LY19
Laura Mercier Smokey Liner *
Eco Tools Angled Crease
Real Techniques Brow
Real Techniques Base shadow
Real Techniques shading brush
Eco Tools Spoolie
Louise Young LY16*
Bobbi Brown Lip Brush
Real Techniques Buffing Brush

Everyday Guide to Primers

Primers is one of those subjects that once you get started it's very hard to know when to stop - you can now get photography fluids and other post-moisturiser, pre-foundation fluids that I didn't include here. Nor did I include lash primers. I've gone for basic primers as they were originally - to prep the skin and increase the longevity of your make-up.

For a lot of people you don't need a primer but I often get asked about whether people should use them and if so which ones. Primers are great because you can use them for just where you need them, they don't necessarily need to go all over your face. If I am prepping a brides skin I will often use primer over the majority of the face, then a mattifying primer on the t-zone and an illuminating one on the tops of the cheek bones.

I only use them on myself if I am going to a wedding or going out, out. Otherwise I find my foundations last pretty well all day anyway. I do however, always use them when I am working on brides or on someone with an oily skin.

I do use an eye primer every day as I find it really helps my eye make-up stay in place and I am often testing eye products so I'll use primer on one lid and not on the other to see how it affects the shadow/liner I'm trying.

All the products I've mentioned are listed below. Let me know what primers you love or hate and don't forget to subscribe to my channel.

My Everyday Guide to Brows

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer
Laura Mercier other primers
SuperMatte Anti-Shine from Make-up International
MAC Fix+ Spray
Joan Collins Timeless Beauty 10 Effects
Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer
NYX HD Eyeshadow base
Lola Eye Base
Laura Mercier Eye Basics
Urban Decay Primer Potion
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil
MAC Longwear Paint Pot