Beauty Icons - Pamela Anderson

Pamela Anderson is the first of my beauty idols. The blonde bombshell playmate is one of the most beautiful women ever (in my opinion)! Her look involves ALOT of makeup and consists of the classic smoky cat eye, over lined lips and beautiful bronzed skin. This is how I achieved my take on Pammy’s makeup.

What you will need:

Foundation – heavy coverage

Concealer

Neutral based shadow (preferably with a gold shimmer)

Black eye shadow

Black eyeliner (gel or kohl)

Mascara

Eyelashes

Brown lip liner

Neutral lipstick

Bronzer

Highlighter

How to create the look....

1.       Start by using a heavy coverage foundation and blend all over the face.

2.       Next we need to fill in the brows. Pamela’s brows are not too dark so use an ashy shade. I used a shadow and an angled brush. You will need to create a rounded brow that it not too thick.

3.       Using a blending brush, like a MAC 217 to apply the neutral shadow all over the lip up to the socket line.

4.       This next bit is where it can get a little tricky, take the black eye shadow on a brush like the MAC 219 and apply from the outer corner of the socket line 2/3 of the way in. To find where to start the colour uses a makeup brush to measure from the corner of the nose to the outer corner of the brow – I hope that makes sense. One you have applied the shadow you need to blend, blend, blend (use a blending brush like the MAC 217). Repeat this step until you have the desired look. After blending you should have a nice gradient with no harsh lines.

5.       Take the black shadow and join the line you have created from step 4 and bring the shadow done to the top lash line just on the outer corner.

6.       Apply black liner along the top lash line, bottom and top water line.

7.       Before you apply mascara conceal under the eye. Because black eye shadow was used concealing at the stage means if there is any fallout you can clean it up really easily.

8.       Now apply plenty of mascara to the top and bottom lashes.

9.       While the mascara is drying it is time to bronze. Pamela has a California bronze look so we do not want to contour we want to create a tanned look. To achieve this you need to apply the bronzer to the high points of your face (across the nose and cheek bones, along the forehead and chin). Like when contouring make sure you blend the bronzer really well.

10.   Now back to the eyes, get some lovely fluttery lashes that tapper out at the ends and apply to the top lashes.

11.   On to lips, to create a Pamela Anderson type look you need to really over line the lips. Once you have applied to lip liner use a clean brush to blend the line but leave the outer edge quite strong. Then apply a neutral lipstick.

12.   Finally apply highlighter to the cheek and brow bones (a lot of highlighter) and powder where needed.

I know this tutorial was a bit long winded and I hope you managed to bare with it and like the look I created. I hope you try it out for yourselves. Remember have fun with it and don’t be shy with how much make up you apply!

xoxo

Dior AirFlash Foundation Review

I would like start this blog by saying that the lady at the Dior counter at the Boots in Preston city centre is the nicest person I have come across on a makeup counter. It can be abit daunting to approach counter especially if they are higher end brands. In the past I have had some not so good experiences at some well known counters (I won’t name names) but what a pleasure it was to shop at this Dior counter. The lady who served me was attentive, knowledgeable and very friendly I felt right at home shopping at the counter. I would definitely recommend everyone to pay this counter a visit.

Right on to the nitty gritty. I have never really used Dior products before so didn’t have much experience with the brand. I knew I wanted to try a new foundation and have seen the AirFlash advertised so thought I would try it out. Now I am very particular with what I want out of my foundations, it must be medium coverage but buildable so I can apply it heavier for evening wear, it like a slight matte finish as I get a shiny t-zone that really bugs me and it must must must last all day!

Before trying the AirFlash the only foundation I have used that ticked all my boxes was the Chanel Matte Lumier so I was very interested to see what the AirFlash was like. Firstly, I was astounded at how quickly this product applies! It was on in 30 seconds no blending; no brushes just spray and go – AMAZING! The technique can be a little tricky to master, ask them to show you the best way to apply at the counter and bear with it you will pick it up in no time.

It takes a minute or two to settle into the skin but when it does the results are just the best I’ve ever seen! It creates a completely flawless finish but it looks so natural I have never seen this from a foundation before. It truly looks like you have perfect skin with nothing on. At the same time it is so light you don’t even know you have anything on. So far so good....

I didn’t think it was possible to find a perfect foundation so I was intrigued to discover how it lasts on the skin. I was going out that night so it was the perfect time for a test run. Turns out I was wrong Dior have created the perfect foundation in AirFlash. It lasted all night long without budging and what’s more I didn’t once have to apply powder which has never happened before.

Overall this foundation is just so incredible. After you get to grips with the application this foundation is truly wonderful. I didn’t think anything would top my previous Chanel foundation but AirFlash has done just that and then some. I 100% recommend this foundation to everyone you will fall in love with it!

xoxo

Kardashian-esque Contouring - How to....

Contouring is huge right now and doesn’t show any signs of going away so this is just a quick blog on how to achieve the Kardashian Contour!

What you will need:

A concealer 2 shades lighter than your skin tone

Bronzer (preferably a cream based bronzer)

Foundation

Blusher

Highlighter

Loose Powder

Brushes

What I use:

Bobbi Brown Correcter

Chanel Soleil de Tan (I still struggle not to call it Bronze Universal!!)

Dior AirFlash Foundation

Dior Rosy Glow Blush

Bobbi Brown Shimmer brick in Rose Quartz

Get the look:

1.       Your skin should already be cleansed and moisturised at this point if it isn’t do it now! Start by applying the concealer to the high points of your face. These are: down the centre of your nose going up between your brows on the forehead, under the eyes and over cheek bones take it right out to the outside of the face and on your chin. Don’t be afraid to apply the concealer quite heavily.

2.       Next take your bronzer and apply it the hollow of your cheeks (just under the cheek bones), from the outer corner of the brow to the temple and up along your hairline on your forehead, along you jaw line and on the outside of your nose. Again apply quite heavily. The reason I like to use a cream based bronzer is because it blends allot easier than a powder bronze would.

3.       At this point you should have something that looks like this...... I know it looks quite strange but bear with it by the end you will look amazing.

Stage 1&2 - Concealer and Bronzer applied

4.       Now apply your foundation all over the face and really blend it in so there are no harsh lines.

5.       After applying the foundation use the pressed powder over the areas that you applied the concealer. You want to press to powder on the skin as this will ensure that the concealer will stay in place and wont crease.

6.       Finally apply a pink blusher to the apples over the cheeks and the highlighter along the cheek bones, and your contouring is complete!

If this is for an evening look team it with a dark Smokey eye and a nude lip to get a look like this.....

Evening look

And for a daytime look I like to wear it with a bold lip to achieve a look like this.....

Daytime look

I hope you have found this useful let me know how you get on

xoxo

Top tips for buying fragrance

Perfume or aftershave is always such a lovely gift to give or receive. So if you are thinking about buying a fragrance for someone or if you just fancy a treat for yourself these are my top tips....

1. If it's for you don't go perfume shopping I you're already wearing perfume. By not wearing any it means you can try it on to see how it settles on you.

2. Give it time. If you are trying a new fragrance keep smelling it as it may change as it settles and new notes may come out. This could mean a perfume you really like you might not be as keen on or you could end up loving something that you did not like initially.

3. Use coffee beans. All good perfume counters will have them if you are trying lots of different frangrances you may not get the true scent. Smelling coffee beans will take you back to neutral so you can smell them more clearly.

4. Be open minded. Especially if the fragrance isn't for you. Listen to what the staff at the counter advises you ok they are very knowledgable and will be able to give you some great suggestions you may not have thought of.

5. Shop around. Shopping at big department stores is convienient but you do not always get the best deals. Shopping at stores dedicated to perfume will often have the best prices. In my experience The Fragrance Shop prices seem to be the best and the staff are always so kind and helpful so I would definitely advise them. They also have a store online.

Those are my top tips when buying fragrance. I am going to update some more blogs on ideas for what perfumer are hot at the moment so check that out if you need some inspiration.

Link for The Fragrance Shop link 

http://www.thefragranceshop.co.uk

Ciate Advent Calender: 13th December

Today I got Loop the Loop which is a pastel yellow shade. It is very pretty, I wouldn't normally wear this in winter but it will be perfect when summer comes.

Loop the Loop

Loop the Loop

Advent Calender: 9th-12th December

9th December...

I loved todays colour! It is really not normally thing but I love it. The colour is  called Kiss Chase and it is the kind of colour I would call Barbie pink. It was really nice to wear something like this for a change and this is another one that is being added to the permanent collection.

Kiss Chase

Kiss Chase

10th December

Another delight today. This is right up my street and is the kind of colour I would definitely be drawn too.  In the bottle it looks grey....however once applied it has a really lovely lilac undertone. It is very understated in a sexy way which makes its name very apt: Pillow Talk.

Pillow Talk

Pillow Talk

11th December 

Today was not my favourite. I wasn't expecting to love every single colour so I am not too upset but this colour is just not my thing. It is a very pale pink called Amazing Grace. Very nice if you like a sheer polish. I imagine it is also a good one to have for the base of a french polish. Unfortunately I just really don't like sheer polishes, just not me. I find that the always look a bit streaky when you apply them and I generally just prefer something a bit bolder. 

Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace

12th December

Urrrggghh :/ was the first thought I had when I opened todays door. I really did not like the look of this one it is very strange sort of mustard yellow/green colour. But I was determined that I would wear every single one so that it what I did. To my absolute shock and awe I love it. when on the nails it really looks lovely. I would say it is more of a summer colour than winter and would look amazing next to a tanned skin. I learnt a very important lesson today....do not judge a polish by its bottle!

Hidden Gem

Hidden Gem

Ciate Advent Calender: 5th-8th December

So now I will show you what was in my lovely advent calender from the 5th - 8th December......

5th December...

Today was a colour called Hoopla...and my quotes are back yaaaayyy!! Hoopla is a really pretty pale pink. Again it has a really good depth of colour that looks really cute and girly on. Very pretty.

Hoopla

Hoopla

6th December 

I love pastels, especially in purple tones, so today made me really happy. I got Sugar Plum which is a beautiful lilac shade. I much prefer colours like this to pink...it is still ultra-girly but not just a typical pink. This is my favourite so far and I will definitely buy this again.

Sugar Plum

Sugar Plum

7th December 

Today was a little different. Fit For a Queen was behind door number 7. This is a metalic silver. I wouldn't wear the colour on its own, I would use it on the ring finger as an accent or as I have done today painted just on my tips for a french polish with a twist. 

Fit For a Queen on the tips

8th December

I knew I would get one at some point and today was the day. I got the caviar beads. I am afraid to say I am not really a fan of them....I don't particularly like the effect and it may just be how I am applying them but they don't last 5 minutes. Bit disappointed but I would have been silly to think I wasn't going to get one.

Caviar with Budoir