No7 ADVANCED Serums

I can still vividly remember that day back in 2007, whilst working on a make-up counter in my local Boots store,  watching hundreds, and I seriously mean hundreds of women queueing outside our store, for hours before opening.

Why on earth would you do such a thing?! For a free Mulberry? A Chanel sample sale? 

A SKINCARE LAUNCH?!

Thanks to BBC2 show Horizion, it was in fact the latter. Yes, when No7 launched Protect and Perfect Serum, women went mad. Why? Because Horizon hired scientists were surprised to find the cream was as effective at reducing sun damage as prescription-only products, such as widely recognised retinoic acid.

7 years on, and 3 more serum launches later, today they revealed the next generation of anti-ageing magic. Protect and Perfect ADVANCED Serums, which are now available in your local Boots store. (Unless those hoards of women have got there first again!!)

Boots No7 claim the serums are clinically proven to be even more effective at reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and from 100's of women who tested the serums, 80% saw their best ever anti-ageing result. So far, so good.

But, the intriguing part was showcased in last nights TV advert. The ad, which was showed during the 10pm News break, revealed 8 women, had spent 4 weeks without looking in a mirror.

Not one. Can you imagine?! Not driving, for some- not working, and not having a clue how you look, for one whole month. It sounds like my idea of hell.

However, watching their delightful reactions at the big reveal, tells us what we need to know- the serum worked. 

I have been using Protect and Perfect Serum, alongside the matching day and night cream for the past 2-3 months, and have been pleased with the results. But my intrigue has got the better of me. So, today I will start with the Advanced range- and in four weeks we'll see if I'm as delighted as those 8 women.

Join me again in 4 weeks and we'll see for ourselves!

Benefit The POREfessional

At the grand young age of 27, I have noticed my first wrinkles. And unsurprisingly I'm not impressed.

Alongside these fine lines (damn being such a smiler), I'm also starting to notice my pores are appearing enlarged in my T-zone, particularly on my forehead.

Luckily for me, within days of this grim discovery, the latest issue of Elle dropped through my letter box, with a lovely little treat from Benefit. Their famed The POREfessional, which is currently the UK's number 1 selling primer.

Claiming to 'Quickly minimise the appearance of pores & fine lines' the oil free formula contains vitamin E and can be applied under or even over make-up. 

A relaxed lunch time catch up with my cousin (who is lucky enough to be moving to the Carribean this week!) was the ideal chance to try The POREfessional. 

Following the instructions helpfully supplied on the Benefit website, I applied a pea sized amount of the silky feeling primer from the centre of my face in a patting motion. I focused on my T-zone leaving very little applied to cheeks and hair and jaw line.

Next, I followed with No7 Stay Perfect Foundation and No7 Match Made Concealer mixing in a little of my all time favourite highlighter Benefit Moon Beam.

Unfortunately, Moon Beam has now been discontinued, but Girl Meets Pearl will offer a similar finish. 

For a subtle shimmer and a touch of definition, I sweeped yet another discontinued Benefit beauty, 10, over cheeks, before finishing with California Kissin lip gloss. This blue-tinted lip gloss tastes minty fresh and even makes teeth appear brighter and whiter- but luckily doesn't turn your lips blue!

After a good long catch up, and 12 hours of make-up wear, my complexion was still perfect. A little shine in my t-zone, but as I had not powdered my base, I think that's pretty impressive!

Benefit The POREfessional is £24.50 and available nationwide.

Bear Faced for Children in Need

In the ten years that I have been working in the make up industry, there has never been one client or model who has agreed with me, when I have told them they have beautiful skin and don't need much make-up. Which, happens quite often to be honest.

So, I'm hoping lots of you will be joining us in being 'Bear Faced' this Friday, and letting your friends and family sponsor you, all in aid of Children In Need! 

(Firstly one big confession.....I'm actually heading out Friday night and had already booked myself in for my own make-over as a treat. So, I was in fact Bear Faced on Tuesday!)

Braving the Bear Faced look!

Lots of celebrities have joined the no make-up fun, including Laura Whitmore, Alex Jones and Michelle Dockery, and I'm sure you'll agree that they all look beautiful in these images!

Why not treat yourself to a DIY facial tonight, using Boots No7 Skincare? Especially as, between the 1st and 9th of November, five pence from every pound spent on No7 skincare will be donated directly to BBC Children in Need! So not only with your skin be looking great, your helping a good cause too!

Remember to tweet your Bear Faced look to @BBCCiN with the #BearFaced- to join the online fun!

NYFW SS14 Make-up Trends

It might be grey, rainy and miserable here in the UK, but over in New York, where the late summer sun is still shining, the catwalks are full of the joys of Spring.

Yes, its fashion Week once again! 

So, after 7 days of shows, including the iconic Diane Von Furstenburg, Marc Jacobs and Alexander Wang, what beauty trends can we be expected to fall for when the sunshine returns next year?

From flawlessly natural at Sass & Bide and Jenny Packam, to rose gold glitter eyes at Jason Wu and bright pop's of colour at Marc Jacobs and Rag & Bone, next season your make-up bag is your oyster.

This makes a great change- Spring Summer make-up has been too plain, too pastel for too long in my opinion. It's about time we all embraced the amazing products we have at our disposal and started to treat make-up as creative tool. Your face is simply a bank canvas for your own creativity.

Fancy getting ahead of the pack and trying a SS14 trend this winter? Then make sure you pair your bright pop or colour, or glitter eye with a flawless base. Charlotte Tilbury was in charge of the fresh, natural complexion created at Sass and Bide, and from the design sheet she posted on her Instagram page this morning we can presume she used MAC products primarily. My personal favourite is MAC Face and Body, which is lightweight, water resistant and offers a light-to-medium buildable coverage. (A great pro tip is to apply a small amount to the palms of your hand and 'clap' your hands together. This creates a thicker tecture which you can apply using your hands.) For a purse friendly alternative, you could also try Bourjois Radiance Reveal Healthy Mix Foundation or No7 Instant Radiance Foundation.

At Marc Jacobs make-up artist Dick Page, created bold blue washes of colour over models lid's by using Shiseido Shimmering Eye Cream in Ice Blue followed by an electric blue eyeshadow. Dick admitted this look followed no inspiration- just that he and Marc loved the colour and decided to add a pop of colour! 

You could also try Nars Duo Cream Eyeshadow in Burn It Blue (using the cream only) and follow with MAC Eyeshadow in Electri Eel for a very similar look. Finish with two coats of black mascara, soft neutral cheeks and a natural lip.

If you'd rather keep your pop of colour simple, try a slick of orange on your lips.

A first for Rag & Bone, make-up artist Gucci Westman created a super bright lip, which constrasted beautifully against the clothings neutral palette.

Gucci used a brand new colour from Revlon, Carnival, which doesn't launch until Spring next year, but MAC Morange or Illamasqua Flare are available now and will create a similar look.

Keeping skin natural and lumious, a bright matte lip is a fantastic yet simple way to play with texture.

And finally, if you want to make an impact at this years christmas party then try Diane Kendal's rose gold glitter eye shown at Jason Wu. Using Lancome Le Crayon Khôl in Black Coffee in the socket line for extra definition, followed by a mix of golden brown tones to the lid before applying loose glitter on damp brushes, to aid placement. I love Make-up Forever Glitter in Beige which is available in the UK from Guru make-up Emporium.

Phew. One city down, three to go!

No7 Ta Dah Campaign

As many of you will know, I have been working closely with No7 for almost a year now, as a online beauty expert and as part of the social media team from Oscar Mike.

This week the latest No7 ad campaign is released, and it's a little different from their previous ones!

Prior to the release of the new campaign, over at the No7 Facebook page, we have been celebrating No7's heritage by looking back into the archives and celebrating original products and famed adverts. It's been amazing to see how many women have used No7 since it launched back in 1935, with some who have solely relied on No7 for their make-up and skincare needs their whole lives!

I started my own make-up career at the Liverpool Boots store, ten years ago next month (its scary how time flies isn't it!) and originally worked mainly on the fragrance counter, which was situated opposite the No7 counter. Like a bee round a honey pot, I was constantly over there, swatching lipsticks, watching the advisors giving make-overs and generally in wide-eyed awe of the atmosphere. When I was first building my make-up kit, it consisted of many No7 gems- such as the eyeshadow trio's, lipsticks and blushers.

So, it seems pretty apt that I work with the brand on a daily basis now, and my passion for No7 will never falter.

Well, lets get back to present day, and the exciting campaign No7 have for us this week- which features REAL WOMEN. No models, no celebrities, just real women. All of which have NOT been airbrushed, re-touched or altered in any way. Just simple lighting, gorgeous make-up and beautiful women. Bravo No7!

No7 believe every women should have a Ta Dah! moment- that moment when you look in the mirror and think 'Wow- I look great' and step out into the wide world brimming with confidence- and why shouldn't we?! With a skincare and make-up range that provides quick and impressive results from a simple, stress free application, No7 have got my Ta Dah moment nailed.

The TV advert will be gracing your screens tomorrow, but for a sneak peek, head over to the Boots website, where you will also find a mood board app, get the look instructions and the real women's stories!  Plus, remember to pop into your local store and see these gorgeous images for yourself. I promise, you won't be disappointed.

Festival Favourites- Make-up

Festival season is once again upon us! From isle of Wight last weekend, to the daddy of all festivals Glastonbury in a matter of days and V, Reading and Leeds finishing our Summer off nicely, UK festivals have become pinnacles of the British Summer.

So whats a girl to do when she wants to maintain that glamorous glow during 4 days of mud, hot sun (or heavy rain depending on the weathers mood!) and un-comfy camping?!

Well, its simple- follow this weeks blog posts for the professional tips to keep you festival fabulous all weekend long!

First up- it's a girls best friend-  make-up.

When my clients ask me if their make-up will last all night, I can honestly say I know it will not only last all night, but that it will still be immaculate when they wake up the next day.

How do I know this? Because I take my time applying make-up in light layers, rather than speedily applying a heavy coverage.  

Now, I'm not suggesting you wear the same make-up all weekend long (Believe me, it has been and can be done if you so wish!) but following the layering tips, will ensure your make up will stay in place from breakfast through to a midnight rave and beyond.

So, how do we layer?

Starting with your base, apply a small amount of concealer to any areas needed.

Next, take a small amount of your foundation (I would HIGHLY recommend Smashbox Studio Skin for longevity) and buff into skin using a dual fibre brush on circular motions. Crown 406 is ideal for this.

Repeat until you have achieved the level of coverage needed. 

For a long lasting bronzed glow and peachy cheek,  using the same dual fibre brush, take a cream bronzer and apply where the sun usually hits- forehead, cheeks, chin and nose. Chanel Bronze Universal is expensive but its my absolute favourite. Next, apply a cream blush, such as Kryolan Lip N Cheek to the apples of the cheek, again using your dual fibre brush. 

(If you hadn't guessed already, this brush comes in rather handy!)

Then lightly powder skin using a translucent powder, I like Rimmel Stay Matte Powder for a budget buy on a fluffy powder brush such as MUA F4. 

Now for the next layer! Taking your powder brush, apply a powder bronzer and blusher over where you have applied your cream. Remember this will add an extra strength of colour, so apply lightly and repeat if and when neccessary. My favourites include- Max factor Bronzing Powder and MAC Blusher.

For eyes, it's the same technique as cheeks! Start by applying a long lasting eye shadow cream using your fingers- Estee Lauder Pure Colour Eyeshadow Paints are available in a wide range of colours and do not budge!

Layer your eye shadows on top, using a flat brush to apply, pressing the colour firmly. MAC Eye Shadows and their 239 Brush are the perfect tools for the job! 

Finish with a flick of No7 Stay Precise Felt Tip Liner and two coats of Stay Perfect Mascara (this mascara is seriously life-proof- perfect for our festival look!)

And for lips?! If you like a natural look, I would suggest lining and filling in lips with a liner, Bourjois Lip Pencils are a great bargain, and finish with a tinted balm like the selection by  Burts Bee's. For a stronger look, why not try my favourite No7 Stay Perfect Lip Stain. 

And voila! Your long lasting festival make-up is complete!

Next up- ultimate festival hair!

Red Lips even in Summer?

As a girl who wears a matte pillarbox red lip on a daily basis, when it comes to Summer I am usually at a loss as which lip colour and texture to turn to.

Last year, for example, I rocked orange toned reds, such as MAC Vegas Volt and Lady Danger finished with a slick of MAC Lip Conditioner to protect my lips from the UK's mild sun.

The year before I even headed down the pink route, with my all time favourite MAC bright  Girl About Town, but this year I was really at a loss.

Left- Vegas Volt.                   Right- Lady Danger

That was until the team at No7 introduced me to their new BB Lips and High Shine Lip Crayon.

Both offer a sheer slick of my favourite 'real red' colour, perfect for the long hot summer we are all awaiting!

I must admit I was a little bit wary of BB Lips to begin- really yet another product spouting this 'BB' / 'CC' nonsense?!! (I'm a little concerned this will carry on until we reach 'ZZ' in 2038....)

But, one simple application later and I had quickly reversed my opinion. 

My initial reaction was to how pigmented my 'Berry Rose' shade was. I imagined it would be a very sheer tint, but it actually gave me the depth of colour I usually experience from a cream or moisturising lipstick. The angled plastic end makes for simple application, even when mirror-less. But as the colour is so strong, I would still advise taking a peek in your compact just to check its looking good and neat!

With such a glossy finish, you would usually expect a sticky, tacky texture- but surprisingly BB Lips feel smooth and  very comfortable to wear. Packed with rich emollients and anti-oxidents, as well as an SPF 15, its the ideal lip care product to wear all year round.

Now, onto my High Shine Lip Crayon, in which I chose the red toned shade (surprise, surprise) 'Berry'.

Shaped like a kids jumbo crayon, these glossy lip colours are perfect for a soft lip look. But, if like me you have an odd lip line, you may want to lightly line your lips in a matching shade, just to act as a guide line when applying.

One application leaves my lips with a slight hint of colour, but brilliantly, you can re-apply as many times as you wish to achieve as strong a colour as you wish! Like BB Lips, the finish is glossy, yet feels smooth and highly moisturising. 

Priced at only £8.50 and £9.00, and currently on a Buy 1 Get 2nd Half Price offer, these are definitely two summer staples I won't be without!

What's in my foundation drawer?!

What most people find surprising is that professional make-up artists rarely use the products in their kit on themselves. Unless, that is, we are testing longevity, pigment or practicing a specific look for a job.

Instead, we too have our own personal make-up bags for day to day use.

Typically, mine carries far more budget brands than my kit. Even if I choose to invest in a more expensive product, if I think it would be perfect for my clients or a job, it quickly finds its way into my kit!

As I have mentioned previously, my make-up 'bag' during my teenage years was, in fact, a make-up drawer. Since then I have  done my uttermost to downsize, but as a terrible hoarder and beauty shop-a-holic, my make-up now call  a small drawer unit, complete with Cath Kidston esqe ceramic rose handles, home. (I do suffer from a slight Cath addiction too...)

So first up is my Foundation drawer! 




Since working for Max Factor back in 2007, I have been a huge fan of their Miracle Touch Foundation. This solid to liquid foundation offers a medium coverage, with a radiant finish, perfect for my admin/office days!

My latest Max Factor purchase is their CC Cream. CC (Colour Correcting) creams  are the big beauty news for 2013, with most brands launching theirs this Spring. Formulated to contain skincare to hydrate and enough pigment for a natural flawless coverage, this my best friend on my days off! 










I am also a big fan of No7 foundations Stay Perfect and Beautifully Matte, which both offer medium to full build-able coverage and perfect for an oily T-zone like mine. The great thing about No7 is their Foundation Match made Service which I use two to three times a year to ensure I'm wearing the right shade! 
You can read more about this service by visiting my previous blog post on this topic. 

For a special occasion or a long work day-night, I always turn to Smashbox Studio Skin Foundation. Another medium-full coverage (can you tell I like a good coverage!?!) this fantastic product is sweat, humidity and transfer proof- and stays in place for over 15 hours. Trust me, this is one product where you can believe the hype!







When I'm suffering for any blemishes or darkness under my eyes, I like to use Smashbox High Definition Concealer or MAC Pro Longwear Concealer either under or over my foundation. Both offer a high level of coverage with a natural long-lasting finish. 

As a girl with skin prone to a bit of shine, my powder is a must!
Each morning I finish my make-up with a light dusting of Smashbox Halo Powder and keep MAC Blot Powder in my handbag at all times. You never know when you might need to powder your nose after all!


Phew- that is one packed drawer!!

Benefit They're Real Mascara

There is nothing I like more than receiving a freebie with my monthly glossy- and this month I was one happy girl indeed when the postie dropped Elle through my letter box!

Not only did the cover star a sexy yet androgynous looking Miley Cyrus, hiding in the bottom corner was a tasty little treat for us make-up junkies.

The UK's Number 1 selling mascara, Benefit 'They're Real'.

Image- Benefit Cosmetics

I have been tempted to use this mascara since it was launched, but after not being 100% happy with the result of Benefits famous mascara 'Bad Girl Lash' back in 2005 I was wary. At £19.50 it isn't a majorly expensive purchase in comparison to some brands, but when the Max Factor mascara I know and trust is half the price, its hard to break free!

So, lucky for me, Elle has granted me a week long trial before I commit to making it a more permanent fixture in my daily routine!

What does this mascara offer our lashes then?

Try lengthening, volumizing, lifting, curling and separation for starters.

Add a unique domed brush head, complete with plastic bristles and a long lasting, smudge proof formula and there you have the recipe for luscious lashes all night long.

Following my daily technique- wiggling the brush from side to side as I comb the mascara from root to tip and grabbing the corner lashes with the tip of the brush- my first observation was to how wet the brush was. Usually this would indicate an overload of product, but my lashes stayed surprisingly clump free. 

My short lashes definitely appeared longer, lifted and more defined. But thicker?
Not as much as my sparse lashes need. In fact, I was even tempted to sneak my Max Factor fave out of my bag and add a coat to bulk them out a touch.

Two Coats of They're Real mascara

And I can hand on heart say it most certainly is. 


 The final claim that Benefit make is that this mascara is long lasting and smudge free.
How do I know?

Well, I was a very naughty girl and after 11 hours of beautifying the whole of Liverpool in So Coco Rouge, followed by a friends Birthday BBQ, I collapsed in a sober heap, full face of make-up in place.

Waking 8 hours later, I discovered that not only was my floral pillowcase make-up free (this is usually not the case on a Sunday morning) I, for once, did not resemble a panda. 

24 hours later....

So, most importantly- will I be making the purchase? 

YES!

Probably not for day to day use, as I definitely need a bit more thickness to my lashes, but for holidays and long work days, I will most certainly be pulling this little gem out of the bag.

PS...

The eyeliner I am still rocking 24hours later is No7 Stay Perfect, but we'll talk more about this soon!

No7 Stay Perfect Lip Stain

When you are a lipstick devotee like myself, you are always on the hunt for the latest miracle product offering that perfect pout all day long.

When I heard that my beloved No7 were launching a lip stain, in a design similar to a felt tip pen, I was intrigued. In the past I have tried Stay Perfect Lip Lacquer, which, due to the liquid formula is rather tricky to apply. Especially if, like me, you are always late and tend to rush your lippy application on a moving train!! They are also not to be used in situations involving wine. Trust me on this one girls!

Available in five shades, ranging from a pretty nude to a striking red, with plum pinks in-between, there is a Stay Perfect Lip Stain shade for every cosmetic eventuality. 

These slim double-ended pens feature the stain on one end and a moisturising clear lip balm on the other. As a women with minimal handbag space, this is a win win situation.
 No7 have also cleverly created a 'double lid' to the stain end- meaning that even if the cap comes off, the nib itself won't be damaged or dry out! The team over at No7 are obviously very intelligent indeed!

Image- Boots.com

Being a red lip obsessive, I dived straight for 'Ruby'-  a pink toned red. 

The pointed nib makes for precise application and I'm sure most of you can achieve a perfect edge to your lips using it. But if, like me you have an uneven lip line or you haven't got the most steady of hands, you may find it beneficial to apply a lip liner in a similar shade before hand. 

Remember, this is a stain- meaning one small slip, and you may resemble a child who has drank far too much cherryade. Definitely not the desired effect!

Merely seconds after application, the stain has dried, leaving my lips with a pretty red flush yet feeling like there is nothing on them at all! The beauty of these stains, is that you can re-apply for added depth of colour- something I have been unable to do with previous purchases, as it has tended to feel sticky and overloaded.

As with all lip stains, my lips quickly feel dry, but after a slick of the clear balm my lips are re-hydrated and left with a subtle sheen rather than a heavy gloss. It's essential to reapply the balm throughout the day not only to prevent dryness, but this also helps to keep your colour even.

After 12 hours of wear, 2 meals and endless glasses of water, I'm pleased to say my lips are still looking perfectly polished!

Looks like I may have found another favourite to my red lip collection!

Boots No7 Project

My first project as a cosmetics expert has come through pretty quickly, thanks to my brilliant agents, Red24Management at the stunning Hospital Club near Covent Garden (If we lived closer, Robyn and I would kill to have our HQ here!!! One day!)

It's a great project that takes me right back to me roots- my first ever job- at my local Boots store, working on the fragrance counter and drooling at the No7 counter that was opposite me. 

At every given chance I'd jump on there and help the customers with their product enquiries, which luckily lead to the opportunity to cover counters during low staff and taking me down the make-up route I so desperately wanted to explore.

So getting the phone call from Joanna, at Red24, sharing the news that Boots themselves had chosen me, and a top make-up artist and blogger, Kath Gould for their latest product launch was a dream come true! After many conference calls, hundreds of emails and countless sleepless nights, myself and Kath were announced as the Cosmetics Experts and Social Media Managers for their innovative Foundation Match Made Service.

The Match Made Service, in case you haven't heard (and you should of- it really it the word on every women's lips) is a revolutionary device No7 have spent 3 years researching an developing. The small hand held device has a 8 LED and 1 UV light, which enter the skin at a variety of angles. The device then takes a number of photographic images of your skin to match you with your correct foundation shade from their extensive range. The range incidentally is vast. No7 have tested 2000 UK women's skin tone to develop 17 skin true shades, which are available across all 7 formulation types. Phew!

I was lucky enough to pop into mu local store and old workplace to enjoy the service on launch morning, where counter manager Kelly matched my shade to Deeply Ivory. After a thorough analysis of my skin type and amount of coverage/look I required, Kelly suggested I try Stay Perfect or Beautifully Matte, depending on my look that day. But I couldn't leave without some to try in work, so I ended up with 6....well they were on 3 for 2 after all!

I can honestly say I love them both, and I'm really impressed with the shade chosen by the device. if only I could have one of these in my kit for emergencies- I'd make life on a dark set so much easier!

One week into my project for No7, and I love it. Answering women's queries and seeing their excitement for the product and new range on Facebook is infectious. Its great to hear their relief at finally having the stress taken out of choosing that all important base!

Take a look at the page I work on here- www.facebook.com/no7