Beauty Not Beast

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Beauty Geeks.

October 19th, 2011

Yup that’s us. With Vix and I discussing our love of lipstick at the school bus stop since the age of about eleven and Jenny being a talented make-up artist and all I am proud to announce that the girls of Rock My Wedding are officially bonefide beauty-product-geeks.

The other day we were discussing our all-time favourites and newest raves, both from a luxe and a “less” perspective, ie admittedly there are many fancy items we adore but equally there are quite a few bargain basement finds in the mix too. Vix will be sharing her must-haves in a future post but right now Jenny and I thought it would be fun to share*

Charlotte’s Luxe List

From left: Stila is back and it’s in Boots!! When I heard the news I nearly did a high five (as I said – geek)… I haven’t found a better powder/foundation for my skin than their illuminating compact in 30 watts. It does immense flawless-making things to your face.

Tom Ford is a beautiful man. And his lipsticks are just as lush. When you see the price you might want to die BUT…blush nude is the perfect go-to for that bardot-with-a-smokey-eye look. And they are so creamy they even smooth out your lips in some major plumping type manner. You can buy one in the recently repackaged slinky black case from Selfridges.

It’s Stila again (told you I was excited) but this time it’s blush. If your skin is a) a bit on the dry side b) pasty pale, then convertible colour in Lillium is for you. A kind of just-been-out-in-the-garden natural rosy flush shade.

Charlotte’s Less List

From left: Discovered Topshop cosmetics recently and out of everything their skin tint is my absolute favourite. Like tinted moisturiser only better coverage.

I read about Prestige Longest-Lashes mascara in a review that sang it’s non-clumping praises. And I have to agree. Not for those that love a real volume giver but it separates and defines like nothin’ else.

Grey. How I love thee. Especially when you are as cheap as chips and as durable as Barry M Nail paint.

Jenny’s Luxe List

From Left: Mac Face and Body Foundation: When asked about my all time favourite product, this is it. I have it in four colours, C2, C3, C4 and C5. I wear it to even out my skin tone, I wear it all over my body especially on my legs and areas of scarring, I use a few layers (instead of fake tan) because the coverage is buildable. Goodbye weird looking thread veins and old lady blue veins, hello skin that resembles a nicely tanned 16 year old!

Benefit Eye Bright: Love this for along my waterline, it instantly brightens me up, and the colour is good against my slightly purple dark circles.

Yves Saint Laurent Perfect Touch Foundation – This is my daily life saver foundation. It’s so easy to apply because the brush is attached (means no orange foundation finger prints anywhere), and it’s easy to slap on when you’re in a rush to get out in the morning. The coverage gives you that nice mattifying effect – almost as if you’ve set your base with loose powder. I’ve got it in two shades, 6 for summertime and shade 5 for winter.

Jenny’s Less List

From Left: The Body Shop Brow and Liner Kit – I am a sucker for a defined eyebrow. I am a sucker for a thick eyebrow too. I am not blessed with thick eyebrows, I have thin brows (the only part of me that is thin!) Without my brows done I tend to look a little odd, I tend to look all forehead actually so I don’t leave the house unless I have filled in my brows. This product is so natural, and it lasts. I’ve had the same one for 6 years now! I lost the brush yonks ago but any small angled brush does the trick, I find it looks more natural than using a brow pencil too.

Lacura concealer – Packaged just like the YSL Touche Eclat, with a very similar light reflecting pigment that helps disguise your dark shadows, but a fraction of the cost. You can’t go wrong with that! I use it all around the eye, and to highlight my browbone and define my brows so they look tidier in between shape ups.

Rimmel Mono Eyeshadow in Matte White – Another of my make up bag staples. In fact, I’ve been using this since I was 15! It looks like a bright white in the pan, but it goes on my skin as quite a creamy colour. I use it as a base colour all over my lid up to my brow bone, then when I am applying my bronzer I make sure I give my lids a quick sweep with my bronzing brush et voila.. I’m suitably made to look like I actually have a pulse and am good to leave the house!

So then lovelies, what are your beauty luxe and less list items?

Do you use any of the products listed above?

Drop us a note in the comments box below so we can have a butchers.

Big Geeky Love

Charlotte and Jenny x

*Please do not hate us for any sudden urge to spend your lunch break at your local department store/chemist/supermarket…

P.s I said “girls” of Rock My Wedding but if you follow us on Twitter you may have been witness to certain discussions around Adam wearing a dress and guyliner…..

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D.I.Y Hair And Make-Up For W-day.

October 4th, 2011

So you know how much we love a wee bit of do-it-yourself here at RMW HQ right? And as I am a self-confessed beauty product junkie it would be fair to say that when offered a delectable fusion of both, ie a DIY hair and make-up tutorial by two of the industry’s finest, I got a bit over excited. This basically means that I got caught red handed waving my hands about and talking to my computer screen by him indoors in what must have looked like a slightly has-she-completely-lost-her-marbles-manner….

Clearly that was not the case. It was merely the reaction of a perfectly sane person confronted with Severin Hubert from Hepburn collection showing me how to construct the so-now ballet bun and Lucy Baker demonstrating how to recreate a polished peachy glow…

Obviously.

Oh. And you can also have a butchers at all of the lovely products they recommend…

Plastic at the ready ladies ;-)

Covetable Cosmetics

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer – apply a thin even layer with a foundation brush to prepare the skin for foundation and long lasting make-up.

MAC Face & Body – colour N2 – apply with a foundation brush, starting around the centre of the face. Not many people need foundation all over their face like a mask so ensure it is applied where skin tone is uneven or where there are blemishes or pigmentation/redness of skin. Blend with a sponge for a flawless finish.

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in SC1 – carefully apply to any blemishes, pigmentation, red marks using a concealer brush. Blend with a fluffy brush to make it look flawless and part of the skin.

MAC Eyeshadow -Tempting and Mythology – Sweep over the lid with a soft fluffy eyeshadow brush. Blend well for a really natural beautiful look.

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers – Eyelash curling is essential for that bright eyed bride!

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara – Blackest black – Brush the lashes with mascara making sure the roots of the lashes are completely covered.

Laura Mericer Invisible Loose Setting Powder – apply a tiny amount with a big soft brush before applying the blusher.

MAC Powder Blush – Peachykeen – add to the apples of the cheeks in stages – blusher is buildable so start with a little amount and build up for the desired look / intensity.

Laura Mercier Mineral Illumination Powder – Starlight – dust lightly over the cheeks bones after applying blush – use the same blusher brush.

No7 Perfect Lips Liner – Nude – Follow the natural shape of the lip and fill in the entire lip with the pencil. This creates a great base for any lip colour.

MAC Cremesheen Glass -’Richer, Lusher’ – sweep lipgloss over the lips using a lip brush for a natural sheen lip.

Sexy Hair Products

Milkshake Shaping Foam – apply a small amount to the hair to add volume to the roots.

Milkshake Open Air Hairspray – spray onto finished hair to hold in place.

Milkshake Eco Mist – spray onto finished hair for super shine.

Tools and Tips:

We used round padding Babyliss tongs Volare V1 Babyliss Pro Hairdryer Round bristle brush – All can be purchased from good department stores.

If you want to trim your hair before the big day, please advise your stylist who will be styling your hair. Only take the ends off as it could change how your hair would look on your wedding day.

Do not use conditioner in your hair on the day, your stylist will use his/her own products or advise accordingly. This is something we try to reiterate to our brides as conditioner can play a huge part in how the hair holds its style.

When thinking about ideas for hairstyles, collect images to show your hairdresser but remember the hair will have a huge influence on the style of dress you go for. You may require more than one trial for your wedding to make sure you are happy with the style you have chosen.

With thanks to Severin Herbert from Hepburn Collection and the lovely Lucy Baker.

So then, anyone going to have a go?

And if not these particular looks is there anything else you are attempting in the DIY beautification stakes for W-day?

Big I Love Milkshake and MAC Love

Charlotte xxx

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Pancake.

August 23rd, 2011

As in flat as.

That is what my barnet looks like on any given day unless I backcomb the living daylights out of it (Ok for a special occasion but not exactly good for you – the resulting knots are a killer).

My hair is fine. Baby fine. The slightest hint of volumising goop and it looks greasy. And up until very recently I resided myself to the fact that it was better to look a little lack-lustre than it was to resemble a giant chip.

On the run up to the big day this was one of my most prevalent beauty hang-ups, that my do would droop and I would end up looking all a bit pancake-like in the photo’s (Yes I know, incredibly vain. But I was the bride…I figured I was allowed).

Of course I was very lucky in that I had an uber talented hairdresser, plenty of time (it took HOURS), a whole can of hairspray, clip-in extensions, a crimper, about a thousand grips…. you get the picture. Not everyone wants to go through that on the morning of their wedding though, there are far better things to do, like drink champagne and gossip with your best girls.

And actually I no longer want to go through life as the perfect accessory to Shrove Tuesday. I want my locks to be big, bouncy and natural looking.

Recently I have discovered some products that actually work. No really – they do. And combined with some tips and advice from my sister (she’s now trained in doing cool things with hair styling as well as make-up) I no longer leave the O’Shea abode straggly and limp.

Result.

Wash And Go

There are an abundance of shampoo’s and conditioners that promise ultimate body and lift and I’ve never found any that genuinely deliver. With a sensitive scalp I also find that many of them leave me a wee bit itchy…

You can buy Yes To Tomatoes shampoo and conditioner from Victoria’s Health (I am completely obsessed with that website) and they have transformed my life. With over 99% natural ingredients and a pleasant fresh fragrance they make my hair soft and swingy – like a kilt.

Speed Demon

I’m not a big fan of the whole hair drying process. It bores me to tears. And the last thing I want to do after a shower is go get all hot and bothered for a good twenty minutes.

If you invest in one tool this year make it a Parlux 3200. You can literally turn your head upside down, blast the roots for 5 minutes and you’ll be pretty much ready to go. If hanging upside down makes you dizzy, as you dry lift your hair up in sections and aim the nozzle right at the root, promise you’ll notice more than a little “Big Hair” action.

Mr Parlux and I are now firm friends. We go everywhere together.

A Little Extra Help

So the deep fat fryer look I mentioned earlier – the trick is to not put any product on the top layer of your hair, just the underneath bit – that way there is no risk of looking like the great unwashed. I find one of those skinny handled combs work well – pull the top section of your hair up with the handle part and apply a specialised volumising product just to the roots. I rate Fudge Root Juice – I apply straight from the can as the nozzle is nice and precise.

For even more texture and Bardot inspired bouffant you can’t beat a shake or two of Lee Stafford’s Matt Fat powder. Dust it in and watch your height increase before your very eyes people… You can also add it to the lengths – especially effective for that sexy bed-head look.

For extra body I like those curling wands to create loose waves, wrap relatively large sections around the wand for a few seconds and blast with a super fine non-sticky hairspray. The ONLY hairspray I use is the one by Milkshake as recommended by Sev from Hepburn Collection.

So lovelies. Now I’ve shared a few of my secrets I’d LOVE it if you shared yours too.

What are your Go-To volumising products?

Any hair issues you are currently concerned with that maybe our community can assist with advising on?

Any hair styling requirements that any of our industry professional friends can perhaps post about here on Rock My Wedding?

Anything you want to tell us or need to know just leave us a comment folks.

Big Look Like You’ve Just Stepped Out Of A Salon Love

Charlotte xxx

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Big Day Flawless.

August 2nd, 2011

There is one thing that I would love to be able to walk around with all day and that’s a giant airbrush. Imagine lovelies, no more dark shadows, no more blotches, no more uneven skintone….

Make-Up artist and Love/Lust member Mariam Jensen specialises in the airbrush technique and has made literally hundreds of brides completely flawless for W-day. Mariam is going to share with us how airbrushing works both professionally and in the comfort of your own abode as well as giving us the lowdown on some of her favourite products for eyes and lips.

My favourite bit of a beauty feature? When the expert does exactly that – because they must have tried a lot of stuff right?!

Of course that’s not always a good thing. It just means I want to go out and buy everything they recommend….


*image courtesy of Exhibit Emotions

Mariam Jensen: Airbrush makeup is very different to most retail products on the market. The makeup comes in a wide variety of bases and my personal favourite is silicone – it’s long- lasting and extremely durable. The product is applied with an airbrush that is fed by an air compressor, creating the finest and lightest application of makeup. Try Airbase for a great foundation that can be used with or without airbrush.

The benefit of airbrush makeup is that it delivers lightweight, long-lasting makeup that is able to stand up to the scrutiny of HD for film/TV and also high resolutions in digital photography, making it an ideal choice for brides-to-be. One of the key reasons airbrush makeup looks so natural is because of the small spray patterns from the airbrush itself and the minimal quantity of makeup applied to achieve the desired effect.

Like any makeup, airbrush makeup is best applied by a professional artist and is worth the investment on your wedding day. However, the products can also be used at home to create a flawless make-up look using a good quality foundation brush and can be worn daily without the need for touch ups. For a natural sunkissed glow, add a touch of the Airbase Bronzer to the formula. This product lasts for hours requiring little to no touch up and feels like you’re barefaced. The coverage is fantastic and can be used to conceal acne, uneven complexions and even eczema.

*image courtesy of Edwina Ibbotson Millinery

A Rosy Glow

For gorgeous kissable lips, try a lip stain on your wedding day. I love Jemma Kidd Make Up School Rosy Glow Lip & Cheek Tint. The stain works best on clean lips that are well hydrated. Very easy to use, simply roll on evenly, blot lips together and viola – perfectly tinted, natural pink lips! For more definition try using a lip pencil, I love MAC Whirl which is a pinky nude shade. Then top with a touch of clear gloss or lip balm for some sheen. The best thing about this tinted lip product is that it is kissable yet not sticky like so many lip products often are.

*Image courtesy of Shanna Melville Bridal Couture

Big And Beautiful

Every bride wants big, beautiful eyes on their wedding day and of course, smudge- free make-up. For eye make-up that stands out yet withstands the tears, create a smokey eye using MAC Paint Pot in Groundwork – a gorgeous taupey-brown shade. Use a flat synthetic brush such MAC 249 Large Shader Brush to work the product all over the lid for a wash of colour. This can be worn alone or try layering to add sheen with a shade such as MAC Tan Pigment.

To make the look stronger, apply a deeper shade of eyeshadow in the crease. I love MAC Embark, it’s a deep aubergine-brown shade that adds depth and colour. Take a crease brush, such as MAC 224 and work the product into the crease and blend out and upwards in small circular motions. For added definition, apply a deep black liner in the inner rim and lash line. MAC Powerpoint Pencil in Engraved is a great product as it’s waterproof and wears very well.

Complete the look with a set of No 19 Lashes from Illamasqua – soft and smokey, these lashes are perfect for a wedding makeup look. You can also cut the lashes in half and use them as corner lashes which are much easier to apply and also give a more subtle flare to the eyes. After lashes are on, I would give lashes a light curl with the Shu Uemura Eye Lash Curler which helps your own lashes and the false ones to blend and look more natural. Top wish a few coats of a good waterproof mascara such as MAC Blacksplash – this can be put on false eye lashes too and make them look very natural. Finally, blend some more black eye liner in the lash line to disguise the band of the false eye lashes.


*image courtesy of Exhibit Emotions

Make-Up Artist – Mariam Jensen visit www.mariamjensen.com or call +44 (0) 797 040570.

Airbrush make-up – Airbase

Mac Products – Mac On-line

Jemma Kidd – Space NK

Illamasqua - Debenhams

So then. Off to buy me some of this airbrush magic.

Or maybe I can somehow persuade Mariam to come round and make me look as radiant as one of the models?

Hmmm. Could take some time.

;-)

Big I’d Like Someone To Follow Me Around With A Giant Airbrush Love

Charlotte xxx

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The Big Beauty Re-Stock.

July 19th, 2011

Do you find that everything in your make-up collection runs out at the same time?

I do.

A few weeks ago I came to put my face on only to discover that I had no concealer, a dry mascara wand, a stubby lipstick that I tried (and failed) to dig out with a lipbrush and various bottles and compacts of nearly-all-used and mostly congealed base.

Not at all glamorous.

So, in a bid to a) look half decent b) not be embarrassed to flash my beauty bag in public, I decided it was high time to hit the shops and have a full on re-stock. And being a product junkie and all, I’ve got to tell you, it was in no way a chore.

Having already planned a trip to an event at Wimbledon and having seen various must-haves and recommendations in my monthly glossy magazines that you can only purchase in the capital, it seemed London was cosmetics-a-calling.

Pixi Beauty

Just off Carnaby street is the loveliest little pale green boutique called Pixi Beauty. Inside it’s like heaven, with row upon row of beautifully packaged delights. Pixi was launched over ten years ago by make-up artist Petra Strand and has a world-wide cult following focusing on products that actually treat the skin as well as instantly beautify.

What Charlotte Bought: The product I had read about being brilliant was illuminating tint and conceal, a glowy tinted moisturiser with a concealer in the lid. I know. Clever. The shade I purchased was fair, a very pale gold. It goes on like silk and doesn’t look like you are wearing anything at all. Love.

Always one for a multi-tasking product I treated myself to Lip and Line in pale petal, a budge proof lipstick and liner in one. It’s a pretty pink/beige colour that’s perfect for a Bardot-esque pout.

I noticed that the cute sales assistant had amazing lashes. Like amazing. Glossy, separated and longer than long. She uses Lash Booster in black/blue apparently. Naturally I bought some of that too. And it holds up against my hay-fever induced eye streaming. Result.

Make-up Store

Just down from Pixi Beauty actually on Carnaby Street itself is the Make-Up Store. Which for want of a better expression it’s basically like MAC on crack. Think a zillion million colours of everything imaginable and times that by ten. That’s the Make-Up store.

What Charlotte Bought: I’ll be honest. There was so much to choose from I almost got a bit dizzy. Then I spotted the glitter eyeliner gel in the silver hued Diamond and knew it would add a delicious fine sparkle to an evening eye. It did. It does.

Next I succumbed to what is fast becoming the greatest lipliner EVER. It’s soft, it’s creamy and it doesn’t slide. I bought “Cherie” a girlish pink.

Topshop Own Brand

Ok so I admit to being a bit slow on the uptake here. I knew Topshop had an in-house cosmetics line, I just didn’t realise it was any good. Well it is. And it’s dirt cheap too.

What Charlotte Bought: I think the nail polish shades in general are fab. I went for “Peeping Tom“, an orange coral for shiny summer toes.

On the lips front (yes I know I went a bit OTT in this area for one trip) I opted for a very bridal-inspired lip glaze in “dash” and a look-at-me pinky red lipstick in Brighton Rocks.

As I’ve probably mentioned before I am a huge fan of Christian Dior skinflash for under eye highlighting. However, it is almost prohibitively expensive, especially as I get through it like ruddy water. Topshop do a similar product called Brighten. It’s not quite as flawless as CD but for only 7 quid it’s definitely worth a butchers.

So then lovelies, do you use any of the brands above?

Bought anything new recently that the RMW community should know about?

Do tell.

;-)

Big Now Totally Re-Stocked Love

Charlotte xxx

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Eve Lom v Liz Earle: The Verdict

May 25th, 2011

Everybody knows I’m a massive Eve Lom Fan. I’ve been hooked on the cleanser, the moisturiser, the rescue mask, the eye cream… (the list goes on) since a few months before my own wedding and have used it religiously ever since.

However there has always been a niggling thought at the back of my mind – at £50 a pot it’s not cheap and there are several other ‘hot cloth’ cleansers on the market these days that also receive rave reviews for a fraction of the price. So on a budget drive recently I decided to purchase Liz Earles Cleanse and Polish cleanser and I thought I would share the results with you all, so you can make your own minds up.

The Champion

The Product – Eve Lom Cleanser

The Price – 100mls for £50 with a complimentary cloth from Space NK

The Hype – Described by Vogue as ‘the best cleanser in the world.‘

Looking like a very beautifully packaged tub of vaseline, Eve Lom Cleanser has quite a medicated smell. Packed full of herbs to sooth, deep cleanse and regulate your natural oil balance, (hence also managing spots) this is a smooth-on, massage-in cleanser, which melts into your skin before you buff it off with the muslin cloth soaked in piping hot water.

In fact, it’s not that easy and fans of a bedtime ritual will love the Eve Lom 6 step cleansing regime. Yes. SIX steps. If you’re a wash and go girl then it’s not for you. In brief, the idea is that you smooth a small amount all over your face and then, using the tips of your fingers, perform a series of pressure point massage techniques to aid lymphatic drainage. The cleanser turns from vaseline-like to almost as fluid as oil (no dripping though) and your hands really glide over the skin releasing all the oils and stimulating blood flow too. Once you’ve massaged you hold the cloth soaked in hot water (as hot as you can bear) against the skin to further melt the cleanser and scrub it off in a circular motion. You can follow with a cold cloth before patting dry and going.

It’s expensive but you don’t need moisturiser, toner, eye make-up remover and each pot lasts me around 4-6 months, (usually 6 as there are inevitable nights I don’t bother – did I just say that?)

The Contender

The Product – Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish

The Price – 100ml for £13.25 (Muslin Cloth extra)

The Hype – ‘We only make one cleanser because this formulation is the ultimate in concentrated yet gentle cleansing power and works on every age and skin type.‘

The Liz Earl cleanser is much more of a ‘cream’ and comes in a pump action dispenser which pushes out a thick rope of white pearly cream that resembles sudocrem. So far so similar. When applied to the skin the cream does soften, but doesn’t melt as well as the Eve Lom. There’s no ritual to follow but you could use the same technique and no doubt experience the benefits too and the cleanser has a tinge of eucalyptus smell about it which is satisfyingly refreshing.

There’s the exact same method for removal too, use a hot muslin cloth to polish off the cleanser and pat dry. Voila! You’re in the club.

The Verdict

For me unfortunately, the similarities end with the muslin cloth. I so deseprately wanted Liz Earle to live up to the hype and to save myself a fortune, but I can’t say I love it nearly as much as Eve Lom.

I don’t like the lack of melty-ness to the Liz Earle and it’s not just a textuaral feeling. Each of the muslin cloths are exactly the same – a double layer of muslin with quite a loose weave stitched together. I don’t think the Liz Earle gives nearly as good an exfoliation because of the heaviness of the cream which I think then sits or sticks in the gaps between the threads and creates an over all smoother cloth.

Secondly, it’s not a one stop product for me. It doesn’t get rid of half of my mascara and for someone who doesn’t even wear a ton – I’m a one coat girl – thats a major annoyance. It’s on my pillow, panda eyes in the morning and usually I don’t even need to apply again in the morning because some is still on my lashes. Not cool.

Lastly, the all important skin result… On the spot front, I don’t think they differ. That is down to your skin itself. One thing that Eve Lom does give though (and look away now if you’re a hands off type) is amazing softening so spots are much easier to pop if you just can’t resist. In fact, the exfoliating action often removes them before you get the chance whereas I didn’t find the Liz Earl as softening.

On the condition of my skin overall, again I was disappointed in Liz Earle. One of the things I love about Eve Lom is the fact that I don’t need to moisturise afterwards unless it’s the depths of winter and I’m really dry or flaky. And when I wake up, my skin is happy and healthy. Liz Earle is similar in that I don’t need a moisturiser, BUT my skin is oilier than it ever has been with a massive shine problem when I wake up, never mind battling it through the day.

So, it’s a damning verdict and I’m really sorry for being so harsh, but this is just my experience. I know there are loads of women out there who swear by Liz Earle and probably lots who don’t think Eve Lom is a justifiable price to pay. There are down sides and negatives to Eve Lom too, after 2 years of use it was a rare occasion you found me performing the six step technique religiously and don’t even get me started on the price but it still wins by leagues for me. If you’re thinking of trying either then I’d suggest trying the starter kit (Eve Lom even do sachets with a mini cloth) – both women do them and as every persons skin is just as different as your weddings should be, then it’s worth trying them out first.

Do tell me your experiences with Liz Earle and Eve Lom, or if you’ve tried another hot polish cleanser I should try before I go straight back to the Eve Lom Counter, credit card in hand. ;)

Yours Truly,

Rebecca
xoxo

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