i need some help here

Hi All, one of my "top useful products" is dry shampoo. If you want to know more, look out for a new post soon. In the meantime can you please help me to help a friend by taking a few minutes to fill out this short survey on the subject.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JV5FK2V

Big thank you!

tinted primer and how to make your own

Thank you Paula for your great questions. I'm glad you've discovered the joys of primer.

Primers are one of the most useful advances in make up in recent times. By smoothing the skin and creating a better base for foundation to adhere they increase the longevity of your make up. Most primers also offer other benefits such as illuminating properties, colour correction and some are tinted.
For more general information on foundation primers, check out my archived post kelly's beauty spot 27.01.12

In answer to the question " can I wear primer without foundation?": There is absolutely no reason why you can't wear primer on it's own without a lick of foundation. If you like the look primer alone can give you then just go for it. There's no hard and fast rule to say you must wear foundation and let's face it who's going to know? 

With regards to tinted primers there are a number on the market (I'll list a few in my next post) 

Like any multi-tasking products they can be useful as a time saver. However do you really need to be buy every product that may be useful ? It's a bit like buying grated cheese. If you have a block of cheese and  a grater then do you really need to buy grated cheese? you have everything you need at hand to do it yourself!

As a make up artist I have to be ready for any eventuality. I see many people and many different complexions and I couldn't possibly carry around every type of product in every colour, just in case I need it. Apart from the expense I wouldn't be able to carry it all.  To get around this problem I take a number of necessary steps to reduce my load and make the products I have work harder for me.  Whenever possible I decant make up from large bottles into smaller ones and instead of having every shade available I buy the lightest and the darkest and mix up what I need.

You're probably thinking I've gone off on a bit of a tangent however what I'm getting round to is that this method works just as well when mixing different product types together. For example, if I want to create a look with a just a hint of colour, I would mix a little primer with a little of my selected foundation or concealer. Thereby creating my own tinted primer. 

You too can do this with your favourite primer and foundation, there's really is no need to buy yet another product to bulk out your make up bag.  

Here's what you do: Place a small amount of both primer and foundation on the back of your hand. You can adjust the balance of foundation to primer depending on whether you want more or less tint. Then using a foundation or buffing brush (MAC 130 short duo fibre brush £28 is my fav buffer) gently mix the two together and apply to your face. I always start in the centre of the face and work our in a circular brushing motion. 

Do the same mixing moisturiser and foundation to create your own tinted moisturiser. Mix primer with concealer or cream eye shadows and start creating your own personal make up range!

beauty before age?

Check out this link for a chance to be part of Illamasqua's new 'Beauty Before Age' make up campaign. If you think you're too old for that sort of nonsense,  don't !  Illamasqua are looking for all ages and types and they are giving glorious goodies away as an incentive. So read on and go for it!

http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/beauty-and-hair/beauty-news/2012/04/illamasqua-beauty-before-age?

Should I wear sunscreens during the winter?

The simple answer is YES YOU SHOULD GWEN !

...and I'll tell you why. Where as UVB rays (the sunburn rays) are weaker in the winter months. UVA rays which can not only give you wrinkles but can also potentially lead to skin cancer are the same strength all year round. 

Both UVA and UVB rays can pass through clouds so even on overcast, dull days, the suns rays can penetrate and cause damage. Contrary to what I grew up thinking (was I alone as a teenager thinking that if I didn't feel the sun burning my factor 2 oil, slathered limbs, I wasn't getting a tan?) the sun burns regardless of temperature. 

In fact the sun is closer to the Earth during the winter and it's rays are just as harmful as in the summer. Snow adds to the problem by reflecting the rays back up to you and it's also understood that the damaging effect of rays increases with altitude so all you skiers out there slather up.

We are inundated with info about sun damage these days and I'm sure I'm teaching most of you to suck eggs but here's a few common sense tips for if and when the sun ever comes out :

• Choose a sunscreen that offers both UVA and UVB protection.
• If you are outside for prolonged periods, remember to reapply your sunscreen regularly, even sweating can wash off a certain amount of sunscreen.
• Check the 'best before' date on you sunscreen as they become less effective over time. 
• Don't rely on tinted moisturiser or foundation to protect you. Use a screen with a factor of 25 or 30. Apply the screen and wait a few moments before applying foundation.
• On hot days pack a lightweight, long sleeved top in your bag, you will be so relieved that you have it to pop on later in the day, when you've had enough of the sun. 

Fat on the inside ?

Not much blogging out of me lately as I've been busy working but I always squeeze in a few moments to check out the BBC online. I saw this today and wanted to share it with someone. I showed my husband who looked interested for all of a few seconds but I went on to explain why it was important to me. If you do watch the short film you'll understand why as a regular exerciser that never gets any smaller I was so pleased to hear the Doctor's message.

PS : will be answering those posted questions very soon. Thanks for you patience people.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11158546

sorry I've been away...

I've just spent a lovely week and a bit away with friends and family for the Easter Holidays. Having given up chocolate for Lent (with almost no cheating!) I thought I'd want to binge for Britain on Good Friday but it didn't turn out that way. Maybe abstinence doesn't always make the heart grow fonder. As soon as I was allowed the stuff I didn't really want it (much). In fact as I tweeted the other day I actually think I got a chocolate induced headache by Sunday.

So here's to moderate chocolate consumption from now on....I'll keep you posted.