You Little Beauty – Kerstin Florian Multi-Vitamin Day Crème SPF 30 (50ml)

I’ve been using this moisturiser daily since October and I have to say that it’s a lovely product.  To be honest, I’d never heard of the brand before so I was really interested to see how it performed.  I haven’t been disappointed.

Kerstin Florian (Swedish-born) founded Kerstin Florian International in 1978 and is a family-run company that is based out in California.  The skincare company promotes the philosophy of outer beauty, inner health and well-being through naturally-sourced ingredients.

Now, I was a bit wary at first as the product is called a ‘Crème’.  According to the dictionary, ‘crème’ means “a substance or product with a thick, creamy consistency”.  I really don’t like thick creams (claustrophobia), hence my obsession over the word.  However, this is a light-weight lotion in a tall tube.  I have combination skin (cheeks, chin, centre of forehead are oily while sides of my face are normal) so this light texture is perfect for me.

After I’ve cleansed, popped my serum and eye cream on, I apply one pump-dispensed blob into my hands and then onto my face.  Now, I hate the smell of cucumbers and unfortunately, this day cream contains cucumbers - ugh - but I’ve persevered and thankfully, the smell doesn’t last long and I really like how my skin looks immediately rested on application.

The crème is supposed to be hydrating – which is great as I love my dehydrating red wine.  Admittedly, I’ve been using it in conjunction with Superdrug’s Simply Pure Hydrating Serum and I’ve still not got those pesky dehydration horizontal lines on my jawline which I am prone, so I am believe that this is hydrating enough for me.

This Day Crème contains ingredients that I want in a moisturiser.  It contains Vitamin C (brightens and protects), UVA and UVB filters and antioxidants that protect against free radicals (external environmental aggressors such as pollution and the sun which can cause collagen breakdown which in turns leads to wrinkles and fine lines – who wants those?).  Oh and it has anti-inflammatory Pro-Vitamin B5 and algae which helps to soothe and protect weather-beaten skin. 

So despite it not being the heavy cream that I thought it was, it sure is packed to the brim with goodies. 

I give this product 4 out of 5 - the lost point is due to the cucumbers!

Kerstin Florian Multi-Vitamin Day Crème SPF 30

From www.kerstinflorian.co.uk - £48 for 50ml

Face Powder

Better late than never, eh?  I know I should have written about powders during my ‘make-up routine weekly blogs’ but I have a love/hate relationship with powder and don’t really use it consistently on myself hence the omission.

I know one should: it sets your make-up, provides long lasting results, gives a flawless finish, reduces shine, provides a bit of protection against the elements, helps to cover imperfections and conceal pores.  What’s not to love in order to achieve a flawless complexion?

For me, sometimes it just looks too much on my skin.  The foundations I use have enough powder in them and sometimes additional powder sits in my pores, emphasises the fine lines around my eyes and eliminates the dewy, healthy finish that I like. 

I do own one though; Catrice Colour Correcting Mattifying Power (pressed) and I do use it occasionally, after foundation and concealer, depending on which base I’ve used.  This corrects and evens out the colour of my skin (which is sallow with redness).  The powder contains pink, purple, green and beige shades (to refresh, counteract dullness and neutralise the red).  It’s very light and natural so I don’t notice it too much.  I also have a KIKO Translucent Loose Powder in my pro-kit which I use on my clients.

Loose powder is good for oily skin types as it’s finer than a pressed powder and contains less oil.  Downside is that it can settle into fine lines more than a pressed powder.  Tap off the excess and apply with a big brush to your face or with a smaller eyeshadow brush for pin pointing specific areas.  You can also press it into the skin with a cotton wool pad or one of those circular beauty puffs in order to set the make-up more efficiently (which can be good when doing a bridal makeover – we want that make-up to last the day/night).

Pressed powder is great as you can use it on the go for touch-ups (less messy than a loose one in a handbag) and good for covering up a specific area.  Again, a big brush, puff or pad to apply it.

Mineral powders come in loose and pressed form and are good for sensitive skins and don’t clog the pores.

As for colours, you can get translucent for all skin tones or you can buy specific shades, which is great for women of colour (Sleek Cosmetics are very good).

Hmm, I think I’ve talked myself into using my face powder more regularly….!

POTW - M&S Super Grape Face Mask €16 for 125ml

(I am going to harp on again about another M&S product but before I do, I want it out there that I am not sponsored or endorsed by any company; my views are entirely my own and I just happen to like M&S, KIKO – the brands I regularly harp on about in my blogs).

Knowing that I love the Grape skincare range in M&S, my sister kindly told me that there was 20% off all beauty and that she’d treated herself to a few of their products.  Cool, I said, I’ve always wanted to try their Super Grape Clay Mask, so I might treat myself too.  Seeing as I’m always on the look-out for an environmentally friendly exfoliator, I thought this one would be like the KIKO mask that I recently bought back in June – one that has no beads/pumice in it but the mask gently exfoliates due to natural alpha hydroxyl acids, as it languishes on your skin for 10 mins.  So I hot-footed it down to M&S and bought a tube and got me 20% off.

It wasn’t until I was applying the mask (to cleansed skin), that I realised that a scrub was incorporated in it as well, so it wasn’t like the KIKO mask at all.  The product information doesn’t mention anything about the scrub part (nor does it mention AHA’s either - I can't see for looking at this point so I may be wrong).  Anyway, I quickly got over my disappointment and left the mask on for 10 minutes while I faffed around my bedroom, tidying up, feeling the clay dry tight on my skin.  Once I was in the shower, I dampened my hands and started to work the product off my face, at the same time exfoliating my skin until the product had disappeared down the plughole.  Now, I do like to feel that my skin has been exfoliated so I didn’t mind the scrubbing sensation on my skin.  The exfoliating scrub (not sure if its pumice or what as it doesn’t mention anything on the box it comes in or on their website) so you do feel like your skin is getting a good seeing to.  Once I washed it off and came out of the shower, I was impressed at how polished and smooth my skin was (my HUGE pores looked great).  Importantly, despite the scrubbing, my face felt comfortable.  The best thing about this product is that the effects last a good seven days so use once a week and you’re laughing.

The product contains the magic ingredient Resveratrol – I’ve mentioned this before in my blog – it’s an ingredient found in the skin of grapes and is believed to have antioxidant properties and major health benefits.  M&S have taken advantage of using this ingredient which is a leftover in their production of their own M&S wine.  Also, the mask is made up of clay which is full of minerals and is great at thoroughly cleansing the skin.

This is a great product for all skin types.  If you are on the oily side and you feel that your skin needs a good, deep clean once a week.  Also, if your skin is looking a bit lifeless and dull then it is perfect as a pick-me-up. 

HA HA

POTW – Formula Time Defy Radiant Cleanse Hyaluronic Acid Foaming Cream Cleanser €8.50 for 125ml

Hi everyone, I’m back.  Had two weeks temping in an office and if I’m sat at a computer screen all day then the last thing I want to do is log onto my laptop when I get home hence the no blogging.  Plus, I wanted to give myself some time to try out some new products.

My first port of call is always Marks and Spencer’s own brand for my skincare.  I usually buy the Grape facial wash – I love it, it does its job and I adore the smell but I’m not a fan of the hole that the product comes out of – you end up with way too much in your hands (wasteful) so I looked for an alternative and came away with one of their Formula Time Defy products – Radiant Cleanse Hyaluronic Acid Foaming Cream Cleanser.

It took me ages to get used to a cream cleanser, as I’ve used a gel for, well, nearly all my life but when I went to work for Shiseido, their foaming cleansers are creams and they would leave the skin so clean that your skin squeaked after cleansing (remember I talked about the ‘shiseido squeak’ in a previous blog).  Seeing as I’ve used up my Shiseido cleansers, I thought this cheaper version, M&S Radiant Cleanse was it.

I really enjoy feeling the texture of this cream as I massage it on my skin.  It doesn’t foam up as much as I would have liked but after cleansing, its removed all the grime, my skin is smooth, comfortable and clear (my HUGE pores never looked so good) and I did get a ‘squeak’.   I suffer from dehydration (due to the love of red wine…well actually, I’ve cut down on the red wine as I’ve had to adopt a dairy-free diet and the only place I can find vegan wine is in good old M&S so it’s no popping into my local shop on the way home for my usual any more but at least I can buy my M&S skincare before I nip to the Food Hall) so its main benefit to me is that it doesn’t leave my skin with that tight feeling when I come out of the shower.

Radiant Cleanse is part of their Hydra Care HA Complex which contains the all-powerful humectant, hyaluronic acid.  As I’ve mentioned in previous blogs, HA is what is found naturally in our bodies but decreases with age.  HA is composed of sugars that are moisture magnets and help to plump-up and hydrate the skin.  You know when you see babies cheeks – they are totally plumped up with HA, smooth and firm.  Not saying I have the cheeks of a baby’s bottom but you get my drift.

I will definitely be purchasing this little beauty again when I’ve finished this tube.

Lipstick Tips

Try Before You Buy

Who has bought a lipstick and come home to find it’s the wrong shade and doesn’t suit?

When buying a lipstick from a department store, I would recommend asking the beauty consultant to professionally apply it on you.  Then you take a walk in natural daylight – don’t forget a mirror - and see if you like the shade and texture before you buy.

If you’re buying from a cosmetic stand in your local pharmacy and can’t try directly on your lips, the best place to test the shade is on your fingertips.  This skin is the nearest to the texture and colour of your lips, apparently (the back of your hands will be a totally different colour than your lips and face so).

My MACS

The Right Shade for You

When picking a shade, a simple way of determining this is, are you attracted to pinks or oranges (basically cool or warm tones)?  Personally I don’t like either but pinks tend to be blue-toned so these tend to suit me better.

My skin tone is beige and sallow and I am drawn to nude lipsticks but sometimes I get the colour wrong.  When I was with Shiseido, I bought one of their nudes but it completely matched my skin tone and it looked like I was sans lipstick (not a good look on a cosmetic counter) and quite frankly, as someone commented, I looked dead (I didn’t take it personally).  Therefore, a lipstick similar to your natural colour may have an insipid effect and so it’s best to contrast it.  Beige is a warm colour and pink is a cool colour so I am better opting for a pink nude rather than a beige one (I don’t want to look dead again).

Another way of finding out what suits is to see whether or not your lippie is giving you whiter teeth or not.  Everyone wants white teeth.

My Rimmels

Smooth Operator

Always make sure your lips are smooth and soft before lipstick else you’ll be left with coloured flakes peeling off.  If you need to exfoliate then there are lip-scrubs on the market but the cheapest method is buffing with a soft toothbrush followed by your favourite lip-balm.  Pop some lip balm on before you start your makeover and by the end of it, you’ll have lovely soft lips for your lipstick and it will stay on longer. 

24/7

When I worked on the counters, the question I got asked the most was, how can I get my lipstick to stay on longer?  Matte ones work a treat as do lip stains.  When I apply foundation, I sometimes apply it very thinly on my lips which gives a good base to the lipstick and gives it longevity.  You can also use a lightweight concealer.  This method is also good if you want your lip colour to be as close as to what it is in the bullet. 

You can also use a lip liner, in the same shade as your lipstick to make your lipstick last longer.  Fill in your lips with liner, press your lips together so you get a good stain and then apply lipstick.  Blot with a tissue and reapply the lipstick.  Then you can blot and apply as many times as you like until you think that your lippie will last the night.

Talking of lip liners, horror of horrors but I adored the Pamela Anderson look back in the 1990’s and used to buy a fab L’Oréal nude lipstick and wear it with a darker liner.

Finally, finish with translucent powder.  When I was at college (20 years ago), we were taught to blot the final application of lipstick with tissue and then powder on top of the tissue.

Catrice, Maybelline, Chanel

Little Mistakes

If you do make a boob when using an intense pigmented lipstick, dunk a cotton bud into make-up remover and eliminate the smudge back into the lips.  Once corrected, line again and sharpen up the pout with some concealer on a very small brush around the lip line.

 Kiko and Makeup Revolution

Lip Brushes

Instead of using a lip-liner, you can still get a great, sharp line with a brush and concealer.  Brush on the lipstick and at the end, use a concealer and apply around the lip line. Brushes are great at creating that stain as well, working the brush down into lips to make your lipstick last longer.

Finish with translucent powder.

The Age Factor

I’ve noticed now that I’m getting on a bit, my dark lipsticks are bleeding.  To prevent this, I have been buying clear lip liners; you apply to the lip line before you pop on your chosen lip liner and lipstick.  I really liked the E.L.F. one and I felt it did its job but it was a twist-up and my twist-up pencils tend to snap, which it did.  Rimmel also do one (again a twist-up - grrrr - but its not snapped, yet).  Alternatively, you can lightly dust your lip line with translucent powder to create a barrier or use concealer.

Rimmel Clear Liner

The Illusionist

It seems everyone wants fuller lips but if you don’t want to go down the cosmetic surgery route like Kylie Jenner then there are easier, less painful and cheaper ways of doing this. Highlighting the cupid’s bow is an oldie but a goodie at creating a fuller lip, reflecting light to that area, as is a dab of lip gloss in the centre of the lips.  You can always line the outside of your lip line.

Going back to concealer on the lips, by creating this nude, blank canvas, you are also forming a bigger base for your lipstick so this is a good trick if your lips are on the thin side or you want to wear a darker lip.  This can also be done by using a nude lip liner and fill in the pout.

Although, regarding the extreme, I can't get my head around any woman wanting to look like a blow-up doll.

My Lip Pencils (MAC and Rimmel)

Lazy Cow

It’s very easy to keep reapplying lipstick throughout the day but come night time, your lips will be as dry (and crusty) as a bone.  To be honest, I don’t want my lipstick to last ALL day as it starts to feel and look unpleasant, especially after food.  Best to remove with some wipes and start again.

My favourites…

§  Rimmel Kate Moss Collection: I find these great semi-matte shades, long-lasting and not drying at all.  From top to bottom: Brown #48, Pink Nude #45, Red #01, Beige Nude #03.  Lip liners: Red Diva, Tiramisu

§  MAC: The most long-lasting matte lipsticks ever but I do like a touch-up in the middle of the day so they look a bit fresher.  From top to bottom: Retro, Viva Glam 1, Myth, Diva.  Lip liners: Spice, Brick

§  Dr Hauschka #3

Second bests go to:-

§  From top to bottom: Catrice Wood Rose Propose, Maybelline Coffee Craze, Catrice Better than Nude, Chanel Rouge Coco Shine #89, Dr Hauschka #03

§  From top to bottom: Makeup Revolution Vamp, KIKO #509

As you can see from my photos, I have a lot of nudes and reds.  No pinks.  I don’t like.

I love a nude lip and I tend to wear with a dark smoky eye of an evening.  Its fine if I’m eating and/or drinking as it doesn’t matter if it starts to disappear as all emphasis is on the eyes so you still look made up.  Plus you can reapply even without a mirror.

For stress-free occasions, when I don’t want to have to reapply too often then I will opt for my MAC.  Even though they are long-lasting, I can get a bit panicky at lunchtimes, with the knowledge that they might come off a little bit and I’m left with a line.  Plus I always feel the need to wipe my mouth after I’ve eaten so I like to leave these lipsticks for day time shopping (I’d normally have my shades on anyway) with a slick of liner on the eyes, for example.

I love my Dr Hauschka too as it goes great with greens and blues plus it stays on as well and funnily enough, it is the only lipstick in my collection that I like the smell of – it smells of a good Spa;  botanical and expensive.

Have a good week!

Stripped and Bare

No POTW this week due to still testing out some products but my Makeup Revolution delivery came yesterday so thought I would try out the Stripped & Bare eyeshadow palette.   Here’s my skincare and make-up I’ve used today:-

*M&S Formula HA Foaming Cream Cleanser (€9)

Shiseido Benefiance Eye Cream

Superdrug Simply Pure Hydrating Serum

Shiseido Bio-Performance Revitalising Cream

Makeup Revolution BB Foundation - #6

Ken Boylan Play Concealer – C25

*Makeup Revolution Stripped & Bare Palette – 3 looks in one (€8)

*Makeup Revolution Amazing Curve Mascara (€3)

MAC Mineralise Blusher

Shiseido Blusher

MAC Diva Lipstick

Makeup Revolution Liphug

Rimmel Nude Pink

*Denotes new products that I am testing at the moment and used for the first time today.

Now I have done some Selfies today (I apologise in advance) to show the make-up but as per usual, they've come out awful on my phone.  I’m sure my phone distorts my face (!) plus the lighting in the apartment wasn’t great.  My excuse anyway.

Here is my Stripped & Bare Eyeshadow Palette, from left to right: Look 1, Look 2, and Look 3

Look 1) Sparkly nudes with Rimmel Nude Pink Lipstick

Oh dear, I don’t look very sparkly, do I?  Literally 'stripped and bare.'  It looks like I’m not wearing anything at all and I am using all five shades.  The shadows have completely disappeared into my skin tone, which I thought they would do.

Look 2) Peach, burgundy, browns with MAC ‘Diva’ lipstick

Apologies for the lighting but this plummy colour is actually a lovely and intense pigment along with the shimmery peach.  I am totally drawn to darker colours so this I like (looks better in the flesh).

Look 3) Browns and a blue with Makeup Revolution’s Liphug Lipstick ‘Save me from yourself’.  

Talking of saving someone, I need to save me from myself: I won’t be taking any more Selfies.

I love this blue colour – very vibrant but of course, you can’t tell due to my fantastic camera-work.

Overall, I love the colours and pigments except for Look 1, which obviously lives up to the name of the palette but that is my skin tone and not the fault of the shades.  

Cheeky

When I was beauty therapy training at college 20 years ago, a make-up artist came in and said that she always applied some blusher after the foundation and concealer stage so she could see the shape of the face and apply make-up accordingly.  At the end of the makeover, once everything is on, then you can apply more if needed.

However, not sure how I got into this habit but when I'm putting make-up on myself, I blush, bronze, contour or highlight near the end of my makeover ('the end' being before lipstick) so hence me leaving this blog until now.  BUT, unless its a cream blush, then I'll pop that on after foundation.

My little selection of blushers and bronzers

Talking of cream blushers, these are fabulous if you want a lovely natural finish with long-lasting results.  Best to be applied straight after liquid foundation so the products work in synergy with each other and can be blended easily.  If you apply a cream blush later on in the makeover, once the foundation has settled, any powder in the foundation can take hold of the cream and it can go patchy so best applied straight after foundation.  You can apply with your fingers and then buff the edges with your foundation brush.   Make Up For Ever do some fabulous ones, HD Second Skin Cream Blush (€28).  Remember ‘cream-on-cream’ and 'powder-on-powder' is the way to go - so if you're using a mineral powder foundation, use a powder blusher.  If you have extremely oily or blemished skin then best to choose a powder blush or a gel/stain instead.  

Err, think my Max Factor needs replacing

I have one cream blush, Max Factor’s Miracle Touch Creamy Blush in Soft Copper (€10) which I like and I’ve used it so much, that I’ve gone down to the pan so I need a new one.  I do have oily skin on my cheeks but the blush is of the consistency that it’s not greasy and is fine for me.  It originally came in two shades, copper and pink but there are now four to chose from.

I love my MAC Legendary powder blush, which has an image of the gorgeous Marilyn Monroe on the lid – I’m a big Monroe fan and only bought it due to her - LOL.  It’s a lovely pale soft coral with a hint of pink and subtle golden shimmer (‘subtle’ being the operative word).  It took a while to get used to it as it's so pale – could I see it? - but this is actually perfect for day time and actually suits my colouring.  I also have a MAC mineral blushed called Warmth of Coral which is nice on the cheeks too.

MAC - Marilyn's Legendary (left), Mineralise Blush (right)

My favourite blusher has to be Shiseido’s Face Colour Enhancing Trio in RD1 (€38).  You have a blush, contour and highlight for a bit of contouring or you can swirl a brush over all the colours and dab on the apples of the cheeks.  It comes in four shades depending on your skin tone.  I found this product made such a difference to my clients’ makeovers (talk about looking healthy and radiant) while on the counter, that I had to own one myself.

Shiseido RD1 - best for a radiant, healthy glow

I also have the Sleek Face Form in Light 373 (€14).  It has a blush, highlight and contour in the palette.  This is such good value for money, comes in four shades depending on your skin tone, gives a great effect on the skin and lasts the day.  However, I think I am still trying to find the perfect contour shade for my skin tone which is probably why I don’t contour that often.  As with bronzers, anything brown or orange on my skin, I tend to look grubby.  I have a big, round moon face as well so less is more for me.

Sleek Face Form - new to contouring?  Try this.

With regards to contouring/strobing/baking – yawn; personally I am not a fan.  I think it looks too much unless you are a model in a magazine editorial or a Kardashian on the telly (it's the lighting, people!) - both situations not being your normal every day.  I once saw a young girl on the train and I just couldn’t take my eyes off her.  Unfortunately this was for the wrong reasons - it was due to the fact that her face looked so artificial and not to mention silly.  Plus, I think there's a ‘cheap’ element to this look as well.

Simply put, the one product that is going to make you look fresh and give you a healthy glow is a good blusher.  Smile (so your cheeks lift up) and apply.  Let's go glow!