LOVE LOVE LOVE: DIOR'S EXTASE MASCARA

Very surprised the first time I ever tried Dior's "EXTASE" mascara.. very surprised in a great way!!! "EXTASE" absolutely blows Dior's "Dior Show" out of the water...completely. As you may have seen in an earlier blog my first love in "mascara land" has always been (and still is) YSL FAUX CILS. However when I tried Dior's latest offering I would have to say it comes a close second.

For those of you who are long time lovers of "Dior show" ... my thoughts on that particular product is that it's OK... it defiantly didn't rock my world. The wand looked fabulous and big, but the formula just seemed to dry out so quickly.. too quickly and just did not deliver on the BIG LASH promise.

Not "EXTASE" this Dior mascara delivers.. with it's unusual wand that reminds me (shape wise) of three balls joined together, it somehow picks up every single lash... even the short stumpy ones that never seem to show. The texture is creamy with what I consider to be the perfect thickness. But best of all I have been using it exclusively for 2 and a half months and not only does it not flake... but it has not dried out!!! WINNER!!!!

Yes Dior "EXTASE" is a little on the expensive side of mascara's.. but well worth the extra dollars.

Smooches
xx

LOVE LOVE LOVE: M.A.C LASH CURLER

As you join me on this journey of make up you will soon come to realise that I have a weakness for anything to do with "LASHES". I cant help myself... even when creating a look on my clients one of my BIGGEST tips is.. do not forget your lashes....

Lashes are one of the greatest features that you can really play up even if you are not wearing any make-up at all. The one tool I never ever leave out of my daily routine is my trusty M.A.C eye lash curler.

I know there are many of you out there... and you know who you are, that either do not use one due to fear or even worse use a curler that is poor quality and doing nothing for that curl you crave. You may think that purchasing a "cheap" curler will do just as good a job as a more "expensive" one...but i have to tell you they just don't.. Now I am not saying that you must spend a weeks pay cheque, however don't skimp on this tool either. I have tried and tested so many of all different price points that are on the market..... so believe me when I say the M.A.C lash curler is the one that I ALWAYS go back to.

I am her to give you a simple "step by step" guide that will lead you to that perfect curl every lady longs for.

You will need... 1 x Eye lash curler & 1x mirror

Step 1:
I like to use a compact mirror that i hold in my left hand. I then take my lash curler and place my thumb and middle finger in the "loops" for a firm grip (feel free to use what ever hands or fingers you wish... this is just what works for me)

Step:
I place the compact infrount of my eye tilting my head upward a little so I have a clear view of my eye's and lashes.

Step 3:
Bring the lash curler toward your "right" eye making sure the curve is facing you. As you approach the lash area open the lash curler fully.

Step 4:
Place the top part of the curler just on your eyelid... you should be able to feel the metal. You should also see your lashes come through the opening (you want to get as close to the lash line as possible, but you do not want to pinch yourself).

Step 5:
Once you are feeling comfortable begin to press your thumb and middle finger together.. this will "clamp" your lashes, hold it quite firmly... hold this position for 5 seconds. Once you have held it for that time DO NOT LET GO... you can realese the pressure and open a little but DO NOT MOVE IT.

Step 6:
Then I want you to bring the curler back to the "CLAMP" position.... only this time I want you "clamp" and open, "clamp" and open 3 times. (again each time clamping down firmly)

Step 7:
Once the above step is complete, remove the curler away from your eye so you can view your curled lashes (if you feel like you would like them to be a little more curled just repeat the above steps)... once you have your desired curl (on both eye's) feel free to pump as much mascara on them as you like....

It takes a couple of practise rounds but I promise if you take your time you will never go back to wearing straight lashes....

Give it a go.... let me know what you think.

Smooches
xx

LOVE LOVE LOVE: M.A.C CLEAR GLASS

Oh how i do love love love a glassy lip. There is nothing more sexy than fresh glowing skin... with shiny lips. It is one of the easier looks to pull off yet so under rated.

The clear lip is a definate "go to" look for me, as my lip colour is sometimes the perfect shade of pink and then other times they look red... so clear allows both of my lip shades to "shine".

Now there are many gloss' on the market... (I think i may be a little addicted to them... I have WELL over 100)... and there are so many textures you can choose from. I have to say M.A.C Clear Glass is NO1 in my book. I like a gloss that is a little tacky and over the top "glassy"... yep... my M.A.C gloss ticks all those boxes!!!

Every lady and or fella should own a clear glass... your make up bag is just not complete without it!

Smooches.
xx

LOVE LOVE LOVE: SMITH'S ROSEBUD SALVE

OK... Let me start by saying I do adore this product. It's not just the divine vintage looking tin, or the fact that the colour of the salve itself is a stunning pink or that it gives your lips such a "HIGH SHINE"! I love Smith's Rosebud Salve because it is so multi purpose.

We are talking about a product that can be uses on the most chapped of lips (or skin for that matter), to the odd blemish, worked in to nails and dry cuticles all the way to using it as a means to soften the delicate area around your eyes at night.

As a make-up artist this is one staple that can ALWAYS be found in my kit. It is such a handy produt to have... especially if you are wanting to create a dewy make-up look, without looking oily. Simply use a "lil" salve on your ring finger and tap it along any part of your face that you desire a "sheen".

My lips are addicted to my beloved Smith's Rosebud "LIP" salve.

TIP: Do not leave the tin of salve in a situation where it could over heat... say... your car... it will melt... trust me.

Smooches.
xx