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Beauty

Best of Beauty: April 2014

May 5
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Moisturizer: Clinique Superdefense SPF20

A new key product from Clinique that has just come out that I highly recommend. The product includes Wheat-germ extract, which not only keeps the skin hydrated, it also creates a barrier on the skin that stops the water leaving the skin. It also includes SPF 20, quite light and has rich sources of Vitamin A, D and E.

 

Bb cream: Kiehl’s Beautifying BB Cream

I love my BB creams for coverage during the day, but as well as it being a product that helps your skin rather than clogs it up. I’ve started using this one by Kiehl’s which is clinically proven, has Vitamin C, as SPF 50, high protection and has decent amount of coverage. The only downfall if you don’t like make up scents is the fact that it has a strong coffee smell but definitely a BB cream to purchase. In terms of shades, I like the natural colour.

Cleanser: Eminence Red Currant Exfoliating Cleanser

I’ve been addicted to Eminence since doing a facial a few months ago – one of my favourite skincare brands – organic too! this exfoliating cleanser really makes my skin feel squeaky clean. Perfect for normal to combination skins, the product has a youth shield with antioxidants as well as ingredients such as Tea tree oil and Olive seed. To add to your collection, spray the Red Currant Mattifying mist over your skin post cleansing for a double youth shield as well as added moisture.

Tech: Foreo LUNA

The next Clarisonic? I’m obsessed with this new tech cleanser. Small enough to carry around and looks quite ‘chic’ for a tech-y product. It’s definitely less harsh than other deep cleansing machines – the soft silicone surface and T-Sonic works to unclog the pores, deep cleanses and removes all the impurities. I went with the one for combination skin (They have one for normal skin, as well as one for ultra-sensitive skin). The combination one is perfect for skin that is prone to getting skins and excess oiliness – the LUNA is effective enough to cleanse the face deeply, but gentle enough to not scrub and damage the skin. That aside – it also circulates the blood on the face which will give you that instant glow. I’m won over – a Star product.

Sold exclusively at Harvey Nichols Dubai for AED900

Serum: Dior Capture Totale Dream Skin

My new favourite Dior skincare product – and for those women that need a miracle for pigmentation and brightening the skin. The product, packaged in the prettiest pink contains opilia extract from Africa that penetrates the skin to reduce dark spots. In my opinion, Dior generally do one of the best face serums.

Anti-Aging: Argentum Apothecary La Potion Infinie

There has been a lot of buzz around this product for some time and I finally got my hands on it. An Anti-Aging cream infused with Antioxidants and Silver Hydrosol (an Anti-bacterial ingredient that promotes skin cell regeneration) as well as DNA HP (a natural ingredient that includes Shea butter, sweet almond oil and Vitamin E) The texture is soft and creamy – completely hydrating yet it dries up once on the skin so it doesn’t cause an oily effect. 99.5% of the product is natural and works on all skin types. Not to mention the black jar is mysterious, chic and luxe. At £147, it’s definitely a beauty investment.

Available on net-a-porter.com

Foundation: Tom Ford Traceless foundation stick

Make up wise, Tom Ford beauty is definitely at the top of my list. I recently started to get obsessed with foundation sticks after seeing make up artists use it during my sessions, and have developed a love for them. Only using them at night due to the heavy cream base, Tom Ford’s Traceless foundation stick is definitely a top favourite – strong coverage, not too heavy in terms of texture, easy to blend and a little product goes a long way. I like blending the product with a brush after applying it on my skin. A star product, worth the investment.

Primer:  Make Up For Ever HD Primer

Once you try on a great primer, it makes all the difference in the world! I’m currently loving the one by Make up for ever. Adds moisture and radiance, smells good, as well as holds your make up all day, especially with the High definition hold in photographs. A winner!

Concealer: Maybelline Dream Lumi touch

I’ve been using this fab drugstore buy concealer – Maybelline’s Dream Lumi touch. A stick with a brush gives decent coverage, highlights and gives a radiant finish.

Blush: Jane Iredale Pure pressed blush in Sheer honey

If you’re one that likes their make up light, I recommend you check out this blush – Skincare make up, high in pigment and the sheer honey colour is between a bronzer and blush shade.

Bronzer: Lancome blush subtil in 011

With Summer just around the corner, I suggest you check out this bronzer blush from Lancome. Perfect bronze sunkissed shade, long lasting and has high pigments.

Loose powder: Make up for ever High definition powder

Every time I get my make up done (which is quite a bit for shoots), I tend to pick up secrets from the artists and this is what most artists swear by – Make up for ever’s high definition powder. A fine micro finish powder with a velvety effect, colourless and works on any skin tone (just make sure you don’t apply too much so your skin doesn’t turn white!) but it really puts your make up in place and holds it together. A star product!

Eyeshadow primer: Sephora eyeshadow primer color guard

After using Urban Decay’s primer, I can’t add eye make up without a primer. I like this one because it doesn’t give any base color. Long lasting as well as makes the eyeshadow application come on a lot more smoother – once you start using this, you’ll never go back (promise.)

Eyeshadow palette: Topshop Smoky eye palette in golden aura

How have I not come across Topshop beauty products before? I am addicted. One of my ultimate favourite products is this eyeshadow palette in Golden Aura. Being a person that loves a good brown smokey, this has all the colors I need for the perfect brown smokey – two beautiful shades of brown and a dark shade as well as a highlighter for the brow bone (I also like using it as a highlighter due to it’s beautiful high pigments)

Eyeshadow shade: MAC Smut velvet

At night, I build up my brown smokey and turn it into something darker. Instead of going with blacks, I’m loving purple and plums this month. The Smut velvet shade is this lovely dark plum shade that comes on beautifully with a smokey eye.

Lip balm: Chanel Hydra Beauty Nourishing Lip Care

I mean, who doesn’t love a MAC lip balm?! I’ve been using this one for some time now. Chic packaging, hydrating and moisturising (due to the ingredients including Camelia oil). Not to mention perfectly sized for a mini box clutch!

Nude Lipstick: MAC Flair for Finery

Love a good nude in a MAC lipstick nude. Currently using this beautiful nude shade from MAC made out of a bright nude, light pink with cool undertones.

Lips: Bobbi brown art stick

One of my favourite lip sticks (ever) The Bobbi Brown art stick is between a lipstick and liner. Creamy matte texture, easy to apply, and it stays on all day. Made out of a blend of Shea butter and vegetable derived oil with intense colour pigments. My favourite shades include Cassis (a dark berry) and Electric pink (an intense bright pink)

Night Fragrance: Versace pour femme Oud Oriental

I’m not a fan of Oud scents, and usually don’t pick up any Oud fragrances but I must say I’m loving this one from Versace. If you love Oud, you will like this but I love how there’s a top note of Floral but because the base note is Oud, it doesn’t over power yet still gives this feminine perfume a luxe touch.

Perfume: Nuxe Prodigieux® le Parfum

I’m a huge fan of Nuxe’s body oils(especially the scent), so I’m pretty excited about this new launch. Perfume form of the oil. If you’re not familiar of the scent, think white floral, coconut milk, gardenia and vanilla – yum!

Post Spray Tan: Xen-Tan moisturising

I love a good spray tan, but two things that bother me is the post smell and when it gets patchy (due to not moisturising enough). My new spray tan gem is Xen Tan’s moisturising cream. Oil-free hydration and paraben free – it keeps the tan lasting longer as well as locks out self-tan odor.

Body Wash: Murad Blemish Body Wash

With the Summer weather, we constantly sweat so it’s important to take care of the skin on the back and chest. I’ve been using this fab body wash by Murad – which exfoliates, deep cleanses, soothes and calms the skin. Perfect for blemish control and to use several times a week. I like how the mini beads in the gel gently exfoliate the skin.

www.murad.co.uk

Bath Oil: Chanel No.5 Intense bath oil

These days, I will pretty much choose oils over creams – whether during the shower or post shower. I’ve recently started using Chanel No.5’s Intense bath oil which feels so good, and smells even better in the shower. It’s the perfect gift – Chic packaging, bath oil in Chanel’s classic scent.

Body Oil: Caudalie Divine Oil

I tend to keep my body hydrated with oils rather than creams, because it just feels lovelier on the skin. I’ve started using this one by Caudalie which is made out of Grape oil and Argan Oils (to keep your skin nourished, moisturised and regenerated) Use after the shower – the oil which has a woody floral scent is also non greasy which helps if you’re someone on the go like myself.

Scrub: Lush Ocean Salt Face and Body Scrub

I love this as a body scrub, and can also use it on the face if it needs exfoliation. Made out of sea salt – which scrubs and cleans the body, the organic limes brighten the skin and the avocado butter softens the skin. A great quality product that smells refreshing and easy to carry it for travel.

Dark nails: OPI Creme Gloss ‘I sing in color’ 

Whether it’s fall, winter or any weather – I end up going for dark nails at least once a month – Think Essie’s Wicked or Luxedo. I’m currently loving OPI’s Creme gloss in ‘I sing in colour’, which is part of the collaboration with Gwen Stefani. My favourite from the collection – a vampy burgundy/brown shade and the creme gloss gives it an ultra glossy gel finish, and didn’t chip for a week.

Red nails: Deborah Lippmann in ‘Lady is a tramp’

I’m such a fan of Deborah Lippmann polishes, a US celebrity manicurist. This month, I’ve been wearing the beautiful rich red ‘Lady is a tramp’. A classic sexy rich red everyone needs in their collection for those special occasions.

www.deborahlippmann.com & harrods.com

Hair serum: Amazon Keratin Argan Oil serum

Argan oil is so great for the hair and I’m loving this serum from Amazon Keratin for my dry colored ends (Thanks to my ombre!) The serum restores the hair fibres and hydrates as well as smells amazing (love Argan oil!)