Let’s talk mascara!  Often overlooked , this makeup staple is a true game-changer.

If you’re on the hunt for the perfect formula, get ready to discover some mascaras that work wonders!

Although it might be really tempting, to pop or squeeze a pimple, in reality it won’t get rid of the problem in time for the event.

So, our immediate solution is to transform the blemish into a beauty mark!

Step 1. Soothe the pimple

Soothe the blemish by dabbing it with a gentle astringent like witch hazel on a clean cotton bud.

Using an astringent won’t clear the blemish but it will remove and dry out the surface oils from your skin and help the beauty mark last longer.

As a beginner you will need to invest in the best brushes for your makeup application. 

With the right brushes you will be able to improve on your beauty assets and fall in love with the final results.

#1. Makeup Sponge/Beauty Blender

One of the most important blending tools you will need is a Makeup sponge or (Beauty Blender). 

These sponges are a staple for applying and blending liquid or cream-based foundation. 

The pointy end is great for covering blemishes and imperfections whilst the flat edge is great for contouring around your nose, jawline and underneath your eyes. 

Rounded sides are perfect or blending your cheeks, forehead and chin.

Tip: Remember to use it damp, not dry so you don’t waste your foundation.

#2. Powder Brush

Use a Powder Brush to apply translucent powder and mineral foundations evenly which will eliminate that ‘caked on’ or clogged finish to your face.

#3. Blush Brush

Use a Blush Brush to contour and define your cheeks with blush powder.

The brush should be dense so it holds onto the product but soft so it glides across your cheeks. Always apply your blush to the apples of your cheeks and gently build the colour so it looks soft. 

#4. Eyeshadow Brushes

A set of good Eyeshadow brushes are probably the most important brushes to have in your makeup bag as they enhance the way the eyeshadow is layered and blended on the eye. 

Tip: You will definitely need a shadow brush, crease brush, shading brush, liner brush and blending brush.

#5 All in one Brow/Lash comb

This dual brow/lash brush is a beauty must have item. To groom and smooth your brows, use the flat brush side to comb hairs upward and outward direction. 

Use the comb side to separate your lashes before you apply your mascara.

After each coat of mascara, simply run the comb through your lashes to remove any clumps.

Tip: For tips on Mascara Application click here  

Your eyes are the first thing people notice and they are also the first place you will notice subtle signs of ageing. 

These tips will help slow down the ageing process.

Tip #1. Cleanse

If you wear makeup daily, it is extremely important to remove it before going to sleep.

Falling asleep with your makeup on reduces your skin’s chance to rejuvenate itself overnight, not to mention potential skin irritation and eyelash breakage.

Your skin is something that people notice, so be sure to invest in a good cleanser, one that suits your skin type and removes all traces of makeup. 

No matter which type of cleanser you decide to use, oil-based, foaming, Micellar water or cleansing wipes to remove your makeup, be sure it doesn’t contain any alcohol as it is extremely damaging to the skin.

Tip #2. Firming

As you age, your skin’s collagen production starts to slow down before eventually stopping altogether.

The slowing down process starts in your early 20’s but isn’t noticed until your late 40’s or early 50’s.

To help give your skin a boost in the elasticity department, look for eye creams that contain collagen-encouraging ingredients like antioxidant vitamins C & E, peptides, amino acids and co-enzyme Q10. 

Whilst you should use an eye cream morning and night, night time is when your skin will benefit the most, as this is when your skin goes into ‘repair mode’ and produces more collagen than any other time of the day.

Tip #3. Brightening

If you are cursed with dark circles under your eyes they don’t have to be noticeable.

The use of a good firming eye cream can help increase your skin’s collagen supply and help counteract the dark circles. 

Many under-eye concealers contain light-diffusing pigments that reflect the light in such a way that they blur the look of fine lines and lighten up dark shadows. 

You can also try using yellow-toned concealers, as the yellow pigment can help neutralise the purply-blue undertone and help minimise the appearance of dark circles.

Always use concealers sparingly and ensure you blend them properly so they don’t look ‘caked on’.

Tip #4. Smoothing

When awake, you use your eyes every second of the day (no wonder they can look tired).

When you’re young, your skin is supple and elastic enough to spring back after you’ve made an expression.

However, as you get older and your skin loses its elasticity, repetitive crinkling eventually becomes character of your face.

To help thicken up the skin around your eye area, or your face in general, look out for skincare products that make use of Retinol. 

If you have sensitive skin – milder Retinol derivatives like Retinyl Palmitate.

Retinol has been around for years and is still one of the most proven anti-wrinkle ingredients you’ll find on the shelf. 

Aside from stimulating collagen and elastin production, Retinol also helps to speed up cell renewal, which exfoliates your face to reveal brighter, fresher looking skin.

Above all, Retinol is an antioxidant, which is beneficial in helping to offset the ageing effects free radicals have on your skin.

Tip #5. Stimulate

As we age, we all need to reach out for help in the stimulation depart so we can age gracefully. Jade rollers are one option that will help to keep you looking younger by improving your skins elasticity. 

Why use a Jade Roller?

The gentle pressure of a jade roller helps to stimulate circulation leaving your facial muscles more relaxed. Daily use encourages lymphatic drainage, which boosts the skin’s natural detoxification process.

By removing your skins toxins, you are allowing your skin to rejuvenate itself which in turn you will visibly notice a more toned and lifted face.

How to use a Jade Roller

For best results, start at the chin by rolling the jade roller, working in a gentle upward rolling motion. Gently roll in all directions (up, down and sidewards directions), being extremely gentle around the delicate under-eye area. 

Most effective on cleansed skin, use to massage in skincare products such as facial oils, serums, or moisturiser. 

Can also be used on an uncleansed face at the end of a busy day for reducing facial tension.

Great for relieving sinus pressure and headaches. 

For a more cooling experience, store your jade roller the fridge. The naturally cooling sensation helps to calm the skin, reduce puffiness and soothe inflammation.

As your hands are another indication of your age, you can help to disguise the signs of ageing by nurturing your hands with a weekly hand care ritual.

With your hands constantly on show, they are another subtle sign of the ageing process, slow down the ageing process by following these 7 steps for ageless hands.

Step 1: Manicure 

It’s important to take care of your cuticle, hands and nails on a regular basis.

Nails need to be trimmed and shaped, cuticles need to be pushed back and hands need to be exfoliated. 

If you don’t have the time to Manicure them yourself, consider having one of our Signature Manicures and let us take care of them for you.

Step 2: Tidy

Your cuticles will always look neat and tidy with simple daily maintenance.

If you let your cuticles grow onto your nail beds they will stifle your natural nail growth. 

Each day after your shower when they are soft is the best time to gently push back your cuticles with a cuticle stick. 

This process will make your nails appear longer while simultaneously keeping your cuticles tidy and healthy.

Step 3: Nurture 

To avoid split, dry cuticles, nurture them on a nightly basis by applying Solar Oil before you go to sleep. 

Solar Oil is a cuticle oil containing oils of Jojoba and vitamin E, which is a perfect mixture to create stronger, healthier nails.

Great for conditioning your cuticles and nourishing your nails. 

Step 4: Exfoliate

Your hands will improve dramatically if you exfoliate them once a week.

Using a regular exfoliant will help to remove dry skin leaving them feeling soft and supple. 

Exfoliating helps to achieve a healthy glowing skin by increasing blood circulation plus your hand cream will be able to penetrate your skin if there isn’t a layer of dry skin in the way.

Step 5: Hydrate

To avoid dry skin, moisturise your hands and nails by applying hand cream after every second hand wash.

That’s right every second-hand wash.

Why so often, you ask… chemicals from hand soap and hand sanitiser strip moisture from your skin and nails, making your hands dry and your nails brittle. 

Each time you use hand cream you are replacing lost moisture so your hands will always remain hydrated. 

Step 6: Rejuvenate

For intense hydration consider having a Paraffin Hand Treatment every few months.

This treatment is a lovely way to rejuvenate your hands and feet. 

Warm paraffin wax infuses Collagen cream into your skin’s layers revealing silky smooth skin.

Step 7: Protect

Not into painting your own nails… consider applying a nail strengthener or clear nail polish to protect your nails against everyday wear and tear. 

If you are craving a high gloss semi-permanent solution to painting your own nails consider booking in for a Shellac Manicure.  

If you love painting your nails yourself make sure you always apply a base coat (which anchors the nail polish to your nails).

Then apply  2 coats of colour followed by top coat (which helps double the length of time required between manicures) which adds shine and helps to prevent your polish chipping.

Don’t have time to take care of your hands and nails properly, consider booking in for regularly monthly Manicures. 

At the start of a new year we all make some resolutions to start taking better care of ourselves.  

These easy beauty resolutions will help you create a new self-care routine and start the new year with a fresh outlook. 

Resolution #1. Clean Your Brushes

You pretty much use them every day, but how many times a year do you wash your make-up brushes? For most of us, it’s close to none. 

The general rule is to wash your concealer and foundation sponges and brushes at least once a week. 

Your eye shadow and liner brushes once a fortnight and all other brushes (including your hairbrush) once a month. 

Gently wash the bristles with brush cleaner or a gentle facial cleanser, keeping the handle of the brushes dry then gently press out the excess water on some paper towel or a clean tissue and leave to air dry overnight. 

Resolution #2 Wear Sunscreen Everyday

If there is one beauty resolution to live by, it should be to wear sunscreen every day, including cloudy days. While UVB – the rays which burn your skin – might not be as strong during the cooler months, the ageing UVA rays are present all year round. 

With SPF50+ now available, increase your skin protection factor to the highest possible rating and save your complexion from unnecessary daily damage. 

Resolution #3. Try out some new skin care products

Your skin gets used to the same products so switch it up every time the season changes. It takes time to achieve a flawless complexion, so give your products around 6 – 8 weeks to prove their efficacy. 

Anti-ageing and targeted treatments like skin brightening serums usually take about 6 weeks of daily application to start showing results, while a total skin care regime overhaul should see improvements in around 4 – 6 weeks. Definitely try other products if you’re not getting any results after 8 weeks.

Resolution #4. Nourish your nails and cuticles

During the warmer months nails can become dehydrated just like your hair and skin. Factors like soaps, dish washing detergent, and too much fun in the sun will affect the strength of your nails, potentially causing them to become brittle and break, chip, or flake. 

You can repair the damage with a good hand cream that you should apply at least (minimum) twice a day and a cuticle oil that you apply last thing at night before you go to bed. 

Other helpful things you can do to repair some damage is to always wear gloves when doing your dishes and always use acetone-free nail polish remover. 

When purchasing your next nail shade, look for nail polishes that are Formaldehyde, DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate) and Toluene FREE.

Resolution #5. Shelve your shampoo

Do you wash your hair every day? It may be time to stop. Daily washing can strip your scalp of natural oils, leaving it dehydrated. In turn your scalp will produce more oil to help balance the moisture, making it even oilier. 

Generally washing your hair every second day is fine. It might take a while for your scalp to readjust, so use a dry shampoo to soak up any unwanted sebum which will leave your hair looking clean and healthy between washes.  

Softer lips will be yours if you follows these 7 simple tips.

Tip 1. Remove

Always remove your lip stain at the end of the day. 

Tip 2. Exfoliate

Exfoliate your lips with a lip scrub or an old toothbrush dipped in olive or coconut oil twice a week to remove dead skin cells.

Tip 3. Protect

To keep them hydrated and protected throughout the day always wear a balm that contains at least SPF 15.

Tip 4. Don’t Lick them

If they are dry or cracked try to avoid licking your lips as saliva will dry your them out.

Tip 5. Balm

Keep your lips moisturised by wearing a lip balm to bed and leaving it on overnight. 

Tip 6. Drink H20

When a person is dehydrated, one of the first places it will show is on their lips, so drink plenty of water, not just in summer but all year round.

Tip 7. Avoid matte lipsticks

Even though they look amazing on any face, try to avoid matte lipstick as they tend to dry out your lips. 

For daytime wear opt for moisturising lipsticks and leave the matte lippies for evening wear.

Using our Contouring 101, a 5 step process, you will be able to master the popular makeup trend of the moment. 

Step 1. Coverage

Step 2. Highlight 

Use a luminising concealer as they are lighter on the skin than a standard concealer which gives a much a softer look.

Never apply darker shades around your eye area as this will make you look tired.

Step 3. Shadow

Try using a foundation or sculpting powder that is one to two shades darker around the your temples, deep in the contours of the cheeks and around the jawline.

Apply a light thin line down each side of your nose.

Step 4. Blend 

Blending is the most important part of contouring.

Work the product into your skin by using beauty blender or stipple brush.

Start by blending out the highlighter across all the high points of your face.

Next blend out the darker sections of your face. 

When blending the two parts into each other, use a dabbing motion rather than a wiping motion.

It will help blend the products into the skin whilst still keeping the definition of the light and shade.

Step 5. Glow 

Finish with a luminiser on all of the high points of your face – the ridge of your nose, inner corners of your eyes and the top of your cheek bones which will give your skin a radiant glow.