autumn beauty essentials

It has suddenly turned very cold here in London, which means that not only have the coats and scarves suddenly surfaced, but I have also had to dig out the skincare big guns. And it’s not all about fancy, expensive potions to protect against these unpredictable elements. Two days ago we had sheets of rain, wind and then blazing sunshine in one day. Yikes.

So, first of all and perhaps most importantly, I have amped up my cleanser to Eve Lom’s Morning Time Cleanser. If you are put off by strong, herby smelling products – this is not for you. If you also don’t like a buttery, balmy cleanser – this is also not for you. But my god, I love this. The smell reminds me a little of Elizabeth Arden’s 8 Hour Cream and consistency of Organic Pharmacy’s Carrot Butter Cleanser. It is a real wake-me-up for the skin and feels more than a little moisturising and toning for a cleanser thanks to a combination of Chamomile, Carrot Oil and Clove Oil. Purely indulgent.

Next: moisturiser. I think I have discovered my moisturiser soul mate. I am in love with Dr Organic’s Snail Gel Cream. Your first thought may be, erm WTF – snail gel???!! Yes, go with it. The power of snail’s slime has been proven to be a healer and is naturally high in collagen. The bottom line is: it feels ultra moisturising whilst not greasy. It tones. It is a grafter. A hard worker.

Finally, I love bareMinerals Primers, which act as a brilliant base for makeup. Even if it’s a little concealer over the top. And as a cherry on top, I am not usually one for fake tan as such, but this Faux Tan from bareMinerals adds a very subtle glow when mixed with moisturiser. I always get compliments when I wear this and my complexion looks more ‘healthy’. I wore it on my wedding day and how worn it looks is a testament to how much I love it. 

Autumn, I am ready. 

Eve Lom Morning Time Cleanser, £40
Dr Organic Snail Gel Cream, £19.99 from Holland and Barrett stores 
bareMinerals Prime Time Foundation Primer, £23

bareMinerals Faux Tan Face Gradual Glow Sunless Tanner, £18

Just The Ticket

I am off to the theatre tonight. To keep things simple, I have gone for a natural, dewy look, nothing too overdone. I have found myself reaching for the same products all summer for makeup actually: something gold for the eyelids and something shiny on my nails. Tonight, bareMinerals Prime Time Brightening Eye Primer is my sister saviour. You can use this on its own or with shadow on top. Either way, you’ll end up with crease-free luminous lids. Then it’s a glossy sheer pink pearly nail. I love the Natural Collection polishes. They are so affordable and surprisingly long-lasting.

Finally, it’s some big fat earrings, my grandmother’s clutch, lots and lots of mascara and my theatre ticket.

Shine On

 

I am in high spirits at the moment. You know, the usual, pretending to plan party makeup, but actually just wearing the party makeup too early and looking very glittery even during the day. That's the way I roll.

I am indeed like a magpie and appreciate all things shiny, sparkly and both shiny and sparkly at the same time. Much to my boyfriend's disdain, who is an ardent minimalist, I try and incorporate sparkles as often as I can. 

 

Therefore, it's probably no surprise that I fell head over heels for bareMinerals High Shine Eyecolors. They promise smooth, lasting and oh-so-blendable colour and they deliver. Just enough sparkle (to get away with)for day and more than enough shine for night.
I would apply with a brush to ensure no drop off. 

 

Shine on. 

 

High Shine Eyecolors, £14 at bareMinerals counters nationwide

Are You Made of Stone...

I am now feeling very autumnal indeed. Although we saw a glimpse of an Indian Summer, this evening is rainy and windy. The two main ingredients that together herald the official start of autumn. 

However, I am also excited to wear more stoney, pebble-brown shades on nails and lips and pack away the pastels until next year. Even on the eyes, a soft golden-brown seems more appropriate. Barielle's new Style in Argyle collection is made up of the most beautiful minky, brown and tawny shades for nails. So chic with black. I love their winter-inspired names too, such as Tight Knit and Wool You Marry Me. I am also quite taken with Rococo Nail Apparel's Brown Button Creme, which is a lovely cross between brown and burgundy-red.

Finally, nothing says Autumn quite like a statement lip. But instead of full-on block colour, I am opting for a softer stain on the lips, which looks much more modern and gives the appearance of a 'freshly bitten lip' that's so alluring. bareMinerals Parfait and Sweet Apricot are super-soft, creamy and are made from 100% natural ingredients.

What's not to get excited about?

Barielle Nail Colours, £8

Rococo Nail Apparel, £11.50

bareMinerals 100% Natural Lipcolours, £13

Mister Mascara

I have decided that mascaras are like men and basically fall in to two main categories.

The first is the mascara that gives you big love and big lashes. This is the one that comes all guns blazing, makes your eyes look about ten times bigger than they are and you wonder how you ever lived without this product or have ever been happy with any other mascara before. This is the equivalent of the rough and ready bad-boy man who is as addictive as he is cocky. Much like this mascara that just screams 'I-know-I'm-your-beauty-golden-ticket-baby'. For some reason, this mascara also finishes quicker than any other mascara you've ever used too, perhaps because of the ferocious new style of application that it begs for. But, one day, you'll wake up and find it has run out and run dry, much like that type of man who has also always 'runs out'. And then, the worst thing, is you'll find it has also been discontinued and the search for the best mascara is resurrected.

Then, the other type of mascara is a kind and gentle sort. It will not change your world, but it does look after your lashes, gently coating each one for understated definition. Like that lovely geek in your social circle, or at school or at work who you know will treat you right. But, for some reason, like this type of man, you can never remain faithful to this type of mascara and will always keep searching for that golden-ticket mascara that will give you the big lashes you once had on the side.

From left:
Givenchy, Phenomen'eyes, £19.50 (Baaaad-boy)
Estee Lauder, Double-Wear Zero Smudge Lengthening Mascara, £17.50 (Kind and Sweet)
bareMinerals, Flawless Definition Volumising, £15.00 (Playa-bad and bargainlicious)
bareMinerals, Flaless Definition, £15.00 (Couldn't be nicer if it tried and infused with minerals!)

Rosey Cheeks

Now that the sunshine has arrived, I am feeling rosey. I actually never realised how much of a difference blusher makes to your appearance until about a year ago when i was having some make up done at a make up counter. It was late. I decided to treat myself.
I wondered down to the beauty hall and tried out a new shade of blusher as a quick, little pick-me-up. I returned back the office and a friend at work immediately exclaimed "You're all dolled up! Where are you going?" I was actually just going home, but it made me think.
Blusher is a beauty staple I had been totally missing off during my beauty routine. I have learnt from my mistakes however and I'm pleased to say that blusher is back in the star line up.

Colour Me Pretty

I bought the most beautiful pair of feather earrings from a tiny second hand shop in Soho, which subsequently my boyfriend said were waaay to kitsch, but hey, i was rocking them the very next day. Anyway, the colours of the feather were so sultry and reminded me of Tahitian beauties in Gauguin's paintings. I am also always mesmerised by the kaleidoscopic wheels of eye shadows at bareMinerals counters. The colours they have perfectly matched my earrings. A new sunny gold called Trophy Wife, pale pinky Chic Nude and a darker lining shade, Legit for definition.

I am not one to coordinate my make up with what I am wearing, but I felt this was subtle enough to pull everything together. Especially with the earrings hanging low, framing my face. Jewellery-inspired eyes is all about a sheen that's delicate and understated.
I'm going to work it because I'm worth it.