The Best and Worst Mascaras

Summer Makeup Primers for All Skin Types

Finding the Best Summer Lipgloss á la Blair Waldorf

5 Products for a Simple Summer Makeup Routine

May Beauty Empties

April Beauty Favourites

Beauty Products for Skin Prone to Redness

Do you have sensitive skin prone to redness? My skin can be difficult to look after as it can often react when I use the wrong beauty products. One of my regular skin concerns is reducing the appearance of redness and also trying to find sensitive-skin "friendly" skincare. Today I've gathered together some skincare and some makeup products that I think are all good options for skin that's prone to redness. If you have similar skin concerns then I hope you find my recommendations helpful, but please do let me know in a comment if you use any products that you think I should try out!

A good place to start when it comes to looking after sensitive skin and reducing redness is with a gentle cleanser. I really like RMK's Cleansing Balm* - it has a very natural, gentle rose scent and a rich, oily consistency. It's wonderfully gentle on the skin but still removes makeup like a dream! And because it's a balm cleanser it doesn't dry out your skin, so it's left completely clean but still soft, supple and hydrated.

If you can't afford to invest in a new cleanser, or if you already like what you're using, another great option is to introduce a gentle cleansing sponge into your routine. Many people use muslin clothes, flannels or even wet towels to remove their cleanser - these can all be quite harsh on sensitive skin and leave it looking red. Konjac Puff Sponges are a much gentler alternative - in the past I've tried their grey sponge, but right now I'm using the Konjac Sponge with French Clay for Tired or Devitalised Skin*. It has a really gorgeous consistency, almost bouncy when wet, and it makes it really easy to gently cleanse your skin. Not only that, but the structure of the sponge also helps to gently massage the skin and help stimulate bloodflow which helps skin to naturally look more refreshed. I got mine from Eterno Naturals, an online natural beauty store that stock the entire range of Konjac Sponges - there's different colours for every skin, but this pink one is a good choice for more sensitive skin.

Clayspray's Aloetherapy White Clay and Aloe Vera Treatment Mask* featuring what the brand describes as "intelligent clay". Unlike other claymasks, the white and red clay in each Mineral Treatment Mask contain a really high percentage of pure clay, 60-65%. Not only is this clay some of the oldest in the world (millions of years old) but it has loads of benefits such as being deep cleansing and removing environmental toxis but without disrupting the skin's lipidic barrier, so it restores the skin's hydration levels where it's needed. Clayspray have a range of facemasks but their Aloe Vera treatment is especially for sensitive and reactive skin. If you've always found clay masks too harsh in the past then this is the clay mask that you need to replace all the others with. Not only is it paraben, preservative, natural and vegan-friendly, but it's also really kind to otherwise sensitive and red-prone skin. I think it's a really great product.

If you're looking for a new moisturiser to try then I'd recommend checking out Steamcream*. It features high quality, sustainably sourced ingredients - including calming essentials oils - which nourish deep into the skin's surface whilst natural antiseptic properties help to banish redness and prevent oiliness. This makes it a great option for sensitive or problematic skin! Ingredients such as Oatmeal, Almond Oil, Cocoa Butter, Lavendar Essential Oil and Rose Absolute all work to leave skin hydrated and loooking more even and smooth. I've really enjoyed incorproating Steamcream into my evening skincare routine, but it's light enough to use at any time of day. If it sounds like a product you're interested in then you should check out my Steamcream Giveaway as I have four tins (all featuring different limited edition designs) to give away to my blog readers - all you have to do is enter via the giveaway form.

Even with great skincare I'm still left with visible redness in my skin. However, in February I had my makeup done at the RMK counter in Selfridges and I was shown two easy ways to mask redness using some of their limited edition products from their Vintage Sweets Collection. The Vintage Sweets Face Colour in 02* features stripes of colour that can be used together or alone. If you take a small brush you can collect pigment from the green stripes which you can apply to localised areas of your face - on my face, I apply the green powder around my nose and across patches of redness on my cheeks. The green powder masks redness really well and the colour isn't noticeable after you've gently buffed it into the skin. Another great way to conceal redness in your cheeks is with RMK's Candy Cheeks Blush in 04* as the blue tones also work to conceal redness. However, not only does it balance the colour in my cheeks but it also adds a very natural looking warm flush that I find incredibly flattering on my skin.

What beauty products do you use to reduce or conceal redness in your skin? 

Click here to enter my Steamcream Giveaway to win a limited edition tin of your choice

February Beauty Favourites

Spring Makeup: Blushing Beauties

(clockwise/left to right: Kevyn Aucoin, NYX, RMK, Mac)

This is the first in what is going to be my spring makeup mini-series - where I share the new beauty products in my collection that I think work perfectly for fresh-faced spring make-up looks. I'm kicking it off with spring blushes and I thought I'd share the range of shades that I'll be reaching for a lot in the coming weeks.

Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Glow in Liquifuchsia*

I thought I'd kick things off with a punchy pink! At first glance Liquifuchsia is a quite an intimidating shade, it's a bright, bright fuchsia but it comes in a seriously gorgeous cream formula that sets down into just a slightly powdery finish. This means that you get all the blendability of a cream product and you can really sheer the colour out until you're happy with the finish. However, you also find that it lasts really, really well and doesn't slip, slide or transfer anywhere that you don't want it. I find that if I buff or stipple this blush slightly higher on my cheeks than I normally would, the finished effect is a really bright, fresh-faced look. You don't even really notice the colour either, as the pink-glow it offers isn't at all stark after a bit of blending. In short, I am in love with the formula of Kevyn Aucoin's Creamy Glows and I think that its price is entirely justified. I also find that it works quite well as a lip colour (I shared a photo on twitter of me wearing it) so I might justify getting another shade on the basis that they're a great multi-tasking product.

NYX Cream Blush in Tickled

I picked this up whilst I was in Greece and it's actually my first NYX Blush. Tickled is a gorgeous shimmering coral colour that reminds me of Sleek's Powder Blush in Rose Gold and Nars' Powder Blush in Orgasm/Super Orgasm - they all have that pretty, shimmery thing going on for them that just makes your cheeks glow. I find the formula of Tickled really thin and sheer (much sheerer than the higher end cream blushes I'm used to), however, this means that you can really build the colour up to the exact finish you want. You won't ever overdo it and end up looking like a doll. It's really easy to apply and blend and the finished look is incredibly brightening and pretty. This is a great budget option and I'm really glad I have it in my collection, I'd definitely like to try more of these blushes in the future.

RMK's Vintage Candy Cheeks Blush in 04*

In comparison to the other blushes I've swatched you might think that RMK's Vintage Candy Cheeks Blush isn't quite as pretty or enticing. However, on my cheeks it does something really special to the way my face looks. It effortlessly adds shape, colour and definition - as well as helping to reduce the natural red-tone of my "english rose" cheeks. Not only do I find the packaging adorable but the colour is sophisticated without being ageing. If you want simple, everyday makeup that's easy to apply and will leave you looking fabulous every time then RMK's Vintage Candy Cheeks Blushes are the one to go for. I like pairing it with a minimal, glossy lip and big winged-out black eyeliner - simple maybe, but oh so chic.

Mac Cremeblend Blush in Brit Wit

I chose Mac's Brit Wit as a Christmas present as I was charmed by the elegance and simplicity of a neutral-pink blush. I thought it would be an easy and natural looking way to add some shape to my face without over-loading it with colour - especially as red-lipsticks been my obsession for the last two months! I was entirely right. Brit Wit is a gorgeous shade and the formula of Mac's Cremeblend Blushes is really nice - it's not as sheer as NYX, and less powdery than Kevyn Aucoin. It reminds me of a cross between Illamasqua's Cream Blushes and Stila's Convertible Colours - not as thick as Stila and not as thin and slippery as Illamasqua. Basically, it's a gorgeous formula that's easy to blend, lasts just long enough (especially if you add a bit of translucent powder) and acts as a perfect "finisher" to any makeup look featuring bold, bright colours on the eyes or lips.

Do you like the shades I chose - which of them is your favourite? 

What blushers will you be reaching for this spring?

RMK's "Vintage Sweets" Spring 2015 Collection (AKA My Valentine's Crush)

A couple of weeks ago I was very kindly invited to celebrate the launch of RMK's Spring Beauty Collection - "Vintage Sweets" - at RMK's Selfridges counter. I was able to see all of the new collection in person, as well as some of RMK's permanent makeup and skincare collection. First, I was offered a facial in which my makeup was removed using RMK's Cleansing Balm - an absolutely gorgeous rose-scented cleanser that left my skin feeling incredibly soft. Once my makeup was completely removed, my skin was prepped and I was then given a makeover by RMK's Senior Makeup Artist, Tatsuya Kaneko (pictured above).

All I can say was that he was simply incredible at his job - identifying all the right products for my skin and applying them absolutely flawlessly. I was shown how to quickly and easily reduce the look of redness in my skin (which is one of my longstanding skin "issues") and then we had a play around with which of the Vintage Sweets Collection would really suit me. It was settled that I would have a grey smokey eye coupled with a subtle pop of colour on my cheeks and a glossy nude lip. I adored the finished look and RMK very kindly agreed to send me some of the collection so I could recreate it for myself at home.

Two of my favourite products from the Vintage Sweets Collection are the double ended mascaras. They come with top and bottom lash brushes in two different colours. I chose Shade 04 (blue and pink) because I saw in person how nice the combination looked. However, they also had options with black and brown so that you could take advantage of a high-end mascara that you could wear to work and then you could add a pop of colour to your lower lashes in the evening. I found that the mascaras gave incredible length and they held a curl really, really well. I've been left knowing that I'll be investing in RMK's mascaras again in the future as they're entirely worth their high-end price tag. 

The other product that I really love is the Drop Gloss in shade 04 (Butterscotch). Not only is the packaging really eye catching - and apparently the swirl will stay in place even after many uses - but it smells exactly like Butterscotch, incredibly sweet. There are four shades in the range, each one has a different name and a scent to match. I've also tried the shade 'Cassis' and that had a much lighter scent and a very pretty pale pink tint. Butterscotch, on the other hand, has a sheer dark-nude tint that's very easy to wear and incredibly glossy.

top to bottom: Sweet Sugar Eyes in Sugar Gray, Vintage Candy Cheeks in 04 (Mocha Brown) and Vintage Sweets Face Colour in 02.

I really can't stress how much I love this collection - everything looks gorgeous and the products all work brilliantly together. I'm aware that I haven't provided swatches but I will be featuring all these products in upcoming makeup looks and beauty posts so keep your eyes peeled for those - along with some tips on how to apply these products to make the most of the collection! 

Whilst I'm at it I'd like to wish you all a very happy Valentine's Day! I hope you've enjoyed this post and do keep your eyes peeled for more on RMK coming up soon - this collection is just stunning and it's my real pleasure to be able to share it with you all.

My Valentine's Day Roses

What's In My Handbag

I haven't done one of these types of posts before but I do enjoy reading them! I have to admit that I did forget to include my iPhone in the above picture and I usually also always lug my blogging camera around with me but I was using it to take the photo… so you're going to just have to use your imagination and pretend I've included them.

My handbag is one of Topshop's studded clutch bags (but I wear it with a strap) which I picked up off Ebay for just under £10. I'm so over Topshop's pricing but there are sometimes pieces that I just can't live without, so I usually try my best to pick them up the next season when everyone puts them on ebay! My purse is from Osprey and this was a similar "bargain" as I picked it up from TK Maxx just over a year ago. I didn't realise how battered it looked until I came to photograph this post! I'll have to look into getting a new one soon.

As a Londoner I'm obliged to carry around an oyster card wherever I go and I currently have mine housed in a Lipcote travel card holder that I got at an event a looong time ago. Again, this is something I need to upgrade in the new year! If you have any suggestions on where to find stylish card holders then I'd love to hear them. I also always carry around a pen and a little notebook - I'm a list writer and I much prefer hand writing notes than putting them onto my phone. 

Beauty-wise, I always have at least a couple of bits in my handbag, although not as many as you might think. I deliberately carry a small bag so I have to limit what I use on a regular basis. I always carry a hairbrush, and at the moment I'm loving my Compact Styler TangleTeezer*. I usually also carry a hairspray to add volume or tame my hair if I end up looking a bit windswept. At the moment I'm loving Umberto Giannini's Backcomb in A Bottle* which is honestly the best volumising aerosol spray that I've ever tried - and the dinky bottle is perfect for carrying around with me!

In terms of makeup I really don't ever carry around much! I usually carry a mirror - in the form of either RMK's Kaleidoscope Nuance Colour* or Stila's Convertible Colour Blush Palette, or on this occasion I found both in my bag! I also usually carry a lip balm, at the moment I'm keeping EOS's Blueberry and Acai* lip balm in my bag. When I apply this in public I get so many funny looks, but it's a nice one to use on-the-go. I'd then usually throw in whatever lipstick or gloss I'd put on that morning and carry that around with me too. But apart from these items I'm not someone to lug a big makeup bag around with me. I'd rather apply long lasting makeup that I can trust, or add a little bit of powder if I know I'm going to be wearing cream blushes (in which case I'd just throw a clean Real Techniques face brush into the inner pocket of my bag and powder using my RMK Nuance Colour).

What are your handbag essentials?

The New Thing: RMK Kaleidoscope Nuance Color 01

RMK is a new brand on my radar but my oh my it has kicked up a bit of a storm in its wake! RMK's Kaleidoscope Nuance Color* is part of RMK's 2014 Spring collection. I hadn't heard much about their 2014 collection but when I saw just how beautiful this finishing powder was I got excited at the prospect of an entire range that would look like this! Don't be fooled by it's many colours, they blend together to form an almost translucent skin perfecting finish. 

When you first use it the golden lines disappear and you are left with a multi-coloured powder that blends together into a gorgeous, glowing highlighter. The blues, pinks, browns and creams all blend together into a very subtle, very wearable skin perfecter/highlighting product. I think because of how this powder looks there are a number of different ways to wear it. If you're going out in the evening and you want to add some glitz to your face you could apply this all over - the tones of the powder 'perfect' the look of the skin but it does also contain very fine shimmer. I can't stress how fine it is though, and under lighting of all kinds it adds so much radiance without being too in your face. However, if you concentrate your brush on the side of the palette with the brown shades then you pick up an overall darker colour (albeit very subtle) and this is supposed to offer a very natural contour colour. If you want to see how it looks when used as a contour then I'd direct you towards Tongue in Chic where there are some great snaps of this product at work (link here).

Above is my swatch of how the powder looks when you swirl your brush across the entire palette. You you can see that where the product is there is a glow but it looks like a second skin rather than a make-up product. When applied like this the powder just finishes off your make-up perfectly. I'm a really big fan of this product and the packaging makes it such a glam little addition to my handbag! 

As a brand RMK is now firmly on my beauty radar and the rest of their Spring Line is calling out to me - you can find more of their beautiful products online here.