Makeup artists to follow on Periscope

Have you tried/heard of Periscope? If you don't know much about it, it's an app that lets people broadcast live from anywhere in the world. You follow people and then get alerted when they are streaming live (aka scoping). You can then interact with the person scoping - ask questions, join in their conversation or tap the screen to make very cute little heart bubbles appear to show that you like what they're saying.

But what I've found Periscope so incredibly useful for is watching the scopes with some of the top makeup artists. Sometimes they focus on a particular topic, for example, the contents of their pro kit, what rates to charge, how to deal with difficult clients, but sometimes (and this is gold) they scope themselves doing makeup on clients. Which means you get to see their technique up close. Invaluable!

I have learned so much from these artists so wanted to share some of my favourites with you:

My favourite foundations for brides

I am in the thick of bridal season so I thought I’d share the two foundations that I turn to again and again for brides. They look beautiful on the skin, they don’t flash back and they have serious staying power.

Armani Luminous Silk
Yes, it’s pricey (although it is currently on sale here for £33.30!) but in my opinion it is worth every penny and is a key part of my bridal kit. I’d say it gives a medium coverage (although it's flexible enough to sheer out or build it up) but it really does looks like real skin. By the way, when I say it looks like real skin, what I really mean is that it looks like you have naturally perfect skin. Which makes it the holy grail of foundations for me.

I love to apply with fingers and then buff it into the skin to create a flawless finish. Although is has the word 'luminous' in the name, it's not overly glowy - it creates a natural radiance, making it great for even us oily skinned ladies. It also lasts and lasts – and looks beeeeautiful in photographs (thanks to the absence of SPF - so if you're wearing it on a daily basis then do remember to whack on that sunscreen).

I've recently ran a few one-to-one makeup lessons for people who have never worn makeup. This foundation is the one that ever single person has tried and then gone out and bought. And when I wear it, my skin gets so many compliments and sadly I do not have perfect skin without it (hello redness and acne scarred chin ;) so it really does work wonders.

Makeup Forever HD/Ultra HD Foundation
Ah another classic! I started using the original HD foundation a few years back and have never looked back. Both the original HD and the latest Ultra HD foundations give more of a medium to full coverage, perfect if you want a flawless finish on your big day, but you can sheer it out beautifully with a damp beauty blender.

As with the Armani, they have excellent staying power and photograph like a dream (it’s used by many a TV personality as it looks great under the camera). The finish with the original HD foundation is more matte which I personally quite like on a wedding day as you can always add glow with your highlighter and control the shine. However, the Ultra HD foundation gives a lovely natural radiance to the skin. I have both in my kit and absolutely love them.

I used to have to head to Guru Makeup Emporium to get this but the Makeup Forever range is now available at Debenhams.


If you decide to do your makeup yourself for your wedding, then my advice would be to try and get your hands on a couple of foundation samples before investing in the full size. It means that you can check that the colour is the perfect match, that the finish is what you want and test the all important lasting factor. Most sales assistants will be more than happy to give you a sample, especially if you explain that it's for your wedding day, but if you do struggle to get one, then ebay is a great place to try.

Another tip: if you're finding it hard to decide between a few foundations, then try putting one foundation on the right side of your face and the other on the left side. Check in regularly throughout the day to see how they are wearing. This makes it so much easier to work out which is the best one for you and means you are testing both under the same conditions. It's a little test I do when deciding whether to add a new product to my kit and always works a treat :)

My favourite makeup looks from Cannes

Kirsten Dunst's makeup at Cannes has been amazing but this was my favourite look of hers and my favourite look at this year's Cannes Film Festival. The eye makeup is absolutely beautiful - such a subtle touch of colour and sparkle in the crease. It looks fresh and modern and complements the dusky pink dress beautifully.

Bella Hadid looks absolutely gorgeous. The makeup here is softly polished and monchromatic - her skin is dewy, that contour is perfect and the touch of gold on her eyes looks perfect with the metallic dress. If like me you love Charlotte Tilbury makeup, you can read the products that makeup artist Patrick Ta for Charlotte Tilbury Beauty used on Bella here.

This makeup on Jessica Chastain was done by the legendary Mary Greenwell so I am not surprised at all that it's one of my favorites. That woman is a genius! This is old Hollywood at it's best. Jessica's skin looks flawless, that pinky nude lip works so well with the buttercup yellow dress and the eyes are subtly smokey.

I love a statement matte red lip but it's really refreshing to see the rest of the face toned down with it. The brows look natural and full, the eyes have a gentle golden sheen on them and the warm contour ties it all together perfectly.

What have your favourite looks from Cannes been this year?

All images via Glamour Magazine.

My favourite chemist/drugstore makeup

The contents of my makeup bag is constantly changing. I have products that I'm testing to see if they're good enough to go into the pro kit (I tend to test them for about a week) and a selection of drugstore products that deliver just as well as their higher end counterparts, but are much more affordable ;)

Here are my current favourites:

Collection Speedy Highlighter, £3.99
This gives the skin such a beautiful sheen. No chunky glitter just a gorgeous glow. I find the best way to apply it is with a stippling brush onto the tops of cheekbones and ideally follow with a cream blush (the Barry M Make Me Blush stick ones are a great affordable option).

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation, £9.99
I just love this foundation. It really is on a par with its higher-end counterparts. It provides a medium coverage and a beautifully dewy finish. As my skin is on the oily side, I do have to powder every 3/4 hours or so just to make sure I don't go from glowy to oil slick, but with a finish and price point this good, it's definitely worth it.

Maybelline Super Stay 14 Hour Lipstick in Infinitely Fuchsia, £6.99
I heard of this via Lisa Eldridge's channel and she's right (when is she ever wrong?!) this is the perfect bright pink and has excellent staying power. You can dab it on for a stain or really go for it for a punch of colour. So great with a tan. I like to work it into my lips with a brush, blot, and then apply it from the bullet. It is not going to budge.

Max Factor Creme Puff blusher in Nude Mauve, £8.99
This is the perfect blush for a super natural colour. There is no way to overdo this. Perfect for when you're running out the door and need a bit of colour on your cheeks. And great with a bold lip/eye. It won't fight with the star of the show but it will stop you from looking too washed out.

Do you have any current favourites?

The affordable matte lipstick that I'm loving

If you happen to wander into Boots this week, do yourself a favour and head on over to the Soap and Glory concession to have a look at their latest lipstick line. The matte lipsticks are incredible!

I was after a pinky red for a job I have coming up and after seeing the swatches on Jane's blog, knew that Pommie Girl was the exact shade I was looking for.

Swatch of Pommie Girl and bonus ropey selfie ;)

It is beautifully creamy and pigmented and yet nice and matte on the lips. As a fan of matte lipsticks but not a fan of an overly drying formula, these are for the win.

And at £9 I think they're worth every penny. They have 25 lipsticks in this new line, split between reds, pinks and nudes. I'm currently trying to resist popping back to pick up Tom & Cherry (that name is adorable) to check out the satin formula...

You can find the Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker lipsticks here: www.boots.com/en/Soap-Glory/Make-up/Lips/ 

Chili

After a hunt that has lasted pretty much all of 2009(!), I have fiiiinally found a red lippie that actually suits me - Mac's Chili.

If you're on the hunt for the perfect red then I thoroughly recommend giving this one a try (especially if, like me, you're a brunette with skin that constantly needs bronzer to make you look less like an extra from the Twilight movies).

I can't stop wearing it. Every oufit suddenly looks a bit more glam.

Cute braids

Perfect for balmy summer days

Images sourced from Late Afternoon and Stockholm Street Style