The one with the actual autumn shoot

Hello folks. Its been a while since I have posted anything, but I have been so busy!! I have been a part of some photo shoots recently, so I just wanted to share some of the shots with you.

Photographer : SmileyJST

Hope you liked the pictures. There's plenty more where that came from!! I'll keep you posted.

Stay blessed. Peace!!

The one with the autumn shoot

I have talked about autumn trends in makeup, but I really wanted to showcase that in a photoshoot. I organised a test shoot to explore ideas and see how the makeup looks in natural lighting. I decided I will have a go at modelling, although I found out its not as easy as it looks. I think I'll just stick working on the model rather than as one!! The makeup was a very light eye with heavy eyeliner and a maroon lip(although in the pics it looks red). Here are a handful of shots the photographer and I chose. 

The last shot is my favourite! I hope you liked the pictures, I certainly enjoyed being in front of the camera. I actually went ahead with the autumn shoot and I am so excited to show you what we achieved. I will post the pics soon. Check out my Facebook page for more updates.

Stay blessed. Peace!

Back to basics - Makeup to suit your skin type

I have previously talked about recognising your skin type and tailoring your skincare to your skin type. But did you know you can also do the same for your makeup? In this post I will be talking about the different types of makeup you can use to you advantage, which can help you achieve the look you want. Its just about making the right choice. 

Oily Skin 

So you think you can't wear foundation because your skin is too oily? You are wrong!! The key to choosing the right foundation is a) the ingredients and b) the formulation. As a former oily skinner, liquid foundations did not work well with my skin. However, the problem was that I was not buying oil free formulations. Back then oil free foundations were just starting out, but now numerous makeup brands offer oil free foundations. Still don't like the idea of a liquid foundation? What about a mousse? Mousse foundations are a good alternative to liquid foundations as they provide the coverage you require without the oily sheen on the face. You probably think I am going to mention powder foundation too, but you are wrong. Personally I have never been a fan of powder foundation, but I do definitely recommend them for touch ups or to set your makeup. Moisturise your face before you apply anything but opt for a mattifying gel moisturiser. Don't forget to Prime Prime Prime your face and lids. It also helps to carry blotting paper around with you (or very thin tissues). Kleenex have now got their own blotting tissues, and let me tell you they work a treat!

Dry Skin 

With dry skin I would do the complete opposite of what I said for oily skin. Well not everything. Just don't use mousse foundations as they will look flaky on your skin. I would definitely advise you to use a primer as it helps to alter the skin's texture, making it smoother and prepped for applying foundation. Even though you do not need to look for oil free formulations, you should still consider the texture of your foundation. Tinted moisturisers that give a medium coverage are great for dry skin. Everyone is talking about BB creams and with many available of the market, why would you not use a beauty balm cream that acts as a foundation while looking after the skin? 

Try to avoid cream blushers. When you apply thick textured makeup on the skin, it will buff your skin making it look even more flaky. Instead stick to a powder blush. Its much softer and you can build up the colour. 

Normal Skin

Well you have got it lucky. I would still test out any new products you are considering to purchase, in case you are allergic or you don't like how they feel on your skin. But there is no rule of thumb for you, go crazy and experiment!!! 

Hope this post helped, plenty more where that came from. 

Stay blessed. Peace!

The one with the autumn/fall trends

The weather is getting chilly, the leaves are falling and its time to pull out the cardigans. Autumn is here, and its not like me to not talk about autumn makeup trends. I have never been a trendsetter or a follower for that matter, and I believe you can wear whatever you like and paint your face however you want to. But there is just something so nice about matching your makeup to the season. 

So when you think of autumn, you think of earthy browns, plums and neutrals. Well you are correct!! Autumn 2012 is no different to previous trends. If you look at previous years, trends within makeup and fashion tend to make a come back. Here are some things you can try to bring autumn into your makeup bag. 

Mulberry lips 

Mulberry, crimson, burgundy, dark plums. This almost gothic look resemble that "just bitten" or "I have had too much vino" look. These colours will look great on all skin colours, and thats what I love about an autumn lip. Wear your strong lip alone during the day, with just a slick of mascara and soft brows, or you can go all out and smoke out your eyes with different shades of brown for an evening look. If you are afraid of the colour, then use the lipstick as a lip stain. Apply lip balm on your lips then lightly dab on some lipstick and blend. Because its an autumn trend, you don't need to splash out on a designer lipstick. Many chemist brands offer this shade, such as revlon in "black cherry". 

Metallic Eyes

This is such a beautiful look. It is so easy to add a bit of metal to your daily makeup look. Wether its gold, silver or even blue, metallic shadows look great on everyone. Either use the metallic shadows all over your lids, or metallic eyeliner, or even just to highlight the inner corners of your eyes. My absolute favourite metallics at the moment are the Maybelline colour tattoo 24 hour eyeshadow creams. I know what you are thinking, creams? They work well, even on my oily eyelids. The colours are so pigmented and last so long. I have "on and on bronze" and "immortal charcoal". 

Flushed Cheeks 

Summer was all about bronzed faces. But now the english rose look is making its come back. That colour your cheeks become when you are out in the cold for too long. To be honest, flushed cheeks were never off trend, but I think the focus is more on the pigmenting medium!! Powder, gel or cream? Wether its a red stain, a rosy powder or a neon pink blush, it may look scary but when worn correctly it can look great.  My preference is cream blush, as it gives an even colour which can be worn under your face powder for a natural look. I love the MAC cream blushers, but if you are looking for something a bit cheaper then there is no harm in using drugstore blushes. Always test your products before you buy, especially cream formulations. 

Moss Green 

Moss green its making its way through the fashion industry, and its making its mark in the makeup world. I recommend green eyeshadows with gold specs, especially for brown and hazel eyes, as it brings out the colour of your eyes. For blue eyes I recommend darker moss colours, almost a charcoal green. 

I hope you enjoyed reading my lengthy post and get to try out these looks. Good luck.

Stay blessed. Peace!!

The one with the body shop goodies

Hey folks! This week has also been busy, but I am back with loads to talk about. In this post I'll be talking about my favourite items from "The Body Shop", mainly focussing on the bath, skincare and scents.

Those of you who are not aware of The Body Shop, they are a well established beauty brand that specialise in fair-trade and animal cruelty free products. You can find bath, body, skincare, makeup and other beauty related accessories. For those that do not have access to a store, you can order online. 

 Here are a pick of my favourite products and why I love them so much. 

So my first pick is the "fuzzy peach" and "raspberry ripple" bath and shower gels. I just finished a 250ml bottle of the raspberry ripple. These shower gels are so scrumptious!! The scent lasts a whole day (if I don't perspire too much). I don't need to use a lot when I shower, and I feel squeaky clean after. I can't say how long a bottle will last you as I use multiple shower gels. At £4.00 per bottle, these are definitely a great buy because they do the job well!

One scent I discovered a few days ago is the mango selection. Mango scented body butters, shower gels, soap and body mists. I used to own the mango body butter, but I was not a fan of the scent back then, and so that put me off the mango smelling products The Body Shop sell. However, I'm not sure if my scent palette has acquired mango, or they have changed the scent, but I am absolutely in love with the mango range. I decided to purchase the mango shower gel and body mist, as layering your scents helps to make it last longer.  The mango body mist is surprisingly concentrated and has good staying power. The mist comes in a glass bottle, rather than the conventional plastic. It gives the product a more luxurious feel, which I like, The downside is that I would be wary to keep it in my handbag incase it decides to shatter! I definitely recommend that you check out the body mist range, as there are numerous scents to choose from. 

Why is it that your favourite items become discontinued or go on sale and tend to not make an appearance when you need them to? That is what has happened with my "raspberry ripple" shower gel and the "lychee blossom" scented products. Lychee blossom is a very sweet scent, with floral undertones. If you are into your sweet scents you will love this. I purchased the body mist, body lotion and perfume. I love to layer my scents for staying power. I can't seem to find these in store at the moment but I am keeping an eye out for them. The same goes for the my "Neroli Jasmine" scent. 

The Neroli Jasmin perfume was a gift, but I really love this fragrance as its a very elegant scent. I visited the store and searched online for it, but alas I could not find it. I was told that it should make a comeback soon, fingers crossed. I decided to purchase the "Japanese Cherry blossom" perfume. Even though it is quite sweet and florally, it has clean and fresh base notes, which means the scent is not too loud. 

Those are my favourite body shop scented products. What's your favourite and why? Let me know. 

Follow me on facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CestLaBeauteMakeup 

Stay blessed. Peace!

The one with the interview mis-haps

Bonjour my fellow beauties. Hope you are well. Yes I'm throwing out post by post but I just have so much to talk about. I must admit, blogging has been quite therapeutic. I'm here to talk to you about how to give off the best impression when being interviewed. 

Unemployment can be emotionally and financially draining. We have all been there at one point or another, and with the current economic recession finding work is like a battlefield. Ever get frustrated and feel like job searching is a never ending process? I tried researching some articles to see if your looks can play a part in the hiring process, regardless of your qualifications and suitability for the role. Here is what I found:-

Keep sweat at bay 

Nerves sometimes do get the better of us, but there is nothing more off putting than an unpleasant odour and the appearance of sweat (unless Snoop Dogg is interviewing you). We obviously can't help our feelings and hormones, but a good shower and some deodorant should do the trick. Keep a handkerchief handy so you can mop up before you enter the interviewing room or you can use tissue. Blot the tissue, don't wipe, or you will find bits of tissue on your face.

Pay attention to the little things

Employers will look for anything that could be a deal breaker. That includes chipped, dirty nails and runny mascara. These mistakes send messages that indicate that you do not care for presentation or attention to detail, or that you do not think two steps ahead. Crazy I know, but hiring someone is not an easy choice, so employers will look for anything to weigh you up against your competitors. If you do want to paint your nails, then paint them in a clear coat or a soft pink. That way if your nails do chip, its less obvious.

Professionalism is essential 

I'm not just talking about clothes. Yes, dress smart and show them interviewer than you mean business. However, sometimes you might become too friendly and get carried away with the conversation. Remember that the interviewer is not your friend, so don't ask your pregnant interviewer if she is planning to breastfeed her baby or give the interviewer  a hug as you leave!

Be minimalistic 

Don't overdo your accessories and makeup. Keep makeup neutral and pretty, and keep chunky accessories at home. Stick to maybe one statement piece. I would avoid large rings, especially if you talk with your hands as it can be very distracting. You want the interviewer to focus on what you are saying, rather than what you are wearing. 

Confidence - fake it 

If you are feeling confident, then great!! But if you aren't, then try your best not to show it. A key giveaway is posture. I know its sounds simple but posture can indicate your confidence levels. Try your best to sit up straight and look at the interviewer. Looking at them will give the impression that you are making eye contact, even though your not as comfortable. It will make such a difference, trust me! 

Hope these these tips helped. Good luck :)

Stay blessed. Peace!!!