livlapin: beauty

NOTES ON WINTER BEAUTY

10 Feb 2016

The north of England has been bitten by the frosty Winter bug and I'm shrivelling into a dry prune. As with a lot of people, my skin is much dryer this time of year, which creates a plethora of problems. How can I moisturise without being oily? I don't want my skin to look dull etc. Alongside my flaky face: dry hair. I need nourishing products to assist me from November through to March; here I've compiled a list of examples which work for me.

1) Eucerin Replenishing Face Cream

My daily morning moisturiser, Eucerin Replenishing Face Cream with 5% Urea, is specifically tailored for dry skin. Urea is a humectant naturally produced by the body to keep skin hydrated. However, as we age our skin tends to produce less - resulting in dryness. Eucerin have created a product that reintroduces Urea back into the skin to make it soft and bouncy, while also suitably preparing the skin for makeup application.

2) Jojoba Oil

Each night, I like to moisturise with oils. Jojoba oil is what people in the biz call a carrier oil, and I add tea tree and lavender oil to the mixture (a relaxing ritual before sleep). I'm not loyal to any particular brand, but the one I'm currently using is Balm Balm Jojoba Oil. It is 100% organic, inexpensive and suitable for the most sensitive of skins.

3) Lush Mask of Magnaminty

A product popular with many people and for a very good reason: it really works. This inexpensive minty mask is self-preserving and smells refreshing. According to the packaging, it 'does everything it can to fight eruptions and outbreaks and return skin to tip top condition'. Its combined effects are rarely found together in one product: fighting outbreaks, brightening, non-drying and balancing. I tend to use this once a week.

4) Milk_shake Whipped Cream Leave-In Foam

For a long time I've used the spray version of this product, but since early January I've added in the more heavy duty Leave-In Foam. It balances oils in the hair and maintains colour integrity (something you may be interested in if you use dye). Suitable for all hair types, this is a product that moisturises without making hair look greasy. Apply from mid-lengths to ends of wet hair. Milk_shake products are limitedly available in a cute pink bottle for their breast cancer campaign.

5) Pixi Makeup Fixing Mist

Containing Rose Water and Green tea, this product is incredibly nourishing. Applied before or after makeup (I tend to after), Pixi Makeup Fixing Mist adds a soft focus finish and really locks makeup into the face. It hydrates and balances while tightening pores, it also can be reapplied throughout the day to refresh the skin and makeup. Pixi are unsurprisingly famous for their skincare products, including the famous Glow Tonic, which I am also a huge fan of.

What are your winter beauty essentials?

CURRENT EVERYDAY FACE

23 Apr 2015

My recent delve into the world of make-up has found me trying out a few brands other than the beloved Mac; something which would have the 15 year old me spinning in her grave. This is a post to walk you through how I've incorporated those products into my Everyday Makeup Routine.

Base

I like a full coverage, and something I recently discovered is the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation. It claims to provide a 'full but natural' coverage, as well as being 'weightless' and staying put for 16 hours. Having used this for the past week (in the hottest days of 2015 so far), I can say it really delivers. I use 2 pumps for my entire face and work quickly, blending with a Real Techniques Buffing Brush - as it sets into your skin straight away. I use the shade 'Gobi' or 'light 3', as my face is the same colour as a sheet of paper. If you live in Manchester I'd suggest heading to the NARS counter in Selfridges; I was served by Layla and she gave me a lovely makeover.

To cover any blemishes and redness not masked by the foundation, I use MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NC15 (their lightest cool-toned shade). I tend to apply this around my nose and, if I have any, my spots - tapping in with my fingers.

I then apply the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer underneath my eyes, to conceal and brighten. Using the shade 'Chantilly', I smudge into place with the wand then blend out with a beauty blender.

It's important to set your base if you want it to stay all day, so I use MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in 'Medium' - applying in a tapping motion rather than sweeping, over my t-zone.

The last two products on my base include MAC Cheek Colour in the shade 'Immortal Flower' - now sadly discontinued. I finish my base off with Topshop Highlighter in 'Horizon', brushed over my cheekbones and cupid's bow.

EYES

After I've brushed my brows upwards with a spooley, I use a thin angled brush to apply the tinted cream from the Sleek Eyebrow Kit in short strokes. I use the shade 'dark', because I like to imagine myself looking somewhat like Frida Kahlo.

A recent purchase has been the Topshop Nude Eyes in the shade 'Stripped'. I use my finger to apply over the lid and blend with a fluffy brush to create a 'my-eyes-but-better' look - does that phrase work in this context?

The last thing I do is curl my lashes, then apply excessive amounts of both Benefit's Roller Lash and Origins Ginzing Radiant Mascara.

If I'm feeling fancy, I'll apply something to the lips - but that varies from day to day and is usually either MAC Naked Liner and Please Me, or the Rimmel London Exaggerate Lip Liner in 'Eastend Snob', which are all basically the same colour anyway. *pouts*

INSTAGRAM: BEST OF LFW

24 Feb 2015

Thoughout the entirety of London Fashion Week, my Instagram feed has been drowning in posts from Elle, Vogue, Topshop etc - too many posts of backstage, finales and streetstyle to begin to consider looking through. Even Snapchat has been posting shots from the iPhones of models and people attending various events. I thought I would helpfully round up the posts I enjoyed most - expect minimalism, healthy looking snacks and maybe some 70s vibes.