Makeup To Ice Skate In - with Poppy Loves

Last Saturday my dear friend Popsicle (that's not really her name) and I went ice skating at the Natural History Museum. I was telling her I'd been to Somerset House the week before and we'd gotten to talking about what makeup one should wear for such an outing. Rather than tell her the who, what and why we decided it would be a good idea if I showed her!

Popsicle, aka Poppy, is the author of poppyloves.co.uk - a brilliantly entertaining London lifestyle blog. Poppy writes about all kinds of things from places to go, to things to see, do and eat (she's always eating scrumptious cakes and drinking tea). 

You can read about the makeup look I did for Poppy here but in short here's how I decided what to go for and what to use:

• Ice rinks are like giant mirrors so even on a cloudy day it's a good idea to wear a high-ish SPF (e.g. SPF 30)
• It's fun and not to mention scary if you're a relative newbie to the ice like me so go easy on the foundation. You don't want it dripping down your face half way through the skate! (everybody gets hot, even the ones that seem to be related to Jayne Torvill).
• Poppy has amazing almond shaped eyes and fantastic brows (soooo not jealous) so I opted for a classic eyeliner flick (gel pot liner like this one) and slightly bolder, groomed brows.
• Lastly, her bright hat was just calling out for a bright lip so we opted for her new MAC lippie in 'Chili' which complimented her bobble hat perfectly (TIP: it's always a good idea with reds not to go too matchy-matchy).

You can read the full article here (and there might just be another one coming soon... Watch this space :)

Photo credit: poppyloves.co.uk

Pro Interview Series: Thicker, healthier hair with William Hunt

Will & I decided to co-ordinate outfits

Ahh, salon blow dry. You elusive, volumising treat you. There's nothing quite like that feeling when you walk out of the salon, your hair bouncing behind you...thicker, fuller, healthier looking hair. But how can we fake it on a normal day? And is it even worth the bother?

The Pros Know
To launch my Pro Interview Series I decided to interview the gorgeous and super talented William Hunt. Will is a professional stylist at Gielly Green in Marylebone as well as a regular session stylist on the fashion circuit. He is tall, utterly gorgeous and sometimes models (although he'd never admit it).

A personal hair story
I met Will early last year when I began noticing my hair had started to fall out. (In fact, by November of last year I'd lost about 50% of my hair :( I know now what caused it...not eating enough, anxiety and the break down of a long term relationship, but at the time it really shook me. You think your hair, like your teeth, are infallible. Never take them for granted. Our bodies our so precious).

Will was great and gave me a number of suggestions to help minimise further hair loss including not towel drying hair when it's wet (wet hair breaks more easily), taking kelp supplements and opting for a thickening shampoo.

Will and I have since worked together as a hair and makeup team for clients including Rigby and Peller and Kurt Geiger, as a number of private bridal clients. He is always a dream to work with and is a genius when it comes to blow drying (seriously, don't take my word for it. GO.)

I wanted to ask Will what products he recommends for thin hair like mine and to get his opinion on a few common hair care questions. Here's what he had to say....

Will's been raving to me about this dry shampoo

1. Is it better for the health of my hair to use dry shampoo every second or third day or to wash it every two days?

Will recommends washing hair three times a week if you're able to stretch to a third day sans wash (I personally struggle on the third day and inevitably resort to washing my hair every 48 hours but I can see why eeking it out to 3 days would be a good thing).

He says it's absolutely fine to use dry shampoo every couple of days. Phew. Has anyone tried Ruth Crilly's new range Colab? I'm dying to try but there were no testers in Boots the other day so I couldn't smell the different options (surely a key factor when purchasing dry shampoo?).

Whilst we're on the subject of dry shampoos I adore the dust* product Will recommended to me a month or two ago:  L'Oréal's Super Dust (£11.45 from feelunique.com). When my hair starts to feel a bit flat I simply puff some of this straight from the hole in the top of the product (directly into the roots) and rub it in. It gives fantastic volume to thin hair and the closet to 'bed hair' I can get.

* 'dust' products such as the L'Oréal one above and the cult Schwarzkopf OSIS Dust It (£12.95) are more like intense mattifiers. They don't necessarily feel that great when you rub them in but they add bulk at the root giving the appearance of thicker hair. Will says to be careful not to brush your hair when wearing a dust product as it can cause breakage.

Nectar for dry/thick hair, Keratine for curly hair and Ciment for thin hair

2. Is it better to use a heat protecting cream or spray?

Will is a fan of the Thermique range by luxe hair brand Kérastase (see above) and says creams will protect hair better than a spray (you can comb a cream through whereas a spray will be a bit more hit'n'miss in its application). Apply your protector cream before your other styling products. A little goes a long way. Be careful not to overload the hair.

3. Do hair supplements really work?
Will reckons they do (he specifically mentioned kelp tablets) but said it's pointless taking supplements unless you're going to compliment them with a healthy diet. I speak from personal experience when I say that eating properly can really help thinning hair. The moment I started putting weight back on my hair stopped falling out.

The volumising spray Will applied to my mids to ends.

Mousses really do help! Apply mids to ends and comb through.

The matte smoothing cream Will applied to finish the look

Will used a total of four products in my hair when he blow dried it:
- Kérastase Ciment Thermique (heat protecting cream for thin hair)
- Unite Boosta Spray (£16.60, to aid root lift)
- Unite Expanda Volume (£16.60, mousse. Will said John Frieda's Luxurious Volume £5.89 is a great alternative, see photo below).
- Unite Second Day Finishing Cream (£15.50)

After smoothing on the heat protecting cream and combing it through he then applied the root lift spray directly to the roots by lifting my hair section by section. After a 2-3 minute blast with the hair dryer (randomly all over), blowing the hair upwards to encourage root lift he then proceed with the traditional barrel brush blow dry.

Is it worth the effort?
Earlier this year I opted for a short bob which I love and keep going back to. Blunt bobs suit thinner hair as they give the appearance of thickness. I can leave my hair to dry naturally but love the volume a quick blow dry with a barrel brush gives. I taught myself how to do it (I'm right handed but prefer to hold the hair dryer in my left hand and the brush in my right so I can twist it around).

Here's how I do it (takes me 10 mins max):
I begin by roughly blow dry my hair until it's 50% dry. I then separate my hair into two halves (top and bottom) twisting the top half and securing it with a grip. I barrel blow dry the lower half, section by section and then once this is dry and curling out and under I move onto the top section. I finish by blasting my hair with cold air (this adds shine).

Moroccan Oil large ceramic barrel brush, 55m (£17 approx)

Follow Will:
@WilliamHuntHair (Twitter)
@williamhunthair (Instagram)

Book an appointment with Will:
Gielly Green

020 7034 3060

Unite Products:
I hadn't heard of Unite before I met Will and am increasingly intrigued by his love of their products. In writing this post I've found it tricky to find UK stockists who currently stock the range so I'll be contacting the Unite team in the next few days to confirm where to purchase their products here in London.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Do you have a specific hair routine and what are your go to styling products?

Beauty Saviours: Five Products That Have Changed My Life This Year

I was thinking this week about five beauty items that have had the biggest impact on my appearance this year and wanted to share them with you.

All are equally as useful and brilliant as each other.

1. Brow Mascara

Unless you've been living on Mars you'll have noticed that brows are a big thing in beauty. I've never wanted perfectly shaped brows and quite like the idea of a slightly unkempt but reasonably tidy brow. I'm also very fair so anything I put in my brows needs to be subtle.

It wasn't so long ago that I blogged about a particular life-changing brow mascara (click here to read my review). I never thought I'd be able to use a brow mascara (for fear of it being too dark) let alone enjoy wearing one so much.

More Brows by Model Co (£9) is the perfect shade for blonde/red heads like me. Not too grey, not too dark and the fibres really do give my brows substance.

If I'm going out and sporting a bold lip I'll apply several coats of the taupe-coloured mascara, teasing my brows as I go into a stronger shape. On days when I want to frame my face a little (particularly when I've got my spex on) then a quick brush through with the mascara is all they need. What can I say, I'm totally hooked and can definitely see brow mascara featuring in my beauty routine for a long while to come.

2. Original Nivea Creme

Lots of people have nervous ticks. Some people bite their nails or pick their cuticles. When I'm stressed I pick at my lips (unladylike I know).

A little pot of Nivea Creme has sat on my bedside table (incidentally, next to a little pot of Sudocrem), for...well, forever. But I don't use it on my face. I only ever use it on my lips.

Nivea Creme (from £1.49 at Boots) is about the only thing which heals my lips fast. If I've been unconsciously attacking them throughout the day I'll apply a thick layer of Nivea creme to clean lips just before bed and the next morning my lips are so much better. Works a treat in winter too if your lips are severely chapped. Remember to massage any remaining cream into cuticles or onto the back of your hand (waste not want not).

3. Tinted Moisturiser

My love of tinted moisturiser has definitely peaked in 2014. Partly owing to the huge number of BB, CC and EE launches over the past couple of years and my fascination with the differences between them, but also because tinted moisturiser is simply a makeup lifesaver. Great for everyday, quick to apply with fingers (especially when half asleep), lightweight enough to allow freckles to show through and with built in sun protection.

I have about 5 tinted moisturisers on the go at home depending on how sunny it is, where I'm going, whether I want a slight 'tint' to my skin etc. My faves are pictured above and explained below:

1. Chantecaille Just Skin (SPF 15, £58)
Quite simply the most luxurious and effective tinted moisturiser there is. Subtle enough to conceal yet you will look like you're not wearing anything. Trust me on this one.

2. Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation (SPF 30, £48)
I won this in a  Liberty raffle a couple of years ago and love the texture it gives my skin. Glowing but not shiny. Slightly tinted but not too dark. And with a high SPF too. Another one to look out for if you don't like the idea of wearing 'a base' everyday.

3. NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser (SPF 30, £29)
The closest thing to the Chantecaille that I've found and half the price. Brilliant.

4. Tom Ford Traceless Foundation (SPF 15, £62) 
Not strictly a tinted moisturiser but boasts a similar texture and is just heavenly. Pricey yes but a little goes a long way. With a perfect colour match this would make a real investment piece. Be prepared to receive compliments.

4. Nail Oil

A couple of years ago I had a Gelish French manicure for my sister's wedding and three weeks later decided to remove the gel polish myself (big mistake). Most of my nails were fine afterwards but my wedding ring finger (left hand) really suffered and quickly developed a recurring nail split.

It's been three years since my sister got married and it's only since I've started using a rich nail oil that the recurring split has disappeared.

The bottle you see in the photo above - Essential Nail Oil by cult British nail brand Rococo Nail Apparel (£12.50) - has been on my bedside table for well over a year. I generally remember to use it most nights, massaging it in quickly into my cuticles and nails before falling asleep. Not only has it stopped my damaged nail from splitting but my nails are noticeably stronger, healthier and whiter.

5. H₂0

This might seem like an odd one to include but in terms of seeing actual visible results, it's one of the most powerful beauty tools at our disposal. And it's FREE! (well, for lots of us and my goodness, how lucky we are).

Simply not drinking enough water will visibly effect our skin for the worse, no matter how many expensive creams and serums we use.

After a big night out on the sauce (generally wine-flavoured) I'll look at my skin the next day and will really notice the lines on my forehead, my laughter lines and the general lacklustre texture of my skin. Now, I'm all for ageing gracefully but it never ceases to amaze me just how much older I look when I simply haven't drunk enough water that day, compared to days when I have.

Too much sugar (and wine's a b*tch for this) can also cause skin to break out. Drinking lots of water will certainly help to reduce toxins, as will a quick facial massage (click here to see this stunning facial massage tutorial by Lisa Eldridge. Definitely worth 20 minutes of your day some time).

What's your beauty saviour? Please let me know in the comment box below!


Image credits:
Nivea - intothegloss.com
Water shot - uniteforclimate.org
All other images Natalie James Makeup

Sali Hughes is 'Pretty Honest' about beauty (and that's why we love her)

A great Christmas pressie for sisters/mothers/aunties/friends who are beauty mad or beauty confused

Last Wednesday eve I tootled off to Space NK Bishopsgate on the off-chance I might be able to sneak into hear Sali Hughes' talk about her new book "Pretty Honest" (£11 on Amazon).

I'd rung two weeks prior to book myself a ticket but they'd already sold out (the very morning it was advertised!). Not letting that deter me I decided to go anyway as people cancel at the last minute and luckily for me that's exactly what happened. So with book and glass of champagne in hand I settled into the store to await Sali's entrance.

I've been following Sali's beauty page in the Guardian Magazine for donkeys years and she is one of my favourite beauty writers. Her honest, no nonsense approach is both endearing and trustworthy. I like the fact she will often recommend a cheaper product over a more expensive one if it does a better job. The way it should be.

Sali channels the sexy librarian look

After taking a seat at the front of the store Sali thanked everyone for coming (about 25 of us) and proceeded to read from a chapter in her book entitled 'Beauty and the careerwoman' (well, we were in The City after all). I particularly enjoyed hearing her list of 11 'Deskside Essentials' including mini hairspray, dippy nail polish remover pot* and mints.
* click here to see which one I blogged about recently

Sali ponders a question from the floor

Following the reading the floor was then opened up for questions. Being terribly British tumbleweed and shifting feet seemed to be the general response. Thankfully Sali's friend and fellow Guardian writer, Lucy Mangan (@LucyMangan), decided to volunteer a first question - what makeup was Sali wearing that day (ooh, great question). Having disclosed her warpaint (see some of Sali's go-to makeup staples below) the questions then just seemed to flurry forth.

The gems were coming out of Sali's mouth thick and fast so I decided to open up 'Notes' in my iPhone and jot a few down. Here are some of the things Sali had to say that I found particularly interesting which I thought you might too:

Sali's General Tips:
- Avoid skincare and cosmetics containing mineral oil if you have acne prone skin (e.g. Eve Lom Cleanser)

- Don't be afraid to try over-the-counter chemical pads or liquid exfoliators, for example those containing BHA's (Beta Hydroxy Acids such as salicylic acid) or AHA'S (Alpha Hydroxy Acids such as glycol and citric) as these will have concentrations well beneath those applied in a specialist clinic. Sali says BHA's can be very effective on spot-prone skin.

- If your skin is flaring up swap your flannel for a muslin cloth as it's far gentler.
- Cleanse regularly with a balm or oil and every now and then with a foaming face wash (foaming cleansers can strip the skin of moisture. Interestingly, Sali says she uses a foaming cleanser twice a week with her Clarisonic and an oil or balm the rest of the week).
- If your skin can tolerate a chemical SPF then wear that under your makeup. Otherwise stick to topical SPF's such as those containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Topical SPF's, or what used to be referred to as 'sunblocks', tend to be quite thick and white which makes makeup application over the top of them all the more tricky. Sali says that in the Auutmn and Winter months she's more likely to get her SPF from her makeup products e.g. NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser (SPF 30, £29).

"Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes..." (Gosh, I hope not!) 

Some of Sali's favourite products:
- NARS Cream Blush in 'Penny Lane' (£21.50, see above)

Weightless and translucent

- Chantecaille Loose Powder (£48)

Haven't tried this yet but it's on my list if Sali says it's good!

- Clarins Instant Concealer (£21, for use under the eyes)

A great range which should match most skin tones

- NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (£21, for use everywhere else on the face)

Signed copy of 'Pretty Honest' (Sali Hughes at the top, Lucy Mangan at the bottom)

The lippy I was wearing when I met Sali 

I was first in line to get my book signed and happened to be wearing NARS' new Audacious lipstick in 'Vera' (£24). Sali said it really suited me (she could have just been being kind but I liked it!). Might have to treat myself this week. Plus, I've just discovered there's one in the range called 'Natalie'!(whoop!).

Have you read Sali's new book? What did you think? Any favourite chapters? The one on perfume has got me itching to go out perfume shopping...

Follow Sali:
salihughesbeauty.com
@salihughes (Twitter)
@salihughesbeauty (Instagram)