Archive for the ‘Chanel’ Category

Makeup tip – how to apply face powder correctly

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

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I have lost count of the amount of times when I am giving a bride-to-be a makeup lesson and after applying the primer, foundation and concealer, I pull out the face powder and she has a look of fear on her face! There are so many women who do not use face powder at all, as they are frightened that it is going to make their makeup appear heavy or that using powder will make them look older.

Years ago, face powders were chalky and heavy – technology has moved on since then. It is essential that you use a little powder where needed on your wedding day to set your makeup – especially if your skin has the tendency to go shiny and you need to powder your eyelids – this is essential to create the perfect base for your eyeshadow and to stop your eyeshadow creasing.

To apply face powder correctly, you first need to find the right powder for you. A fine, loose powder is great if you have an oily skin - CHANEL Natural Finish Loose Powder has a fine texture (£30, www.boots.com)

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If you do not have a greasy skin and loose powder is not for you, then my favourite compact powder is the Daniel Sandler Invisible Blotting Powder (RRP £19.00, www.danielsandler.com) suitable for any skin tone, this powder has the most beautiful, fine texture and gives a beautiful, matte finish to the skin which sets your makeup without giving a heavy, dry look to the skin. It is also great to carry with you on your wedding day for any makeup touch ups.

Applying face powder (1)

After you have chosen the powder you wish to use, the next step is to apply it correctly. You can choose the best face powder, but if you apply ridiculous amounts to your face, it is going to look ‘cakey’ and heavy.

Here are my top tips on applying face powder:

So, you have a great face powder, now you need the correct tool to apply it with. The sponges that come with face powders are great for touch ups during the day, but first thing in the morning, when you are applying your wedding makeup, use a brush to apply the product.

Don’t use a massive brush to apply face powder- remember, less is more so the bigger the brush, the more you are going to apply. I prefer a smaller brush as you have more control as to where the powder goes.

My favourite brush to apply face powder is the Daniel Sandler Contour/ Powder Brush (RRP £15.00, www.danielsandler.com)

Applying face powder (2)

This brush delivers just the right powder where you need it and because of the shorter handle, it is really easy to control.

Apply a small amount of product to the brush and gently ‘press’ the product into the skin. You don’t need to rub the face, gently pressing the powder onto the skin will give a beautiful finish to the skin and remember – don’t forget your eyelids! It’s really important to apply powder there to stop your eyeshadow creasing.

Apply a little more to any areas which are prone to shine and your skin will look gorgeous and ’shine free’ throughout your wedding day.

Photography by www.rosieparsons.com, makeup by Sarah Brock

Posted in Chanel, Daniel Sandler, Face powder, Makeup brushes, Makeup hints and tips | No Comments »

Get the look – Stephanie Allin

Friday, July 9th, 2010

Stephanie Allin 3

Stephanie Allin is one of the UK’s foremost award-winning bridal fashion designers. Stephanie’s commitment to excellence in design, beautiful fabrics and perfect fit have been her guiding principles over the past 20 years in Bridal Fashion. In 2009 her new flagship store in central London opened at 17 Chiltern Street, Westminster where Stephanie is showcasing her new bridal designs and a couture evening wear Collection.

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Her new 2010 “Dolce Vita”  Collection is stunning – I love the photographs from the campaign, which were shot in Puglia, southern Italy by photographer Matt Bird and the adorable hair and makeup look was created by Helen Hall.

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This makeup look is all about a perfect, fresh looking skin, soft, smoky eyes and a soft lip colour.

Here are some product suggestions to help you re-create this look, I have chosen products from the CHANEL cosmetics range – you can purchase all of these products from www.boots.co.uk :

Use a foundation that will make your skin look healthy and flawless, without looking heavy – use CHANEL Pro Lumiere Professional Finish Makeup.

Make sure that after applying your foundation (I like to use a foundation brush), apply concealer where needed and set your makeup with a sheer dusting of loose powder.

Use a soft, pretty blusher and apply to the apple of the cheek and blend upwards and outwards. Try the CHANEL Joues Contraste Powder Blush, in shade 56 (Tea Rose)

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For your eyes, choose a palette which has all of the shades you need – the CHANEL les 4 ombres de Chanel is perfect,shade 84 (Galet)will make application easy for you, apply the medium tone to your eyelid and run a small amount under the bottom lashline. Contour the socket with the darkest shade (only apply a small amount) and choose the lightest shade to apply under your brow bone as a highlighter. Make sure you blend your eyeshadows well, as the key to this look is softly blended, romantic looking eyes.

Apply a fine, black line of the CHANEL Automatic Liquid Eyeliner in black, curl your lashes and then apply a few coats of the CHANEL Immitable Waterproof Multi-Dimensional Mascara.

For lips, keep the look soft – apply the new CHANEL Rouge Coco lipstick in shade 04 Cashmere.

Read more about the Stephanie Allin 2010 Dolce Vita Collection at www.stephanieallin.net

Posted in Blusher, Chanel, Eye makeup, Eyelashes, Foundation, Get the look, Lipstick/ gloss, Makeup, Mascara, Stephanie Allin | No Comments »

Purify your complexion with CHANEL

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

Shine, blemishes, excess sebum, make-up that does not hold - if you suffer with oily skin, these are problems which you will probably be familiar with at some point. 

Whatever your age, your skin can let you down at times and may be prone to shine, blemishes or dilated pores.

With the PURETÉ IDÉALE line, CHANEL PRÉCISION offers a clear, clean and precise solution. It eliminates blemishes, purifies the complexion and allows makeup to hold. A breath of freshness. Pure joy for shiny skin.

CHANEL PRÉCISION offers you a complete programme which includes a Serum, Day Purity Skincare, Express Purity Skincare, Cleansers, Toning Lotion, Exfoliator and Mask.

If you have oily skin, you will adore this range. My two favourite products in this range that I would definitely recommend to brides who are worries about shine, blemishes or dilated pores are:

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CHANEL PURETÉ IDÉALE SÉRUM – INTENSE REFINING SKIN COMPLEX

A creamy serum to regulate sebum production, refine the skin’s texture and prevent blemishes.I regularly use this product on my T-Zone, especially on my nose where open pores can be a problem for me. What I love about this product is that it is so light I can apply it and my skin does not feel greasy, the fluid almost disappears into the skin and my pores are definitely less noticeable after regular use of this product.

The white texture disappears into the skin, leaving it supple and absolutely matte.
Pores are tightened; your face remains impeccably clean and soft.

Its formula contains a marine bio extract – the star active ingredient in the PURETÉ IDÉALE range – which stimulates the production of beta-defensins, the skin’s “natural antibiotics”, to help balance the cutaneous flora. 

How to use:  Apply in the morning to cleansed skin before your day cream, and/or in the evening before your night cream.

RRP £42.91 www.boots.com 

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CHANEL PURETÉ IDÉALE FLUIDE – MATTIFYING FLUID

A fresh and velvety gel-cream to purify and moisturize the skin while improving its softness and suppleness, the skin’s “natural antibiotics”, to help balance the cutaneous flora.defensins. Its formula contains a marine bio extract – the star active ingredient in the PURETÉ IDÉALE range – which stimulates the production of beta-defensins, the skin’s “natural antibiotics”, to help balance the cutaneous flora.

The light-as-air, smooth and non-greasy texture sinks rapidly into the skin, making its presence unnoticeable. Within moments, your complexion reveals a very smooth, beautiful and perfect matte finish. 

Many of my clients who have very oily skin tell me that the thought of moisturising their skin frightens them as they worry it will make their skin produce more oil. Yes, if you apply a rich cream this could happen, but this product is designed to regulate excess sebum and keep the skin matte, which will help your makeup stay on longer, this is a great makeup base for a bride who has very oily skin.

How to use: Apply every day, morning and/or evening, to cleansed skin. Use alone or in conjunction with the PURETÉ IDÉALE serum.

RRP £38.83 www.boots.com

Posted in Chanel, Moisturiser, Oily skin, Serum | No Comments »

Get the look – natural bridal makeup

Saturday, February 20th, 2010

Get the look (2)

This is a makeup look that I created for a bridal photo shoot last year. It is a look that I am frequently asked to re-create for many brides on their wedding day as many brides like their eyes to be defined (this will look fabulous in your wedding photographs), along with dewy pretty cheeks and a soft pretty pink lip colour.

If you are applying your own wedding makeup, here are some tips as to how you can re-create this look yourself:

To achieve this wedding makeup look, follow these steps: 

1) After using a light moisturiser, apply the Daniel Sandler Re-texturising Primer (£20 www.danielsandler.com) all over your face and using a foundation brush, apply the Daniel Sandler Super Mineral Makeup (£21, www.danielsandler.com) in a thin, even layer to your skin. 

2) Using the Clinique Airbrush Concealer (£15, www.clinique.com), apply a small amount under the eyes to cover any dark circles and lighten and brighten the eye area. 

3) To set your base, apply a small amount of La Prairie Translucent Powder (www.beautique.com) to your face and remember to powder your eyelids. 

4) Smile on the mirror and on the apple of your cheek, apply a small amount of the Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blusher (£12 www.danielsandler.com) in shade Cherub. 

5) Using the Shavata Brow Perfector (www.beautique.com), apply a matte shadow to your brows to add definition and to frame your eyes. 

Get the look

6) For this eye makeup look, take The Benefit Big Beautiful Eyes Kit (£21.50 www.benefit.co.uk) and apply the lightest shade on your eyelid and brow done, the medium shade in the contour of your eye and use the darkest brown shade as your eyeliner. Curl your lashes and apply a few coats of black waterproof mascara. 

7) For a soft natural look to the lips, apply the CHANEL Rouge Allure Lipstick Luminous Satin Lip Colour in shade Suprise (£21) and then apply a small amout of CHANEL Levres Scintillantes Intense Radiance Lipgloss in shade Silex (£18) on top (www.boots.com)

Photography by www.rosieparsons.com, makeup by Sarah Brock

Posted in Benefit, Blusher, Chanel, Clinique, Concealer, Daniel Sandler, Eye makeup, Eyebrows, Eyelashes, Face powder, Foundation, Get the look, La Prairie, Lipstick/ gloss, Makeup, Makeup hints and tips, Mascara, Shavata | No Comments »

Get the look – Charlotte Balbier

Saturday, December 5th, 2009

Charlotte Balbier 2

About Charlotte Balbier: With over 50 years of bridal expertise in the family, Charlotte comes from a bridal fashion house which isn’t afraid to go against the grain. Launched in 2003 the Charlotte Balbier brand has continued to grow and evolve; taking the bridal fashion industry in a brand new direction.

Charlotte’s dresses are adored by brides who are fashion concious and are looking for a dress that is feminine but at the same time a little different. I have seen many of Charlottes dresses and they are absolutely gorgeous and I love her advertising campaigns, which is why I wanted to write a ‘get the look’  piece on this particular campaign.

Shot in Manila, in the Philipines by photographer Frank Hoefsmit, the makeup in this shoot is soft, girly, romantic and very pretty.

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This glowing look, using soft shades of taupe and pretty pink is the perfect look for a bride who wants a look to enhance her natural features and not look too ‘made up’ on her wedding day.

A major part of this look is a flawless, natural and dewy complexion – try Chanel Pro Lumiere Professional Finish Makeup SPF 15 (www.boots.com)

The cheeks are dewy and pretty in a soft pink tone – a must have for this look is the Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blusher is shade Cherub (www.danielsandler.com)

For the eyes think light, pretty colours from lid to brow – treat yourself to the Chantecaille Sylvie’s Quattro Palette (www.spacenk.co.uk) which has 3 beautiful and very wearable eyeshadow colours and a pretty blusher (which you could layer on top of the Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blusher for a more intense effect). Use a black mascara to enhance your eyelashes (don’t forget to curl them first)!

To complete the look, try the YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick  in shade Lingerie Pink (www.boots.com) on your lips and apply a clear gloss in the centre of your lip for a pretty, pink glossy finish to the lips.

Visit the Charlotte Balbier website at: www.charlottebalbier.com

(Photos kindly supplied by Charlotte Balbier)

 

Posted in Blusher, Chanel, Chantecaille, Daniel Sandler, Eye makeup, Foundation, Get the look, Lipstick/ gloss, Makeup, Makeup hints and tips, Yves Saint Laurent | No Comments »

A gorgeous fragrance by CHANEL – CHANCE

Sunday, November 29th, 2009

Very often, after I have applied the brides makeup on her wedding day, I will help her put on her wedding dress and I will stay with the bride until she is ready to leave for her ceremony and make sure that all of the finishing touches to her look are complete. Just before she leaves, the bride will often have a final spritz of perfume and one of my beautiful brides used a gorgeous new fragrance by Chanel and I absolutely adore the scent of this perfume, it is currently one of my favourite fragrances and I think it is a perfect wedding day fragrance for a bride.

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It is such a refreshing fragrance, which is suitable for daytime use – the best thing about this fragrance is that it isn’t heavy, but it is a fresh fragrance which lasts all day. Created with daring young women in mind the intoxicating new Chanel Chance scent blends the freshness of citron and hyacinth with the warmth and spiciness of amber of patchouli and jasmine for an unexpected combination of notes.

Jacques Helleu, the Artistic Director for Chanel, created a jewel of a bottle ; a perfect circle with a silver collar, like an echo of the legendary square N°5 bottle.

Remember that the scent that you wear on your wedding day should be special – you will always remember your wedding day and the happy memories of that day whenever you wear that fragrance in the future.

CHANEL CHANCE is available from www.Boots.com

Posted in Chanel, Fragrance | No Comments »