The Tuesday Face : Naked Skin

Unless you've been living under a rock for the the past year, you'll know that the "no-make-up make-up" look is all the rage right now. Which is quite odd, if you think about it and consider the billions of over done, borderline drag looks that assail Instagram everyday (no hate, people, I like dramatic make-up too. Just not on a daily basis). From my understanding, a no-make-up make-up look is a way to say "I woke up like this" while secretly wearing a heavy load of products. The concept is to look "natural" but flawless. What's natural about that ? We all have our little flaws, hormonal spots, scars, freckles, beauty marks, and there's nothing wrong with that. In this look you can clearly see I'm wearing make-up, but believe it or not, there's very little of it. It took me around 8 minutes (brows are always a tedious process, whether you want to play it effortless-y or not) and it was awesome. I believe that if you use reliable products and put forward the right features, there's no need for an elongated routine - unless you enjoy it of course. I like to play with make-up too! But for those days you have to go to class, travel, or run errands and you're not feeling like going out with a bare face, this is a viable compromise. 

If you have particularly good skin, you can definitely get away with wearing a bit of concealer to the right places (we generally all have a bit of darkness at the inner corner of our eyes and some redness around our nose). If not, I'd recommend using a light-weight base such as a tinted moisturizer - it feels awesome and you don't have to think too much about it when you apply it - put it on like you would a moisturizer, massage it in and you're good to go! Next is blusher - no one should skip blusher. Bronzer, sure, if you feel like it (although I don't know many people who actually do? Beside me that is?) but everyone looks prettier, more alive with a hint of a flush. To get that youthful, glowy look I'd opt for a cream product, like I did here (if you have very oily skin, you may want to stick to powder though. You can always add some glow back in, but more on that later). I personally skipped bronzer but used a touch of contouring powder. This is up to you, but I will say that using one or the other will help to put forward your bone structure, and don't we all love a cheekbone? Again, totally optional. What isn't optional however, is brows. When you wear so little make-up, your brows just have to be there to frame your eyes and again, give your face some definition. You can tell I went all out with the highlighter (you definitely don't have to wear that much, I did so it would appear on the shoot). I'm forever amazed at what a different a little bit of sparkle can make. It suits everyone and is a nice way to add some wanted glow on an oily skin type. Similarly to the blush, I used a cream product here - I find it looks more natural as the product literally melts into the skin, whereas a powder highlighter can sometimes sit awkwardly on top of it if you're not careful. Always hit the highest points of your face (top of cheekbones, brow bone and cupid's bow should do). Now would be a good time to set your entire face if you need to and if not, to keep it to your T-zone - it's never good to glow there. One last step I'd recommend doing is curling your lashes. Even if you decide not to wear any mascara, curling your lashes will truly open up your eyes and make a difference (and that's coming from someone who never bought the eyelash curlers obsession, until about a year ago when I actually tried). Here I added a wash of colour to my eyelids, natural warm browns are ideal. Depending on what you prefer, you could go classic with a matte shadow, or like me chose one with a shimmer in it to get some extra dimension (fun fact, this wasn't actually an eyeshadow, but a highlighter. To hell with rules right?). I finished things off with a tinted lip balm too keeps things cosy and carefree throughout the day. 

What do you think of those minimal looks ? I find them quick, easy, and at times frankly liberating. Now, we'll all agree I most definitely did not wake-up like this but let me let you on a secret; no one does. Cindy Crawford said "Even I don't wake up looking like Cindy Crawford." See ? Even supermodels say so.

Base: Nars Pure Radiant tinted moisturiser in Finland, Hourglass Ambient Lighting powder in Diffused light, Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate in 01, Make-up Forever HD blush in 310 Eyes: Tom Ford Skin illuminating powder duo in Moonlight, Suqqu Brow pen in brown

The Tuesday Face : The Dolce Vita

Remember when I confessed being somewhat lazy in the eyeshadow department ? I made my case by raving on and on about what fabulous inventions cream eyeshadows are (no brush needed aka no blending skills needed either, get it ?) and as much as I trust they'll always remain an essential of mine, I do love to jazz things up from time to time when I don't have to get ready at the crack of dawn. There are thousands of eyeshadow palettes available out there and I could write endlessly about the many, many, (too) many ones I own and adore, but today I'll focus on the beautiful number that is the Dolce Vita from Charlotte Tilbury, part of her eyeshadow palette line. As you would expect, the range is truly brilliant. There's a palette for every woman out there, whether you're a neutral-matte or smoky-sparkly kind of girl. The Dolce Vita is a warm, rusty yet neutral toned 'gem that would magnify any eye colour. The palettes are designed in such a way that all the hard work is already done for you; instead of having to face a multitude of shades and struggle to make the tough call and choose, the four shades displayed are more than enough to create a variety of different looks and obviously work like a charm together - you cannot possibly do it wrong. The formula is divine, pigmented enough and buildable to your liking, the colours are vibrant and universally flattering. Admittedly, you'll have to give yourself an extra couple of minutes to get ready as brushes are mandatory (one brush will do, girlfriend, chill), but I can assure you it will be worthy of your time. Applying eyeshadows has never been so easy - nor glamorous, who could say no to such rose-gold goodness? Brace yourselves, fellow eyeshadow-struggler, Queen Tilbury and her terribly chic palettes will undoubtedly convert you to the art of shaping, smudging and blending in the blink of an eye - to say the least. 

Base: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation in 2, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light, Hourglass blush in Mood Exposure, Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow, Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder Eyes: Charlotte Tilbury palette in The Dolce Vita, Tom Ford eye pencil in Metallic Mink, Charlotte Tilbury mascara Lips: MAC lip liner in Whirl, Suqqu Creamy Glow Moist lipstick in 06

Pretty Honest

You may wonder, why on earth would I own two copies of Pretty Honest ? I could easily answer that two are always better than none and quite frankly, I'd proudly own a thousands more if I had the room and money. There is however a funny  embarrassing story behind the rushed acquisition of my second pink cover. A month ago, I was lucky enough to fly back to London for the week-end and go to the Stylist Live event. The first and quite frankly the main reason I was so desperate to go, was that Sali Hughes and Lisa Eldridge were to give a talk and, well, need I say more? I'm sure most of you will be familiar with Lisa Eldridge, a very insightful, talented a lovely woman and make-up artist indeed. But I must say the real urge for me was to meet Sali Hughes. I'm not much of a fan-girl type of girl, I can honestly (understand proudly) say I've never plastered my room with ridiculously huge posters of anyone, not even during those ugly early teen years and I've never felt the unbearable need to see some band, singer, actor or celebrity in the flesh before. You can then imagine how confused I was to feel my eyes water at the simple glimpse of Sali entering the room when the time of her talk came. Truth is, this was predictable. I've been a fan (God, do I hate that word) of the woman for years, watched her Youtube videos more times that I can count and forever devour every piece of her witty and painfully smart writing (check out her articles on The Pool and The Guardian websites, it's worth the read).  We all have our idol, I don't think there's anything wrong or shameful about it. I feel like I've learned everything I know beauty-wise from this woman, and I probably did. Truth be told, I've learned way more from Sali Hughes than a couple of beauty tricks. It's only fair then, that her book is one of my favourite and more so, that I own not one, but two copies. Back to the story of this mysterious second acquisition, I randomly discovered that after the talk, both Sali and Lisa would give a book-signing session. I've honestly considered taking my original copy of Pretty Honest with me on the trip, in case I could get her to sign it but then brushed that thought away knowing that would never happen and that it wasn't worth damaging my beloved and spotless book (nor my back, it would have been seriously heavy to carry all-day-long, not 'gonna lie), so I left it at home. Sure thing, I felt childish to spend some money on yet another copy (even if it doubtlessly was some well-spent money) just to get the lady to sign my book. How childish is that ? Was it childish ? I eventually realised I would never forgive myself if I were to walk away, so I swallowed up my pride and my anxiety to meet to woman, and bought the damn book. So, there I was, running to the counter as Sali's time there was almost up, grabbing the very last available copy (I wish I was making this up, but nope, it literally was the last, unpackaged, pre-used one. Argh.) to buy it and then stand awkwardly in front of the woman who indirectly taught me everything I know and love about beauty. I was itching to tell her that "No, I did not just buy your book for the first time, I promise I already own one and have read ten times over, but left it at home, clever girl that I am" but I guess my good senses didn't completely gave me up. Instead I just stared, mesmerized at how actually gorgeous she is in real life and could barely articulate the name of my lipstick when she asked what I was wearing. Clearly, I lost it and had no time to get my act together, but that's okay, as expected she was lovely, smiled sweetly at me and made my year with an autograph. Who knew ? After seeing her in the flesh, I can tell you the verdict is out, Sali Hughes is officially the most badass, awestruck-ing beautiful, smart and successful woman out there I've ever had the chance to lay my eyes on. She's also one hell of a writer and journalist, and it's fair to say I'd be thrilled to be one day half as talented as she is. 

I was going to write a thourough review of her book Pretty Honest, but I think it would ruin the magic of it. Instead, I probably bore you with this post that turned out to be more personal that I intended, but in the same way there's nothing wrong with looking up to people and admitting it, I guess it is acceptable to open up from time to time, you know, from a human being to another. The only review of Pretty Honest I can give you is that its pretty damn good (duh!), that it contains everything you could possibly need to know about beauty, that it will surely answer those questions you never dared nor considered asking and bring down a good deal of the overwhelming amount of beauty myths we've had to endured and believe in for too many decades. Finally, it is a book that celebrates womanhood and undeniably empowers women no matter their age in the the wittiest, cleverest and sure enough, the most honest way possible.  Every woman should own a copy - in fact even men could learn a thing or two. Get involved, get a copy.  I'm wholeheartedly convinced that in one way or another, Sali Hughes will change your life like she did mine. 

The Tuesday Face : New Moon

Base: Chanel Perfection Lumière Velvet in 10, MAC Pro Longwear concealer in NC15, Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow Eyes: Chanel Illusion d'Ombre in New Moon, MAC eyeshadow in Swiss Chocolate, Charlotte Tilbury mascara Lips: MAC Whirl lip pencil

I have a confession to make. You know how very (ridiculously even) fond of make-up I am and there are very few things I like to do more than play around with cosmetics and, well, paint my face. I could spend hours, hell, days applying a bit more concealer here, a touch of highlighter there and mess around with the natural curves  and the bone structure of my very own as well as other people's faces. But I was never that keen on eyeshadow-ing  . Don't get me wrong, I know my basics - your girl has learned the hard way how to blend, 'till your wrist begs you no more. I can do a trick or two, 'aint half bad at it - but I don't thoroughly enjoy it as much as, say, doing my base. Right, base make-up is my real gem'. So whenever I stumble across an eye product which can make me gain a few precious minutes of sleep and give my aching wrists a break, I'm all up for it. If you too can't be bothered to go all arts-y on your eyelids when the sun hasn't come out yet but feel like you need to put something on there to feel and hopefully appear that bit more awake, then cream shadows are your best mates. There are some pretty awesome ones out there, but today I'd like to talk about the Chanel Illusion D'Ombre - and more specifically, the beauty that is called New Moon. This shade was released as part of a limited edition two years ago and I can't begin to tell you how very upset and heartbroken I was not to get my hands on it on time. Then, some miraculous day, it came back out of nowhere, like a godsend. It was a no-brainer, I wasn't going to let it slip through my fingers again and went out to buy it (literally) as fast as I could. I wasn't able to find out whether it is now permanently a part of the line or not, but if you have a Chanel counter nearby I'd highly suggest you make the splurge asap.  Sure thing, the formula is incredibly lovely, it stands between a cream and a mousse and my favorite way of applying it is, conveniently enough, to use my fingers. You got it, no need to faff around with a number of brushes - that's goals. All I can say about that shade is that it is bloody beautiful. It does have some serious sparkles running through it, so if you're not much of a fan of that sort of sheen during the day, you may want to save it for the evening. New Moon truly is magnificent and will only take you about ten seconds to apply, another ten seconds to pop on a transition shade in the crease if you're feeling fancy, a coat or two of mascara and voilà, you're eyes will be ready to do all of the talking.