#72 Bag Spy: What's in your bag? Zara from Kiss And Makeup

Today’s bag spy comes courtesy of the lovely Zara from KissandMakeup.tv kissandmakeuptv , I met her at the NARS press event and we just clicked and immediately got chatting about beauty products et al. After Zara had suggested a number of fantastic tips and products for me to try out, I just knew I had to get her to share a bag spy…


Bag Spy: Zara Rabinowicz from Kiss And Makeup

Hi, I’m Zara from KissandMakeup.tv and I’m excited to be sharing the contents of my makeup bag with you. I’ve been involved in beauty ever since I was a little girl, smearing pieces of paper with kisses from 17 lippies to pinpoint my favourite shades. I’ve worked on various magazines, websites and papers in all sorts of fields, but beauty has been my one recurring love. Whether it has been finding the perfect lip balm to combat chapped lips, or the latest facial that plumps and refines lines, I’m at the forefront of testing and trialling and enjoying every minute. I love working online as feedback is so immediate and I find that having people respond to your work is the best way to refine and improve it, as well as sharing details and getting tips on news products. It’s hard to narrow down what are the most essential products in my makeup bag as I try so many things on a daily basis, but the below ten are the most recent staples that I couldn’t live without.

1. Givenchy Phenomen’eyes

This mascara has been a total godsend to me, as it separates and defines my lashes like nothing I've ever seen. Once you overcome your initial distrust of the oddly shaped brush, you'll find it a product you never leave the house without. They’ve just released details of a plum waterproof version for summer, and that’s next on my must-have list!

2. MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner in Petting Pink

I get really dry chapped lips, and though I love using lip balm, sometimes I want something with little bit more colour. This lip conditioner from MAC is the loveliest shades of baby pink and gives you a really rosy looking glow. The texture sinks onto the lips, giving them soft sheer coverage and it really softens your wind battered pout. My Hello Kitty version never fails to get admiring looks either- they should bring this colour back permanently!

3. Clinique Dewy Smooth Anti-Aging foundation.

The idea of anti-aging foundation is something I was originally resistant too, as I feel that your skincare rather than your cosmetics should be the ones targeting lines. However the simply amazing, Photoshop like coverage speaks for itself as it smooth’s out the whole complexion, flattering you face from every angle and evening out any lines or blemishes. It makes you look absolutely amazing in photos and the dewy finish is flattering for everyone, regardless of their age

4. Stargazer Liquid Eyeliner

Stargazer is a brand I use to associate with goth-like wanders around Camden market, but though they retain their youthful associations with an array of ultra-bright and pigmented colours, they have moved onto slightly more impressive formulations. I’m currently loving their eyeliner as it provides a firm black line that can be fine-tuned or thickened as needed allowing me to create both feline flicks and Winehouse style eyes with ease. It dries extremely quickly and is really long lasting- a cult must have!



5. Collection 2000 Illuminating Concealer

Collection 2000 nowadays can be considered a premium brand with a surprisingly low price point. This creamy concealer works just as well as Touché Éclat, easily hiding circles and bags with a simple flick of the pen. The creamy consistency blends extremely easily and it’s magical on circles.

6. The Beauty Blender (get it at cult beauty)

This egg shaped pink tool has revolutionizes the way I apply my foundation as I’d generally choose this above both brushes and fingers. If you use a stippling effect when you apply this to the skin you get a really even finish with your makeup and the design means it’s extremely kind to your product, making sure you don’t use more than necessary.



7. Clarisonic

Whilst strictly not a cosmetic this skin cleaning brush device provides the skin with such a smooth texture and clean surface that it can almost be considered a makeup tool. Originally a sceptic about this product, once I’d used it for over a month I was converted as I never go a day without using this brush. Compatible with all cleansers and exfoliators the sonic powered device whizzes away grime and dirt and leaves your skin feeling squeaky clean- a great base for all products.

8. Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick

5 shimmering shades provide you with a great all over glow, and they can be used individual as eyeshadows as well. The palette is flattering on any skintone, and incredibly long lasting, as I’ve had mine for over three years (probably time for a new one). It’s a great way to create a subtle glow on the hairline and cheeks and the shimmery nature of the powders mean that you can really make your cheekbones pop. It has a nicely sized mirror as well, so it’s great for touching up on the go.

9. L’occitane hand cream

L’occitane hand creams are ultra-rich due to having 20% Shea butter in their formulation and they sink in really quickly. I love the fragrance of the limited edition honey and lemon version (out every Christmas and think the fact they’re handbag sized is a major plus point.




10. Urban Decay eyeshadows

I love the texture and pigmentation of Urban Decay shadows, as they can be used as sheer washes or built up for a stronger look. They’re extremely long lasting and they manage to combine glitter with shine without flaking all over your cheeks. My favourite colours would be Polyester Bride (a great white, fab as a brow bone highlighter) and Midnight Cowboy (a universally flattering brown shimmer). They feel really silky on the eyelids and make the eyes sparkle.

See, I told you she was fab didn't I? Drop by her blog for more tips and info ...I'm already eyeing the beauty blender and the clarisonic .....Thank you so much for taking part Zara.

#70 Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener

You might remember my recent post about Bobbi Brown's new collection called Makeup Facelift. The collection was designed to give women all the tools to look well-rested and bright eyed – in five minutes flat!

Well I was recently sent the Tinted Eye Brightener in Dark Bisque from the collection to try out and I am so in love with it! I tried it out yesterday morning after a late night out on Saturday and it instantly made me look well rested and more awake. I also have it on today and have been told I am looking “decidedly perky” It has also helped to brighten up any shadows and smoothed out the area under my eyes.

The colour of the Dark Bisque is a pink/peachy colour that works well with my skin tone. I love that it comes in a pen format rather than in a pot as this makes it easier to apply since the consistency is quite fluid. I also love that it instantly brightens without looking heavy or caked on and it dries really nicely and doesn’t settle into your lines afterwards like concealer can.

I don’t really have any circles or lines under my eyes just a few fine ones which are more dehydration lines than anything else so I can’t say how it would work on heavier lines, however on my fine lines it worked perfectly and really helped to smooth out the whole area. I would think though that if you have heavier lines or very dark circles you probably need something with more concealing power as this is meant to brighten rather than conceal

Word of warning though, you need to use it very sparingly and I would say just apply it around the inner corner, close to your lashes and lightly on any dark shadows under your eyes. Otherwise if you go in there all guns blazing with a heavy hand you could end up emphasising the areas you are actually trying to hide.

It retails at £22 so it’s not exactly cheap, however a little goes a long way so it should last you quite a while. It also comes in 8 different shades so you should be able to find a suitable colour for your skin tone. I will definitely be repurchasing this once I run out as I love how it brightens up my whole face.

Xoxo

#62 Bobbi Brown: Makeup Facelift Collection

Bobbi Brown is launching a collection called Makeup Facelift which is available online now and is coming to stores next week. It was designed to give women all the tools to look well-rested and bright eyed – in five minutes flat! Check out the collection here bobbibrown

I love Bobbi Brown products especially the foundations and I find that they work really well with most women of colour. I also love that her makeup usually has a natural quality to it so it works to enhance your natural beauty rather than camouflage it. I had a look at the collection online and it looks very wearable so I can’t wait to try a few bits out.

Here are some quotes from Bobbi on how to use the collection to Plump, Brighten, Pop and Define which I have copied in below.

Plump

Layer skincare formulas, a wet hydrating eye cream such as the new Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Repair Cream, which visibly revives, repairs and reinforces the delicate skin around the eyes, under a rich dense balm for instance, will give skin a plumped-up cushiony look.
Use the warmth of your fingers to help blend the cream. It is far more effective to apply a base (foundations or tinted moisturisers) that looks like real skin and just evens out the complexion. Tinted Moisturising Balm works well to give a plump freshness to the skin.
Brighten

Lighten the under-eye area and draw your attention up with a pink toned corrective Tinted Eye Brightener. The shades of the brightener will totally counter act dark shadows under the eye making the eye look more lifted and tight. Be sure to apply close to the lashes and to the inner corner of the eye as well.
The brow bone should always be the lightest part of the make up so apply a white or ivory highlighter to this part of the eyelid for an instant lift. Try my new Eye Shadow in Navajo, this clean bright fresh eye colour will instantly lift the eye giving brightness and making the eye look higher and tighter.

Pop

Dust blush high on the apples of your cheeks. Choose a shade of blush that looks like the colour of your cheeks when you blush
Pinks and corals are great colour choices to give an uplifting youthful appearance to the skin, try my Pale Pink Powder Blush.

Define

Instantly give your eyes a lift with defined brows. The new Brow Pencils provide a soft, natural look as well as exceptional blendability in a convenient, easy to use pencil. The beauty of the pencil is that you can precisely place the arch which will instantly lift the brow.
When lining the eyes, extend the liner ever so slightly at the outer corner of the eye. Make sure the liner is thick enough and visible enough when your eyes open. Try Long wear Gel Liner in Caviar
Keep the eyelids fresh and natural (using either powder or cream shadow) and apply strong eyeliner and 2 coats of mascara to open the eyes. If you suffer with dark under eye apply eyeliner to the top lash line only.
After applying lipstick and lip pencil. Layer a light shade of light-reflecting, high shine lip gloss - Brightening Lip Gloss has a unique formula which makes the lip appear fuller and smoother so ideal for a lip with imperfections whilst creating the illusion of fuller lips.
When you have finished the makeup apply a little Soothing Balm over the cheeks to give a fresh dewy finish.

I personally would like to try the Extra Eye Repair Cream and the Tinted Eye Brightener as my eye area could definitely do with a major dose of TLC. I will keep you all posted on the products once I’ve tried them.

Xoxo

#55 Bag Spy: Whats in your bag? - Ateh Jewel Beauty Insider

Drumroll please!! Today’s Bag Spy come courtesy of journalist extraordinaire Ateh from atehjewelbeautyinsider. An award winning beauty journalist who regularly writes for a list of well known and respected titles such as Vogue, Grazia, Sunday Time Style, In Style Magazine, The Telegraph's Stella Magazine, and Red Magazine to name a few, so to say I was honoured when she agreed to do a bag spy is a major understatement. But I think what touched me the most when I approached her was just her personality, she was just so down to earth and nice (no journalist diva here) and was even thanking me for approaching her …while I was doing a little bow and saying We’re not worthy, were not worthy! Check out her blog atehjewelbeautyinsider.blogspot for some insider knowledge into the beauty world and enjoy her bag spy and mini bio below.

Thank you for asking me to reveal the contents of my beauty bag! I have been beauty mad since a kid and I used to apply my mum’s make up and cut her hair (only a mother’s love would allow this). By the time I hit university I used to buy electrician’s toolboxes to keep all my make up bits and pieces in and would make up girls for first dates and balls. After I graduated, I read History at Bristol University, I decided to put my two loves together – writing and beauty and started work at In Style magazine just after the first issue launched. I then spent a year at Tatler before going freelance in 2002. I love writing for different titles such as Vogue, Grazia, Daily Mail, Metro, Sunday Times Style, Daily Express and Black Beauty and Hair magazine and love the drama, self -expression, artistry and sense of well being the beauty industry and products can give women and has given me. Here’s a glimpse into my beauty stash.

Dermalogica, Special Cleansing Gel

I love this facial wash as it’s soap free, so it doesn’t strip the skin and contains calming and balancing lavender and balm mint extract. This is my daily skincare essential

Eve Lom, Cleanser

I love the ritual and ceremony of using this Bentley of cleansers, as the creamy texture is great for massaging and boosting the skin’s circulation before using the muslin cloth to gently remove it. I have combination skin and the mix of clove, chamomile and eucalyptus is really decongesting.

Crème de la Mer, Lip Balm

I actually think I am in love with this lip balm with it’s miracle broth, marine extracts and vitamins. I do love a good lip balm and this is the best one I have ever come across. Jamelia also loves this lip balm we bonded on how much we love it!

Ole Henriksen, Blue/Black Berry Enzyme Mask

I mask twice a week and it makes a big difference to the quality and texture of the skin. This one by Ole who is a lovely man contains calming lavender, skin smoothing papaya enzyme and the berries, which are packed full of antioxidants.

Aromatherapy Associates, Renew Rose & Sandalwood Facial Oil

I use this oil every night on my skin, as oils are a great way to deeply hydrate and add a glow to your skin as the skin recognises the oil and makes it penetrate quicker. The quality of AA’s products are amazing and it’s a joy to use before bed.

Darphin, Hydraskin Serum

I use this serum twice a day as it leaves my skin looking plumped and is super hydrating.

Nars, Sheer Glow Foundation in Benares

Anyone with a darker skin tone will tell you it’s a nightmare to get a great foundation as the colours from most brands don’t go dark enough or the undertones are wrong, which make you look ashy or too red. However, this is the first foundation in my 31 years that I truly love and is a great colour match.

Bobbi Brown, Lip Gloss in Merlot

Bobbi Brown is great for darker skin tones as all the products are packed full of pigment, which means it shows up on my skin. This lip-gloss is very natural and gives a soft glow to the lips, which I like to wear everyday.

Shu Uemura, Eye shadow

I had the chance to meet Mr Uemura before he died and it was such an honour and a privilege he was a true visionary and I love his products. These eye shadows are packed full of pigment and look amazing on all skin tones especially darker ones. I am loving IR Brown 810 and P Gold 350 at the moment.

Chanel, Joules Contraste in Imprevu and Enchantresse

Chanel blushes are packed full of punch so they are good on my skin. I find these blushes leave a healthy glow on the skin and make your whole face look alive. I know lots of black girls don’t do blush because they think it doesn’t look natural but I disagree, try popping a blush on your cheeks it will rock your beauty world.

And thats it, thanks again Ateh - you were great! talk about a fab list of products - I am liking the sound of the Ole H mask and the Chanel blushes.

Make sure you check out her blog

Xoxo