Preparing from top to toe for a beautiful Valentines look

On Valentines day you want to feel and look your best from top to toe. I like to have a few hours to get ready before a big date and to pamper myself thoroughly, so put as much time as you can aside and follow these tips:

Take off any makeup you have on with a good cleanser such as Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser http://www.lizearle.com/ which removes even eyemakeup completely. Then put on a mask to smooth your skin for makeup, I like Renee Rouleau Triple Berry Smoothing Peel http://www.reneerouleau.com/ as this really brightens and softens. While the mask is working lie down with Talika's Eye Decompress mask http://www.talika.com/  on to refresh the eye area and temporarily erase fine lines. After 10 minutes head to the shower and rinse off the mask, wash your hair with a shampoo especially formulated to get rid of any oils that will weigh down your hair but is kind to the ends such as Leonor Greyl Balancing Shampoo for oily scalp with dry ends http://www.leonorgreyl.com/ this will leave it bouncy and shiny. Condition the ends only with a conditioner for your hair type. Next scrub your body all over with a scrub like Silky Skin Body Scrub by http://www.pevonia.com/ to make your skin touchable! Rinse throughly and get out and wrap yourself in a fluffy robe, then have a quick spray with Sweet Spot Labs balancing Mist http://www.sweetspotlabs.com/ to keep you feeling fresh!

Whilst you're drying take the time to polish your nails in a romantic color like Mind by http://www.sparitual.com/ which is an up to date matte formula in a champagne shade. If you like to be a little funkier try Snowcone by http://www.orly.com/ which is a gorgeous creamy pale blue colour and a break from the usual pinks and reds. Give them a few minutes to dry and then moisturise your body all over with a gentle, easily absorbed body milk like Emulsion Minerale by http://www.payot.com/

Now for your face I thought I'd show you a makeup that is very soft and romantic:

Start by preparing your skin with a primer that is lightweight and feels refreshing. I love Vincent Longo's Water Canvas Base/Primer http://www.vincentlongo.com/ as it has a cool water feeling and makes my skin feel like satin. Next use a base to even out your complexion, I always use Hourglass Fluid Veil http://www.hourglasscosmetics.com/ on all my clients and myself for it's amazing ability to look natural but give a flawless complexion. Next powder lightly with a superfine powder, try Mineral Essence Magic Finish Powder http://www.mineralessence.com/ it also comes in bronze for darker skins. For your eyes the trick is to keep it light and fresh. Take a liquid shadow, I use Stila  http://www.stilacosmetics.com/ Silk Eyeshadow Wash in Kitten and blend it all over the lids and slightly into the crease. Let it dry (it won't budge when it does) and then line the upper lashline with a dampened fine eyeliner brush dipped in a dark brown shadow such as Emani Minerals http://www.emani.com/ High Performance Brow Filler and Eyeliner (as the name suggests it doubles as a brow shadow). Line the lower lashline with a shimmery eyeliner pencil in a taupe or cream shade, my favorite is the Jumbo Eye Pencil by Sephora in no. 5. Add 2 coats of thickening mascara in brown or black depending on your hair color - a good one is Anastasia Lash Lift http://www.anastasia.net/ .

The main focus of this look is the pink blusher, it needs to stand out to give that girly, coy romantic look so take your time and using a fluffy dome shaped blusher brush concentrate color on the apples of the cheeks, swirling gently until you get that radiant glow. I love Lorac http://www.lorac.com/ Baked Matte Satin Blush in Velvet Rope for it's gorgeous sheen.

Keep the lips simple by applying a tinted balm like Bloom's Lip Tint in Veil http://www.bloomcosmetics.com/ which has the advantage of keeping your lips soft but not gloopy - in other words kissable!

Don't forget about the skin your baring too, you want to keep that romantic glow going all over - sweep Benefit Body So Fine http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/ on your shoulders, decollete, arms and legs (or wherever your have skin showing) or Scott Barnes Body Bling http://www.scottbarnes.com/ if you have tanned or darker skin. Both give a shimmering glow and make your skin look like it is lit from within.

Finish your look by drying your hair with a lightweight gel for body, Fix It Gel by http://www.tedgibsonbeauty.com/ is great and then adding a few loose, soft curls with DeFabulous's Clipless Curling Iron http://www.defabulous.com/ . A quick spray of hairspray to keep it all in place and you can put your slinkiest outfit on and wow your man!

(I was provided with some of the above brands and some I purchased)