Getting ready for Summer

If you're anything like me, you've spent the Winter months cocooned in layers of warm clothing (yes even in Southern California!) and need a little help before you shed some of them in public. I like to prepare for this with the help of a few beauty rituals....
First of all you need to start getting your skin into shape by smoothing it with a good scrub a few times a week, I like Coconut Sugar Rub by www.purefiji.com as it softens and gets rid of the dead skin all at once and smells like a tropical vacation, something I could do with right now! Next shave your legs with a good quality shaving cream (or foam if your prefer) unless you have them waxed and then you can concentrate on your face. I exfoliate it with my Clarisonic Brush and my favorite face wash Clarifying Cleanser by www.murad.com which is great if you have oily skin like me, you can use a wash specifically for your skin type which there are many of by Murad. I now wash my hair and get out of the shower and put on a hair mask like 3 minute mask by Fekkai and cover it with a shower cap. Run a bath and add a creamy bath milk like the ones from www.purefiji.com and apply a gentle face mask like Rose Petal Mask by www.fresh.com. I like to have a candle burning to help me relax and to read but if you prefer to just relax now is a good time to put on cotton wool pads that have been soaked in Eyebright lotion by www.lizearle.com to brighten and refresh tired eyes. Soak for at least 15 minutes to let all the products take effect and then get back in the shower and rinse off. After drying yourself with a soft fluffy towel, massage in a cellulite lotion that has self tan in it - Cellufight by www.tarte.com is amazing and apply a self tanner to your face, Solartan by Hourglass is my choice as the color is so believable but subtle. It is a primer but I also like to use it at night so that I wake up glowing! Moisturize and plump your lips with Beautifull Lips by www.janson-beckett.com and that completes your skin's beautifying routine. Leave your hair to dry naturally so it gets the full benefit of the treatment and get a good night's rest, Murad sleep reform supplement can help if you have trouble sleeping but consult your Doctor before taking it. You should wake up looking and feeling ready to wear that sundress that has been hiding in the back of your closet!!
Now you've done the prep work and are feeling smooth, fresh and glowing you can get ready for your day with a few simple steps. After your shower smooth Body Firming Cream by www.murad.com all over to keep up the body firming treatment from the night before, if you are going to be out in the sun let it sink in, then apply suntan lotion as usual. Towel dry your hair and then put a little Marine Styling Balm by www.ecrunewyork.com in for hold, softness and body that won't flake or become gummy in the heat. It also protects the hair and soothes the scalp. Finish your style by spraying with Sunlight Finishing Spray by www.ecrunewyork.com which keeps it in shape and protects from the any harmful rays. For a fast simple sunny makeup look I start with Highnoon Face Glow by www.fresh.com which is a golden tinted moisturizer which gives a really great glow. Then I add some more color with the bronze cream shade from the Illume palette by www.hourglasscosmetics.com I put this across the cheeks and the bridge of the nose, on the forehead and chin and a little blended well on the eyelids. Use the highlighter shade in the palette on your cheekbones and the inner corner of the eyes for a little shimmer. If you need powder, dust a little on now, I love Translucent Finishing powder by www.alisonraffaele.com which is so light and sheer you won't feel like you're wearing any at all! Emphasize your eyes by filling in your brows with Brow Pen by www.anastasia.net which is a liquid pen that stays put all day and a couple of coats of 4 Day Lash Stain by www.tarte.com. Finish your look with a easy to use gloss pencil in a sheer but bright shade (I like Chinatown Crime) by www.lipstickqueen.com and your summer glow should last as long as you do!

Foundation 101

Here is my guide to getting a perfect base:

You must start with clean, smooth skin. I suggest cleansing thoroughly with an oil like Nude Skincare Cleansing Facial Oil http://www.nudeskincare.com/ to remove all traces of makeup and dirt. Then smooth your skin's texture and brighten at the same time with Liz Earle's Brightening Treatment http://www.lizearle.com/ which is a quick face mask that you remove with a hot muslin cloth that acts like a mild exfoliant and revives dull complexions. Next apply a non greasy moisturiser suited to your skin type - for aging and or dry skin I like Alpha Derma CE by Janson Beckett http://www.janson-beckett.com/ as it has tightening properties and leaves skin glowing. If you have oily/combination skin try Oil Control Mattifier by Murad http://www.murad.com/ which is honestly the only oil control lotion I have ever found that actually does the job (this is also good during the Summer months or in humid climates to control shine)!

Now you've prepped your complexion you can massage in a primer if you like to use them - my favorites are Face Forward Primers (both Age Response and Acne Response Formulas) by http://www.alisonraffaele.com/ . Let the primer settle for a minute and then take your preferred base, I use Hourglass Veil Fluid Makeup http://www.hourglasscosmetics.com/ on all my clients, and put a little on the back of your hand. Using a wedge sponge (I prefer sponges to brushes as I think brushes just leave a mask like layer on top of the skin and it looks heavy and unnatural) dip into the foundation and blend well from the inner areas of your face out towards the edges. You usually need more foundation in the center of your face and less on the outer, as the skin is usually finer here. Blend thoroughly, making sure there are no tide marks under your chin and you have blended around the nose, an area people don't check and believe me I've seen it looking extremely crusty before - not a good look! Taking a good concealer especially formulated for the delicate skin under the eyes (Age Repairing Brightener by http://www.jouer.com/ is ideal) dot it straight from the tube or using a small brush apply it from the inner corners to the outer corners, not forgetting the little crease at the edge of the eye and gently blend with your ring finger. If you are using the right concealer it won't cake or accentuate lines and will make you look brighter and younger. Using a smaller brush conceal any pimples by dotting concealer on top and patting it in, being careful not to rub it off - Acne Treatment Concealer by http://www.murad.com/ is great for this. If you use cream blusher now is the time to add it to the apples of your cheeks and yes you guessed it blend, blend, blend! Dust a very fine layer of powder over your your whole face with a big fluffy brush to set your makeup, help it last and also give it an airbrushed quality - Hourglass Invisible Veil Powder is perfect as is Transparent Finish Powder by Alison Raffaele.

You now should look flawless and have a great canvas for the rest of your makeup!

Alison Raffaele Cosmetics

So.....I had a late night last night and woke up feeling none too pretty. I was very happy though when I opened my door to the mailman and received a parcel of makeup from www.alisonraffaele.com the company that has amazing bases, primers and concealers. I have just tried the Face Forward Primer in the Age Response Formula which created a really smooth base then with the True Concealer and Transparent Finish Powder on top, my skin looked great - I didn't even need foundation! I will definitely be trying these out on my celebrity clients very soon....