Makeup Bag Essentials

There are a few items everyone should have in their makeup bag. With these you can create almost any look from natural daytime to a full on evening makeup.

Here is a list of my recommendations:

Powder foundation: I use one every day, it evens out your skin in a flash and sometimes you don't even need a concealer. My pick is Hello Flawless by http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/ which also has an SPF in it so you can top up your sun protection all day!

Black eyeliner pencil: This you can use to give subtle definition or go for an all out smoky eye. Useful to keep in your bag for touch ups too. My favorite is 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Zero by http://www.urbandecay.com/ it stays on all day and is waterproof, I also like Oil Slick which is black with a tiny silver glitter in it - perfect for night.

Black powder eyeshadow: I always use black powder shadow over eyeliner to set it and you can use this to add drama too by smoking it outwards and lining under the eyes too. My choice is Black 4 by Makeup Forever available at http://www.sephora.com/

A palette of neutral shadows that you can create different looks with, going from extremely natural with light sheeny shades to dramatic evening with the more shimmery shades combined with the previous black pencils and shadows. I love 5 Coleurs in Earth Reflection by http://www.dior.com/

Eyebrow pencil: Your face isn't finished until you have defined your brows. It's amazing what a difference it makes. Choose a pencil in your shade from http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/ their Instant Brow Pencil comes with a spooly brush on the other end making it wasy to achieve perfect brows, even on the go.

Black mascara: I know everyone says you should wear brown mascara if you're blonde but I like the added definition and depth that black mascara gives to every coloring. My favorite is Deep Color Mascara in Black 01 by http://www.korres.com/   for US readers go to http://www.korresusa.com/ also available at http://www.sephora.com/ and http://www.studiobeautymix.com/

Powder blusher: This is the easiest to apply, especially for touch ups. I prefer a pinky peachy shade which suits most coloring, if you have very dark skin opt for a plummy shade. The one I use all the time is http://www.cargoscosmetics.com/ powder blush in Catalina.

Powder Bronzer: Great for any skin to add warmth and cheekbones if shaded underneath the apple! It's best to choose a matte formula that isn't too orange so it looks natural during the day and add shimmer with a highlighter at night. The best I've come across is http://www.jouercosmetics.com/ matte bronzer in Suntan.

Lipliner: A neutral shade can be used to define lips and add a base for gloss. I don't like just lining the outside of the lips, I always fill in too so that you don't end up with a ring around the edges when your gloss wears off! A great choice is Lipliner in Natural or Blush (for pinkier lips) by http://www.josiemarancosmetics.com/

Lipgloss: This is entirely your choice of texture and color. You can go for ultra glossy, plumping or a sheeny balm depending on your preference. Good picks are: Ultra glossy - Extreme Sheen by http://www.hourglasscosmetics.com/ , Plumping - Instant Plump Volumizing Lip Shine by http://www.get247beauty.com/ (also available at CVS), Balm: Sugar Lip Treatment in original (no color) or Rose by http://www.fresh.com/ which has an SPF 15, great for the summer months to stop lips drying out in the sun.

Eyedrops: After a long day my eyes get red and no matter how great your makeup is, this can definitely spoil a look! I keep a bottle of Naphcon A eyedrops http://www.alcon.com/ (available at all good drugstores)  with me all the time, they not only relieve redness totally but also stop itching and irritation from allergies.

Last but not least I like to keep a makeup finishing spray in my bag to set my makeup but also refresh during the day. I cannot do with 10 Years Younger by http://www.skindinavia.com/ - it has come to my rescue many a time!

I love face masks.....

Maybe a little too much as I try out at least several a week! There are a huge selection out there that perform different tasks. Some are for deep cleansing, some repairing, some deeply hydrating and some that perk your skin up - ideal before a night out.

Here is my round up of some of the best:

For deep cleansing and to firm and brighten oily skin I recommend B. Kamins http://www.bkamins.com/ Diotamamus Earth Masque - I found this left my skin feeling exceptionally clean but really soft and bright too.

For a quick fix for tired skin in the morning after a late night or to freshen up before a party Liz Earle Brightening Treatment http://www.lizearle.com/ is perfect. It works in 2 minutes and is a great pick me up.

For skin that is irritated and red try Healing and Soothing Mask by Mario Badescu http://www.mariobadescu.com/ is amazing. It calms skin down and softens dry patches. I like to use this on shoots when the model has been removing and putting on makeup continuously and her skin needs a break!

For skin that needs purifying after a hectic day in the city Be Fine Warming Clay Mask http://www.befine.com/ is ideal. This warming and soothing mask fights the free radicals that have been ravaging your skin all day long.

For skin that is smooth and glowing before a big night out I love Wine Hydrating Mask http://www.arcona.com/ this gets rid of little fine dryness lines. I find I can go without moisturizer under my base after using this.

For a deeply exfoliating and moisturizing treat use Fresh Sugar Face Polish http://www.fresh.com/ . It not only leaves your face radiant, refined and moisturized, it smells gorgeous too.

For dehydrated skin under your eyes (I put these on for 10 minutes under my sleep mask at the end of a long flight) I always use Stress Relief Eye Mask http://www.esteelauder.com/ these pre-moistened pads really get rid of lines and puffiness and make you look refreshed - even after an 11 hour flight!

I try to use a mask at least 3 times a week and I've been getting a lot of compliments on my skin lately - is it down to masks? Who knows, but I'm going to carry on using them!

Steps to an easy smoky eye makeup

Most girls like to do a smoky eye for nights out but there is a fine line between a sexy look and a heavy drag queen makeup! Here are the steps to a brownish taupe smoky eye makeup instead of the regulatory black, that never looks too heavy and suits all skin tones....I start by blending a cream eyeshadow/liner all over as a base to keep the rest of the makeup in place and add depth, Smashbox (http://www.smashbox.com/) do a great range for this and I particularly like the shade Putty for this look, they have good metallic ones that would work too.Next Line the top of the lashes with a darker cream liner and blend out, I use Caviar or Midnight Brown for this by Smashbox too. The key to this look is no hard lines. Everything should blend and look feathery. I then go over the shadow base with a shimmery taupe shadow Jouer's (http://www.jouercosmetics.com/ )Amaretto eye shadow is a favorite of mine. Go over the lash line with a fine brush dipped in a dark brown or black eyeshadow and feather it out. Line the lower lashes inside and out with Sephora's (http://www.sephora.com/) chunky eyepencil in 502. You can use this pencil heavily and it looks smoky or lightly during the day for a baby like glisten. Finish with a few coats of black mascara - Fresh (http://www.fresh.com/) Firebird Mascara works perfectly for this look and groom your eyebrows for a polished look.A perfect smoky eye in 5 minutes or less!!

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!

Beauty night!

I stayed at home tonight after a few hectic nights out with my friend from London, he works for British Elle and is here for a shoot . As he has to get up early tomorrow I thought it would be a good time to treat myself to a night of beauty to repair the ravages of the last few days!

I started by thoroughly cleansing my skin using my Clarisonic Brush and Clarifying Cleanser by Murad. After drying my face gently with a soft towel I put a layer of Fresh Sugar Face Polish on and left it to work it's magic for 10 minutes. After rinsing and drying again, I sat watching TV whilst giving myself an at home facelift with my NuFace machine! Time for a layer of my favorite moisturiser Alpha Derma CE by Janson Beckett and I'm ready to face the world again!