All about lips

Most girls I know like to have pouty lips and at least wear gloss most evenings. Here a few tricks that can help you have the prettiest pout about!

First of all, taking care of your lips is the best way to make them look fuller. Flaky dry lips don't look good on anyone! I start by exfoliating them daily with Befine Lip Exfoliator (available at CVS) http://www.befine.com/ which smooths them instantly. I then use Beautifull Lips by http://www.janson-beckett.com/ to moisturize and plump them. If you'd like a more glossy finish Befine Lip Serum is great, it gives a moist shine without being sticky and treats the skin with it's firmimg properties too. For special occasions I sometimes use Lip Injection Intensive Plumping Lip Mask by http://www.toofaced.com/ to give an extra plump rosy look! If you are just preparing your lips as part of your nightly routine I like to give them a nourishing treat by leaving a decent layer of Superbalm by http://www.lizearle.com/ (which is a multi use balm) and leaving it on overnight.

Now that your lips are smooth and plump begin by outlining the cupids bow with a highlighting pencil, I particularly like Benefit's Cupid's Bow Lip Shaper http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/ which has a highlighting pencil on one end and a definer on the other. I use the defining one just under my bottom lip and blend it well. It makes your lips stand out more but I don't recommend lining your whole lips as this tends to make them look smaller. Next I like tp apply a lip stain all over to give a lasting base of color, again Benefit do some great ones, the original Benetint and now Posietint which is a really pretty pink shade. I concentrate color in the center of the lips which gives a natural just bitten look. Now you have a choice of whether to put lipstick or gloss on or just a little balm to keep the look soft and natural. My favorite choice at the moment is to top off with Medieval Lip Treatment by http://www.lipstickqueen.com/ I find this really looks like I have flushed full lips and is natural in a Snow White rosebud lips kind of way! You could also use a lipstick, again Lipstick Queen have an amazing array of colors and textures or a gloss like the ones from Smashbox http://www.smashbox.com/ which are a favorite of my client Terri Seymour. If you want further plumping I highly recommend Freeze 24/7 Lip Plumper http://www.freeze247.com/ , in the clear version - it really works!

Now get out there and start pouting xx

Things I buy more than once

As a professional makeup artist and self confessed beauty junkie I get to try pretty much every product on the market. The true test of how good a product is for me is if I buy it again and again. This is a list of those items:

Clarifying Cleanser by Murad http://www.murad.com/ - by far the best wash I have ever used for keeping those dreaded monthly breakouts at bay.

Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser by Liz Earle www.lizearle.com - my friend Joolz first introduced me to this unbelievable cleanser, it gets even the hardest to remove makeup off and leaves your skin looking like you just had a facial.

Alpha Derma CE by Janson Beckett http://www.janson-becket.com/ - an amazing moisturiser that isn't greasy at all and tightens the skin instantly.

Beautifull Lips by Janson Beckett http://www.janson-beckett.com/ - I use this every day to plump my lips and give them a natural rosy glow.

Veil Fluid Foundation by Hourglass Cosmetics www.hourglasscosmetics.com - a great natural looking foundation that covers and tightens the skin in one step.

Secret Brightening Powder in no.2 by Laura Mercier www.lauramercier.com - I can't even count how many pots of this I've gone through. I use to to brighten under the eyes but also all over the face as a loose powder for a soft glowy effect.

Beauty Elixir by Caudalie www.sephora.com - this facial mist really smooths and freshens the skin leaving it looking dewy and can be used under or over makeup.

Calligraphy Eyeliner by Hourglass Cosmetics http://www.hourglasscosmetics.com/ - a felt tip like eyeliner pen that enables you to do a cat like eye effortlessly.

Smoky Eyes Mascara by Makeup Forever www.makeupforeverusa.com - this mascara gives deep black, long, thick and feathery lashes all in two coats.

Jumbo Eye Pencil in 502 by Sephora www.sephora.com - I buy this pencil in bulk just in case they ever decide to discontinue it! It creates a natural looking glistening eye when used lightly inside and around the lash line but can become a shimmery smoky eye when used over black eyeliner. I use this on everyone.

Cream Tint in Orchid by Jouer Cosmetics http://www.jouer.com/ - don't be scared of the deep red of this tint, it gives a gorgeous just back from the beach flush to cheeks and a deeper version of your own lips when applied lightly to them.

and last but not least:

Lip Plumper by Freeze 24/7 www.freeze247.com - the only plumping lipgloss that I've come across that actually works. It gives glossy, plump flushed lips in seconds.

All the above products I love and use on myself and my clients, I hope you love them as much as I do!