The best beauty buys

Make up… a girl’s best friend! I absolutely love it and enjoy treating myself to yet another product to play with! On my wedding day I did my own make up and here are some of the products I used on my big day and love right now


PLAY UP YOUR MAKEUP FOR PHOTOS
Another general rule for brides, the camera will blow you out in photos. Put on a little more makeup than you would apply normally, more than you think you need, since the camera and lights will tone down your makeup.

If you’re doing your own makeup: Practice and take pictures before the big day. Start with less, because it’s easier to add more if you need it than having to remove excess makeup, which can get messy.

CONSIDER CLIMATE BEFORE APPLYING MAKEUP
Especially for brides getting married in warmer climates, consider using as many oil-free products as possible — primer, moisturizer, foundation, etc. — and keeping oil-free blotting sheets on hand.

USE A PRIMER
I recommend porefessional by Benefit

You want to make sure you cleanse and really moisturize the skin before you start applying your makeup. Then, after you moisturize and before you put on your foundation, there’s a really important step — primer. It’ll make your makeup go on smoother and last a lot longer.

Foundation
Bobbi Brown Skin foundation offers invisible, weightless coverage that looks like skin, not makeup. This long-wearing formula evens tone, minimises the appearance of pores, conceals imperfections, and offers broad spectrum UV protection. Its hydrating technology leaves skin feeling cushioned, comfortable, and clean. Ideal for combination, normal and normal to dry skins.

Concealer
Bobbi Brown’s Creamy Concealer kit blends easily to instantly cover, lift and brighten dark circles. It also helps maintain skin’s moisture levels for a smooth, virtually line-less look. Fuss-free pressed powder sets concealer for long-lasting wear.

Liquid eye liner
Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner, in Black is Waterproof, smudge-proof, flake-proof, smear-proof and run- proof…. And its just over a fiver, what more could you ask for!

Mascara
Wonder Perfect Waterproof Mascara by Clarins creates maximum length, curl and volume! Lashes look incredibly glamorous with intense colour and long-lasting

Powder
Clear complexion clarifying powder – Use a powder brush to dust over your face to help set your foundation. ThisLightweight powder blends easily onto the skin controlling shine for up to 5 hours.

Bronzer
Benefit Hoola is the No.1 selling Bronzer in the UK and we know why… its fantastic! Dust this soft bronze powder over your complexion for a healthy, natural looking “tan” year-round. It’s quite dark so you don’t need much which means it lasts ages!

Blusher
Benefit Sugar bomb is a gorgeous blusher – Swirl the 4 complimenting, shimmering shades of peach, soft plum, pink and rose powders together and sweep on cheeks for a natural radiance.

Polish
This blush-toned Essie nail lacquer in Sheer Bliss is ideal for the classic French manicure but I like it on its own! So pretty

Gloss
I heart MAC Lipglass! It has a unique texture – thick and glassy, but with zero stickiness. It gives lips a vinyl-like high shine and, because it doesn’t melt as quickly as other glosses, can also be used to highlight cheekbones and eyelids.

Glow
Seventeen instant glow shimmer brick is a cheaper alternative to Bobbi Brown’s shimmer brick, it’s great! Four layers of bronzed colours work together to give you the ultimate glow appeal.

Start with great skin care! You always need a good base to get started and these products will certainly give you that…


Exfoliate
I absolutely love No 7 Total Renewal Micro Dermabrasion Exfoliator. It really leaves your skin feeling clean. Team that with a hot flannel to open your pores before starting and then to wash off and you will have the freshest skin going!

Cleanse & Tone
I swear by Clarins and this is my go to brand. Occasionally I will change so my skin doesn’t get too used to the same thing but I highly recommend Clarins Cleansing Milk and toning lotions.

Cleansing wash

If you prefer to use a cleansing wash, I love Mary Cohr Perfect Gel Cleanser. Just apply on dry skin and massage in. The gel turns into an oil and then wash off. Lovely!

Oil and Moisturiser

Another Clarins product that I love is their Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil. This is a thirst quencher for your skin and smells divine. Use it at night after cleansing your skin on its own. I also mix a little with my day cream (either Clarins Multi Active or No7 Protect and Perfect day cream) to give my skin that extra moisture boost.