Korres 'Smokin' Autumn/Winter Collection

Smoky eyes will never ever go out of make up fashion, in fact dramatic smoky eyes are my statement look when I'm out partying with my girls. For years,my friends have always asked me to give them 'smoky eyes' when I do their make up for a night out (yes, you know who you are;Vikki, Leanne, Jade et al).

There is something very sensual about this look and the new Autumn/Winter collection by Korres introduces natural metallic browns and golden tones with natural ingredients such as Evening Primrose and Rice Oil.

(L - R: Sunflower and Evening Primrose Eyeshadows in Brun, Golden Brown and Nude)

(From Top - Bottom: Brun, Golden Brown and Nude)

My favourite colour is Golden Brown, I describe it as black gold, it's gorgeous on and can honestly say I haven't come across a colour eye shadow like this in such good quality. I will be using this with heavy black eyeliner.

(Guava Lipstick)

I tend to always go for nude lips (makes them look bigger) but also because I can focus on my blusher (my key make up must have) and eye make up. This smells divine and is so moisturising, the colour is also great for all skin colours. Love it! My sister thinks she is going to get this from me. No way!

(Luminous finish velvety blush)

This blush glides on like velvet because of the Corn starch powder particles, colour is like a bronzer, I actually used this as a bronzer today with pink blush on top. Beautiful.

So girls, get set, get ready and go for some smoky eyes.

amie - a girl's new BFF

Profile of my tester who used the amie skincare range for a week;

Name: Sarah Khan

Age: 17

Occupation: Student

Skin Type: Normal- Dry

Usual products: I normally use Finders dermabalance face moisturiser, Clean and Clear facial wash, Eve Lom cleanser.

Review:

For the past week, I have been using the Amie skincare product range, specifically designed for young and teenage skin. Being 17 years old and with so many different skin care products on the market, Amie makes choosing the right products much easier. I have found that previously, whilst some skins products promise clearer skin within a certain amount of time it has had the opposite effects, such as breakouts instead of "perfect" skin. Amie skincare has an average of 95% natural ingredients with no harsh chemicals or parabens.

In the morning, I started with Amie Morning Clear Purifying Facial Wash. The face wash promises really clean skin that feels soft and smooth, and this is exactly how my skin felt afterwards. My skin felt completely refreshed and hydrated and I find it is perfect for everyday use as with no harsh chemicals or parabens it can only produce good results. I used the facial wash both morning and night as the oil excess and dirt from the day is removed.

After using the Purifying Facial Wash, I then moisturised with Morning Dew Matte-Finish Moisturiser. The first thing I noticed was how refreshingly light the moisturiser was and it really complements the Facial Wash as your skin still feels soft and smooth, if not more so, after application of the moisturiser. My face didn't look shiny either, yet it felt hydrated. This matte effect of this moisturiser makes it a good base for my tinted moisturiser.

The Spring Clean Cooling Clay Mask is directed to be used only once or twice a week. On appication, after about 2-3 minutes I felt a light tingling sensation from the organic peppermint which was intensified over time. The fresh, lime smell of the mask also added to its appeal It feels like an indication of the deep cleansing working and after 10 minutes, I washed the face mask off and the cooling sensation still lasted! I'd advise that you only apply a thin layer as it can take a while to wash off but the results felt almost immeadiate- my skin felt the softest and most refreshed than it had before.

At night time, before washing my face I like to remove my eye make up beforehand as the eye area is too sensitive to rub make up off with just face wash. I used Amie Bright Eyes Very Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover by applying some of the product to a cotton wool pad. I have previously used eye make-up remover products that have made my eyes sting but the gentle formula of Amie's ensured this didn't happen. Instead, my eyes felt cleansed and my eye make-up was removed in just a few swipes. With each swipe, my eye area were cooled and throughly cleansed.

Exfoliating your skin is important in the removing of dead skin cells and deeply cleansing your pores to prevent spots. Amie New Leaf Skin Exfoliating Polish is indicated to be used once or twice a week. I chose Sunday and Wednesday so that my skin is refreshed for a new week and then a mid week cleanse.I applied the product onto my face and as directed, massaged in circular movements. I did this for about 2 minutes and then washed it off with warm water. This product literally does polish your skin: my skin felt smooth and removed of all dirt leaving it feeling soft and looking clear.

Amie Skin Care is pure and natural beauty in it's truest form. After the week, my skin has never looked so clear and bright! Natural products with no harsh chemicals or parabens and an average of 95% natural ingredients. The affordable price makes it appealing for me on a part time job wage, whilst the use of ethical products ensures a safe  environment. It's fair to say, my Amie week has become my permanent skin care routine.

Thank you Sarah for this thorough review.

Make up that works from 9 - 5

I don't know about you but I find if I ever wear eye shadow/colour for work, by midday my eyelids have absorbed every last pigment of colour and all I'm left with is my Liquidlast liner (which doesn't budge at all- amazing).

Trish McEvoy acknowledged the need for products for women (like me) who are always on the go with work, meetings and networking, who not only need  multiple use products, but products that stay on your face all day long.

(L - R: Eye base essentials, Lash curling mascara, 24 hour eye shadow/liner and line refiner)

I love Mac's greasepaint sticks but they never stay put unless I use a pigment powder on top. I tried out the Trish McEvoy 24 hour Eye Shadow and Liner in a lovely bronze/gold colour.

This is a really easy to use product, perfect for yor handbag and it lasted all day from 7:30am until 6pm. So impressed with the quality, that was without the eye base. The eye base can be worn alone to brighten eyes or underneath eye shadow to lock it into place. If, like me you have naturally dark eyelids, the eye base is a perfect base for a light/bright eyeshadow to make it really stand out.

                                          

My favourite product is the lash curling Mascara. I suffer from itchy eyes and I'm always rubbing them, which usually results in flakes of mascara or smudged eyes, this mascara didn't budge, it made my eyelashes feel like they had been hairsprayed into curls, I'm not sure how it does it but it definitely does curl. What I like best about this product is the way it comes off in little tubes when you wash your face, no more panda eyes.

Trish, you've done well here. Keep it going.

Pineapple Pulp Fiction Facial

After juicing some pineapples, I had a whole load of pineapple pulp left over and I didn’t’ want to throw it away. So, my sister – Jack had a brainwave, to use it as a face mask.

Jack mixed some oats in her pineapple pulp to make the pulp firm and to also act as an exfoliator for when she washed it off.

It smells delicious but more importantly, the results are amazing. My skin feels slightly tingly but it’s glowing, probably all of the active enzymes from the pineapples.

Pineapple Pulp Fiction Facial

Ingredients: Pure pineapple (oats are optional)

Instructions: Pick up in blobs and place in sections over face. Leave on for around 5 minutes and then wash off.

Urgent:Toxic Tools

I must share something with you which is only known by a minority of people, only because they work directly with manufacturers of cosmetic tools.

As soon as I found this out, I just knew I had to share this with you because I couldn't find anything on the internet about it.

We have all these strict EU regulations about ingredients in cosmetics but (as far as I'm aware) no tests to ensure make up tools are safe. To be truly honest with you, the idea had never crossed my mind that brand new make up brushes and (the biggest shocker) a pencil sharpener could possibly contain bacteria which can cause skin/eye infections.

Now for the science part, factories in China use blades for pencil sharpeners which haven't been irradiated. Now, irradiation is a sterilisation process,which kills bacteria on the blades of a sharpener or the natural hairs of a brush. Irradiation is a very complex process (hence why not all factories manufacturing these products do it) but it is necessary to avoid infection.

The really scary thing is some that people who may suffer from eye infections or skin irritation will probably never link it to make up tools, instead blaming a mascara or a foundation.

Now for the solution, go for a German brand pencil sharpener, such as "KUM", most major cosmetic companies use this brand, so you can check with them. I will also be conducting my own research because nobody else has, so I'll compile a list of safe brands for you after my research.

Also, thoroughly wash any new brushes/tools with a brush cleaning/sanitizing product, this is good for new brushes anyway to remove any loose hairs (especially if they are natural hairs which have been sourced without causing animals any harm or distress).

I'll keep you updated with my research.

Keep your make up tools clean and keep away from cheap Chinese sharpeners.

Oh NARS! You're making me blush!

I think I might have to change my blog to ‘make up blush girl’ because I feel like I’m always talking about blushers. If there is one make up item I can’t do without, it is definitely blusher. It brings my skin to life, accentuates my cheekbones, evens out my skin tone and even balances out my features.

One of my favourite brands is NARS and if I had to award NARS for anything, it would have to be ‘The BEST Blusher Award’.

The range of highly pigmented colours, which are available in cream or powder are intense, dreamy, soft, bright and I love how the colours complement all skin tones.

Last weekend I picked up Taos pressed powder blush, a peachy rose with subtle specks of gold shimmer (sold out in Selfridges Oxford St, so I had to go to John Lewis). My tan is majorly fading and Taos managed to bring it back to life! It’s a really soft, warm colour.

From Taos to Taj Mahal, Taj Mahal is as amazing as the inspiration behind its name. A magnificent burnt orange with shimmer, which really makes my skin glow. I look so healthy when I wear Taj Mahal, I know it looks really bright but this is amazing on all skin colours.

I could babble on about blushers all day long, go and visit a NARS counter and see the vast array of colours for yourselves.

Brighten up your face and I promise you it brightens up your day, works for me.

I’m a NARS addict and proud!

x

(Left: Taos /Right: Taj Mahal)

Wonder products from Sephora

So, while my gals were sunbathing on South Beach, I literally spent 3 hours in Sephora in make up Heaven!

I took a whole load of pictures on my Blackberry but I've lost them and now have an i-phone (which I am loving byt he way).

L.A ink tattooist, Kat Von D has her own make up range, which is very dark and quite gothic, some of the eyeliners/eye pencils looked great, perfect for smouldering smokey eyes.

I love Sephora's own range of cosmetics, they are affordable and have a great range of colours for eyes, lips and cheeks. I snapped up some eye pencils and eye liners for around $4 each! The quality is really good, especially for that price. They glide on like the Mac eye pencils.

I had read about ex-model 'Josie Maran's" cosmetic and skincare range in Nylon Magazine. Sephora didn'[t have any cosmetics but they did have the Josia Maran Organic Argan Oil Moisturiser. Argan Oil is found in Morocco and is said to be the secret to youthful skin after Moroccan women who worked with the oil had amazingly youthful skin on their hands.

After being in the burning sun in the Maldives and then Miami, my skin was really dehydrated and alcked it's usual glow. This Argan Oil brought my skin back to life, you can use it on skin, hair and nails. I used it on my skin after being in the sun every day, it glided on with a silky feeling, it feels amazing. I also used it on the ends of my hair which the sun had dried out.

Another product I discovered is 'Fiberwig', it's a mascara product you use on top of mascara instead of false lashes.

I like this product because even though I love the look of false lashes, they can sometimes irritate me, this product fills in gaps and extends lashes using fibres. The results are great, I must warn you though, when you take your make up off at night, the fibres can be a bit annoying because they sort of peel off but I would much rather make sure my make up is taken off properly than rip off false lashes. Ouch!

It is such a massive shame that Sephora was taken out of the U.K! Please come baaaaaaack!