Are Men The Real Expert?

I'm not going to lie... I'm not the best when it comes to my skincare, but I'm trying to get better! Especially since I have noticed that after having Harley, the texture and condition of my skin has changed dramatically.
Before becoming a mum I had little to no problems with breakouts, however now I find I get a lot more spots and a lot more texture to my skin specifically targeting my forehead, and it drives me INSANE!!

So I wanted to introduce something to my skincare that was quick, easy and also affordable.  I had every intention of heading out to go to the shops and have a look at all my options so I popped into the shower and I noticed one of Bertos facial washes, so I gave it a go and I AM IN LOVE! The source of my love? The L'Oréal Men's Expert Black Charcoal Wash Multi Action Purifier (and we thought women were bad for naming products).  I used a pea sized amount to a wet face to create a refreshing frothy lather. I left the lather on my face for around a minute and then simply washed it off. Simple.
The charcoal acts like a magnet to pull out any impurities from your skin while the menthol scent gives you that freshness to kick start your day. I'm usually not a fan of menthol but this is devine!
When I washed the product from my face, my skin was squeaky clean, I mean SQUEAKY clean!

I know this is technically a men's product and people will think I'm crazy but I swear, I have seen a huge difference in my skin after using this face wash every second day for the guts of the past year. I don't get half as many spots, barely any blackheads and my texture issue on my forehead has definitely decreased. Not disappeared but definitely decreased. I love it so much that I have repurchased twice now and a bottle will last me around 4-5 months because you only need such a small amount for your whole face. Also at around €8 you really can't go wrong. You can buy this product here

However, please don't try this for the first time if you are planning a night out or a special occasion in the next few days. This product is designed to pull any underlying spots or blackheads to the surface of your skin so be prepared! I know that nobody wants spots but this does mean that it's working. You want the first couple of times you use it to get rid of all that gunk in your skin and then to be using it to maintain this clear complexion.

You'll thank me later! Let me know if you try it!

Jen x

The Perfect Palette

Being a makeup artist can be a a good thing and a bad thing when getting ready. Although having all the good tips and tricks from my trade, sometimes, it can be a nightmare having TOO much makeup. I know, I know, first world problems, but every now and again I get myself into some kind of a rut with my makeup routine. 

To help me get out of this rut, I've decided to re-jig my everyday makeup palette.

Cosmetic brands make palettes to make it easier for the consumer to create a whole look with one purchase, however, they team their best sellers with their worst so you find yourself never using the full palette.

I use the MakeUp Forever Empty Magnetic Palette. Now I can build my own palette with all my favourite products and brands to suit me and my makeup taste. These are my go-to colours for anything from a natural day look to a dramatic evening style.

In my palette, I have three of my favourite Inglot blushers, two new Inglot contour powders, my favourite MAC contour powder, three highlighting eyeshadows and fifteen coloured eyeshadows.

From top left to right:

373 matte eyeshadow. Great for a matte highlight under the brow.

330 matte eyeshadow. I use this for an all over base when doing a natural eye

390 matte eyeshadow. This is fab for naturally contouring the socket of the eye.

337 matte eyeshadow. A great shadow for blending out other shades.

357 matte eyeshadow. A medium toned warm brown. Perfect for almost anything!

327 matte eyeshadow. A warm, chocolate brown. Goes with all skin tones.

363 matte eyeshadow. A cooler medium brown tone. Love using this tone when I don't have tan on.

326 matte eyeshadow. A dark, purple toned brown. A beautiful alternative for black.

393 sheen eyeshadow. My favourite shade when I want a strong highlight or for inside of eye.

361 matte eyeshadow. A light peach tone perfect for blending out a adding warmth to your look.

51 matte eyeshadow with glitter. Mixed with your neutrals, perfect for adding colour to a neutral eye.

335 matte eyeshadow. A burnt orange will warm up any warm toned brown.

450 sheen eyeshadow. The perfect cranberry. Used with others or alone, really brings out blue eyes.

74 matte shadow with glitter. Mixing this with orange tones gives you a stunning sunset toned eye.

325 matte eyeshadow. I call this Cadbury purple. My all time favourite purple, ever.

362 matte eyeshadow. A bubblegum pink, beautiful for blending out purples or to use on the cheek.

46 sheen eyeshadow. My all time favourite highlight. A pearlescent tone suitable for any skin tone.

63 matte shadow. The blackest black I have ever used. I use this for smoking out a look or wet as liner.

505 matte contour powder. Cool toned contour for when not wearing tan. New product.

502 matte contour powder. Warm toned contour for yellow toned skin.New product.

41 matte blush. I rarely use this on my cheeks. I love it as a red toned shade on my eyes.

29 matte blush. A bright, medium toned coral. Beautiful on most skin tones.

47 matte blush. A bright, peach toned coral. Suitable for light to tanned skin tones.

MAC Pro Definitive Contour Powder. Beautiful for light, pink toned skin. 

Hope you enjoyed

Love Jen 

xxx

How To Clean Your Makeup Brushes

So as you know, I am heading away, and on my adventure I could not got without some vital tools of my trade. Today I got around to cleaning ALL of my makeup brushes, personal and professional. It took a little while, but a couple of hundred brushes later and some definite wrinkle-finger syndrome, I am done!!

The majority of people who use makeup brushes to apply their war paint are very aware that they need to be washed regularly and shown a little bit of care and love. Unfortunately, a little bit of love can mean very different things to many different people. I have heard some horror stories about people washing their brushes. Filling the sink with water and throwing all the brushes in to 'soak'. Pulling at the bristles of the brushes. Leaving the brushes to dry standing up. Even a case of using bleach, yes I know, my heart stopped a little too, bleach!!

I have had many of my brushes for years and years and they still look, feel and do their job as if they are freshly out of their packaging, so I think I know a thing or two about cleaning and maintaining brushes. I'm not saying my way is right or that other ways are wrong, however, I have found this method to work for me and for my beloved brushes, abuse free!!

The only thing you need to clean your brushes are items you most probably have in your house. Warm water and some washing up liquid. You can use shampoo, baby shampoo, specific brush cleansers but I find washing up liquid to be the best. I use Fairy washing up liquid as it isn't too harsh on the bristles of the brush but yet it strips grease, oils, bacteria, and of course makeup, easily off your brushes.

Using warm running water, wet the brush with the bristles facing downwards so the water does not seep into the barrel of the brush, usually the silver area in between the handle and the bristles. Whenever emercing the brush under water, it should always be done in this way because if not, water will loosen the glue holding all the hairs in place, the hairs will fall out and ruin your brush and your makeup!

Squeeze a pea size amount of washing up liquid onto the palm of your hand. Using circular motions, stir the brush into the liquid until it begins to sud up. Rinse the bristles of your brush under warm water and repeat until the suds and water run white and clear. 

Be gentle with your brushes. You do not want to damage the bristles by being too rough or bending the bristles too much.

Now your brush is clean you want to dry the bristles. With the brush facing down again, wrap the bristles with your fingers and gently squeeze the water out. You do not want to pull at the hairs while doing this, just gently squeeze the bristles and shape the brush to its original shape.

When the excess water has been wrung-out, lay all of your freshly cleaned brushes out on a clean, flat towel in a cool dry place. This will allow the brushes to fully dry naturally in their original shape without the water dripping down into the barrel. Leave overnight. 

Your brushes are now squeaky clean to use on you or your clients. Let me know if you have any questions. Jx

Embrace Me!

Today I managed to master the concept of the fishtail braid, and it has to be said, it looks a lot more complicated than it actually is! As a first attempt, I don't think I did too bad!

To achieve this look, I'm afraid you do need to have long hair, preferably past your collar bone. Divide the hair into two pieces. Take a small amount of hair from the outside of one section and bring it into the inside of the other. Repeat on the opposite side. Use this method the whole way down the hair and you have yourself that tricky looking, beautiful braid. Easy right?

Optional:

I prefer this look quite worn-in and messy. Either do the braid the night before and sleep with it in style or simply after completing your braid, pull at each side of the plait to loosen both sides (I prefer this way).

This will also give the appearance of fuller, thicker hair as the braid looks a lot bigger when teased and pulled a bit.

Jx