It's all about MeMeMe and the Ultimate Lipstick?

I'm a red lipstick gal. If I could only wear one item of make-up for a day, it would be red lipstick. I'm always looking for the ultimate red lipstick but I may have to call off the search...

MeMeMe Long Wear Satin Lip Cream in Tuscan Red (£8.50 from Superdrug)


I was drawn to this product because of the colour, rather than the promise of extra staying power.
It's an orangey red, or what I would class as being a burnt red. Although I was sold on the colour (and the rather lovely retro packaging), this lipstick definitely has a unique texture that I'd never come across before; it felt so smooth and moisturising for a long wear lipstick. I was pretty excited until I discovered that it didn't stay on that long at all. But in my eyes, the colour and texture makes up for any shortcomings...including the price!



Have you tried any of these lipsticks?

Sanctuary Splurge

I've never visited a Sanctuary Spa but I've always admired the packaging of their home spa products. I've been very lucky recently as my lovely mum managed to bag herself a bargain in Debenhams' January sale...the Therapists Facial Oil and Warming Microbrasion Polish for, wait for it, £11 (RRP £30)! My mum, being so marvellous and selfless, gave it to me as I was ill at the time.

My skin was looking horrendous (dull, blotchy and dry) but within three days of using these products my skin had improved considerably. I used the polish once during this time and the oil night and day. I felt like crap but my skin looked great!

Being rather impressed, I decided to make use of Boots current '3 for 2' on Skincare and splurged on a few more Sanctuary goodies:

L-R: Ultimate Facial Cleansing Oil, Pore Refining Toner and 5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask

Ultimate Facial Cleansing Oil


I was too 'pump' happy when I tried the cleansing oil and dispense more than I needed. I applied the oil to my face and added some water as instructed. Let's just say that there was some major emulsifying going on and no matter how many times I washed my face, I couldn't seem to get the oil off! The next time I tried the product I was more wary of the quantity I was using and the results were far more successful. I like the luxuriousness of this cleanser, from the packaging to the smell. It left me with a glow that I don't get from babywipes and left my skin feeling hydrated but in no way oily.

Pore Refining Toner

It has to be said that I think toners are a waste of time and I very rarely purchase one. I probably wouldn't have purchased this one if it wasn't part of the '3 for 2' offer. This toner claims to minimise the appearance of pores as well as preventing blemishes. It comes in a spray-action bottle and can either be applied via a cotton pad or directly onto the face and then removed with a cotton pad. It didn't have a noticeable effect on my pores although I haven't had any blemishes since using it. On the few occasions that I have tried a toner, I've always likened the experience to throwing paint stripper on my face but this felt gentle enough to be used by those with sensitive skin. Despite my initial opinion, it did feel quite satisfying to see this toner remove grime that the cleanser didn't.

5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask


I used this mask after cleansing, toning and exfoliating with the Sanctuary products mention in this post.  The mud-like mask heats up as it's applied to your skin, giving you the sense that it's really getting into your pores. I've used a few masks of a similar ilk and I'm often left with a stinging face wondering whether I should wash it off early. Fortunately this didn't happen on this occasion. The product was left on for five sting-free minutes and once removed, my skin felt soft and looked revived. I did notice that it brought some bumps/ tiny spots to the surface but these were gone by the morning


Summary


These Sanctuary products really are a treat, not just for for your bathroom shelf but for your skin and your senses. Effective enough to see results but gentle enough for sensitive skins. In my opinion, Sanctuary have done a really good job of helping you to recreate the spa experience in your own home.

Melissa Martin-Hughes

"18 year old Melissa Martin-Hughes hanged herself after spiralling into depression because of her severe  acne"

I was really saddened to read the above article in today's edition of the Daily Mail. Anyone who has suffered from acne or 'bad skin' will know how it effects your self-esteem. It can stop you wanting to socialise and leave you feeling isolated, especially when the media depicts beauty as an unattainable level of perfection, and encourages us to scrutinise our exteriors and take pleasure in other people's flaws. Acne can stop you from looking people in the eye,  make you shy away from bright lights and seek the dark corners of any room.
Melissa's experience with the health service also struck a chord with me. For eight years I suffered with an undiagnosed auto-immune condition called Coeliacs Disease. My doctors didn't listen and failed to connect the dots of my random symptoms. There was little communication between GPs and a prevalence of a 'treat the symptoms, not the cause' mentality. 
It is tragic that such a bright girl was let down by the medical professionals she turned to for help.

Nude Magique BB Cream by L'Oreal

My latest beauty buy is L'Oreal's Nude Magique BB Cream. As I've mentioned in a previous post, I am partial to a BB cream or two (okay five...).

As I squeezed the product onto the back of my hand, my first impression was "Eh?". It's white....with blue bits in it. It reminded me of an exfoliator. The blue bits are in fact "smart pigment capsules" that release pigment as you blend the cream into your skin.

This BB cream comes in two flavours, Light and Medium. I chose the Light option which looked lovely on my skin in Superdrug. I really should have checked in more natural light because those pigment capsules aren't as smart as you'd think...

The pictures don't really prove my point, but this product is too dark for my averagely fair skin. In some lights, it doesn't look too bad at all but in others, I'm 'Snog Marry Avoid' material. As much as I would like my own lighting assistant to follow me around, I don't expect it to happen anytime soon.

Before I banish this product to the bottom of my make-up bag, I'm going to give it one more try. If I make it though the school day tomorrow without being mocked ("You've been Tango'ed miss!") I'll be sure to let you know.

I'm a stippler for a stippling brush...

I'm always looking for products that will make my skin look better than it really is. The way you apply your foundation is really just as important as the product you use and so I've experimented with a few different applicators in the past. Recently, I've been using the Cosmopolitan Blend Perfection Sponge. I don't really have any complaints, it's just that the Real Techniques Stippling Brush is better!


This brush helps you to make the most of your foundation and doesn't just smear it around your face like a foundation brush. The dense and blunt bristles enable you to place product exactly where you want it. You can also layer your foundation with this brush and build it up in areas that need it. I've been using the Real Techniques Stippling brush for two weeks and I've received lots of compliments about my skin. The general opinion seems to be that I look less made-up and more natural. Yippee!


What else could you need? How about a 'How To..' tutorial on how to use your new brush? 


The Real Techniques brush range has been designed by make-up guru Samantha Chapman, and she's also recorded some video tutorials on how to make the most of your purchases. How considerate.


You can buy the Real Techiniques Stippling Brush and others from the range, at Boots.

Quick Fix Make-up Tips..

It Stick by Benefit

I rarely have time to eat while I'm working, let alone perform minor facial reconstruction. As a teacher, my door is always open and there is nothing as unprofessional as pupils walking in on you as you're desperately trying to conceal the second head that appears to be growing out of your chin. Any make-up that I do apply during the day needs to be done in thirty seconds flat, while fervently listening out for incoming teenagers. Here are my quick fix make-up tips:
                                                                                                                                                                        1. Use a stick concealer to deal with blemishes. You have no time to find that concealer brush at the bottom of your handbag. I like 'It Stick' by Benefit. I've experimented with others but I always come back to this one.

Sleek Pout Polish

2. I'm a big fan of Sleek's Pout Polish, especially when running low on time. This product gives you a wash of colour, moisturises your lips and it's easy to apply without having to get a mirror out.

3. I recently purchased of bottle of Avene Eau Thermale and it's the perfect product to freshen your foundation and to return that dewy finish you had when you walked out of the door at 7.45am. Just spritz it over your face when needed.


















I'd really love to hear your quick fix make-up tips! What works for you?

My Beauty Icon

I am assuming that everyone can remember that one person that inspired them to start experimenting with their look? Maybe it was your Mum or your older sister? Mine was Drew Barrymore (circa 1995) and I truly wanted TO BE HER. And if I couldn't actually be her then I was going TO LOOK LIKE HER. And how hard I tried...

I should really be feeling quite venomous towards Ms Barrymore...she did after all start the beauty juggernaut that powered through my late teens/ early twenties taking with it my eyebrows, most of my hair and probably some of my dignity. I do have to thank Drew though for introducing me to my beauty soulmate, the red lipstick. We've enjoyed a wonderful relationship together.

Who's your Beauty Icon?